GORMAN RUPP CO
DEF 14A, 1995-03-15
PUMPS & PUMPING EQUIPMENT
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<PAGE>   1
 
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                                  SCHEDULE 14A
                                   (RULE 14A)
                    INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
          PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES
                              EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                             (AMENDMENT NO.      )
 
Filed by the Registrant  /X/
 
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  / /
 
Check the appropriate box:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                        <C>
/ /  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 sec.240.14a-11(c) or sec.240.14a-12
</TABLE>
 
                            THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY
                (NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
                                XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
    (NAME OF PERSON(S) FILING PROXY STATEMENT, IF OTHER THAN THE REGISTRANT)
 
Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):
/X/  $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:
 
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<PAGE>   2
 
                            THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY
 
                                MANSFIELD, OHIO
 
                            ------------------------
 
                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
                            ------------------------
 
     The Annual Meeting of the shareholders of The Gorman-Rupp Company will be
held at the Company's Training Center, 270 West 6th Street, Mansfield, Ohio, on
Thursday, April 20, 1995 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, for the purpose
of considering and acting upon:
 
     1. A proposal to fix the number of Directors of the Company at eight and to
        elect eight Directors to hold office until the next annual meeting of
        shareholders and until their successors are elected;
 
     2. A proposal to ratify the appointment by the Board of Directors of Ernst
        & Young LLP as independent public accountants for the Company during the
        fiscal year ending December 31, 1995; and
 
     3. Such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any
        adjournment or adjournments thereof.
 
     Holders of Common Shares of record at the close of business on March 1,
1995 are the only shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting.
 
     PLEASE PROMPTLY EXECUTE THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE (WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES), REGARDLESS
OF WHETHER YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING.
 
                                       By Order of the Board of Directors
 
                                       ROBERT E. KIRKENDALL
                                       Secretary and Assistant Treasurer
 
March 15, 1995
<PAGE>   3
 
                                PROXY STATEMENT
 
                                 MARCH 15, 1995
 
                     SOLICITATION AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES
 
     This Proxy Statement is furnished to shareholders of The Gorman-Rupp
Company in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of the
Company of proxies for use at the Annual Meeting of the shareholders to be held
at the Company's Training Center, 270 West 6th Street, Mansfield, Ohio, at 10:00
a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on Thursday, April 20, 1995. Holders of Common
Shares of record at the close of business on March 1, 1995 are the only
shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting.
 
     A shareholder, without affecting any vote previously taken, may revoke his
proxy by the execution and delivery to the Company of a later proxy with respect
to the same shares, or by giving notice to the Company in writing or in open
meeting. The presence at the Meeting of the person appointing a proxy does not
in and of itself revoke the appointment.
 
                      OUTSTANDING SHARES AND VOTING RIGHTS
 
     As of March 1, 1995, the record date for the determination of persons
entitled to vote at the Meeting, there were 8,572,871 Common Shares outstanding.
Each Common Share is entitled to one vote.
 
     The mailing address of the principal executive offices of the Company is
305 Bowman Street, Mansfield, Ohio 44903. This Proxy Statement and accompanying
proxy are being mailed to shareholders on or about March 15, 1995.
 
     If notice in writing is given by any shareholder to the President, a Vice
President or the Secretary of the Company, not less than 48 hours before the
time fixed for the holding of the Meeting, that such shareholder desires that
the voting for the election of Directors be cumulative, and if announcement of
the giving of such notice is made upon the convening of the Meeting by the
Chairman or Secretary or by or on behalf of the shareholder giving such notice,
each shareholder shall have the right to cumulate such voting power as he
possesses at such election. Under cumulative voting, a shareholder controls
voting power equal to the number of votes which he otherwise would have been
entitled to cast multiplied by the number of Directors to be elected. All of
such votes may be cast for a single nominee or may be distributed among any two
or more nominees as he may desire. If cumulative voting is invoked, and unless
contrary instructions are
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   4
 
given by a shareholder who signs a proxy, all votes represented by such proxy
will be divided evenly among the candidates nominated by the Board of Directors,
except that if so voting should for any reason not be effective to elect all of
the nominees named in this Proxy Statement, then such votes will be cast so as
to maximize the number of the Board of Directors' nominees elected to the Board.
 
