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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
Leggett & Platt, Incorporated
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(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)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which
the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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(5) Total fee paid:
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[_] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[_] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
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(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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(3) Filing Party:
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(4) Date Filed:
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Notes:
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March 31, 1999
Dear Shareholder:
The Board of Directors cordially invites you to attend the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders of Leggett & Platt, Incorporated on Wednesday, May 12, 1999, at
10:00 a.m. local time, at the Company's Cornell Conference Center, No. 1
Leggett Road, Carthage, Missouri.
The enclosed Proxy Statement contains five proposals from your Board of
Directors: (1) the election of Directors; (2) an increase in the Company's
authorized Common Stock; (3) approval of amendments to the Company's 1989
Discount Stock Plan; (4) approval of the Company's 1999 Key Officers Incentive
Plan; and (5) the ratification of the Board's selection of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's independent accountants for 1999.
I urge you to vote your proxy FOR each of the proposals.
We hope you will attend the Annual Meeting. Whether or not you expect to
attend, please sign and return the enclosed proxy card now so your shares will
be represented at the meeting. If you attend the meeting, you will be entitled
to vote in person.
Sincerely,
LEGGETT & PLATT, INCORPORATED
/s/ Harry M. Cornell, Jr.
Harry M. Cornell, Jr.
Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE>
Leggett & Platt, Incorporated
No. 1 Leggett Road
Carthage, Missouri 64836
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held on Wednesday, May 12, 1999
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Leggett &
Platt, Incorporated (the "Company") will be held at the Company's Cornell
Conference Center, No. 1 Leggett Road, Carthage, Missouri, on Wednesday, May
12, 1999, at 10:00 a.m. local time:
1. To elect fourteen (14) Directors to hold office until the next Annual
Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are elected and
qualified;
2. To amend the Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation to increase
the authorized shares of Company Common Stock from 300,000,000 shares to
600,000,000 shares;
3. To amend the Company's 1989 Discount Stock Plan to increase the number
of shares of Company Common Stock available under the Plan by 3,000,000
shares;
4. To approve the Company's 1999 Key Officers Incentive Plan;
5. To ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's
independent accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1999;
and
6. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
or any adjournment thereof.
The close of business on March 10, 1999, has been fixed for determination of
shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at such Annual Meeting of
Shareholders or any adjournment thereof, and only shareholders of record on
March 10 are so entitled.
An Annual Report outlining the Company's operations during the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1998, accompanies this Notice of Annual Meeting of
Shareholders and Proxy Statement.
Whether or not you expect to be present at the Annual Meeting, please sign
and return the enclosed proxy in the enclosed self-addressed, postage-paid
envelope. If you attend the Annual Meeting, you will be entitled to vote in
person.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Ernest C. Jett
Secretary
Carthage, Missouri
March 31, 1999
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Leggett & Platt, Incorporated
No. 1 Leggett Road
Carthage, Missouri 64836
ANNUAL MEETING--MAY 12, 1999
PROXY STATEMENT
Leggett & Platt, Incorporated (the "Company") will hold its 1999 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders at 10:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, May 12, 1999,
at the Company's Cornell Conference Center, No. 1 Leggett Road, Carthage,
Missouri. At the Annual Meeting, shareholders will elect 14 Directors and vote
on recommended amendments to the Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation
and the 1989 Discount Stock Plan, the approval of the Company's 1999 Key
Officers Incentive Plan, and the ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as
the Company's independent accountants for 1999.
We wish that all of our shareholders could attend the Annual Meeting and
vote in person. However, since this may not be possible, the Board of
Directors is soliciting your proxy so that you will be represented and can
vote at the meeting.
This Proxy Statement and the enclosed Annual Report contain information
about matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting, the Company, the Company's
independent accountants, and the Company's Directors and Executive Officers.
We hope this Proxy Statement is useful to you as you return your proxy and
helps you better understand your Company.
The approximate date on which this Proxy Statement and the enclosed form of
proxy are first being sent or given to shareholders is March 31, 1999.
Please sign and return the enclosed Proxy Card in the enclosed postage-paid
envelope as soon as possible, whether or not you intend to attend the Annual
Meeting.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
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<S> <C>
INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEETING AND VOTING.................................. 2
PROPOSAL ONE--ELECTION OF DIRECTORS....................................... 3
PROPOSAL TWO--APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S RESTATED ARTICLES OF
INCORPORATION TO INCREASE AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK.............. 5
PROPOSAL THREE--APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S 1989 DISCOUNT STOCK
PLAN..................................................................... 6
PROPOSAL FOUR--APPROVAL OF THE COMPANY'S 1999 KEY OFFICERS INCENTIVE PLAN. 9
PROPOSAL FIVE-- RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS...... 10
INFORMATION REGARDING THE COMPANY, ITS DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS... 11
Leggett & Platt, Incorporated Common Stock Performance Graph............ 11
Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation................. 12
Executive Compensation and Related Matters.............................. 15
Ownership of Common Stock............................................... 19
FINANCIAL DATA............................................................ 20
2000 SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS................................................ 20
OTHER MATTERS............................................................. 21
APPENDIX A-1989 DISCOUNT STOCK PLAN AS AMENDED............................ A-1
APPENDIX B-1999 KEY OFFICERS INCENTIVE PLAN............................... B-1
</TABLE>
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INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEETING AND VOTING
This Proxy Statement is furnished to shareholders of Leggett & Platt,
Incorporated in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Company's
Board of Directors (the "Board") to be voted at the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders of the Company on May 12, 1999, and any adjournment thereof. The
Board solicits your proxy on the form enclosed.
Right to Revoke Proxy; Voting of Proxy
Any shareholder giving the enclosed proxy can revoke it by (i) providing
written notice of such revocation to the Company at or prior to the Annual
Meeting, (ii) executing a proxy bearing a later date, or (iii) attending the
Annual Meeting and voting in person. Unless the persons named in the proxy are
prevented by circumstances beyond their control from acting, the proxy will be
voted at the Annual Meeting and at any adjournment in the manner specified in
the proxy.
If no specification is made on a duly executed proxy, the proxy will be
voted FOR the election of each nominee for Director in Proposal 1, FOR the
proposed amendment to the Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation in
Proposal 2, FOR the proposed amendment to the Company's 1989 Discount Stock
Plan in Proposal 3, FOR the Company's 1999 Key Officers Incentive Plan in
Proposal 4, FOR the ratification of the selection of the Company's independent
accountants in Proposal 5, and in the discretion of the persons named as
proxies on such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournment thereof.
By Whom and the Manner in Which the Proxy Is Being Solicited
The enclosed proxy is solicited by and on behalf of the Board. The expense
of soliciting proxies for the Annual Meeting, including the cost of mailing,
will be borne by the Company. The Company will request persons holding stock
in their name or custody on behalf of others, or as nominees, to send proxy
materials to their principals requesting authority to sign the proxies. The
Company will reimburse such persons for their expense in so doing.
The Company has engaged MacKenzie Partners, Inc., a proxy solicitation firm,
to assist by mail or telephone, in person, or otherwise, in the solicitation
of proxies. MacKenzie's fee is expected to be approximately $6,500 plus
expenses. If necessary to ensure sufficient representation at the meeting,
employees of the Company, at no additional compensation, will request the
return of proxies personally or by telephone or facsimile. The extent to which
this will be necessary depends on how promptly proxies are received.
Shareholders are urged to send in their proxies without delay. The Board has
no knowledge or information that any other person will specifically engage any
employee to solicit proxies.
Voting Securities Outstanding; Quorum
The only class of outstanding voting securities of the Company is the
Company's $.01 par value common stock ("Common Stock"). On March 10, 1999,
there were 197,803,977 shares of Common Stock outstanding and entitled to
vote. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on March 10, 1999,
are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
A majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock present or represented
by proxy will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the
Annual Meeting. If a quorum is not present, the Annual Meeting may be
adjourned to a date not more than 90 days after adjournment so that a quorum
may be present or represented.
Every shareholder has the right to vote, in person or by proxy, one vote per
share on all matters. Shares represented by proxies which are marked "Withhold
Authority" with respect to the election of Directors, and proxies which are
marked "Abstain" on the remaining proposals will be counted for the purpose of
determining
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whether a quorum is present. "Broker non-votes" occur when a broker indicates
on the proxy that it lacks discretionary authority to vote on a particular
matter for beneficial owners who have not provided voting instructions. Broker
non-votes are included for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present
but are not counted as votes cast on the particular matter.
PROPOSAL ONE
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
At the Annual Meeting, 14 Directors will be elected who will hold office
until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are
elected and qualified. The persons named in the enclosed proxy intend to vote
for the election of the 14 nominees named below. Each of these nominees was
elected by the shareholders at the last Annual Meeting. If any nominee named
below is not a candidate for election as a Director at the Annual Meeting (an
event which the Board does not anticipate), the proxy will be voted for a
substitute nominee, if any, designated by the Board.
Raymond F. Bentele, age 62, served as President and Chief Executive Officer
of Mallinckrodt, Inc. from 1981 until his retirement in 1992. He serves as a
director of Mallinckrodt, Inc., a manufacturer of medical and specialty
chemical products; Kellwood Company, an apparel and camping goods
manufacturer; and IMC Global, Inc., a producer of crop nutrient minerals. He
was first elected as a Director of the Company in 1995.
Harry M. Cornell, Jr., age 70, is the Company's Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board. He is a director of Mercantile Bancorporation Inc., a
bank holding company. Mr. Cornell was first elected as a Director of the
Company in 1958.
Robert Ted Enloe, III, age 60, is managing general partner of Balquita
Partners Ltd., a family securities and real estate investment partnership. He
served as President of Liberte Investors from 1975 until August 1996 and was
Chief Executive Officer of Liberte Investors from 1992 until August 1996. Mr.
Enloe serves as a director of Compaq Computer Corporation, a computer
manufacturer; SIXX Holdings, Inc., an operator of Italian restaurants; Liberte
Investors, Inc., a holding company seeking acquisitions of operating
companies; and First Sierra Financial, Inc., a commercial leasing firm. He was
first elected as a Director of the Company in 1969.
Richard T. Fisher, age 60, is Managing Director of CIBC Oppenheimer Corp.,
an investment banking firm. He was first elected as a Director of the Company
in 1972.
