Lindsay Corp DEF 14A, filed Nov 21, 2023
Lindsay Corp (LNN)
About this DEF 14A
Lindsay Corp filed this DEF 14A on November 21, 2023.
Table of Contents
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Preliminary Proxy Statement | |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) | |
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Definitive Proxy Statement | |
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Definitive Additional Materials | |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12 | |
| ☒ | No fee required. | |||
| ☐ | Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11 | |||
Table of Contents
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Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
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The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Lindsay Corporation (the “Company”) will be held:
Where: As a Virtual Meeting at www.virtualshareholder
When: Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at 8:30 a.m., Central
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ITEMS OF BUSINESS
1. Elect two (2) directors for terms ending at the Fiscal 2027 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
2. Ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2024.
3. Take a non-binding vote on a resolution to approve the compensation of the Company’s most highly paid executive officers.
4. Transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
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By Internet
By Telephone
By Proxy Card |
A Proxy Statement setting forth important information with respect to each of the matters being submitted to the stockholders is enclosed with this Notice of Annual Meeting.
To access and participate in the Annual Meeting, you will need the 16-digit control number provided on your proxy card or through your broker or other nominee if you hold shares in “street name.” You will be able to attend, vote and submit questions virtually during the Annual Meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/LNN2024. There will be no physical Annual Meeting location for stockholders to attend. You may begin to log in to the meeting platform at 8:20 a.m., Central Standard Time, on January 9, 2024, and the Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m., Central Standard Time.
Only stockholders holding shares of the Company’s common stock of record at the close of business on November 13, 2023 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors is soliciting proxies to vote on behalf of all stockholders, whether or not they expect to be present at the virtual Annual Meeting. Each stockholder is encouraged to vote by proxy on the internet or by telephone as instructed on the enclosed proxy card or by completing the enclosed proxy card and mailing it in the return envelope enclosed for that purpose. Even if you vote by proxy on the internet, by telephone or by mail, you may revoke your proxy at any time prior to the Annual Meeting, and stockholders who are present at the virtual Annual Meeting may withdraw their proxies and vote virtually.
By Order of the Board of Directors /S/ ERIC R. ARNESON Eric R. Arneson, Secretary
Omaha, Nebraska November 21, 2023 |
IMPORTANT: THE PROMPT RETURN OF PROXIES WILL SAVE THE COMPANY THE EXPENSE OF FURTHER SOLICITATION FOR PROXIES TO ENSURE A QUORUM AT THE ANNUAL MEETING.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to
be Held on January 9, 2024. The Proxy Statement for this Annual Meeting and Annual Report are available
online at http://www.lindsayannualmeeting.com.
Table of Contents
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| Voting Securities and Beneficial Ownership Thereof by Principal Stockholders, Directors and Officers |
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| PROPOSAL 2 RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM |
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Table of Contents
| PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY |
Proxy Statement Summary
This Proxy Statement Summary is furnished to assist in your review of the matters to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The following information is only a summary, and you should read the entire Proxy Statement before voting. For more complete information on these topics, please review the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023 and this Proxy Statement.
Voting Items
| Board Recommendation |
Pages | |||
| FOR all nominees | 3-37 | |||
| FOR | 38 | |||
| FOR | 39 | |||
Virtual Annual Meeting
Again this year, the Company will be conducting a virtual Annual Meeting of Stockholders via a live webcast. The Company has been pleased with its use of this technology for recent Annual Meetings and continues to believe that hosting a virtual Annual Meeting enables increased stockholder attendance and participation while reducing the costs of holding the Annual Meeting. You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting online, vote your shares electronically, and submit your questions during the meeting by visiting http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/LNN2024 and logging in with the 16-digit control number provided on your proxy card or through your broker or other nominee if you hold shares in “street name.” If you have difficulties during the check-in time or during the Annual Meeting, technicians will be ready to assist you with any difficulties you may encounter. If you encounter any difficulties accessing the Annual Meeting, please call the technical support number that will be posted on the Annual Meeting platform’s log-in page. The Company will endeavor to address as many stockholder-submitted questions as time permits that comply with the Annual Meeting’s rules of conduct. The Company reserves the right to edit any inappropriate language and to exclude questions regarding topics that are not pertinent to proposals or the Company’s business. If substantially repetitious questions are submitted, such questions may be grouped together and a single response may be provided to avoid repetition in the interest of time and fairness to all stockholders.
Fiscal 2023 Highlights
Fiscal 2023 marked a year of significant achievements as the Company celebrated its 25th year as a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange. In the face of interest rate headwinds, volatile commodity prices, and lower U.S. net farm income projections, the Company persevered to achieve new records in net earnings and earnings per share, led by record full year operating income and operating margin in its irrigation business and overall gross margin expansion. The Company’s improved operating performance and effective working capital management resulted in free cash flow generation in excess of its objective for the year, reaching 139 percent of net earnings. The Company’s strong performance supported its ability to pursue acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and growth investments in innovation, while empowering its employees, dealers, and distributors to further the Company’s clear and compelling mission: to provide powerful irrigation, infrastructure, and industrial technology solutions that conserve natural resources, expand our world’s potential, and enhance the quality of life for people around the world.
Key highlights from fiscal 2023 include:
| • | The Company achieved record net earnings and earnings per share. The Company reached all-time highs for full-year net earnings and earnings per share. Net earnings for fiscal 2023 were $72.4 million (or $6.54 per diluted share), an increase of $6.9 million (or $0.60 per diluted share) compared to $65.5 million (or $5.94 per |
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| PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY |
| diluted share) in the prior fiscal year. Meaningful expansion of gross margins in irrigation helped the Company to exceed its annual operating margin objective in fiscal 2023, as it achieved operating margin of 15.2% of sales, compared to 12.3% of sales in the prior fiscal year. |
| • | The Company strengthened its irrigation technology leadership position. In July 2023, the Company announced the acquisition of FieldWiseTM, a market leader in agricultural technology products with a focus on subscription-based, precision irrigation solutions. The addition of FieldWise enables the Company to reach an expanded set of irrigation technology customers while simultaneously accessing new growth markets and sales channels. During fiscal 2023, the Company also entered into separate strategic partnerships with each of Pessl Instruments and Ceres Imaging, which together bring unique cutting-edge crop imaging, intuitive data analytics, connected crop management, and soil moisture and weather monitoring to growers. The FieldWise acquisition and the new strategic partnerships enhance the Company’s technology leadership position and supports the Company’s customers as they look to improve their operations and implement sustainable farming practices that save them critical time and resources. |
| • | The Company’s infrastructure business launched several innovative offerings to improve road safety and traffic flow. |
| • | With operators, ground workers, and motorists in mind, the Company’s infrastructure business launched a modernized Road ZipperTM with a bold, modern design and two state-of-the-art operator cabins for improved safety and efficiency. The business’s focus on customer-first innovation is evidenced in numerous safety and productivity improvements to the barrier transfer machine system, including wrap-around windshields for enhanced operator and ground worker visibility, an external camera system designed to eliminate blind spots and to better visualize surrounding people, vehicles, and barrier, and other notable improvements to controls and cab doors. |
| • | The Company’s infrastructure business also introduced the TAU-XRTM, a MASH crash cushion designed to meet the needs of work crews and motorists alike. Notably, the TAU-XR comes fully assembled and features a unique double-rail system that allows for timely and cost-effective repairs. |
| • | The Company released an updated user-friendly Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. In furtherance of its commitment to conduct business in a manner that conforms to the highest ethical, moral, and legal principles, the Company released an updated Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. The Code is intended to guide the behaviors and actions of the Company’s global workforce in accordance with the Company’s core values. The new Code has been published in eight languages and reflects emerging best practices in areas fundamental to the Company’s and its stakeholders’ long-term success, including safety, anti-bribery and anti-corruption, information and asset protection, and corporate social responsibility. The Code is accessible and user-friendly, replete with “what if” scenarios and real-world examples to help employees apply ethical decision-making in practice. In fiscal 2023, 100% of the Company’s directors and global employees received the new Code and affirmed their commitment to ethics, integrity, and compliance by acknowledging that they had read, understood, and agreed to abide by the letter and spirit of the Code. |
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| PROXY STATEMENT FOR FISCAL 2024 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS |
Proxy Statement for
Fiscal 2024 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Lindsay Corporation (the “Company”) to be held virtually via a live webcast on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at the time, on the website and for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Only record holders of the Company’s common stock at the close of business on November 13, 2023 are entitled to vote at the virtual Annual Meeting.
The accompanying proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company and is revocable at any time before it is exercised by written notice of revocation delivered to the Secretary of the Company or by filing a later dated proxy with him. Furthermore, stockholders who are present at the virtual Annual Meeting may withdraw their proxies and vote virtually. All shares of the Company’s common stock represented by properly executed and unrevoked proxies will be voted by the Board of Directors of the Company in accordance with the directions given therein. Where no instructions are indicated, proxies will be voted in accordance with the recommendation of the Board of Directors with respect to each of the proposals set forth in this Proxy Statement for consideration at the Annual Meeting. Shares of common stock entitled to vote and represented by properly executed, returned and unrevoked proxies will be considered present at the virtual Annual Meeting for purposes of establishing a quorum, including shares with respect to which votes are withheld, abstentions are cast or there are broker non-votes.
The principal executive offices of the Company are located at 18135 Burke Street, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68022.
This Proxy Statement and the proxy cards are first being mailed to stockholders on or about November 21, 2023.
Voting Securities and Beneficial Ownership Thereof by Principal Stockholders, Directors and Officers
As of November 13, 2023 (the “Record Date”), there were 11,030,936 shares of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote upon each matter to be voted on at the Annual Meeting. There is no cumulative voting with respect to the election of directors.
The table below sets forth, as of the Record Date, the beneficial ownership of the Company’s common stock by each director, by each nominee to become a director, by each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table (the “Named Executive Officers”), and by all current executive officers and directors of the Company as a group. The shares beneficially owned by executive officers and directors of the Company represent approximately 1.4% of the total shares outstanding on the Record Date and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors believes that all of such shares currently issued and outstanding will be present at the Annual Meeting and will be voted in accordance with the recommendation of the Board of Directors with respect to each proposal being considered at the Annual Meeting. The table below also sets forth the beneficial ownership of the Company’s common stock by each other stockholder believed by the Company to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock based on a review of reports on Schedule 13D and Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) with respect to the Company’s common stock.
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| PROXY STATEMENT FOR FISCAL 2024 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS |
Beneficial ownership of the Company’s common stock is determined under the rules of the SEC and generally includes any shares over which a person exercises sole or shared voting or investment power. Shares of common stock subject to options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date and restricted stock units that will be settled into shares of common stock within 60 days of the Record Date are deemed to be outstanding and beneficially owned by the person, but such shares are not actually outstanding and may not be voted at the Annual Meeting.
| Name |
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned(1) |
Percent of Class |
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| Executive Officers, Directors, and Director Nominees |
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| Robert E. Brunner, Director and Chairperson of the Board |
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9,012(2) |
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* |
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| Michael N. Christodolou, Director |
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12,896 |
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* |
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| Pablo Di Si, Director |
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1,919(3) |
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* |
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| Ibrahim Gokcen, Director |
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1,807 |
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* |
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| Mary A. Lindsey, Director |
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3,882(2) |
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* |
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| Consuelo E. Madere, Director |
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4,742(2) |
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* |
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| David B. Rayburn, Director |
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7,873 |
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* |
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| Randy A. Wood, Director, President and Chief Executive Officer |
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55,859(4) |
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* |
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| Brian L. Ketcham, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
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33,100(4) |
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* |
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| Gustavo E. Oberto, President—Irrigation |
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9,568(4) |
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* |
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| J. Scott Marion, President—Infrastructure |
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14,237(4) |
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* |
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| All current executive officers and directors as a group (11 persons) |
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154,895(4) |
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1.4% |
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| Other Stockholders |
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| BlackRock, Inc.(5) |
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1,976,403 |
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17.9% |
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| The Vanguard Group(6) |
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1,271,945 |
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11.5% |
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| Neuberger Berman Group LLC(7) |
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820,215 |
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7.4% |
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| * | Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock. |
| (1) | Each stockholder not shown as being part of a group owns all outstanding shares directly and has sole voting and investment power over such shares, or shares such power with a spouse. |
| (2) | Includes 668 restricted stock units that have vested but have been deferred pursuant to an election permitted by the Lindsay Corporation Directors Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan. The director shall have no voting rights with respect to the shares associated with such deferred restricted stock units while they remain deferred. |
| (3) | Includes 1,169 restricted stock units that have vested but have been deferred pursuant to an election permitted by the Lindsay Corporation Directors Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan. The director shall have no voting rights with respect to the shares associated with such deferred restricted stock units while they remain deferred. |
| (4) | Includes 32,793; 20,864; 5,714; 8,027; and 67,398 shares which may be acquired currently or within 60 days of the Record Date pursuant to the exercise of options by Messrs. Wood, Ketcham, Oberto, Marion, and the current executive officers and directors as a group, respectively. |
| (5) | The address for this stockholder is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055. |
| (6) | The address for this stockholder is 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355. |
| (7) | The address for this stockholder is 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10104. |
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| PROPOSAL 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
Proposal 1 Election of Directors
The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation requires that the Board of Directors be divided into three classes that are elected to the Board on a staggered basis for three-year terms. At the Annual Meeting, the terms of two directors will terminate and stockholders will be voting on nominees to fill these two positions on the Board. Accordingly, the Board of Directors, upon recommendations made by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, has nominated Robert E. Brunner and Randy A. Wood to serve as directors for terms ending at the Fiscal 2027 Annual Meeting.
Messrs. Brunner and Wood are current directors of the Company serving for terms that will expire as of the date of the Annual Meeting. Each of Messrs. Brunner and Wood has expressed an intention to serve, if elected. The Board of Directors knows of no reason why any of them might be unavailable to continue to serve, if elected. There are no arrangements or understandings between Messrs. Brunner or Wood, on the one hand, and any other person, on the other hand, pursuant to which they were nominated to serve on the Board of Directors.
The election of a director requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast virtually or by proxy by persons entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Consequently, votes withheld and broker non-votes with respect to the election of directors will have no impact on the election of directors. If Mr. Brunner or Mr. Wood is unable to serve, the shares represented by all valid proxies will be voted for the election of such substitute nominee as the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee may recommend to the Board of Directors. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the two director nominees named in this proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF MESSRS. BRUNNER AND WOOD AS DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY WITH
TERMS ENDING AT THE FISCAL 2027 ANNUAL MEETING.
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| PROPOSAL 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
Board of Directors and Committees
The following sets forth certain information regarding the directors and director nominees of the Company, including the two persons who have been nominated to serve for new terms expiring at the Fiscal 2027 Annual Meeting. Information is also provided concerning each director’s and director nominee’s specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that led the Board of Directors to conclude that each of them should serve as a director of the Company. The Board of Directors has determined that each of the non-employee directors, Messrs. Brunner, Christodolou, Di Si, Gokcen and Rayburn and Mses. Lindsey and Madere, are independent directors of the Company under the listing standards adopted by the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”).
Director Qualifications, Skills, and Background
The following matrix highlights the Board of Directors’ broad range of qualifications, skills, and perspectives, producing a balanced and well-informed mix that facilitates the Board’s oversight of management and the Board’s ability to address the Company’s strategic opportunities and risks.
The matrix sets forth the primary factors which the Board of Directors believes are important to the Company’s business and industry and which the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee considers in connection with identifying and recommending nominees to serve as directors. While marked qualifications, skills, and experiences indicate strong expertise or experience in the applicable category or categories, the matrix does not encompass all of the directors’ abilities.