                             ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
     All Directors will be elected to hold office until the next annual meeting
of shareholders and until their successors are elected and qualified. It is
intended that proxies received will be voted in favor of fixing the number of
Directors at eight and for the election of the nominees named below. Each of the
nominees is presently a Director of the Company. Dr. Lake and Mr. Watson have
been selected as nominees at the request of the Rupp family interests. Mr.
Jeffrey S. Gorman is the son of Mr. James C. Gorman.
 
     In the event that any of the nominees should become unavailable, which the
Board of Directors does not anticipate, it is intended that the proxies will be
voted in favor of fixing the number of Directors at a lesser number or for a
substitute nominee or nominees designated by the Board of Directors, in the
discretion of the persons appointed as proxy holders. The proxies may be voted
cumulatively for less than the entire number of nominees if any situation arises
which, in the opinion of the proxy holders, makes such action necessary or
desirable.
 
     Based upon information received from the respective nominees as of February
1, 1995, the following information is furnished with respect to each person
nominated for election as a Director.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        SHARES OWNED
                                         DIRECTOR       BENEFICIALLY     PERCENT OF
           NAME, AGE AND               CONTINUOUSLY      AT FEB. 1,      OUTSTANDING
      PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(1)             SINCE           1995(2)          SHARES
- - -----------------------------------    ------------     ------------     -----------
<S>                                    <C>              <C>              <C>
James C. Gorman                            1946            697,610(3)        8.13%
  Chairman and
  Chief Executive
  Officer of the Company.
  Age: 70
William A. Calhoun                         1969              3,874              *
  Retired. Formerly Senior Partner;
  Calhoun, Benzin, Kademenous &
  Heichel Co., L.P.A.; Mansfield,
  Ohio (attorneys).
  Age: 80
</TABLE>
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   5
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        SHARES OWNED
                                         DIRECTOR       BENEFICIALLY     PERCENT OF
           NAME, AGE AND               CONTINUOUSLY      AT FEB. 1,      OUTSTANDING
      PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(1)             SINCE           1995(2)          SHARES
- - -----------------------------------    ------------     ------------     -----------
<S>                                    <C>              <C>              <C>
Dr. Peter B. Lake                          1975             11,231(4)           *
  President, SRI Quality System
  Registrar, Inc. (Wexford, Penn-
  sylvania). Program Director,
  Steel Industry Supplier Audit
  Process (1991-1992); American
  Iron and Steel Institute
  (Wexford, Pennsylvania).
  Corporate Manager (1985-1991);
  National Steel Corporation
  (Pittsburgh,
  Pennsylvania). Age: 52
Burton Preston                             1975             10,444(5)           *
  President, The Purdy
  Construction Company;
  Mansfield, Ohio.
  Age: 71
John A. Walter                             1989             10,392              *
  President (since 1989) and Chief
  Operating Officer (since 1993) of
  the Company.
  Age: 61
Jeffrey S. Gorman                          1989            372,425(6)        4.34%
  Vice President of the Company;
  General Manager of the Company's
  Mansfield Division.
  Age: 42
James R. Watson                            1989             13,099(7)           *
  Owner of Print's Appeal;
  Mansfield, Ohio (publishing
  and graphics).
  Age: 47
</TABLE>
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   6
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        SHARES OWNED
                                         DIRECTOR       BENEFICIALLY     PERCENT OF
           NAME, AGE AND               CONTINUOUSLY      AT FEB. 1,      OUTSTANDING
      PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(1)             SINCE           1995(2)          SHARES
- - -----------------------------------    ------------     ------------     -----------
<S>                                    <C>              <C>              <C>
Thomas E. Hoaglin                          1993(8)           2,250(9)           *
  Chairman and Chief Executive
  Officer, Banc One Ohio
  Corporation (Columbus, Ohio).
  President and Chief Operating
  Officer, Bank One, Texas, N.A.
  (Dallas, Texas).
  Age: 45

<FN>
 
- - ---------------
 
  * Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares.
 
(1) Except as otherwise indicated, there has been no change in occupation during
    the past five years.
 
(2) Reported in accordance with the beneficial ownership rules of the Securities
    and Exchange Commission under which a person is deemed to be the beneficial
    owner of a security if he has or shares voting power or investment power in
    respect of such security. Accordingly, the amounts shown in the table do not
    purport to represent beneficial ownership for any purpose other than
    compliance with the Commission's reporting requirements. Voting power or
    investment power with respect to shares reflected in the table are not
    shared with others except as otherwise indicated.
 