Bob L. Gaddy, age 58, was elected Senior Vice President of the Company in
May 1996. Since that time, he has also served as Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Aluminum Products. Since 1993, Mr. Gaddy has served as Chairman of
the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Pace Industries, Inc., a wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company. Mr. Gaddy was first elected as a Director of the
Company in 1996.
David S. Haffner, age 46, was elected Executive Vice President of the
Company in 1995. He previously served the Company as Senior Vice President and
President--Furniture & Automotive Components Group and as Vice President and
President--Furniture Components Group. Mr. Haffner was first elected as a
Director of the Company in 1995.
Thomas A. Hays, age 66, served as Deputy Chairman of May Department Stores
Company from 1993 until his retirement in April 1996. He was President of May
Department Stores Company from 1985 to 1993. Mr. Hays serves as a director of
Payless ShoeSource, Inc., a retail shoe chain, and Ameren Corporation, an
electric utility company. He was first elected as a Director of the Company in
1996.
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Robert A. Jefferies, Jr., age 57, is the Senior Vice President, Mergers,
Acquisitions and Strategic Planning of the Company. He previously served the
Company as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. Mr. Jefferies
was first elected as a Director of the Company in 1991.
Alexander M. Levine, age 67, is Managing Director of Waterline Capital LLC,
a venture capital investment firm. He previously served the Company as
Director of International Development and later as Special Advisor. He was
first elected as a Director of the Company in 1989.
Richard L. Pearsall, age 71, is an independent management and business
consultant and is President of Venture Associates Corporation, a housing
development company. He was first elected as a Director of the Company in
1983.
Duane W. Potter, age 67, was elected Senior Vice President of the Company
and President--Foam Components Group in 1995. He previously served the Company
as Senior Vice President and President--Bedding Components Group. Mr. Potter
was first elected as a Director of the Company in 1996.
Maurice E. Purnell, Jr., age 59, is a partner in the law firm of Locke
Liddell & Sapp LLP. He was first elected as a Director of the Company in 1988.
Alice L. Walton, age 49, is Chairman of Llama Company, an investment banking
firm. She served as Chief Executive Officer of Llama Company from 1990 to
1998. She was first elected as a Director of the Company in 1998.
Felix E. Wright, age 63, is the Company's President and Chief Operating
Officer. He was first elected as a Director of the Company in 1977.
Board Meetings and Committees
The Board held four meetings in 1998. All Directors attended at least 75% of
the aggregate of the Board meetings and the committees on which they served in
1998, except for Mr. Enloe who was absent for one Board meeting and one
committee meeting.
The Board has an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee and a Compensation
Committee. The Board does not have a nominating committee. Under present
arrangements, Non-employee Directors receive a retainer of $19,000 per year
and a fee of $3,000 for attending each regular or special meeting of the
Board. Each employee Director receives an annual retainer of $3,000. Non-
employee Directors who serve on Board committees receive additional fees for
committee participation. Committee chairmen receive a $1,000 annual retainer.
Each committee member, including chairmen, receive an attendance fee of $500
for each meeting held in conjunction with a regular Board meeting and $1,000
for each meeting held not in conjunction with a regular Board meeting.
The Audit Committee consists of Messrs. Bentele, Fisher, Hays, Levine,
Pearsall, and Purnell and Ms. Walton. Mr. Purnell is Chairman. The Audit
Committee is responsible for recommending to the Board the selection of
independent accountants, reviewing accountants' compensation, reviewing the
coordination between the independent accountants and the Company's internal
audit staff, reviewing the scope and procedures of the internal audit work,
and reviewing the results of the independent audit and accounting policies
with the independent accountants and management personnel. The Audit Committee
held four meetings in 1998.
The Compensation Committee consists of Messrs. Enloe, Fisher and Pearsall.
Mr. Enloe is Chairman. The Compensation Committee is responsible for executive
compensation policies and approving compensation payable to the Executive
Officers of the Company. The Compensation Committee held three meetings in
1998.
Vote Required for Election
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or
represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be
required for the election of Directors. The Board recommends that you vote FOR
the election of each of the Director nominees.
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PROPOSAL TWO
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S RESTATED ARTICLES OF
INCORPORATION TO INCREASE AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
The Board proposes that the introductory paragraph of Article III of the
Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation be amended to increase the number
of authorized shares of the Company's Common Stock from 300 million shares to
600 million shares. Of the 300 million shares of Common Stock currently
authorized for issuance under the Company's Restated Articles of
Incorporation, the Company had 197,803,977 shares issued and outstanding on
March 10, 1999. The Company had approximately 7.7 million shares reserved (as
of January 1, 1999) for issuance in connection with outstanding employee stock
options. The Company deems it advisable to increase the number of authorized
shares of its Common Stock to enhance flexibility in capital management. The
increased number of authorized but unissued shares will be available to
finance future acquisitions and to raise capital, and for stock splits, stock
dividends, employee benefit plans, and other general corporate purposes.
The additional authorized but unissued shares may be issued by the Board
without further action by the shareholders, and the shareholders will have no
preemptive rights with respect to such additional authorized but unissued
shares. The Company has no plans, arrangements, agreements, or understandings
at this time for the issuance of a material amount of Common Stock, except for
shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance upon the exercise of previously
granted stock options or under employee benefit plans.
The additional authorized shares of Common Stock could be issued to deter a
hostile takeover attempt of the Company. Such action could insulate incumbent
management from removal and prevent the shareholders from being able to sell
their shares to a potential acquiror. The Board is not aware of any current
proposals by any party to acquire control of the Company.
The proposed resolutions to be voted upon by the shareholders of the Company
at the Annual Meeting are as follows:
"RESOLVED, that it is deemed advisable, and in the best interest of the
Company, to amend Article III of the Company's Restated Articles of
Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of its Common
Stock, $.01 par value, from three hundred million (300,000,000) shares to
six hundred million (600,000,000) shares.
RESOLVED FURTHER, that the introductory paragraph of Article III of the
Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation be, and it hereby is, amended
to read in its entirety as follows:
"The aggregate number of shares which the corporation shall have the
authority to issue is Six Hundred Million (600,000,000) shares of
Common Stock of One Cent ($.01) par value and One Hundred Million
(100,000,000) shares of Preferred Stock without par value.' "
Vote Required for Approval
The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock
entitled to vote on this proposal is required for the adoption of this
proposal. All shares not voted in person or by proxy in favor of this
proposal, including abstentions and broker non-votes, will have the effect of
votes against adoption of this proposal. The Board recommends that you vote
FOR adoption of this amendment to the Company's Restated Articles of
Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock of
the Company.
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PROPOSAL THREE
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S
1989 DISCOUNT STOCK PLAN
General
In 1989, shareholders approved the Company's 1989 Discount Stock Plan (the
"Stock Plan") to provide eligible employees an opportunity to acquire an
ownership stake in the Company. Stock ownership by employees ties their
interests directly to the performance of the Company's Common Stock. The Stock
Plan is also used to raise capital to fund acquisitions, and for capital
expenditures and other general corporate purposes.
The Board proposes, subject to shareholder approval, an amendment to the
Stock Plan to increase the number of shares available for purchase under the
Stock Plan by an additional 3 million shares of Company Common Stock (the
"1999 Plan Amendment").
The number of shares which may be purchased under the Stock Plan is 16
million shares before the amendment, and will be 19 million shares if the
amendment is approved. As of March 10, 1999, approximately 2.9 million shares
were available for purchase under the Stock Plan. If the 1999 Plan Amendment
is approved, approximately 5.9 million shares will be available for purchase.
The Board believes this amendment is necessary to ensure that the Company
has shares available for future purchases by the Company's employees under the
Stock Plan.
Set forth below is a description of the essential features of the Stock
Plan. This description is subject to and qualified in its entirety by the full
text of the Stock Plan, as proposed to be amended, which is attached to this
Proxy Statement as Appendix A.
Description of the Stock Plan
The Stock Plan provides for the granting of options ("Options") to employees
of the Company and its subsidiaries who are eligible to participate in the
Stock Plan ("Eligible Employees") and who elect to participate
("Participants"). These Options permit the Eligible Employees to purchase
shares of the Company's Common Stock at a price and for a time period
determined by the committee (see "Offerings Under the Stock Plan" below). The
Stock Plan is intended to qualify as an "Employee Stock Purchase Plan" under
Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code").
Options granted under the Stock Plan are not transferable other than by will
or under the laws of descent and distribution, and are exercisable only by the
Participant during his lifetime.
Notwithstanding any other provision in the Stock Plan, if the Common Stock
of the Company is changed by reason of any stock dividend, spin-off, split-up,
recapitalization, merger, consolidation, reorganization, combination or
exchange of shares, the number and class of shares available for Options and
the price thereof, shall be appropriately adjusted.
Administration of the Stock Plan
The Stock Plan is administered by a committee (the "Committee") which
consists of three or more Directors who are "Non-employee Directors" as
defined in Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange
Act"). The members of the Committee are appointed by and serve at the pleasure
of the Board, which may appoint members in substitution for members previously
appointed and fill vacancies in the Committee. Currently, the Compensation
Committee of the Board serves as the Committee administering the Stock Plan.
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Subject to the express provisions of the Stock Plan, the Committee has
authority to (i) determine when and to whom Options are granted; (ii)
determine the terms and conditions of each Offering, as defined below; (iii)
interpret the Stock Plan; (iv) prescribe, amend, and rescind rules and
regulations relating to the Stock Plan; and (v) take any other action which it
considers necessary or appropriate for the administration of the Stock Plan.
All determinations made by the Committee are final.
Except as required by Rule 16b-3 with respect to benefits granted to persons
who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Committee may delegate
all or any part of its authority under the Stock Plan to any employee or
committee.
Amendment or Termination
The Board may amend or terminate the Stock Plan at any time. The Board may
not amend the Stock Plan without shareholder approval if such amendment (i)
would cause the Stock Plan to fail to meet the requirements of Section 423 of
the Code, (ii) would cause the Stock Plan to fail to meet the requirements of
Rule 16b-3, or (iii) would violate applicable law. No such amendment or
termination may adversely affect any Options granted prior thereto.
