<PAGE>
================================================================================
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_]
Check the appropriate box:
[_] Preliminary Proxy Statement [_] CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE
COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY
RULE 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[_] Definitive Additional Materials
[_] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12
CHANNELL COMMERCIAL CORPORATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required
[_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which
the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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(5) Total fee paid:
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[_] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[_] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
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(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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(3) Filing Party:
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(4) Date Filed:
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Notes:
<PAGE>
CHANNELL COMMERCIAL CORPORATION
_________________________
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
May 15, 1998
__________________
The 1998 Annual Meeting (the "Meeting") of the Stockholders of Channell
Commercial Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), will be held at
09:00 a.m., local time, on May 15, 1998, at the Red Lion Inn, 222 North Vineyard
Avenue, Ontario, CA 91764, to consider and vote on the following matters:
1. The election of one director to serve on the Company's Board of Directors;
2. To ratify the selection of Grant Thornton LLP as the Company's independent
public accountants; and
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before said annual
Meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 12, 1998 of the
Company's Common Stock will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the
Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof.
By order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ JACQUELINE M. CHANNELL
Jacqueline M. Channell
Secretary
Temecula, California
April 16, 1998
<PAGE>
CHANNELL COMMERCIAL CORPORATION
26040 YNEZ ROAD
TEMECULA, CALIFORNIA 92591-9022
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
May 15, 1998
________________
PROXY STATEMENT
________________________
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
This proxy statement is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of
Channell Commercial Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), for use
at the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at the Red Lion Inn, 222
North Vineyard Avenue, Ontario, California 91764 on May 15, 1998 at 09:00 a.m.
local time, and at any and all adjournments or postponements thereof (the
"Meeting).
All shares represented by each properly executed, unrevoked proxy received in
time for the Meeting will be voted in the manner specified therein. If the
manner of voting is not specified in an executed proxy received by the Company,
the proxy will be voted FOR (i) the election of the nominee listed in the proxy
for election to the Board of Directors and (ii) the ratification of the
selection of Grant Thornton LLP as the Company's independent public accountants.
Any stockholder has the power to revoke his or her proxy at any time before
it is voted. A proxy may be revoked by delivering a written notice of
revocation to the Secretary of the Company at the address set forth above, by
presenting at the Meeting a later-dated proxy executed by the person who
executed the prior proxy, or by attendance at the Meeting and voting in person
by the person who executed the proxy.
This proxy statement is being mailed to the Company's stockholders on or
about April 16, 1998. The Company has retained Corporate Investor
Communications, Inc. to assist in the solicitation of proxies for an estimated
fee of $2,500 plus reimbursement for certain expenses. The expense of
soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. Expenses include reimbursement
paid to brokerage firms and others for their expenses incurred in forwarding
solicitation material regarding the Meeting to beneficial owners of the
Company's Common Stock. Solicitation of proxies will be made by mail. Further
solicitation of proxies may be made by telephone or oral communication with
stockholders by the Company's regular employees who will not receive additional
compensation for the solicitation.
OUTSTANDING SHARES AND VOTING RIGHTS
Only holders of record of the 9,237,000 shares of common stock of the Company
("Common Stock") outstanding at the close of business on the record date, March
12, 1998, will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting. On each
matter to be considered at the Meeting, each stockholder will be entitled to
cast one vote for each share of Common Stock held of record by such stockholder
on March 12, 1998.
In order to constitute a quorum for the conduct of business at the Meeting, a
majority of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock entitled to vote at the
Meeting must be represented at the Meeting. Shares represented by proxies that
reflect abstentions or "broker non-votes" (i.e., shares held by a broker or
nominee which are represented at the meeting, but with respect to which such
broker or nominee is not empowered to vote on a particular proposal) will be
counted as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of
determining the presence of a quorum. Directors will be elected by a favorable
vote of a plurality of the shares of voting stock present and entitled to vote,
in person or by proxy, at the Meeting. Accordingly, abstentions or broker non-
votes as to the election of directors will not affect the election of the
candidates receiving the plurality of votes. All other proposals to come before
the Meeting require the approval of a majority of the shares of stock having
voting power
1
<PAGE>
present. Abstentions as to a particular proposal will have the same effect as
votes against such proposal. Broker non-votes, however, will be treated as
unvoted for purposes of determining approval of such proposal and will not be
counted as votes for or against such proposal.
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS AND SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth as of March 16, 1998 certain information as to
the beneficial ownership of common stock by: (i) each of the Company's
directors, (ii) the Company's chief executive officer and each of the four other
most highly compensated executive officers as indicated in the Summary
Compensation Table under Executive Compensation below, (iii) all directors and
executive officers as a group, and (iv) each person believed by the Company to
beneficially own more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding Common Stock.
