sxi20231031_8k.htm
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
FORM 8-K
 
Current Report
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 25, 2023
 
STANDEX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
1-7233
31-0596149
(State or other jurisdiction of
(Commission
(IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)
File Number)
Identification No.)
   
23 Keewaydin Drive, Salem, New Hampshire
03079
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
   
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (603) 893-9701
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
     
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, Par Value $1.50 Per Share
SXI
New York Stock Exchange
 
Not applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
 
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
Emerging growth company         
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
 
 

 
Standex International Corporation
 
SECTION 5
 
ITEM 5.02(e)         COMPENSATORY ARRANGEMENTS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS
 
On October 25, 2023, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors adopted an Executive Severance Policy (the “Policy”). The purpose of the Policy is to supplement and ultimately replace the use by the Company of employment agreements with certain key employees, including the named executive officers, other than the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “Covered Executives”). A brief description of the terms and conditions of the Policy follows. The description set forth below is qualified by reference to the full Policy itself, a copy of which is incorporated herein and attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1.
 
In general, the Policy specifies severance and other benefits to which a Covered Executive would be entitled under various employment termination scenarios including change in control, death, disability, retirement, for cause, and without cause. In the event of a “Termination for Cause” (as defined in the Policy), the Covered Executive would not be entitled to any benefits under the policy. In other termination scenarios, the Covered Executive would be entitled to the benefits as set forth in the summary table below.
 
Type of Termination
Entitlement to
Accrued Benefits
Severance
Current Year Bonus
Treatment of
Unvested Equity
Insurance Benefits
Change in Control*
Payment of unpaid base salary and unused vacation days.
Lump sum equal to 2X the sum of base salary plus higher of target or most recent annual bonus.
Lump sum equal to greater of target annual bonus or pro-rata accrual of bonus on the Company’s books.
100% vesting
Continuation of life insurance and medical plan benefits covering the Covered Executive and dependents for two years following termination.
Death
Payment of unpaid base salary and unused vacation days.
N/A
N/A
In accordance with language of the underlying award agreements (generally provides for vesting upon death).
N/A except as due to Covered Executive’s estate or beneficiaries under any existing benefit plan.
Disability*
Payment of unpaid base salary and unused vacation days.
Base salary continuation for one year from the termination date.
N/A
In accordance with language of the underlying award agreements (generally provides for vesting on termination due to disability).
N/A except as due to Covered Executive under any existing benefit plan.
Retirement*
Payment of unpaid base salary and unused vacation days.
N/A
N/A
In accordance with language of the underlying award agreements (generally provides for vesting), except blanket prohibition on accelerated vesting of any awards made less than 6 months prior to retirement date.
N/A except as due to Covered Executive under any existing benefit plan.
Termination without Cause*
Payment of unpaid base salary and unused vacation days.
Continuation pay for one year in an annualized amount equal to base salary plus target annual bonus.
N/A
In accordance with language of the underlying award agreements (generally provides for forfeiture of unvested awards).
N/A except as due to Covered Executive under any existing benefit plan.
 
*The terms “Change of Control,” “Disability,” and “Retirement” have such meanings as defined in the Policy. “Termination without Cause” is any termination for any reason other than Change in Control, Death, Disability, Retirement, or For Cause.
 
The Policy specifies that any benefits under the Policy that are calculated based on reference to incentive-based compensation are subject to recovery by the Company in the event of a financial restatement in accordance with the Company’s Compensation Clawback Policy. In addition, in order to receive benefits under the Policy, a Covered Executive must execute a general release of claims and a restrictive covenant agreement containing specified non-compete, non-solicitation and confidentiality obligations as set forth more fully in the Policy. The Policy also contains provisions to ensure compliance with the deferred compensation regulations under Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and provides for applicable exceptions to a Covered Executive’s confidentiality obligations in order to comply with “whistleblower” and cooperation rules of the SEC or any other governmental authorities.
 
