<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant /x/
Filed by a party other than the Registrant / /
Check the appropriate box:
/ / Preliminary Proxy Statement
/ / Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
/x/ Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section
240.14a-12
General Signal Corporation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/x/ No fee required
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1)
and 0-11
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(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:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
/ / 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:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Filing Party:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Date Filed:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
[GENERAL SIGNAL LOGO]
1998
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
AND PROXY STATEMENT
<PAGE>
[GENERAL SIGNAL LOGO]
MICHAEL D. LOCKHART
CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
March 19, 1998
Dear Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be
held on Thursday, April 16, 1998 at 10:00 A.M. at the Corporation's
headquarters, One High Ridge Park, Stamford, Connecticut 06904.
The Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement accompany this letter and
provide an outline of the business to be conducted at the meeting. Also, I will
report on the progress of the Corporation during the past year and answer
shareholder questions.
It is important that your shares be represented at the Annual Meeting. If
you are unable to attend the meeting in person, I urge you to complete, date and
sign the enclosed proxy and promptly return it in the envelope provided. Your
vote is important.
Sincerely,
/s/ Michael D. Lockhart
<PAGE>
GENERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
April 16, 1998
-------------------
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of General Signal Corporation (the
"Corporation") will be held at the Corporation's headquarters, One High Ridge
Park, Stamford, Connecticut 06904, on Thursday, April 16, 1998, at 10:00 A.M.
for the following purposes:
1. To elect three directors;
2. To approve the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP to serve as the
Corporation's independent auditors for the year 1998; and
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on March 5, 1998, will
be entitled to vote at the meeting. A copy of the Corporation's Annual Report to
Shareholders for the year 1997 has been provided to each shareholder of record.
By Order of the Board of Directors
[LOGO]
JOANNE L. BOBER
Senior Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary
March 19, 1998
-------------------
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR SHARES BE REPRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. WHETHER
OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN YOUR
PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
-------------------
<PAGE>
PROXY STATEMENT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----
<S> <C>
VOTING PROCEDURES AND SECURITY OWNERSHIP.................................. 1
- Voting of Proxies..................................................... 1
- Confidential Voting................................................... 1
- Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Holders...................... 2
- Security Ownership of Management...................................... 4
BOARD OF DIRECTORS........................................................ 6
- General Board Information............................................. 6
- Directors' Compensation............................................... 7
PROPOSAL 1--ELECTION OF DIRECTORS......................................... 9
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.................................................... 12
- SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE............................................ 13
- OPTION GRANTS TABLE................................................... 16
- OPTION YEAR-END VALUE TABLE........................................... 17
- PENSION PLAN TABLE.................................................... 18
- PERFORMANCE GRAPH ON COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
AMONG GENERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION, THE S&P 500 INDEX AND THE S&P CAP
GOODS INDEX........................................................... 20
- REPORT OF THE PERSONNEL AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION.......................................................... 21
PROPOSAL 2--AUTHORIZATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS.......... 24
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT......................... 24
OTHER MATTERS............................................................. 24
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS..................................................... 24
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
PROXY STATEMENT
GENERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION
ONE HIGH RIDGE PARK
P.O. BOX 10010
STAMFORD, CT 06904
VOTING PROCEDURES AND SECURITY OWNERSHIP
VOTING OF PROXIES
Your proxy in the form enclosed is solicited by the Board of Directors of
the Corporation for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on
April 16, 1998 and all valid proxies will be voted. Except to the extent that
contrary instructions are given by shareholders in the places provided in the
proxy, it is the intention of the persons named in the proxy to vote for the
nominees for the Board of Directors and for the approval of the appointment of
Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors. Proxies marked as abstaining
(including proxies containing broker non-votes) on any matter to be acted upon
by shareholders will be treated as present at the meeting for the purpose of
determining a quorum, but will not be counted as votes cast on such matters. A
proxy may be revoked at any time prior to its use. Such revocation may be made
in person at the Annual Meeting, by a notice in writing delivered to the
Secretary of the Corporation or by a proxy bearing a later date. Only
shareholders of record at the close of business on March 5, 1998 will be
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. There were 46,696,432 shares of Common
Stock issued and outstanding on the record date (excluding treasury shares),
each of which is entitled to one vote on each matter voted upon at the meeting.
This Proxy Statement and the enclosed form of proxy were first sent to
shareholders on or about March 23, 1998.
The expense of proxy solicitation will be borne by the Corporation.
Depending upon the response to the initial solicitation by mail, proxies may be
solicited in person or by telephone or telegraph by officers or regular
employees of the Corporation. D.F. King & Co., Inc., 77 Water Street, New York,
New York 10005, has been retained by the Corporation to assist in such
solicitation at a total estimated cost of $10,000.
CONFIDENTIAL VOTING
If a shareholder requests confidentiality on the proxy card or ballot, the
shareholder meeting proxies, ballots and voting tabulations that identify the
particular vote of the shareholder will be held permanently confidential except
as necessary to meet applicable legal requirements. The tabulators and
inspectors of election for the meeting are employees of First Chicago Trust
Company of New York and are, therefore, independent. The Corporation has an
agreement with the tabulators and inspectors of election requiring them to
comply with the Corporation's confidential voting policy.
1
<PAGE>
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL HOLDERS
The following table sets forth information based upon the Corporation's
records and Securities and Exchange Commission filings with respect to each
person known to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Common Stock of
the Corporation as of December 31, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AND ADDRESS OF AMOUNT AND NATURE OF PERCENT OF
BENEFICIAL OWNER BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP CLASS
<S> <C> <C>
College Retirement Equities Fund 3,292,400 shares(1) 6.99%
730 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Harris Associates, Inc. 2,805,900 shares(2) 5.96%
Two North LaSalle Street, Suite
500
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Iridian Asset Management LLC; 2,699,000 shares(3) 5.73%
David L. Cohen; and
Harold J. Levy
c/o Iridian Asset Management LLC
276 Post Road West
Westport, Connecticut 06880
Putnam Investments, Inc. 2,454,873 shares(4) 5.21%
One Post Office Square
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
General Signal Corporation 2,408,918 shares(5) 5.12%
Savings and Stock Ownership Plan
(the "Savings Plan") the trustee
of which is
The Chase Manhattan Bank
Chase MetroTech Center
Brooklyn, New York 11245
</TABLE>
- ------------
NOTES:
(1) A Schedule 13G filing disclosed that the Board of Trustees of College
Retirement Equities Fund ("CREF"), an investment company, has sole voting
power with respect to such shares and shared dispositive power with respect
to such shares with TIAA-CREF Investment Management, LLC, CREF's registered
investment adviser ("TIAA-CREF").
