SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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
THE C.R. GIBSON COMPANY
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE C.R. GIBSON COMPANY
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[ ] $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1),
14a-6(i)(2) or Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A.
[ ] $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act
Rule 14a-6(i)(3).
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4)
and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
________________________________
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>
C.R.GIBSON (registered trademark)
FINE GIFTS SINCE 1870
NOTICE OF 1995 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held on May 9, 1995
To the Stockholders of THE C.R. GIBSON COMPANY:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 1995 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
The C.R. Gibson Company (the Company) will be held at the Norwalk Inn &
Conference Center, 99 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut on Tuesday, May 9,
1995, at 10:00 a.m., local time, for the following purposes:
(1) To elect a Board of Directors to serve until the next annual
meeting of stockholders or until their successors are duly elected and have
qualified.
(2) To consider and act upon a proposal to ratify the appointment of
Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors for the year 1995.
(3) To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on April 3,
1995 as the record date for determining the holders of Common Stock
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting.
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting. If you expect
to attend, please so signify by checking the box on the back of the
enclosed proxy. If you are unable to attend, or if you wish to vote by
proxy, please mark, date, sign and return promptly the enclosed proxy to
the Company in the enclosed envelope. If you attend the meeting, you may
vote in person.
By Order of the Board of Directors
James M. Harrison
Dated: April 14, 1995 Secretary
THE C.R. GIBSON COMPANY
32 KNIGHT STREET
NORWALK, CT, USA 06856-5220
PHONE (203) 847-4543
FAX: (203) 847-7613
<PAGE>
1
THE C.R. GIBSON COMPANY
32 Knight Street
Norwalk, Connecticut 06856
PROXY STATEMENT
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation
by the Board of Directors of The C.R. Gibson Company (the Company) of
proxies for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be
held on May 9, 1995 at the time and place and for the purposes set forth in
the accompanying Notice of 1995 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Shares of Common Stock represented by proxy will be voted as directed
by the stockholders. Unless authorization to vote FOR the election of
directors or for any particular nominee or nominees is withheld, the shares
will be voted FOR the nominees set forth in this Proxy Statement. Where a
choice is specified with respect to Proposal 2 on a proxy, the shares
represented thereby will be voted in accordance with such specifications.
If no specification is made, such shares will be voted FOR Proposal 2.
Proxies solicited hereby may be revoked by the stockholder at any
time prior to the voting of the proxy. The proxy may be revoked by filing
with the Secretary of the Company a written revocation or a duly executed
proxy bearing a later date. Any stockholder may attend the Annual Meeting
and vote in person, whether or not he has previously given a proxy. It is
anticipated that this Proxy Statement and form of proxy will be mailed to
stockholders on or about April 14, 1995.
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
As of the close of business on April 3, 1995, the record date for
determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual
Meeting, there were 7,435,228 shares of the Company's Common Stock, par
value $0.10 per share (Common Stock), issued and outstanding. Each
stockholder present in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting will be
entitled to cast one vote for each nominee with respect to each share of
Common Stock held by him on the record date and one vote per share on each
other matter to come before the meeting. The presence of the holders of
3,717,615 shares of Common Stock, in person or by proxy, is necessary to
constitute a quorum. The Company does not have any other class of stock
outstanding. The shares represented by a proxy which is timely returned and
marked "Abstain" as to any matter as well as broker non-votes will be
considered present at the Annual Meeting and will be included in the
calculation of those shares needed to constitute a quorum. The shares
represented by such proxies, although considered present for quorum
purposes, will not be considered part of the voting power present with
respect to any proposal which is abstained from or to which the broker non-
vote relates.
To the best of the Company's knowledge, the following entity was the
beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock
at December 31, 1994.
Amount and
Nature of
Title of Name and Address of Beneficial Percent of
Class Beneficial Owner Ownership(1) Class
Common Peter B. Cannell & Co., Inc. 525,400(2) 7.1%
Stock 919 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
(1) A "beneficial owner" of a security for purposes of Rule 13d-3 under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, includes any person who,
directly or indirectly, has or shares voting power and/or investment power,
although not necessarily the economic benefit, with respect to that
security.
(2) Information shown above has been obtained from a Schedule 13G dated
February 10, 1995 containing information as of December 31, 1994, and filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such Schedule 13G states that
Peter B. Cannell & Co., Inc. has sole voting and investment power as to all
525,400 shares.