In each instance, information as to the number of shares owned and the nature of
ownership has been provided by the individuals identified or described and is
not within the direct knowledge of the Company.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership
---------------------------------------
Name and Address Number of Shares Exercisable Percent
of Beneficial Owner(1) Owned Options(2) Total of Class
----------------------------- ---------------- ----------------- ------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
William H. Channell Sr. and 3,420,830 - 3,420,830 36.4%
Jacqueline M. Channell, as
co-trustees of the Channell
Family Trust (3)
26040 Ynez Road
Temecula, CA 92591-9022
William H. Channell, Jr. 1,519,250 33,333 1,552,583 16.5%
26040 Ynez Road
Temecula, CA 92591-9022
Jacqueline M. Channell - 333 333 *
26040 Ynez Road
Temecula, CA 92591-9022
Eugene R. Schutt, Jr. 1,000 333 1,333 *
24 Old Ranch Road
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Richard A. Cude 427 333 760 *
429 Oliveta Place
La Canada, CA 91011
Gary W. Baker 400 6,000 6,400 *
26040 Ynez Road
Temecula, CA 92591-9022
Edward J. Burke - 6,000 6,000 *
26040 Ynez Road
Temecula, CA 92591-9022
Dale C. Wooding 300 6,000 6,300 *
26040 Ynez Road
Temecula, CA 92591-9022
(continued on next page)
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
(continued from previous page)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership
---------------------------------------
Name and Address Number of Shares Exercisable Percent
of Beneficial Owner(1) Owned Options(2) Total of Class
----------------------------- ---------------- ----------------- ------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Wellington Management
Company, LLP (4) 841,100 - 841,100 9.0%
75 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
Kern Capital Management, LLC (4) 551,300 - 551,300 5.9%
114 West 47th Street, Suite 1926
New York, NY 10036
Carrie S. Rouveyrol (5) 490,960 - 490,960 5.2%
P.O. Box 1080
Stinson Beach, CA 94970
The Taylor Family Trust (5) 490,960 - 490,960 5.2%
1450 Ravenswood Lane
Riverside, CA 92506
All present directors and executive officers
as a group (11 in number) 4,942,407 shares 70,332 5,013,739 53.4%
</TABLE>
_________________________
* Represents ownership of less than 1.0%
(1) The persons in this table have sole voting, investment and dispositive power
with respect to all shares of the Common Stock shown as owned by them,
subject to community property laws where applicable.
(2) This information represents outstanding options exercisable currently or
within 60 days of this Proxy Statement.
(3) William H. Channell, Sr. and his wife, Jacqueline M. Channell, are the co-
trustees of the Channell Family Trust which is the shareholder of record of
the shares shown on the table as beneficially owned by the Channell Family
Trust. Together, they have sole voting and dispositive power over the
shares of common stock owned by such trust.
(4) This information reported on Schedules 13G filed by Wellington Management
Company, LLP on January 13, 1998 and by Kern Capital Management, LLC on
February 13, 1998.
(5) Carrie Rouveyrol and Michelle Taylor, who is a co-trustee of the Taylor
Family Trust, are daughters of William H. Channell, Sr. and Jacqueline M.
Channell and sisters of William H. Channell, Jr.. Ms. Taylor and her
husband, Roy Taylor, are the sole trustees of the Taylor Family Trust and
together have sole voting and dispositive power over the shares of common
stock held by such trust.
3
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
The following table sets forth information with respect to the Company's current
executive officers and directors and their ages as of December 31, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITIONS
---- --- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
William H. Channell, Sr... 69 Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
William H. Channell, Jr... 40 President, Chief Operating Officer
and Director
Gary W. Baker............. 54 Vice President, Finance and
Chief Financial Officer
Andrew M. Zogby........... 37 Vice President, Marketing
Edward J. Burke........... 42 Vice President, Engineering
Dale C. Wooding........... 47 Vice President, Manufacturing
John B. Kaiser............ 45 Vice President, Broadband Sales
Gary M. Napolitano........ 42 Vice President, General Manager RMS
Jacqueline M. Channell.... 66 Secretary and Director
Eugene R. Schutt, Jr...... 44 Director
Richard A. Cude........... 64 Director
</TABLE>
The Company's Board of Directors is presently comprised of five members. The
directors of the Company are staggered into three classes, with the directors in
a single class elected at each annual meeting of stockholders to serve for a
term of three years or until their successors have been elected and qualified.
One of the Company's directors is to be elected at the Meeting to a three-year
term expiring in 2001. The authorized number of members of the Board of
Directors is currently seven. The Company is currently evaluating other director
candidates and anticipates adding two directors to the Board.
CONTINUING DIRECTORS OTHER THAN NOMINEES
William H. Channell, Sr., the son of the Company's founder, James W. Channell,
has been the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since the
Company's initial public offering (the "Initial Public Offering"). Prior to this
time, he had held the position of President and Chief Executive Officer since
1966. Mr. Channell, Sr. is a co-trustee of the Channell Family Trust, which is a
principal stockholder of the Company, and is the husband of Jacqueline M.
Channell and the father of William H. Channell, Jr. His initial term as a
director expires in 1999.