(2) A Schedule 13G filing by Harris Associates, Inc., the general partner of
Harris Associate L.P., a registered investment adviser, disclosed that
Harris Associates L.P. has shared voting power with respect to all such
shares with investment clients for whom it serves as an investment adviser.
The filing further disclosed that Harris Associates L.P. has sole
dispositive power with respect to 2,047,900 such shares and shared
dispositive power with respect to 758,000 such shares.
(FOOTNOTES CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)
2
<PAGE>
(FOOTNOTES CONTINUED FROM PRECEDING PAGE)
- ---------------
(3) A Schedule 13G filing disclosed that Iridian Asset Management LLC
("Iridian"), a registered investment adviser, has sole voting and
dispositive power with respect to 2,553,100 of such shares; LC Capital
Management, LLC ("LC Capital") is a member owning 69.6% of Iridian and may
therefore be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares held by
Iridian and indirect sole voting and dispositive power with respect thereto;
CL Investors, Inc. ("CL Investors") is a member owning 96% of LC Capital and
may therefore be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares held by
Iridian and indirect sole voting and dispositive power with respect thereto;
each of David L. Cohen and Harold J. Levy owns 50% of CL Investors, and each
may therefore be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares held by
Iridian and indirect shared voting and dispositive power with respect
thereto; and each of Messrs. Cohen and Levy is employed by Arnhold & S.
Bleichroeder Advisers, Inc., which serves as an adviser to First Eagle Fund
of America, Inc., a mutual fund holding, according to such filing, 146,800
of such shares, as to which shares each of Messrs. Cohen and Levy disclaims
deemed beneficial ownership and as to which shares none of Iridian, LC
Capital nor CL Investors has voting or dispositive power.
(4) A Schedule 13G filing disclosed that Putnam Investments, Inc. ("Putnam
Investments"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marsh & McLennon Companies,
Inc., has shared dispositive power with respect to all such shares and
shared voting power with respect to 14,400 such shares; the Putnam Advisory
Company, Inc. ("Putnam Advisory"), a registered investment adviser and
wholly-owned subsidiary of Putnam Investments, has shared voting power with
respect to 14,400 such shares and shared dispositive power with respect to
799,200 such shares; Putnam Investment Management, Inc. ("Putnam
Management"), a registered investment adviser and wholly-owned subsidiary of
Putnam Investments, has shared dispositive power with respect to 1,655,673
such shares; and that Putnam Advisory is the investment adviser to the
Putnam family of mutual funds and Putnam Management is the investment
adviser to institutional clients of Putnam Investments.
(5) The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee of the Savings Plan, will vote the
shares as instructed by participants, and shares for which no instructions
have been received will be voted by the trustee in the same proportion as
the shares for which instructions have been received.
3
<PAGE>
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
The following table shows as of January 31, 1998 beneficial ownership of
shares of Common Stock of the Corporation and "stock units" with a value
equivalent to the value of the Common Stock by each director, each executive
officer named in the Summary Compensation Table and by all directors and
executive officers as a group. All directors and executive officers as a group
beneficially held 1.07% of the outstanding Common Stock as of that date.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES STOCK
NAME OWNED(1) UNITS(2)
<S> <C> <C>
Joanne L. Bober 8,134(3) 356
H. Kent Bowen 2,000 2,030
Van C. Campbell 6,017(4) 2,589
Michael A. Carpenter 4,000 --
Elizabeth D. Conklyn 11,211(3) 1,908
Ursula F. Fairbairn 2,525 2,948
Ronald E. Ferguson 4,651 11,879
Robert D. Kennedy 3,000 99
Michael D. Lockhart 288,946(3) 13,320
Terence D. Martin 84,641(3) 9,048
John R. Selby 8,254(4) 5,457
Ernest R. Verebelyi 9,331(3) 795
All current directors and executive officers
as a group (17 persons) 508,430(3) 56,196
</TABLE>
- ------------
NOTES:
(1) The figures shown include the interest of executive officers of the
Corporation in an aggregate of 27,470 shares of Common Stock held by the
trustee under the Corporation's Savings Plan as of December 31, 1997 and
include the following shares of Common Stock which the persons listed have
the right to acquire as of January 31, 1998 or within 60 days after that
date through the exercise of stock options: Michael D. Lockhart (183,000);
Terence D. Martin (59,000); Ernest R. Verebelyi (4,250); Joanne L. Bober
(3,000); Elizabeth D. Conklyn (5,500); and all current directors and
executive officers as a group (315,151).
(FOOTNOTES CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)
4
<PAGE>
(FOOTNOTES CONTINUED FROM PRECEDING PAGE)
- ---------------
(2) For the executive officers, the "stock units" represent compensation
deferred and credited as "phantom stock units" under the Corporation's
Deferred Compensation Plan. For H. Kent Bowen, Van C. Campbell, Ursula F.
Fairbairn, Ronald E. Ferguson, Robert D. Kennedy and John R. Selby, the
"stock units" represent either (a) director fees deferred to their
share-denominated accounts or (b) accrued retirement benefits transferred
from a terminated retirement plan for non-employee directors to the
Corporation's Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors. Under both plans,
the value of the "stock units" at the time of distribution will be the then
market value of the Corporation's Common Stock, but the deferred amounts
will be paid in cash.
(3) Includes shares of restricted stock held by: Michael D. Lockhart (81,000);
Terence D. Martin (10,000); Ernest R. Verebelyi (3,334); Joanne L. Bober
(5,000); Elizabeth D. Conklyn (5,000); and three current executive officers
not named in the Summary Compensation Table (8,000) with respect to which
the holders have sole voting power, but no dispositive power, during the
restricted period.
(4) Van C. Campbell and John R. Selby elected to defer all or part of their cash
compensation as directors for 1996 or prior thereto and to receive in lieu
thereof restricted stock under the Corporation's stock incentive plans as
then in effect. The figures shown include the shares of stock which are
currently restricted with respect to which the holders have sole voting
power, but no investment power, during the restricted period as follows: Mr.
Campbell (3,217); and Mr. Selby (5,654).
5
<PAGE>
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GENERAL BOARD INFORMATION
The Corporation's Board of Directors is divided into three classes, with the
directors in each class elected for a term of three years. The term of office of
one class of directors expires each year in rotation so that one class is
elected at each Annual Meeting for a full three-year term. Directors elected by
the Board to fill a vacancy (including a vacancy created by an increase in the
number of directors) may be elected only for a term expiring at the next Annual
Meeting.
Regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Directors are currently held
seven times each year, and additional special meetings are called whenever
necessary. In 1997 there were 11 meetings of the Board, and each of the
directors attended at least 89% of the aggregate of the meetings of the Board
and Committees of the Board of which they are members. The average attendance of
all directors at such meetings was 96%.
The Board's current policy is to consider dividend action in March, June,
September, and December.
The Board of Directors has established an Audit Committee, a Committee on
Directors, an Executive Committee, a Finance Committee and a Personnel and
Compensation Committee. Except for Michael D. Lockhart, who serves on the
Executive Committee, the directors serving on these committees are non-employee
directors.
The members of the Audit Committee are Ursula F. Fairbairn (Chairman), H.
Kent Bowen, Van C. Campbell and Robert D. Kennedy. This Committee discusses
audit and financial reporting matters with both management and the Corporation's
independent auditors. Its duties include reviewing the Corporation's accounting
and financial systems and internal controls, reviewing the Corporation's
internal controls and procedures to assure adherence to proper standards of
business conduct and evaluating and making recommendations concerning the
appointment of the independent auditors. The Audit Committee met three times in
1997.
The members of the Committee on Directors are Ronald E. Ferguson (Chairman),
Michael A. Carpenter and John R. Selby. The Chairman of the Committee on
Directors would serve as acting Chairman of the Board of Directors if the
Chairman of the Board were to be incapacitated. The Chairman of the Committee on
Directors is also authorized to call meetings of the Board of Directors if the
non-employee directors consider it appropriate to meet without employee
directors. The Committee on Directors makes recommendations to the Board with
regard to Committee structure, compensation and benefits for directors, and
nominations of directors. At least every other year, the Committee on Directors
reviews the Corporation's corporate governance policies and the operations and
processes of the Board. The Committee on Directors recommended that the Board
nominate the three persons whose names and biographical summaries appear on
succeeding pages for election as directors. The Committee on Directors met three
times in 1997.
The members of the Executive Committee are Van C. Campbell, Ursula F.
Fairbairn, Ronald E. Ferguson, Michael D. Lockhart and John R. Selby. The
Executive Committee has the authority to exercise in the interim periods between
meetings of the Board of Directors all of the rights, powers and duties of the
Board of Directors, except those that cannot lawfully be delegated. The
Executive Committee did not meet in 1997.
6
<PAGE>
The members of the Finance Committee are Van C. Campbell (Chairman), H. Kent
Bowen and Michael A. Carpenter. The Finance Committee reviews policies and
practices of the Corporation affecting its financial structure and position,
including debt-to-capital ratio, valuation methodology for acquisitions,
divestitures and other capital appropriations, financing strategy, dividend
policy and budgets. In addition, the Committee reviews the discharging of
management's fiduciary duties for asset management of employee benefit plans.
The Finance Committee met four times in 1997.
The members of the Personnel and Compensation Committee are John R. Selby
(Chairman), Ursula F. Fairbairn, Ronald E. Ferguson and Robert D. Kennedy. The
Personnel and Compensation Committee reviews the performance of the Chief
Executive Officer and approves the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer
and the officers reporting to him. The Committee oversees the Corporation's
executive succession plans. The Committee administers the stock incentive plans
and the incentive compensation plans applicable to key executives of the
Corporation. It reviews employee benefit plans introductions and amendments that
require Board approval and the discharging of management's fiduciary duties for
the administration of employee benefit plans. The Personnel and Compensation
Committee met five times in 1997.
Any shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting may nominate persons for
election as directors if written notice of such intent is delivered or mailed,
postage prepaid, and received by the Secretary of the Corporation at the
principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than 45 days nor more
than 60 days prior to such meeting. In the event that public disclosure of the
meeting date is made to shareholders less than 55 days prior to the meeting
date, or if the only public disclosure of the meeting date is made by written
notice, a shareholder's notice must be received no later than the close of
business on the tenth day following the day such notice of the meeting date was
mailed or public disclosure was made. The shareholder notice must include the
following information about the proposed nominee: (a) name, age, and business
and residence addresses; (b) principal occupation or employment; (c) class and
number of shares or securities of the Corporation beneficially owned; and (d)
any other information required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies
pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
including the proposed nominee's written consent to being named in the proxy and
to serving if elected. The notice must also include information on the
shareholder making the nomination, such as name and address as it appears on the
Corporation's books and the class and number of shares of the Corporation
beneficially owned. The nomination of any person not made in compliance with the
foregoing procedures shall be disregarded.
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
Employee directors receive no fees or compensation for services as members
of the Board of Directors. Directors who are not employees currently receive
fees consisting of an annual retainer of $25,000 for Board service and an annual
retainer of $3,000 for each Board Committee of which the director is Chairman.
In addition, each non-employee director receives an attendance fee of $1,200 for
each Board meeting attended, $1,000 for each Board Committee meeting attended,
as well as reimbursement for expenses incurred in connection with such meetings.
Under the Corporation's 1997 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan (the
"Directors' Plan"), commencing with the 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders,
each director of the Corporation who is not an officer or employee of the
Corporation or any of its subsidiaries and who has been elected, re-elected or
is continuing as a member of the Board of Directors (each, an "Eligible
Director") following an applicable
7
<PAGE>
Annual Meeting of Shareholders may receive, as of the date of each such meeting,
a non-qualified stock option to purchase such number of shares as shall be
determined (commencing in 1998) by the Committee on Directors. The Directors'
Plan provided for a grant to each Eligible Director of a non-qualified stock
option to purchase 2,000 shares of Common Stock as of the date of the 1997
Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Directors' Plan provides that the purchase
price of the Common Stock under all options granted under the Directors' Plan
shall be equal to 100% of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date
of grant and that all such options be exercisable in full as of the date of
grant.
The Corporation has a Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors which permits
the voluntary deferral of all or part of the compensation received for services
as a director. Compensation so deferred may be denominated in dollar amounts or
in units based on the value of shares of Common Stock of the Corporation.
Share-denominated accounts are credited with dividends when paid, and dollar
amounts bear interest based on the annual yield for long-term U.S. government
bonds. Deferred amounts become payable in cash either in a lump sum equal to the
value of the director's account or in installments over such period and
commencing at such time as the director may elect. Six directors elected to
defer compensation for 1997 under this Plan.
The Corporation pays the premiums on indemnity and liability insurance,
fiduciary insurance and business travel accident insurance policies which
provide coverage for the directors.