The matrix also presents additional information regarding each director and director nominee’s background attributes. With an average age of 60 (with ages ranging from 45 to 75) and an average tenure of 8 years of service on the Board of Directors (with tenures ranging from 2 years to 24 years), each director brings a unique viewpoint as evidenced in part in the matrix below. While certain diversity characteristics, such as gender, race, and ethnicity, are important factors considered by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee when identifying, reviewing, and recommending nominees to serve as directors, neither the Board of Directors nor the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee have a formal policy with regard to consideration of such factors. Directors, nominees, and prospective nominees are not discriminated against on the basis of gender, race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or any other basis prescribed by law.
| Brunner | Christodolou | Gokcen | Lindsey | Madere | Di Si | Rayburn | Wood | |||||||||
| Qualifications, Skills, & Experience |
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| Ag/Infrastructure/Energy Industry Experience |
● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||||
| Global Business Experience |
● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Public Company Senior Executive Leadership |
● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Financial/Capital Markets |
● | ● | ● | ● | ||||||||||||
| Innovation/Technology |
● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Corporate Governance/Risk/Legal/Regulatory |
● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||||
| Operations/Manufacturing/Supply Chain |
● | ● | ● | ● | ||||||||||||
| Strategy |
● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| M&A |
● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||||
| Cybersecurity |
● | |||||||||||||||
| HR/Talent Management |
● | ● | ● | |||||||||||||
| Public Board |
● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||||
| Background |
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| Age |
66 | 61 | 45 | 68 | 63 | 54 | 75 | 51 | ||||||||
| Board Tenure |
10 | 24 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 9 | 3 | ||||||||
| Gender |
M | M | M | F | F | M | M | M | ||||||||
| Non-U.S. or Dual Citizenship |
● | ● | ● | |||||||||||||
| Race/Ethnicity |
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| White/Caucasian |
● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||||
| Hispanic/Latin American |
● | ● | ||||||||||||||
| Middle Eastern |
● | |||||||||||||||
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| PROPOSAL 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION – Terms to expire at the Fiscal 2027 Annual Meeting
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Robert E. Brunner
Age: 66
Director Since: 2013
Independent
Key skills and experience
• Business management and development • International operations • Mergers and acquisitions • Accounting principles, internal controls and audit committee functions
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Board Committee Membership
• Human Resources and Compensation Committee
Other Current Directorships
• Leggett & Platt, Inc. | |||
Robert E. Brunner, age 66, was an Executive Vice President of Illinois Tools Works, Inc., a diversified manufacturer of advanced industrial technology, from 2006 until his retirement in 2012. Prior to that position, Mr. Brunner was President, Global Automotive Fasteners from 2005 to 2006 and President, North American Automotive Fasteners from 2003 to 2005. Prior to that, Mr. Brunner held a variety of positions within Illinois Tools Works, Inc., including general management, operations management and sales and marketing. Mr. Brunner currently serves as the Lead Director on the Board of Directors of Leggett & Platt, Inc., a publicly held diversified manufacturer of engineered components and products, where he also serves as a member of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee and the Nominating, Governance and Sustainability Committee. From 2012 to 2023, Mr. Brunner served on the Board of Directors of NN, Inc., a diversified industrial company that designs and manufactures high-precision components and assemblies on a global basis, where he served as a member of the Compensation Committee and the Governance Committee. Mr. Brunner has been a director of the Company since 2013 and also serves as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors and as a member of the Company’s Human Resources and Compensation Committee. Mr. Brunner’s extensive experience in business management and development, international operations and mergers and acquisitions provide him with the relevant experience to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors.
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Randy A. Wood
Age: 51
Director Since: 2021
Key skills and experience
• Experience in leading domestic and international irrigation businesses • Building capabilities through innovation and technology
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Board Committee Membership
• None
Other Current Directorships
• None | |||
Randy A. Wood, age 51, is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and has held such position since January 2021. Mr. Wood has also been a director of the Company since January 2021 and he is the only executive officer of the Company serving on the Board of Directors. Between September 2020 and December 2020, Mr. Wood served as Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Between May 2016 and August 2020, Mr. Wood served as the Company’s President – Irrigation. Between October 2013 and May 2016, Mr. Wood served as President – International Irrigation of the Company. Between February 2012 and October 2013, Mr. Wood served as Vice President – Americas / ANZ Sales and Marketing. Previously he was Vice President – North America Irrigation Sales of the Company and held such position from March 2008, when he joined the Company. Prior to March 2008, Mr. Wood spent 11 years with Case Corporation / CNH Global including roles as the Senior Director of Marketing, Case IH Tractors, and Senior Director of Sales and Marketing, Parts and Service. Mr. Wood’s extensive experience in leading domestic and international irrigation businesses enables him to provide the Board of Directors with expert advice on a wide range of issues in the industries in which the Company operates. As an experienced Company executive who now serves as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Wood will continue to provide the Board of Directors with valuable insight into the Company’s day-to-day operations and achievements.
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| PROPOSAL 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE
| Michael N. Christodolou
Age: 61
Director Since: 1999
Independent
Key skills and experience
• Investment management • Corporate strategy • Capital allocation • Mergers and acquisitions • Capital markets • Accounting principles, internal controls and audit committee functions
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Board Committee Membership
• Audit Committee (financial expert) • Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
Other Current Directorships
• NETSTREIT Corp.
Current Board Term Ends
• Fiscal 2026 Annual Meeting | |||
Michael N. Christodolou, age 61 (current term to expire at the Fiscal 2026 Annual Meeting), is the Manager of Inwood Capital Management, LLC, an investment management firm he founded in 2000. From 1988 to 1999, Mr. Christodolou was employed by Bass Brothers/Taylor & Company, an investment firm associated with the Bass family of Fort Worth, Texas. Since 2020, Mr. Christodolou has served as a member of the Board of Directors of NETSTREIT Corp., a publicly-traded REIT that acquires, owns, and manages single-tenant triple net lease e-commerce resistant retail commercial real estate, where he serves as a member of the Audit Committee and the Investment Committee. From 2016 until it was acquired in December 2017, Mr. Christodolou served on the Board of Directors of Omega Protein Corporation, a nutritional products company. From 2015 to 2016, Mr. Christodolou served on the Board of Directors of Farmland Partners, Inc., a publicly-traded REIT that acquires and owns high-quality North American farmland. Mr. Christodolou also previously served on the Board of Directors of XTRA Corporation from 1998 until 2001 when it was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Mr. Christodolou has been a director of the Company since 1999 and served as Chairman of the Board from 2003 to January 2015. He currently serves as a member of each of the Company’s Audit Committee and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. Mr. Christodolou has over 35 years of experience in investment management and working with the management teams and boards of public companies on matters including corporate strategy, capital allocation, and mergers and acquisitions. His knowledge of the investment and capital markets and his experience as a director of public companies provide him with the relevant experience to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors. These experiences have given Mr. Christodolou an understanding of accounting principles, internal controls and audit committee functions; as a result, the Board has determined that he qualifies as an audit committee financial expert.
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Pablo Di Si
Age: 54
Director Since: 2022
Independent
Key skills and experience
• International operations • Business management and development • Knowledge of corporate finance, taxation and accounting • Accounting principles, internal controls and audit committee functions
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Board Committee Membership
• Audit Committee (financial expert) • Human Resources and Compensation Committee
Other Current Directorships
• Copersucar • JHSF Participações, S.A. and JHSF International
Current Board Term Ends
• Fiscal 2025 Annual Meeting | |||
Pablo Di Si, age 54 (current term to expire at the Fiscal 2025 Annual Meeting), is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Volkswagen Group of America and the Chief Executive Officer of Volkswagen North American Region. Mr. Di Si joined Volkswagen, a multinational automotive manufacturing company, in 2014 as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Argentina and was subsequently appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer of Argentina in 2016, as President and Chief Executive Officer of Latin America in 2017, and to his current positions in 2022. Prior to joining Volkswagen, Mr. Di Si held various key positions in finance, business development, and project management with CNH Global, Fiat Industrial S.p.A., Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Monsanto, and Abbott Laboratories. Since 2021, Mr. Di Si has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Copersucar, a global trader of sugar and ethanol. Since 2023, Mr. Di Si has served as an independent member of the Boards of Directors of JHSF Participações (Brazil’s Bovespa “JHSF”) and its parent company JHSF International. JHSF is a Brazilian luxury real estate and hotel conglomerate. Since 2023, Mr. Di Si has served as Chairman of Autos Drive America, a trade association that represents international automakers with presences in the United States. Mr. Di Si has completed the Managing Efficient Boards program at Harvard University and the CEO Global Program at Wharton, IESE and CEIBS Business School. Mr. Di Si has been a director of the Company since 2022 and he is also a member of the Company’s Audit Committee and the Company’s Human Resources and Compensation Committee. Mr. Di Si’s experience in international operations and business management and development, as well as his knowledge of corporate finance, taxation and accounting, provide him with the relevant experience to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors. These experiences have given Mr. Di Si an understanding of accounting principles, internal controls and audit committee functions; as a result, the Board has determined that he qualifies as an audit committee financial expert.
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| Ibrahim Gokcen
Age: 45
Director Since: 2021
Independent
Key skills and experience
• Artificial intelligence • Machine learning • Industrial internet of things • NACD Directorship CertifiedTM
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Board Committee Membership
• Audit Committee • Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
Other Current Directorships
• Maersk Tankers • PNO • ZeroNorth
Current Board Term Ends
• Fiscal 2026 Annual Meeting | |||
Ibrahim Gokcen, age 45 (current term to expire at the Fiscal 2026 Annual Meeting), has served as the Chief Data & Analytics Officer for Aon plc, a leading global professional services firm providing advice and solutions in risk, retirement and health, since May 2023. From October 2020 until he joined Aon in May 2023, Mr. Gokcen was the Founder and Managing Partner of Velocis Digital LLC, an interim executive services and management and execution consulting firm. From 2021 to 2023, Mr. Gokcen was also Strategic Advisor for NEO Holdings International, LLC, a blockchain company focused on transforming commodity trading for which he also previously served as Chief Technology Officer during 2021. Mr. Gokcen was the President and Chief Revenue Officer for Open Insights LLC, a data advisory and services company, during 2021. Prior to that, Mr. Gokcen was the Senior Vice President and Digital Chief Technology Officer for Schneider Electric, an energy management and automation company, from 2018 to 2020. Prior to that, Mr. Gokcen served as the Chief Digital Officer for A.P. Moller Maersk, an integrated transport and logistics company, from 2016 to 2018. Mr. Gokcen also previously held senior product, information technology, and research and development leadership roles at General Electric. Mr. Gokcen is NACD Directorship CertifiedTM. Mr. Gokcen currently serves as an independent director for Maersk Tankers, a service company that provides commercial management solutions for shipowners in the tanker industry, ZeroNorth, a software and infrastructure security company that is the security industry’s first provider of orchestrated risk management, and PNO, a company with the Nordics’ largest range of short and long-term trailer rentals. Mr. Gokcen also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of AnitaB.org, an organization that helps women and nonbinary people succeed in technology. Mr. Gokcen has been a director of the Company since 2021 and currently serves as a member of the Company’s Audit Committee and the Company’s Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. Mr. Gokcen’s strong background in international markets and transforming businesses in a number of industries with technology provides him with the relevant experience to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors.
|
Mary A. Lindsey
Age: 68
Director Since: 2018
Independent
Key skills and experience
• Investor relations • International and domestic M&A • Knowledge of corporate finance, capital and debt markets, taxation and accounting • Legal experience • Accounting principles, internal controls and audit committee functions
|
Board Committee Membership
• Audit Committee (Chair; financial expert) • Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
Other Current Directorships
• Methode Electronics, Inc. • Orion Engineered Carbons S.A.
Current Board Term Ends
• Fiscal 2025 Annual Meeting | |||
Mary A. Lindsey, age 68 (current term to expire at the Fiscal 2025 Annual Meeting), is the retired Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Commercial Metals Company, a global manufacturer and recycler of steel and other metals. Ms. Lindsey joined Commercial Metals Company in September 2009 as Vice President-Tax. She was subsequently appointed Commercial Metals Company’s Vice President-Tax and Investor Relations in June 2015, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in January 2016, and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in September 2017. In connection with Ms. Lindsey’s planned retirement from Commercial Metals Company, Ms. Lindsey stepped down as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in August 2019. Prior to joining Commercial Metals Company, Ms. Lindsey served as Vice President Tax and Tax Counsel for Albany International Corp., a global advanced textiles and materials processing company, from March 2006 to September 2009, and from January 2005 to March 2006, Ms. Lindsey was an attorney at Baker & Hostetler LLP, a national law firm. In addition, Ms. Lindsey served in various roles, including Vice President Tax and Tax Counsel, Legal Counsel responsible for global M&A and intellectual property, and General Manager of Corporate M&A, at The Timken Company, a global manufacturer of bearings, transmissions, gearboxes, and related components, from January 1985 to January 2005. Since 2020, Ms. Lindsey has served as a member of the Boards of Directors and the Audit Committees of Methode Electronics, Inc. and Orion Engineered Carbons S.A. Ms. Lindsey serves as the Chair of the Audit Committee of Methode Electronics, Inc. Ms. Lindsey has been a director of the Company since 2018 and currently serves as Chairperson of the Company’s Audit Committee and as a member of the Company’s Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. Ms. Lindsey’s experience in investor relations and international M&A, as well as her knowledge of corporate finance, taxation and accounting, provide her with the relevant experience to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors. These experiences have given Ms. Lindsey an understanding of accounting principles, internal controls and audit committee functions; as a result, the Board has determined that she qualifies as an audit committee financial expert.
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| Consuelo E. Madere
Age: 63
Director Since: 2018
Independent
Key skills and experience
• Global ag industry experience • Management consulting and executive coaching • Domestic and global experience spanning manufacturing, strategy, technology, business development, profit and loss responsibility, and general management • Public company director experience
|
Board Committee Membership
• Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee (Chair) • Human Resources and Compensation Committee
Other Current Directorships
• Nutrien
Current Board Term Ends
• Fiscal 2025 Annual Meeting | |||
Consuelo E. Madere, age 63 (current term to expire at the Fiscal 2025 Annual Meeting), is the President of Proven Leader Advisory, LLC, a management consulting and executive coaching firm she founded in 2014. She is a former executive officer of Monsanto Company, a leading global provider of innovative, sustainable agricultural solutions. She retired from Monsanto in 2013 as Vice President of the company’s Global Vegetables and Asia commercial businesses and was a member of the Chief Executive Officer’s executive leadership team. Ms. Madere currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Nutrien, a publicly traded Canadian company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, where she chairs the Nominations and Governance Committee and is a member of the Audit Committee. From 2018 to 2022, Ms. Madere served as a member of the Board of Directors of S&W Seed Company, a Nasdaq-listed agricultural seed biotechnology company, where she chaired the Nominations and Governance Committee and was a member of the Compensation Committee. From 2014 to 2018, Ms. Madere served as a member of the Board of Directors of PotashCorp and was a member of its Audit Committee and its Safety, Health and Environment Committee. Ms. Madere is a NACD Board Leadership Fellow and holds a CERT certificate in Cybersecurity Oversight from the Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon University. Ms. Madere has been a director of the Company since 2018 and currently serves as Chairperson of the Company’s Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and as a member of the Company’s Human Resources and Compensation Committee. Ms. Madere’s 30-plus years of domestic and global experience at Monsanto, spanning manufacturing, strategy, technology, business development, profit and loss responsibility and general management, along with her service as a director of public companies, provide her with the relevant experience to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors.
| David B. Rayburn
Age: 75
Director Since: 2014
Independent
Key skills and experience
• Manufacturing • International markets • M&A • Accounting principles, internal controls and audit committee functions
|
Board Committee Membership
• Audit Committee (financial expert) • Human Resources and Compensation Committee (Chair)
Other Current Directorships • None
Current Board Term Ends
• Fiscal 2026 Annual Meeting | |||
David B. Rayburn, age 75 (current term to expire at the Fiscal 2026 Annual Meeting), is the retired President and Chief Executive Officer of Modine Manufacturing Company, a publicly-traded thermal management company that designs, manufactures and tests heat transfer products. Mr. Rayburn was the President and Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Modine Manufacturing Company from January 2003 until March 2008 when Mr. Rayburn retired. From 2002 to January 2003 Mr. Rayburn served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of Modine Manufacturing Company. From 1991 to 2002, he served in various executive roles at Modine Manufacturing Company including Executive Vice President, Vice President and General Manager. Mr. Rayburn previously served on the Board of Directors of Twin Disc, Inc. from 2000 to 2022, on the Board of Directors of Creative Foam Corporation from 2009 to 2017, on the Board of Directors of Jason, Inc. from 2001 to 2010, and on the Board of Directors of Unico, Inc., from 2008 to 2010. Mr. Rayburn has been a director of the Company since 2014 and he is also Chairperson of the Company’s Human Resources and Compensation Committee and a member of the Company’s Audit Committee. Mr. Rayburn’s strong background in manufacturing, international markets and acquisitions, combined with his corporate governance experience serving on public company boards, provide him with the relevant experience to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors. These experiences have given Mr. Rayburn an understanding of accounting principles, internal controls and audit committee functions; as a result, the Board has determined that he qualifies as an audit committee financial expert.