William H. Channell, Jr. has been President and Chief Operating Officer of the
Company since the Initial Public Offering. He has been a Director of the Company
since 1984. Since joining the Company in 1979, Mr. Channell, Jr. has held the
positions of Executive Vice President, Director of Marketing and National Sales
Manager. Mr. Channell, Jr. is a principal stockholder of the Company and is the
son of William H. Channell, Sr. and Jacqueline M. Channell. His term as a
director expires in 2000.
Eugene R. Schutt, Jr. has been a Director of the Company since July 1996. Mr.
Schutt's initial term expires in 1999. Since January 1992, Mr. Schutt has been
the President of Avco International, a division of Avco Financial Services,
Inc., an international financial services company. From 1984 to 1992, he served
as President of Pratt Industries, Inc., a manufacturer of paper and related
products.
4
<PAGE>
Richard A. Cude became a director of the Company during 1996. Mr. Cude has
been the General Manager of the Los Angeles Support Center for Courtaulds PLC
London, England since 1994 and has served in various capacities with Courtaulds
since 1988. Prior to that, Mr. Cude has been with various companies involved in
the marketing of products to the communications and telecommunications industry.
Mr. Cude's term as Director expires in 2000.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Gary W. Baker has been the Company's Vice President, Finance since May 1996,
and the Chief Financial Officer since 1990. Mr. Baker was the Company's
Corporate Controller from 1985 to 1990. From 1983 to 1985, Mr. Baker was the
Corporate Controller of Symbolics, Inc., a publicly traded manufacturer of
computer products.
Andrew M. Zogby has been the Company's Vice President, Marketing since March
1996. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Zogby was Director of Strategic
Marketing, Broadband Connectivity Group for ADC Telecommunications, a publicly
traded, telecommunications equipment supplier to both telephone and CATV network
providers worldwide. He had been with ADC Telecommunications since 1990. Mr.
Zogby has held various technical marketing positions in the telecommunications
equipment industry since 1984.
Edward J. Burke has been the Company's Vice President, Engineering since May
1996 and has served in various similar capacities with the Company since 1984.
Mr. Burke has held various technical positions in the thermoplastic product
engineering and tooling design field since 1978.
Dale C. Wooding has been the Company's Vice President, Manufacturing since May
1996 and has served in various similar capacities with the Company since 1985.
Mr. Wooding has held various positions in the manufacturing management field
since 1976.
John B. Kaiser has been the Company's Vice President, Broadband Sales since
May 1996. He held the position of Director of Marketing for the Company from
1987 to 1991. Between 1991 and his return to the Company, Mr. Kaiser held the
position of District Manager, Southern California, for the General Polymers
Division of Ashland Chemical, a thermoplastics distributor, where his
responsibilities included general management of district operations, including
sales, warehousing, procurement and logistics.
Gary M. Napolitano joined the Company as Vice President and General Manager of
RMS, in January 1997, as a result of the acquisition of RMS Electronics, Inc. by
the Company. Mr. Napolitano had been President of RMS Electronics, Inc. since
1992 and was its Vice President of Finance prior to becoming President.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Directors who are also officers of the Company (except as indicated below)
receive no additional compensation for their services as directors. The
Company's non-management directors receive compensation consisting of an annual
retainer fee of $15,000 plus $1,000 for attendance at any meeting of the Board
of Directors or any committee thereof, plus direct out-of-pocket costs related
to such attendance. Mrs. Channell also receives non-management director retainer
and attendance fees. Mrs. Channell does not receive separate compensation for
serving as the Company's Secretary. In addition, pursuant to the Company's 1996
Incentive Stock Plan (as described below), each non-management director
(including Mrs. Channell) received options to acquire 1,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock with an exercise price equal to the Initial Public
Offering price, and on the date of each of the Company's annual stockholder
meetings after the Initial Public Offering, each non-management director
(including non-executive officers who serve as directors) serving on the Board
of Directors immediately following such meeting will receive options to acquire
an additional 1,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock with an exercise price
equal to the market value of the Common Stock on the date such options are
granted. These options will become exercisable at a rate of 33 1/3% per year
commencing on the first anniversary of the date of issuance and will have a term
of 10 years.
5
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table. The following table sets forth the annual and
long-term accrual basis compensation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer
and the four additional most highly compensated executive officers for the year
ended December 31, 1997 (collectively, the "Named Officers").
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM COMPENSATION
-------------------------------
AWARDS PAYOUTS
------------------------ ----------
SECURITIES
OTHER ANNUAL RESTRICTED UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
NAME AND POSITIONS ANNUAL COMPENSATION COMPENSATION STOCK OPTIONS/ LTIP COMPENSATION
HELD WITH THE COMPANY SALARY($) BONUS($) ($)(1) AWARDS($) SARs(#) PAYOUTS($) ($)(2)
- ----------------------------- --------- -------- --------- --------- -------- ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
William H. Channell, Sr......
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer $520,000 $ - $ - $ - - $ - $ -
William H. Channell, Jr......
President and Chief
Operating Officer 520,000 130,000 - - 50,000 - 460
Gary W. Baker................
Vice President, Finance and
Chief Financial Officer(3) 142,800 83,666 - - 6,000 - 478
Edward J. Burke..............