Directors are among those at the Corporation eligible to participate in the
Corporation's Matching Gifts Program. Under this program, a gift of a minimum of
$25 and a maximum of $5,000 per eligible educational institution or health and
human service organization is matched by the Corporation. The maximum
permissible annual participation per individual is $5,000.
As part of the Corporation's support for charitable institutions and to
attract and retain directors of the highest caliber, the Corporation maintains a
Directors' Charitable Award Program that permits each director to recommend
charitable institutions which would share in a contribution of $100,000 per year
for ten years following the director's death. A recommended institution must
qualify to receive tax-deductible donations under the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"), be eligible to receive matching gifts under the
Corporation's Matching Gifts Program, and be approved by the Committee on
Directors. The program has been funded in part by life insurance policies, but
no premiums were paid in 1997. The insurance proceeds and charitable deductions
accrue solely to the benefit of the Corporation. On March 19, 1998, the
Charitable Award Program was terminated with respect to all persons who are
thereafter first elected to serve as Directors.
8
<PAGE>
PROPOSAL 1--ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
At the meeting, three directors are to be elected to hold office until the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in the year 2001. Each of the nominees
are currently directors. There is no cumulative voting, and directors will be
elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting either in person
or by proxy. The remaining directors of the Corporation will continue to serve
in accordance with their previous election or appointment.
Unless authority is withheld by the shareholders, it is the intention of the
persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote for the nominees listed and, in the
event any nominees are unable or decline to serve, to vote for the balance of
the nominees and for substitutes selected by the Board of Directors. The name,
principal occupation and other information concerning each director are set
forth below.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE NOMINEES.
NOMINEES FOR WHOM PROXIES
WILL BE VOTED
NOMINEES FOR DIRECTORS FOR
TERMS TO EXPIRE IN 2001
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
H. KENT BOWEN
Director Since: March 1996
Age: 56
Professor of Technology and Operations Management, Harvard University,
Graduate School of Business Administration since July 1992 and was
appointed the William Barclay Harding Professor of Business
Administration in 1993. Previously, from 1970 to 1992, Dr. Bowen was a
member of the faculty of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Also
a director of Ceramics Process Systems Corporation.
MICHAEL D. LOCKHART
Director Since: 1994
Age: 48
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since October 1995, President and
Chief Operating Officer and director of the Corporation from October
1994 to October 1995. Previously Vice President and General Manager from
1992 to 1994 of Commercial Engines and Services, a business of General
Electric Company that manufactures and services commercial aircraft
engines; Vice President and General Manager of Transportation Systems
from 1989 to 1992; Vice President, Finance and Business Development, GE
Aircraft Engines from 1987 to 1989; and previously held various other
management positions after joining General Electric Company in 1981.
Previously a Vice President and director of The Boston Consulting Group.
</TABLE>
9
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
URSULA F. FAIRBAIRN
Director Since: 1995
Age: 55
Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Quality of American
Express Company since December 1996. Previously Senior Vice President of
Human Resources from 1990 to 1996 of Union Pacific Corporation; and
previously IBM Director of Education and Management Development of IBM
Corporation from 1987 to 1990; and held various other management
positions, including Vice President Marketing Operations, since joining
IBM Corporation in 1966. Also a director of VF Corporation.
</TABLE>
DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS OF OFFICE
DO NOT EXPIRE AT THIS MEETING
CONTINUING DIRECTORS WHOSE
TERMS EXPIRE IN 2000
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
VAN C. CAMPBELL
Director Since: 1992
Age: 59
Vice Chairman, Finance and Administration, since 1983 and a director of
Corning Incorporated. Previously Senior Vice President and General
Manager--Consumer Products Division from 1981 to 1983, Senior Vice
President--Finance from 1980 to 1981, Vice President--Finance from 1975
to 1980, Vice President--Treasurer from 1972 to 1975 and previously held
various management positions since joining Corning Incorporated in 1965.
Also a director of Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Covance, Inc., Dow
Corning Corporation and Quest Diagnostics, Incorporated.
MICHAEL A. CARPENTER
Director Since: September 1996
Age: 51
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Travelers Life and
Annuity Company since 1995. He also serves as Executive Vice President
of Travelers Group, Inc. Previously held various management positions
with General Electric Company from 1986 to 1994, including Chairman of
the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Kidder, Peabody
Group, Inc., Executive Vice President of GE Capital, and Vice
President--Business Development of General Electric Company. Previously
a Vice President of The Boston Consulting Group. Also a director of
ProSource, Inc.
</TABLE>
10
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ROBERT D. KENNEDY
Director Since: October 1996
Age: 65
Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 1986 to 1995 of Union
Carbide Corporation. Previously President of Union Carbide Corporation,
responsible for the Chemicals and Plastics Group from 1985 to 1986; and
previously held various other management positions since joining Union
Carbide Corporation in 1955. Also a director of Birmingham Steel
Corporation, Kmart Corporation, Sun Company, Inc., UCAR International
Inc., Union Carbide Corporation, Union Camp Corporation and Lion Ore
Mining International Ltd.
</TABLE>
CONTINUING DIRECTORS WHOSE
TERMS EXPIRE IN 1999
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
RONALD E. FERGUSON
Director Since: 1986
Age: 56
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of General Re Corporation since
1987; and previously held various other management positions since
joining General Re Corporation/General Reinsurance Corporation in 1969.
Also a director of Colgate- Palmolive Company.
JOHN R. SELBY
Director Since: 1986
Age: 68
Former Chairman from 1986 to November 1993 and Chief Executive Officer
from 1971 to November 1993 of SPS Technologies, Inc. Previously
President and Chief Executive Officer of SPS Technologies, Inc. from
1971 to 1986; President of U.S. Motors Division of Emerson Electric
Company from 1969 to 1971; Vice President-- Manufacturing of Emerson
Electric Company from 1968 to 1969; and Vice President--European
Operations of The Trane Company from 1966 to 1968.
</TABLE>
11
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following disclosure and discussion of executive compensation is
intended to provide shareholders with an understanding of the Corporation's
executive compensation program and actions affecting the compensation of the
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Included are:
- the Summary Compensation Table;
- the Options Grants Table;
- the Option Exercises and Year-End Value Table;
- the Pension Plan Table;
- the Performance Graph on Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Total Return
among General Signal Corporation, the Standard & Poors ("S&P") 500 Index
and the S&P Cap Goods Index; and
- the Report of the Personnel and Compensation Committee on Executive
Compensation.