<PAGE>
2
The following is a tabulation as of March 31, 1995 of other
stockholders of the Company who owned beneficially in excess of 5%
of the Company's Common Stock determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Amount and
Nature of
Title of Name and Address of Beneficial Percent of
Class Beneficial Owner Ownership(1) Class
Common Bradford Venture Partners, L.P. 1,025,262(2) 13.8%
Stock Overseas Equity Investor
Partners, Overseas Private
Investor Partners, Bradford
Mills, Barbara M. Henagan,
Robert J. Simon, c/o Bradford
Associates, 22 Chambers Street,
Princeton, NJ 08540
Common The C.R. Gibson Company 1,035,790(3) 13.9%
Stock Employee Stock Ownership Plan
32 Knight Street
Norwalk, CT 06856
Common Robert G. Bowman 548,894(4) 7.4%
Stock 32 Knight Street
Norwalk, CT 06856
Common John G. Russell 403,082(5) 5.4%
Stock 2780 Redding Road
Fairfield, CT 06430
(1) A "beneficial owner" of a security for purposes of Rule 13d-3 includes
any person who, directly or indirectly, has or shares voting power and/or
investment power, although not necessarily the economic benefit, with
respect to that security.
(2) Of such shares 405,743, 405,743, 113,333, 20,205, 6,751 and 4,453
shares are owned directly or as trustee by Bradford Venture Partners, L.P.,
Overseas Private Investor Partners, Overseas Equity Investor Partners,
Bradford Mills, Barbara M. Henagan and Robert J. Simon, respectively. Mr.
Mills, Ms. Henagan and Mr. Simon are general partners of Bradford
Associates, which is the general partner of Bradford Venture Partners, L.P.
and Mr. Mills is Vice Chairman of the corporate general partner of Overseas
Private Investor Partners. Under an agreement with a term until November
1998 among these stockholders (excluding Overseas Equity Investor Partners)
and others, 911,929 of such shares will be voted in favor of the election
to the Board of Directors of the Company of the representatives designated
by the holders of a majority of such shares and in accordance with the
decisions of such majority on substantially all other matters submitted to
stockholders of the Company. The percentages of beneficial ownership of
Bradford Venture Partners, L.P., Overseas Private Investor Partners,
Overseas Equity Investor Partners, Mr. Mills, Ms. Henagan and Mr. Simon,
determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3, are 5.5%, 5.5%, 1.5%, 13.8%,
13.8%, and 12.3%, respectively.
(3) There are three co-trustees of The C.R. Gibson Company Employee Stock
Ownership Plan (the ESOP), who are officers of the Company: Frank A.
Rosenberry, James M. Harrison and Willard D. Finch, III. Of the shares
owned by the ESOP, 831,406 shares have been allocated to the accounts of
participants in the ESOP. The allocated shares are voted in accordance with
instructions received from participants or, as to shares for which no
instructions are received, as directed by the co-trustees. The co-trustees
also share voting power as to the 204,384 shares which have not been
allocated. The co-trustees share investment power as to all of the
1,035,790 shares owned by the ESOP. In addition, the co-trustees of the
ESOP own individually an aggregate of 173,247 shares as to which they have
sole voting and investment power including 78,460 shares which could be
acquired within 60 days upon the exercise of options and a total of 37,707
shares which have been allocated to their accounts under the ESOP as to
which they have sole voting power.
(4) These shares do not include 6,358 shares which are owned by his wife
as to which Mr. Bowman disclaims beneficial ownership.
(5) These shares do not include 7,333 shares which are owned by his wife
as to which Mr. Russell disclaims beneficial ownership.
As of March 31, 1995, the executive officers, directors, and nominees
for directors of the Company as a group (15 persons) beneficially owned an
aggregate of 2,583,339 shares (or 34.3%) of the Company's Common Stock
(including 95,161 shares which could be acquired within 60 days upon the
exercise of options). Of this total, individual members of the group have
sole voting and investment power over 1,353,693 shares and shared voting
and investment power over 1,229,646 shares. Of this total, Willard D.
Finch, III and Steven P. Mack, executive officers of the Company, owned
26,104 and 34,853 shares, respectively (including 7,100 and 15,901 shares,
respectively, which could be acquired within 60 days upon exercise of
options).The total number of shares beneficially owned by such executive
officers, directors and nominees does not include any shares owned solely
by the beneficial owner's spouse.
