<PAGE>
[LOGO OF ECHLIN CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS APPEARS HERE]
November 15, 1996
Dear Fellow Shareowner:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareowners of
Echlin Inc. to be held at the Company's offices at 100 Double Beach Road,
Branford, Connecticut on December 18, 1996 at 2:00 p.m. We look forward to
greeting personally those shareowners who are able to attend.
The accompanying formal Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement
describe the matters on which action will be taken at the meeting.
I hope that you will be able to attend this meeting. However, if you are not
planning to be present, please sign, date and promptly mail the enclosed proxy
in the envelope provided to ensure that your vote will be received and
counted.
Thank you for your continued interest in Echlin.
Very truly yours,
LOGO
Frederick J. Mancheski
Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE>
[LOGO OF ECHLIN CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS APPEARS HERE]
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREOWNERS
TO BE HELD DECEMBER 18, 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To the Shareowners of
ECHLIN INC.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareowners of Echlin Inc.
(hereinafter referred to as "the Company"), a Connecticut corporation, has
been called and will be held at the Company's offices at 100 Double Beach
Road, Branford, Connecticut 06405, on Wednesday, December 18, 1996, at 2:00
P.M., E.S.T., for the purpose of considering and acting upon the following
matters:
1. To elect eleven directors of the Company;
2. To approve the Non-Executive Director Stock Option Plan under which
over a period of years options covering a maximum of 250,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock may be granted;
3. To approve the designation by the Company's Board of Directors of
Price Waterhouse LLP as independent accountants for the fiscal year ending
August 31, 1997;
4. To transact any and all other business which may lawfully come before
the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on November 6, 1996,
as the record date for determining the shareowners of the Company entitled to
notice of and to vote at such meeting and any adjournment thereof.
You are requested to fill in, sign, date and promptly return the enclosed
proxy, whether or not you expect to attend the meeting. A self-addressed,
stamped envelope is enclosed for your convenience.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Jon P. Leckerling
Vice President and Corporate
Secretary
November 15, 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLEASE VOTE, SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE. YOUR PROMPT RESPONSE WILL ENSURE A QUORUM AT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND
SAVE YOUR COMPANY THE EXPENSE OF FURTHER SOLICITATION OF PROXIES.
<PAGE>
ECHLIN INC.
100 DOUBLE BEACH ROAD
BRANFORD, CONNECTICUT 06405
----------------
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREOWNERS
DECEMBER 18, 1996
APPROXIMATE DATE OF MAILING: NOVEMBER 15, 1996
This Proxy Statement accompanies the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareowners
of Echlin Inc. (herein referred to as "the Company"), a Connecticut
corporation, to be held at the Company's offices at 100 Double Beach Road,
Branford, Connecticut on Wednesday, December 18, 1996, at 2:00 P.M., E.S.T.
GENERAL
The accompanying proxy is solicited by and on behalf of the Board of
Directors of the Company. The solicitation will be made by mail and the cost
will be borne by the Company. Forms of proxies and proxy material may also be
distributed through brokers, custodians and other like parties to the
beneficial owners of shares. The Company will reimburse such parties for their
reasonable expenses incurred in so distributing the Company's proxy materials.
Without additional compensation, officers and regular employees of the Company
may solicit proxies personally or by mail, telephone or telegraph if proxies
are not promptly received. Morrow & Co., Inc. has been retained by the Company
to assist in the solicitation of proxies. In this connection, Morrow & Co.,
Inc. is expecting to receive a fee of approximately $6,000 plus reimbursement
of expenses.
Proxies in the accompanying form received by the Board of Directors will be
voted in accordance with the terms and specifications made thereon at the
meeting or any adjournment thereof; any such proxy may, however, be revoked at
any time before it is voted by notice in writing to the Secretary of the
Company, by duly executing a proxy bearing a later date, or by appearing at
the meeting and voting in person.
As of November 6, 1996, the Company had 62,042,200 outstanding shares of
Common Stock ($1.00 par value), exclusive of shares held in the Treasury, and
only holders of Common Stock of record at the close of business on that date
will be entitled to vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Each share
is entitled to one vote. A majority of the votes present in person or by proxy
is required for approval of all matters to be considered at the meeting. In
certain circumstances, a shareowner will be considered to be present at the
Annual Meeting for quorum purposes, but will not be deemed to have voted in
the election of directors or in connection with other matters presented for
approval at the Annual Meeting. Such circumstances will exist where a
shareowner is present but specifically abstains from voting, or where shares
are represented at the meeting by a proxy conferring authority to vote on
certain matters but not on election of directors or other matters presented
for shareowner approval. Under Connecticut law, such abstentions and non-votes
have the effect of a vote against the election of management's nominees and
against approval of other proposed shareowner action.
The Board of Directors knows of no business other than that listed in the
Notice of Annual Meeting which may be presented at the meeting.
1
<PAGE>
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The By-Laws provide for not less than three nor more than twelve directors
to be elected at the Annual Meeting of Shareowners, each to serve for the
ensuing year and until his or her successor is elected and has qualified. The
Board of Directors has directed by resolution that the number of directors to
be elected at the meeting be fixed at eleven. For each of the eleven persons
nominated for election as a director, the following chart gives his age, the
year he first became a director and his business activities during the last
five years. All of the nominees are presently members of the Board.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DIRECTOR BUSINESS ACTIVITIES SINCE
NAME AGE SINCE SEPTEMBER 1, 1991
---- --- -------- -------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
John F. Creamer, Jr..... 66 1986 President and sole shareholder of Distribution Mar-
keting Services, Inc., Stamford, Connecticut (mar-
keting consultants to the automotive aftermarket);
President, Automotive Warehouse Distributors Asso-
ciation--AWDA (automotive aftermarket parts trade
association) (1994 to present); Director, R&B Inc.
(automotive fasteners supplier); member of the Ex-
ecutive Committee of the Board.
Milton P. DeVane........ 67 1965 Partner, Tyler Cooper & Alcorn, New Haven, Connecti-
cut (law firm); member of the Audit and Executive
Committees of the Board.
John E. Echlin, Jr...... 61 1964 Retired; former Account Executive, PaineWebber,
Guilford, Connecticut, 1983-1989; member of the Au-
dit and Executive Committees of the Board.
C. Scott Greer.......... 46 1990 President and Chief Operating Officer of the Compa-
ny.
John F. Gustafson....... 74 1973 President, John F. Gustafson & Company, Myrtle
Beach, South Carolina (management consultants);
member of the Audit Committee of the Board.
Donald C. Jensen........ 61 1991 Retired; former Vice Chairman of Ernst & Young (in-
ternational accounting and management consulting
firm) 1981-1990; Chairman of the Audit Committee
and member of the Compensation and Management De-
velopment and Executive Committees of the Board.
Trevor O. Jones......... 66 1991 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, International
Development Corporation (management consulting
firm); retired Chairman of the Board, Libbey-Owens-
Ford Co. (1987 to 1994); Director, Libbey-Owens-
Ford Co. (manufacturer of automotive and industrial
glass products); Vice Chairman of the Board; Chair-
man of the European Advisory Council of the Board;
Chairman of the Compensation and Management Devel-
opment Committee and member of the Executive Com-
mittee of the Board.
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DIRECTOR BUSINESS ACTIVITIES SINCE
NAME AGE SINCE SEPTEMBER 1, 1991
---- --- -------- -------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Frederick J. Mancheski.. 70 1963 Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company and Chairman of the Executive Committee
of the Board; Director, Portec, Inc. (manufacturer
of construction, material handling and railway
maintenance products).
William P. Nusbaum...... 51 1996 President, Long Manufacturing Ltd, a subsidiary of
the Company; President and Chief Executive Officer
of Long Manufacturing Ltd (1983-1996) (manufacturer
of automotive fluid coolers).
Phillip S. Myers........ 80 1975 Professor Emeritus and former Department Chairman,
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of
Wisconsin; Chairman of the Asian Development Advi-
sory Council of the Board and Chairman of the Sci-
entific Advisory Committee of the Board.
Jerome G. Rivard........ 63 1991 President, Global Technology and Business Develop-
ment, Inc. (technology and manufacturing consul-
tants) 1988-present; former Vice President and
Group Executive, Bendix Electronics division of Al-
lied Signal, Inc., 1986-1988; member of the Scien-
tific Advisory Committee of the Board.