Vice President,
Engineering(3) 131,250 83,666 - - 6,000 - 984
Dale C. Wooding..............
Vice President,
Manufacturing(3) 115,500 83,666 - - 6,000 906
</TABLE>
- ------------
(1) For each individual named, compensation excludes perquisites and other
personal benefits that did not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the
total annual salary and bonus reported for such individual.
(2) Payments to the Company's 401K Plan.
(3) As an incentive for continued services, the Company, in 1996, granted a
cash bonus of $200,000 to Mr. Baker, Mr. Burke, and Mr. Wooding, which is
earned and payable in three equal installments on each of December 31, 1997,
1998, and 1999, provided each remains employed by the Company and subject to
continued payment in the event of his death.
DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PLANS
1996 INCENTIVE STOCK PLAN
The Company's 1996 Incentive Stock Plan (the "Stock Plan") currently permits
the granting to the Company's key employees, directors and other service
providers of (i) options to purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock and
(ii) shares of the Company's Common Stock that are subject to certain vesting
and other restrictions ("Restricted Stock"). A maximum of 750,000 shares of
Common Stock have been reserved for issuance under the Stock Plan. The Company
granted "non-qualified" options to acquire 512,700 shares of Common Stock to 92
of the Company's employees and directors (including 100,000 stock options being
issued to William H. Channell, Jr., the Company's President) at the time of the
Initial Public Offering in 1996 with an exercise price equal to the public
offering price. During 1997, the Company granted 164,700 "non-qualified" options
to 37 employees and directors (including 50,000 stock options to William H.
Channell, Jr., the Company's President). These options will vest at a rate of
33 1/3% per year beginning on the first anniversary of the date of issuance and
will have a term of 10 years.
The Stock Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors. The aggregate number of stock options or shares of Restricted Stock
that may be granted to any single participant under the Stock Plan during any
fiscal year of the Company is 100,000. The purpose of the Stock Plan is to
secure for the Company and its stockholders the benefits arising from stock
ownership by key employees, directors and other service providers selected by
the Compensation Committee.
6
<PAGE>
All options granted under the Stock Plan are non-transferable and exercisable
in installments determined by the Compensation Committee, except that each
option is to be exercisable in minimum annual installments of 20% commencing
with the first anniversary of the option's grant date. Each option granted has a
term specified in the option agreement, but all options expire no later than ten
years from the date of grant. Options under the Stock Plan may be designated as
"incentive stock options" for federal income tax purposes or as options which
are not qualified for such treatment, or "non-qualified stock options." In the
case of incentive stock options, the exercise price must be at least equal to
the fair market value of the stock on the date the option is granted. The
exercise price of a non-qualified option need not be equal to the fair market
value of the stock at the date of grant, but may be granted with any exercise
price which is not less than 85% of the fair market value at the time the option
is granted, as the Compensation Committee may determine. The aggregate fair
market value (determined at the time the options are granted) of the shares
covered by incentive stock options granted to any employee under the Stock Plan
(or any other plan of the Company) which may become exercisable for the first
time in any one calendar year may not exceed $100,000.
Upon exercise of any option, the purchase price must generally be paid in full
either in cash or by certified or cashier's check. However, in the discretion of
the Compensation Committee, the terms of a stock option grant may permit payment
of the purchase price by means of (i) cancellation of indebtedness owed by the
Company, (ii) delivery of shares of Common Stock already owned by the optionee
(valued at fair market value as of the date of exercise), (iii) delivery of a
promissory note secured by the shares issued, (iv) delivery of a portion of the
shares issuable upon exercise (i.e., exercise for the "spread" on the option
payable in shares), or (v) any combination of the foregoing or any other means
permitted by the Compensation Committee.
Any grants of Restricted Stock will be made pursuant to Restricted Stock
Agreements, which will provide for vesting of shares at a rate to be determined
by the Compensation Committee with respect to each grant of Restricted Stock.
Until vested, shares of Restricted Stock are generally non-transferable and are
forfeited upon termination of employment.
OPTIONS/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
The following table sets forth the stock options granted to the Named Officers for the year ended December 31, 1997.
POTENTIAL
% OF TOTAL REALIZED
NUMBER OF OPTIONS/ VALUE AT
SECURITIES SARs ASSUMED ANNUAL
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO EXERCISE RATES OF STOCK PRICE
OPTIONS/ EMPLOYEES OR BASE APPRECIATION OF
SARS IN FISCAL PRICE EXPIRATION OPTION TERM
NAME GRANTED YEAR 1996 ($/Sh) DATE 5% 10%
---- ------- --------- ------ ---- ---- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
William H. Channell, Sr. - - $ - - $ - $ -
William H. Channell, Jr. 50,000 36.4% $13.25 July 2007 416,500 1,056,000
Gary W. Baker 6,000 3.6% $13.25 July 2007 49,980 126,720
Edward J. Burke 6,000 3.6% $13.25 July 2007 49,980 126,720
Dale C. Wooding 6,000 3.6% $13.25 July 2007 49,980 126,720
</TABLE>
The options vest at a rate of 33 1/3% per year beginning July 1998.