<PAGE>
3
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
At the Annual Meeting eleven (11) directors will be elected to the
Board of Directors to hold office until the next annual meeting of
stockholders or until their successors are duly elected and have qualified.
Certain information with respect to the nominees for election as directors
proposed by the Board of Directors is set forth below. Should any one or
more of the persons named be unable or unwilling to serve (which is not
expected), the proxies may be voted for the remaining nominees who are able
and willing to serve and may also be voted for such other person or persons
as the Board of Directors may recommend, except proxies marked to the
contrary.
A plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or
represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting shall be needed for the election
of a director, provided those shares present in person or represented by
proxy at the Annual Meeting constitute a quorum.
NAMES OF NOMINEES AND CERTAIN OTHER INFORMATION
Shares
Beneficially
Name and Year Owned
First Became Principal Occupations and and Percent
Director Other Information(1) of Class(2)
Robert G. Bowman Chairman of the Board of the 548,894
(b)(c) Company. Mr. Bowman was President (7.4%)
1947 of the Company from 1952 to 1986.
He is 73 years of age. He is a
first cousin of John G. Russell.
Joanna Bradshaw(a) Senior Vice President of 3,994
1991 Merchandising Dansk International (.05%)
Designs (housewares) 1994 to
present; President & CEO Conran's
Habitat - Retail (home furnishings)
1993 - 1994. Prior thereto
Ms. Bradshaw was President of Home
Ltd., New York, NY, (home furnishings)
1988-1993. Ms. Bradshaw is 56 years
of age.
Richard E. Cheney Financial Consultant and former 49,888
(a)(c)(d) Chairman, Hill and Knowlton, Inc. (.67%)
1985 Mr. Cheney is 73 years of age and is
a Director of Chattem, Inc., Chattanooga,
TN (manufacturer of toiletries and
proprietary drugs), and HoloPak
Technologies Inc., New Jersey (foil
stamping).
Rudolph Eberstadt, Jr. Managing Director, Investment Evaluation 96,172
(a)(c)(d) Associates, New Canaan, CT (merchant (1.3%)
1972 banking). Mr. Eberstadt is 71 years of
age.
Robert Garrett (a) President, Robert Garrett & Sons, Inc., 8,624
1987 New York, NY (merchant banking) and (.12%)
President, Ad Media Corporate Advisors
Inc., New York, NY. Mr. Garrett is 58
years of age and is also a Director of
Mickelberry Corporation, New York, NY
(holding company, advertising and
marketing).
James M. Harrison Executive Vice President - 236,707(3)
1990 Chief Operating Officer (1994), (3.2%)
Vice President - Finance of the
Company (1988), Treasurer and Secretary
(1989) Mr. Harrison is 43 years of age.
Barbara M. Henagan(a) Senior Managing Director, Bradford 1,025,262(4)
1991 Ventures Ltd., New York, NY (private (13.8%)
investment firm) since 1991; Managing
Director 1990 - 1991. General Partner,
Bradford Associates 1986-1990.
Ms. Henagan is 36 years of age, a Director
of Central Sprinkler, Pennsylvania (fire
suppression), and is also a Director of
various privately held companies.
<PAGE>
4
Shares
Beneficially
Name and Year Owned
First Became Principal Occupations and and Percent
Director Other Information(1) of Class(2)
Willard J. Overlock Partner in the law firm of Cummings 20,000
(b)(c)(d) & Lockwood, Stamford, CT, General (.27%)
1962 Counsel to the Company. Mr.
Overlock is 72 years of age.
Frank A. Rosenberry President and Chief Executive Officer 319,204(3)
(b)(c) of the Company. Joined the Company in (4.3%)
1984 1983 as a Vice President. Mr. Rosenberry
is 57 years of age.
John G. Russell (b) Consultant, Fairfield, CT. Mr. Russell 403,082
1962 is 67 years of age. From 1968 to 1987, (5.4%)
Mr. Russell was Senior Vice President -
Publisher of the Company. He is a first
cousin of Robert G. Bowman.
Robert J. Simon Senior Managing Director, Bradford 911,929(5)
(b)(c) Ventures Ltd., New York, NY (private (12.3%)
1989 investment firm) since 1991; Managing
Director 1990-1991. General Partner,
Bradford Associates 1988-1990.