(3) Includes 164,833 shares owned by Mr. Gorman's wife and 73,810 shares held in
    a trust of which Mr. Gorman is a co-trustee. Mr. Gorman has a beneficial
    interest in 54,472 of the shares held in the trust, considers that he shares
    the voting and investment power with respect to all of the foregoing shares,
    but otherwise disclaims any beneficial interest therein. The amount shown in
    the table excludes 786,235 shares beneficially owned by members of Mr.
    Gorman's immediate family and 230,892 shares held in trusts of which he and
    members of his family have beneficial interests. (54,472 of these trust
    shares are the same shares described above.) Mr. Gorman disclaims beneficial
    ownership of all of the shares referred to in this note (3).
 
(4) Includes 5,325 shares owned by Mrs. Lake as to which Dr. Lake shares voting
    and investment power. Due to a misinterpretation of the relevant procedures,
    Dr. Lake mistakenly reported four purchases (totaling 700 shares) made by
    his wife on a timely filed Form 5 instead of reporting those purchases
    earlier on two Form 4 reports.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   7
 
(5) Includes 2,587 shares owned by Mrs. Preston; Mr. Preston considers that he
    shares the voting and investment power with respect to such shares, but
    otherwise disclaims any beneficial interest therein.
 
(6) Includes 17,035 shares owned by Mr. Gorman's wife and 66,316 shares owned by
    his minor children. Mr. Gorman considers that he shares the voting and
    investment power with respect to all of the foregoing shares, but otherwise
    disclaims any beneficial interest therein. The amount shown in the table
    excludes 38,281 shares held in a trust in which Mr. Gorman has a beneficial
    interest. Mr. Gorman disclaims beneficial ownership of all of the shares
    referred to in this note (6).
 
(7) Includes 630 shares owned by Mr. Watson's wife as to which Mr. Watson shares
    voting and investment power. The amount shown in the table excludes 789
    shares owned by Mr. Watson's adult son. Mr. Watson disclaims beneficial
    ownership of all of the shares referred to in this note (7).
 
(8) Mr. Hoaglin also served as a Director of the Company from 1986 to 1989.
 
(9) Includes 900 shares as to which Mrs. Hoaglin shares voting and investment
    power.

</TABLE>
 
                  BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND DIRECTORS' COMMITTEES
 
     During 1994, a total of ten regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of
Directors and a total of six meetings of all standing Directors' Committees were
held. All Directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the total number
of meetings held by the Board of Directors and of the total number of meetings
held by the respective committees on which they served except Thomas E. Hoaglin
(58%).
 
     The Board of Directors has four committees: (1) an Audit Committee, whose
present members are Peter B. Lake (Chairman), William A. Calhoun and James R.
Watson; (2) a Salary Committee, whose present members are Burton Preston
(Chairman), Peter B. Lake and Thomas E. Hoaglin; (3) a Pension Committee, whose
present members are James R. Watson (Chairman), Peter B. Lake and William A.
Calhoun; and (4) a Nominating Committee, whose present members are William A.
Calhoun (Chairman), Burton Preston and Thomas E. Hoaglin.
 
     The Audit Committee held two meetings in 1994. Its principal functions
included reviewing the arrangement and scope of the audit, considering comments
made by the independent accountants with respect to the need to improve internal
controls, considering corrective action taken by management, reviewing internal
accounting procedures and controls with the Company's financial and accounting
staff, and reviewing non-audit services provided by the independent accountants.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   8
 
     The Salary Committee held one meeting during 1994. Its principal function
was to determine the salaries of the elected officers of the Company, subject to
approval by the Board of Directors.
 
     The Pension Committee held two meetings in 1994. Its principal function was
to monitor and assist in the investment of the assets connected with the
Company's pension plan.
 
     The Nominating Committee held one meeting during 1994. Its principal
function was to identify, evaluate and recommend individuals for nomination as
new members of the Board of Directors.
 
     The Nominating Committee has adopted procedures by which to consider
suggestions from shareholders for Director nominees. Any shareholder wishing to
propose a candidate should deliver a typewritten or legible hand written
communication to the Company's Corporate Secretary. The submission should
provide detailed business and personal biographical data about the candidate,
and include a brief analysis explaining why the individual is well-qualified to
become a Director nominee. All recommendations will be acknowledged by the
Corporate Secretary and promptly referred to the Nominating Committee for
evaluation.
 