Information regarding executive officers of the Company is found in the Company’s Annual Report which has been supplied with this Proxy Statement.
Corporate Governance
The Board of Directors operates pursuant to the provisions of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws as well as a set of Corporate Governance Principles which address a number of items, including the qualifications for serving as a director, the responsibilities of directors and board committees and the compensation of
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directors. The Company has adopted a Code of Ethical Conduct that applies to the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller, as required by Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Additionally, the Company recently published an updated Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applying to all persons associated with the Company, including its directors, officers and employees, which complies with the listing standards adopted by the New York Stock Exchange. Both of these codes and the Company’s Corporate Governance Principles are available on the Company’s website at http://www.lindsay.com by clicking on the Ethics link under the Investor Relations tab and are available in print to any stockholder who submits a request in writing to the Secretary of the Company.
The Board of Directors conducts its business through meetings and actions taken by written consent in lieu of meetings. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023, the Board of Directors held ten meetings and acted pursuant to unanimous written consent on two occasions. During fiscal 2023, each director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (i) the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors held during the period of such member’s service and (ii) the total number of meetings of the committees of the Board of Directors on which he or she served held during the period of such member’s service.
The Company’s independent directors normally meet in executive session at each regularly scheduled Board meeting. The Chairperson of the Board, currently Mr. Brunner, an independent director, serves as the presiding director at each executive session of the independent directors.
Hedging and Pledging. The Board of Directors has adopted Corporate Governance Principles prohibiting directors and executive officers from pledging Company securities as collateral for any outstanding obligation. Directors and executive officers are also prohibited from trading in derivative securities of Company securities, engaging in short sales of Company securities, or purchasing any other financial instruments (including prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars, and exchange funds) that are designed to hedge or offset any decrease in the market value of Company securities.
Board Leadership Structure
The Company’s Corporate Governance Principles provide that the position of Chairperson of the Board of Directors be held by an independent director and, accordingly, the same individual cannot serve as both the Chairperson of the Board and as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. This policy is designed to facilitate the ability of the Board of Directors to perform the important functions of providing independent oversight of management and to address risks faced by the Company. This policy also allows the Chairperson to convene executive sessions with independent directors without the need for a separate director to discharge the role of a presiding director.
Board’s Role in Risk Oversight
Management has the primary responsibility for identifying and managing the risks to which the Company is subject, under the oversight of the Board of Directors. Among other things, the Board of Directors considers risks presented by business strategy, competition, regulation, compensation plans, global economic conditions, cybersecurity, general industry trends including the disruptive impact of technological change, capital structure and allocation, and mergers and acquisitions. The Board of Directors as a whole has the primary responsibility for performing this oversight function. The Company’s three standing committees are also responsible for the assessment of risks associated with the general subject matters for which those standing committees have responsibility. The Board’s risk oversight process includes the regular consideration and evaluation of the Company’s cybersecurity risks, information security awareness training efforts, and information security risk insurance coverage, which are reported on a quarterly basis to the Board by the Company’s Chief Information Officer. The Board’s risk oversight process also includes close interaction with the Company’s internal auditors and is facilitated by an annual risk assessment prepared by management. The Company has engaged the accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP to assist the Company’s internal auditors in the design, execution and preparation of reports with respect to the Company’s overall internal audit plan. Deloitte & Touche LLP also assists the Company’s internal auditors in the performance of certain other internal audit services and in the provision of regular updates to the Audit Committee regarding its services and testing results. The goal of the Board’s risk evaluation process is to identify any activities that create risks that may not be appropriate for the Company, quantify the magnitude of these risks and work with management to develop a plan to mitigate these risks.
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Committees of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors has established an Audit Committee, a Human Resources and Compensation Committee, and a Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee.
Audit Committee. The primary purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in the oversight of (i) the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, (ii) the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (iii) the independent auditor’s qualifications and independence, and (iv) the performance of the Company’s internal audit function. The Audit Committee is responsible for selecting, compensating and evaluating the Company’s independent auditor. Specific functions performed by the Audit Committee include reviewing periodically with the independent auditor the performance of the services for which they are engaged, reviewing the scope of the annual audit and its results, reviewing the Company’s annual financial statements and quarterly financial statements with management and the independent auditor, reviewing the scope and results of the Company’s internal audit function, and reviewing the adequacy of the Company’s internal accounting controls with management and the independent auditor. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, which is available on the Company’s website at http://www.lindsay.com by clicking on the Committees link under the Investor Relations tab and is available in print to any stockholder who submits a request in writing to the Secretary of the Company. The charter meets the requirements of the listing standards adopted by the New York Stock Exchange.
The Audit Committee is currently comprised of Directors Lindsey (Chairperson), Christodolou, Di Si, Gokcen and Rayburn, each of whom the Board of Directors has determined to be independent under the listing standards adopted by the New York Stock Exchange. The Board of Directors has also determined that each of Ms. Lindsey and Messrs. Christodolou, Di Si, and Rayburn qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” under the rules of the SEC. During fiscal 2023, the Audit Committee held five meetings.
Human Resources and Compensation Committee. The Human Resources and Compensation Committee is responsible for providing oversight of the Company’s human resources programs, executive compensation and benefit programs. The Human Resources and Compensation Committee reviews and approves the Company’s compensation policies, benefit plans, employment agreements, salary levels, bonus payments, and awards pursuant to the Company’s management incentive plans for its executive officers and other appointed officers. The Human Resources and Compensation Committee approves all individual grants and awards under the Company’s long-term equity incentive plans; provided, however, that the Human Resources and Compensation Committee has delegated limited authority to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer to make certain time-vested restricted stock unit awards to non-officer employees. The Human Resources and Compensation Committee also reviews compensation for non-employee directors and recommends changes in such compensation to the Board of Directors. The Human Resources and Compensation Committee is specifically responsible for determining the compensation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and conducts an annual performance evaluation of the Chief Executive Officer. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations to the Human Resources and Compensation Committee regarding the compensation paid to executive officers and other appointed officers. However, the final authority for setting executive officer compensation rests with the Human Resources and Compensation Committee. The Human Resources and Compensation Committee has the discretion to delegate specific responsibilities to the Chairperson of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee, any other Human Resources and Compensation Committee member(s) or subcommittees as the Human Resources and Compensation Committee may establish from time to time.
The Human Resources and Compensation Committee has retained external compensation consulting firms to assist and advise it on particular matters. During fiscal 2023, the Company received independent compensation consulting services from Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC (“Meridian”). Meridian was engaged directly by the Human Resources and Compensation Committee, but its fees were paid by the Company. The nature and scope of Meridian’s engagement with respect to the Human Resources and Compensation Committee’s decisions regarding fiscal 2023 executive and director compensation are described under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” found later in this Proxy Statement.
The Human Resources and Compensation Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, which is available on the Company’s website at http://www.lindsay.com by clicking on the Committees link under the Investor Relations tab and is available in print to any stockholder who submits a request in writing to the Secretary of the Company. The charter meets the requirements of the listing standards adopted by the New York Stock Exchange. The Human Resources and Compensation Committee is currently comprised of Directors Rayburn (Chairperson), Brunner, Di Si, and Madere, each of whom has been determined to be independent by the Board of
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Directors under the listing standards adopted by the New York Stock Exchange. During fiscal 2023, the Human Resources and Compensation Committee held three meetings and acted pursuant to unanimous written consent on one occasion.
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the Board of Directors of persons to serve as directors of the Company and as chairpersons and members of committees of the Board of Directors and for reviewing and recommending changes in the general Corporate Governance Principles of the Company. It also oversees the annual evaluation by the Board of Directors to determine whether the Board and its committees are functioning effectively. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, which is available on the Company’s website at http://www.lindsay.com by clicking on the Committees link under the Investor Relations tab and is available in print to any stockholder who submits a request in writing to the Secretary of the Company. The charter meets the requirements of the listing standards adopted by the New York Stock Exchange.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee identifies nominees to serve as a director of the Company through a combination of suggestions made by independent search firms, directors and stockholders. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will consider director nominees for next year’s Annual Meeting recommended by stockholders which are submitted in writing, complete with biographical and business experience information regarding the nominee, to the Secretary of the Company by October 11, 2024. Candidates for directors are evaluated based on their independence, character, judgment, diversity of experience, financial and/or business acumen, ability to represent and act on behalf of all stockholders, and the needs of the Board. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee does not have a formal policy on diversity with regard to consideration of director nominees, but the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee considers diversity in its selection of nominees and seeks to have a Board that reflects a diverse range of views, backgrounds and experience. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee uses the same criteria to evaluate its own nominees for director as it does for persons nominated by Company stockholders.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is currently comprised of Directors Madere (Chairperson), Christodolou, Gokcen, and Lindsey, each of whom has been determined to be independent by the Board of Directors under the listing standards adopted by the New York Stock Exchange. During fiscal 2023, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee held four meetings.
Related Party Transactions
The Board of Directors has adopted a written policy regarding the review, approval or ratification of related party transactions. Under the policy, all such related party transactions must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee or ratified by the Audit Committee if pre-approval is impracticable. Under the policy, certain transactions are excluded from the definition of related party transaction, including (i) transactions available to all employees generally, (ii) director and officer compensation approved by the Human Resources and Compensation Committee and/or Board of Directors, as applicable, (iii) transactions in the ordinary course of the Company’s business that are on substantially the same terms as those prevailing at the time for comparable products and services to unrelated third parties, and (iv) certain transactions with other companies where the related party’s only relationship is as an employee (other than an executive officer), director or beneficial owner of less than 5% of that company’s shares, if the aggregate amount involved during the fiscal year does not exceed the greater of $1,000,000 or 2% of that company’s total annual revenues. In determining whether to approve or ratify a related party transaction, the Audit Committee will consider, among other factors, whether the terms of the transaction are fair to the Company, whether the transaction would present an improper conflict of interest for any director, officer or other related party, or whether the transaction would impair the independence of an outside director. Any Audit Committee member who has an interest in a transaction under discussion must abstain from voting on the proposed transaction.
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Executive Summary.
Compensation Philosophy and Overview. The overall goal of the Company’s compensation policy is to maximize stockholder value by attracting, retaining, and motivating the executive officers who are critical to the Company’s long-term success. The Board’s Human Resources and Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) believes that executive compensation should be designed to promote both the short-term and long-term goals of the Company. Accordingly, an important component of the Committee’s compensation philosophy is to closely align the financial interests of the Company’s executive officers with those of the Company’s stockholders.
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In order to implement its compensation philosophy, the Committee has determined that the total compensation program for executive officers should consist of the following components:
| • | Base salaries to reflect responsibility, experience, tenure and performance of key executives, as well as the labor market for key executive positions; |
| • | Annual cash incentive awards to reward performance against short-term corporate and individual objectives; |
| • | Long-term equity incentive compensation to emphasize longer-term strategic objectives and align the interests of executives with those of stockholders; and |
| • | Other benefits as appropriate to be competitive in the marketplace. |
Fiscal 2023 Business Highlights. Fiscal 2023 marked a year of significant achievements as the Company celebrated its 25th year as a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange. In the face of interest rate headwinds, volatile commodity prices, and lower U.S. net farm income projections, the Company persevered to achieve new records in net earnings and earnings per share, led by record full year operating income and operating margin in its irrigation business and overall gross margin expansion. The Company’s improved operating performance and effective working capital management resulted in free cash flow generation in excess of its objective for the year, reaching 139 percent of net earnings. The Company’s strong performance supported its ability to pursue acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and growth investments in innovation, while empowering its employees, dealers, and distributors to further the Company’s clear and compelling mission: to provide powerful irrigation, infrastructure, and industrial technology solutions that conserve natural resources, expand our world’s potential, and enhance the quality of life for people around the world. Key highlights from fiscal 2023 include:
The Company achieved record net earnings and earnings per share. The Company reached all-time highs for full-year net earnings and earnings per share. Net earnings for fiscal 2023 were $72.4 million (or $6.54 per diluted share), an increase of $6.9 million (or $0.60 per diluted share) compared to $65.5 million (or $5.94 per diluted share) in the prior fiscal year. Meaningful expansion of gross margins in irrigation helped the Company to exceed its annual operating margin objective in fiscal 2023, as it achieved operating margin of 15.2% of sales, compared to 12.3% of sales in the prior fiscal year.
The Company strengthened its irrigation technology leadership position. In July 2023, the Company announced the acquisition of FieldWise, a market leader in agricultural technology products with a focus on subscription-based, precision irrigation solutions. The addition of FieldWise enables the Company to reach an expanded set of irrigation technology customers while simultaneously accessing new growth markets and sales channels. During fiscal 2023, the Company also entered into separate strategic partnerships with each of Pessl Instruments and Ceres Imaging, which together bring unique cutting-edge crop imaging, intuitive data analytics, connected crop management, and soil moisture and weather monitoring to growers. The FieldWise acquisition and the new strategic partnerships enhance the Company’s technology leadership position and supports the Company’s customers as they look to improve their operations and implement sustainable farming practices that save them critical time and resources.
The Company’s infrastructure business launched several innovative offerings to improve road safety and traffic flow. With operators, ground workers, and motorists in mind, the Company’s infrastructure business launched a modernized Road Zipper with a bold, modern design and two state-of-the-art operator cabins for improved safety and efficiency. The business’s focus on customer-first innovation is evidenced in numerous safety and productivity improvements to the barrier transfer machine system, including wrap-around windshields for enhanced operator and ground worker visibility, an external camera system designed to eliminate blind spots and to better visualize surrounding people, vehicles, and barrier, and other notable improvements to controls and cab doors. The Company’s infrastructure business also introduced the TAU-XR, a MASH crash cushion designed to meet the needs of work crews and motorists alike. Notably, the TAU-XR comes fully assembled and features a unique double-rail system that allows for timely and cost-effective repairs.
Fiscal 2023 Total Compensation Program. Highlights include:
| • | Annual Cash Incentive Awards. |
| • | Introduced a free cash flow financial performance measure to incentivize executives to focus on “non-income” cash and balance sheet items such as controlling inventory, implementing lean initiatives, collecting receivables, controlling payables, and optimizing capital expenditures. |
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| • | Retained a revenue financial performance measure to incentivize a continued focus on top-line growth. |
| • | Retained an operating margin financial performance measure to incentivize executives to continue to improve operating efficiency and profitability and avoid overlapping of performance measures with performance stock units. |
| • | In recognition of senior leadership’s commitment to strengthening the Company’s safety-aware culture, each executive officer committed to an individual performance objective to actively participate in a safety-focused management leadership program and to build and implement a personal workplace safety pledge. |
| • | Long-Term Incentive Compensation. |
| • | Maintained the weighting of performance stock units as 50% of the target dollar amount for the long-term incentive award, with stock options and restricted stock units each accounting for 25% of targeted dollar amounts for long-term incentive awards. |
| • | The Company retained its two evenly weighted performance stock unit performance measures, which align executives’ compensation with long-term value creation for stockholders. |
| • | The Company retained total stockholder return relative to a select peer group as a performance stock unit performance measure, which is an important indicator of the Company’s financial performance compared to the market. |
| • | The Company retained return on invested capital as a performance stock unit performance measure, which measures the Company’s operational efficiency in allocating capital. |
| • | Retained consistent three-year performance and vesting periods for all long-term incentives offered to executives. |
Annual Cash Incentives Earned for Fiscal 2023 Performance. For fiscal 2023, payments in connection with the Company’s annual cash incentive awards were reflective of the Company’s performance against its financial objectives and the officers’ performance against their individual goals. The financial performance component and the individual performance component accounted for 80% and 20%, respectively, of each officer’s potential annual cash incentive award. The Company exceeded the threshold level for its revenue goal and exceeded the maximum level for both its operating margin goal and its free cash flow goal. Based on these results, the overall Company financial performance component payout percentage was 147.5% of target. In addition, the officers generally achieved their individual objectives and were entitled to payouts under the individual performance component ranging from 80% to 100%.