12
<PAGE>
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table shows compensation information for the Corporation's
Chief Executive Officer and the four other highest paid executive officers for
services rendered to the Corporation in all capacities during 1997, 1996 and
1995.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL COMPENSATION LONG TERM COMPENSATION
AWARDS
OTHER
ANNUAL
COMPEN- RESTRICTED ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL SATION STOCK AWARDS OPTION COMPENSATION
POSITION YEAR SALARY ($) BONUS ($)(1) ($) ($)(2) GRANTS (#) ($)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Michael D. Lockhart 1997 $ 681,385 $ 404,300 $115,390(3) -- 100,000(4) $ 6,400(5)
Chairman of the Board and 46,295(6)
Chief Executive Officer 1996 652,308 636,000 -- -- 100,000(4) 6,000(5)
29,692(6)
1995 610,000 300,000 -- $4,015,625 100,000(4) 36,400(6)
Terence D. Martin 1997 468,862 222,300 -- 50,000(4) 6,400(5)
Executive Vice President 26,426(6)
and Chief Financial Officer 1996 451,000 351,800 -- -- 50,000(4) 27,880(6)
1995 373,731 246,000 -- 335,000 78,000(4) 12,615(6)
Ernest R. Verebelyi(7) 1997 251,616 100,300 -- -- 21,000(4) 12,233(6)
Executive Vice President - 1996 39,423 254,200 -- 210,000 17,000(4) --
Operations
Joanne L. Bober(8) 1997 230,531 91,100 -- 212,500 28,000(4) 1,906(5)
Senior Vice President, 7,315(6)
General Counsel
and Secretary
Elizabeth D. Conklyn 1997 210,677 83,300 -- -- 16,000(4) 6,400(5)
Senior Vice President - 6,503(6)
Human Resources 1996 191,154 111,900 -- -- 12,000(4) 7,646(6)
1995 29,231 -- -- 163,750 5,000(4) --
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
NOTES:
(1) Bonuses represent the amount paid for services rendered during the specified
calendar year. Such payments are made in the first quarter of the calendar
year following the year in which the compensation was earned. $200,000 of
the 1996 bonus paid to Mr. Verebelyi was in consideration of his
commencement of employment in November 1996.
(FOOTNOTES CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)
13
<PAGE>
(FOOTNOTES CONTINUED FROM PRECEDING PAGE)
(2) During 1997, 1996 and 1995, an aggregate of 202,826 shares of restricted
stock was awarded to certain employees, including 125,000 shares to Mr.
Lockhart in connection with his employment; 10,000 shares to Mr. Martin;
5,000 shares to Mr. Verebelyi; 5,000 shares to Ms. Bober; 5,000 shares to
Ms. Conklyn; and 52,826 shares to three current executive officers not named
in the Summary Compensation Table and other employees (including former
executive officers and employees). The awards granted in 1997, 1996 and 1995
vest at certain rates over three-, four- or five-year periods except for Mr.
Lockhart's restricted stock grant which vests based on certain Corporation
performance criteria and the lapse of time (26,000 shares on September 1,
1995; 18,000 shares on September 1, 1996; 13,000 shares on September 1,
1999; and 68,000 shares on March 25, 2014). During the restricted period,
the holders of restricted stock have the right to vote the shares and to
receive any cash dividends. The aggregate number of restricted shares held
and their value as of December 31, 1997 were as follows: Mr. Lockhart,
81,000 shares/$3,417,188; Mr. Martin, 10,000 shares/$421,875; Mr. Verebelyi,
3,334 shares/ $140,653; Ms. Bober, 5,000 shares/$210,938; Ms. Conklyn, 5,000
shares/$210,938; and three current executive officers not named in the
Summary Compensation Table and other employees, 45,008 shares/$1,898,775.
The restricted stock agreements for the executive officers and certain other
corporate employees generally provide that immediately preceding a Change in
Control (as defined in such agreements), the unvested restricted stock will
be forfeited, and the holder will be paid cash equal to the product of the
number of shares of unvested restricted stock and the Change in Control
price. Payment on the unvested stock will be made on the earlier of the
vesting schedule dates under the restricted stock agreements or immediately
in the event of Involuntary Termination, as defined in the agreements.
(3) Represents the value of perquisites provided to or paid on behalf of Mr.
Lockhart, including $87,268 for country club membership dues and fees.
(4) During 1997, 1996 and 1995, an aggregate of 1,558,615 shares subject to
stock options was granted to executive officers and other employees. All are
exercisable at a price equal to 100% of the fair market value on the date of
grant and are subject to four- or five-year vesting schedules. The
Corporation has never repriced stock options, and the Corporation's 1996
Stock Incentive Plan prohibits the repricing of stock options.
The stock option agreements for the executive officers and certain other
corporate employees generally provide that immediately preceding a Change in
Control (as defined in such agreements), the stock options will be cancelled
and the optionee will be paid cash equal to the difference between the
option price and the Change in Control price. Payment for vested options
will be made on the date of the Change in Control.
Payment for unvested options will be made on the earlier of the vesting
schedule dates under the option agreements or immediately in the event of
Involuntary Termination, as defined in the agreements.
(5) Represents the Corporation's matching contributions under the Savings Plan
which are invested in the various investment funds available under such plan
at the employee's discretion. Under the Savings Plan, eligible employees may
save between 1% and 17% of their pay on a combined before- and after-tax
basis subject to varying limitations on contributions to ensure compliance
with the Code. The Corporation match is 100% of the employee contribution up
to 3% of the employee's pay and 50% of amounts contributed by the employee
in excess of 3% of the employee's pay, but not greater than 5%.
(FOOTNOTES CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)
14
<PAGE>
(FOOTNOTES CONTINUED FROM PRECEDING PAGE)
- ------------------------
(6) Represents the Corporation's matching contributions under the Corporation's
Deferred Compensation Plan. The Deferred Compensation Plan offers key
executives the choice to defer cash compensation on a pre-tax basis to make
up benefits (including matching contributions) lost due to restrictions on
the Savings Plan imposed by the Code.
(7) Ernest R. Verebelyi first became an executive officer of the Corporation in
November 1996.
(8) Joanne L. Bober first became an executive officer of the Corporation in
January 1997.