Mr. Simon is 36 years of age, and also
is Chairman and a Director of HoloPak
Technologies Inc., New Jersey (foil
stamping); The Sunbelt Companies, Inc.,
Greenville, SC (home improvement
centers); ADCO Technologies, Inc.,
Jackson, Michigan (specialty chemicals)
and Tufco Technologies, Inc., Dallas,
Texas (converting and printing).
Mr. Simon is also a Director of
various privately held companies.
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, the occupations have been the principal
occupations of the named individuals for the past five years.
(2) See Note (1) on page 1 hereof for discussion of beneficial ownership.
Information as to beneficial ownership is given as of March 31, 1995.
(3) Messrs. Harrison and Rosenberry are two of the three trustees of The
C.R. Gibson Company Employee Stock Ownership Plan and share voting and
investment power over the shares owned by such Plan as described in Note
(3) to the table on page 2 hereof. Additionally of the shares represented,
11,600 shares and 59,760 shares, respectively, represent shares which may
be acquired within 60 days through the exercise of stock options by Messrs.
Harrison and Rosenberry. See Note (3) to the table on page 2 hereof.
(4) Of this total, Ms. Henagan has sole investment power over 6,751 shares
including three trusts holding an aggregate of 1,203 shares of which she is
the trustee, shared voting power over 1,025,262 shares and shared
investment power over 924,819 shares. See Note (2) to the table on page 2
hereof.
(5) Of this total, Mr. Simon has sole investment power over 4,453 shares,
shared voting power over 911,929 shares and shared investment power over
405,743 shares. See Note (2) to the table on page 2 hereof.
(a) Member of the audit committee of the Board of Directors.
(b) Member of the nominating committee of the Board of Directors.
(c) Member of the executive committee of the Board of Directors.
(d) Member of the stock option committee of the Board of Directors.
<PAGE>
5
There were five regularly scheduled and one special meeting of the
Company's Board of Directors during the last fiscal year. The Company has
an executive committee, an audit committee, a nominating committee and a
stock option committee of the Board of Directors.
The executive committee has the authority during intervals between
meetings of the Board of Directors to exercise the powers of the Board
(except for certain powers reserved solely for the Board). There were two
meetings of the executive committee in 1994.
The audit committee's principal functions are to recommend to the
Board of Directors the appointment of the independent auditors and to
review the performance and scope of audit and non-audit services to be
provided by the independent auditors. There was one meeting of the audit
committee in 1994.
The function of the nominating committee is to review and recommend to
the Board of Directors nominees for election as directors, including
incumbent directors. The nominating committee met in March 1994 and
recommended the nominees proposed by the Board for election as directors at
the 1994 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
The nominating committee will consider nominees recommended by
stockholders for election as directors at an annual meeting of stockholders
but does not intend to solicit such recommendations. In order to receive
consideration, all such recommendations must be in writing, addressed to
the Chairman of the Nominating Committee, c/o the Secretary of the Company,
and must include a reasonable amount of biographical information about the
person recommended, contain a statement as to why the stockholder believes
such person to be well qualified to serve as a director, contain the
written consent of the proposed nominee to the submission of such
information and the recommendation, and be received by the Secretary no
later than the November 30 preceding the annual meeting of stockholders for
which such person's nomination is recommended.
The principal function of the stock option committee is to administer
the 1988 Stock Option Plan for Key Employees which was adopted by the Board
of Directors in 1988 and approved by the stockholders in 1989, including
determining employees to whom options will be granted and the terms and
conditions of all option agreements. There were two meetings of the stock
option committee in 1994.
During the last fiscal year, all directors attended at least 75% of
the aggregate of all meetings of the Board of Directors and the committees
on which they served.
REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors (the Committee) with
the exception of Mr. Rosenberry, is comprised of Directors who are not
employees of the Company. The Committee is responsible for establishing and
administrating the Company's executive compensation programs. When the
Committee considers such matters, Mr. Rosenberry is recused from the
Committee's discussions.
COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY AND OBJECTIVES
The philosophy underlying the development and administration of the
Company's annual long-term compensation plans is the alignment of the
interests of executive management with those of the shareholders. Key
elements of this philosophy are:
- Providing the executive with a base salary which is competitive
with executive salaries for comparable companies in its
geographical area to enable the Company to attract and retain the
highly qualified executive officer.
