FEDERAL SCREW WORKS
DEF 14A, 2000-09-27
BOLTS, NUTS, SCREWS, RIVETS & WASHERS
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<PAGE>   1

                                  SCHEDULE 14A
                                 (RULE 14a-101)

                    INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
                            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 Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12.

                              Federal Screw Works
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
                              Federal Screw Works
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (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)(1) 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):

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (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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<PAGE>   2

                              FEDERAL SCREW WORKS

                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

To the Shareholders:

     Notice is Hereby Given, that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of FEDERAL
SCREW WORKS, a Michigan corporation, will be held at the offices of the Company,
20229 Nine Mile Road, St. Clair Shores, Michigan 48080, on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26,
2000 at 10:00 a.m. (Detroit time), for the following purposes:

     1. To elect two directors for a term of three years and until their
        successors shall be duly elected and qualified.

     2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
        or any adjournment thereof.

     Shareholders of record at the close of business September 1, 2000 are
entitled to notice of and to vote with respect to this solicitation.
                                          By Order of the Board of Directors,

                                            FEDERAL SCREW WORKS

                                           W. T. ZurSchmiede, Jr., Secretary

                                           Principal executive office:
                                           20229 Nine Mile Road
                                           St. Clair Shores, Michigan 48080-1775
September 27, 2000

                   PLEASE FILL IN, SIGN AND MAIL PROMPTLY THE
                     ACCOMPANYING PROXY, WHETHER OR NOT YOU
                          PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING.
<PAGE>   3

                                PROXY STATEMENT

                                      FOR

                         ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

     This statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of Proxies
being made by the Board of Directors of Federal Screw Works (hereinafter
designated the "Company"), to be used at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of
the Company to be held on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2000 and at any adjournment or
adjournments of the meeting, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The meeting will be held at the
principal executive offices of the Company, 20229 Nine Mile Road, St. Clair
Shores, Michigan 48080-1775.

     The Company has only one class of securities, consisting at the close of
business on September 1, 2000 of 1,041,661 issued and outstanding shares of
common stock of the par value of $1.00 per share. Each of the 1,041,661 shares
is entitled to one vote at the Shareholders' meeting. Although the common stock
transfer books will not be closed, only Shareholders of record as of the close
of business on September 1, 2000 are entitled to receive notice of and to vote
with respect to this solicitation. The approximate date on which the proxy
statement and form of proxy are to be first sent or given to security holders is
September 27, 2000.

     Execution and return of a Proxy will not in any way affect a Shareholder's
right to attend the meeting and to vote in person, and a Shareholder giving a
Proxy has the power to revoke it at any time before it is exercised. Properly
executed Proxies in the accompanying form, received in due time, and not
previously revoked, will be voted at the meeting, or any adjournment of the
meeting, as specified in the meeting.

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

     The Company's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that the number
of Directors, as determined from time to time by the Board of Directors, may be
increased or decreased, but may not be less than three. The Board of Directors
has fixed the number of Directors at six. The Board of Directors is divided into
three classes, with each class consisting of two Directors. At the 2000 Annual
Meeting two Directors will be elected for a three-year term, and in each case
until their successors are elected and qualified. The nominees are two present
Directors of the Company whose terms expire at the meeting. Other Directors
whose terms have not expired will continue in office in accordance with their
previous elections. The favorable vote of at least two-thirds ( 2/3) of the
issued and outstanding shares of common stock will be required to elect
Directors. An abstention by a Shareholder or a Broker non-vote has the effect of
a negative vote. Votes cast are counted by two Inspectors of Election, one of
which is the State Street Bank & Trust Co., the Company's Stock Transfer Agent.
Management has nominated for election the persons named in the following table,
which sets forth certain information about each of the nominees and each
Director whose term will continue after the Annual Meeting. The persons named in
the enclosed form of Proxy will vote such Proxy for the election of the nominees
described in the following table. Although management does not contemplate that
any of the nominees will be unable to serve, in the event that any nominee is
unable to serve as Director at the date of the Annual Meeting, the Proxy will be
voted for any other nominee who may be designated by the present Board of
Directors, or the Board of Directors may appropriately reduce the number of
Directors to be elected and to comprise the Board. The names of such nominees,
and of the Directors who will continue as