15
<PAGE>
OPTION GRANTS TABLE
The following table shows the individual grants of options that were made in
1997 to each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table
and the potential value at stock price appreciation rates of 5% and 10% over the
term of the options. These rates of appreciation are required to be disclosed by
the Securities and Exchange Commission and are not intended to forecast possible
future actual appreciation, if any, in the Corporation's stock prices. The
actual value of the stock options to the executive officers will depend on the
future price of the Corporation's Common Stock. The stock options will have no
value to the executive officers if the price of the Corporation's Common Stock
does not increase above the exercise price of the option.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE AT
ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK
PRICE
APPRECIATION FOR OPTION TERM
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS (2)
NUMBER
OF SECURITIES % OF TOTAL
UNDERLYING OPTIONS
OPTIONS GRANTED TO EXERCISE OR
GRANTED EMPLOYEES IN BASE PRICE EXPIRATION
NAME (#)(1) 1997 ($/SH) DATE 5%($) 10%($)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Michael D. Lockhart 100,000 20.3% $ 45.75 6-19-07 $2,877,193 $7,291,371
Terence D. Martin 50,000 10.1 45.75 6-19-07 1,438,596 3,645,686
Ernest R. Verebelyi 16,000 3.2 45.75 6-19-07 460,351 1,166,619
5,000 1.0 40.13 12-11-07 126,188 319,784
Joanne L. Bober 16,000 3.2 45.75 6-19-07 460,351 1,166,619
12,000 2.4 42.50 1-02-07 320,736 812,809
Elizabeth D. Conklyn 16,000 3.2 45.75 6-19-07 460,351 1,166,619
</TABLE>
- ------------
NOTES:
(1) Options are exercisable at prices equal to 100% of the fair market value on
the date of grant. The options granted in 1997 may be exercised during a
period that begins one year after the date of grant and ends ten years after
the date of grant and are subject to a four-year vesting schedule.
(2) The potential value of all outstanding shares of Common Stock held by the
Corporation's shareholders as of December 31, 1997 at 5% and 10% rates of
appreciation over the same number of years (ten) as the term of the options
granted to the executive officers would be $3,235,489,225 and
$5,151,975,852, respectively, reflecting appreciation in value of such
shares over such period of $1,249,179,508 and $3,165,666,135, respectively.
16
<PAGE>
OPTION YEAR-END VALUE TABLE
The following table summarizes information as of December 31, 1997 relating
to exercised and unexercised options for each executive officer named in the
Summary Compensation Table, none of whom exercised options in 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
NUMBER OF SECURITIES IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED AT DECEMBER 31, 1997 ($)
OPTIONS HELD AT BASED ON $42.1875 CLOSING
DECEMBER 31, 1997 PER SHARE STOCK PRICE (1)
EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
NAME (#) (#) ($) ($)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Michael D. Lockhart 183,000 297,000 $1,075,523 $ 877,328
Terence D. Martin 51,500 126,500 236,531 259,969
Ernest R. Verebelyi 4,250 33,750 797 12,678
Joanne L. Bober 0 28,000 0 0
Elizabeth D. Conklyn 5,500 27,500 26,406 32,031
</TABLE>
- ------------
NOTE:
(1) Market value of shares of Common Stock at December 31, 1997 minus the
exercise price.
17
<PAGE>
PENSION PLAN TABLE
The following table shows the estimated annual retirement benefits payable
based on the formula under the Corporate Retirement Plan of General Signal
Corporation (the "Corporate Retirement Plan") and the Benefit Equalization Plan.
This table assumes the normal retirement age of 65 for specified earnings and
years of service, and that the employee will elect a straight-life annuity
rather than one of the various survivor options. The annual retirement benefits
payable under any alternative survivor option will be lower than the amounts
shown in the table.
As permitted by the Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended, to the extent that benefits must be reduced under the
Corporate Retirement Plan due to limitations prescribed under Sections
401(a)(17) and 415 of the Code, the Corporation is authorized to pay retirement
benefits out of the general funds of the Corporation under a non-qualified
Benefit Equalization Plan. Benefits are calculated to equal the reduction.
Amounts shown are the benefits based on the current Covered Compensation
amount of $29,400 applicable to 1997. Earnings covered by the Corporate
Retirement Plan and the Benefit Equalization Plan for the executive officers
named in the Summary Compensation Table correspond with the combination of
salary and bonus shown in the Summary Compensation Table. Benefits for eligible
employees are computed under a formula integrated with Social Security based
upon years of service and average earnings during the five consecutive years of
highest earnings during the employee's service with the Corporation.
ESTIMATED ANNUAL RETIREMENT BENEFITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AVERAGE TOTAL PROJECTED YEARS OF SERVICE
ANNUAL ----------------------------------------------------------------------
EARNINGS 10 15 20 25 30 35
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$200,000............... $ 28,530 $ 45,295 $ 62,060 $ 78,825 $ 95,590 $110,590
400,000............... 58,530 92,795 127,060 161,325 195,590 225,590
600,000............... 88,530 140,295 192,060 243,825 295,590 340,590
800,000............... 118,530 187,795 257,060 326,325 395,590 455,590
1,000,000............. 148,530 235,295 322,060 408,825 495,590 570,590
1,200,000............. 178,530 282,795 387,060 491,325 595,590 685,590
1,400,000............. 208,530 330,295 452,060 573,825 695,590 800,590
1,600,000............. 238,530 377,795 517,060 656,325 795,590 915,590
</TABLE>
- ------------
NOTE:
(1) As of December 31, 1997, the years of credited service for the executive
officers named in the Summary Compensation Table were as follows: 4.833
years for Michael D. Lockhart; 5.750 years for Terence D. Martin; 1.750
years for Ernest R. Verebelyi; 1.5 years for Joanne L. Bober; and 3.167
years for Elizabeth D. Conklyn. The foregoing years of credited service
include additional periods of service for Michael D. Lockhart, Ernest R.
Verebelyi, Joanne L. Bober and Elizabeth D. Conklyn (1.5 years for each year
of employment), Terence D. Martin (2.0 years for each year of employment),
and, in the case of Michael D. Lockhart, pension benefits from his previous
employer will be offset against the pension benefits payable to him by the
Corporation.