The Policy may be amended or terminated by the Company at any time; however, any termination of amendment that materially reduces benefits to Covered Executives shall be effective only upon six months prior written notice to the impacted individuals.
 
 

 
SECTION 9 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
 
ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
 
(c)
Exhibits – The following exhibits are provided as part of the information filed under Items 5.02(e) of this Current Report on Form 8-K.
 
Exhibit No.         Description
 
10.1                 Executive Severance Policy adopted by the Board of Directors on October 25, 2023.
104                  Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
 
 
SIGNATURE
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
STANDEX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
(Registrant)
 
 
/s/ Ademir Sarcevic
Ademir Sarcevic
Chief Financial Officer
 
Date: October 31, 2023
 
Signing on behalf of the registrant and as
principal financial officer
 
 
 

Exhibit 10.1

 

STANDEX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE POLICY

 

Effective Date: October 25, 2023

 

1.

Purpose and Scope 

 

This Executive Severance Policy ("Policy") is established by Standex International Corporation (the "Company") to provide guidelines and procedures regarding executive severance benefits for eligible executives of the Company. The purpose of this Policy is to attract and retain top executive talent, encourage their commitment and dedication to the Company, and ensure a smooth transition in the event of their departure. This Policy applies to all executives of the Company who meet the eligibility criteria outlined herein.

 

2.

Definitions 

 

(a) "Executive" refers to an Executive of the Company holding a senior executive position as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.

 

(b) "Change in Control" refers to a Change in Control of the Company as defined in the 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended, or any successor plan.

 

(d) “Just Reason” means that, following a Change in Control, without Executive’s express written consent the occurrence of any one or more of the following: (i) a material diminution in the Executive’s salary, (ii) a material diminution in the Executive’s benefits, (iii) a material diminution in Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities or (iv) a material change in the geographic location at which the Executive must perform services. For purposes of this Policy, Executive shall not be entitled to assert that a termination is for Just Reason unless (i) Executive gives the Compensation Committee written notice of the event or events which are the basis for such assertion within ninety (90) days after the event or events occur (“Event Date”), (ii) the Company has not cured or fully remedied such event or events within thirty (30) days after receiving such written notice and (iii) Executive’s termination of employment is no later than one-hundred twenty (120) days after the Event Date.

 

(c) "Termination for Cause" means the termination of an Executive's employment as a result of any of the following:

 

(i) an act or acts of dishonesty on the Executive’s part which are intended to or actually result in substantial personal enrichment at the expense of the Company; or

 

(ii) the Executive willfully, deliberately, and continuously fails to materially and substantially perform their duties which results in material injury to the Company (other than such failure resulting from the Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental disability) after demand for substantial performance is given by the Company to the Executive specifically identifying the manner in which the Company believes the Executive has not materially and substantially performed their duties; or

 

(iii) the Executive willfully and deliberately fails to comply with the Company’s Code of Conduct, financial corporate policies or other significant, written corporate policies of the Company; or

 

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(iv) the Executive, through conduct and actions (whether willful or not and in the good faith discretion of the Company), creates a threatening, intimidating, or hostile workplace environment.

 

No action, or failure to act, shall be considered “willful” if it is done by the Executive in good faith and with reasonable belief that such action or omission was in the best interest of the Company.

 

(d) "Disability" means the Executive's inability to perform their essential job functions due to a physical or mental impairment for a period of six consecutive months.

 

(e) "Retirement" means voluntary termination of employment by the Executive (in a situation not involving a Change in Control) when such Executive either (i) is age 55 or over and has at least ten (10) years of service with the Company or (ii) is age 65 or over.

 

3.