Eligibility for Participation
All employees of the Company and those subsidiaries designated by the
Committee are eligible to participate under the Stock Plan; provided, however,
the Committee may in its sole discretion exclude from participation in any
Offering, as defined below, any employees who may be excluded in accordance
with Section 423 of the Code. Employees who may be excluded are: (i) employees
who have been employed for less than two years; (ii) employees whose customary
employment is 20 hours or less per week; (iii) employees whose customary
employment is for not more than five months in any calendar year; and (iv)
highly compensated employees (within the meaning of Section 414(q) of the
Code). In addition, no employee may be granted an Option: (i) if immediately
after the grant of the Option the employee would own, within the meaning of
Section 423(b)(3) of the Code, stock possessing 5% or more of the total
combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the Company or of
any subsidiary; or (ii) which permits the employee's rights to purchase stock
under all employee stock purchase plans of the Company and its subsidiaries to
accrue at a rate which exceeds $25,000 of fair market value of such stock,
determined at the time the Option is granted, for any calendar year.
As of March 10, 1999, there were approximately 27,000 Company employees,
including those employees which the Committee could, in its sole discretion,
exclude from participation in an Offering. Of the approximately 20,300
employees who were eligible to participate in the present offering under the
Stock Plan, 6,700 employees chose to participate. The Company expects similar
participation in future offerings.
Offerings Under the Stock Plan
There may be one or more dates which the Committee selects for the initial
granting of any Option to purchase shares under the Stock Plan (the
"Offering"). The Stock Plan provides that each Offering will commence on an
"Offering Date" and will continue for a period set by the Committee ("Offering
Period"). The Committee has determined that each Offering Period shall be of
one year duration and shall coincide with the calendar year.
The Committee determines all of the terms and conditions of each Offering
including the number of shares offered, the length of the Offering Period, the
price per share paid by the Participant ("Exercise Price") and whether
interest will be paid on Participants' Accounts, as defined below. The
Exercise Price may not be less than the lower of: (i) 85% of the fair market
value of the shares on the date the Option is granted or (ii) 85% of the fair
market value of the shares on the date the Option is exercised. The Committee
has set the current Exercise Price at 85% of the fair market value of the
shares on the date the Option is exercised.
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Each Eligible Employee may elect to participate in the Stock Plan as of a
date determined by the Committee ("Entry Date") and become a Stock Plan
Participant by delivering to the Company an executed agreement ("Participation
Agreement"), in the form approved by the Committee. Payment for the shares is
made (i) through payroll deductions, (ii) by separate cash payments which may
be made by a Participant from time to time, as determined by the Committee,
and (iii) upon the consent of the Committee and such terms as the Committee
shall require, in shares to be valued on the Exercise Date. A Stock Purchase
Account (the "Account") is established on the books of the Company in the name
of each Participant. All payroll deductions, separate cash payments or tenders
of shares made by or on behalf of such Participant are credited to the
Account.
A Participant's Option is automatically exercised on each Exercise Date for
that number of full shares which may be purchased at the applicable Exercise
Price with the aggregate payroll deductions, separate cash payments (and if
permitted by the Committee, interest thereon) and tendered shares as of the
Exercise Date, unless the Participant withdraws from the Stock Plan. Such
shares are delivered to Participants as promptly as practicable. Any balance
remaining in the Participant's Account after any exercise of an Option remains
in such Account unless the Offering is over, in which case it is refunded to
such Participant.
Any Participant may withdraw from the Stock Plan at such times and upon such
conditions as the Committee may determine.
In the event of a Participant's retirement, death or termination of
employment, he or, in the event of his death, his successor may continue to
participate in the Stock Plan only with respect to compensation earned by such
Participant prior to termination of employment. The Participant or his
successor must make a written election within three months after termination
of employment to continue participation. If the Participant or his successor
does not make a written election to continue participation in the Stock Plan,
any amount remaining in the Participant's Account will be paid to him or his
successor.
An employee of a subsidiary of the Company which ceases to be a subsidiary
will be deemed to have terminated his employment as of the date such
corporation ceases to be a subsidiary unless, as of such date, the employee
becomes an employee of the Company or such subsidiaries of the Company
designated by the Committee.
Federal Income Tax Consequences
The amount which a Participant contributes to the Stock Plan through payroll
deductions or otherwise is not deductible by the Participant for income tax
purposes. However, if shares are sold within two years from the date the
Option was granted, he will recognize ordinary income equal to the difference
between the fair market value of the shares on the Exercise Date over the
Exercise Price. Any further gain is a capital gain. The early disposition of
the shares by the Participant entitles the Company to a deduction to the
extent that any gain to the Participant is treated as ordinary income.
If the Participant sells the shares at least two years after the Option was
granted, the Participant will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to
the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date the Option was
granted over the Exercise Price. Any further gain is a capital gain. Any loss
is treated as a capital loss. The Company will have no tax consequences.
8
<PAGE>
Vote Required for Approval
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or
represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be
required for the adoption of this proposal. The Board recommends a vote FOR
approval of the 1999 Plan Amendment to increase the number of shares available
for purchase under the Stock Plan by 3 million shares.
PROPOSAL FOUR
APPROVAL OF THE COMPANY'S
1999 KEY OFFICERS INCENTIVE PLAN
General
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits the amount of
compensation that may be deducted by the Company in any year with respect to
each person named in the Summary Compensation Table on page 15. However,
certain "performance-based" compensation is not subject to this deduction
limit. Compensation is "performance-based" if payment is based on the
achievement of performance goals set by a committee of outside directors. The
Company's shareholders must approve the material terms of such performance
goals.
Subject to shareholder approval, the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors adopted the Company's 1999 Key Officers Incentive Plan (the
"Incentive Plan"). If approved by shareholders, the Incentive Plan will become
effective as of January 1, 1999. If not approved by shareholders, no bonuses
will be paid under the Incentive Plan.
The participants in the Incentive Plan are the executives listed in the
Summary Compensation Table on page 15, although other key employees of the
Company may become participants in future years.
For many years the Incentive Plan participants and other key employees have
received bonuses under the Company's Key Management Incentive Compensation
Plan (the "Existing Plan"). Bonuses paid to the participants under the
Existing Plan for the past three years are shown in the Summary Compensation
Table. The Incentive Plan is substantially the same as the Existing Plan and
represents no change in the Company's compensation policies. Accordingly, the
bonuses paid to participants in the Incentive Plan for 1999 will be calculated
using the same methodology applied to the payment of bonuses in prior years.
The Incentive Plan is designed to permit the Company to maximize tax
deductions for performance-based compensation paid or awarded to participants
under the Incentive Plan. The purpose of the Incentive Plan is to attract,
motivate and retain the services of participants who make significant
contributions to the Company's success by allowing them to share in that
success.
Set forth below is a description of the essential features of the Incentive
Plan. This description is subject to and qualified in its entirety by the full
text of the Incentive Plan which is attached to this Proxy Statement as
Appendix B.
Description of the Incentive Plan
The Incentive Plan provides for the payment of bonuses to participants based
on the attainment of certain performance objectives. Performance objectives
may differ for each participant and can be based on one or more of the
following measures of the Company's performance: revenues, operating income,
return on equity, return on assets, cash flow, market price of the Company's
common stock, earnings, earnings per share of the Company's common stock,
and/or the performance objectives for 1999 set forth below.
The 1999 Incentive Plan bonuses are tied directly to performance objectives
based on (i) achievement of after-tax returns on the Company's adjusted
average equity ("ROAAE") of at least 8%, and (ii) achievement of EBIT
(earnings before interest and taxes) returns on adjusted net assets ("ROANA")
of at least 8%. ROAAE and ROANA are given equal weight in the formula.
9
<PAGE>
The amount of each participant's bonus is determined by applying the bonus
formula to a percentage of the participant's annual salary (the "Target
Percentage"). The bonus formula and the Target Percentage for each participant
will be determined by the Committee within 90 days after the beginning of each
year.
If the threshold ROAAE or ROANA levels are met by the Company, a portion of
the applicable Target Percentage becomes payable. This portion increases as
the returns increase above the thresholds. A participant's bonus may exceed
100% of the Target Percentage. However, the maximum payout as a percentage of
EBIT is payable when the Company has achieved ROAAE of 25.5% and ROANA of
22.0%. Total bonuses paid to corporate participants under the Incentive Plan
and the Existing Plan may not exceed 4% of EBIT.
A participant's bonus for any year may not exceed 0.3% of the Company's EBIT
for that year. Historically, individual bonus payments to participants have
been substantially less than the 0.3% EBIT maximum. Individual bonus payments
for 1999 are also expected to be substantially less than the maximum.
The Committee may reduce a participant's bonus as calculated under the bonus
formula by up to 10%, but may not increase the bonus. No participant who is
subject to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code shall be entitled to an
additional bonus based on another participant forfeiting all or any portion of
the 10% discretionary payment.
Administration. The Incentive Plan is administered by the Compensation
Committee. The Compensation Committee has sole responsibility for selecting
participants, establishing performance objectives and bonus formulas and
determining a participant's bonus under the performance objectives and bonus
formulas.
Payment of Bonuses. A bonus earned under the Incentive Plan may be paid in
cash or property (including stock options), as determined by the Committee. A
bonus may be deferred if the participant is eligible to participate in, and
makes an appropriate election under, the Company's deferred compensation
program.
New Plan Benefits. The amount of the 1999 bonuses cannot be determined at
this time. However, if the Incentive Plan had been in effect during 1998, the
bonuses received by the participants would not have exceeded the amounts shown
for 1998 in the Summary Compensation Table on page 15.
Amendment or Termination. The Committee may amend or terminate the Incentive
Plan at any time, provided that no amendment will be made without shareholder
approval if such approval is required under applicable law or for bonuses to
qualify as "performance-based compensation".
Vote Required for Approval
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or
represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be
required for the adoption of this proposal. The Board recommends a vote FOR
approval of the Incentive Plan.
PROPOSAL FIVE
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Upon recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Board has selected
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's independent accountants for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 1999. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, or its
predecessor Price Waterhouse, has been engaged as the Company's independent
accountants for each year beginning with the year ended December 31, 1991.
It is expected that representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will be
present at the Annual Meeting. They will have an opportunity to make a
statement if they desire to do so and will also be available to respond to
questions raised at the meeting or submitted to them in writing before the
meeting.