     Each of the Directors, excepting any who are also officers, received a fee
for each of the Board of Directors meetings attended. The fee was $1,200 for
meetings held in the first quarter, and $1,400 for meetings held during the
balance of 1994. No fees were paid, however, for attendance at committee
meetings.
 
                      SHAREHOLDINGS BY EXECUTIVE OFFICERS*
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         SHARED VOTING
                                       SHARES OWNED           AND
    NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION        BENEFICIALLY     INVESTMENT POWER
- - -----------------------------------    ------------     ----------------
<S>                                    <C>              <C>
K. Jack Bargahiser                        14,767               -0-
  Vice President,
  Communications
Kenneth E. Dudley                            406               406
  Treasurer
 
<FN>

- - ---------------
 
     *The table sets forth information received from the executive officers as
of February 1, 1995, and all amounts represent less than 1% of the outstanding
shares. The shareholdings of Messrs. J. C. Gorman, J. A. Walter and J. S. Gorman
are included under the caption "Election of Directors".
 
</TABLE>

     The Company and National City Bank (Cleveland, Ohio), as administrator of
the Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan and as agent of the Company's
Dividend Reinvestment Service
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   9
 
(the "Plans"), entered into a Distribution Agreement dated as of September 23,
1994 to establish a procedure to sell certain Common Shares held in the
Company's treasury to the Plans. On December 20, 1994, the Securities and
Exchange Commission declared effective a registration statement filed by the
Company in respect of the Distribution Agreement. The registration statement,
among other things, permits the Company for a two-year period (ending December
20, 1996, unless extended) to sell up to 60,000 Common Shares held in its
treasury to the Plans at a per share price equal to the average of the high and
low sales prices of Common Shares on the American Stock Exchange on the nearest
trading date before the date of sale. A number of the executive officers are
participants in the Plans. National City Bank acts as the transfer agent and
registrar for the Common Shares.
 
                             PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
 
     The following table sets forth information pertaining to the beneficial
ownership of the Company's Common Shares as of February 1, 1995 by James C.
Gorman and as of December 31, 1994 by each other person known to the Company to
own beneficially more than five percent of the outstanding Common Shares.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                NUMBER       PERCENT OF
                                                               OF SHARES     OUTSTANDING
    NAME AND ADDRESS               TYPE OF OWNERSHIP             OWNED         SHARES
- - -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------     -----------
<S>                      <C>                                   <C>           <C>
James C. Gorman          Sole voting and investment power        458,967         5.35%
  305 Bowman Street      Shared voting and investment power      238,643         2.78%
  Mansfield, Ohio 44903
                                                               ---------     -----------
                         TOTAL                                   697,610         8.13%
Banc One Corporation     As trustee with sole voting power        11,576          .13%
  100 East Broad Street  As trustee with sole investment power   447,076         5.21%
  Columbus, Ohio         As trustee with shared voting power         -0-           --
  43271-0251             As trustee with shared investment        85,387         1.00%
                         power
                                                               ---------     -----------
                         TOTAL                                   532,463(1)(2)     6.21%
</TABLE>
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   10
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                NUMBER       PERCENT OF
                                                               OF SHARES     OUTSTANDING
    NAME AND ADDRESS               TYPE OF OWNERSHIP             OWNED         SHARES
- - -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------     -----------
<S>                      <C>                                   <C>           <C>
Pioneering Management    As investment adviser with sole         679,557         7.92%
  Corporation            voting power
  60 State Street        As investment adviser with sole             -0-           --
  Boston, Massachusetts  investment power
  02114                  As investment adviser with shared           -0-           --
                         voting power
                         As investment adviser with shared       679,557         7.92%
                         investment power
                                                               ---------     -----------
                         TOTAL                                   679,557(1)      7.92%
 
SunTrust Banks, Inc.     As trustee with sole voting power       482,039         5.61%
  25 Park Place, N.E.    As trustee with sole investment power   292,120         3.40%
  Atlanta, Georgia 30303 As trustee with shared voting power         -0-           --
                         As trustee with shared investment           -0-           --
                         power
                                                               ---------     -----------
                         TOTAL                                   482,039(1)      5.61%
 
All Directors and                                              1,142,511(3)     13.31%
  Executive
  Officers as a group
  (12 persons)
 
                                                        (footnotes on next page)
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   11
<FN>
 
- - ---------------
 
(1) This figure represents the aggregate amount of Common Shares beneficially
    owned. Of the aggregate amount, however, some shares are subject to sole
    voting power but shared or no investment power, and some shares are subject
    to sole investment power but shared or no voting power. Consequently, the
    sum of this column does not equal the aggregate amount shown.
 