- Establishing compensation plans which deliver pay commensurate with
the Company's performance, as measured by operating, financial and
strategic objectives.
- Providing significant equity-based incentives for executives to
ensure that they are motivated over the long term to respond to the
Company's business challenges and opportunities from an ownership
standpoint.
Executive base salaries are structured so that such salaries are
competitive when compared to other companies of comparable size and
geographical location. The incentive compensation or annual bonus plan is a
vehicle by which executives can earn additional compensation depending upon
Company performance relative to certain annual objectives. The key Company
objective is its relative growth and operating results which the Board of
Directors believes is critical to the Company's fundamental goal, that of
building shareholder value.
One of the Company's equity-based incentive programs is the C.R.
Gibson 1988 Employee Stock Option Plan (the Option Plan). The ultimate
value of the stock options granted to executive officers under the Option
Plan is tied to the value of the Company's Common Stock, thus providing
additional incentive for executives to build shareholder value. Options
granted under the Option Plan have an average life of eight years and vest
over five years.
<PAGE>
6
In addition to the Option Plan, the primary retirement/savings
vehicle which is Company-sponsored for executives as well as all other
full-time employees, is the ESOP. The ESOP provides for the quarterly
contribution of amounts equal to 6% of the executive's then compensation.
The proceeds of this contribution are used to purchase shares of Company
stock in the ESOP, thereby increasing the executive's ownership position in
the Company providing further incentive for the executive to build
shareholder value.
COMPANY PERFORMANCE AND CEO COMPENSATION
Over the past three years the Company has experienced only modest
growth in sales and inconsistent earnings and, as a result, under the
incentive compensation program as well as the Option Plan, the C.E.O.,
Frank A. Rosenberry, has been awarded the amounts reflected in the
following tables. During 1994, the Company experienced a large operating
loss at its Rytex subsidiary and failed to meet its financial goals (a
combination of sales, operating income and earnings per share). In light of
these circumstances, Mr. Rosenberry received no annual bonus under the
incentive compensation plan. Furthermore, Mr. Rosenberry received no salary
adjustment as of December 31, 1994 for the forthcoming year.
Members of the Executive Committee:
Robert G. Bowman, Chairman
Richard E. Cheney
Rudolph Eberstadt, Jr.
Willard J. Overlock
Frank A. Rosenberry
Robert J. Simon
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following information is furnished for the years ended December
31, 1994, 1993 and 1992 with respect to the Company's Chief Executive
Officer and each of the other executive officers of the Company during
1994, whose salary and bonus exceeded $100,000.
ANNUAL COMPENSATION
Shares
Underlying
Name and Options All Other
Principal Position Year Salary Bonus Granted Compensation(1)
Frank A. Rosbenberry 1994 $233,200 - None $16,104
Chief Executive 1993 $220,000 - 20,000 $15,448
Officer 1992 $220,000 - None $17,182
James M. Harrison 1994 $159,000 - 15,000 $11,715
Executive Vice President, 1993 $150,000 - 10,000 $11,849
Chief Operating Officer 1992 $150,000 $10,000 4,000 $12,352
Willard D. Finch, III 1994 $127,200 - None $ 9,432
Vice President 1993 $120,000 - 7,500 $ 9,600
Manufacturing 1992 $120,000 $10,000 4,000 $ 9,613
Steven P. Mack 1994 $121,900 - None $ 9,039
Vice President 1993 $115,000 - 7,500 $ 8,625
Product Development 1992 $115,000 - 4,000 $ 9,285
(1) Represents contributions by the Company in respect of the named
officer under the ESOP and the Company's Savings and Investment Plan.
<PAGE>
7
Director Compensation
Each director who is not also an employee of the Company receives a
fee of $1,000 per meeting attended of the Board of Directors of the Company
and $1,000 per meeting attended of the committees thereof on which he
serves other than the stock option committee. In addition, each director
who is not also an employee of the Company receives, at the end of each
year, shares of Common Stock of the Company having a fair market value as
of the end of that year equal to $1,000 times the number of meetings of the
Board of Directors, but not the meetings of the committees thereof,
attended during that year. Under certain circumstances Directors may
receive cash in lieu of such shares.