18
<PAGE>
Each of the executive officers of the Corporation have entered into a Change
in Control Employment Agreement with the Corporation which provides that in the
event of a Change of Control (as defined in such agreements) such executive
officers shall be entitled to (i) continuation of employment (subject to
termination for Cause (as defined)) by the Corporation for three years at a base
annual salary 12 times the highest monthly salary earned in the 12 months
preceding the Change in Control, (b) an annual bonus award equal to the
executive officer's target bonus under the Corporation's Annual Incentive Plan
for the fiscal year during which the Change in Control occurs, or, if no target
bonus has been established, the target bonus for the most recent completed
fiscal year before the Change in Control, (c) continued participation in all
incentive, savings and retirement plans and welfare benefit plans and
reimbursement of expenses, fringe benefits, office and support staff and
vacation time upon no less favorable terms than (i) the most favorable terms in
effect at any time during the 120 day period preceding the Change in Control or
(ii) other more favorable terms offered to other peer executives after the
Change in Control, and (d) subject to certain limitations and conditions, such
sums as are necessary for the executive officer to meet any federal excise and
other taxes payable by the executive due to the payment of benefits under the
agreement having been contingent upon a Change in Control.
The Corporation has an agreement with Michael D. Lockhart, who became
President and Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation and a member of the
Board of Directors on October 3, 1994. Subsequently, he became Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer on October 19, 1995. In connection with his
employment, the Corporation established an unfunded deferred compensation
account in the amount of $711,900 on January 2, 1995, designed to yield
$2,100,000 at age 62 (year 2011) calculated at a 7% rate. After seven years, 10%
of the principal will vest each year, and a full payment of the principal and
interest will be available at age 62.
19
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE GRAPH ON COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR
CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN AMONG
GENERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION, THE S&P 500 INDEX AND
THE S&P CAP GOODS INDEX
The following graph sets forth a five-year comparison of total cumulative
return for the Common Stock of the Corporation ("GSX"), the S&P 500 ("S&P 500")
Index and the S&P Cap Goods Index ("S&P CAP GOODS"). It assumes $100.00 invested
on December 31, 1991 in the Common Stock of the Corporation, the S&P 500 Index
and the S&P Cap Goods Index. Total return assumes the reinvestment of dividends
quarterly and a fiscal year ending December 31.
EDGAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA POINTS USED IN PRINTED GRAPHIC
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GSX S&P CAP GOODS S&P 500
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Dec-92 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00
Dec-93 $115.02 $113.93 $110.08
Dec-94 $110.22 $122.71 $111.53
Dec-95 $114.25 $164.52 $153.45
Dec-96 $154.74 $217.15 $186.68
Dec-97 $156.35 $275.15 $251.63
</TABLE>
THE ABOVE PERFORMANCE GRAPH ON COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL
RETURN AND THE FOLLOWING REPORT OF THE PERSONNEL AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION SHALL NOT BE DEEMED "SOLICITING MATERIAL" OR INCORPORATED
BY REFERENCE INTO ANY OF THE CORPORATION'S FILINGS WITH THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION.
20
<PAGE>
REPORT OF THE PERSONNEL AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
INTRODUCTION
The Personnel and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the
"Committee") administers the incentive compensation and stock incentive plans
applicable to key executives of the Corporation. The Committee is composed
solely of four independent directors. The Committee reviews and approves the
compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and the executive officers reporting
to him and submits such approval to the Board for ratification. In addition, the
Committee reviews and approves the compensation of unit presidents.
The Corporation's compensation philosophy is based on the belief that
compensation should be linked with business strategy and operating performance.
The total compensation program is designed to attract, retain and reward
employees and to provide an appropriate link between executive compensation and
the creation of shareholder value.
COMPENSATION REVIEW
The Committee periodically uses the services of independent compensation
consultants to evaluate the total compensation package of the Chief Executive
Officer and other senior executive. The companies used for comparison are
comparable in size, structure, product offerings, or location and participate in
national compensation databases which permit comparisons on an ongoing basis.
These companies are generally represented in the S&P Cap Goods Index with the
exception of certain organizations whose activities the Committee believes are
particularly relevant for comparison to the Corporation.
After review of these and other compensation resources, the Committee and
Board concluded that the Corporation's compensation package and processes were
competitive and appropriate. Based on this review and recommendations for
officers and unit presidents submitted by the Chief Executive Officer, base
salary recommendations for 1997 were developed.
The financial performance of the Corporation influenced the 1997 salary
changes in the cases of the Chief Executive Officer and the executive staff. The
Committee also weighed factors such as demonstrated management ability,
initiative and strategic contributions.
SENIOR EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN AND THE INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
The Chief Executive Officer and other individuals who are named in the
Summary Compensation Table are eligible to participate in the shareholder
approved Senior Executive Compensation Plan. Awards under this Plan are based
solely on the achievement of financial objectives and will be treated as
performance-based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code,
thereby qualifying for exclusion under the $1 million limitation on
deductibility of executive compensation.
Under this Plan, each participant will be eligible to receive a share of an
incentive compensation pool; however, the Committee will have full discretion to
reduce or eliminate the share for any participant for any plan year.
The incentive compensation pool for any plan year will equal 5% of operating
earnings of the Corporation for that plan year, as reported in the Corporation's
financial statements included in the
21
<PAGE>
Corporation's Annual Report to Shareholders. The actual awards determined by the
Committee for 1997 under this Plan were limited to the actual awards that were
determined under the Corporation's Incentive Compensation Plan.
Under the Corporation's Incentive Compensation Plan, executive officers and
other key employees of the Corporation may be awarded bonuses determined
annually by the Committee.
The Committee sets target awards using information from peer group and
national compensation surveys, approves corporate and business unit performance
goals, and approves the annual awards for executive officers, including the
Chief Executive Officer.
The bases for award payments to be made out of the 1997 incentive
compensation pool were corporate and business unit performance as measured by
economic value added (EVA-Registered Trademark-*), which equals the dollar
amount arrived at by taking net operating profit after tax, adjusting for
certain noncash elements included therein, and subtracting a charge for the use
of capital needed to generate that profit. The bonuses awarded to the executive
officers reflect the level of achievement of consolidated performance goals, and
the bonuses awarded to unit presidents reflect the performance of the individual
units.
STOCK OPTION/RESTRICTED STOCK
The granting of stock options and restricted stock is intended to create
long-term incentives to increase shareholder value and to recognize important
individual contributions.
The Committee approved stock option grants to executive officers, unit
presidents and other key executives in 1997. To determine grant levels,
competitive data from industry, peer group and national surveys of long-term
incentive plans were examined. The Committee also awarded an aggregate of 25,000
shares of restricted stock to key executives in 1997.
STOCK OWNERSHIP GUIDELINES
In 1993, the Committee established ownership guideline levels of the
Corporation's stock for senior management. Shares held by an individual
directly, shares held indirectly in the Corporation's Savings Plan and "phantom
stock units" held under the Deferred Compensation Plan are included in meeting
the ownership goal. The Committee has also authorized a replacement ("reload")
provision for unexercised stock options to encourage the early exercise and
holding of stock option shares by executives subject to ownership guidelines.