(2) The Company, the fiduciary of the Company's Individual Profit Sharing
    Retirement Plan and Bank One Ohio Trust Company, N.A., Mansfield, Ohio (as
    trustee) entered into a Distribution Agreement dated as of September 21,
    1994 to establish a procedure to sell certain Common Shares held in trust to
    the Plan. On November 22, 1994, the Securities and Exchange Commission
    declared effective a registration statement filed by the Company on behalf
    of Bank One Ohio Trust Company, N.A., Mansfield, Ohio (as trustee) in
    respect of the Distribution Agreement. The registration statement, among
    other things, permits Bank One Ohio Trust Company, N.A., Mansfield, Ohio (as
    trustee) for a three-year period (ending November 22, 1997, unless extended)
    to sell up to 75,000 Common Shares to the Plan at a per share price equal to
    the average of the mean between the high and low sales prices of the Common
    Shares on the American Stock Exchange on the nearest trading dates before
    and after the date of sale.
 
    Banc One Corporation owns all of the outstanding capital stock of Bank One
    Ohio Trust Company, N.A., Mansfield, Ohio. Banc One Corporation also owns
    all of the outstanding capital stock of Bank One Ohio Trust Company, N.A.,
    Columbus, Ohio, the fiduciary of the Plan.
 
(3) Includes 336,524 shares as to which voting and investment power are shared.
 
</TABLE>

                                       11
<PAGE>   12
 
                             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     There is shown below information concerning the annual and long-term
compensation for services in all capacities to the Company for the fiscal years
ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992 of those persons who were, at December
31, 1994, (i) the chief executive officer and (ii) the other four most highly
compensated executive officers of the Company (the "Named Officers"):
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              LONG-TERM
                                                                             COMPENSATION
                                                                         --------------------
                                      ANNUAL COMPENSATION(1)(2)            STOCK   LONG-TERM
                                -------------------------------------    OPTIONS/  INCENTIVE      ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION     YEAR     SALARY      BONUS     OTHER       SARS     PAYOUTS     COMPENSATION
                                ----    --------    -------    ------    --------- ----------  ---------------
<S>                             <C>     <C>         <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>         <C>
James C. Gorman..............   1994    $159,333    $43,000    $  966       -0-        -0-           -0-
  Chairman and Chief            1993     158,000     41,500       955       -0-        -0-           -0-
  Executive Officer             1992     158,000     36,050       933       -0-        -0-           -0-
John A. Walter...............   1994     148,000     79,000     2,171       -0-        -0-           -0-
  President and Chief           1993     142,333     74,000     2,374       -0-        -0-           -0-
  Operating Officer             1992     137,000     62,050     1,973       -0-        -0-           -0-
Jeffrey S. Gorman............   1994     108,333     52,500     1,994       -0-        -0-           -0-
  Vice President; General       1993     103,000     47,000     1,992       -0-        -0-           -0-
  Manager, Mansfield Division   1992      97,667     45,050     1,937       -0-        -0-           -0-
K. Jack Bargahiser...........   1994      99,333     43,000     1,901       -0-        -0-           -0-
  Vice President,               1993      97,333     41,500     1,958       -0-        -0-           -0-
  Communications                1992      95,000     36,050     1,895       -0-        -0-           -0-
Kenneth E. Dudley............   1994      88,333     27,500     1,798       -0-        -0-           -0-
  Treasurer                     1993      83,667     25,500     1,835       -0-        -0-           -0-
                                1992      80,000     21,550     1,046       -0-        -0-           -0-
<FN>
 