                                        1
<PAGE>   4

such for their respective terms, their principal occupations and the year in
which each first became a member of the Board of Directors of the Company are as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      TERM           DIRECTOR
               NAME AND PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION                         EXPIRES          SINCE
               -----------------------------                         -------         --------
<S>                                                                  <C>             <C>
Nominees standing for election to term expiring in 2003:
Hugh G. Harness*
     Business Consultant. President of the Company, 1985
     through Jan. 1994. Executive Vice President, 1982 to
     1985; Senior Vice President--Corporate Development,
     1976 to 1982; Vice President--Corporate Development,
     1975 to 1976, all of the Company. Member of Harness,
     Dickey and Pierce law firm, Patent Counsel to the
     Company, 1954 to 1975. Age 69..........................          2000             1965
Thomas ZurSchmiede*
     President of the Company since Feb. 1994. Vice
     President--Big Rapids Division, 1988-1994; Vice
     President--Corporate Development, 1984-1988; Director
     of Corporate Development, 1983 to 1984, all of the
     Company. General Manager, Votrax Division of the
     Company, 1983. Age 49..................................          2000             1984
Directors continuing in office for their respective terms:
Dr. Thomas W. Butler, Jr.+
     President, Thomas W. Butler & Associates, Inc.,
     business consultants. Vice President, The Genlyte
     Group, 1985 to 1987, manufacturer of lighting systems.
     Dean, School of Engineering and Computer Science,
     Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, 1984 to 1985.
     Vice President, Engineering and Research, AMF Inc.,
     manufacturers of leisure and industrial products, 1974
     to 1984. Age 77........................................          2002             1978
F. D. Tennent+
     Business Consultant. Senior Vice President--Finance &
     Secretary of the Company, 1976 to 1986. Treasurer, 1983
     to 1986; Vice President--Finance & Secretary-Treasurer
     of the Company, 1969 to 1976. Age 74...................          2001             1978
Robert F. ZurSchmiede*
     Vice President--Traverse City Division in 1999 and
     Romulus Division of the Company since 1986. Vice
     President and General Manager of the Romulus Division,
     1984 to 1986; Assistant General Manager of the Romulus
     Division, 1983 to 1984; Assistant Manufacturing
     Manager, Romulus Division, 1982 to 1983, all of the
     Company. Sales Representative for the Company, 1981 to
     1982. Age 47...........................................          2002             1984
W. T. ZurSchmiede, Jr.*
     Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer of the
     Company since 1978; Chief Financial Officer, Secretary
     and Treasurer, since 1988. President and Chief
     Executive Officer of the Company, 1970 to 1978. Age
     74.....................................................          2001             1959
</TABLE>

* Member of Executive Committee of the Company's Board of Directors.

+ Member of Audit Committee of the Company's Board of Directors.

                                        2
<PAGE>   5

DIRECTOR'S REMUNERATION AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

     Directors who are also employees of the Company receive no compensation in
addition to their salaries and benefits received as employees. Directors who are
not employees of the Company are paid a retainer fee of $6,000 quarterly for all
services as a Director. In addition, the Chairman of the Audit Committee
receives an additional $1,000 quarterly and the Chairman of the Salary
Compensation Committee receives an additional $1,000 quarterly. The Company has
entered into an agreement with each Director under which the Company confirms to
the Director the indemnification provided for Directors under the Michigan
Business Corporation Act. These agreements also require the Company to secure
its indemnification obligations by bank letters of credit, trusts or other
arrangements.

     To attract, retain and motivate service on the Company's Board of
Directors, the Company has a retirement plan for Directors who are not also
employees of the Company. A Director who has served at least five years on the
Board of Directors is entitled to a retirement benefit beginning as of the first
day of the fiscal quarter following the date of termination of his or her
directorship. The benefit will be paid quarterly for a period of time equal to
the years of Board service of the Director, but not to exceed fifteen years (ten
years if the recipient is not the Director or his spouse). Each payment will be
in the amount of the quarterly base retainer fee being paid to the Director at
the time of his or her termination as a Director or $4,500, whichever is
greater. Directors who are former employees of the Company but who have at least
one year of service on the Board as a non-employee of the Company will be
entitled to the same benefits as if all of their Board service had been as a
non-employee. The plan is funded pursuant to the terms of a so-called Rabbi
trust created September 13, 1995. The trust is irrevocable, but in the event all
benefits payable under the plan have been paid, all amounts remaining in the
trust would be returned to the Company. In the event of the insolvency (as
defined in the trust agreement) of the Company, all amounts held in trust would
be subject to the claims of the Company's creditors.

     During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2000, the Board of Directors held six
meetings. The Company has standing Audit, Salary Compensation, Finance and
Restricted Stock Bonus Committees, but does not have a standing Nominating
Committee or any Committee performing similar functions.

     The Audit Committee, comprising Messrs. Tennent (Chairman) and Butler (Vice
Chairman), held four meetings during the year. Generally, the Audit Committee
recommends to the full Board the engagement or discharge of the independent
public accountants to be appointed for the Company; reviews the proposed scope
of the annual audit and the findings of the independent public accountants upon
completion of the annual audit; reviews the independence of the public
accountants and considers the range of their audit and non-audit fees; reviews
with the independent public accountants and with appropriate corporate personnel
the adequacy of internal procedures, and controls and monitors the Company's
published policies on management integrity.