7
<PAGE>
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND DECEMBER 31, 1997
OPTION/SAR VALUES
The following table sets forth the number and value of outstanding stock
options at December 31, 1997. No options have been exercised in 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Shares
Shares Underlying Unexercised Value of Unexercised In-
Acquired Options/SARs the-Money Options/SARs
on Value at December 31, 1997 at December 31, 1997
Name Exercise Realized Exercisable/Unexercisable Exercisable/Unexercisable
- -------- -------- -------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
William H. Channell, Sr. - $ - - $ -/$ -
William H. Channell, Jr. - - 33,333/116,667 50,000/100,000
Gary W. Baker - - 6,000/18,000 9,000/18,000
Edward J. Burke - - 6,000/18,000 9,000/18,000
Dale C. Wooding - - 6,000/18,000 9,000/18,000
</TABLE>
PROFIT SHARING AND SAVINGS PLANS
As of September 30, 1997, the assets of the Company's prior defined
contribution profit sharing plan were merged into a plan established in 1993 in
accordance with Section 401(K) of the Internal Revenue Code. Under the terms of
this plan, eligible employees may make voluntary contributions to the extent
allowable by law. Employees of the Company are eligible to participate in the
plan after 90 days of employment. Matching contributions by the Company to this
plan are discretionary and will not exceed that allowable for Federal income tax
purposes. The Company's contributions are vested over five years in annual
increments.
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS
The Company has entered into employment agreements with each of William H.
Channell, Sr. and William H. Channell, Jr., engaging them as the Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer, and President and Chief Operating Officer of
the Company, respectively. For their service, each of Messrs. Channell, Sr. and
Channell, Jr., is entitled to receive an annual salary of $500,000, subject to
annual cost of living increases. After the cost of living adjustment, the base
salary for each during 1997 was $520,000. In addition, each executive is
entitled to participate in the Incentive Stock Plan, the 401(K) Plan and the
Incentive Compensation Plan. The employment agreements provide that each
executive is entitled to certain other benefits paid for by the Company,
including an automobile allowance, health insurance and sick leave, in
accordance with the Company's customary practices for senior executive officers.
In the case of Mr. Channell, Sr., such benefits also include (i) during the
term of the agreement, the payment of premiums for a term disability policy
providing for $250,000 in annual benefits in the case of his temporary or
permanent disability, (ii) during the lifetime of Mr. Channell, Sr. and his
wife, Jacqueline M. Channell, medical insurance for each of Mr. and Mrs.
Channell comparable to that provided to the Company's senior executive officers,
subject to a premium reimbursement obligation in the case of the medical
insurance provided to Mrs. Channell, and (iii) during Mr. Channell, Sr.'s
lifetime, a portion of the premiums on a life insurance policy owned by Mr.
Channell, Sr., under which Mrs. Channell is the beneficiary.
Each of the employment agreements has a term of five years. In the event
either executive is terminated without cause (as defined in the employment
agreements), he is entitled to receive, as a severance benefit, an amount equal
to three times his annual base salary, and any options or Restricted Stock
previously granted to such executive will become immediately vested.
8
<PAGE>
At the time of the Initial Public Offering, as an incentive for continued
services, the Company entered into a bonus agreement with Mr. Baker, Mr. Burke
and Mr. Wooding. This agreement grants to each of the three officers a bonus in
the amount of $200,000, which is earned and payable in three equal installments
on December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999, provided each remains employed by the
Company. The bonus is subject to continued payment in the event of the death of
the employee.
INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
Effective beginning in the Company's 1996 fiscal year, the Board of Directors
adopted the Company's 1996 Performance-Based Annual Incentive Compensation Plan
(the "Incentive Plan"). Eligible participants consist of key employees of the
Company. The Incentive Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors. The amount of awards granted under the Incentive Plan are
determined based on an objective computation of the actual performance of the
Company relative to pre-established performance goals. Measures of performance
may include level of sales, EBITDA, net income, income from operations, earnings
per share, return on sales, expense reductions, return on capital, stock
appreciation, return on equity, invention, design or development of proprietary
products or improvements thereto (patented or otherwise), or sales of such
proprietary products or improvements or profitability achieved from sales of
proprietary products or improvements. Awards under the Incentive Plan are
payable in cash or, at the election of the Compensation Committee, Common Stock
of the Company. The Compensation Committee may establish a bonus pool from which
all awards under the Incentive Plan may be granted as well as individual, non-
bonus pool awards. No participant in the Incentive Plan may receive awards under
such plan during any fiscal year of the Company in excess of $1,000,000 or
100,000 shares of Common Stock.
The Company's executive compensation program is administered by the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. This committee is composed of
Mr. William H. Channell, Sr., an executive officer and employee of the Company,
Mr. Eugene R. Schutt, Jr. and Mr. Richard A. Cude. (See "Certain Relationships
and Related Transactions") It is the responsibility of the Committee to review
and approve the Company's executive compensation plans and policies and to
monitor these compensation programs in relation to the performance of the
particular executive and the overall performance of the Company.