- - ---------------
 
(1) The Company sponsors The Gorman-Rupp Company Individual Profit Sharing
    Retirement Plan ("401(k) Plan"). Substantially all the employees of the
    Company, including the executive officers and the employees of Patterson
    Pump Company (a wholly owned subsidiary), are eligible to participate in the
    401(k) Plan. Each participant in the 401(k) Plan may make before tax
    contributions to the Plan of up to 10% of compensation, but not in excess of
    the maximum annual amount permitted by the Internal Revenue Code. The
    maximum annual amount for 1995 is $9,240. Before-tax contributions made to
    the 401(k) Plan qualify for deferred tax treatment under Section 401(k) of
    the Code. The Company makes matching contributions on a monthly basis for
    each participant who is an employee on the last day of the month equal to
    20% of the first 2% of the participant's before-tax contributions made
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   13
 
    during the month and 10% of the next 4% of the participant's before-tax
    contributions made during the month. The participant's before-tax
    contributions and the Company's matching contributions are nonforfeitable,
    but are subject to special nondiscrimination tests imposed by the Code. If
    the tests are not satisfied, contributions by or for highly compensated
    employees are reduced. Each participant (or the beneficiary of a deceased
    participant) receives the full amount allocated to a participant's account
    upon any termination of the participant's employment. During 1994, a total
    of $1,176,207, consisting of both participant before-tax contributions and
    Company matching contributions, was allocated to participants' accounts
    under the 401(k) Plan, including an aggregate amount of $50,264 to the
    accounts of the executive officers which is included in the compensation
    shown in the table. The amounts allocated during 1994 to the accounts of the
    executive officers named in the table are as follows: Mr. J. C. Gorman
    ($4,860); Mr. Walter ($10,479); Mr. J. S. Gorman ($10,478); Mr. Bargahiser
    ($9,730); and Mr. Dudley ($10,119).
 
(2) The pension plan in which the Company's executive officers participate is a
    defined benefit plan covering substantially all employees of the Company and
    Patterson Pump Company; and the amounts of contributions or accruals
    applicable to the individual participants therein cannot be readily
    calculated. The aggregate contributions made to such plan for the benefit of
    the Company's executive officers amount to approximately 3% of the total
    contributions made on behalf of all participants covered by the plan.
 
    In general, a participant's monthly benefit under the pension plan is
    determined by multiplying 1.1% of his final average monthly compensation by
    the number of his credited years and months of service. A participant's
    final average monthly compensation is one-twelfth of the average annual
    compensation of the participant for the last 10 years of the participant's
    employment with the Company (or Patterson Pump Company) or, if less than 10,
    for his actual years of such employment. The compensation covered by the
    pension plan for 1994 is identical to the compensation set forth in the
    table, except that the plan does not cover Directors' fees or profit-sharing
    bonuses received by any executive officer, as well as, effective as of
    November 1, 1994, any compensation in excess of $150,000. However,
    compensation covered by the pension plan does include any before-tax
    contributions made by the participant to the 401(k) Plan. The benefit
    amounts applicable to each individual participant are not subject to any
    deduction for Social Security benefits or other offset amounts.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   14
 
    As of November 1, 1994, the executive officers had the following number of
    credited full years of service under the Company's pension plan: Mr. J.C.
    Gorman-45; Mr. Walter-34; Mr. J.S. Gorman-16; Mr. Bargahiser-40; and Mr.
    Dudley-38. As of November 1, 1994, the estimated annual benefits payable at
    age 65 upon retirement to Messrs. Gorman, Walter, Gorman, Bargahiser and
    Dudley are $71,895, $44,021, $14,249, $38,685 and $30,967, respectively.
 
</TABLE>

                        PENSION AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS
 
     The following table shows the estimated annual benefits under the Company's
pension plan which would have been payable to employees in various compensation
classifications upon retirement in 1994 at age 65 after selected periods of
service.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FINAL AVERAGE
 ANNUAL PAY
 AT AGE 65*       10 YEARS    20 YEARS    30 YEARS    40 YEARS
- - -------------     --------    --------    --------    --------
<S>               <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
  $  25,000       $  2,750    $  5,500    $  8,250    $ 11,000
     50,000          5,500      11,000      16,500      22,000
     75,000          8,250      16,500      24,750      33,000
    100,000         11,000      22,000      33,000      44,000
    125,000         13,750      27,500      41,250      55,000
    150,000         16,500      33,000      49,500      66,000
    175,000         19,250      38,500      57,750      77,000
    200,000         22,000      44,000      66,000      88,000
    225,000         24,750      49,500      74,250      99,000
 
<FN>

- - ---------------
 
     *Effective as of November 1, 1994, compensation in excess of $150,000 is
not taken into account under the pension plan.
 