10
<PAGE>
Vote Required for Ratification
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or
represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be
required for the adoption of this proposal. The Board recommends that you vote
FOR the ratification of the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
INFORMATION REGARDING THE COMPANY, ITS DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following additional information about the Company and its Directors and
Executive Officers is provided below.
LEGGETT & PLATT, INCORPORATED
COMMON STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the cumulative total return to shareholders on
the Company's Common Stock over the five years ended December 31, 1998, to the
returns on the New York Stock Exchange's Composite Index and a listing of peer
companies in the SIC Code 251 Household Furniture Index prepared and published
by Media General Financial Services of Richmond, Virginia (the "Peer Group").
Additional information concerning the long-term performance of the Company can
be found in the Annual Report to Shareholders which accompanies this Proxy
Statement.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LEGGETT & PLATT SIC CODE INDEX NYSE MARKET INDEX
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1993 100 100 100
1994 71.14 72.58 98.06
1995 100.30 90.79 127.15
1996 145.65 115.40 153.16
1997 178.56 153.55 201.50
1998 190.05 169.10 239.77
</TABLE>
[GRAPH OF COMMON STOCK PERFORMANCE]
The comparison assumes separate $100 investments were made on December 31,
1993, in Company Common Stock, the NYSE Composite Index, and the Peer Group
and that all dividends during the period have been reinvested. Returns are at
December 31 of each year. The impact of income taxes is not reflected. The
Peer Group consists of 18 companies in the household furniture industry
selected, prepared and published by Media General Financial Services. This
index is available to shareholders by contacting the Company's Investor
Relations Department, Attention: J. Richard Calhoon, Vice President--Investor
Relations (800-888-4569).
11
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Company's Compensation Committee (the "Committee") establishes policies
for and approves compensation, including stock options and stock awards,
relating to the Executive Officers of the Company. Currently, Messrs. Enloe,
Fisher and Pearsall serve on the Committee. Each is a non-employee director,
and Mr. Enloe serves as Chairman.
The report of the Committee concerning compensation policies applicable to
the Executive Officers of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1998, is set out below.
General Policies
The compensation policies of the Company are designed to attract, retain,
and motivate high quality Executive Officers while concurrently aligning the
interests of the Executive Officers with the interests of the shareholders.
The Executive Officers' ownership of Common Stock is strongly encouraged
because it focuses the Company's executives on the significance of maximizing
shareholder value. Executive compensation is determined by both Company
performance generally and the executive's individual contribution.
Determination of Salaries Generally
The Committee reviews the Executive Officers' salaries on an annual basis
and, if warranted, approves changes recommended by management. Management
recommendations are made by the Chief Executive Officer and the President and
are developed in consultation with the Company's Human Resources Department.
Merit increase guidelines are prepared annually by Company management,
approved by the Compensation Committee, and apply to Company managers
generally. The Committee's review of management recommendations, although
largely subjective and informal, takes into consideration the Company's
performance over the preceding year and each executive's individual
performance and contribution related to the executive's particular business
unit or function and its contribution to overall Company performance. The
Committee believes the Company's executive salaries have generally been set at
conservative levels given the executives' responsibilities, experience, length
of service, skills, and performance.
Salary of Chief Executive Officer
In April 1998, Mr. Cornell received a 6.6% salary increase. This increase
was based upon management's recommendation that Mr. Cornell receive a 1998
compensation increase consistent with the Company's 1998 merit increase
guidelines for excellent performance. This increase was based primarily on the
Company's performance in 1997. For the year ended December 31, 1997, the
Company experienced record net earnings of $1.08 per share (post-split) before
non-recurring costs, representing an increase of 17% over 1996. For the same
period, the Company's sales increased 18% from $2.466 billion to $2.909
billion. The Company's return on average equity for 1997 was 19.7%.
Given the Company's 1997 and long-term performance and the extensive
experience and industry knowledge which Mr. Cornell brings to his position,
the Committee believes his salary is conservative. While this performance was
attributable to the hard work and dedication of all of the Company's
employees, Mr. Cornell's vision and leadership were instrumental in the
Company's success in 1997.
Certain Executive Officers, including Mr. Cornell, have employment contracts
with the Company which are described in this Proxy Statement under Change-in-
Control Arrangements and Employment Contracts. Under these contracts annual
percentage increases in salary must, unless waived by the executive, be at
least equal to the percentage increases over the previous year (to the extent
not attributable to additional responsibilities) of the five highest-paid
executives other than the Executive Officer in question and the Chief
Executive Officer. This contractual provision did not affect the salary
increase approved for Mr. Cornell in 1998.
12
<PAGE>
Determination of Bonuses Generally
Bonuses may be awarded under the Company's Key Management Incentive
Compensation Plan (the "Bonus Plan"). All Bonus Plan bonuses (except for a 10%
discretionary portion) are directly tied to a pre-established formula. The
formula is based on (i) after-tax returns on the Company's adjusted average
equity ("ROAAE") and (ii) EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) returns on
adjusted net assets ("ROANA"). ROAAE and ROANA are given equal weight in the
formula.
The total bonus pool under the Bonus Plan may not exceed 4% of EBIT. Each
participant's bonus is determined by applying the bonus formula to a
percentage of the participant's salary (the "target percentage"). Target
percentages for the Executive Officers appearing in the Summary Compensation
Table were established several years ago. If threshold ROAAE or ROANA levels
are met, a portion of the applicable target percentage becomes payable. This
portion increases as the returns increase above the thresholds. The bonus may
be greater than 100% of the target percentage, subject to the overall limit on
Bonus Plan bonuses.
In 1998 thresholds were exceeded and total Bonus Plan bonuses represented
3.53% of EBIT. In 1997 and 1996, Bonus Plan bonuses represented 3.26% and
3.38% of EBIT, respectively. Thresholds and performance criteria in 1998 were
the same as in 1996 and 1997 and are anticipated to be the same in 1999.
Bonus of Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Cornell's target percentage is 60% of his salary. This target percentage
has not changed in 20 years. His bonus is determined by the application of the
bonus formula in the same manner as other bonuses are determined.
Stock Options
Options to purchase the Company's Common Stock tie the interests of the
Company executives directly to the performance of the Company's Common Stock.
Stock options represent a significant portion of the overall compensation
package of each Executive Officer and a large group of other Company managers.
Only through enhancing shareholder wealth will the Company's Executive
Officers and other managers receive the full potential of this important part
of their compensation package. Approximately 920 employees, including
Executive Officers, presently hold stock options.
Other Stock-Based Compensation
In addition to stock options, the Company employs other compensation plans
which encourage executive ownership of Company Common Stock. Under various
stock purchase plans, Executive Officers and more than 7,500 other employees
make significant contributions of their own funds toward the purchase of
Common Stock.
All of the Company's Executive Officers, except Mr. Cornell, participate in
the Company's Executive Stock Purchase Program ("ESPP"). The purpose of the
ESPP is to assist Company management employees in saving for their retirement
while building a long-term stake in the Company.
Under the ESPP, the Company grants cash awards in the amount of 50% of an
executive's "Eligible Contributions" to the Company's 1989 Discount Stock Plan
(the "Stock Plan"), plus an additional amount which is withheld to pay a
portion of the executive's federal and state taxes attributable to the cash
awards ("tax offset bonus"). The Stock Plan is a plan qualified under Section
423 of the Internal Revenue Code ("Code") under which employees may purchase
Company Common Stock at a discount. "Eligible Contributions" are contributions
made by the executive to the Stock Plan up to 5.7% of his compensation above
his compensation base (in most cases $21,935). In addition, the ESPP provides
for an additional cash award in the amount of 50% of Eligible Contributions
plus a tax offset bonus in the event performance criteria are met for the year
in question. The performance criteria in 1998 was 12.5% return on average
equity, which was the same as the goal in 1996 and 1997. The performance goal
was met in 1998.
13
<PAGE>
Certain Executive Officers, including Mr. Cornell, may participate only
partially in the ESPP. For this reason Mr. Cornell and other Executive
Officers receive awards of Company Common Stock under the Company's 1989
Flexible Stock Plan. Mr. Cornell and the other Executive Officers receive
stock awards which are designed to be substantially similar in effect to
participation in the ESPP.
Other Matters
Due to limitations imposed by the Code, Mr. Cornell and other Executive
Officers have been unable for several years to fully participate in the
Company's tax-qualified Retirement Plan. For this reason the Committee
approved payments to Mr. Cornell and other Executive Officers in 1998 to
compensate them for the reductions (through 1998) of their retirement benefits
resulting from their inability to fully participate in the Retirement Plan.
Section 162(m) of the Code generally disallows a tax deduction to public
companies for compensation over $1 million paid to any of the Company's Chief
Executive Officer and four other most highly compensated Executive Officers.
Certain performance-based compensation, however, is specifically exempt from
the deduction limit. Because of the deferral of either salary or bonus, no
Executive Officer of the Company received compensation in 1998 which exceeded
the $1 million threshold. The Committee has approved the 1999 Key Officers
Incentive Plan which is intended to comply with Section 162(m). The Incentive
Plan is being presented to shareholders for approval at the Annual Meeting.
(See page 9 for a description of the Incentive Plan.)