Performance Stock Units (“PSUs”) Earned for Fiscal 2021-2023 Performance. The end of fiscal 2023 marked the end of the three-year performance period for PSUs granted in fiscal 2021. For this performance period, the Company achieved three-year relative total stockholder return at the 27th percentile (resulting in a 55.2% of target payout for this component) and three-year average return on invested capital of 12.9% (resulting in a maximum 200% of target payout for this component), which equated to a cumulative payout percentage of 127.6% of target.
Say on Pay. The Board of Directors and the Committee take several measures to monitor the degree of alignment between the financial interests of the Company’s executive officers and those of the Company’s stockholders, which include conducting a non-binding “say on pay” vote at each annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders. At the Company’s Fiscal 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, approximately 94% of votes were cast in favor of the non-binding “say on pay” resolution – marking the 13th consecutive annual meeting in which more than 90% of votes were cast in support of the proposal. While the Committee considered the “say on pay” voting results in establishing fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2024 compensation, no specific actions were deemed necessary as the Committee believed the results of the “say on pay” votes were a confirmation that stockholders were in general agreement with the Committee’s compensation philosophy. The Committee will continue to consider the “say on pay” voting results and other feedback provided by the Company’s stockholders when making future compensation decisions concerning the Company’s executive officers.
Compensation-Related Risk Assessment. The Committee has assessed the risks that could arise from the Company’s compensation program and does not believe that the terms of this program encourage excessive risk-taking that is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Committee considered the following factors as they relate to the compensation program:
| • | The balanced focus on both short-term and long-term financial goals; |
| • | Specific performance goals are reviewed and approved by the Committee; |
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| • | The use of multiple financial performance goals so as to avoid over-emphasis on any one metric; |
| • | Incentive-based awards are subject to a clawback policy in the event of restatements of the Company’s financial results; |
| • | Long-term incentives have a three-year performance and vesting period; |
| • | The existence of caps on the potential maximum incentive payouts; |
| • | The robust stock ownership guidelines for management; and |
| • | The prohibition on directors and executive officers from pledging Company securities as collateral for any outstanding obligation or entering into any transactions designed to hedge or offset any decrease in the market value of Company securities. |
The Committee’s Independent Compensation Consultant. The Committee engaged Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC (“Meridian”) in fiscal 2023 to, among other things, provide a competitive assessment of the Company’s executive compensation program and to evaluate the compensation of the Named Executive Officers in comparison to peer group proxy data and relevant survey data. Meridian was engaged directly by the Committee, but its fees were paid by the Company.
Market Alignment of Executive Compensation. When evaluating the market competitiveness of executive salaries, target annual incentive opportunities, and target long-term incentive values, the Committee generally considers the market medians for comparable positions among manufacturing and general industry companies of similar size (measured by annual revenues) and complexity (measured primarily by number of distinct business lines and scope of international focus) as the Company, based on available peer group and survey data, with variation due to differences in executive skill levels and experience, the executive’s role, individual performance, organizational hierarchy, and internal fairness with other positions and roles within the Company.
The Committee annually compares the Named Executive Officers’ general compensation levels against available market data and then also performs an in-depth review of the entire compensation program approximately every three years in order to comprehensively review the Company’s short and long-term compensation strategies, award mixes and performance metrics.
In conducting its review and analysis, Meridian used a combination of proxy data from peer companies and survey composite data. Peer group data was used as the primary data source for establishing benchmark compensation levels for the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and other positions where comparable position data was available, with general industry survey data used as a supplemental data source for these positions. General industry survey data was used as the primary data source for positions where comparable position data was not sufficiently available in peer group public disclosures. The composite data was obtained from the Equilar Executive Compensation Survey and included compensation information from general industry companies with revenue between approximately one-third and three times the Company’s annual revenues.
Each year, the Committee, with assistance from Meridian, reviews and considers modifications to the peer group, generally using the following selection criteria:
| • | Revenue for the then-most recent fiscal year of between approximately one-third and three times the Company’s annual revenues, typically considered as a five-year average due to the cyclicality of the Company’s business; |
| • | Similar industry, with a qualitative assessment of business fit; and |
| • | Similar business and organizational complexity, emphasizing companies having international revenue in excess of 25% of total revenue. |
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For fiscal 2023, Meridian again reviewed the peer group and recommended one change from the previous year’s membership, as Lydall, Inc. was removed because it was acquired. The resulting 22-company peer group used for fiscal 2023 pay decisions consists of the following companies (each of which was publicly traded, had updated proxy filings, remained within an appropriate size range with five-year average revenue within approximately one-third and three times the Company’s five-year average revenue, and did not have any pending mergers or acquisitions, bankruptcies, or other known current scandals that could diminish its effectiveness as a peer):
| • Alamo Group, Inc. |
• ESCO Technologies Inc. |
• Kadant Inc. | ||
| • Albany International Corp. |
• Federal Signal Corp. |
• L.B. Foster Co. | ||
| • Altra Industrial Motion Corp |
• Franklin Electric Co., Inc. |
• Manitex International, Inc. | ||
| • Astec Industries Inc. |
• The Gorman-Rupp Co. |
• Mueller Water Products, Inc. | ||
| • CIRCOR International, Inc. |
• Graco, Inc. |
• NN, Inc. | ||
| • Columbus McKinnon Corp. |
• Helios Technologies, Inc. |
• Standex International Corporation | ||
| • Douglas Dynamics, Inc. |
• John Bean Technologies Corp. |
• Twin Disc, Inc. | ||
| • EnPro Industries, Inc. |
||||
Role of Management in Setting Compensation. In addition to reviewing the compensation of executive officers against the competitive market, the Committee also considers recommendations from the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer regarding the total compensation for executive officers. Further, the Committee considered the historical compensation of each executive officer, from both a total compensation and a component by component basis, in setting the fiscal 2023 compensation for the executive officers.
Recoupment Policy. In accordance with Section 10D of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Rule 10D-1 promulgated thereunder, and the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange, the Committee adopted the Lindsay Corporation Policy for the Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation (the “Clawback Policy”) effective as of October 2, 2023. The Clawback Policy requires the Company to recover from covered executive officers (i.e., its Named Executive Officers) the amount of erroneously awarded compensation (i.e., the amount of incentive-based compensation received that exceeds the amount of incentive-based compensation that otherwise would have been received had it been determined based on restated amounts) resulting from an accounting restatement (i) due to the material noncompliance of the Company with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws or (ii) that corrects an error that is not material to previously issued financial statements, but would result in a material misstatement if the error were not corrected in the current period or left uncorrected in the current period.
The Clawback Policy applies to incentive-based compensation received for achieving performance measures in fiscal 2024 and beyond. The Company’s prior compensation recoupment policy, which still applies to annual cash incentive and certain long-term incentive compensation payments made to covered executive officers for achieving performance measures for or prior to fiscal 2023, allows recoupment or repayment of such incentive payments made during the three years preceding the restatement of Company financial statements to the extent such payments exceeded the amounts that would have been payable based on the restated financial results. Conversely, the prior policy also allows for additional payments to the extent the amounts paid as annual cash incentive and certain long-term incentive payments received in the three years preceding a restatement of Company financial statements were less than the amounts that would have been payable based on the restated financial results.
2023 Executive Compensation Program. The Company’s fiscal 2023 compensation program for its executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers, consisted of four basic components, which are (i) base salary, (ii) annual cash incentive awards, (iii) long-term incentive compensation and (iv) other employee benefits. The purposes of each of these components of executive compensation and the manner in which compensation for fiscal 2023 under these components was determined by the Committee for executive officers are as follows:
Base Salary. Base salaries are designed to provide executive officers with a competitive level of fixed compensation that is commensurate with the executive officer’s individual responsibility, experience, tenure and general performance of duties. Base salary levels are also subject to competitive pressures faced by the Company for attracting and retaining qualified executives to fill key positions in the different geographic regions where the Company’s executives reside. The Committee considers peer group and compensation survey information regarding base salary levels for executive officers with comparable positions and responsibilities in similar companies in order to maintain base salaries at competitive levels. In general, the Committee evaluates each executive officer’s base salary on an annual basis to determine if an increase from the prior fiscal year’s base salary is justified based on these criteria and considerations.
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In the first quarter of fiscal 2023, the Committee established the base salaries for each of the Named Executive Officers. With respect to the base salaries of Named Executive Officers other than Mr. Wood, the Committee considered Mr. Wood’s recommendations for salary adjustments and competitive salary information included in Meridian’s report on executive compensation. Mr. Wood made his recommendations for salary adjustments primarily based on individual performance and the Meridian report. The table below sets forth information about the fiscal 2023 base salary level for each of the Named Executive Officers:
| Officer |
Fiscal 2022 Base Salary |
Salary Increase Amount |
Salary Increase Percentage |
Fiscal 2023 Base Salary |
||||||||||
| Mr. Wood |
$725,000 | $ | 45,000 | 6.2% | $ | 770,000 | ||||||||
| Mr. Ketcham |
$404,000 | $ | 24,000 | 5.9% | $ | 428,000 | ||||||||
| Mr. Oberto |
$382,000 | $ | 23,000 | 6.0% | $ | 405,000 | ||||||||
| Mr. Marion |
$345,000 | $ | 22,000 | 6.4% | $ | 367,000 | ||||||||
Annual Cash Incentive Awards. The Company provided annual cash incentive awards to its executive officers under a Management Incentive Plan for fiscal 2023 (the “2023 MIP”) that was adopted by the Committee. The Company utilized the annual cash incentive awards under the 2023 MIP primarily to encourage its executive officers to achieve specific short-term financial goals of the Company. In addition, a portion of the annual cash incentive awards was tied to individual performance objectives established for each executive officer participating in the 2023 MIP. The Committee adopted the 2023 MIP and established the financial and individual goals for executive officers under the 2023 MIP during the first quarter of fiscal 2023.
The 2023 MIP established a target cash incentive amount for each Named Executive Officer (each a “Target Cash Incentive Award”). The Target Cash Incentive Awards were set as follows:
| • | Mr. Wood – 100% of base salary |
| • | Mr. Ketcham – 65% of base salary |
| • | Messrs. Marion and Oberto – 55% of base salary for each |
In each case, a Target Cash Incentive Award represents the total cash incentive a Named Executive Officer was entitled to receive if he had achieved 100% of the target levels under the financial performance component and individual performance component established for such Named Executive Officer under the 2023 MIP.
The financial performance component accounted for 80% of each Named Executive Officer’s potential annual cash incentive award. This component consisted of three subcomponents: revenue, operating margin, and free cash flow. The Committee believed the use of revenue, operating margin, and free cash flow would provide a good balance of financial objectives to promote maximum stockholder value. For each Named Executive Officer, the financial performance component was based 100% on consolidated Company financial performance.
For purposes of the annual cash incentive awards under the 2023 MIP, (i) revenue was defined as the Company’s fiscal 2023 operating revenues, (ii) operating margin was defined as the Company’s fiscal 2023 operating profit divided by the Company’s fiscal 2023 operating revenues, and (iii) free cash flow was defined as the Company’s fiscal 2023 free cash flow divided by the Company’s fiscal 2023 net earnings. Each of the three subcomponents was to be calculated using the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended August 31, 2023. The Committee chose to use revenue, operating margin, and free cash flow as the financial performance measures for determining annual cash incentive awards under the 2023 MIP because it believed that the Named Executive Officers had significant influence over these measures, that these measures align the interests of officers with the creation of stockholder value, that these measures incentivize revenue growth as well as improving operating efficiency and profitability, and that these measures were well-understood by management and stockholders. Accordingly, each of the revenue subcomponent and the operating margin subcomponent was assigned a weighting of 37.5% by the Committee, and the free cash flow subcomponent was assigned a weighting of 25% by the Committee.
In general, the Committee seeks to establish target levels for financial performance goals based on the Company’s annual budget for the relevant fiscal year as approved by the Board of Directors.
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Transaction costs associated with any acquisition or divestiture considered, pursued, or closed are added back to profitability in the year or years in which such costs are incurred. Thus, consistent with the terms of the 2023 MIP, actual results were adjusted to account for professional fees incurred in connection with exploring certain strategic opportunities. Also consistent with the terms of the 2023 MIP and in addition to adding related transaction costs back to profitability, actual results for the selected financial performance goals were adjusted by subtracting the Board-approved business case for the Company’s acquisition of FieldWise in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 for purposes of award payout calculations. In the event that there had been any divestitures made during fiscal 2023, (a) actual results for the selected financial performance goals would have been adjusted by including the Board-approved budgets (and removing actual performance results) for such divestitures for purposes of award payout calculations, unless the Committee were to approve a modification to exclude any such items, and (b) as noted above, transaction costs would have been added back to profitability. Further, if a planned divestiture was not included in the budget, its financial performance metrics would not be included in the calculation of the financial performance goals so long as the divestiture was not completed by the end of the fiscal year. As permitted by the terms of the 2023 MIP, actual results were also adjusted to exclude the impact of an impairment related to the Company’s sale of a minority investment in a connected roadway company.
Under the 2023 MIP, a Named Executive Officer could earn a portion of his Target Cash Incentive Award if he achieved at least a threshold level of performance for any of the financial or individual performance components. Separate analyses were performed to determine the payout earned under the financial performance component and the individual performance component, and those two components were then added together to determine the final cash incentive awarded to a Named Executive Officer. The financial performance subcomponents are calculated according to a scale that provides varying percentage payouts for “threshold”, “intermediate”, “target” and “maximum” performance levels. If the Company fails to meet the “threshold” performance level for a specific financial performance subcomponent, then the Named Executive Officer will receive no payout under that specific subcomponent. Percentage payouts between the threshold, intermediate, target and maximum levels are linearly interpolated for each financial performance subcomponent.
For fiscal 2023, the following performance levels trigger the following percentage award payouts (calculated as a percentage of the Target Cash Incentive Award available under the overall Company financial performance component weighted at 80%):
| Revenue (37.5%) | Operating Margin |
Free cash flow (25%) |
Award Payout for Financial Performance Subcomponent (as a % of Target Cash Incentive Award) | |||||||||||||||||
| Maximum |
$ | 1,003.7 million | 14.5 | % | 125 | % | 200 | % | ||||||||||||
| Target |
$ | 803.0 million | 12.6 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | ||||||||||||
| Intermediate |
$ | 722.7 million | 11.4 | % | 90 | % | 75 | % | ||||||||||||
| Threshold |
$ | 642.4 million | 10.1 | % | 80 | % | 50 | % | ||||||||||||
| Below Threshold |
— | — | — | 0 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Actual |
$ | 674.1 million | 15.3 | % | 139 | % | 147.5 | % | ||||||||||||
The Committee also approved the use of individual performance objectives to determine 20% of the annual cash incentives under the 2023 MIP for each Named Executive Officer. The individual performance objectives were designed to focus on goals or initiatives that are intended to create longer-term value for the Company. For fiscal 2023, each officer had an individual performance objective specific to safety and, depending on the officer, other performance objectives relate to areas such as factory optimization, free cash flow generation, inventory management, commercial launch plans, and investor relations. Some of these individual performance objectives are objective and depend upon the accomplishment of specific measurable goals such as the completion of a safety management leadership program or achievements of certain free-cash-flow-related metrics. Others are subjective in nature, such as performance objectives tied to operational improvements, comprehensive commercial launch plans, or the strengthening of functional capabilities.
The cash incentive award earned under the individual performance component is calculated based on the Named Executive Officer’s level of performance relative to his respective annual individual or team objectives. Calculated as a percentage of the Target Cash Incentive Award available under the individual performance component, a Named
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Executive Officer who meets all of his individual performance objectives will receive a 100% award payout, with award payouts ranging from 0% for not meeting any individual performance objectives to 200% for significantly exceeding all individual performance objectives.
Both the financial and individual performance component calculations offer a range of payouts for performance that exceeds or falls short of the target levels. The Committee believes that this not only provides an incentive for executives to achieve performance that exceeds expectations, but it also provides constant motivation during down business cycles which can have detrimental effects on both financial performance and organizational health. By rewarding a range of performance, the Committee strives to partially counteract the cyclical nature of the Company’s business. Likewise, the payout of an earned award under one component or subcomponent is not contingent upon meeting a certain performance standard under any of the other components or subcomponents. For example, an executive who has met all of his individual performance objectives would still be entitled to receive a payout under the individual component even if the Company failed to meet the threshold financial performance objectives. Similarly, an executive may receive a payout if the threshold level (or higher) is met for a specific financial performance subcomponent even if the executive failed to meet his individual performance objectives and/or the Company failed to meet the threshold levels for any of the other financial performance subcomponents.