</TABLE>

                                       14
<PAGE>   15
 
               SALARY COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     Under the supervision of the Salary Committee of the Board of Directors,
the Company has developed compensation policies which seek to enhance the
profitability of the Company, and thus shareholder value, by aligning closely
the financial interests of the Company's senior managers with those of its
shareholders. In addition to these goals, annual base salaries are generally set
somewhat below competitive levels so that the Company relies to a large degree
on annual incentive compensation to retain corporate officers and other key
employees of outstanding abilities and to motivate them to perform to the full
extent of their abilities. The incentive compensation is closely tied to
corporate, business unit and individual performance in a manner that encourages
a long and continuing focus on building profitability and shareholder value.
 
     Based on evaluation of these factors, the Committee believes that the
senior management of the Company is dedicated to achieving improvements in
long-term financial performance and that the compensation policies the Committee
administers has contributed to achieving this management focus.
 
     Compensation for each of the Named Officers, as well as other senior
executives, consists of a base salary and annual incentive compensation or
profit sharing. The base salaries are fixed at levels somewhat below the
competitive amounts paid to senior managers with comparable qualifications,
experience and responsibilities at other large companies engaged in the same or
similar businesses as the Company. The annual incentive compensation is more
closely tied to the Company's success in achieving significant financial and
non-financial performance goals. The Committee considers the total compensation
of each of the Named Officers and the other senior executives in establishing
the elements of compensation.
 
     In the early part of each fiscal year, the Committee reviews with the Chief
Executive Officer and approves, with modifications considered appropriate, an
annual salary for the Company's senior executives (other than the Chief
Executive Officer). Salaries are developed under the ultimate direction of the
Chief Executive Officer based upon industry and national surveys and performance
judgments as to the past and expected future contributions of the individual
senior executives. The Committee independently reviews and fixes the base salary
of the Chief Executive Officer based on similar competitive compensation data
and the Committee's assessment of his past performance and its expectation as to
his future contributions in leading the Company and its businesses.
 
     At the beginning of each year, performance objectives for purposes of
determining annual profit sharing are established for each business unit based
upon operating earnings. At the end of each year, performance against these
objectives is determined by an arithmetic calculation. In determining the profit
sharing in 1994 for other eligible employees, including the Named Officers,
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   16
 
the Committee reviews with the Chief Executive Officer executive management's
recommendations based on individual performance. The results of these
evaluations are considered by the Salary Committee and the Board of Directors
when determining the amounts to be awarded as profit sharing (which appear as
"Bonus" in the Summary Compensation Table on page 12).
 
     In determining the profit sharing for the Chief Executive Officer, in
addition to the factors discussed, the Committee considers the extent to which
the Chief Executive Officer has exercised a plan allowing for his reduction in
the day-to-day operation of the Company's business.
 
     The Committee believes that its past awards of performance have
successfully focused the Company's senior management on building continued
profitability and shareholder value.
 
     The foregoing report has been furnished by members of the Salary Committee.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>                              <C>
   /s/   DR. PETER B. LAKE           /s/    BURTON PRESTON            /s/   THOMAS E. HOAGLIN
      Dr. Peter B. Lake                 Burton Preston                   Thomas E. Hoaglin
                                           Chairman
</TABLE>
 
                  SHAREHOLDER RETURN PERFORMANCE PRESENTATION
 
     Set forth below is a line graph comparing the yearly percentage change in
the cumulative total shareholder return on the Company's Common Shares against
the cumulative total return of the American Stock Exchange Market Value Index
and a Peer Group Index for the period of five fiscal years commencing January 1,
1990 and ending December 31, 1994. The issuers in the Peer Group Index were
selected on a line-of-business basis by reference to SIC Code 3561--Pumps and
Pumping Equipment. The Peer Group Index is composed of the following issuers:
BWIP Holdings Inc., Dresser Industries, Inc., Duriron Company Inc., General
Signal Corp., Goulds Pumps Inc., Graco Inc., Haskel International, Inc., Idex
Corp., Robbins & Myers Inc., and Roper Industries Inc., in addition to the
Company.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   17
 
                        COMPARISON OF 5-YEAR CUMULATIVE
                                  TOTAL RETURN
                         AMONG THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY,
                               AMEX MARKET INDEX
                              AND PEER GROUP INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   MEASUREMENT
     PERIOD          THE       AMEX      PEER
  (FISCAL YEAR     GORMAN-    MARKET    GROUP
    COVERED)       RUPP CO.   INDEX     INDEX
<S>                 <C>        <C>       <C>
1989                100        100       100
1990                105         85       100
1991                145        100       100
1992                225         95       110
1993                200        105       120
1994                210         97       115
</TABLE>
 