The following is a line graph presentation comparing the Company's cumulative
total return since the Initial Public Offering in July 1996 to December 31, 1997
with the performance of the NASDAQ market, the S & P Industrials and a similar
Industry Index for the same period.
CHANNELL COMMERCIAL CORPORATION
COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURNS
(ASSUMES DIVIDENDS, IF ANY, ARE REINVESTED)
PERFORMANCE GRAPH APPEARS HERE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Measurement Period
(Fiscal Year Covered) CHANNELL S&P INDEX NASDAQ IND. INDEX
- ------------------- -------- --------- ------ ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Measurement Pt- 7/6/96 $1000 $1000 $1000 $1000
12/31/97 $1080 $1446 $1364 $1065
</TABLE>
INDUSTRY INDEX IS A MARKET CAPITALIZATION WEIGHTED COMPOSITE THAT INCLUDES
AMPHENOL CORP., ANTEC CORP., OAK INDUSTRIES AND TII INDUSTRIES.
9
<PAGE>
BOARD MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors held four meetings and acted by unanimous consent on
three occasions during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997. The Board has
two standing committees: the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee,
both established in June 1996. The Audit Committee recommends engagement of the
Company's independent accountants, approves the services performed by such
accountants and reviews and evaluates the Company's accounting systems and its
system of internal accounting controls. The Compensation Committee makes
recommendations to the full Board of Directors regarding levels and types of
compensation of the Company's executive officers and administers the 1996
Incentive Stock Plan. See "Executive Compensation" and "Description of Certain
Plans". In 1997, the Audit Committee met once and the Compensation Committee
met twice in performing their responsibilities. In 1997, no director failed to
attend at least 75% of the aggregate number of Board and Committee meetings
during the period of his or her service.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION IN COMPENSATION
DECISIONS
During 1997, the Company's Compensation Committee consisted of Messrs.
William H. Channell, Sr., an executive officer and employee of the Company,
Eugene R. Schutt, Jr. and Richard A. Cude. (See "Certain Relationships and
Related Transactions") No additional information concerning the Compensation
Committee or the Company's executive officers is required by Item 402 of
Regulation S-K.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Company's executive compensation programs are administered by the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors ("Committee"). The
compensation policy of the Company is designed to motivate the overall success
of the Company by:
- Attracting, retaining and rewarding highly qualified and productive
individuals;
- Delivering a significant portion of compensation through performance-based
incentives; and,
- Encouraging executive stock ownership to align the interest of management
with those of shareholders.
BASE SALARY AND ANNUAL INCENTIVE COMPENSATION
The initial base salary of the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. William H.
Channell, Sr., was established by an employment agreement entered into at the
time of the Initial Public Offering. Mr. Channell, Sr.'s base salary is subject
to cost of living increases. Mr. Channell, Sr.'s cost of living increase for
1997 was 4%. At the present time, he does not participate in any of the other
incentive plans administered by the Committee.
The initial base salary of the President and Chief Operating Officer, Mr.
William H. Channell, Jr., was also established by an employment agreement
entered into at the time of the Initial Public Offering and was adjusted in 1997
by a 4% cost of living increase. The Committee has determined that it is in the
interest of the Company for Mr. Channell, Jr.'s annual and long-term incentive
compensation to be aligned with increases in shareholder value. This objective
is to be achieved by limiting Mr. Channell, Jr.'s base pay to its 1997 level
($520,000) and providing for incentive bonuses based on aggressive performance
factors which enhance stockholder value. Accordingly, the Committee has
approved the following plan:
- A three-year plan for the years 1997, 1998 and 1999.
- Annual bonus of up to $260,000 based on targeted Earnings Per Share
("EPS") amounts.
- Annual bonus of up to $75,000 based on achievement of targeted revenue
figures, excluding mergers or acquisitions.
- Annual bonus of up to $75,000 based on the achievement of certain
corporate objectives to be set annually by the Board of Directors; such as
mergers or acquisitions, new product development, market expansion,
expense control, etc.
- Long-term bonus payable after the third year (1999) based on achieving a
compounded annual growth rate in EPS of greater than 10% for the three-
year period of the plan.
10
<PAGE>
Under the plan, the Committee may award Mr. Channell, Jr. a bonus in 1998
based on 1997 performance of up to $128,000. Mr. Channell, Jr. received $50,000
of this amount prior to December 31, 1997.
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLANS
Executives and employees of the Company (other than Mr. Channell, Sr., who
already owns a large number of shares of the Company) are encouraged to own
shares of the Company's stock, thereby aligning the interests of management with
those of shareholders and tying a significant portion of executive compensation
to long-term market performance. The 1996 Incentive Stock Plan currently
permits the granting to key employees, directors and service providers of stock
options to purchase up to 750,000 shares of the Company's common stock. See
"Description of Certain Plans - 1996 Incentive Stock Plan". All options issued
to Executive Officers in 1997 had an exercise price at the time of grant as
specified in the plan.