R. Ted Enloe, III (Chairman)
Richard T. Fisher
Richard L. Pearsall
14
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND RELATED MATTERS
The following table sets forth a summary of certain compensation provided to
the Company's five most highly compensated Executive Officers for each of the
three years in the period ending December 31, 1998.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Long-Term
Annual Compensation Compensation
------------------------------ -------------
Securities All Other
Name and Principal Other Annual Underlying Compensation
Position Year Salary Bonus Compensation Options(#)(1) ($)(7)
------------------ ----- -------- -------- ------------ ------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Harry M. Cornell, Jr.... 1998 $667,231 $654,810 -0- 5,196 $219,520
Chairman of the Board
and 1997 $603,577 $684,786 -0- 39,892(2) $199,993
Chief Executive Officer 1996 $565,577 $638,250 -0- 244,466(2) $182,548
Michael A. Glauber...... 1998 $294,423 $219,110 -0- 12,829(3) $ 69,692
Senior Vice President, 1997 $259,654 $223,117 -0- 29,116(3) $ 57,163
Finance and
Administration 1996 $239,615 $181,300 -0- 168,708(3) $ 52,316
David S. Haffner........ 1998 $393,385 $290,887 -0- 14,564(4) $ 85,262
Executive Vice
President and 1997 $343,577 $294,682 -0- 37,570(4) $ 73,242
Director 1996 $307,192 $233,100 -0- 178,268(4) $ 62,652
Robert A. Jefferies, Jr. 1998 $376,846 $277,287 -0- 22,884(5) $ 79,930
Senior Vice President, 1997 $339,177 $286,263 -0- 60,749(5) $ 69,757
Mergers, Acquisitions
and 1996 $307,192 $233,100 -0- 181,664(5) $ 59,106
Strategic Planning and
Director
Felix E. Wright......... 1998 $620,308 $614,514 -0- 38,788(6) $174,052
President and Chief
Operating 1997 $530,116 $617,430 -0- 76,304(6) $141,632
Officer and Director... 1996 $455,577 $430,125 -0- 200,102(6) $113,699
</TABLE>
- ---------------------
(1) The number of shares covered by options reflect a 2-for-1 stock split on
June 15, 1998, to shareholders of record on May 29, 1998.
(2) 1997 includes stock options for 39,892 shares awarded Mr. Cornell in lieu
of $684,786 of 1997 bonus. 1996 includes stock options for 50,006 shares
awarded Mr. Cornell in lieu of $624,550 of 1996 bonus. (The bonus foregone
is also shown in the "Bonus" column.) 1996 also includes 58,700 non-
qualified stock options awarded Mr. Cornell to induce him to convert his
outstanding incentive stock options into non-qualified stock options.
(3) 1998 includes stock options for 12,542 shares awarded Mr. Glauber in lieu
of $215,304 of 1998 salary. 1997 includes stock options for 14,116 shares
awarded Mr. Glauber in lieu of $176,300 of 1997 salary. 1996 includes
102,650 non-qualified stock options awarded Mr. Glauber to induce him to
convert his outstanding incentive stock options into non-qualified stock
options. 1996 also includes stock options for 12,858 shares awarded Mr.
Glauber in lieu of $160,600 of 1996 bonus. (The salary and bonus foregone
are also shown in the "Salary" and "Bonus" columns.)
(4) 1998 represents stock options awarded Mr. Haffner in lieu of $250,000 of
1998 salary. 1997 includes stock options for 8,006 shares and 14,564
shares awarded Mr. Haffner in lieu of $100,000 of 1997 salary and $250,000
of 1997 bonus. 1996 includes stock options for 21,504 shares and 16,014
shares awarded Mr. Haffner in lieu of $200,000 of 1996 salary and $200,000
of 1996 bonus. 1996 also includes 67,750 non-qualified stock options
awarded Mr. Haffner to induce him to convert his outstanding incentive
stock options into non-qualified stock options. (The salary and bonus
foregone are also shown in the "Salary" and "Bonus" columns.)
15
<PAGE>
(5) 1998 includes stock options for 22,198 shares awarded Mr. Jefferies in
lieu of $373,129 of 1998 salary. 1997 includes stock options for 26,916
shares awarded Mr. Jefferies in lieu of $336,177 of 1997 salary and 18,833
shares awarded in lieu of $286,263 of 1997 bonus. 1996 includes stock
options for 4,300 shares and 18,664 shares awarded Mr. Jefferies in lieu
of $40,000 of 1996 salary and $233,100 of 1996 bonus. 1996 also includes
87,900 non-qualified stock options awarded Mr. Jefferies to induce him to
convert his outstanding incentive stock options into non-qualified stock
options. (The salary and bonus foregone are also shown in the "Salary" and
"Bonus" columns.)
(6) 1998 includes stock options for 35,960 shares awarded Mr. Wright in lieu
of $616,711 of 1998 salary. 1997 includes stock options for 40,336 shares
and 35,968 shares awarded Mr. Wright in lieu of $503,768 of 1997 salary
and $617,430 of 1997 bonus. 1996 includes stock options for 30,802 shares
awarded Mr. Wright in lieu of $384,700 of 1996 bonus. 1996 also includes
37,100 non-qualified stock options awarded Mr. Wright to induce him to
convert his outstanding incentive stock options into non-qualified stock
options. (The salary and bonus foregone are also shown in the "Salary" and
"Bonus" columns.)
(7) The majority of All Other Compensation represents awards under the
Company's Executive Stock Purchase Program ("ESPP") and Flexible Stock
Plan which replace benefits not available to the Executive Officers under
the Company's tax-qualified defined contribution plan. The amounts
disclosed for 1998 include: life insurance premiums (Cornell--$1,719,
Wright--$711); disability insurance premiums (Glauber--$5,446, Haffner--
$4,848, Jefferies--$3,941); ESPP and stock awards (Cornell--$181,604,
Glauber--$58,528, Haffner--$78,794, Jefferies--$66,853, Wright--$143,428);
payments made to compensate for reductions in retirement benefits
resulting from inability to fully participate in the Company's tax-
qualified defined benefit retirement plan (Cornell--$27,546, Glauber--
$3,295, Haffner--$562, Jefferies--$6,482, Wright--$25,719); and life
insurance income (Cornell--$8,651, Glauber--$2,423, Haffner--$1,058,
Jefferies--$2,654, Wright--$4,194).
Stock Option Information
The following table provides information concerning stock options granted
during the year ended December 31, 1998, to the Executive Officers named
above.
OPTION GRANTS IN 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Potential Realizable Value
% of Total at Assumed Annual Rates of
Options Exercise Market Stock Price Appreciation
Options Granted to Price Price on for Option Term(2)
Granted Employees in ($ per Date of Expiration ----------------------------
Name (#)(1) Fiscal Year Share) Grant Date 0% 5% 10%
- ---- ------- ------------ -------- -------- ---------- -------- -------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
H. Cornell, Jr.......... 5,196(3) .38% $0.01 $25.5625 06/30/2013 $132,771 $276,077 $ 554,782
M. Glauber.............. 287(3) .07% $0.01 $25.5625 06/30/2013 $ 7,334 $ 15,249 $ 30,643
635(4) $4.175 $20.875 12/22/2013 $ 10,605 $ 24,906 $ 52,721
R. Jefferies, Jr........ 686(3) 3.30% $0.01 $25.5625 06/30/2013 $ 17,529 $ 36,449 $ 73,245
21,863(5) $0.01 $17.875 10/08/2013 $390,582 $812,229 $1,632,255
22,161(4) $4.175 $20.875 12/22/2013 $370,089 $869,213 $1,839,918
F. Wright............... 2,828(3) .21% $0.01 $25.5625 06/30/2013 $ 72,262 $150,259 $ 301,948
</TABLE>
- ---------------------
(1) The number of shares covered by the options granted reflect a 2-for-1
stock split on June 15, 1998, to shareholders of record on May 29, 1998.
(2) These dollar amounts represent a hypothetical increase in the price of the
Common Stock from the date of option grant until their expiration date at
the rate of 0%, 5% and 10% per annum compounded.
(3) Stock option grant in lieu of accrued retirement benefits. The options are
vested and became exercisable on January 1, 1999.
(4) Stock option grant in lieu of 1999 salary. The options vest as salary is
earned but do not become exercisable until December 1999.
16
<PAGE>
(5) Includes stock options for 18,833 shares awarded in lieu of 1997 bonus,
stock options for 2,880 shares awarded in lieu of 1998 salary and 150
shares awarded for accrued retirement benefits. The options granted in
lieu of salary and bonus are vested but do not become exercisable until
April 1999.
The table below provides information concerning stock options exercised
during the year ended December 31, 1998, by the five named Executive Officers
and stock options held by them as of December 31, 1998.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN 1998 AND 12/31/98 OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Value of Unexercised In-
Number of Unexercised the-Money Options at
Shares Options at 12/31/98 12/31/98
Acquired Value ------------------------- -------------------------
Name On Exercise Realized Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
- ---- ----------- ---------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Harry M. Cornell, Jr.... 70,000 $1,454,687 213,412 56,364 $ 3,453,583 $ 654,722
Michael A. Glauber...... 52,812 $1,171,597 235,822 37,990 $ 3,860,781 $ 571,818
David S. Haffner........ -0- -0- 371,452 43,668 $ 6,699,427 $ 623,901
Robert A. Jefferies,
Jr..................... -0- -0- 356,312 88,378 $ 6,266,316 $1,514,773
Felix E. Wright......... -0- -0- 590,450 53,996 $10,774,674 $ 611,036
</TABLE>
The number of shares covered by the options reflect a 2-for-1 stock split on
June 15, 1998, to shareholders of record on May 29, 1998.
Retirement Plan
The Company has a voluntary, tax-qualified, defined benefit pension plan
(the "Retirement Plan"). The Retirement Plan requires a contribution from
participating employees of 2% of base salary. Employees are not allowed to
discontinue contributions to the Retirement Plan while still in the employ of
the Company. Normal retirement benefits are equal to 1% of the employee's
career average earnings times the number of years the employee was a
participant in the Retirement Plan. Earnings for purposes of the Retirement
Plan include only salary or wages.
The estimated annual benefits payable upon retirement at the normal
retirement age are listed below for the named Executive Officers.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Projected Annual
Executive Officer Retirement Benefit
----------------- ------------------
<S> <C>
Harry M. Cornell, Jr...................................... $65,688
Michael A. Glauber........................................ $41,735
David S. Haffner.......................................... $53,516
Robert A. Jefferies, Jr................................... $40,171
Felix E. Wright........................................... $49,524
</TABLE>
As described below, Messrs. Cornell and Wright are entitled to supplemental
pension payments. If Mr. Cornell retired at December 31, 1999, his estimated
annual supplemental pension payment would be $742,660. If Mr. Wright retired
at December 31, 1999, his estimated annual supplemental pension payment would
be $339,060. Messrs. Cornell's and Wright's annual pension payments are based
upon 65% and 35%, respectively, of the average of their highest consecutive
five-year earnings.