Other Compensation Matters
The Company has entered into Employment Agreements (as amended) with
each of Messrs. Rosenberry, Harrison, Finch and Mack pursuant to which the
Company will employ them until December 31, 1997, provided, however, that
prior to expiration of such period (i) the Company may terminate such
employee's employment for cause (as defined) or disability and (ii) such
employment will automatically terminate at death. In addition, prior to a
change in control or a potential change in control of the Company (as
defined), if any, the Company may terminate these agreements upon the
payment to the employee by the Company of twelve months' salary. If the
Company terminates the employee's employment other than for death, cause or
disability following a change in control or potential change in control,
the employee shall be entitled to a lump-sum severance payment which shall
be equal to 2.99 times the sum of (i) the employee's annual salary as of
the date of termination (as defined) and (ii) the aggregate bonus received
by such employee in respect of the three full years prior to the date of
termination divided by three. As part of the severance payment, such
employee, at his election, shall be entitled to a cash payment in respect
of all or any portion of options for shares of the Company's Common Stock
held by such employee based on the difference between the exercise price
and the value of the stock determined under a formula. The employee shall
also be entitled to such severance payment if, following a change in
control, such employee terminates his employment with the Company for good
reason (as defined). During the period of employment and thereafter, each
such employee covenants not to divulge or use, directly or indirectly, any
confidential or proprietary information with respect to the Company; each
employee also covenants not to be associated in any manner with any
competitive business within the United States during the term of the
Employment Agreement and for the year following such termination. Under
these Agreements, the current salaries per annum of Messrs. Rosenberry,
Harrison, Finch and Mack are $233,200, $175,000, $135,000, and $135,000,
respectively.
The Company has entered into a Supplementary Salary Continuance
Agreement with its Chairman, Mr. Bowman. Payments to Mr. Bowman will
terminate on December 31, 2003. The Supplementary Salary Continuance
Agreement with Mr. Bowman provides for annual payments of $52,400. In the
case of death prior to December 31, 2003, an amount equal to 50% of the
amount payable under the Supplementary Salary Continuance Agreement will be
payable to Mr. Bowman's spouse if then living.
The Company and Mr. Russell have also entered into an Agreement
whereby Mr. Russell is being paid an annual retirement allowance of $43,348
through January 31, 2008. In the event of Mr. Russell's death during the
period in which he is entitled to receive a retirement allowance, 50% of
the retirement allowance will be paid to his spouse until the earlier of
January 31, 2008 or her death.
<PAGE>
8
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following line graph compares the Company's cumulative total
shareholder return (Common Stock price appreciation plus dividends, on a
reinvested basis) over the last five fiscal years with the Standard and
Poor's 500 Index and a market value peer group.
<TABLE>
COMPARATIVE FIVE-YEAR TOTAL RETURNS(1)
THE C.R. GIBSON COMPANY, S&P 500, MARKET VALUE PEER GROUP(2)
(Performance results through 12/31/94)
<CAPTION>
Measurement Period
(Fiscal Year Covered) GIB S&P 500 Peer Group
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Measurement Pt-12/31/89 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00
FYE 12/31/90 $ 67.19 $ 96.83 $ 85.32
FYE 12/31/91 $140.06 $126.38 $107.18
FYE 12/31/92 $107.46 $136.22 $110.23
FYE 12/31/93 $132.44 $149.82 $118.52
FYE 12/31/94 $102.53 $151.81 $113.15
</TABLE>
Assumes $100 invested at the close of trading on the last trading day
preceding the first day of the fifth preceding fiscal year in GIB common
stock, S&P 500, and Market Value Peer Group.
(1) Cumulative total return assumes reinvestment of dividends.
(2) The Company does not believe it can reasonably identify an industry
peer group or a published industry or line of business index which contains
companies in a similar line of business. The market value peer group
presented consists of eighty-one companies, listed on the American Stock
Exchange, with market values similar to the Company (between $50-75
million).
Source: Frank Russell Company
STOCK OPTION PLAN
The Option Plan was approved by stockholders at the 1989 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders. Under the Option Plan options to purchase 575,896
shares have been granted, by the Stock Option Committee of the Board of
Directors, to 28 key employees of the Company. Under the Option Plan, the
option price shall not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the
Company's Common Stock on the date the option is granted. The term of each
option is for such period as the Stock Option Committee determines, but as
to any portion of an option the term may not be more than five years from
the first date of exercisability and the term of an option may not be more
than ten years. Notwithstanding the foregoing, options outstanding under
the Option Plan become immediately exercisable in full in the event of a
change in control (as defined) of the Company. In the event of termination
of employment (other than for cause (as defined)), retirement, disability
or death, an option under the Option Plan may be exercised for varying
periods of time but only to the extent exercisable at the date of
termination of employment, retirement, disability or death and in no event
after the expiration of the term of the option.