During fiscal 2023, for purposes of the 2023 MIP, the Company recorded revenue of $674.1 million, operating margin of 15.3%, and free cash flow percentage of 139%. Based on these results, the overall Company Financial Performance Component payout percentage was 147.5% of target based on subcomponent payout percentages of 60%, 200%, and 200% for each of the revenue (37.5%), operating margin (37.5%), and free cash flow (25.0%) subcomponents, respectively. In addition, after the conclusion of fiscal 2023, Mr. Wood recommended scores to the Committee for each Named Executive Officer (including himself) under the Individual Performance Component of the 2023 MIP. The Committee then discussed and approved those scores, determining that the Named Executive Officers generally achieved their individual objectives and were entitled to payouts under the Individual Performance Component of the 2022 MIP ranging from 80% to 100%.
The table below sets forth the 2023 MIP Target Cash Incentive Awards and actual payouts to each of the Named Executive Officers based upon fiscal 2023 performance.
| Named Executive Officer |
2022 MIP Target Cash Incentive Award |
2022 MIP Actual Cash Incentive Award Payout |
Percentage of Target Earned | ||||||||||||
| Mr. Wood |
$ | 770,000 | $ | 1,062,292 | 138 | % | |||||||||
| Mr. Ketcham |
$ | 278,200 | $ | 378,241 | 136 | % | |||||||||
| Mr. Oberto |
$ | 222,750 | $ | 298,396 | 134 | % | |||||||||
| Mr. Marion |
$ | 201,850 | $ | 278,472 | 138 | % | |||||||||
Long-Term Incentive Compensation. Long-term incentive compensation is designed to reward the achievement of longer-term strategic objectives and align the financial interests of the Company’s executive officers with those of the Company’s stockholders. For fiscal 2023, the Committee approved a target dollar amount for the long-term incentive award for each of the Company’s Named Executive Officers which were allocated as follows:
| • | one half in the form of performance stock units (“PSUs”), |
| • | one fourth in the form of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and |
| • | one fourth in the form of nonqualified stock options. |
The PSUs, RSUs and stock options were granted pursuant to the Company’s 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan, which was approved by the stockholders at the Company’s annual stockholder meeting in January 2015. The Committee believes that this mix of PSUs, RSUs and stock options will continue to promote sustained long-term performance and retention.
In determining the number of PSUs, RSUs and stock options granted to the Named Executive Officers as part of their long-term incentive compensation for fiscal 2023, the Committee first established a dollar value of the total long-term
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incentive awards to be awarded to each Named Executive Officer assuming they achieved target performance levels for the PSUs. The Committee established total long-term incentive award amounts as follows for fiscal 2023:
| Mr. Wood |
$ | 1,925,000 | ||
| Mr. Ketcham |
$ | 500,000 | ||
| Mr. Oberto |
$ | 325,000 | ||
| Mr. Marion |
$ | 325,000 | ||
The grant date values allocated to PSUs and RSUs were divided by the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date ($156.16 as of October 24, 2022) to convert those dollar values into total numbers of stock units initially awarded to each Named Executive Officer. While the number of PSUs granted was based upon a target level, the actual number of PSUs actually earned may be as low as 0% if the Company fails to meet the threshold performance level for both performance measures. Alternatively, the number of PSUs actually earned may be as high as 200% if the Company meets or exceeds the maximum performance level for both performance measures. The dollar values allocated to stock options were converted to a number of stock options by using the Black-Scholes option pricing formula on the grant date.
Under the terms of the individual award agreements, both the PSUs and RSUs awarded to Named Executive Officers for fiscal 2023 are payable in common stock and provide the Named Executive Officers with special cash dividend equivalents which entitle them to receive any special cash dividend paid by the Company while the PSUs and RSUs are outstanding; provided, however, that any special cash dividend equivalents will be converted into additional units and will not be payable until all applicable vesting and performance conditions have been met. No cash payment or dividend equivalent will be payable in connection with any regular quarterly dividends. In addition, awards under the PSUs, RSUs and stock options are subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments in the event of a stock split, stock dividend, merger or other similar corporate transaction. The Committee has adopted a policy regarding the timing of grants of PSUs, RSUs and stock options to employees which generally provides that such grants will be made on an annual basis during the first quarter or at the beginning of the second quarter of the fiscal year and at least two business days after the Company has issued its full-year earnings release for the prior fiscal year.
The specific terms of the PSU, RSU and stock option grants made to the Named Executive Officers for fiscal 2023 are as follows:
Performance Stock Unit (PSU) Awards. PSUs represent a right to receive a certain target number of shares of the Company’s common stock at a specified time in the future if certain performance objectives have been met during the specified performance period leading up to the payout of the PSU. PSUs are, therefore, designed to reward achievement of specific performance objectives over this period. Historically, the Committee has awarded PSUs with a threshold payout of 50% of the target number and a maximum payout of 200% of the target number. In addition to requiring satisfaction of the applicable threshold performance levels, PSUs are only payable if the recipient remains employed with the Company until payout occurs after the end of the performance period (or under certain circumstances involving a change in control, death or complete disability, as discussed in the “Termination Payments” section below).
Each PSU awarded in fiscal 2023 has a three-year performance period running through the end of fiscal 2024 (i.e. August 31, 2025) with any earned PSUs cliff vesting on November 1, 2025. The Committee selected a three-year performance period because measuring performance over a long period would be less affected by cyclical variations in the Company’s business and one-time events. The Committee felt that a three-year period was commonly used by similar companies for this reason. The Committee chose total stockholder return relative to a select peer group (“Relative Total Stockholder Return”) and return on invested capital (“ROIC”), each equally weighted, as the performance measures to be used to determine PSU payouts for the three-year performance period.
Ultimately, the Committee chose to base PSU payouts on Relative Total Stockholder Return and ROIC because it determined that they align executives’ potential payouts with stockholder value creation and continue to encourage the efficient use of capital. Additionally, these performance measures could be easily quantified and calculated for the purposes of determining whether the Company had met the necessary performance requirements. The Committee assigned equal weighting to Relative Total Stockholder Return and ROIC for purposes of determining PSU payouts in order to drive profitable growth and focus on appropriate asset management. Although the Committee feels that Relative Total Stockholder Return and ROIC reasonably approximate the connection between executive performance and
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stockholder value, future developments could possibly prompt the Committee to make subsequent PSU awards according to different performance measures.
For purposes of PSUs awarded in fiscal 2023, “Total Stockholder Return” means with respect to the Company or other entities (if measured on a relative basis), (i) the change in the market price of the entity’s common stock (as measured by the average of the closing prices for the entity’s common stock over the 20 trading days prior to the end and the beginning of the three-year performance period), divided by (ii) the beginning market price (as measured by the average of the closing prices for the entity’s common stock over the 20 trading days prior to the beginning of the three-year performance period), all of which is adjusted for any changes in equity structure, including but not limited to stock splits and stock dividends. “Relative Total Stockholder Return” is calculated by comparing the Company’s Total Stockholder Return to the Total Stockholder Returns of 29 peer companies from the S&P Small Cap Machinery group, the Agriculture and Farm Machinery industries, and other entities commonly understood to be the Company’s competitors, the stock of which is believed to be exposed to and react to similar external and industry forces as the Company’s common stock. The resulting 29-company peer group used for the Relative Total Stockholder Return analysis consists of the following companies:
| • 3D Systems Corporation |
• Enerpac Tool Group Corp. |
• Proto Labs, Inc. | ||
| • AGCO Corporation |
• EnPro Industries, Inc. |
• SPX Technologies, Inc. | ||
| • Alamo Group Inc. |
• ESCO Technologies Inc. |
• Standex International Corp. | ||
| • Albany International Corp. |
• Federal Signal Corporation |
• Tennant Company | ||
| • Astec Industries, Inc. |
• Franklin Electric Co., Inc. |
• Titan International, Inc. | ||
| • Barnes Group Inc. |
• The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. |
• The Toro Company | ||
| • Chart Industries, Inc. |
• Hillenbrand, Inc. |
• Trinity Industries, Inc. | ||
| • CIRCOR International, Inc. |
• John Bean Technologies Corp. |
• Valmont Industries, Inc. | ||
| • CNH Industrial N.V. |
• Mueller Industries, Inc. |
• Wabash National Corp. | ||
| • Deere & Company |
• Watts Water Technologies, Inc. | |||
In the event a member of the above peer group experiences a bankruptcy, that entity shall remain in the peer group but shall drop to the bottom of the ranking (i.e., lowest Total Stockholder Return). In the event that a member of the above peer group is acquired or delisted, that entity shall be removed from the peer group.
For purposes of PSUs awarded in fiscal 2023, “ROIC” is calculated in the following manner:
Net Operating Income After Tax
(Average* Invested Capital**)
| * | - This average will be computed using the beginning and ending amounts of Invested Capital for the applicable performance period. |
| ** | - Invested Capital means Total Interest-Bearing Debt plus Shareholders’ Equity. |
In the event of an acquisition, actual financial results will be adjusted in the year in which the acquisition occurs for purposes of calculating ROIC by subtracting the Board-approved business case for each acquisition, unless the Committee approves a modification to include any such items. In the event of a divestiture, actual financial results will be adjusted in the year in which the divestiture occurs for purposes of calculating ROIC by including the Board-approved budget (and removing actual performance results) for each divestiture, unless the Committee approves a modification to include any such items. If a planned divestiture is not included in the budget, its financial performance metrics will not be included in the calculation of ROIC if the divestiture is not completed by the end of the applicable budget year. Transaction costs associated with any acquisition or divestiture considered, pursued, or closed shall be added back to profitability in the year or years in which such costs are incurred.
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The Committee has established the following three-year average performance measures for Relative Total Stockholder Return and ROIC for the PSUs awarded in fiscal 2023:
| Total Stockholder Return (50% weight) |
ROIC (50% weight) |
Payout as % of Target | |||||||||||||
| Maximum |
75th Percentile | 14 | % | 200 | % | ||||||||||
| Target |
50th Percentile | 12 | % | 100 | % | ||||||||||
| Threshold |
25th Percentile | 10 | % | 50 | % | ||||||||||
| Below Threshold |
— | — | 0 | % | |||||||||||
To the extent the Company’s three-year absolute Total Stockholder Return is negative but relative performance is above the 50th percentile, the total percentage of PSUs to be eligible to be settled pursuant to the Relative Total Stockholder Return subcomponent shall be capped at the “target” amount.
The Committee selected target performance measures that were aligned with the long-term target financial performance goals communicated by the Company to its stockholders in the 2022 Annual Report. The Committee attempted to establish maximum and threshold performance levels that would appropriately reward the Named Executive Officers for exceptional performance, while also providing them with continued motivation in the event that market factors or down periods make it impossible to meet target performance levels. Percentage payouts between the threshold, target and maximum levels are linearly interpolated for each financial performance subcomponent. A partial PSU payout can be earned by the Named Executive Officers as long as the Company achieves the threshold performance for one of the performance factors even if the Company does not achieve threshold performance for the other performance factor.
The Committee also has discretion to adjust the payout calculation in order to reduce (but not increase) the number of PSUs earned to take into account any unanticipated events including, but not limited to, extraordinary or non-recurring items, changes in tax laws, changes in generally accepted accounting principles, impacts of discontinued operations and restatements of prior period financial results.
If any of the Company’s financial statements are restated before the payout of PSUs as the result of errors, omissions or fraud, for any fiscal year during the three-year performance period, such restated results will be used to recalculate any PSU conversions made at the expiration of the performance period.
Fiscal 2021-2023 Performance. The end of fiscal 2023 marked the end of the three-year performance period for PSUs granted in fiscal 2021. For this performance period, the Company achieved three-year Relative Total Stockholder Return in the 27th percentile (resulting in a 55.2% payout for this component) and three-year average Return on Invested Capital of 12.9% (resulting in a maximum 200% payout for this component), which equated to a cumulative payout percentage of 127.6% of target. In accordance with the terms of the PSUs earned for this performance period, Mr. Wood was issued 2,137 shares of common stock (resulting from 1,675 PSUs awarded in fiscal 2021), Mr. Ketcham was issued 2,137 shares of common stock (resulting from 1,675 PSUs awarded in fiscal 2021), Mr. Oberto was issued 1,298 shares of common stock (resulting from 1,018 PSUs awarded in fiscal 2021), and Mr. Marion was issued 1,010 shares of common stock (resulting from 792 PSUs awarded in fiscal 2021). No payouts have yet been earned with respect to the PSUs awarded in fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2023 which have three-year performance periods ending at the end of fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2025, respectively.
For PSUs granted in fiscal 2021, “Relative Total Stockholder Return” and “Return on Invested Capital” or “ROIC” were calculated in the same manner as described above for PSUs granted in fiscal 2023. For purposes of calculating Relative Total Stockholder Return, two members of the originally approved peer group were acquired and thus removed from the peer group for PSUs granted in fiscal 2021. Otherwise, except for the inclusion of Art’s-Way Manufacturing Co., Inc. and Enviri Corporation f/k/a Harsco Corporation (which have since been removed from the Company’s peer group for PSUs granted in fiscal 2023) and the exclusion of 3D Systems Corporation and Trinity Industries, Inc. (which were subsequently added to the Company’s peer group for PSUs granted in fiscal 2023), the peer group for PSUs granted in fiscal 2021 was identical to the peer group identified above for PSUs granted in fiscal 2023.
Restricted Stock Unit (RSU) Awards. For the previously discussed reasons, the Committee determined that one quarter of each Named Executive Officer’s long-term incentive award should consist of RSUs. RSUs represent a right to receive a certain number of shares of the Company’s common stock at a specified time in the future, but are not
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conditioned upon achieving any specific performance objectives, and are only payable if the recipient remains employed by the Company at the end of the vesting period leading up to the payout of the RSU (or under certain circumstances involving a change in control, death or complete disability, as discussed in the “Termination Payments” section below). RSUs are designed primarily to encourage retention of executive officers and key employees.
The RSUs awarded in fiscal 2023 vest according to a three-year schedule, with one-third of the RSUs vesting on November 1 of each fiscal year following the fiscal year of their award contingent upon the Named Executive Officer’s continued employment with the Company. Upon vesting, each RSU converts into a share of the Company’s common stock.
Nonqualified Stock Option Awards. Nonqualified stock options represent an option to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at an option price equal to the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. Stock options have a 10-year term and, in order to be consistent with other long-term equity awards, stock options awarded in fiscal 2023 vest and become exercisable ratably over a 3-year period (one-third each year) on November 1 of the next three calendar years following the grant date contingent upon the Named Executive Officer’s continued employment with the Company (or under certain circumstances involving a change in control, death or complete disability, as discussed in the “Termination Payments” section below). The stock options are designed to motivate executives to increase stockholder value as the stock options will only have value if stockholders also benefit from increasing stock prices.
The nonqualified stock options awarded in fiscal 2023 have an option price of $156.16, which is equal to the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange of the Company’s common stock on the grant date of October 24, 2022. No stock option may be exercised more than 10 years from the date of grant.
Stock Ownership Guidelines. The Committee intends that annual grants of long-term incentive awards will create a layering effect that will provide constant motivation and alignment of executive and stockholder interests extending into the future and will support executive retention. In December 2014, the Board adopted formal stock ownership guidelines applicable to all members of senior management. Each Named Executive Officer is expected to reach his respective ownership guideline within seven years after the date of his appointment as an officer. In addition to shares owned by the executive, outstanding RSUs and in-the-money stock options, net of taxes and exercise price, are counted toward the ownership guideline. PSUs are not counted toward the ownership guideline until they are earned, vested and distributed to the executive. The following table sets forth the applicable stock ownership guideline for each Named Executive Officer and the current ownership multiple for such officer as of the Record Date.
| Named Executive Officer |
Stock Ownership Guideline (multiple of Salary) |
Current Ownership (multiple of Salary)(1) | ||||||||
| Mr. Wood(2) |
5x | 4.9x | ||||||||
| Mr. Ketcham |
3x | 4.8x | ||||||||
| Mr. Oberto(3) |
2x | 1.6x | ||||||||
| Mr. Marion |
2x | 2.7x | ||||||||
| (1) | Based on the 200-day average daily closing price of a share of the Company’s common stock on the NYSE ending on the Record Date and executive salaries in effect on the Record Date. |
| (2) | Mr. Wood has been employed by the Company since March 2008, but has only served as an officer since May 2016 and has only been subject to his current ownership requirement since he was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer in January 2021. |
| (3) | Mr. Oberto has been employed by the Company since September 2019, but has only served as an officer since he was appointed to such role in September 2020. |
Anti-Pledging/Hedging Policy. Please carefully review the “Corporate Governance—Hedging and Pledging” section of this Proxy Statement above for a detailed discussion of the Company’s pledging and hedging policy.