Change-in-Control Arrangements and Employment Contracts
Messrs. Cornell, Jefferies and Wright are parties to severance benefit
agreements with the Company. The severance benefit agreements have no fixed
expiration dates. Messrs. Cornell, Jefferies and Wright are parties to
employment contracts with the Company that expire on May 10, 2000, December
31, 2006, and October 1, 2002, respectively, subject to certain provisions
which allow earlier termination in the event of total disability and for
cause. Under Mr. Jefferies' and Mr. Wright's employment contracts,
compensation levels are at the discretion of the Company's Compensation
Committee subject to the provision that annual percentage increases in salary
must be at least equal to percentage increases over the previous year (to the
extent increases were not attributable to additional responsibilities) of the
salaries of the Company's five highest paid executives other than the
executive and the Company's Chief Executive Officer.
17
<PAGE>
Mr. Cornell and Mr. Wright are entitled to a supplemental pension in
addition to the pension each is entitled to under the Retirement Plan. Mr.
Cornell is entitled to the supplemental pension upon termination of
employment, while Mr. Wright is entitled to the supplemental pension beginning
the later of termination of employment or the expiration of any consulting
agreement (as described below). The supplemental pension will be for life or
15 years, whichever is longer. Annual pension payments are based on the
average of each Executive's highest consecutive five-year earnings ("Average
Earnings"). These payments are 65% and 35% of Average Earnings for Mr. Cornell
and Mr. Wright, respectively. While each of Mr. Cornell and Mr. Wright
receives supplemental pension payments, the Company will provide each of them
and his respective dependents with life, hospitalization, and medical
insurance benefits.
If either Mr. Jefferies or Mr. Wright is terminated without cause, each is
entitled to continue to receive his total compensation at the time of his
termination until the earlier of five years after termination or December 31,
2006, in the case of Mr. Jefferies, and October 1, 2002, in the case of Mr.
Wright.
Mr. Cornell and Mr. Wright may elect to enter into two-year consulting
agreements within 120 days after termination of employment, except in the case
of total disability or termination for cause. Mr. Cornell will be paid for
consulting services in amounts equal to 100% for the first year and 75% for
the second year of his 1998 compensation. Mr. Wright will be paid an amount
equal to 60% of Average Earnings for each year of his consulting agreement.
In the event of a hostile change-in-control, Mr. Jefferies may elect to
enter into a consulting agreement in which he will be paid an amount equal to
100% for the first year and 75% for the second year of total cash compensation
in the year immediately preceding termination.
The severance benefit agreements entitle the covered executives to severance
benefits if, during any 36-month period following a change-in-control of the
Company, (i) the executive's employment is terminated by the Company (except
for cause or disability), or (ii) the executive terminates his employment for
"good reason." The severance benefits include the payment in 36 monthly
installments of an amount equal to three times the executive's annual salary
plus bonus. The severance benefits also include participation in certain
fringe benefits, the immediate vesting of stock options, and the purchase by
the Company of all Common Stock offered by the executive to the Company. All
amounts received by the executive as cash compensation from a new full time
job will reduce the cash severance payments dollar for dollar. Similarly, any
fringe benefits the executive receives from his new job will reduce any fringe
benefits the Company is then providing. However, the executive is not required
to mitigate the severance benefits he obtains.
The agreements further provide that within one year following a change-in-
control opposed by a majority of the Directors, the executive may elect to
terminate his employment for any reason and receive, in lieu of the benefits
described above, a lump sum payment equal to 75% of the executive's cash
compensation preceding the year of termination and certain fringe benefits for
one year.
If Mr. Cornell, Mr. Wright or Mr. Jefferies elects to take the severance
benefits provided, he will forfeit his right to enter into the two-year
consulting agreement with the Company described above.
Related Transactions
In 1998, Mr. Cornell leased to the Company, on a month-to-month basis,
certain real estate located in Keystone, Colorado for $1,925 per month.
Pace Industries, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, leases its
corporate offices in Fayetteville, Arkansas as a sublessee for a portion of
the space under a lease held by Gaddy Investment Company ("GICO"), a
corporation controlled by Mr. Gaddy. Mr. Gaddy is the Chairman and 100%
stockholder of GICO. Rental expense under this lease was $211,396 for 1998.
Management believes that the terms of this lease agreement are at least as
favorable as could have been obtained from unaffiliated third parties.
During 1998, Mr. Gaddy, either personally or through GICO or Vestamerica,
Inc., an entity wholly owned by him, paid Pace Industries, Inc. $92,299 for
usage of aircraft.
18
<PAGE>
Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP performed legal services for the Company in 1998,
and it is anticipated that they will perform legal services for the Company in
1999. Mr. Purnell is a partner in Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP.
In 1998, the Company purchased shares of Common Stock from several of its
Executive Officers and Directors. These purchases were made at prevailing
market prices at the time of purchase. Most of the purchases were made in
connection with the exercise of non-qualified stock options by the Executives.
Details of the various purchases are set out in the following chart.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Purchase Number Market Price
Date Name of Shares(1) per Share(1)
-------- ---- ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
January 5 Jack D. Crusa 4,772 $21.25
January 21 Michael A. Glauber 4,576 $23.00
February 11 Michael A. Glauber 4,726 $24.9688
February 18 Robert G. Griffin 3,408 $24.7188
March 2 Ernest C. Jett 3,902 $25.0938
March 2 Felix E. Wright 6,000 $25.0938
March 10 Michael A. Glauber 10,784 $26.25
May 19 Harry M. Cornell, Jr. 36,254 $26.3438
May 27 Michael A. Glauber 10,770 $25.9688
July 31 Allan J. Ross 5,452 $27.75
November 6 Bob L. Gaddy 25,000 $24.875
November 30 Felix E. Wright 30,000 $23.375
</TABLE>
- ---------------------
(1) The number of shares and market price per share reflect a 2-for-1 stock
split on June 15, 1998, to shareholders of record on May 29, 1998.
OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK
The table below sets forth the beneficial ownership of Common Stock on
February 23, 1999, by the Company's Directors, the five most highly
compensated Executive Officers, and all Directors and Executive Officers as a
Group.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Common Stock
-----------------------
Beneficially % of
Directors and Executive Officers Owned(1) Class(2)
- -------------------------------- ------------ --------
<S> <C> <C>
Raymond F. Bentele, Director........................... 7,836 --
Harry M. Cornell, Jr., Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer..................................... 5,283,179 2.66%
Robert Ted Enloe, III, Director........................ 9,771 --
Richard T. Fisher, Director............................ 114,800 --
Bob L. Gaddy, Senior Vice President and Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of Aluminum Products and
Director.............................................. 1,347,138(3) .68%
Michael A. Glauber, Senior Vice President, Finance and
Administration........................................ 545,978 .28%
David S. Haffner, Executive Vice President and
Director.............................................. 772,527 .39%
Thomas A. Hays, Director............................... 19,680 --
Robert A. Jefferies, Jr., Senior Vice President,
Mergers, Acquisitions and Strategic Planning and
Director.............................................. 799,421 .40%
Alexander M. Levine, Director.......................... 1,327,296(4) .67%
Richard L. Pearsall, Director.......................... 960,762(5) .48%
Duane W. Potter, Senior Vice President and Director.... 606,229 .31%
Maurice E. Purnell, Jr., Director...................... 16,032 --
Alice L. Walton, Director.............................. 229,748 .12%
Felix E. Wright, President and Chief Operating Officer
and Director.......................................... 2,447,991 1.23%
All Executive Officers and Directors as a Group (20
Persons).............................................. 14,895,542 7.44%
</TABLE>
19
<PAGE>
In addition, Herbert C. Casteel, Frank E. Ford, Jr., and Jack B. Morris,
Advisory Directors of the Company, beneficially owned 100,024, 817,472, and
3,691,065 shares, respectively, of Common Stock which represents .05%, .41%,
and 1.86%, respectively, of the total outstanding Common Stock.
- ---------------------
(1) The shares shown above as beneficially owned include those shares the
following persons have the right to acquire within 60 days from February
23, 1999, by way of option exercise: Mr. Bentele--3,836; Mr. Cornell--
221,524; Mr. Enloe--5,771; Mr. Ford--5,676; Mr. Gaddy--181,262; Mr.
Glauber--204,487; Mr. Haffner--285,458; Mr. Hays--5,680; Mr. Jefferies--
317,869, Mr. Potter--153,442; Mr. Purnell--6,032; Ms. Walton--2,240; Mr.
Wright--491,906; and all Executive Officers and Directors as a group (20
Persons)--2,067,483.
(2) Beneficial ownership of less than .1% of the class is not shown.
(3) Includes 8,849 shares held by a private charitable foundation of which Mr.
Gaddy is co-trustee. He shares voting and investment power of these
shares.
(4) Includes 407,296 shares held by a trust of which Mr. Levine is co-trustee.
He shares voting and investment power of these shares.
(5) Includes 30,000 shares held by a private charitable foundation of which
Mr. Pearsall is president. He shares voting and investment power of these
shares.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
The Company knows of no beneficial owner of more than 5% of its Common Stock
as of February 23, 1999, except as set out below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name and Address Amount and Nature of Percent
of Beneficial Owner Beneficial Ownership(1) of Class
------------------- ----------------------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
FMR Corp................................. 25,587,210 12.91%
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
</TABLE>
- ---------------------
(1) FMR Corp. has sole dispositive power with respect to 25,587,210 shares and
sole voting power with respect to 1,722,610 shares. This information is
based on Amendment No. 4 to Schedule 13G of FMR Corp., dated February 1,
1999, which reported beneficial ownership as of December 31, 1998.
FINANCIAL DATA
The Company's Annual Report containing financial statements of the Company
for the year ended December 31, 1998, has been enclosed in the same mailing
with this Proxy Statement.
2000 SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Proposals of shareholders intended to be presented at the 2000 Annual
Meeting must be received by the Company by December 1, 1999, for inclusion in
the Company's Proxy Statement and proxy relating to that meeting. Upon receipt
of any such proposal, the Company will determine whether or not to include
such proposal in the Proxy Statement and proxy in accordance with regulations
governing the solicitation of proxies.
In order for a shareholder to nominate a candidate for Director, Section 2.1
of the Company's Bylaws requires that timely notice of the nomination must be
received by the Company, in the case of an annual meeting, 90 days prior to
the anniversary date of the previous year's annual meeting, or by February 12,
2000, in the case of the 2000 Annual Meeting, and in the case of a special
meeting for the election of Directors, by the close of business on the tenth
day following the date on which notice of such meeting is first given to
20
<PAGE>
shareholders. The shareholder filing the notice of nomination must describe
various matters as specified in the Company's Bylaws, including the name and
address of the shareholder who intends to make the nomination, each proposed
nominee, each of their occupations, and the number of shares held, and certain
other information.