     The Finance Committee, comprising Messrs. ZurSchmiede, Jr. (Chairman),
Thomas ZurSchmiede, Harness and Tennent, held two meetings during the year. The
Finance Committee studies and makes recommendations to the Board concerning
fundamental financial policies of the Company with particular attention to the
incurrence of material corporate debt and material capital expenditures.

     The Salary Compensation Committee comprising Messrs. Tennent (Chairman),
Butler (Vice Chairman), and ZurSchmiede, Jr., held three meetings during the
year. The Committee recommends the salaries of all elected officers, including
bonuses, and is responsible for the continuing study of executive compensation,
so that the Company may remain competitive in that regard.

     The Restricted Stock Bonus Committee, comprising Board members who are not
employees of the Company and who are not eligible for any stock award pursuant
to the Company's Restricted Stock Bonus Plan (Messrs. Tennent, Chairman of the
Committee and Butler) administers the Company's Restricted Stock Bonus Plan. The
Committee recommends the persons who are to receive such awards, the form and
amount of awards to be made to each person and the conditions under which awards
are restricted. The Restricted Stock Bonus Committee did not meet during the
year.

                                        3
<PAGE>   6

                         COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

     The Salary Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors ("the
Committee") is composed of three senior members of the Board. The primary
responsibility of the Committee is to monitor the Company's executive
compensation policies and programs. The Committee recommends to the full Board
the salaries of all elected officers, the allocation of any cash bonus fund
among elected officers and the criteria applicable to the accrual of the cash
bonus fund. The Committee is responsible for the continuing study of executive
compensation generally, so that the Company may remain competitive in that
regard, and in doing so engages and consults outside compensation specialists.
The two non-officer members of the Committee also comprise the Restricted Stock
Bonus Committee which recommends persons to receive restricted stock awards, the
form and amount of awards to be made, and the conditions under which awards are
restricted.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION POLICY

     The base salaries of the executive officers of the Company are based on the
Company's performance and each executive's contribution to the operational
success of the Company as a whole, particularly in view of the very demanding
conditions in the automotive industry. Based on the Company's operating results,
and following an ongoing study of executive salaries in general, and the
Company's executive salaries in particular, as they relate to the Company's
overall performance and the performance of the Company's stock, the Salary
Compensation Committee recommended a five percent increase in base salary to
each executive named in the Summary Compensation Table on page 6 of this proxy
statement, which increase was subsequently implemented by the Board of Directors
effective February 1, 2000. The Compensation Committee will continue its
evaluation of each executive's performance under the Company's highly
competitive circumstances, as well as the Company's performance, including
improving production efficiencies with an emphasis on quality and parts
requiring high technology. While the Compensation Committee takes into
consideration the factors mentioned above, the Committee does rely to a large
degree upon subjective (rather than objective) standards and evaluations to
determine executive compensation.

     During fiscal 1998 the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors
made exhaustive and detailed studies, with its actuaries and consultants, of the
possibility of installing a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) to
replace cash payments made to those employees who are not able to participate
fully, due to certain Internal Revenue Service regulations, in the Company's
long standing Salaried Employees Pension Plan, a defined benefit program. The
studies resulted in the Salary Compensation Committee recommending to the Board
of Directors, and the Board subsequently adopting, a new SERP effective as of
July 1, 1998, which SERP is further discussed in this proxy statement on page
12.

     The Compensation Committee will continue to emphasize the Company's
long-term performance and increases in shareholder value, will support a bonus
incentive program based on the financial performance of the Company, and will
offer meaningful and competitive retirement and supplemental benefits that are
consistent with the Company's objective of rewarding and retaining key
employees.

     The Cash Bonus Plan described in footnote (1) to the Summary Compensation
Table on page 6 was adopted in 1989, and is similar to a plan in place for many
years prior to 1989. Bonuses awarded under the Plan are discretionary. The Plan
is structured in such a way that no bonus amount is accrued in any fiscal year
unless earnings exceed a base amount equal to eight percent of shareholders'
equity as of the beginning of the year.

CEO COMPENSATION

     The compensation of the Chief Executive Officer is fixed by the full Board
of Directors (other than the CEO), after considering recommendations of the
Compensation Committee. The Committee reviews the performance of the CEO and
makes recommendations consistent with the objectives, performance, and results
mentioned above. The Committee engages and consults with outside compensation
consultants, and considers overall competitive compensation arrangements of
other automotive industry suppliers as well as a broad range of companies, some
of which may not be comparable to the Company for Performance Graph purposes.