Severance Benefits 

 

Upon termination of an Executive’s employment with the Company, the Executive shall be entitled to the benefits set forth with respect to each termination scenario below:

 

(a) Change in Control: Following a Change in Control of Company, in the event of a termination, within twenty-four (24) months of the effective date of such Change in Control, of Executive's employment either by Executive for Just Reason or by the Company under any circumstances other than involving conclusive evidence of substantial and indisputable intentional personal malfeasance by the Executive, then:

 

(i)     Executive shall be promptly paid a lump sum payment equal to two times the greater of (a) Executive’s base salary immediately prior to the Change in Control or (b) Executive’s then current annual base salary plus two times the higher of (x) the most recent annual bonus paid to Executive under the Annual Incentive Program, (y) Executive’s target bonus amount under the Annual Incentive Program as of the date immediately prior to the Change in Control, or (z) Executive’s target bonus amount under the Annual Incentive Program at the time of termination;

 

(ii)     Executive shall receive a lump sum payment equivalent to the greater of (i) the target annual incentive bonus for Executive or (ii) the level of bonus accrual on the Company’s books as of the date of termination times the percentage of the Company’s then current fiscal year that has elapsed as of the time of such termination;

 

(iii)     Executive shall become 100% vested in all benefit plans in which Executive participates including but not limited to the Standex Retirement Savings Plan, the Management Stock Purchase Program and all restricted stock awards and performance share units granted under the 2018 Omnibus Incentive Program and any other stock-based awards of the Company;

 

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(iv)     All life insurance and medical plan benefits covering the Executive and their dependents shall be continued at the expense of the Company for the two-year period following such termination as if the Executive were still an Executive of the Company; and

 

(v)      Executive shall receive compensation of any unpaid base salary and accrued but unused vacation days through the termination date.

 

In the event that any payments or distributions to Executive made by the Company, by any of its affiliates, by any person or entity which acquires ownership or effective control or ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code, and all related regulations or any similar federal tax that may be imposed, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to this policy, any agreement or otherwise (collectively called the “Total Payments”), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, and all related regulations or any similar federal tax that may be imposed or any interest or penalties with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest or penalties are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then the amount paid to the Executive shall be reduced, in such manner as is determined by the Company’s Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Employer, to the maximum amount that can be paid to the Executive without requiring the payment of Excise Tax on “excess parachute payments,” as defined therein, if and to the extent necessary for the Executive to receive a greater after-tax benefit than if the amounts otherwise received by the Executive would require payment of the Excise Tax.

 

(b) Death: In the unfortunate event of an Executive's death while employed by the Company, their estate or designated beneficiaries will receive:

 

(i) Compensation of any unpaid base salary and accrued but unused vacation days through the date of death;

 

(ii) Any benefits due to Executive’s estate or beneficiaries under the terms of any benefit plan of the Company then in effect in which Executive participated; and

 

(iii) any rights with respect to outstanding unvested equity awards in accordance with the award agreements underlying such awards.

 

(c) Disability: If an Executive’s employment is terminated on account of Disability, they will receive:

 

(i) Compensation of any unpaid base salary and accrued but unused vacation days through the termination date;

 

(ii) Any benefits due to Executive under the terms of any benefit plan of the Company then in effect in which Executive participated;

 

(iii) Continuation of base salary for a period of one year from the termination date; and

 

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(iv) Any rights with respect to outstanding unvested equity awards in accordance with the award agreements underlying such awards.

 

(d) Retirement: Executives who terminate their employment due to Retirement from the Company will receive:

 

(i) Compensation of any unpaid base salary and accrued but unused vacation days through the retirement date;

 

(ii) Any benefits due to Executive under the terms of any benefit plan of the Company then in effect in which Executive participated; and

 

(iii) Any rights with respect to outstanding unvested equity awards in accordance with the award agreements underlying such awards; provided, however, that in no event shall awards granted less than six (6) months prior to the effective date of any such retirement be subject to accelerated vesting except in the event of a Change in Control.

 

(e) For Cause: In the event of a Termination for Cause, the Executive will not be entitled to any severance or other benefits under this Policy.