</TABLE>
COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
During the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, there were eight meetings of
the Board of Directors (three of which were telephone meetings). Each director
attended at least 75 percent of the aggregate of (i) the total number of
meetings of the Board and (ii) the total number of meetings held by all
Committees of the Board on which the director served.
The Board of Directors has the following committees:
The Executive Committee may exercise all powers which the Board of Directors
possesses except (a) the power to change the By-Laws and (b) the power to
declare any dividend or other distribution with respect to the stock of the
Company. During the fiscal year, four meetings of the Executive Committee were
held. Messrs. Mancheski (Chairman), Creamer, DeVane, Echlin, Jensen and Jones
are members of this Committee.
The Compensation and Management Development Committee periodically reviews
the compensation of officers and key employees and makes recommendations to
the full Board on such matters, reviews and makes awards under performance
based compensation programs such as the Echlin Inc. Performance Unit Plan (see
page 14) and makes recommendations with respect to executive remuneration
plans and the granting of stock options. This Committee also reviews and
reports to the Board on the status of the Company's and its subsidiaries'
organization and succession plans for all key executive positions and the
continuity for such positions. During the fiscal year, five meetings of the
Compensation and Management Development Committee were held. Messrs. Jones
(Chairman) and Jensen and Dr. D. Allan Bromley, who retires as a director
after the 1996 Annual Meeting of Shareowners, are members of this Committee.
The Audit Committee reviews the accounting policies and procedures of the
Company and the performance of the internal audit staff, monitors compliance
with such policies and procedures and makes recommendations thereon to the
full Board. The Audit Committee meets with the Company's independent
3
<PAGE>
accountants and reviews and approves in advance the scope of the annual audit
and other audits and the type and scope of each non-audit professional service
rendered by the Company's independent accountants. The Committee also
considers the possible effect which rendering such services might have on the
independence of such accountants. During the fiscal year, four meetings of the
Audit Committee were held. Messrs. Jensen (Chairman), DeVane, Echlin and
Gustafson are members of this Committee.
The Scientific Advisory Committee reviews production and research activities
of the various units of the Company and reports on scientific and
technological developments with potential impact on the Company's operations.
During the fiscal year, three meetings of the Scientific Advisory Committee
were held. In addition, because of the specialized nature of various
technologies investigated by the Committee, there were three meetings of
various subsections of the Scientific Advisory Committee. Drs. Myers
(Chairman) and Bromley and Mr. Rivard are members of this Committee.
The Asian Development Advisory Council, a Committee of the Board with
membership comprised of experienced business executives who have conducted
business over a period of years within various countries in the Asian region,
assists and advises corporate and Asian-based management and the Board on the
conduct and expansion of the Company's business in Asia. During the fiscal
year, the Council had two meetings. Dr. Myers serves as the Chairman of this
Council.
The European Advisory Council, a Committee of the Board with membership
comprised of experienced automotive industry executives from various countries
within the region, assists and advises corporate and European-based management
and the Board on developments and strategic opportunities in Europe. During
the fiscal year, the Council had three meetings. Mr. Jones serves as the
Chairman of this Council.
The Board of Directors does not have a Nominating Committee.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
The annual retainer presently paid to outside directors is $25,000. The Vice
Chairman of the Board receives an additional annual retainer of $180,000 for
his service as Vice Chairman. The fee for attendance at each meeting of the
Board is $1,200 and $800 is payable for participation in telephone meetings.
The standard fee for attendance at each committee meeting, other than the
European Advisory Council and the Asian Development Advisory Council, is
$1,000. Chairmen of each Committee, other than the European Advisory Council
and Asian Development Advisory Council are paid an annual retainer of $6,000
and a per meeting fee of $2,000. Scientific Advisory Committee members receive
a $2,200 annual retainer. European Advisory Council and Asian Development
Advisory Council members receive an annual retainer of $24,000 and each
Council's Chairman receives a $36,000 annual retainer.
Mr. Creamer is President of Distribution Marketing Services, Inc.
Distribution Marketing Services, Inc. provides advice regarding distribution
and marketing strategies to various subsidiaries of the Company at a cost in
Fiscal Year 1996 of $90,000.
Dr. Myers provides consulting services to the Company in regard to existing
and new technologies within the automotive industry. He was compensated for
these services at a rate equivalent to the meeting fee for the Scientific
Advisory Committee. Dr. Myers was paid a total of $9,700 in Fiscal Year 1996
for these services.
Mr. Rivard is President of Global Technology and Business Development.
Global Technology and Business Development provides consulting services to the
Company in regard to patented technologies and business opportunities and was
paid a total of $41,750 in Fiscal Year 1996 for these services.
4
<PAGE>
Mr. DeVane is a partner in the law firm of Tyler Cooper & Alcorn. Tyler
Cooper & Alcorn has been retained by the Company on various legal matters and
it is expected that this relationship will continue. Legal fees paid under
this arrangement did not exceed five percent of the gross revenues of Tyler
Cooper & Alcorn.
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
The following table sets forth information as to the only persons known to
the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the
Company's Common Stock:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AND ADDRESS OF AMOUNT AND NATURE OF PERCENTAGE
BENEFICIAL OWNER BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF CLASS
------------------- -------------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
FMR Corp. ................................... 7,755,057(1) 11.38%
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109-3614
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) FMR Corp., through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Fidelity Management &
Research Company and Fidelity Management Trust Company (acting as an
investment advisor to several investment companies, including Fidelity
Magellan Fund), has sole voting power with respect to 904,046 shares and sole
dispositive power with respect to 7,755,057 shares as reported on Schedule 13G
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 1996.
The following table sets forth as to each nominee for director and for each
Named Executive Officer (see page 11) information pertaining to his beneficial
ownership of Common Stock of the Company as of November 6, 1996. Beneficial
ownership in the table is comprised of either sole voting and investment
power, or voting and investment power that is shared with the spouse of the
director or officer:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES OF
COMMON STOCK PERCENTAGE
NAME BENEFICIALLY OWNED OF CLASS
---- ------------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
John F. Creamer, Jr......................... 15,000 shares *
Milton P. DeVane............................ 1,000 shares *
John E. Echlin, Jr.(1)...................... 664,692 shares 1.07%
C. Scott Greer(2)........................... 112,675 shares *
John F. Gustafson........................... 7,000 shares *
Donald C. Jensen(3)......................... 3,000 shares *
Trevor O. Jones............................. 12,500 shares *
Jon P. Leckerling(4)........................ 33,088 shares *
Milton J. Makoski(5)........................ 39,648 shares *
Frederick J. Mancheski(6)................... 1,203,631 shares 1.94%
Phillip S. Myers(7)......................... 9,400 shares *
William P. Nusbaum.......................... 1,000 shares *
Joseph A. Onorato(8)........................ 39,049 shares *
Jerome G. Rivard............................ 3,000 shares *
</TABLE>
- --------
*Less than 1 percent of class.
(1) Includes 125,200 shares held in an irrevocable charitable foundation of
which Mr. Echlin is a trustee with shared voting rights over such shares,
61,907 shares owned by Mrs. John E. Echlin, Jr. and 43,200 shares held in
trust accounts for his daughter as to which Mr. Echlin has voting rights.
(2) Includes 99,950 shares either exercisable currently or within 60 days of
November 6, 1996 under the Echlin Inc. 1992 Stock Option Plan or credited to
Mr. Greer's account in the Echlin Incentive and Savings Investment Plan as of
August 31, 1996.
5
<PAGE>
(3) Shares held indirectly by the Donald C. Jensen Revocable Living Trust
dated September 6, 1990.
(4) Includes 29,413 shares either exercisable currently or within 60 days of
November 6, 1996 under the Echlin Inc. 1992 Stock Option Plan or credited to
Mr. Leckerling's account in the Echlin Incentive and Savings Investment Plan
as of August 31, 1996.
(5) Includes 35,273 shares either exercisable currently or within 60 days of
November 6, 1996 under the Echlin Inc. 1992 Stock Option Plan or credited to
Mr. Makoski's account in the Echlin Incentive and Savings Investment Plan as
of August 31, 1996.