                                        4
<PAGE>   7

However, because of the extremely competitive automotive markets served by the
Company, the Committee does not specifically link remuneration of the CEO solely
to quantitative measures of performance.

     In determining the CEO's compensation, the Committee further considers the
Company's improvement, on an operating basis, of its financial position,
improvement in its financial structure, and improvement in shareholder value. As
with the other executives, factors considered by the Committee in recommending
the CEO's compensation to the full Board are generally subjective.

                                          COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

                                          Thomas W. Butler, Jr.
                                          F. D. Tennent
                                          W. T. ZurSchmiede, Jr.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

     One Member of the Committee, W.T. ZurSchmiede, Jr. is an officer of the
Company and, the Committee Chairman, F.D. Tennent is a former officer. There are
no "interlocks" as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                        5
<PAGE>   8

                             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     The following table sets forth information with respect to the compensation
paid by the Company during the Company's last three fiscal years to (i) the
Chief Executive Officer of the Company and (ii) each of the four highest
compensated executive Officers of the Company whose compensation exceeded
$100,000.

                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               LONG-TERM
                                                                              COMPENSATION
                                               ANNUAL COMPENSATION               AWARDS
                                      -------------------------------------   ------------
                                                                               RESTRICTED
                                                             OTHER ANNUAL        STOCK          ALL OTHER
 NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION   YEAR    SALARY    BONUS(1)   COMPENSATION(2)    AWARDS(3)     COMPENSATION(4)
 ---------------------------   ----    ------    --------   ---------------    ----------    ---------------
<S>                            <C>    <C>        <C>        <C>               <C>            <C>
W. T. ZurSchmiede, Jr. ......  2000   $364,500   $302,104       $41,036            0             $23,805
  Chairman of the Board and    1999    347,083    310,600        42,200            0              21,471
  Chief Executive Officer,     1998    330,000    283,600        42,200            0              16,578
  Chief Financial Officer,
  Secretary and Treasurer
Thomas ZurSchmiede...........  2000    359,500    302,104        46,114            0               2,734
  President and C.O.O.         1999    342,083    310,600        46,114            0               3,101
                               1998    325,000    283,600        43,160            0              39,009
Robert F. ZurSchmiede........  2000    298,250    302,104        42,409            0               2,887
  Vice President--             1999    283,833    310,600        42,409            0               3,221
  Traverse City and            1998    269,333    283,600        39,150            0              27,516
  Romulus Divisions
J. M. O'Brien................  2000    298,250    302,104        44,428            0               2,643
  Vice President--             1999    283,833    310,600        44,428            0               2,982
  Sales and Marketing          1998    269,333    283,600        43,732            0              37,043
Jeffrey M. Harness...........  2000    298,250    302,104        33,657            0               1,654
  Vice President--Chelsea      1999    263,417    310,600        33,780            0               1,715
  and Novex Divisions          1998    235,667    283,600        33,327            0              16,831
</TABLE>

---------------------
(1) A Cash Bonus Plan, the eligible participants in which are the Officers of
    the Company, was adopted for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1989, and has
    been in effect during each subsequent year. The bonus fund is subject to a
    discretionary award by the Board to those eligible participants recommended
    to the Board by the Salary Compensation Committee which receives a
    recommendation from the CEO and the President. Any accrued bonus fund not
    awarded may be carried forward for award in the current or subsequent years.
    Under the Plan, no allocation is made to the bonus fund in any fiscal year
    in which pre-tax earnings fail to exceed a base amount equal to eight (8%)
    percent of beginning of the year shareholders' equity. In any year that
    pre-tax earnings exceed the base amount, an allocation is made to the bonus
    fund calculated as a percentage of pre-tax earnings, the percentage being
    equal to the sum of one percent (1%) plus .04 of one percent (1%) for each
    $10,000 that pre-tax earnings exceed the base amount. The maximum percentage
    allowable is 9 1/2%. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2000, the base
    amount was $4,170,244, the percentage allowance was 9 1/2%, and the fund
    allocation was $1,510,521, all of which was awarded by the Board. The Plan
    has been continued for the fiscal year to be ended June 30, 2001, with the
    base amount of pre-tax earnings required for allocation being increased to
    $4,682,885 as a result of a $6,408,019 increase in shareholders' equity.
    Pre-tax earnings is defined to exclude the effect of FAS 106.

(2) The amount shown for each officer in 2000 includes special payments to
    assist them in obtaining life insurance in lieu of the Company undertaking
    such expense directly, and gross-up payments for tax liabilities on such
    insurance premium payments, at each officer's effective tax rate, as
    follows: W. T. ZurSchmiede, Jr., $22,385 (premium), $18,651 (tax liability
    gross-up); J. M. O'Brien, $23,569

                                        6
<PAGE>   9

    and $19,481; Jeffrey M. Harness, $18,427 and $15,230; Thomas ZurSchmiede,
    $24,694 and $21,420; and Robert F. ZurSchmiede, $23,134 and $19,275.