 

(f) Without Cause: In the event of a termination by the Company for any reason other than as set forth in paragraphs (a) through (e) above, the Executive will receive:

 

(i) Compensation of any unpaid base salary and accrued but unused vacation days through the termination date;

 

(ii) Any benefits due to Executive under the terms of any benefit plan of the Company then in effect in which Executive participated;

 

(iii) Continuation pay for a period of one (1) year from the termination date in an annualized amount equal to the sum of the Executive’s most recent base salary plus target annual bonus (to be paid in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices); and

 

(iv) In the event that the Executive elects to continue health insurance under COBRA, the Executive shall be entitled to monthly reimbursement of COBRA premiums for a period of up to twelve (12) months.

 

4.

Application of Company Compensation Clawback Policy

 

Any benefits under this Policy that are calculated based on reference to “Incentive-Based Compensation” as that term is defined in the Company’s Compensation Clawback Policy dated August 15, 2023, as amended from time to time (the “Clawback Policy”), shall be subject to recovery by the Company in such amount as may be calculated in good faith by the Compensation Committee based on the corrected amount of Incentive-Based Compensation as determined by the Compensation Committee under the Clawback Policy. In addition, in the event that the Company is required to recover compensation from the Executive under the Clawback Policy, the Company may withhold any benefits otherwise payable to the Executive under this Policy in order to meet such recovery obligations.

 

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5.

Conditions to Receive Benefits

 

The receipt by an Executive of benefits under Section 3 (other than those benefits provided under Sections 3(a)(v), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d) and 3(f)(i)) shall be conditioned on the following:

 

 

(a)

The Executive shall have executed a general release of claims in favor of the Company, its current and former affiliates and shareholders, and the current and former directors, officers, employees, and agents of the Company in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company (“Release Agreement”). The Release Agreement must be executed and not revoked by Executive and provided to the Company prior to the sixtieth (60th) day following the date of the Executive’s termination of employment;

 

 

(b)

The Executive shall execute a restrictive covenant agreement with the Company whereby the Executive acknowledges applicability and enforceability of any existing non-compete, non-solicitation and non-disclosure obligations and, to the extent not already covered by such obligations, agrees for a one-year period (i) to a non-compete obligation worldwide covering the businesses of the Company for which the Executive at the time of termination had direct or indirect functional or general management oversight; (ii) to a non-solicitation obligation pursuant to which the Executive agrees not to solicit for employment, or otherwise contact, any employees of the Company for the purpose of inducing or otherwise encouraging such employees to leave their employment with the Company; and (iii) to a non-solicitation covenant pursuant to which the Executive agrees not to take action to solicit or otherwise encourage customers of the Company to reduce of limit their business with the Company. To the extent that any of the foregoing restrictions would be unenforceable in any jurisdiction governing the employment of the Executive, such restrictions shall be limited only to the extent deemed necessary by counsel for the Company in order to be enforceable.

 

 

(c)

The Executive shall acknowledge in writing in such form as reasonably required by the Company Executive’s ongoing obligation to maintain confidentiality with respect to any Company information that the Company, at the time of termination, reasonably deems confidential including but not limited to non-public financial information, customer and supplier lists, business plans, projections, sales and marketing plans and data, engineering specifications, and the like. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither such writing nor any other agreement between the Executive and the Company shall prevent the Executive from lawfully, and without obtaining prior authorization from the Company: (i) initiating communications directly with, cooperating with, providing information to, causing information to be provided to, or otherwise assisting in an investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or any other governmental or regulatory agency, entity, or official(s) (collectively, “Governmental Authorities”) regarding a possible violation of any law; (ii) responding to any inquiry or legal process directed to an employee individually from any Governmental Authority; (iii) testifying, participating or otherwise assisting in an action or proceeding by any Governmental Authorities relating to a possible violation of law, including providing documents or other confidential information to Governmental Authorities; or (iv) receiving an award for information provided to the SEC or any other Governmental Authority. Further, pursuant to the United States Defend Trade Secrets Act, the Executive shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is: (A) made (x) in confidence to a federal, state or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and (y) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; (B) made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal; or (C) protected under the whistleblower provisions of applicable law. In the event the Executive files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for the Executive’s reporting of a suspected violation of law, the Executive may (i) disclose a trade secret to the Executive’s attorney and (ii) use the trade secret information in the court proceeding related to such lawsuit, in each case, if the Executive (A) files any document containing such trade secret under seal; and (B) does not otherwise disclose such trade secret, except pursuant to court order.