(6) Includes 526,152 shares either exercisable currently or within 60 days
of November 6, 1996 under the Echlin Inc. 1992 Stock Option Plan or credited
to Mr. Mancheski's account in the Echlin Incentive and Savings Investment Plan
as of August 31, 1995. Also includes 9,400 shares owned by Mr. Mancheski as
custodian for his daughter, 300 shares owned by Mr. Mancheski as custodian for
his granddaughter, 8,900 shares owned by Mrs. Frederick J. Mancheski and 500
shares owned by Mrs. Mancheski as custodian for her daughter.
(7) Includes 2,200 shares owned by Mrs. Phillip S. Myers. Dr. Myers
disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.
(8) Includes 32,024 shares either exercisable currently or within 60 days of
November 6, 1996 under the Echlin Inc. 1992 Stock Option Plan or credited to
Mr. Onorato's account in the Echlin Incentive and Savings Investment Plan as
of August 31, 1996.
As of November 6, 1996, the directors and eleven executive officers of the
Company (including the Named Executive Officers) as a group owned beneficially
2,252,134 shares of Common Stock or 3.63 percent thereof. Such shares include
the shares reflected above as to which Dr. Myers disclaims beneficial
ownership; 814,213 shares either exercisable currently or within 60 days of
November 6, 1996 under the Echlin Inc. 1992 Stock Option Plan or, with respect
to officers of the Company, held in their respective accounts in the Echlin
Incentive and Savings Investment Plan as of August 31, 1996.
GENERAL
Shares of Common Stock of the Company covered by proxies in the accompanying
form of proxy will be voted for the election as directors of each of the
eleven proposed nominees named above, unless the shareowner votes otherwise.
The Board of Directors is unaware of any reasons why any of the nominees would
be unable or unwilling to serve, if elected. In the event that, for any
reason, one or more of such nominees is unable or unwilling to serve, the
persons named in the proxies or their substitutes shall have authority to vote
or refrain from voting in their discretion for other individuals as directors
in lieu of such nominees.
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires
the Company's directors and executive officers and persons who own more than
ten percent of Echlin's common stock to file initial stock ownership reports
and reports of changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and the New York Stock Exchange. SEC regulations require that the
Company be furnished with a copy of these reports. Based on its review of
these reports and on written representations from the reporting persons that
no other reports were required, the Company believes that all applicable
Section 16(a) reporting requirements have been met.
6
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION AND MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
The Compensation and Management Development Committee is composed entirely
of independent, non-employee directors of the Company. Among other duties, the
Committee is responsible for reviewing the design and administration of the
Company's annual and long-term compensation plans and reviewing and making
recommendations to the Board with respect to all compensation which is paid to
the Company's executive officers.
The Company's executive compensation program is designed to attract and
retain the management talent required to excel in a demanding competitive
environment, to enhance shareowner value and to reward the attainment of
corporate and business unit objectives. For 1996, the program utilized to meet
these goals was a mix of annual cash compensation--base salary and annual
incentive bonus; and long-term incentives that are directly tied to increases
in shareowner value--stock options and performance unit plan payments based on
earnings per share (EPS) growth of the Company. The Company has also
established Executive Stock Ownership Guidelines (the "Guidelines") covering
approximately fifteen key executives. This share ownership program is designed
to assure a direct relationship between senior management and shareowner
interests. Under the Guidelines after a graduated phase-in period, these key
executives will be asked to own between one to six times their salary grade
midpoint in Common Stock. The Guidelines for the Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, President and Chief Operating Officer, and the three other Named
Executive Officers (see page 11) are six, four and one times their respective
salary grade midpoints. The Company also provides a competitive package of
employee benefits.
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), places a limit of $1,000,000 on the amount of compensation that may
be deducted by the Company in any year with respect to certain of the
Company's highest paid executives. Certain performance-based compensation that
has been approved by shareowners and meets other requirements of the Code is
not subject to the deduction limit. The Echlin Inc. Performance Unit Plan
which was approved by the shareowners in 1994 and the Echlin Inc. Stock Option
Plan which was approved by the shareowners in 1992 are designed to be exempt
from the deduction limit. In addition to the exemption provided these long-
term compensation plans, the Company may request its highest paid executives
to defer compensation over the limit of $1,000,000 under the Company's 1976
Deferred Compensation Plan. However, the Board of Directors may from time to
time determine that the Company should, in the best interest of shareowners,
pay compensation to its executive officers that may not be deductible.
ANNUAL CASH COMPENSATION: The annual cash compensation of key executives
consists of a base salary and the opportunity for a cash bonus. For each
executive, a potential cash compensation level is established and periodically
adjusted, at the market median of total annual cash compensation with respect
to similar job positions and responsibilities (the "Market Median") reported
in a survey of 271 manufacturing companies (the "Market Median Group"). Total
cash compensation for a position is divided between base salary and annual
cash bonus based on competitive practices. Consistent with practices within
the Market Median group, target annual cash bonuses, as percentage of total
cash compensation, are set at a range from 50 percent for the Company's chief
executive officer to 15 percent for the least
7
<PAGE>
senior executive eligible for a cash bonus. The actual base salary and annual
cash bonus of an executive depends upon individual factors described below:
Salaries: Salaries in aggregate are targeted at the Market Median. Each
executive's annual salary relates to this Market Median based on the
executive's individual performance and contributions to business success,
relevant experience and demonstrated capabilities in fulfilling the
requirements of the position.
Annual Incentives: Executives may earn a percentage of their targeted
annual bonus based on their individual performance and the performance of
the Company or their business unit. For all participants, including the
Named Executive Officers, the performance factors are Company or operating
business unit net income, cash flow and the percentage of customer orders
satisfied on a timely and cost effective basis against objectives set at
the beginning of each year. Subject to adjustment by the Committee, actual
awards may range from zero to 144 percent of the target award based on
individual performance and the degree to which performance factors were
over- or under-achieved.
LONG-TERM INCENTIVES: The long-term incentive program is designed to link
the common interests of the executive officers and the Company's shareowners
in maximizing long-term shareowner value. The program consists of stock
options and performance units that are based on EPS growth over a three-year
cycle. The projected combined value of stock options and performance units
granted to each executive is based on the Market Median of long-term
incentives. Executives may receive from 0 to 152 percent of the competitive
grant appropriate to their position, based on the prior year performance of
the individual and of the Company or business unit as described above. Two-
thirds of the projected value of an executive's long-term award is anticipated
to be paid in performance units with the remainder in stock options.
Performance units are valued for purposes of the grant based upon the targeted
accumulated EPS over the three-year performance period utilizing a target
compound rate of EPS growth over that period which is set at the start of each
three-year period by the Committee. Performance unit awards awarded for Fiscal
Year 1996 and 1997 will be paid 60 percent in cash and 40 percent in Common
Stock. Payouts for performance units awarded in Fiscal Year 1995 will be paid
70 percent in cash and 30 percent in Common Stock. Stock options are granted
at 100 percent of the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of
grant, may not be exercised until one year later, and must be exercised within
ten years of the date of the grant. The number of stock options granted is
determined based upon the anticipated increase in share value which could
result from achievement of target EPS growth if the stock traded at the
Company's historical earnings per share multiple.
COMPENSATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER: The measurements governing the
compensation paid to Frederick J. Mancheski, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company, are the same as those covering other executive
officers and for Fiscal Year 1996 were recommended by the Committee and
approved by the Board (other than Messrs. Mancheski, Greer and Nusbaum). In
addition, the Committee, with the assistance of outside compensation
consultants retained by the Company during the year, compared Mr. Mancheski's
total compensation with the compensation levels at the peer group companies
identified on page 10 to assure that the salary level targets derived from the
Market Median Group are consistent with those in the peer group. The peer
group alone is not used to establish compensation levels because of the
statistical limitations of a sample containing only five companies. The
Committee's actions are explained below as they relate to each component of
Mr. Mancheski's 1996 Compensation as reported in the charts and tables
included in this proxy statement.
Salary: Mr. Mancheski's base salary was increased at the beginning of
Fiscal Year 1996 (September 1, 1995) by 12 percent to $700,000 in
recognition of his contribution to the Company's
8
<PAGE>
performance in Fiscal Year 1995 and in order to properly align his salary
with chief executive officer salary levels within the Market Median Group
of 271 companies.