(3) No restricted stock awards were made in the 1998, 1999, or 2000 fiscal
    years, and all previous awards have been earned out.

(4) The amounts shown consist of the Company-paid portion of premiums on term
    life insurance.

                                        7
<PAGE>   10

COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE GRAPH

     The graph below compares the cumulative total shareholder return on the
common stock of the Company for the last five fiscal years with the cumulative
total return on the S&P 500 Index and a Peer Group over the same period
(assuming initial investment of $100 in the Company's common stock, the S&P 500
Index and the Peer Group, and reinvestment of all dividends).

                     COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
        ASSUMES INITIAL INVESTMENT OF $100 AND REINVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS

                              [PERFORMANCE GRAPH]

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          1995       1996       1997       1998       1999       2000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>     <C>
  FEDERAL SCREW WORKS                    $100.00    $122.33    $230.09    $253.23    $261.77    $230.84
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  S&P 500 INDEX                          $100.00    $126.00    $169.72    $220.91    $341.52    $290.84
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  PEER GROUP (1)                         $100.00    $133.72    $147.48    $151.17    $183.41    $240.14
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(1) The Peer Group for the graph shown above includes Chicago Rivet & Machine
    Co., Penn Engineering & Manufacturing Corp., SPS Technologies, SPX Corp.,
    Simpson Industries, Inc., Park Ohio Industries, Inc., and Hastings Mfg. Co.

    In determining the Peer Group, the Company selected primarily automotive
    suppliers, companies which may be considered generally comparable in size or
    larger, with similar labor markets, are direct or partial competitors to the
    Company, are primarily metal working companies, and companies with a steady
    record of earnings. The index is weighted based upon the beginning of period
    market capitalization values.

                                        8
<PAGE>   11

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

     The following table sets forth, as of September 1, 2000, information with
respect to beneficial ownership of the Company's common shares by any
shareholder known to the Company to beneficially own 5% or more of the Company's
outstanding common shares.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         NAME AND ADDRESS                   AMOUNT AND NATURE       PERCENT
       OF BENEFICIAL OWNER               OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP    OF CLASS
       -------------------               -----------------------    --------
<S>                                      <C>                        <C>
Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc.                    67,600              6.48%
1299 Ocean Avenue, 11th Floor
Santa Monica, California 90401
FMR Corp.                                        108,800             10.4 %
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109-3614
Robert F. ZurSchmiede(1)                          81,664              7.8 %
Hugh G. Harness(1)                               105,222             10.1 %
W.T. ZurSchmiede, Jr.(1)                         132,726             12.7 %
Thomas ZurSchmiede(1)                             70,078              6.7 %
</TABLE>

---------------------
(1) The Company's mailing address may be used. The Nature of Beneficial
    Ownership is set forth under Security Ownership of Management.

                                        9
<PAGE>   12

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT

     The following table sets forth the number of shares of the Company's common
stock beneficially owned as of September 1, 2000 by each director, each officer
named in the Summary Compensation Table, and directors and executive officers as
a group.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   AMOUNT AND NATURE
                                                                OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP      PERCENT
                                                                AS OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2000      OF CLASS
                                                                -----------------------      --------
<S>                                                             <C>                        <C>
Directors and Executive Officers who are Directors:
  Dr. Thomas W. Butler, Jr..................................              1,200            less than 1%
  Hugh G. Harness...........................................            104,222(1)                  10%
  F. D. Tennent.............................................              1,000            less than 1%
  W. T. ZurSchmiede, Jr.....................................            132,726(2)                12.7%
  Thomas ZurSchmiede........................................             70,078(3)                 6.7%
  Robert F. ZurSchmiede.....................................             81,664(4)                 7.8%
Executive Officers who are not Directors:
  J. M. O'Brien.............................................             25,000                    2.4%
     Vice President--Sales and Marketing of the Company
     since 1986; Vice President--General Sales Manager, 1984
     to 1986; General Sales Manager, 1982 to 1984, all of
     the Company
  Jeffrey M. Harness........................................             29,558                    2.8%
     Vice President and General Manager--Chelsea Division
     and Brighton Division of the Company since 1994; Vice
     President and General Manager--Chelsea Division, 1992
     to 1994; General Manager--Chelsea Division, 1985 to
     1992; Sales Manager--Chelsea Division, 1984 to 1985,
     all of the Company
All Directors and Officers of the Company as a group........            434,048                   41.6%
</TABLE>