However, shares subject to unexercised stock options are not included in meeting
the ownership goal.
CEO COMPENSATION
The Committee reviewed the performance of Michael D. Lockhart, Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, for 1997 and approved his salary and incentive
compensation. His salary was increased 4.5% to $681,385. Mr. Lockhart's
incentive compensation was $404,300 which was determined on the basis of the
level of achievement of consolidated EVA. Mr. Lockhart's salary was determined
on the basis of the factors previously outlined on page 20; in addition, the
Committee took into account the Corporation's improvements in operating margin
and management processes.
- ------------------------
* EVA is a registered trademark of Stern Stewart & Co.
22
<PAGE>
In 1997, the Committee also granted Mr. Lockhart an option to purchase
100,000 shares of Common Stock at a price equal to 100% of the fair market price
on the date of grant and subject to a four-year vesting schedule.
COMMITTEE CONCLUSION
The Committee believes that the caliber and motivation of the Corporation's
employees and the quality of the Corporation's leadership determine the
Corporation's long-term performance. The Committee further believes that it is
in the shareholders' interests to compensate executives well when performance
meets or exceeds the high standards set by the Board, so long as there is an
appropriate downside risk to compensation when performance falls short of such
high standards. The Committee was satisfied with the Corporation's progress for
1997 and believes that the compensation paid was consistent with the
Corporation's philosophy of linking executive compensation with the creation of
shareholder value.
This report is respectfully submitted by the Committee, composed of:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
John R. Selby, Ronald E. Ferguson
Chairman Robert D. Kennedy
Ursula F. Fairbairn
</TABLE>
23
<PAGE>
PROPOSAL 2--AUTHORIZATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors recommends that Ernst & Young LLP be appointed as
independent auditors for 1998. Submission of the selection to shareholders is
not required. The Board of Directors will reconsider the selection if it is not
approved by a majority of all the votes cast at the meeting in person or by
proxy.
Ernst & Young LLP has served as the Corporation's independent auditors since
1992. It is expected that representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will be present
at the Annual Meeting with the opportunity to make a statement, if they desire
to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
During 1997, Ernst & Young LLP performed various professional services in
connection with its audit of the financial statements of the Corporation and its
consolidated subsidiaries, including assistance and consultation in connection
with filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, audits of certain
employee benefit plan financial statements, attendance at Audit Committee
meetings and consultation in connection with various business, accounting and
tax matters.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF
THE PROPOSAL TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO APPOINT ERNST & YOUNG LLP TO
SERVE AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR 1998.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the
Corporation's executive officers and directors and persons who own more than 10%
of a registered class of the Corporation's equity securities to file initial
reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC") and the New York Stock Exchange. Such officers, directors and
shareholders are required by the SEC regulations to furnish the Corporation with
copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on a review of the
copies of such forms furnished to the Corporation and written representations
from the Corporation's executive officers and directors, all persons subject to
the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) filed the required reports on a
timely basis, except that Donald J. Noonan, an executive officer, failed to file
a Form 5 in 1997 reporting the grant in September 1996 of an option exercisable
for 12,000 shares of Common Stock. The grant was subsequently reported on a Form
5 in 1998.
OTHER MATTERS
The management is not aware that any matters other than those set forth
herein will be presented for action at the Annual Meeting. However, if any other
matter should properly come before the meeting, the persons authorized by the
accompanying proxy will vote and act with respect thereto according to their
best judgment in the interests of the Corporation.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
In order for shareholder proposals for the 1999 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be eligible for inclusion in the Corporation's proxy statement,
they must be received by the Corporation at its principal office in Stamford,
Connecticut, no later than November 19, 1998.
March 19, 1998
24
<PAGE>
[LOGO]
One High Ridge Park
P.O. Box 10010
Stamford, Connecticut 06904
203-329-4100
<PAGE>
PROXY
GENERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION
ONE HIGH RIDGE PARK, P.O. BOX 10010, STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06904
PROXY/VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD
ANNUAL MEETING -- APRIL 16, 1998
This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors
The undersigned shareholder hereby appoints MICHAEL D. LOCKHART, TERENCE D.
MARTIN and JOANNE L. BOBER, and each of them, the proxies and attorneys of
the undersigned to vote all shares of Common Stock which the undersigned is
entitled to vote at the 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of General Signal
Corporation, or any adjournment thereof, upon the matters described in the
accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement, as set forth on
the reverse hereof, and in their discretion on such other business as may
properly come before the meeting or any adjournment. THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY
EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MATTER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE SHAREHOLDER. IF
NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 1 AND 2.
For Participants in the General Signal Corporation Savings and Stock
Ownership Plan or the General Signal Limited Savings and Stock Ownership Plan
(the "Plans"); As to those shares of Common Stock, if any, that are held for
me in such Plans, I instruct the Trustee of the applicable Plan to sign a
proxy for me in substantially the form set forth above and on the reverse
side. THE TRUSTEE SHALL MARK THE PROXY AS I SPECIFY. WHERE I DO NOT SPECIFY A
CHOICE, MY SHARES WILL BE VOTED IN THE SAME PROPORTION AS THE TRUSTEE VOTES
THE SHARES FOR WHICH IT RECEIVES INSTRUCTIONS. YOUR VOTING INSTRUCTIONS WILL
BE HELD IN STRICTEST CONFIDENCE.
(Continued, and to be dated and signed, on reverse side)
<PAGE>
Please mark your
[X] votes as in this 6142
example.
The Board recommends a vote FOR Proposals 1 and 2.
FOR WITHHELD
1. Election of Directors. [ ] [ ]
For, except vote withheld from the following nominee(s)
_______________________________________________________
NOMINEES: H. Kent Bowen, Ursula F. Fairbairn and Michael D. Lockhart
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
2. Approval of the appointment of Ernst & [ ] [ ] [ ]
Young LLP as the Independent Auditors of
the Corporation.
3. In accordance with their discretion on any
other matters or proposals which may
properly come before the Meeting.
Please check box if you want your voting YES NO
instructions to be confidential pursuant
to the Corporation's confidential voting [ ] [ ]
policy described in the 1998 Proxy
Statement.
Please check box if you plan to attend [ ] [ ]
Annual Meeting.
SIGNATURE(S) ______________________________________________ DATE _____________
NOTE: Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each
sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian,
please give full title as shown. Sign, date and return the Proxy Card
promptly using the enclosed envelope.