Annual Incentive Payment: The Committee recommended and the Board
authorized a payment to Mr. Mancheski of $264,000 under the Company's
annual bonus program. Mr. Mancheski's 1996 bonus was a 56 percent reduction
from the award paid to him in Fiscal Year 1995. This reduction was made
because of the 11 percent decline in net income of the Company during the
fiscal year and because customer order fill rates failed to meet
objectives. The Committee also considered that while the Company's five-
year total shareowner return continued to outperform both the peer group
and the Standard & Poor's 500 index, the Company's total return to
shareowners declined almost 10 percent during the year. The level of
payment to Mr. Mancheski does, however, recognize net income levels
exceeded in only one other year by the Company, year over year sales growth
at the targeted level of 15 percent, and a sixth consecutive year with
strong cash flow from operations. The Committee also set Mr. Mancheski's
bonus level in consideration of his development and implementation of the
Company's long-term strategies which have resulted in its long-term
profitability. The Committee believes that the overall level of payment is
consistent with the continued outstanding leadership Mr. Mancheski
demonstrated in positioning the Company for continued growth and
profitability.
Long-Term Incentive Award: Mr. Mancheski was granted an award comprised
of Incentive and Non-Qualified Stock Options and Performance Units as shown
in the accompanying tables. The numbers of stock options and performance
units amounts were set at 100 percent of targeted amounts based on the
Company's excellent 1995 performance which established the base for the
1996-1998 cycle of long-term compensation. That performance was highlighted
with a 25 percent growth in net income and a strong improvement in gross
margins as total sales rose almost 22 percent. Mr. Mancheski received a
payout for performance units under the 1994-1996 long-term compensation
cycle of $788,163 representing a 79 percent payout which was earned based
on the Company's 12.9 percent three-year, compounded earnings per share
growth during the cycle.
Trevor O. Jones, Chairman
D. Allan Bromley
Donald C. Jensen
November 15, 1996
9
<PAGE>
FIVE-YEAR PERFORMANCE COMPARISON
The graph below provides a comparison of Echlin cumulative total shareowner
return with the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Index and a Peer Group
Composite Index for the five-year period commencing September 1, 1991 and
ending August 31, 1996:
Comparison of Five Year Cumulative Total Return
Echlin Inc., Industry Peer Group and the S&P 500
[GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aug 1992 Aug 1993 Aug 1994 Aug 1995 Aug 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Echlin $100 $148 $234 $265 $303 $274
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Industry
Peer Group $100 $123 $179 $181 $183 $187
--------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P 500
Index $100 $108 $124 $131 $159 $189
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Assumes $100 invested on September 1, 1991 in Echlin Inc., Standard & Poor's
500 Stock Index (the Company is a member of the Standard & Poor's 500 and its
individual shareholder return was included in calculating the Standard & Poor's
500 results set forth in this performance graph) and a Peer Group Composite
Index comprised of Arvin Industries, Dana Corporation, Federal-Mogul Corp.,
Standard Motor Products Inc. and SPX Corp.
Total return assumes reinvestment of dividends.
10
<PAGE>
In constructing the Peer Group Composite Index (Peer Index) for use in the
performance graph above, the Committee's criteria for selection were publicly
held companies (weighted in accordance with each such company's stock market
capitalization as measured at the beginning of each fiscal year period and
including reinvestment of dividends) that were both manufacturing companies
and that compete with the Company in the automotive parts industry.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The members of the Compensation and Management Development Committee during
Fiscal Year 1996 were Trevor O. Jones (Chairman), D. Allan Bromley and Donald
C. Jensen. All Committee members are outside directors and no Committee member
is or has ever been an officer or employee of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table summarizes the annual and long-term compensation for
services to the Company for Fiscal Years 1996, 1995 and 1994 paid to the chief
executive officer and to each of the four other most highly compensated
officers of the Company at August 31, 1996 (such five officers being referred
to as the "Named Executive Officers"):
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL COMPENSATION LONG-TERM COMPENSATION
----------------------------------- ----------------------
AWARDS PAYOUTS
------- --------------
OTHER LONG-TERM ALL OTHER
NAME AND ANNUAL OPTIONS INCENTIVE PLAN COMPENSATION
PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY ($) BONUS(A) COMPENSATION(B) (#)(C) PAYOUTS ($)(D) ($)(E)
------------------ ---- ---------- -------- --------------- ------- -------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Frederick J. Mancheski.. 1996 700,000 264,000 1,446 50,000 788,163 900
Chairman of the Board 1995 625,000 600,000 -- 57,000 1,702,575 2,610
and Chief Executive Of-
ficer 1994 595,000 495,000 -- 54,000 587,578 2,402
C. Scott Greer.......... 1996 300,000 89,500 -- 11,500 234,196 900
President and 1995 275,000 220,000 -- 23,000 631,575 2,610
Chief Operating Officer 1994 253,500 210,000 -- 18,400 201,518 2,402
Jon P. Leckerling....... 1996 172,500 34,700 131 3,000 72,443 1,398
Vice President, 1995 164,000 65,000 -- 6,300 192,465 2,620
General Counsel and 1994 156,000 65,000 -- 5,775 72,993 2,043
Corporate Secretary
Milton J. Makoski....... 1996 164,100 34,700 -- 3,000 79,770 1,445
Vice President 1995 157,000 65,000 -- 6,300 211,995 2,612
Human Resources 1994 149,000 65,000 -- 6,350 80,510 1,991
Joseph A. Onorato ...... 1996 152,500 37,200 -- 3,000 72,443 1,538
Vice President and 1995 145,000 65,000 -- 6,300 192,465 2,610
Treasurer 1994 137,500 65,000 -- 5,775 72,993 2,340
</TABLE>
11
<PAGE>
- --------
(a) Annual bonuses received under the Company's Executive Bonus Plan are
reported in the year earned, although paid in the subsequent year.
(b) Under the Company's 1976 Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended,
directors can defer up to 100% of their director fees and designated officers
and key executives can defer up to 25 percent of their salary and bonus and up
to 100 percent of their performance unit plan award payment each year.
Interest is accrued on deferred accounts at the greater of the average rate of
interest paid by the Company on its commercial paper borrowings or the
Company's return on assets. The amount shown is the interest accrued on
deferred compensation accounts equal to the Company's return on assets but in
excess of 120 percent of the Federal long term interest rate on December 31,
1995 (5.982 percent). No amounts of "Other Annual Compensation" (including the
above noted excess interest accrual) were paid to each Named Executive
Officer, except for perquisites and other personal benefits, securities or
properties which for each executive officer did not exceed the lesser of
$50,000 or 10% of such individual's salary plus bonus.
(c) Options may have stock appreciation rights attached in accordance with
the provisions of the Change in Control Severance Policy described below.
(d) Long-term incentive payouts received for 3-year performance periods
under the Company's Performance Unit Plan are reported in the last year of the
performance period during which they were earned, although paid in the
subsequent year. Performance unit payouts may be accelerated in accordance
with the provisions with the Change in Control Severance Policy described
below.
(e) The company contribution under the Echlin Incentive and Savings
Investment Plan (a qualified salary deferral plan under Section 401(k) of the
Internal Revenue Code).
12
<PAGE>
OPTION GRANTS IN FISCAL YEAR 1996
Shown below is further information on grants of stock options pursuant to
the Company's 1992 Stock Option Plan during the fiscal year ended August 31,
1996 to the Named Executive Officers. Such grants are reflected in the Summary
Compensation Table on page 11:
OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN FY 1996
AND FY 1996 GRANT DATE VALUE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
% OF GRANT DATE
NUMBER OF TOTAL VALUE
SECURITIES OPTIONS -------------------
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO GRANT DATE
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES EXERCISE (DECEMBER 20, 1995)
GRANTED IN FISCAL PRICE EXPIRATION PRESENT
NAME (#) (A) YEAR ($/SH)(B) DATE (C) VALUE $ (D)
---- ---------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Frederick J. Mancheski.. 50,000 21.63 $37.25 12/19/05 $629,500
C. Scott Greer.......... 11,500 4.98 37.25 12/19/05 144,785
Jon P. Leckerling....... 3,000 1.30 37.25 12/19/05 37,770
Milton J. Makoski....... 3,000 1.30 37.25 12/19/05 37,770
Joseph A. Onorato....... 3,000 1.30 37.25 12/19/05 37,770
</TABLE>
- --------
(a) No stock appreciation rights ("SAR") were granted in Fiscal Year 1996.