---------------------
(1) Includes 21,878 shares as to which Mr. Harness has sole voting and
    investment power. Also includes 39,626 shares owned by Mr. Harness' wife,
    22,118 shares owned by his children, and 14,000 shares owned by a Trust for
    Descendants, the beneficial ownership of which may be attributable to Mr.
    Harness, and 6,600 shares owned by the W. T. ZurSchmiede, Sr. Foundation, of
    which Mr. and Mrs. Harness and Mr. ZurSchmiede, Jr. comprise the three
    Trustees. Mr. Harness disclaims beneficial ownership of all but 21,878
    shares owned by him. 6,600 of the shares attributed to Mr. Harness are also
    attributed to Mr. ZurSchmiede, Jr., who shares the related voting and
    investment power. Mr. Harness is Mr. ZurSchmiede, Jr.'s brother-in-law. The
    elimination of duplicate holdings reduces the percent of class to 9.5%.

(2) Includes 7,650 shares as to which Mr. ZurSchmiede has sole voting and
    investment power. Also includes 118,476 shares owned by Mr. ZurSchmiede's
    daughters and their spouses, individually and as custodian for
    grandchildren, and 6,600 shares owned by the W. T. ZurSchmiede, Sr.
    Foundation, of which he is a Trustee, the beneficial ownership of all of
    which may be attributable to Mr. ZurSchmiede. Mr. ZurSchmiede disclaims
    beneficial ownership of all but 7,650 shares owned by him. 6,600 of the
    shares attributed to Mr. ZurSchmiede are also attributed to Mr. Harness, who
    shares the related voting and investment power. The elimination of duplicate
    holdings reduces the percent of class to 12.2%.

(3) Includes 65,278 shares as to which Mr. ZurSchmiede has sole voting and
    investment power. Also includes 4,800 shares held as co-trustee for a niece
    and nephews, which shares are also attributable to Robert F. ZurSchmiede,
    who shares the related voting and investment powers. Mr. ZurSchmiede
    disclaims beneficial ownership of all but 65,278 shares owned by him. Mr.
    ZurSchmiede is a son of W. T. ZurSchmiede, Jr. The elimination of duplicate
    holdings reduces the percentage of class to 6.3%.

                                       10
<PAGE>   13

(4) Includes 76,864 shares as to which Mr. ZurSchmiede has sole voting and
    investment power. Also includes 4,800 shares held as co-trustee for a niece
    and nephews, which shares are also attributable to Thomas ZurSchmiede, who
    shares the related voting and investment powers. Also includes 27,300 shares
    for which Mr. ZurSchmiede is custodian for his children, the beneficial
    ownership of which may be attributable to Mr. ZurSchmiede. Mr. ZurSchmiede
    disclaims beneficial ownership of all but 49,564 shares owned by him. Mr.
    ZurSchmiede is a son of W. T. ZurSchmiede, Jr. The elimination of duplicate
    holdings reduces the percentage of class to 7.3%.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     Mr. Hugh G. Harness took early retirement as President and C.O.O. of the
Company effective February 1, 1994. Mr. Harness agreed to perform consulting
services for the Company for eight years with compensation for those services
commencing in 1994 at $130,200, with annual reductions of $5,000 a year to
$95,200 in 2001. Mr. Harness' monthly retirement supplement is $4,000, payable
for 120 months, commencing at his retirement. Mr. Harness' participation in the
Cash Bonus Plan was terminated.

RESTRICTED STOCK BONUS PLANS

     The Board of Directors adopted a Restricted Stock Bonus Plan in 1979, and
an Employee Restricted Stock Bonus Plan in 1983, for allocation of restricted
shares of the Company's common stock to officers and other employees of the
Company in recognition of their past contributions, and to encourage their
future contributions, to the profitability of the Company. Allocations of
restricted shares to individual employees are recommended to the Board by the
Restricted Stock Bonus Committee, taking into consideration evaluations by
management. Among the factors considered by the Committee are improvement in
earnings, the Company's performance in relation to others in its field of
business, the results of the particular Division of the Company in which an
individual is employed, the performance of individual employees and such other
factors as the Committee may deem relevant. The Plan is administered by the
Restricted Stock Bonus Committee of the Board, none of the members of which are
employees of the Company or eligible to receive such awards. No bonus shares
were awarded during fiscal 2000. See further note 3 to the Summary Compensation
Table, on page 7.

RETIREMENT SUPPLEMENT

     In 1986, W. T. ZurSchmiede, Jr. entered into an agreement with the Company
pursuant to which he has earned supplemental retirement and death benefits by
serving continuously in the Company's employment from that time until age 65.
Supplemental retirement benefits under the agreement are payable monthly after
Mr. ZurSchmiede's retirement for 120 months, but the Company may terminate such
payments if Mr. ZurSchmiede fails or refuses to provide advice and counsel to
the Company after retirement when reasonably asked to do so. The monthly benefit
of $4,166 under the original agreement has been increased to $5,416 by amendment
adopted by the Company in 1998. In the event of Mr. ZurSchmiede's death, his
designated beneficiary is entitled to a supplemental death benefit equal to the
balance of any unpaid monthly retirement benefits. All benefits have been
charged to operations in prior years.