                    - ASSUMES $100 INVESTED ON JAN. 1, 1990
                         - ASSUMES DIVIDEND REINVESTED
                       - FISCAL YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1994
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   18
 
                 APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
     A proposal will be presented at the Meeting to ratify the appointment by
the Board of Directors of Ernst & Young LLP as independent public accountants
for the Company during the fiscal year ending December 31, 1995. Representatives
of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be present at the Meeting and will have an
opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and are expected to be
available to respond to appropriate questions. Although such ratification is not
required by law, the Board of Directors believes that shareholders should be
given this opportunity to express their views on the subject. While not binding
on the Board of Directors, the failure of the shareholders to ratify the
appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's independent public accountants
would be considered by the Directors in determining whether to continue the
engagement of Ernst & Young LLP.
 
     THE DIRECTORS RECOMMEND A VOTE FOR THIS PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT
OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS.
 
                              GENERAL INFORMATION
 
     The Company's 1994 annual report to shareholders, including financial
statements, is being mailed concurrently with this Proxy Statement to all
shareholders of the Company.
 
     The cost of soliciting proxies will be paid by the Company. In addition to
the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited personally or by telephone or
telecopy by a few officers or regular employees of the Company. No separate
compensation will be paid for the solicitation of proxies, although the Company
may reimburse brokers and other persons holding Common Shares in their names or
in the names of nominees for their expenses in sending proxy material to the
beneficial owners of such Common Shares.
 
     Any proposal by a shareholder intended to be presented at the 1996 annual
meeting of shareholders must be received by the Company for inclusion in the
proxy statement and form of proxy of the Company relating to such meeting on or
before November 16, 1995.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   19
 
                                 OTHER BUSINESS
 
     Financial and other reports will be submitted to the Meeting, but it is not
intended that any action will be taken in respect thereof. The Board of
Directors is not aware of any matters other than those referred to in this Proxy
Statement which might be brought before the Meeting for action, but if any such
other matters should arise, it is intended that the persons appointed as proxy
holders will vote or act thereon in accordance with their own judgment.
 
     You are urged to date, sign and return your proxy promptly. For your
convenience, enclosed is a self-addressed return envelope requiring no postage
if mailed in the United States.
 
                                       By Order of the Board of Directors
 
                                       ROBERT E. KIRKENDALL
                                       Secretary and Assistant Treasurer
 
March 15, 1995
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   20
 
            THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY
                                          THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF
                                                    THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
                                                         
            305 Bowman Street - Mansfield, Ohio 44903

                The undersigned hereby appoints James C. Gorman, Robert E.
            Kirkendall and Jeffrey S. Gorman as Proxies, each with the power to
            appoint his substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent and
            to vote all of The Gorman-Rupp Company Common Shares held of record
            on March 1, 1995 by the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of the
            shareholders to be held on April 20, 1995, or at any adjournment
            thereof, as follows:
 
            1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
<TABLE>
                     <S>                                                       <C>
                     FOR fixing the number of Directors at
                     8 and electing all nominees listed below                  WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
                     (except as marked to the contrary below)  / /             to vote for all nominees listed below  / /
</TABLE>
 
              Nominees: James C. Gorman, William A. Calhoun, Dr. Peter B. Lake,
                        Burton Preston, John A. Walter, Jeffrey S. Gorman, James
                        R. Watson, Thomas E. Hoaglin
 
                (INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual
                           nominee, write his name on line below.)
 
            --------------------------------------------------------------------
 
            2. RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP as
            independent public accountants
 
                                       FOR / /      AGAINST / /      ABSTAIN / /
 
            3. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such
               other business as may properly come before the Meeting.
                           (To be signed and dated on other side)
 
                                (Continued from other side)
 
            WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER
            DIRECTED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS CARD BY THE UNDERSIGNED
            SHAREHOLDER; IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR
            PROPOSALS 1 AND 2.
 
      PROXY
            Please sign exactly as your name appears below. If signing as
            attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian,
                                                     please give full title as
                                                     such; and if signing for 
      COMMON                                         a corporation, please give 
                                                     your title. When shares
                                                     are in the names of more 
                                                     than one person, each
                                                     should sign.

                                                     Date:                , 1995
 
                                                     ---------------------------
 
                 Please check this box if you
            / / plan to attend the Meeting.
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                     Signature of Shareholder(s)


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