(b) The exercise price is the fair market value of the Company's Common
Stock on the date of the grant of the option.
(c) Options may be exercised during a period that begins one year after the
date of grant and ends ten years after the date of the grant of the option.
(d) Valuation based on Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Company does
not advocate or necessarily agree that the Black-Scholes model can properly
determine the value of an option. The actual value, if any, a Named Executive
Officer may realize will depend on the excess of the stock price over the
exercise price on the date the option is exercised so that there is no
assurance the value realized by a Named Executive Officer will be at or near
the value estimated by the Black-Scholes model. The value calculations for the
options listed above are based on the following assumptions: interest rate of
5.71% annual dividend yield of 2.37% and volatility as measured by the
standard deviation of .2510.
13
<PAGE>
AGGREGATE OPTION EXERCISES IN FISCAL YEAR 1996 AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION
VALUES
Shown below is information with respect to options exercised by the Named
Executive Officers during Fiscal Year 1996 and the unexercised options to
purchase the Company's Common Stock granted in Fiscal Year 1996 and prior
years under the Echlin Inc. 1992 Stock Option Plan to the Named Executive
Officers and held by them as of August 31, 1996:
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN FY 1996
AND FY 1996 YEAR END OPTION/SAR VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VALUE OF
UNEXERCISED
NUMBER OF IN-THE-MONEY
UNEXERCISED OPTIONS AT
OPTIONS AT FY-
FY-END (#) END ($) (B)
SHARES ACQUIRED VALUE EXERCISABLE/ EXERCISABLE/
NAME ON EXERCISE (#) REALIZED ($)(A) UNEXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
---- --------------- --------------- -------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Frederick J. Mancheski.. 14,000 $330,441 496,640/50,000 $6,272,065/0
C. Scott Greer.......... 5,425 103,690 87,595/11,500 732,113/0
Jon P. Leckerling....... 200 5,525 26,125/ 3,000 215,690/0
Milton J. Makoski....... 1,000 16,500 33,095/ 3,000 311,263/0
Joseph A. Onorato....... 1,000 23,750 29,765/ 3,000 271,321/0
</TABLE>
- --------
(a) The Value Realized is ordinary income, before taxes, and represents the
amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares at the time
of exercise over the exercise price.
(b) Represents the fair market value as of August 30, 1996 ($30.50 per share
closing stock price) of the option shares less the exercise price of the
options.
PERFORMANCE UNIT PLAN
The Company sponsors a long-term incentive plan known as the Performance
Unit Plan for certain key employees of the Company, including the Named
Executive Officers, whose responsibilities and job performance can have an
impact upon the growth and performance of the Company. At the beginning of
each fiscal year, the Compensation and Management Development Committee of the
Board, no member of which is a participant under the plan, may award
performance units for a forward three-year cycle period to eligible employees.
The target value for each participant is based on a percentage of benchmark
total compensation of executives with similar positions and responsibilities
at the Market Median Group of 271 manufacturing companies which include
approximately sixty percent of all Fortune 500 companies. The targeted
percentage of total compensation attributable to performance units for the
Named Executive Officers varied for Fiscal Year 1996 from 56 percent for Mr.
Mancheski to 32 percent for Messrs. Leckerling, Makoski and Onorato. The
actual number of performance units awarded depends on the then current
performance rating for the individual and his or her business unit and a
target compounded, annual growth rate in earnings per share over the three-
year cycle as established by the Compensation and Management Development
Committee of the Board of Directors. The value of each unit will equal the
actual earnings per share of the Company's Common Stock over the three year
performance period multiplied by a factor based upon the compounded annual
growth rate in earnings per share over such three year period. The value of
each unit will be zero if the actual compounded earnings per share growth
14
<PAGE>
rate over the three-year period is less than one-half the targeted growth rate
and will be increased by a factor of two if the targeted growth rate is
exceeded by 50 percent. The value of a performance unit cannot be determined
and does not vest in the participant until the end of the three-year period
following the fiscal year in which the performance unit was granted, when the
actual earnings per share and compound growth rate can be computed.
The following table shows estimated future threshold, target and maximum
payouts for performance unit awards made during Fiscal Year 1996.
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLANS--FISCAL 1996 AWARDS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ESTIMATED FUTURE PAYOUTS
UNDER NON-STOCK PRICE-BASED PLANS
---------------------------------
PERFORMANCE
PERIOD UNTIL
NUMBER OF MATURATION OR THRESHOLD TARGET MAXIMUM
NAME UNITS (#) PAYOUT (A) ($) (B) ($) (C) ($) (D)
---- --------- ------------- ---------- ---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Frederick J. Mancheski.. 100,000 8/31/98 $ 208,000 $ 938,000 $ 2,124,000
C. Scott Greer.......... 25,000 8/31/98 $ 52,000 $ 234,500 $ 531,000
Jon P. Leckerling....... 7,000 8/31/98 $ 14,560 $ 65,660 $ 148,680
Milton J. Makoski....... 7,000 8/31/98 $ 14,560 $ 65,660 $ 148,680
Joseph A. Onorato....... 7,000 8/31/98 $ 14,560 $ 65,660 $ 148,680
All Executive Officers
as a group(11)
including those above.. 171,875 8/31/98 $ 357,500 $1,612,188 $ 3,650,625
All employees who are
not Executive Officers,
as a group............. 628,475 8/31/98 $1,307,228 $5,895,096 $13,348,809
</TABLE>
- --------
(a) Performance Unit payouts may be accelerated as a result of a change in
control and the value of such units would then be determined in accordance
with the provisions of the Performance Unit Plan and the Change In Control
Severance Policy described below.
(b) The threshold amount will be earned if 50 percent of the target
compounded growth rate of earnings per share over the three-year cycle is
achieved.
(c) The target amount will be earned if 100 percent of the target compounded
growth rate of earnings per share over the three-year cycle is achieved.
(d) The maximum award will be earned if 150 percent or more of the target
compounded growth rate of earnings per share over the three-year cycle is
achieved.
PENSION PLANS
The Company maintains a noncontributory Pension Plan for Echlin Inc.
Employees (the Plan) which includes, among the participants, the Named
Executive Officers of the Company. A director who is not also an employee is
ineligible to participate. The Plan provides that a participant who retires
with 30 years of service will receive a pension of 26 percent of final average
earnings up to the Average Social Security Covered Compensation plus 44
percent of final average earnings in excess of such Average Social Security
Compensation. Final average earnings is based upon cash compensation
(comprised of base salary and annual bonus) computed as of the highest five
consecutive calendar years of the participant's final ten calendar years of
service preceding his or her termination date. Normal retirement occurs at the
later of age 65 or completion of five years of service. Participants vest in
pension benefits after five years of service or, if the Board of Directors
declares a qualifying change in control event (as defined below under the
15
<PAGE>
Change In Control Severance Policy), on the date of a change in control of
Echlin Inc. In addition, employees receiving lump sum payments under the
Change In Control Severance Policy receive credit for years of service
equivalent to the period of time associated with their lump sum payment. The
Company has also put into effect two supplemental executive retirement plans.
The Code limits both the annual pension which may be paid by an employer from
plans which are qualified under the Code for federal income tax purposes and
the maximum amount of earnings utilized to compute benefits under such plans.
The Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) was established by the Board
of Directors to provide designated executive employees with the benefits they
would have received under the Pension Plan for Echlin Inc. Employees but for
the limitations imposed by the Code. All Named Executive Officers participate
under the SERP. The second plan, the Supplemental Senior Executive Retirement
Plan (SSERP), was established by the Board of Directors to provide designated
senior executive employees with a benefit increasing the Plan benefit from 44
percent of final average earnings in excess of the Average Social Security
Covered Compensation to 60 percent of such final average earnings. Mr.
Mancheski is currently the only participant under the SSERP.
The following illustrative table provides the total annual pension benefits
under various years of credited service assuming retirement in 1996 at age 65.
Illustrative total annual benefits from both the Echlin Inc. Pension Plan
and the SERP:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS OF SERVICE AT AGE 65
-----------------------------------
FINAL AVERAGE
EARNINGS 15 20 25 30
- ------------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 100,000.................................. $ 19,518 $ 26,024 $ 32,530 $ 39,036
200,000.................................. 41,518 55,358 69,197 83,036
400,000.................................. 85,518 114,024 142,530 171,036
600,000.................................. 129,518 172,691 215,864 259,036
800,000.................................. 173,518 231,358 289,197 347,036
1,000,000.................................. 217,518 290,024 362,530 435,036
1,200,000.................................. 261,518 348,691 435,864 523,036
</TABLE>
The current covered five-year compensation average and the current years of
credited service for the Named Executive Officers are as follows: Frederick J.