TAX ISSUES
For 1997 and later years, the Committee intends to continue to seek to
structure executive compensation arrangements to preserve the deductibility of
Named Officer compensation under applicable Federal and state income tax laws,
including the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1993, while also taking into account
the need to provide appropriate incentives to the Company's key executives.
However, no assurance can be given that the Company will preserve the
deductibility of all executive compensation.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Richard A. Cude, Chairman
William H. Channell, Sr.
Eugene R. Schutt, Jr.
February 27, 1998
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The Company has two leases for approximately 260,000 square feet of
manufacturing, warehouse and office space in Temecula, California, with William
H. Channell, Sr., a principal stockholder and the Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The term of the first lease is through
December 31, 2005, with two five-year renewal options. The monthly rental
payment is $54,182, and the lease provides for annual cost of living increases.
For the 1993-1996 period, the lease was amended to waive the cost of living
increases. Additionally, an adjacent 100,000 square foot building was
constructed and completed in 1996. In 1996, the Company advanced $3.1 million
to Mr. Channell, Sr. for the construction of this building. The advances were
repaid in full as of December 31, 1996. Subsequent to December 31, 1996, the
Company guaranteed debt of Mr. Channell, Sr. of approximately $2.7 million
incurred in connection with construction of the building. This building is also
being leased from Mr. Channell, Sr. through 2005, with two five-year renewal
options, requiring monthly rental payments of $35,000. The Company believes that
the terms of these leases are no less favorable to the Company than could be
obtained from an independent third party.
Prior to the Initial Public Offering, Mr. Channell, Sr. received from the
Company a 10% license fee on the sale of certain products utilizing patents
developed by Mr. Channell, Sr., (the "Channell Patents"). For 1994, 1995 and
1996, the expense for these license fees was $1.6 million, $2.0 million and $0.5
million, respectively. Prior to the consummation of the Initial Public Offering,
the Channell Patents were sold to the Company, the license fee arrangement
between the Company and Mr. Channell, Sr. was terminated in April 1996,
thereafter, no license fees are to be paid to Mr. Channell, Sr. or any other
person with respect to the Channell Patents.
11
<PAGE>
Prior to the consummation of the Initial Public Offering, the Company
maintained and paid the premiums with respect to a $1.5 million whole life
insurance policy for Mr. Channell, Sr., under which the Company was named as the
beneficiary. In connection with the Initial Public Offering, this policy was
transferred to Mr. Channell, Sr. in consideration of the payment by Mr.
Channell, Sr. to the Company of an amount equal to the estimated $0.3 million
cash surrender value of this policy as of the closing of the Initial Public
Offering, and the beneficiary under this policy was redesignated as Mr.
Channell, Sr.'s wife, Jacqueline M. Channell. The Company continues to pay a
portion of the premiums with respect to this policy during Mr. Channell, Sr.'s
lifetime.
During 1994, Mr. Channell, Sr. made a non-interest bearing loan of $0.1
million to the Company, which loan was repaid in full as of March 31, 1996.
Mr. Channell, Sr. is a Director and Executive Officer of the Company and also
serves as one of three members of the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors. This committee administers all of the executive compensation plans
of the Company.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires
the Company's officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent
of a registered class of the Company's equity securities (collectively,
"Insiders"), to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in
ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") and the
NASDAQ Stock Market. Insiders are required by regulation of the Commission to
furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely on its review of copies of such forms received by it, or written
representations from certain reporting persons, the Company hereby discloses the
following late filings by its Insiders during fiscal year 1997: William H.
Channell, Jr., two late reports and three late transactions; Jacqueline M.
Channell, Gary W. Baker, Edward J. Burke, Dale C. Wooding, Andrew M. Zogby, John
B. Kaiser, Gary M. Napolitano, Eugene R. Schutt, Jr., and Richard A. Cude, one
late report and one late transaction each. These filings were required due to
the receipt of stock options during 1997 and/or the sale of stock. All required
forms have since been filed.
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTOR
GENERAL
The Company's Bylaws provide that the Board of Directors will be staggered
into three classes. The directors in a single class are elected at each annual
meeting of stockholders to serve for a term of three years or until their
successors have been elected and qualified. The authorized number of members of
the Board of Directors is currently seven.
The Company's nominee for election to the Board of Directors is currently
serving as a Director of the Company and has consented to being named in the
Proxy Statement and to serve if elected. Directors are elected by a favorable
vote of a plurality of the shares of voting stock present and entitled to vote,
in person or by proxy, at the Meeting. Accordingly, abstentions or broker non-
votes as to the election of directors will not affect the election of the
candidates receiving the plurality of votes. Unless instructed to the contrary,
the shares represented by the proxies will be voted FOR the election of the
nominee named herein. Although it is anticipated that the nominee will be able
to serve as a director, should any nominee become unavailable to serve, the
proxies will be voted for such other person as may be designated by the
Company's Board of Directors in accordance with their judgment.
12
<PAGE>
Set forth below is the name and description of the background of the nominee
for director of the Company and her principal occupation for the past five
years. The nominee first became a Director of the Company in the year set forth
in the biographical information and has continually served as a Director of the
Company since that date.