SALARIED PENSION PLAN

     The Company maintains a Salaried Pension Plan, which covers all salaried
employees. The remuneration covered by the qualified Plan is base salary only.
The approximate years of credited service for the officers named in the Summary
Compensation Table are: Robert F. ZurSchmiede, 22, Thomas ZurSchmiede, 19; J. M.
O'Brien, 25; Jeffrey M. Harness, 20. Effective July 1, 1998, the maximum salary
taken into account in calculating plan benefits is limited to $80,000, in order
to comply with requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. Company contributions
are computed on an actuarial basis which provides for fixed benefits in the
event of retirement at a specific age or after a specified number of years of
service. Contributions by the Company are, therefore, made to the Plan in the
aggregate and the amount of the contribution, payment, or accrual in respect of
a specified person is not and cannot readily be separately or individually
calculated by the regular actuaries for the Plan.
                                       11
<PAGE>   14

     In addition, effective July 1, 1998, the Company established a Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plan, (SERP) for the benefit of certain participants
designated by the Compensation Committee. The SERP benefit is equal to the
difference between the normal monthly benefit received under the Pension Plan
and the unrestricted benefit. The unrestricted benefit is equal to the monthly
pension benefit as determined under the qualified Pension Plan calculated using
the average base and bonus compensation for the five highest paid plan years
without regard to compensation limits.

     The following table illustrates representative retirement benefits at the
maximum levels payable under the Salaried Pension Plan and the Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plan for various earnings and credited service periods:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             AVERAGE
          COMPENSATION
         DURING THE FIVE
          HIGHEST PAID                         ANNUAL NORMAL RETIREMENT BENEFITS
         PLAN YEARS (1)                    FOR YEARS OF CREDITED SERVICE INDICATED(2)
         ---------------               --------------------------------------------------
                                          15            20            25            30
                                          --            --            --            --
<S>                                    <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
  $ 80,000.......................      $ 22,800      $ 30,400      $ 38,000      $ 38,000
  $100,000.......................      $ 28,500      $ 38,000      $ 47,500      $ 47,500
  $200,000.......................      $ 57,000      $ 76,000      $ 95,000      $ 95,000
  $300,000.......................      $ 85,500      $114,000      $142,500      $142,500
  $400,000.......................      $114,000      $152,000      $190,000      $190,000
  $500,000.......................      $142,500      $190,000      $237,500      $237,500
  $600,000.......................      $171,000      $228,000      $285,000      $285,000
  $700,000.......................      $199,500      $266,000      $332,500      $332,500
  $800,000.......................      $228,000      $304,000      $380,000      $380,000
</TABLE>

---------------------
(1) The Compensation covered by the plans under which the benefits are
    summarized in the table above equals the sum of base salary and annual bonus
    payments, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table for the named
    executive officers for the last three fiscal years, and is equal to the
    average of such amounts during the highest paid five years of employment.

(2) Payable on a Life and 10 Year Certain basis. Life Only Option is not
    available under the Plan. For married participants, however, the form of
    benefit payment is the qualified 50% or 100% Joint and Survivor Annuity,
    unless another form is elected. Benefits are increased actuarially for late
    retirement. The benefit amounts set forth are not subject to any reduction
    for Social Security benefits.

401K SAVINGS PLAN

     The Company adopted, effective September 1, 1993, a 401(k) tax deferred
savings plan. This plan is available to all eligible employees, including
employees who are participants in the plan in accordance with their union
contract. The plan is non-contributory, that is, the Company does not match any
portion of the employees' contributions. The Company does, however, bear the
costs of administering the plan, which are expected to be about $18,000 per
year. Employees may contribute up to 20% of their annual compensation, but not
more than the maximum amount permitted under the Internal Revenue Code. Comerica
Bank is the Trustee of the plan. Contributions are invested in one or more of
eighteen mutual funds, administered by Comerica Bank, as selected by each
employee.

RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

     The Board of Directors has reappointed Ernst & Young as independent
accountants to audit the financial statements of the Company for the current
fiscal year. One or more members of the firm of Ernst & Young are expected to be
present at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, will be available to respond to
appropriate questions, and will be afforded the opportunity to make a statement.