Mancheski, $971,453 and 33 years; C. Scott Greer, $399,707 and 16 years; Jon
P. Leckerling, $201,147 and 6 years; Milton J. Makoski, $194,760 and 10 years;
and Joseph A. Onorato $182,307 and 15 years. In addition to the benefit shown
in the table above, Mr. Mancheski's annual benefit from the SSERP would be
$152,852.
16
<PAGE>
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
Change in Control Severance Policy
The Company has established a Change In Control Severance Policy covering
some 350 designated employees of Echlin Inc. and its domestic U.S.
subsidiaries, including the Named Executive Officers. A "change in control"
event of Echlin Inc. is defined as: (i) more than 30 percent of Echlin's
outstanding Common Stock being beneficially held or acquired by any person or
entity; (ii) more than 20 percent of Echlin's outstanding Common Stock being
purchased pursuant to a tender or exchange offer; (iii) Echlin Inc. merging or
consolidating with or selling substantially all of its assets to another
entity and Echlin Inc. not being the surviving corporation; or (iv) during any
two year period, a majority of individuals who are Directors of Echlin Inc. at
the beginning of the period ceasing to be Directors by the end of the period,
unless the nomination of each new Director is approved by a two-thirds
majority of those who are Directors at the beginning of the period. The Board
of Directors must declare whether such an event qualifies as a change in
control event under the Echlin Inc. Change In Control Severance Policy.
Employees covered by the policy receive special severance benefits if,
within two years after a qualified change in control, the employee terminates
for "good reason" because (i) there has been an adverse change in the
employee's duties, responsibilities, title, position, compensation, benefits
or general status; (ii) the employee is required to relocate to a place of
business more than 50 miles from the location where the employee works at the
time of the change in control; (iii) the employee is terminated for reasons
other than for cause; or (iv) for Echlin Inc. corporate officers, including
the Named Executive Officers, the employee elects to terminate his or her
employment during the 30-day period commencing one year after the change in
control.
Severance benefits are payable within 30 days of termination and consist of
a lump sum payment equivalent to the sum of the higher of the employee's
annual base salary and most recent executive bonus, if applicable, either as
of the date of the change in control or the date of the termination for a
period varying from 7.5 months to 36 months depending upon the employee's
employment level. The Named Executive Officers all qualify for the payment
equivalent to 36 months. Employees covered by the policy continue to receive
other benefits such as medical insurance for a period equivalent to the period
associated with their severance payment. The Policy also provides that all
outstanding performance units under the Company's long-term incentive plan
immediately vest on the date of the change in control. Performance units are
valued at 100 percent of their original targeted value multiplied by a
fraction representing the number of months lapsed in the three-year vesting
cycle. Further, if the Board of Directors declares a qualifying change in
control event, all options granted after December 19, 1985 will be deemed to
have stock appreciation rights attached. In some cases, such severance
payments are increased to compensate for any excise taxes resulting from the
payment and any other benefits extended based upon the change in control.
If a covered employee's employment ends after a change in control because of
death, disability or for cause, or if the employee voluntarily terminates
employment, other than as provided in the severance policy, the employee will
get no special severance benefits.
The Company has also established grantor trusts with a trust company for the
purpose of paying amounts due under the 1976 Deferred Compensation Plan and
the SERP and SSERP described above.
17
<PAGE>
2. ADOPTION OF ECHLIN INC. 1996 NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION PLAN
The second item to be considered is a proposal to approve the Echlin Inc.
1996 Non-Executive Director Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") under which 250,000
shares of the Company's Common Stock would be reserved for issuance under such
plan. This Plan is designed to maintain Echlin's ability to attract and retain
the services of experienced and highly qualified outside directors and to
increase the alignment of their interest with the interest of shareowners in
Echlin's continued success. The following constitutes a brief discussion on
the material features of the Plan and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the copy of the Plan which is attached to this Proxy Statement as
Appendix A.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Participation in this plan would be limited to members of the Board of
Directors who are not current employees of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries ("Non-Executive Directors"). After the election of eleven
directors on December 18, 1996, there will be eight Non-Executive Directors.
STOCK OPTION GRANT
The Plan provides that each year, on the first Friday following the
Company's Annual Meeting of Shareowners, each individual elected, reelected or
continuing as a Non-Executive Director will automatically receive, in
consideration for service as a Director, non-qualified stock options
("Options") on 2,000 shares of Common Stock. In addition, Non-Executive
Directors: serving as committee chairmen receive Options on 500 shares of
Common Stock for each chairmanship held; serving on the Executive Committee of
the Board receive Options on 1,000 shares of Common Stock; serving as Vice
Chairman of the Board receive Options on 4,000 shares of Common Stock; and
serving as Chairman of the Board receive Options on 8,000 shares of Common
Stock. In recognition of the lengthy and dedicated service of the current Non-
Executive Directors, the grant following the 1996 Annual Meeting of
Shareowners will include a special initial grant to each Non-Executive
Director of 300 options per year of the service as a director and 150 Options
per year of service as a Board committee chairman in addition to the regular
grant outlined above for each Non-Executive Director who served as a director
during the Company's fiscal year 1996. The Plan also provides that D. Allan
Bromley, who is retiring as a Non-Executive Director at the 1996 Annual
Meeting of Shareowners having reached the Board's mandatory retirement age,
will qualify nonetheless for the 1996 grant under the Plan.
There are 250,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the
Plan. Under the Plan's formula, the exercise price for Options granted under
the Plan will be the closing price of the Company's Common Stock as quoted on
the composite tape of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on the date of the
grant. Options become exercisable one year from the date of grant and expire
ten years from the date of grant (the "Option Period"). The exercise price
must be paid in cash or in Common Stock of the Company or any combination of
cash and Common Stock. If, on the first Friday following an Annual Meeting of
Shareowners, the General Counsel of the Company determines, in her or his sole
discretion, that the Company is in possession of material undisclosed
information that would prevent it from issuing securities at that time, then
the annual grant of Options to Non-Executive Directors will be suspended until
the second day after the public dissemination of the information (or the first
trading day thereafter). The amount, pricing and other terms of the grant will
remain as set forth in the Plan, with the exercise price of the Option to be
determined in accordance with the formula on the date the Option is finally
granted.
18
<PAGE>
CHANGE IN CONTROL
Consistent with the Company's 1992 Stock Option Plan (the "1992 Plan") for
executives and key employees, the Plan provides if a majority of the Directors
not participating under the 1992 Plan declare a qualifying change in control
event (as defined above under the description of the Company's Change In
Control Severance Policy) (see pg. 17) under the 1992 Plan, or any successor
plan thereto, all then outstanding Options under this 1996 Non-Executive
Director Stock Option Plan shall become immediately exercisable.
CESSATION OF SERVICE
Upon retirement of a Director who is at least age 65 with three or more
years of service, a Non-Executive Director's Options will continue to become
exercisable and must be exercised within 60 months from retirement. Upon a
Non-Executive Director's death, Options will continue to be exercisable by
persons permitted to act under applicable succession laws; such legal
representatives will then have 24 months from the date of death to exercise
Options. Should an individual cease to serve as a Non-Executive Director for
any reason other than retirement or death, he or she will have 30 days within
which to exercise those options which were exercisable as of the date he or
she ceased to serve as a director. In all cases, including retirement, death
and other cessation of service as a Non-Executive Director, no Option may be
exercised after the expiration of the applicable Option Period.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The grant of a non-qualified stock option will not result in income for the
grantee or in deduction for the Company. The exercise of Options would result
in ordinary income for the grantee and a deduction for the Company measured by
differences between the option price and the fair market value of the shares
received at the time of exercise.