Other Employee Benefits. The Company also provides certain other benefits to its Named Executive Officers in the normal course of business as appropriate to be competitive with market practice. In addition to this standard benefits package, Named Executive Officers are provided supplemental life insurance coverage and offered participation in a concierge executive health program. Beginning in fiscal 2022, Named Executive Officers may also participate in an annual
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executive physical program that provides each of them with a comprehensive health and wellness examination that goes beyond the standard physical examinations covered by most insurance programs and which reduces the risk for a significant business disruption by striving to prevent and/or timely treat executive illness. In fiscal 2022, the Company also adopted a nonqualified deferred compensation plan to allow a select group of eligible participants, including all Named Executive Officers, to elect to defer a portion of their compensation without regard to the tax code limitations applicable to tax-qualified plans. Additional information regarding the deferred compensation plan for this group is included under “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation” below.
Other benefits provided to the Named Executive Officers are those which are generally available to all employees of the Company, subject to the satisfaction of certain eligibility requirements, such as participation in Company-sponsored health and dental insurance, life insurance and disability benefits, and the employee stock purchase plan. The Company and employee participants share in the cost of these programs. The Company maintains a qualified 401(k) retirement plan to which the Company makes matching contributions corresponding to employee contributions. The Company’s Named Executive Officers are eligible to participate in each of these employee benefit plans.
See the Summary Compensation Table for additional information about the value of benefits and perquisites provided to Named Executive Officers in fiscal 2023.
Termination Payments. The Company is party to arrangements with its Named Executive Officers that provide for termination payments under several possible scenarios, including payments that are triggered by a change in control of the Company.
For all equity awards issued and outstanding under the Company’s 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan, there will be no acceleration of vesting of RSUs and options upon a change in control unless (i) such awards are not assumed or substituted by the acquirer or (ii) the acquirer’s securities are not publicly traded in the United States, in which case, vesting would be fully accelerated. In the event of a change in control of the Company, outstanding PSUs will convert into an amount of Company common stock that is prorated to account for the amount of time the Named Executive Officers held the PSUs prior to the change in control transaction and will be paid out based on the probable or expected level of Relative Total Stockholder Return and ROIC at the time of the change in control.
The Company has entered into employment agreements with each Named Executive Officer which do provide for certain additional compensation to them if their employment with the Company is terminated without cause. All termination provisions are designed to provide these executive officers with cash to provide for their living expenses in situations where their employment was not terminated voluntarily or for cause.
As provided in Mr. Wood’s employment agreement, if Mr. Wood’s employment is terminated without cause other than at any time within one year following a change of control, he will receive severance compensation equal to one and one-half times the sum of his annual base salary plus target bonus. If Mr. Wood is terminated without cause within one year following a change in control, then he will receive severance compensation equal to three times the sum of his annual base salary plus target bonus.
In the case of Messrs. Ketcham, Oberto, and Marion, each of them will be entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to his annual salary if his employment is terminated without cause other than at any time within one year following a change in control or the sum of his annual salary plus target bonus if his employment is terminated without cause or if he terminates his employment for good reason within one year following a change in control.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control. The following tables set forth the estimated amount of the benefits that each of the Named Executive Officers would have received under a variety of hypothetical termination and change in control scenarios occurring on August 31, 2023. All of the information presented in the following tables is provided for illustrative purposes only.
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TERMINATION SCENARIOS NOT INVOLVING A CHANGE IN CONTROL
| Termination of NEO’s employment by the Company without Cause occurring on August 31, 2023: |
Termination of NEO’s employment by reason of the NEO’s death or disability occurring on August 31, 2023: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name |
Cash ($)(1) |
Accelerated ($)(2) |
Cash Payment ($) |
Death/Disability ($)(3) |
Accelerated Equity Awards ($)(4) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Randy A. Wood |
$ | 2,310,000 | — | — | $ | 1,000,000 | $ | 1,306,829 | |||||||||||||||||
| Brian L. Ketcham |
$ | 428,000 | — | — | $ | 928,000 | $ | 408,180 | |||||||||||||||||
| Gustavo E. Oberto |
$ | 405,000 | — | — | $ | 905,000 | $ | 253,594 | |||||||||||||||||
| J. Scott Marion |
$ | 367,000 | — | — | $ | 867,000 | $ | 211,525 | |||||||||||||||||
| (1) | These amounts represent the payments that the Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”) would receive under their employment agreements if the Company should terminate their employment without Cause prior to a Change in Control (each as defined in the applicable employment agreement). |
| (2) | The NEOs’ RSU and PSU award agreements both require that an NEO must remain employed with the Company on the scheduled RSU and PSU vesting date. In this scenario, if an NEO’s employment with the Company were to terminate on August 31, 2023, then that NEO would automatically forfeit the entirety of his previously issued and outstanding RSUs and PSUs. |
| (3) | These amounts represent the amount of life insurance benefits that the NEO’s designated beneficiaries would receive upon the NEO’s death under life insurance coverage provided by the Company. The amounts do not include any additional benefits which might be paid out under supplemental coverage purchased by the NEOs on their own accord through the Company. The Company also provides disability insurance for the NEOs. In the event of a complete disability, the NEOs would first receive six months of short term disability benefits through regular payroll equal to 75% of their base salary. The disabled NEOs would then receive monthly long-term payments equal to 66.7% of their monthly base salary capped at $12,500 a month, continuing until they reach age 65. |
| (4) | These amounts represent (i) the value of PSU and RSU awards which would convert into shares of Company common stock, and (ii) the in-the-money value of unvested stock options that would vest following the termination of an NEO’s employment as a result of the NEO’s death or complete disability. These amounts do not include the value of stock options that had already vested prior to the triggering event. Following a termination as a result of death or complete disability, (a) unvested stock options will become fully vested, (b) each outstanding RSU will automatically convert into one share of Company common stock, and (c) outstanding PSUs will convert into an amount of Company common stock that is prorated to account for the amount of time the NEOs held the PSUs prior to termination by reason of death or complete disability and will be paid out based on the probable or expected level of achievement with respect to the applicable performance measures at the time of termination by reason of death or complete disability (i.e., Relative Total Stockholder Return and ROIC). For illustrative purposes, these amounts were calculated assuming that the Company would have achieved a “target” level performance during the period prior to the termination by death or complete disability and that it would be probable and expected following the termination for the Company to continue that “target” performance for the remainder of the PSUs award period. These amounts were calculated using the $124.10 closing price of the Company’s common stock on the assumed date of termination by reason of death or complete disability of August 31, 2023. |
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CHANGE IN CONTROL SCENARIOS
| Scenario 1–The Company undergoes a Change in Control on August 31, 2023, where (i) the Company does not terminate the NEO’s employment without Cause and (ii) the NEO does not terminate his employment with Good Reason, and (iii) the NEO’s awards are assumed or substituted by an acquirer with securities that are publicly traded in the United States. |
Scenario 2–The Company undergoes a Change in Control on August 31, 2023, where (i) the Company does not terminate the NEO’s employment without Cause and (ii) the NEO does not terminate his employment with Good Reason, and (iii)(a) the NEO’s equity awards are not assumed or substituted by the acquirer and/or (b) the acquirer’s securities are not publicly traded in the United States. |
Scenario 3–The Company undergoes a Change in Control on August 31, 2023 and on that same date the Company either terminates the NEO’s employment without Cause or the NEO terminates his employment with Good Reason. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name |
Cash ($) |
Accelerated Equity Awards ($)(1) |
Cash ($) |
Accelerated Equity Awards |
Cash Payment ($)(2) |
Accelerated ($)(1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Randy A. Wood |
— | $ | 1,293,081 | — | $ | 1,306,829 | $ | 4,620,000 | $ | 1,306,829 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Brian L. Ketcham |
— | $ | 394,431 | — | $ | 408,180 | $ | 706,200 | $ | 408,180 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Gustavo E. Oberto |
— | $ | 245,222 | — | $ | 253,594 | $ | 568,850 | $ | 253,594 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| J. Scott Marion |
— | $ | 205,013 | — | $ | 211,525 | $ | 627,750 | $ | 211,525 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | These amounts represent (i) the value of PSU and RSU awards which would convert into shares of Company common stock, and (ii) the in-the-money value of unvested stock options that would vest upon a Change in Control. These amounts do not include the value of stock options that had already vested prior to the triggering event. Following a Change in Control, with respect to all equity awards issued under the Company’s 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan that are assumed or substituted by an acquirer with securities that are publicly traded in the United States, (a) there will be no acceleration of vesting of stock options or RSUs and (b) outstanding PSUs will convert into an amount of Company common stock that is prorated to account for the amount of time the NEOs held the PSUs prior to the Change in Control transaction and will be paid out, as applicable, based on the probable or expected level of achievement with respect to the applicable performance measures at the time of the Change in Control (i.e., Relative Total Stockholder Return and ROIC). Following a Change in Control, with respect to all equity awards issued under the Company’s 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan that are not assumed or substituted by an acquirer or if an acquirer’s securities are not publicly traded in the United States: (I) unvested stock options will become fully vested, (II) each outstanding RSU will automatically convert into one share of Company common stock, and (III) outstanding PSUs will convert into an amount of Company common stock that is prorated to account for the amount of time the NEOs held the PSUs prior to the Change in Control transaction and will be paid out, as applicable, based on the probable or expected level of achievement with respect to the applicable performance measures at the time of the Change in Control (i.e., Relative Total Stockholder Return and ROIC). For illustrative purposes, these amounts were calculated assuming that the Company would have achieved a “target” level performance during the period prior to the Change in Control and that it would be probable and expected following the Change in Control for the Company to continue that “target” performance for the remainder of the PSUs award period. These amounts were calculated using the $124.10 closing price of the Company’s common stock on the assumed Change in Control date of August 31, 2023. |
| (2) | These amounts represent the payments that each NEO with an effective employment agreement would receive under his employment agreement if the Company should terminate his employment without Cause or if he should terminate his employment with Good Reason (each as defined in the applicable employment agreement) within one year following a Change in Control. |
Tax Considerations. The Committee considers the impact of applicable tax laws with respect to executive compensation. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 162(m)”), imposes an annual, individual limit of $1 million on the deductibility of the Company’s compensation payments to the chief executive officer and certain other Named Executive Officers. Prior to the effectiveness of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the deduction limit did not apply to performance-based compensation, provided that certain conditions were satisfied. However, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 eliminated the Section 162(m) provisions exempting performance-based compensation from the $1 million deduction limit, subject to an exception for remuneration pursuant to a written binding contract which was in effect on November 2, 2017. As a result, while the Committee attempted to preserve, to the extent practicable, the deductibility of all compensation payments to the Company’s executive officers until the tax law change, the Company is generally no longer able to take a deduction for any annual compensation paid to its current or former Named Executive Officers in excess of $1 million and does not limit executive compensation to amounts deductible under Section 162(m).
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Compensation Committee Report
The Company’s Human Resources and Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis contained in this Proxy Statement with management. Based on the Committee’s review of, and the discussions with management with respect to, the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.
David B. Rayburn, Chairperson
Robert E. Brunner
Pablo Di Si
Consuelo E. Madere
Pay Ratio Information
The Company is providing the following information about the relationship of the annual total compensation of its employees and the annual total compensation of Randy A. Wood, its Chief Executive Officer for fiscal 2023. The pay ratio included in this information is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with applicable securities regulations. This information is being provided for the purposes of compliance with the pay ratio disclosure requirement. Neither the Human Resources and Compensation Committee nor management of the Company used the pay ratio measure in making compensation decisions.
Under Instruction 2 to Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act, the median employee may be identified once every three years if there is no impact to the pay ratio disclosure. As there were no changes in the Company’s employee population or to the median employee’s compensation arrangements in fiscal 2023 that the Company reasonably believes would significantly change this pay ratio disclosure, the employee representing the median employee is the same employee selected for last year’s Proxy Statement.
On August 31, 2022, the date which was originally selected to identify the median employee last year (the “Pay Ratio Date”), the Company had approximately 683 U.S. employees and 579 non-U.S. employees, for a total of 1,262 employees. This population consisted of the Company’s full-time, part-time, seasonal and temporary employees. In determining the median employee, the Company excluded from its employee population all of its 31 employees then located in Italy pursuant to a de minimis exemption permitted under SEC rules.
Also, as reported in last year’s Proxy Statement, to identify the median employee from the Company’s employee population, a comparison was made of the amount of base salary and wages plus target cash bonus for each employee who was employed on the Pay Ratio Date as reflected in payroll records from September 1, 2021 to August 31, 2022, excluding the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. The compensation was annualized for employees who were hired during the measurement year but did not work for the Company the entire year, excluding seasonal and temporary employees. No cost-of-living adjustments were made in identifying the median employee.
The median employee originally identified last year remained a full-time employee in fiscal 2023, and such employee’s annual total compensation was calculated using the same methodology used for the Company’s Named Executive Officers as set forth in the Summary Compensation Table.
For fiscal 2023, the total compensation for Mr. Wood was $3,859,697 and the annual total compensation for the median employee was $60,872.48, which resulted in a ratio of 63.4 to 1.
The SEC rules for identifying the median employee and calculating the pay ratio based on that employee’s annual total compensation allow companies to adopt a variety of methodologies, to apply certain exclusions, and to make reasonable estimates and assumptions that reflect their compensation practices. The Company believes that the calculated ratios are reasonable estimates calculated in a manner consistent with the pay ratio disclosure requirements. The pay ratios reported by other companies, including those within the Company’s peer group and industry, may not be comparable to the pay ratio reported above, as other companies may have different employment and compensation practices and may utilize different methodologies, exclusions, estimates, and assumptions in calculating their own pay ratios.