In order for a shareholder to bring other business before a shareholder
meeting, Section 1.2 of the Company's Bylaws requires that notice must be
received by the Company not less than 60 nor more than 80 days before the
first anniversary date on which the Company's proxy materials related to the
previous year's annual meeting were first mailed, or between January 11, 2000,
and January 31, 2000, for the 2000 Annual Meeting. Such notice must include a
description of the proposed business, the name and address of the shareholder
and number of shares held, any material interest of the shareholder in such
business, and other matters specified in the Company's Bylaws. In order for a
shareholder to bring business other than nominees for Director before a
shareholder meeting, it must be an appropriate subject matter for shareholder
action under applicable law.
These Bylaw requirements are separate from and in addition to the
requirements a shareholder must meet to have a proposal included in the
Company's proxy statement. The Bylaw requirements also apply in determining
whether notice is timely for purposes of rules adopted by the Securities and
Exchange Commission relating to the exercise of discretionary voting
authority. In each case the notice must be given to the Secretary of the
Company, whose address is No. 1 Leggett Road, Carthage, Missouri 64836.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board does not know of any other matters which may come before the
Annual Meeting. However, if any other matters are properly brought before the
meeting by the Board or any shareholder, the persons named in the accompanying
proxy intend to vote said proxy in accordance with their judgment on such
matters. The enclosed proxy confers discretionary authority to take action
with respect to any additional matters which may come before the meeting.
Even if you expect to be personally present at the meeting, the Board hopes
you will indicate your vote on the various proposals, date and sign the
enclosed proxy, and return it promptly to the Company in the envelope provided
to ensure that your shares are voted in the event you are unavoidably absent.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Ernest C. Jett
Secretary
Carthage, Missouri
March 31, 1999
21
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
LEGGETT & PLATT, INCORPORATED
1989 DISCOUNT STOCK PLAN
(As amended and restated in its entirety effective May 12, 1999)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<C> <S> <C>
ARTICLE I. NAME AND PURPOSE.......................................... 1
Section 1.1 Name...................................................... 1
Section 1.2 Purpose and Construction.................................. 1
ARTICLE II. DEFINITIONS OF TERMS...................................... 1
Section 2.1 General Definitions....................................... 1
(a)Board.................................................. 1
(b)Code................................................... 1
(c)Company................................................ 1
(d)Committee.............................................. 1
(e)Common Stock........................................... 1
(f)Compensation........................................... 1
(g)Effective Date......................................... 1
(h)Employee............................................... 1
(i)Eligible Employee...................................... 1
(j)Employer............................................... 1
(k)Entry Date............................................. 1
(l)Exercise Date.......................................... 1
(m)Fair Market Value...................................... 1
(n)Offering............................................... 2
(o)Offering Date.......................................... 2
(p)Offering Period........................................ 2
(q)Option................................................. 2
(r)Parent................................................. 2
(s)Participant............................................ 2
(t)Plan................................................... 2
(u)Prior Plan............................................. 2
(v)Rule 16b-3............................................. 2
(w)SEC.................................................... 2
(x)Share.................................................. 2
(y)Subsidiary............................................. 2
(z)Termination Date....................................... 2
Section 2.2 Other Definitions......................................... 2
ARTICLE III. SHARES TO BE OFFERED...................................... 2
Section 3.1 Number of Shares.......................................... 2
Section 3.2 Reusage................................................... 2
Section 3.3 Adjustments............................................... 2
ARTICLE IV. ADMINISTRATION............................................ 3
Section 4.1 Committee................................................. 3
Section 4.2 Authority................................................. 3
Section 4.3 Determinations............................................ 3
Section 4.4 Delegation................................................ 3
ARTICLE V. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION................................. 3
Section 5.1 Power of Board............................................ 3
Section 5.2 Limitation................................................ 3
</TABLE>
A-i
<PAGE>
Page
----
Section 5.3 Term................................................. 3
Section 5.4 Termination.......................................... 3
Section 5.5 Effect............................................... 4
ARTICLE VI. OFFERINGS............................................ 4
Section 6.1 Offerings............................................ 4
Section 6.2 Terms of Offering.................................... 4
ARTICLE VII. GRANTS, PARTICIPATION AND WITHDRAWAL................. 4
Section 7.1 Grant of Options..................................... 4
Section 7.2 Options Not Transferable............................. 5
Section 7.3 Election to Participate.............................. 5
Section 7.4 Method of Payment and Stock Purchase Accounts........ 5
Section 7.5 Withdrawal from the Plan............................. 5
ARTICLE VIII. PURCHASE OF STOCK.................................... 5
Section 8.1 Exercise of Option................................... 5
Section 8.2 Allotment of Shares.................................. 5
Section 8.3 Rights on Retirement, Death or Termination of
Employment........................................... 5
Section 8.4 Delivery of Stock.................................... 6
ARTICLE IX. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS............................. 6
Section 9.1 Underscored References............................... 6
Section 9.2 Number and Gender.................................... 6
Section 9.3 Governing Law........................................ 6
Section 9.4 Purchase for Investment.............................. 6
Section 9.5 Restricted Shares.................................... 6
Section 9.6 No Employment Contract............................... 7
Section 9.7 Offset............................................... 7
A-ii
<PAGE>
LEGGETT & PLATT, INCORPORATED
1989 DISCOUNT STOCK PLAN
(As amended and restated in its entirety effective May 12, 1999)
ARTICLE I
NAME AND PURPOSE
1.1 Name. The name of this Plan is the "Leggett & Platt, Incorporated 1989
Discount Stock Plan."
1.2 Purpose and Construction. The Company has established this Plan to
encourage and facilitate the purchase of its Common Stock by Eligible
Employees. This Plan is intended to qualify as an "Employee Stock Purchase
Plan" under Section 423 of the Code. Consequently, the provisions of this Plan
shall be construed in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 423
of the Code. Any term or provision of this Plan which is inconsistent with the
requirements of Section 423 of the Code shall be inapplicable.
ARTICLE II
DEFINITIONS OF TERMS
2.1 General Definitions. The following words and phrases, when used in the
Plan, unless otherwise specifically defined or unless the context clearly
otherwise requires shall have the following respective meanings:
(a) Board. The Board of Directors of the Company.
(b) Code. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference to
the Code includes the regulations promulgated pursuant to the Code.
(c) Company. Leggett & Platt, Incorporated.
(d) Committee. The Committee described in Section 4.1.
(e) Common Stock. The Company's $.01 par value common stock.
(f) Compensation. The gross salary, wages and bonuses earned by an
Employee for services rendered to an Employer plus any other remuneration
so earned as the Committee shall determine. Compensation also includes any
Compensation deferred pursuant to any Company plan, program or arrangement.
(g) Effective Date. July 1, 1989. However, in order to remain effective,
the Plan must be approved by the shareholders of the Company within one
year before or after approval by the Board. Any Offerings made prior to the
approval by the shareholders of the Company shall be void if such approval
is not obtained.
(h) Employee. A person employed by the Employer.
(i) Eligible Employee. With respect to each Offering, an Employee who is
eligible to be granted an Option under the terms of such Offering.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Offering, all Employees
must be Eligible Employees except Employees who may be excluded from an
"Employee Stock Purchase Plan" under Section 423 of the Code. The
determination of whether an Employee is an Eligible Employee shall be made
as of each Entry Date. For purposes of determining an Employee's
eligibility under the Plan, the Committee shall have the right to determine
that employment for an entity which is acquired by an Employer or whose
assets are acquired by an Employer is employment by the Employer.
(j) Employer. With respect to each Offering, the Company and all of its
Parents and Subsidiaries whose Employees are eligible to be granted Options
to purchase Common Stock in such Offering.
(k) Entry Date. Each date that an Eligible Employee may become a
Participant in the Plan.
(l) Exercise Date. Each date on which an Option is exercised.
(m) Fair Market Value. The closing price of Shares on the New York Stock
Exchange on a given date as reported on the New York Stock Exchange
composite tape, or, in the absence of sales on a given date, the closing
price (as so reported) on the New York Stock Exchange on the last day on
which a sale occurred prior to such date.
A-1
<PAGE>
(n) Offering. An offering consisting of grants of Options to purchase
Shares under the Plan.
(o) Offering Date. Each date selected by the Committee for the initial
granting of Options to purchase Shares in an Offering.
(p) Offering Period. With respect to each Offering, the period beginning
on the Offering Date and ending on the Termination Date.
(q) Option. An option granted under the Plan to purchase Shares.
(r) Parent. Any corporation (other than the Company or a Subsidiary) in
an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company, if, at the time
of the grant of an Option, each of the corporations (other than the Company
or a Subsidiary) owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined
voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in
such chain.
(s) Participant. An Eligible Employee who has elected to participate in
the Plan.
(t) Plan. The Leggett & Platt, Incorporated 1989 Discount Stock Plan and
all amendments and supplements to it.
(u) Prior Plan. The Leggett & Platt, Incorporated Employee Discount Stock
Plan, as amended. The last offering under the Prior Plan shall terminate by
its terms on the day before the Effective Date. As of the Effective Date,
the plan shall be an amendment in its entirety and restatement of the Prior
Plan. However, the Plan shall not adversely affect any benefits or rights
under the Prior Plan.
(v) Rule 16b-3. Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the SEC, as amended.
(w) SEC. The Securities and Exchange Commission.
(x) Share. A share of Common Stock.
(y) Subsidiary. Any corporation, other than the Company, in an unbroken
chain of corporations beginning with the Company if, at the time of grant
of an Option, each of the corporations, other than the last corporation in
the unbroken chain, owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined
voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in
such chain.
(z) Termination Date. The date on which an Offering expires.
2.2 Other Definitions. In addition to the above definitions, certain words
and phrases used in the Plan and in any Offering may be defined in other
portions of the Plan or in such Offering.