OTHER INFORMATION
The Plan will become effective on approval of the Company's shareowners and
will terminate, for purposes of granting further options, ten years after its
effective date. The Plan will be administered by the Chairman of the Board who
will be authorized to interpret the Plan but will have no discretion with
respect to the selection of directors to receive options, the number of shares
subject to the Plan or to each grant thereunder, or the purchase price for
shares subject to option. The Chairman shall have no authority to materially
increase the benefits in the Plan. The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan
or revise and amend it. However, any revision or amendment that changes the
selection or eligibility of directors to receive options, the number of shares
subject to the Plan or to any option, or the purchase price for share subject
to option or that materially increase benefits under the Plan, will require
approval of the Company's Shareowners.
Non-Executive Directors are compensated for their services as directors. For
a description of such compensation see page 4 of this proxy statement. As of
November 6, 1996 the closing price of Company Common Stock, as quoted on the
composite tape of the NYSE, was $33.375.
19
<PAGE>
NEW PLAN BENEFITS
The following table sets forth with respect to each nominee for director,
each retiring director and for each Named Executive Officer the stock options
that such individuals and groups referred to below will receive in 1996 if the
1996 Non-Executive Directors Stock Option Plan is approved by the Company's
Shareowners at the Annual Meeting. Executive officers and employee-directors
of the Company are not eligible to participate in this Plan.
NEW PLAN BENEFITS
ECHLIN INC. 1996 NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION PLAN
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER
OF
NAME AND POSITION DOLLAR VALUE ($) OPTIONS
- ----------------- ---------------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
D. Allan Bromley....................................... -- 3,200
John F. Creamer, Jr. .................................. -- 7,050
Milton P. DeVane....................................... -- 12,600
John E. Echlin, Jr. ................................... -- 12,900
C. Scott Greer......................................... -- --
John F. Gustafson...................................... -- 9,950
Donald C. Jensen....................................... -- 6,050
Trevor O. Jones........................................ -- 10,850
Jon P. Leckerling...................................... -- --
Milton J. Makoski...................................... -- --
Frederick J. Mancheski................................. -- --
Phillip S. Myers....................................... -- 13,050
William Nusbaum........................................ -- --
Joseph A. Onorato...................................... -- --
Jerome G. Rivard....................................... -- 3,800
Non-Executive Director Group........................... -- 79,450
Non-Executive Employee Group........................... -- --
</TABLE>
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREOWNERS VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL
OF THE ECHLIN INC. 1996 NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION PLAN.
3. SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS OF THE COMPANY
The Board of Directors of the Company has designated Price Waterhouse LLP,
as independent accountants of the Company for the fiscal year ending August
31, 1997, subject to shareowner approval. Representatives of Price Waterhouse
LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting with the opportunity to
make a statement if they desire to do so and to respond to appropriate
questions.
For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, Price Waterhouse LLP examined the
Company's annual consolidated statements, reviewed quarterly reports and
filings with the SEC and rendered various other services in connection with
the audit.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREOWNERS VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL
OF THE APPOINTMENT OF PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP AS INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS.
20
<PAGE>
4. OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors knows of no other business which may come before the
meeting or any adjournment thereof. However, if any other matters properly
come before the meeting, or any adjournment thereof, it is intended that the
person or persons voting the proxies will vote them in accordance with their
best judgment.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF SHAREOWNER PROPOSALS
Proposals of shareowners intended to be presented at the next Annual Meeting
must be received by the Secretary, Echlin Inc., 100 Double Beach Road,
Branford, Connecticut 06405 no later than July 18, 1997.
ANNUAL REPORT
The Company's Annual Report for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996 is
mailed to shareowners of record herewith. The Annual Report is not part of
this Proxy Statement.
UPON WRITTEN REQUEST OF ANY PERSON SOLICITED HEREUNDER, THE COMPANY
UNDERTAKES TO PROVIDE TO SUCH PERSON, WITHOUT CHARGE, A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1996. THE FORM
10-K MAY BE OBTAINED BY WRITING TO THE SECRETARY, ECHLIN INC., 100 DOUBLE
BEACH ROAD, BRANFORD, CONNECTICUT 06405.
The Board of Directors
By: Jon P. Leckerling
Vice President and Corporate
Secretary
Date: November 15, 1996
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APPENDIX A
ECHLIN INC. 1996 NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION PLAN
1. Purpose. The purpose of the Echlin Inc. 1996 Non-Executive Director Stock
Option Plan (the "Plan") is to increase the ownership interest in Echlin Inc.
(the "Company") of non-executive directors whose services are considered
essential to the Company's continued progress, to align such interests with
those of the shareowners of the Company and to provide a further incentive to
serve as a director of the Company.
2. Eligibility. All members of the Company's Board of Directors who are not
current employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries ("Non-Executive
Directors") are eligible to participate in this Plan.
3. Options. Only options to purchase Common Stock of the Company which do
not meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended or any successor law ("Non-Qualified Stock Options" or "NQSOs"),
may be granted under this Plan.
4. Shares Available.
a) Number of Shares Available: There shall be hereby reserved for issuance
under this Plan 250,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock ("Common Stock"),
par value $1.00 per share, which may be authorized but unissued shares,
treasury shares, or shares purchased on the open market.
b) Recapitalization Adjustment: In the event of a reorganization,
recapitalization, stock split, stock dividend, combination of shares, merger,
consolidation, rights offering, or any other change in the corporate structure
or shares of the Company, an adjustment or adjustments in the number and kinds
of shares authorized by or covered by this Plan and in the option price of
outstanding NQSOs under this Plan shall be made if, and in the same manner as,
such adjustment is made to NQSOs under the Company's then current Stock Option
Plan for key employees of the Company or its subsidiaries.
5. Initial and Annual Grant of Non-Qualified Stock Options.
a) Initial Grant. On the first Friday following the Company's 1996 Annual
Meeting of Shareowners (currently scheduled for December 18, 1996), each
individual elected or reelected at or continuing as a Non-Executive Director
after the meeting or who served as a Non-Executive Director at anytime during
the Company's fiscal year 1996 shall automatically receive: (i) NQSOs covering
three hundred (300) shares of Common Stock multiplied by the number of years
such individual has served as a Non-Executive Director; (ii) NQSOs covering
one hundred fifty (150) shares of Common Stock multiplied by the number of
years such individual has served as a Board Committee Chairman; and (iii) the
initial board service grant of NQSOs covering two thousand (2,000) shares of
Common Stock if not granted under subsection (b) below.
b) Annual Grant. On the first Friday following the Company's Annual Meeting
of Shareowners for Fiscal Year 1996 and for each year thereafter, each
individual elected, reelected or continuing as a Non-Executive Director shall
automatically receive: (i) a board service grant of NQSOs covering two
thousand (2,000) shares of Common Stock; (ii) if applicable, a Board Committee
Chairmanship grant of NQSOs covering five hundred (500) shares of Common Stock
for each Board Committee chaired by such Non-Executive Director; (iii) if
applicable, a Board Executive Committee membership grant of NQSOs covering one
thousand (1,000) shares of Common Stock to each Non-Executive Director serving
on the Executive Committee; (iv) if applicable, a Board Vice Chairman grant of
NQSOs covering four thousand (4,000)
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shares of Common Stock to each Non-Executive Director serving as Vice Chairman
of the Board; and (iv) if applicable, a Board Chairman grant of NQSOs covering
eight thousand (8,000) shares of Common Stock to the Non-Executive Director
serving as Chairman of the Board.
c) Delayed Grants. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, on the first Friday
referenced above, the General Counsel of the Company determines, in his or her
sole discretion, that the Company is in possession of material, undisclosed
information about the Company, then the initial or annual grant of NQSOs to
Non-Executive Directors shall be suspended until the second day after public
dissemination of such information and the price, exercisability date and
option period shall then be determined by reference to such later date. If
Common Stock is not traded on the New York Stock Exchange on any date a grant
would otherwise be awarded, then the grant shall be made the next day
thereafter that Common Stock is so traded.
6. Option Price. The price of the NQSOs shall be the closing price of the
Common Stock on the date of grant as quoted on the composite tape of the New
York Stock Exchange.
7. Option Period. A NQSO granted under this Plan shall become exercisable
one year after the date of grant and shall expire ten years after the date of
grant ("Option Plan").
8. Exercise and Payment. NQSOs may be exercised by written notice to the
Secretary of the Company which shall state the NQSO grant being exercised and
the number of shares with respect to which NQSOs are being exercised. Such
notice shall be signed by the person exercising the NQSOs and must be
accompanied by full payment therefor made in cash or Common Stock or any
combination of cash and Common Stock. The date of exercise shall be deemed to
be the date on which payment is received by the Company. The Non-Executive
Director exercising any NQSO hereunder shall pay promptly any amount necessary
to satisfy applicable Federal, state and local tax requirements.