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Executive Compensation
The table below sets forth information regarding all forms of compensation earned by the Company’s Named Executive Officers during the last three fiscal years. In reviewing the table, please note that Mr. Wood was appointed as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2021.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
| Name and Principal Position |
Year | Salary ($) |
Stock Awards ($) (1) |
Option Awards ($)(2) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(3) |
All other Compensation ($) |
Total ($) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Randy A. Wood |
2023 | 769,171 | 1,536,658 | 481,223 | 1,062,292 | 10,353 | (4) | 3,859,697 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| President and Chief Executive Officer (January 2021 – Present) Chief Operating Officer |
2022 | 719,279 | 1,311,505 | 436,696 | 1,090,777 | 9,374 | 3,567,631 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 567,608 | 826,466 | 264,114 | 536,440 | 8,523 | 2,203,151 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brian L. Ketcham |
2023 | 429,239 | 398,952 | 124,998 | 378,241 | 17,017 | (5) | 1,348,447 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior Vice President and |
2022 | 405,336 | 318,317 | 106,091 | 395,087 | 16,241 | 1,241,072 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Chief Financial Officer |
2021 | 389,512 | 298,986 | 92,500 | 225,777 | 11,351 | 1,018,126 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Gustavo E. Oberto |
2023 | 404,660 | 259,319 | 81,240 | 298,396 | 3,224 | (6) | 1,046,839 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| President – Irrigation |
2022 | 383,322 | 168,422 | 56,181 | 316,100 | 2,767 | 926,792 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 364,796 | 200,931 | 62,499 | 211,520 | 2,673 | 842,419 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| J. Scott Marion |
2023 | 366,526 | 259,319 | 81,240 | 278,472 | 14,891 | (7) | 1,000,448 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| President – Infrastructure |
2021 | 336,962 | 141,388 | 43,750 | 192,318 | 11,639 | 726,057 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
2020 | 315,375 | 136,738 | 43,737 | 267,796 | 10,174 | 773,820 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | These awards consist of both RSUs and PSUs granted under the Company’s 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan. The RSUs vest one-third per year over three years and the PSUs cliff vest on November 1 following the end of their respective three-year performance periods. The amount shown reflects the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (“ASC 718”), Stock Compensation, assuming a payout at target for equity incentive plan awards. Assuming the maximum level of performance was achieved for the PSUs awarded in fiscal 2023, the grant date fair value of these awards would have been: Mr. Wood, $2,006,079; Mr. Ketcham, $520,840; Mr. Oberto, $338,546; and Mr. Marion, $338,546. |
| (2) | These awards consist of stock option awards granted under the Company’s 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Stock options vest one-third per year over three years on November 1 of each year following the date of grant. The amounts shown reflect the grant date fair value as computed in accordance with ASC 718, Stock Compensation. The assumptions used to calculate the grant date fair value of stock option awards are included in Note 19 to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023. |
| (3) | These amounts represent annual cash incentive awards received under the Company’s Management Incentive Plan for each fiscal year. |
| (4) | Consists of $5,919 in matching contributions to the Company’s defined contribution profit-sharing and 401(k) plan for fiscal 2023, $1,539 in premiums for supplemental life insurance for fiscal 2023, and $2,894 in fees for participation in a concierge executive health program for fiscal 2023. |
| (5) | Consists of $9,706 in matching contributions to the Company’s defined contribution profit-sharing and 401(k) plan for fiscal 2023, $4,417 in premiums for supplemental life insurance for fiscal 2023, and $2,894 in fees for participation in a concierge executive health program for fiscal 2023. |
| (6) | Consists of $1,869 in matching contributions to the Company’s defined contribution profit-sharing and 401(k) plan for fiscal 2023 and $1,355 in premiums for supplemental life insurance for fiscal 2023. |
| (7) | Consists of $9,234 in matching contributions to the Company’s defined contribution profit-sharing and 401(k) plan for fiscal 2023, $2,416 in premiums for supplemental life insurance for fiscal 2023, and $3,241 in fees for participation in a concierge executive health program for fiscal 2023. |
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The following table sets forth information concerning each grant of an award made to the Company’s Named Executive Officers during the last completed fiscal year under the Company’s 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan and Management Incentive Plan for fiscal 2023.
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
| Grant Date |
Approval Date |
Number of Non-Equity Incentive Plan Units Granted (#) |
Estimated Future Plan Awards(1) |
Estimated Future Equity Incentive |
All other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units(3) (#) |
All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Under- lying Options(4) (#) |
Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh)(5) |
Grant date fair value of stock and option awards ($)(6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name |
Thres- hold ($) |
Target ($) |
Maxi- mum ($) |
Thres- hold (#) |
Target (#) |
Maxi- mum (#) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Randy A. Wood |
|
10/24/22 |
|
10/24/22 |
|
— |
|
385,000 |
|
770,000 |
|
1,540,000 |
|
3,081 |
|
6,163 |
|
12,326 |
|
3,081 |
|
8,666 |
$ |
156.16 |
$ |
2,017,881 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brian L. Ketcham |
|
10/24/22 |
|
10/24/22 |
|
— |
|
139,100 |
|
278,200 |
|
556,400 |
|
800 |
|
1,600 |
|
3,200 |
|
800 |
|
2,251 |
$ |
156.16 |
$ |
523,950 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gustavo E. Oberto |
|
10/24/22 |
|
10/24/22 |
|
— |
|
111,375 |
|
222,750 |
|
445,500 |
|
520 |
|
1,040 |
|
2,080 |
|
520 |
|
1,463 |
$ |
156.16 |
$ |
340,559 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| J. Scott Marion |
|
10/24/22 |
|
10/24/22 |
|
— |
|
100,925 |
|
201,850 |
|
403,700 |
|
520 |
|
1,040 |
|
2,080 |
|
520 |
|
1,463 |
$ |
156.16 |
$ |
340,559 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | Amounts reflect grants made under the Management Incentive Plan for fiscal 2023 (the 2023 MIP is discussed in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section). Actual payouts earned under the program for fiscal 2023 can be found in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table. |
| (2) | These awards consist of PSUs granted in fiscal 2023 under the Company’s 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan for the fiscal 2023 to fiscal 2025 performance period. The amounts shown equal the aggregate number of shares of common stock into which the PSUs will convert if certain threshold, target and maximum performance objectives are met. |
| (3) | These awards consist of RSUs granted in fiscal 2023 under the Company’s 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan. The amounts shown equal the aggregate number of shares of common stock into which the RSUs will convert if the grantee maintains his employment with the Company for the entire vesting period. These RSUs vest according to a three-year schedule, with one-third of the RSUs vesting on November 1 of each fiscal year following the fiscal year of the award. |
| (4) | These awards consist of stock options granted in fiscal 2023 under the Company’s 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan. The amounts shown equal the aggregate number of shares of common stock into which the stock options will convert if the grantee maintains his employment with the Company for the entire vesting period. These options vest according to a three-year schedule, with one-third of the options vesting on November 1 of each fiscal year following the fiscal year of the award. |
| (5) | The exercise price is the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. |
| (6) | Amounts are computed in accordance with ASC 718, Stock Compensation. PSUs are valued assuming a payout at target. The assumptions used to calculate the grant date fair value of stock option awards are included in Note 19 to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023. |
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The following table sets forth information concerning unexercised options, stock that has not vested and equity incentive plan awards for each of the Company’s Named Executive Officers that were outstanding as of the end of the last completed fiscal year.
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
| Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Number of |
Number of |
Equity (#) |
Option ($) |
Option Date |
Number of (#) |
Market ($)(1) |
Equity (#) |
Equity ($)(1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name |
Exercisable | Unexercisable | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Randy A. Wood |
3,809 | — | — | $ | 78.23 | 10/21/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3,840 | — | — | $ | 91.56 | 10/31/2027 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3,743 | — | — | $ | 91.82 | 10/22/2028 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3,825 | — | — | $ | 94.41 | 10/31/2029 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,010 | 1,005 | — | $ | 110.42 | 10/26/2030 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3,139 | 1,570 | — | $ | 127.47 | 1/4/2031 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3,482 | 6,965 | — | $ | 145.93 | 10/25/2031 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | 8,666 | — | $ | 156.16 | 10/24/2032 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4,781 | (2) | 766,681 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16,527 | (3) | $ | 2,051,001 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brian L. Ketcham |
3,999 | — | — | $ | 78.23 | 10/21/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3,840 | — | — | $ | 91.56 | 10/31/2027 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3,743 | — | — | $ | 91.82 | 10/22/2028 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3,825 | — | — | $ | 94.41 | 10/31/2029 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,010 | 1,005 | — | $ | 110.42 | 10/26/2030 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 846 | 1,692 | — | $ | 145.93 | 1/4/2031 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | 2,251 | — | $ | 156.16 | 10/24/2032 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1,565 | (2) | 194,217 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4,730 | (3) | $ | 586,993 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gustavo E.Oberto |
2,326 | — | — | $ | 94.41 | 10/31/2029 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1,222 | 612 | — | $ | 110.42 | 10/26/2030 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 114 | 57 | — | $ | 127.47 | 1/4/2031 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 448 | 896 | — | $ | 110.42 | 10/26/2030 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | 1,463 | — | $ | 156.16 | 10/24/2032 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 964 | (2) | $ | 119,632 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,926 | (3) | $ | 363,117 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| J. Scott Marion |
1,639 | — | — | $ | 90.71 | 1/30/2028 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1,770 | — | — | $ | 91.82 | 10/22/2028 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1,809 | — | — | $ | 94.41 | 10/31/2029 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 950 | 476 | — | $ | 110.42 | 10/26/2030 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 448 | 896 | — | $ | 145.93 | 10/25/2031 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | 1,463 | $ | 156.16 | 10/24/2032 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 909 | (2) | 112,807 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,602 | (3) | $ | 322,908 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | The market value of unearned shares is calculated using $124.10 per share, which was the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the NYSE on August 31, 2023, the last trading day of fiscal 2023. |
| (2) | These awards consist of RSUs granted under the Company’s 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan. These RSUs vest one-third per year, vesting ratably on each November 1 following the end of the fiscal year of their respective grant date. |
| (3) | These awards consist of PSUs granted under the Company’s 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan. These PSUs cliff vest on November 1 following the end of their respective three-year performance period. Each PSU converts into one share of common stock if target levels of performance are achieved, but may ultimately convert into a larger or smaller amount of stock depending upon actual performance achieved over the relevant three-year performance period. |
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| PROPOSAL 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
The following table sets forth information concerning exercised options and vesting of stock awards for each of the Company’s Named Executive Officers as of the end of the last completed fiscal year.
OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED
| Option Awards | Stock Awards | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name |
Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) |
Value Realized on Exercise ($) |
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) (1) |
Value Realized on Vesting ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Randy A. Wood |
— | — | 5,972 | 991,352 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Brian L. Ketcham |
— | — | 4,766 | 791,156 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Gustavo E. Oberto |
— | — | 2,895 | 480,570 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| J. Scott Marion |
413 | 23,064 | 2,267 | 376,322 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | These awards consist of the portion of RSUs granted during fiscal 2020, 2021 and 2022 that vested and converted into shares of common stock during fiscal 2023. The value realized upon vesting was calculated by multiplying the number of vesting RSUs by the $166.00 closing price of the Company’s common stock on November 1, 2022. |
Pension Benefits
The Company does not provide for any defined benefit and actuarial pension plans for its Named Executive Officers. Accordingly, no tabular disclosure is being provided under this heading.
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
The Human Resources and Compensation Committee approved the Lindsay Corporation Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”) pursuant to an Adoption Agreement executed on April 30, 2022. The Deferred Compensation Plan, effective May 1, 2022, is an unfunded, non-qualified deferred compensation plan intended to be exempt from the vesting, funding and fiduciary requirements set forth in Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. The Deferred Compensation Plan allows a select group of eligible participants, including all Named Executive Officers, to elect to defer the receipt of up to 80% of their base salaries and up to 100% of their bonuses, and to receive such deferred compensation in the form of a lump sum or periodic annual installments at certain future dates as elected by the participant or upon the occurrence of certain events such as death or six months following separation from service, including in the event of an unforeseeable emergency, as defined in the Deferred Compensation Plan. Participant contributions will be fully vested at all times. Employer contributions will not be made under the Deferred Compensation Plan. Deferral and distribution elections are made by participants in accordance with the Deferred Compensation Plan and Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Each participant’s deferred compensation account will be deemed invested in investment vehicles selected by the participant from a list made available by the Deferred Compensation Plan’s administrator from time to time. These investment alternatives will be substantially identical to the mutual fund offerings available under the Company’s 401(k) plan. The deemed investment accounts represent an unfunded, unsecured promise by the Company to pay such amounts in the future, and do not represent ownership of, or any ownership interest in, any particular assets of the Company. Payments under the Deferred Compensation Plan will be made from the assets of a trust established by the Company as a reserve for benefits payable under the Deferred Compensation Plan. The trust’s assets remain subject to the claims of the Company’s general creditors.
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| PROPOSAL 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
The following table summarizes the activity within the Deferred Compensation Plan during fiscal 2023 for the Named Executive Officers.
| Name |
Aggregate Balance at August 31, 2022 ($) |
Executive Contributions in Fiscal 2023 ($) (1) |
Company Contributions in Fiscal 2023 ($) |
Aggregate Earnings in Fiscal 2023 ($) (2) |
Aggregate Withdrawals / Distributions ($) |
Aggregate Balance at August 31, 2023 ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Randy A. Wood |
100,000 | 100,000 | — | 3,808 | — | 203,808 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brian L. Ketcham |
123,397 | 200,000 | — | 4,699 | — | 328,096 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gustavo E. Oberto |
4,616 | 16,737 | — | 1,857 | — | 23,210 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| J. Scott Marion |
22,851 | 77,768 | — | 3,953 | — | 104,572 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | The executive contribution amounts included in this table are derived from the Salary and Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation columns of the Summary Compensation Table. |
| (2) | Earnings (losses) are based on investment vehicles selected by the participant from a list made available by the Deferred Compensation Plan’s administrator. These investment alternatives are substantially identical to the mutual fund offerings available under the Company’s 401(k) plan. Earnings (losses) vary based on participant investment elections. These amounts are not included in the Summary Compensation Table because earnings (losses) were not preferential or above market. |
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PROPOSAL 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
• |
The “compensation actually paid” amounts are calculated by making SEC-required adjustments to the “Total” compensation amounts for the Named Executive Officers presented in the Summary Compensation Table. The dollar amounts for “compensation actually paid” in the table below do not reflect the actual amount of compensation earned, realized, or received by the Chief Executive Officer or any individual Named Executive Officer during the applicable fiscal years. A significant portion of the value reflected in the table remains subject to forfeiture if underlying vesting conditions for equity awards are not achieved. |
• |
The financial performance measures presented are Company total shareholder return (“Company TSR”), peer group total shareholder return (“Peer Group Index TSR”), net earnings, and ROIC. The peer group shown for the purposes of this pay versus performance disclosure is the S&P 600 Construction Machinery & Heavy Trucks Index, a peer group index that is presented in the Company Stock Performance graph in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. |
Year (1)(2) |
Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO (Wood) |
Compensation Actually Paid (3) to PEO (Wood) |
Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO (Hassinger) |
Compensation Actually Paid (3) to PEO (Hassinger) |
Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Other NEOs |
Average Compensation Actually Paid (3) to Other NEOs |
Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based on: |
Net Earnings ($M) |
ROIC (6) (%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Company TSR (4) |
Peer Group Index TSR (5) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2023 |
— | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 |
— | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) |
L. Hassinger |
(2) |
Other NEOs were Messrs. Ketcham, Oberto, and Marion for fiscal 2021, fiscal 2022, and fiscal 2023. |
PROPOSAL 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
(3) |
See following table for additional details about the calculation of the “compensation actually paid” value. |
SCT Total Compensation |
Less Equity Amounts Reported in SCT |
Plus Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted During the Fiscal Year |
Change in Fair Value From Prior Fiscal Year of Unvested and Outstanding Awards |
Change in Fair Value From Prior Fiscal Year for Awards Vesting in the Fiscal Year |
Fair Value of Awards as of the Prior Fiscal Year that Failed to Meet Vesting Conditions During the Year |
Compensation Actually Paid |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
($ in thousands) |
Stock Awards |
Options |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PEO (Wood) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
FY23 |
( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
FY22 |
( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
FY21 |
( |
) | ( |
) | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PEO (Hassinger) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
FY21 |
( |
) | ( |
) | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average of Non-PEO NEOs |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
FY23 |
( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
FY22 |
( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
FY21 |
( |
) | ( |
) | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(4) |
Company TSR assumes an initial $100 investment in Lindsay Corporation stock beginning on August 31, 2020. Company TSR is cumulative, with the value determined at the end of each applicable fiscal year, calculated in accordance with Item 201(e) of Regulation S-K, as modified by the pay versus performance proxy rules adopted by the SEC under the Dodd-Frank Act. |
(5) |
The peer group for the purposes of this pay versus performance disclosure is the S&P 600 Construction Machinery & Heavy Trucks Index, which is used by the Company for purposes of compliance with Item 201(e) of Regulation S-K. Peer Group Index TSR is calculated in accordance with Item 201(e) of Regulation S-K, as modified by the pay versus performance proxy rules adopted by the SEC under the Dodd-Frank Act. |
(6) |
The SEC requires disclosure of a Company-selected measure. The Company-selected measure for fiscal 2023 is |
| * | - This average will be computed using the beginning and ending amounts of Invested Capital for the applicable fiscal year. |
| ** | - Invested Capital means Total Interest-Bearing Debt plus Shareholders’ Equity. |
PROPOSAL 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
PROPOSAL 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
• |
• |
• |
• |
PROPOSAL 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
Name |
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) |
Stock Awards ($) (1) |
Option Awards ($) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) |
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) |
All Other Compensation ($) |
Total ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Robert E. Brunner |
145,000 | 100,000 | (3) |
— | — | — | — | 245,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Michael N. Christodolou |
75,000 | 100,000 | — | — | — | — | 175,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pablo Di Si |
27,292 | (2) |
147,708 | (2)(3) |
— | — | — | — | 175,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ibrahim Gokcen |
75,000 | 100,000 | — | — | — | — | 175,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mary A. Lindsey |
95,000 | 100,000 | (3) |
— | — | — | — | 195,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Consuelo E. Madere |
90,000 | 100,000 | (3) |
— | — | — | — | 190,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
David B. Rayburn |
90,000 | 100,000 | — | — | — | — | 190,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) |
These awards consist of RSUs granted in fiscal 2023 under the Company’s 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan. These RSUs vested on November 1, 2023. |
(2) |
With respect to his Board service from and after the Fiscal 2023 Annual Meeting, Mr. Di Si elected to receive his annual cash retainer in the form of RSUs. |
(3) |
These RSUs vested on November 1, 2023 but have been deferred pursuant to an election permitted by the Lindsay Corporation Directors Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan. The non-employee director shall have no voting rights with respect to the shares associated with such deferred RSUs while they remain deferred. |
PROPOSAL 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
Table of Contents
| PROPOSAL 2 RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM |
Proposal 2 Ratification of Appointment of
Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm
KPMG LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm since 2001, has been appointed by the Audit Committee as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company and its subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2024. This appointment is being presented to the stockholders for ratification. The ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast virtually or by proxy by persons entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be considered votes cast with respect to ratification of the appointment and will not be counted as votes for or against the ratification.