 

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6.

Compliance with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A (the Code)

 

(a)        To the extent required by Section 409A of the Code, all references to “termination of employment,” and correlative phrases for purposes of the Policy shall be construed to require a “separation from service” (as defined in Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Treasury regulations after giving effect to the presumptions contained therein).

 

(b)        To the extent that (i) any payments or benefits to which the Executive becomes entitled under the Policy, or under any other Policy, program or agreement maintained by the Company, in connection with the Executive’s termination of employment with the Company constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code and (ii) the Executive is deemed at the time of such termination of employment to be a “specified employee” under Section 409A of the Code, then such payments or benefits shall not be made or commence until the earliest of (x) the expiration of the six (6) month and one day period measured from the date of the Executive’s separation from service (as defined in Section 4.8(a) above) from the Company; or (y) the date of the Executive’s death following such separation from service; provided, however, that such deferral shall only be effected to the extent required to avoid adverse tax treatment to the Executive, including (without limitation) the additional twenty percent (20%) tax for which the Executive would otherwise be liable under Section 409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code in the absence of such deferral. Upon the expiration of the applicable deferral period, any payments which would have otherwise been made during that period (whether in a single sum or in installments) in the absence of this paragraph shall be paid to the Executive or the Executive’s beneficiary in one lump sum. For the purposes hereof, the term “specified employee” means an individual determined by the Company to be a specified employee under Treasury regulation Section 1.409A-1(i) in accordance with the policies of the Company.

 

(c)        It is intended that each installment of any benefits or payments provided hereunder constitute a separate payment for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(i). It is further intended that payments hereunder satisfy, to the greatest extent possible, the exemptions from the application of Section 409A of the Code (and any state law of similar effect) provided under Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) (as a “short-term deferral”) and Section 1.409A-1(b)(9) (as “separation pay due to involuntary separation”). It is intended that all the benefits and payments provided under the Policy shall be exempt from, or comply with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

 

(d)        To the extent any expense reimbursement or the provision of any in-kind benefit under the Policy is determined to be subject to Section 409A of the Code, the amount of any such expenses eligible for reimbursement, or the provision of any in-kind benefit, in one calendar year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year (except for any lifetime or other aggregate limitation applicable to medical expenses), in no event shall any expenses be reimbursed after the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Executive incurred such expenses, and in no event shall any right to reimbursement or the provision of any in-kind benefit be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

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(e)        If the maximum period within which the Executive must sign and not revoke the Release Agreement would begin in one calendar year and expire in the following calendar year, then any payments contingent on the occurrence of the Company’s receipt of an executed Release Agreement shall be made in such following calendar year (regardless of the year of execution of such release) if payment in such following calendar year is required in order to comply with Section 409A.

 

7.

Eligibility and Administration 

 

(a) Eligibility: Eligibility for severance benefits under this Policy will be determined by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors on a case-by-case basis, considering factors such as an Executive's position, length of service, and other relevant circumstances.

 

(b) Administration: The Company's Human Resources Department, in consultation with legal counsel, will oversee the administration of this Policy, including the calculation and distribution of severance benefits.

 

8.

Amendment and Termination 

 

The Company reserves the right to amend or terminate this Policy at any time. In such case, any termination or any amendment that materially reduces the benefits to Executives shall be effective only upon six (6) months prior written notice to the impacted Executives.

 

9.

Governing Law 

 

This Policy shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

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