                                       12
<PAGE>   15

COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT

     Under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company's
directors and its executive officers and persons who own more than ten percent
of the Company's equity securities are required to report ownership of the
Company's common stock and any changes in that ownership to the Securities and
Exchange Commission and to furnish to the Company copies of all Section 16(a)
forms they file. Based solely on review of the copies of such forms furnished to
the Company, and written representations of its directors and executive
officers, the Company believes that during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2000
those filing requirements were met.

CONCERNING OTHER MATTERS WHICH MAY COME BEFORE THE MEETING

     At the meeting, reports will be received from the Officers of the Company
relative to the operation, management and conduct of the Company during the
fiscal year ended June 30, 2000, but it is not contemplated that there will be
any vote in respect of any of said matters. Management is not aware of any other
matters to be presented for action at the meeting. However, should any other
matters requiring the vote of the Shareholders arise, the persons named in the
enclosed form of Proxy will vote such Proxy according to their best judgment.

PROPOSALS FOR 2001 ANNUAL MEETING

     Shareholder proposals pursuant to Rule 14(a-8) promulgated under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 must be received by the Company no later than
May 31, 2001 in order to be included in the Company's Proxy Statement and Form
of Proxy for that meeting. Such proposals must also meet the other requirements
of the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to shareholders'
proposals.

CONCERNING EXPENSES OF PROXY SOLICITATION

     The cost of soliciting Proxies will be borne by the Company. Proxies may be
solicited by mail, telegraph or telex, or by directors, officers and regular
employees of the Company in person or by telephone. The Company has retained the
services of Corporate Investor Communications, Inc. to assist in the
distribution of Proxy materials and to solicit Proxies from banks, brokers and
nominees at a cost not to exceed $4,500 plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
The Company will also reimburse brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees
and fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding the
Proxy Statement and the Annual Report to the beneficial owners of common stock
of the Company.

     IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PROXIES BE RETURNED PROMPTLY TO ASSURE THAT A QUORUM
OF THE COMPANY'S SHARES BE REPRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. SHAREHOLDERS WHO
DO NOT EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON ARE URGED TO EXECUTE AND RETURN,
WITHOUT DELAY, THE ENCLOSED FORM OF PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED, STAMPED ENVELOPE.

                                          By Order of the Board of Directors

                                            W. T. ZurSchmiede, Jr., Secretary

September 27, 2000

P.S. Although not a part of the Proxy soliciting material, a copy of the
     Company's Annual Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2000 is enclosed
     herewith.

                                       13
<PAGE>   16

                                                                     FSWCM-PS-00
<PAGE>   17
                              FEDERAL SCREW WORKS

The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Robert F. ZurSchmiede and W.T.
ZurSchmiede, Jr. or either of them, attorneys and proxies with full power of
substitution to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Federal Screw
Works, to be held on Thursday, October 26, 2000, or at any adjournments thereof.

The shares represented by this proxy will be voted as directed. Unless authority
is withheld, this proxy will be voted to elect as directors the nominees shown.

Discretionary authority is hereby conferred as to any other matters as may
properly come before the meeting. The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Proxy Statement dated September
27, 2000 and the Annual Report of Federal Screw Works to its shareholders for
the year ended June 30, 2000. The undersigned ratifies that all the proxies or
any of them or their substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof and revokes all former proxies.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        PLEASE VOTE, DATE AND SIGN ON REVERSE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE
                               ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please sign exactly as your name appears on the books of the Company.  Joint
owners should each sign personally. Trustees and other fiduciaries should
indicate the capacity in which they sign, and where more than one name appears,
a majority must sign. If a corporation, this signature should be that of an
authorized officer who should state his or her title.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


HAS YOUR ADDRESS CHANGED?

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<PAGE>   18

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S><C>

[X] PLEASE MARK VOTES
    AS IN THIS EXAMPLE


--------------------------------------------------------------------------   1. Election of Directors.
                            FEDERAL SCREW WORKS                                                           For All    With-   For All
--------------------------------------------------------------------------                               Nominees    hold     Except
CONTROL NUMBER:                                                                    (01) HUGH G. HARNESS    [  ]       [  ]     [  ]
RECORD DATE SHARES:                                                                (02) THOMAS ZURSCHMIEDE



                                                                                NOTE: If you do not wish your shares voted "For" a
                                                                                particular nominee, mark the "For All Except" box
                                                                                and strike a line through nominee's name. Your
                                                                                shares will be voted for the remaining nominee.

                                                                             2. To act in their discretion upon the transaction
                                                                                of such other business as may properly come before
                                                                                the meeting.


                                                    ----------------------      Mark box at right if an address change has been
   Please be sure to sign and date this Proxy.      Date                        noted on the reverse side of this card.         [ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------




-------- Shareholder sign here ----------------- Co-owner sign here-------

DETACH CARD                                                                                                             DETACH CARD
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
























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