If stockholders fail to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether to retain KPMG LLP, but may ultimately decide to retain them. Any decision to retain KPMG LLP or another independent registered public accounting firm will be made by the Audit Committee and will not be resubmitted to stockholders. In addition, even if stockholders ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP, the Audit Committee retains the right to appoint a different independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2024 if it determines that it would be in the Company’s best interests.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING AUGUST 31, 2024.
Representatives of KPMG LLP are expected to be present at the virtual Annual Meeting and will be provided an opportunity to make a statement and to respond to appropriate inquiries from stockholders present virtually at the Annual Meeting.
Accounting Fees and Services
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees for professional services rendered by KPMG LLP for each of the last two fiscal years:
| Category of Fee |
Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | ||||||
| Audit Fees(1) |
$ | 1,512,136 | $ | 1,426,200 | ||||
| Audit-Related Fees(2) |
8,000 | 8,000 | ||||||
| Tax Fees |
— | — | ||||||
| All Other Fees(3) |
1,700 | 1,700 | ||||||
| Total Fees |
$ | 1,521,836 | $ | 1,435,900 | ||||
| (1) | Audit fees consist of the audit of the Company’s fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022 annual financial statements and review of the Company’s quarterly financial statements during fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022. |
| (2) | Audit-related fees were for review of agreed-upon procedures relating to certain environmental matters in fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022. |
| (3) | All other fees represent the amount paid by the Company for access to an online accounting research portal. |
As provided in its Charter, the Audit Committee must pre-approve all services provided to the Company by its independent auditor. The Audit Committee approved all services provided by KPMG LLP to the Company in fiscal 2023 and determined that the services listed above did not adversely affect KPMG LLP’s independence in providing audit services.
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Table of Contents
| PROPOSAL 3 ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION |
Proposal 3 Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
Section 951 of the Dodd-Frank Act added Section 14A to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 which requires, among other things, that companies with publicly-traded securities, such as Lindsay Corporation, take a separate non-binding vote at their annual meeting of stockholders to consider a resolution to approve the compensation of their named executive officers as disclosed in the proxy statement for the annual meeting in accordance with SEC regulations. To that end, the Board of Directors has submitted the following resolution to be voted on by the Company’s stockholders at the Annual Meeting:
“The stockholders of Lindsay Corporation hereby approve the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers as described in the definitive Proxy Statement relating to the Company’s Fiscal 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, including the sections thereof entitled ‘Executive Compensation’ and ‘Compensation Discussion and Analysis’.”
As described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section, the overall goal of the Company’s compensation policy is to maximize stockholder value by attracting, retaining and motivating the executive officers who are critical to the Company’s long-term success. It is also the belief of the Board of Directors that executive compensation should be designed to promote both the short-term and long-term goals of the Company and, accordingly, an important component of the Company’s executive compensation philosophy is to closely align the financial interests of the Company’s executive officers with those of the Company’s stockholders. The Board and the Human Resources and Compensation Committee have a strong focus on paying for performance, with targeted incentive compensation for Named Executive Officers being over half of their total target compensation. Stockholders are encouraged to carefully review the “COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS” and “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION” sections of this Proxy Statement for a detailed discussion of the Company’s executive compensation program.
The vote on the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers is non-binding and does not require the Company to make any specific changes to the compensation of its Named Executive Officers or take any other action if the resolution is not approved by stockholders. However, the Board of Directors values and encourages constructive input from stockholders regarding the Company’s compensation philosophy, policies and practices and believes that stockholder feedback on executive compensation provided by this non-binding vote can provide the Board and the Human Resources and Compensation Committee with useful information on investor sentiment about these important matters. The Board of Directors and the Human Resources and Compensation Committee will review the voting results and, to the extent there is a negative vote on this proposal, the Board of Directors expects to consider a number of steps, including consulting with significant stockholders to better understand the concerns that influenced the vote. The Board and the Human Resources and Compensation Committee intend to consider all constructive feedback obtained through this “say-on-pay” process in making future decisions regarding the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers.
The Company’s stockholders approved the “say on pay” resolution presented at the Company’s Fiscal 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders with a vote of approximately 94% of the votes cast on the proposal. The Human Resources and Compensation Committee believes the results of the Fiscal 2023 “say on pay” vote were a confirmation that the stockholders were in general agreement with the Human Resources and Compensation Committee’s compensation philosophy.
The proposal to approve the resolution regarding the compensation of the Named Executive Officers will be deemed to be approved if a greater number of votes cast by persons entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting are voted in favor of the resolution than are voted against the resolution. Consequently, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on this resolution.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.
39
Table of Contents
| SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS |
Submission of Stockholder Proposals
Only stockholders of record as of the Record Date are entitled to bring business before the Annual Meeting or make nominations for directors. Stockholder proposals submitted for presentation at the Annual Meeting must have been received by the Secretary of the Company at its home office no earlier than September 12, 2023 and no later than October 12, 2023 (the “Notice Period”). Stockholder proposals submitted for presentation at the Annual Meeting received before or after the Notice Period will be considered untimely.
Such proposals must set forth (i) as to each matter such stockholder proposes to bring before the Annual Meeting (w) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the Annual Meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the Annual Meeting, (x) the text of the proposed business, (y) any material interest of any Proposing Person (as defined below) in the proposed business, and (z) any other information relating to the proposed business that is required to be disclosed under applicable law; and (ii) as to such stockholder and any other Proposing Person (o) any information relating to each Proposing Person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as applicable, the proposal and/or for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (including Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act), (p) the name and address of such Proposing Person, (q) the class and number of shares of the Company’s capital stock that are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by each such Proposing Person and any derivative instrument and by any other stockholders known by such Proposing Person to be supporting such business, (r) whether and the extent to which any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions has been entered into by or on behalf of such Proposing Person with respect to any securities of the Company, and a description of any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares), the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, or to manage the risk or benefit from share price changes or to increase or decrease the voting power of, such Proposing Person with respect to any securities of the Company, (s) any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which the Proposing Person or nominee has a right to vote any shares of any security of the Company, (t) any rights to dividends on the shares of the Company beneficially owned by the Proposing Person that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Company, (u) any performance-related fees (other than asset-based fees) that the Proposing Person is entitled to, based on any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Company or derivative instruments, if any, as of the date of such notice, if any, including without limitation any such interests held by members of such Proposing Person’s immediate family sharing in the same household, (v) any material interest of the Proposing Person in such business, (w) a statement whether such Proposing Person will deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Company’s voting shares required under applicable law to carry the proposal, (x) a statement whether such Proposing Person intends to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees in accordance with Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act, (y) a brief description of any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which any Proposing Party, either directly or acting in concert with another party or parties, has a right to vote any shares of capital stock of the Company, and (z) a brief description of any contract, arrangement or understanding with respect to the proposed business to which any Proposing Person is a party (collectively, the “Required Information”). In addition, to be in proper written form, the Required Information set forth in the Proposing Person’s notice to the Secretary of the Company must be supplemented not later than 10 days following the record date for notice of the meeting to disclose the information contained in clauses (ii)(q) through (ii)(u) above as of the record date for notice of the meeting.
For purposes of providing a notice pursuant to the foregoing paragraph, or nominating a director pursuant to the following paragraph, Section 2.11(h) of the Company’s By-Laws provides that “Proposing Person” means (a) any stockholder who submits a notice to the Secretary of the Company pursuant to Section 2.11(a) and/or, with respect to the nomination of directors, Section 2.11(c) of the Company’s By-Laws, (b) the beneficial owner or owners, if any, on whose behalf any such notice is submitted, (c) any party or parties acting in concert with such stockholder in connection with the business proposed and/or the person or persons nominated for election or re-election to the Board of Directors, and (d) any party or parties directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with any of the foregoing.
Nominations for directors may be submitted by stockholders by delivery of such nominations in writing to the Secretary of the Company during the Notice Period.
Such nominations must set forth the Required Information above with respect to the Proposing Person, except that in lieu of the information called for in part (z) above, the Required Information for a nomination shall instead include a brief description of all direct and indirect compensation arrangements and any other contract, arrangement or understanding during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among such Proposing Person, on the one
40
Table of Contents
| SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS |
hand, and each proposed nominee, and his or her respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the other hand, including, without limitation, all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 404 under Regulation S-K if the Proposing Person were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and such proposed nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant or nominees.
Such nominations shall also set forth as to each person whom such stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director, (n) the name and address of such person, (o) the class and number of shares of the Company’s capital stock that are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by each such person and any derivative instrument, (p) whether and the extent to which any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions has been entered into by or on behalf of such person with respect to any securities of the Company, and a description of any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares), the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, or to manage the risk or benefit from share price changes or to increase or decrease the voting power of, such person with respect to any securities of the Company, (q) any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which the person has a right to vote any shares of any security of the Company, (r) any rights to dividends on the shares of the Company beneficially owned by the person that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Company, (s) any performance-related fees (other than asset-based fees) that the person is entitled to, based on any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Company or derivative instruments, if any, as of the date of such notice, if any, including without limitation any such interests held by members of such person’s immediate family sharing in the same household, (t) a brief description of any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which any person, either directly or acting in concert with another party or parties, has a right to vote any shares of capital stock of the Company, (u) a brief description of all direct and indirect compensation arrangements and any other contract, arrangement or understanding during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among each such person, and his or her respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the one hand, and the Proposing Person, and his or her respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the other hand, including, without limitation, all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 404 under Regulation S-K if such proposed nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant or nominees and if the Proposing Person were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule, (v) all information relating to such person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (including Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act), including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected, (w) a written statement executed by each proposed nominee acknowledging that as a director of the Company, the nominee will owe a fiduciary duty under Delaware law with respect to the Company and its stockholders, (x) a fully completed Director’s Questionnaire on the form supplied by the Company upon written request from the Proposing Person, executed by the nominee, (y) a written statement executed by each nominee acknowledging that he or she, in his or her individual capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made, intends to serve a full term if elected as a director of the Company, and (z) a written representation and agreement, on the form supplied by the Company upon written request from the Proposing Person, executed by each nominee stating that such person (A) is not and will not become a party to (1) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person, if elected as a director of the Company, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the Company or (2) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such person’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Company, with such person’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, (B) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed therein, and (C) in such person’s individual capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as a director of the Company, and will comply with all applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Company,
In order to be included in the Company’s Proxy Statement and form of proxy relating to next year’s Annual Meeting, stockholder proposals must be submitted by July 24, 2024 to the Secretary of the Company at its principal executive offices. The inclusion of any such proposal in such proxy material shall be subject to the requirements of the proxy rules adopted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Pursuant to Section 2.11 of the Company’s By-Laws, nominations for directors or stockholder proposals submitted for presentation at next year’s Annual Meeting (other than proposals submitted for inclusion in the Company’s Proxy Statement and form of proxy) must have been received by the Secretary of the Company at its principal executive offices no earlier than September 11, 2024 and no later than October 11, 2024. Any such nominations or proposals must be in accordance with the requirements and procedures outlined in the Company’s By-Laws and summarized above in this section.
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| OTHER MATTERS |
OTHER MATTERS
Management does not intend to bring before the Annual Meeting any matters other than those disclosed in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and it does not know of any business which persons, other than management, intend to present at the Annual Meeting. The proxy for the Annual Meeting confers discretionary authority on the Board of Directors to vote on any matter properly presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting if the Company did not receive written notice of the matter on or before October 12, 2023.
The Company will bear the cost of soliciting proxies. To the extent necessary, proxies may also be solicited by directors, officers and employees of the Company in person, by telephone or through other forms of communication, but such persons will not receive any additional compensation for such solicitation. In addition, the Company will supply banks, brokers, dealers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries with proxy materials to enable them to send a copy of such materials by mail to each beneficial owner of shares of the Company’s common stock which they hold of record and will, upon request, reimburse them for their reasonable expenses in so doing.
Stockholders and other interested parties may communicate with the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, the Chairperson of the Audit Committee, Human Resources and Compensation Committee, or Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, or any individual director by sending a letter to the attention of the appropriate person (which may be marked as confidential) addressed to the Secretary of the Company. All communications received by the Secretary will be forwarded to the appropriate Board member. In addition, it is the policy of the Board of Directors that the Company’s directors shall attend and will generally be available to take questions from stockholders at the virtual Annual Meeting of Stockholders, whenever possible. All Board members attended last year’s Annual Meeting.
The Company’s Annual Report, including the Form 10-K and financial statements filed by the Company with the SEC, is being made available, together with this Proxy Statement, to all stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. However, the Annual Report is not to be considered part of this proxy solicitation material.
| By Order of the Board of Directors |
| /s/ ERIC R. ARNESON |
| Eric R. Arneson, Secretary |
| Omaha, Nebraska |
| November 21, 2023 |
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VOTE BY INTERNET Before The Meeting - Go to www.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode above
Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information. Vote by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on January 8, 2024 for shares held directly and by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on January 4, 2024 for shares held in a Plan. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.
During The Meeting - Go to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/LNN2024
You may attend the meeting via the Internet and vote during the meeting. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow available and follow the instructions.
VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions. Vote by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on January 8, 2024 for shares held directly and by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on January 4, 2024 for shares held in a Plan. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.
VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. |
| TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:
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V25964-P00049 | KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS |
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| DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY |
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THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. |
| LINDSAY CORPORATION The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote FOR Items 1, 2 and 3.
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For All |
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Withhold All |
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For All Except |
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To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1. Election of directors for term to expire at the Fiscal 2027 Annual Meeting of Stockholders: |
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| Nominees:
01) Robert E. Brunner 02) Randy A. Wood |
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| For | Against | Abstain | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2. Ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2024 |
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☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3. Non-binding vote on resolution to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers. |
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| 4. To vote, in its discretion, upon any other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof which management did not have written notice of on October 12, 2023. |
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Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer.
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| Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] | Date | Signature (Joint Owners) | Date | |||||||||||||||
Table of Contents
LINDSAY CORPORATION
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
8:30 a.m. CST
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/LNN2024
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:
The Notice and Proxy Statement and 2023 Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com.
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| V25965-P00049
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THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF LINDSAY CORPORATION FOR USE ONLY AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 9, 2024 AND AT ANY ADJOURNMENT THEREOF.
The undersigned hereby appoints Brian L. Ketcham and Eric R. Arneson, and each of them individually, as the undersigned’s proxies and agents, with full powers of substitution, and hereby authorizes each to represent the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Lindsay Corporation (the “Company”) to be held virtually via a live webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/LNN2024, on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at 8:30 a.m., Central Standard Time, and at any adjournment of said meeting, and thereat to act with respect to all votes that the undersigned would be entitled to cast, if then personally present, in accordance with the instructions below and on the reverse hereof.
This proxy is revocable and the undersigned may revoke it at any time prior to the Annual Meeting. Should the undersigned want to vote at the Annual Meeting or at any adjournment thereof, the undersigned may revoke this proxy by attending the meeting with their control number. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of or access to the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting and the Company’s 2023 Annual Report to Stockholders prior to the signing of this proxy.
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR ELECTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR, FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM, AND FOR APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.
If you vote your proxy by Internet or by Telephone, you do NOT need to mail back your Proxy Card
Continued and to be signed on reverse side