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION TO SERVE UNTIL 2000
Name AGE POSITION
--------------- ----- ----------------------------
Jacqueline M. Channell 66 Secretary and Director
Biographical information follows for the nominee. Age is as of December 31,
1997:
Jacqueline M. Channell (66) has been the Company's Secretary and a Director
since 1966. She is a co-trustee of the Channell Family Trust, which is a
principal stockholder of the Company, and is the wife of William H. Channell,
Sr. and the mother of William H. Channell, Jr.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE NOMINEE.
PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL BE SO VOTED UNLESS STOCKHOLDERS
SPECIFY OTHERWISE.
PROPOSAL 2
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The firm of Grant Thornton LLP, the Company's independent public accountants
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, was selected by the Board of
Directors, upon recommendation of the Audit Committee, to act in the same
capacity for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1998, subject to ratification
by the stockholders by an affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding
shares of the Company's Common Stock present or represented at the Meeting.
Neither the firm nor any of its members has any relationship with the Company or
any of its affiliates, except in the firm's capacity as the Company's
independent public accountants.
A representative of Grant Thornton LLP is expected to be present at the
Meeting and will have the opportunity to make statements if they so desire and
respond to appropriate questions from the stockholders.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF
GRANT THORNTON LLP AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 1999 ANNUAL MEETING
All proposals of stockholders intended to be presented at the Company's 1999
Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be directed to the attention of the
Secretary of the Company, at the address of the Company set forth on the first
page of this Proxy Statement, by January 5, 1999, if they are to be considered
for possible inclusion in the Proxy Statement and form of proxy used in
connection with such meeting.
OTHER MATTERS
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors knows of no
other matters which may be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting.
However, if any other matter is presented properly for consideration and action
at the Annual Meeting, or any adjournment or postponement thereof, it is
intended that the proxies will be voted with respect thereto in accordance with
the best judgment and in the discretion of the proxy holders.
13
<PAGE>
ANNUAL REPORT AND FORM 10-K
The 1997 Annual Report to Stockholders and Form 10-K, without exhibits,
containing the financial statements of the Company for the year ended December
31, 1997, accompanies this proxy statement. A list of exhibits is included in
the Form 10-K and are available from the Company upon the payment to the Company
of the costs of furnishing them.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ JACQUELINE M. CHANNELL
Jacqueline M. Channell
Secretary
Dated: April 16, 1998
14
<PAGE>
April 16, 1998
Dear Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be
held at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, May 15, 1998, at the Red Lion Inn located at 222 N.
Vineyard Avenue, Ontario, California. Detailed information as to the business
to be transacted at the meeting is contained in the accompanying Notice of
Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement.
Regardless of whether you plan to attend the meeting, it is important that your
shares be voted. Accordingly, we ask that you sign and return your proxy as
soon as possible in the envelope provided. If you do plan to attend the
meeting, please mark the appropriate box on the proxy.
Sincerely,
Jacqueline M. Channell
Secretary
DETACH HERE
[X] Please mark
votes as in
this example.
1. Election of Directors
Nominees: Jacqueline M. Channell
FOR WITHHELD
[_] [_]
2. Auditors selection of Grant Thornton LLP as the Company's independent public
accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1998.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
[_] [_] [_]
MARK HERE IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING [_]
MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS CHANGE AND NOTE AT LEFT [_]
PLEASE BE CERTAIN YOU HAVE DATED AND SIGNED THIS PROXY.
Please sign exactly as your name appears hereon, date and return this Proxy
promptly in the envelope provided. Please correct your address before returning
this Proxy. Persons signing in a fiduciary capacity should indicate that fact
and give their full title. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name
by the president or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in
partnership name by an authorized person. Joint owners must each sign
personally.
<PAGE>
DETACH HERE
PROXY
CHANNELL COMMERCIAL CORPORATION
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
THE COMPANY FOR ANNUAL MEETING MAY, 15, 1998
The undersigned hereby appoints William H. Channell, Sr., William H.
Channell, Jr., Richard A. Cude and Eugene R. Schutt, Jr., and each of them, as
proxies, each with the power of substitution, and hereby authorizes them to vote
all shares of Common Stock which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the 1998
Annual Meeting of the Company, to be held at the Red Lion Inn located at 222 N.
Vineyard Avenue, Ontario, California 91764 on Friday, May 15, 1998 at 9:00 a.m.
local time, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof (1) as hereinafter
specified upon the proposals listed on the reverse side and as more particularly
described in the Company's Proxy Statement and (2) in their discretion upon such
other matters as may properly come before the meeting.
The undersigned hereby acknowledge receipt of: (1) Notice of Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of the Company, (2) accompanying Proxy Statement, and
(3) Annual Report of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON, YOU ARE URGED TO
SIGN AND PROMPTLY MAIL THIS PROXY IN THE RETURN ENVELOPE SO THAT YOUR STOCK MAY
BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING.
- ----------- -----------
SEE REVERSE CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE SEE REVERSE
SIDE SIDE
- ----------- -----------