Stock Options Transactions During Last Fiscal Year
The following table contains information concerning the grant of stock
options under the Option Plan to the four executive officers of the Company
as of the end of the last fiscal year who are named in the Summary
Compensation Table:
<PAGE>
9
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
STOCK OPTION GRANTS FOR YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
Potential
Realizable Value at
Assumed Annual Rates
of Stock Price
Appreciation for
Individual Grants Stock Option Term
Number of % of Total
Shares Stock Options Exercise
Underlying Granted to or
Option Employees Base Price(3) Expiration
Name (#)(1) in 1994(2) ($/Sh) Dates 5%(4) 10%(4)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
F.A. Rosenberry None -- -- -- -- --
J.M. Harrison 15,000 60.0% $7.75 9/99-9/03 $55,504 $132,942
W.D. Finch None -- -- -- -- --
S.P. Mack None -- -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
(1) Stock options are exercisable ratably over five years, expiring five
years after the date first exercisable.
(2) A total of 25,000 stock options were granted under the Option Plan in
1994 to 2 employees of the Company.
(3) The exercise price may be paid in cash, shares of Common Stock valued
at the fair market value on the date of exercise, or pursuant to a cashless
exercise procedure under which the stock option holder provides irrevocable
instructions to a brokerage firm to sell the purchased shares and to remit
to the Company, out of the sales proceeds, an amount equal to the exercise
price plus all applicable withholding taxes.
(4) The dollar amounts under these columns are the result of calculations
at the 5% and 10% annual appreciation rates for the term of the options (8
year average life) as required by the Securities and Exchange Commission,
and, therefore, are not intended to forecast possible future appreciation,
if any, of the stock price of the Company.
During 1994 there were no stock options exercised by the four
executive officers of the Company who are named in the Summary Compensation
Table.
Aggregated Option Exercises in 1994 and Year-end Option Value Table
The following information is furnished for the year ended December 31,
1994 with respect to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and each of the
other executive officers of the Company who are named in the Summary
Compensation Table, with respect to options outstanding at December 31,
1994.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Shares Underlying Value of Unexercised
Shares Unexercised Option In-the-Money Options
Acquired Value at December 31, 1994 at December 31, 1993(1)
Name on Exercise Realized Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
F.A. Rosenberry -- -- 65,014 31,253 -- --
J.M. Harrison -- .-- 11,600 27,400 -- --
W.D. Finch -- -- 8,433 9,734 -- --
S.P. Mack -- -- 15,901 9,734 $14,450 --
</TABLE>
(1) This amount is the aggregate of the number of options multiplied by
the difference between the closing price of the Common Stock on the
American Stock Exchange on December 31,1994 minus the exercise price for
that option.
TRANSACTIONS WITH MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS
In 1992, the Company announced its intention to repurchase up to
$2,000,000 of the Common Stock. In accordance with this announced
intention, on March 18, 1994, the Company purchased 35,000 shares of Common
Stock from each of Bradford Venture Partners, L.P. and Overseas Private
Investor Partners at a price of $8 per share. On January 3, 1995 the ESOP
purchased 150,000 shares of the stock at a price of $7 per share from
Bradford Venture Partners, L.P. (75,000) and Overseas Private Investor
<PAGE>
10
Partners (75,000). The Company advanced funds to the ESOP against future
contributions to facilitate this purchase. Barbara M. Henagan and Robert J.
Simon, directors of the Company, are general partners of the general
partner of Bradford Venture Partners, L.P., and Overseas Private Investor
Partners is an affiliate of Bradford Venture Partners, L.P.
2. RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as auditors for
the year 1995 and/or until their successors are selected, subject to
stockholder ratification of such appointment. Representatives of Ernst &
Young LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting and will have an
opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and such
representatives are expected to be available to respond to appropriate
questions raised orally at the Annual Meeting or submitted in writing prior
thereto.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR RATIFICATION OF THE
APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors knows of no other matters to be voted on at the
Annual Meeting. If any other matter or matters are properly brought before
the meeting or any adjournment thereof, it is the intention of the persons
named in the accompanying form of proxy to vote such proxies in accordance
with their best judgment.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Proposals by eligible stockholders of the Company intended to be
presented at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 1996 must be
addressed to the Company at its address on the first page of this Proxy
Statement and must be received no later than December 18, 1995 for
inclusion in the Proxy Statement and form of proxy for that meeting.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES AND COST THEREOF
The cost of solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company.