9. Cessation of Service. Upon cessation of service as a Non-Executive
Director (for reasons other than retirement or death), only those NQSOs
immediately exercisable on the date of cessation of service shall be
exercisable by the grantee. Such NQSOs must be exercised within thirty days of
cessation of service (but in no event after the expiration of the Option
Period), or such NQSOs shall be forfeited.
10. Retirement. If a grantee retires from service as a Non-Executive
Director and is at least age 65 with three or more years of service, then any
of his or her NQSOs shall continue to become exercisable until the earlier of
(i) sixty months following the date of his or her retirement or (ii) the
expiration of the Option Period with respect to each NQSO grant, or such NQSOs
shall be forfeited.
11. Death. If grantee dies while serving as a Non-Executive Director or
while still eligible to exercise NQSOs under paragraph 10 above, then any of
his or her NQSOs shall continue to be exercisable by those persons entitled
under applicable succession laws until the earlier of (i) twenty-four months
from such grantee's death or (ii) the expiration of the Option Period with
respect to each NQSO grant or such NQSOs shall be forfeited.
12. Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the Chairman of the
Board. Subject to provisions of the Plan, the Chairman shall be authorized to
interpret the Plan, to establish, amend and rescind any rules and regulations
relating to the Plan, and to make all other determinations necessary or
advisable for the Plan; provided, however, that the Chairman shall have no
discretion with respect to
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eligibility or selection of directors to receive NQSOs under the Plan, the
number of shares of stock subject to any such NQSO or the Plan, or the
purchase price thereunder, and provided further that the Chairman shall not
have the authority to take any action or make any determination that would
materially increase the benefits accruing to participants under the Plan. The
determination of the Chairman in the administration of the Plan, as described
herein, shall be final and conclusive and binding upon all persons including,
without limitation, the Company, its shareowners and persons granted options
under the Plan. The Secretary of the Company shall be authorized to implement
the Plan in accordance with its terms and to take such actions of a
ministerial nature as shall be necessary to effectuate the intent and purposes
thereof. The validity, construction, and effect of the Plan and any rules and
regulations relating to the Plan shall be determined in accordance with the
laws of the State of Connecticut.
13. Limitation on Transferability of Options. Except to the extent then
permitted under Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any
successor rule or regulation thereto and the rules and regulations established
by the Chairman, each NQSO and all rights thereunder shall be non-assignable
and non-transferable other than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution and shall be exercisable during the grantee's lifetime only by
the grantee or the grantee's guardian or legal representative.
14. Change In Control. Notwithstanding any other provision herein to the
contrary, if there is an event constituting a Change In Control (as
hereinafter defined) of Echlin Inc. and a majority of the Qualified Directors
of the Board (as such Qualified Directors are defined under the Echlin Inc.
1992 Stock Option Plan, or any successor plan thereto) declares, in their sole
discretion, that such event qualifies or will qualify as a Change In Control
under the Echlin Inc. 1992 Stock Option Plan, or any successor plan thereto,
all then outstanding Non-Qualified Stock Options granted under this 1996 Non-
Executive Director Stock Option Plan shall become immediately exercisable for
the remainder of their respective terms as provided in Section 7.
An event constituting a "Change in Control" shall occur when (and only when)
Echlin Inc. obtains knowledge that: (a) any person within the meaning of
Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the
"1934 Act"), other than Echlin Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, has become the
beneficial owner, within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act, of
thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of Echlin Inc.'s
then outstanding voting securities; or (b) the expiration of a tender offer or
exchange offer, other than an offer by Echlin Inc., to which twenty percent
(20%) or more of the combined voting power of Echlin Inc.'s then outstanding
shares or common stock have been purchased; or (c) the shareowners of Echlin
Inc. have approved an agreement to merger or consolidate with or into another
corporation and Echlin Inc. is not the surviving corporation or an agreement
to sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of Echlin Inc.'s
assets (including a plan of liquidation); or (d) during any period of two
consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute
the Board of Directors of Echlin Inc. would cease for any reason to constitute
at least a majority thereof, unless the election or the nomination for the
election by Echlin Inc.'s shareowners of each new director was approved by a
vote of at least two-thirds ( 2/3) of the directors then still in office who
were directors at the beginning of the period.
15. Limitation of Rights.
a) No Right to Continue as a Director. Neither the Plan, nor the granting of
NQSOs nor any other action taken pursuant to the Plan, shall constitute or be
evidence of any agreement or understanding, express or implied, that the
director has a right to continue as a director for any period of time, or at
any particular rate of compensation.
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b) No Shareowner's Rights for Options. A grantee shall have no rights as a
shareowner with respect to the shares covered by NQSOs granted hereunder until
the date of issuance of a stock certificate to him or her and only after such
shares are fully paid, and no adjustment will be made of dividends or other
rights for which the record date is prior to the date such stock certificate
is issued.
16. Effective Date and Duration of Plan.
The Plan shall become effective immediately following approval by the
shareowners at the 1996 Annual Meeting of Shareowners. No grant of options
shall be made pursuant to the Plan after ten (10) years from the date the Plan
is approved by the shareowners of the Company. The Plan shall thereupon
terminate as to any Common Stock for which NQSOs have not therefore been
granted but such termination shall not affect the terms of any then
outstanding NQSOs.
17. Amendment, Suspension or Termination of the Plan.
The Board of Directors may suspend or terminate the Plan or revise or amend
it in any respect whatsoever; provided, however, that without the approval of
the shareowners, no revision or amendment shall change the selection or
eligibility of directors to receive options under the Plan, the number of
shares of Common Stock subject to any such options or the Plan, the purchase
price thereunder, or materially increase benefits accruing to participants
under the Plan.
18. Notice.
Any written notice to the Company required by any of the provisions of this
Plan shall be addressed to the Secretary of the Company and shall become
effective when it is received.
19. Use of Proceeds.
Proceeds from the sale of Common Stock pursuant to NQSOs granted under the
Plan shall constitute general funds of the Company.
20. Fractional Shares.
No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued pursuant to options
granted hereunder, but in lieu thereof, the cash value of such fraction shall
be paid.
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PROXY
ECHLIN INC.
PROXY - ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREOWNERS - DECEMBER 18, 1996
This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors
The undersigned hereby appoints Frederick J. Mancheski, Milton P. DeVane and
Jon P. Leckerling, and any one of them, as Proxies, each with the power to
appoint his or her substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to
vote, as designated on the reverse side, all the shares of common stock of
ECHLIN INC. held of record by the undersigned on November 6, 1996, at the annual
meeting of shareowners to be held at the office of the Company at 100 Double
Beach Road, Branford, CT 06405 on Wednesday, December 18, 1996 at 2:00 P.M.,
E.S.T. and at any and all adjournments thereof.
The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting
of Shareowners and the Proxy Statement, each dated November 15, 1996.
This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein
by the undersigned shareowner. If no direction is made, this proxy will be
voted for Proposals 1, 2 and 3.
-----------------
SEE REVERSE
CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE SIDE
-----------------
<PAGE>
[X] Please mark votes as in this example.
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Nominees: J.F. Creamer, Jr., M.P. DeVane, J.E. Echlin, Jr., C.S. Greer,
J.F. Gustafson, D.C. Jensen, T.O. Jones, F.J. Mancheski, P.S. Myers,
W.P. Nusbaum, J.G. Rivard
[_] FOR all nominees [_] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
listed above to vote as to
all nominees
listed above
[_]_____________________________________
For all nominees except as noted above
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
2. APPROVE the Non-Executive [_] [_] [_]
Director Stock Opinion Plan.
3. APPROVE the appointment of [_] [_] [_]
independent accountants for
the Company.
4. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to
vote upon such other business as may properly
come before the meeting.
MARK HERE [_]
FOR ADDRESS
CHANGE AND
NOTE AT LEFT
Please date and sign exactly as name appears on this Proxy. Joint owners
should both sign. Executors, administrators, trustees, etc. should so indicate
when signing. Corporations should show full corporate name and title of signing
officer.
Signature: Date: Signature: Date:
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