Solicitation will be made initially by mail. The directors, officers and
employees of the Company may, without additional compensation, solicit
proxies by telephone, telegraph or personal contact. The Company will
reimburse brokerage firms, banks, trustees, nominees and other persons for
their out-of-pocket expenses in forwarding proxy material to the beneficial
owners of Common Stock of the Company.
THE COMPANY WILL PROVIDE WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH PERSON FURNISHED A
COPY OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT, UPON HIS OR HER WRITTEN REQUEST, A COPY OF
THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K INCLUDING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AND SCHEDULES THERETO, FOR THE COMPANY'S MOST RECENT FISCAL YEAR. SUCH
WRITTEN REQUEST MUST INCLUDE A GOOD FAITH REPRESENTATION THAT, AS OF THE
RECORD DATE SET FORTH HEREIN, THE PERSON MAKING THE REQUEST WAS A
BENEFICIAL OWNER OF SECURITIES ENTITLED TO VOTE AT THE 1995 ANNUAL MEETING
OF THE COMPANY'S STOCKHOLDERS AND MUST BE DIRECTED TO:
Mr. James M. Harrison, Secretary
The C.R. Gibson Company
32 Knight Street
Norwalk, Connecticut 06856
COPIES OF SAID FORM 10-K, FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE WILL NOT INCLUDE THE
EXHIBITS THERETO, IF ANY, BUT WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY A LIST DESCRIBING ALL
OF THE EXHIBITS NOT INCLUDED, COPIES OF WHICH WILL BE AVAILABLE AT A COST
OF ONE DOLLAR PER PAGE.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Dated: April 14, 1995 James M. Harrison
Norwalk, Connecticut Secretary
<PAGE>
11
C.R. GIBSON (Registered Trademark)
FINE GIFTS SINCE 1870
THE C.R. GIBSON COMPANY
32 KNIGHT STREET
NORWALK, CT, USA 06856-5220
PHONE (203) 847-4543
FAX: (203) 847-7613
<PAGE>
APPENDIX 1
THE C.R. GIBSON COMPANY 32 Knight Street, Norwalk, Connecticut 06856
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD MAY 9, 1995
The undersigned hereby appoints Robert G. Bowman, Frank A. Rosenberry
and James M. Harrison, and each of them, as proxies for the undersigned
with full powers of substitution to vote all shares of the Common Stock of
The C.R. Gibson Company which the undersigned may be entitled to vote at
the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of The C.R. Gibson Company to be held at
the Norwalk Inn & Conference Center, 99 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut
at 10:00 a.m., local time, on May 9, 1995 or any adjournment thereof as
follows:
1. The election of directors:
FOR all nominees listed below WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote
(except as indicated to the for nominees listed below [ ]
contrary below) [ ]
Robert G. Bowman, Joanna Bradshaw, Richard E. Cheney, Rudolph Eberstadt,
Jr., Robert Garrett, James M. Harrison, Barbara M. Henagan, Willard J.
Overlock, Frank A. Rosenberry, John G. Russell and Robert J. Simon.
(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee,
write that nominee's name in the space provided below.)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent
auditors for the year 1995.
FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN [ ]
3. In their discretion the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting of Stockholders or
any adjournment thereof.
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED
HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER.
IF NO DIRECTION IS SPECIFIED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" PROPOSALS 1
AND 2.
TO BE SIGNED AND DATED ON THE REVERSE.
<PAGE>
The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the
Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement
Signature _____________________________________________________(L.S.)
Signature _____________________________________________________(L.S.)
Dated_________________________1995 Please sign exactly as your
name(s) appears(s) hereon.
When signing as attorney,
executor, administrator,
trustee, guardian or for a
corporation, please give your
full title as such. If shares
are owned jointly, both
owners should sign.
To help our preparations
for the meeting, please
check here if you plan to
attend. [ ]
PLEASE MARK, DATE AND SIGN THIS PROXY AND
RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