ARTICLE III
SHARES TO BE OFFERED
3.1 Number of Shares. The maximum number of Shares for which Options may be
granted under the Plan shall be 19,000,000. Shares may be authorized but
unissued Shares, Shares held in the treasury, or both.
3.2 Reusage. If an Option expires or is terminated, surrendered, or canceled
without having been fully exercised, the Shares covered by such Option which
were not purchased shall again be available for use under the Plan.
3.3 Adjustments. If there is any change in the Common Stock of the Company
by reason of any stock dividend, spin-off, split-up, spin-out,
recapitalization, merger, consolidation, reorganization, combination or
exchange of shares, or otherwise, the number and class of shares available for
Options, the maximum number of Shares that may be purchased in the current
Offering Period, and the price per Share, as applicable, shall be
appropriately adjusted by the Committee.
A-2
<PAGE>
ARTICLE IV
ADMINISTRATION
4.1 Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The
Committee shall consist of three or more members of the Board who are "Non-
employee Directors" as defined in Rule 16b-3. The members of the Committee
shall be appointed by and shall serve at the pleasure of the Board, which may
from time to time appoint members in substitution for members previously
appointed and fill vacancies, however caused, in the Committee. The Committee
may select one of its members as its Chairman and shall hold its meetings at
such times and places as it may determine. A majority of its members shall
constitute a quorum. All determinations of the Committee shall be made by a
majority of its members. Any decision or determination reduced to writing and
signed by a majority of the members shall be as fully effective as if it had
been made by a majority vote at a meeting duly called and held.
4.2 Authority. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee shall have
complete authority to:
(a) determine the terms and conditions of, and the Eligible Employees
under, each Offering, as described in ARTICLE VI
(b) interpret and construe the Plan;
(c) prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the
Plan;
(d) maintain accounts, records and ledgers relating to Options;
(e) maintain records concerning its decisions and proceedings;
(f) employ agents, attorneys, accountants or other persons for such
purposes as the Committee considers necessary or desirable; and
(g) do and perform all acts which it may deem necessary or appropriate
for the administration of the Plan and carry out the purposes of the Plan.
4.3 Determinations. All determinations of the Committee shall be final.
4.4 Delegation. Except as required for compliance with Rule 16b-3 or other
applicable law, the Committee may delegate all or any part of its authority
under the Plan to any Employee, Employees or committee.
ARTICLE V
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
5.1 Power of Board. Except as hereinafter provided, the Board shall have the
sole right and power to amend the Plan at any time and from time to time.
5.2 Limitation. The Board may not amend the Plan, without approval of the
shareholders of the Company:
(a) in a manner which would cause the Plan to fail to meet the
requirements of Sections 423 of the Code;
(b) in a manner which would cause the Plan to fail to meet the
requirements of Rule 16b-3; or
(c) in a manner which would violate applicable law.
5.3 Term. The Plan shall commence as of the Effective Date and, subject to
the terms of the Plan including those requiring approval by the shareholders
of the Company, shall continue in full force and effect until terminated.
5.4 Termination. The Plan may be terminated at any time by the Board. The
Plan shall automatically terminate when all of the Shares available for
purchase under the Plan have been sold. Upon termination of the Plan, and the
exercise or lapse of all outstanding Options, any balances remaining in each
Participant's stock purchase account shall be refunded to him.
A-3
<PAGE>
5.5 Effect. The amendment or termination of the Plan shall not adversely
affect any Options granted prior to such amendment or termination.
ARTICLE VI
OFFERINGS
6.1 Offerings. There may be one or more Offerings under the Plan, which
shall occur at such time or times, if any, as the Committee shall determine.
Offerings may run concurrently and/or consecutively. Except as otherwise
provided in an Offering, all capitalized terms used in the Offering shall have
the same meaning as in the Plan, and the Offering shall be subject to all of
the terms and conditions of the Plan.
6.2 Terms of Offering. At the time each Offering is made, the Committee will
determine all of the terms and conditions of the Offering, which terms and
conditions shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(a) The number of Shares to be offered, which in no event shall exceed
the maximum number of Shares then available under the provisions of ARTICLE
III.
(b) The Offering Period. In no event shall an Offering Period exceed the
maximum period permitted under Section 423 of the Code.
(c) The price per Share for which Common Stock will be sold to
Participants who exercise Options, which price shall not be less than the
lower of the following:
(i) 85% of the Fair Market Value on the date upon which the Option
was granted; or
(ii) 85% of the Fair Market Value on the Exercise Date upon which the
Option is exercised.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the price per Share be
less than the par value.
(d) The Eligible Employees with respect to the Offering. All Eligible
Employees on an Entry Date shall be eligible with respect to the Options to
be granted on such Entry Date. However, no Employee shall be granted an
Option:
(i) if, immediately after the grant, such Employee would own (within
the meaning of Section 423(b)(3) of the Code) stock possessing 5% or
more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of
stock of the Company or of any Parent or Subsidiary; or
(ii) which permits his rights to purchase stock under all employee
stock purchase plans (as defined in Section 423(b) of the Code) of the
Company and its Parents and Subsidiaries to accrue at a rate which
exceeds $25,000 of fair market value of such stock, determined as of
the time such Option is granted, for each calendar year in which such
Option is outstanding at anytime.
(e) The number of Entry Dates and the date of each Entry Date.
(f) The number of Exercise Dates and the date of each Exercise Date.
(g) The maximum number of Shares that may be purchased in the Offering
Period by a Participant.
(h) Whether or not interest will be paid on balances in Participant's
stock purchase accounts and, if interest is to be paid, the rate of
interest or method of determining the rate of interest, and whether
interest is to be used to purchase Shares or paid to the Participant.
ARTICLE VII
GRANTS, PARTICIPATION AND WITHDRAWAL
7.1 Grant of Options. On an Entry Date, each Eligible Employee, who shall
have indicated his desire to participate in the Plan commencing with such
Entry Date by executing and delivering to the Company an agreement in the form
approved by the Committee ("Participation Agreement") in accordance with the
provisions of the Offering, shall be granted an Option to purchase Shares
under the Plan.
A-4
<PAGE>
7.2 Options Not Transferable. Each Option granted to a Participant shall not
be transferable other than by will or under the laws of descent and
distribution and shall be exercisable, during his lifetime, only by him, his
guardian or legal representative.
7.3 Election to Participate. An Eligible Employee who wishes to participate
in the Plan as of an Entry Date must deliver his executed Participation
Agreement to the Company no later than required by the Committee.
7.4 Method of Payment and Stock Purchase Accounts. Payment for Shares shall
be made through payroll deductions from the Participant's Compensation, such
deductions to be authorized by a Participant in the Participation Agreement,
by separate cash payments which may be made by a Participant from time to time
in accordance with rules and limitations set by the Committee, and, with the
consent of the Committee, and upon such terms as it shall require, in Shares
which shall be valued at Fair Market Value on the Exercise Date. A stock
purchase account shall be set up on the books of the Company in the name of
each Participant. The amount of all payroll deductions, separate cash
payments, and tender of Shares shall be credited to the respective stock
purchase accounts of the Participants on the Company's books. The funds
deducted and withheld by the Company through payroll deductions, the funds
received by the Company from separate cash payments, and the tendered Shares
may be used by the Company for any corporate purposes as the Board shall
determine, and the Company shall not be obligated to segregate said funds or
Shares in any way.
7.5 Withdrawal from the Plan. A Participant may withdraw from the Plan at
such times and upon such conditions as the Committee shall determine.
ARTICLE VIII
PURCHASE OF STOCK
8.1 Exercise of Option. Unless a Participant shall have withdrawn from the
Plan as provided in Section 7.5, his Option to purchase Shares will be
automatically exercised for him on each Exercise Date for the number of full
Shares which the accumulated payroll deductions, separate cash payments (plus,
if so permitted by the Committee pursuant to paragraph (h) of Section 6.2,
interest thereon) and tendered Shares as of the Exercise Date will purchase at
the applicable Option price, subject to the limitations set forth in the Plan
and the Offering and subject to allotment in accordance with Section 8.2. Any
balance remaining in a Participant's stock purchase account after the exercise
of an Option will remain in such account unless the Offering is over, in which
event it will be refunded to such Participant.
8.2 Allotment of Shares. In the event that, on any Exercise Date, the
aggregate funds and Shares available for the purchase of Shares, pursuant to
the provisions of Section 8.1, would purchase a greater number of Shares than
the number of Shares then available for purchase under the Plan on such
Exercise Date, the Company shall issue to each Participant, on a pro rata
basis, such number of Shares as, when taken together with the Shares issued to
all other Participants, will result in the issuance of Shares totaling no more
than the number of Shares then remaining available for issuance under the Plan
on such Exercise Date. If, after such allotment, all of the Shares under an
Offering have been purchased, any balance remaining in a Participant's stock
purchase account shall be refunded to such Participant.
8.3 Rights on Retirement, Death or Termination of Employment. In the event
of a Participant's retirement, death or termination of employment, he may
continue to participate in the Plan with respect to Compensation earned prior
to termination of employment if he or, in the event of his death, the
person(s) to whom his rights pass by will or the laws of descent and
distribution ("Successor") delivers a written election to the Company within
three (3) months after the Participant's termination of employment. Unless a
timely election is delivered to the Company, no payroll deduction shall be
taken from any Compensation due and owing to the Participant after the
termination of employment ("Post-Termination Compensation") and any amount
remaining in the Participant's stock purchase account shall be paid to him or
his Successor. If a timely election is made after the
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Company has delivered all or any part of the Participant's Post-Termination
Compensation, the Participant may return to the Company an amount equal to the
payroll deduction. The amount returned shall be used to purchase Shares under
the Plan on the Exercise Date following receipt of such amount by the Company
provided that such Exercise Date is within three (3) months after
Participant's termination of employment. An Employee of a Subsidiary or a
Parent which ceases to be a Subsidiary or a Parent shall be deemed to have
terminated his employment for purposes of this Section 8.3 as of the date such
corporation ceases to be a Subsidiary or a Parent, as the case may be, unless,
as of such date, the Employee shall become an Employee of the Company or any
Subsidiary or Parent.
8.4 Delivery of Stock. Certificates for Shares purchased will be issued and
delivered as soon as practicable, which certificates shall be registered only
in the name of the Participant, or, if he so indicates on his Participation
Agreement, either in his name jointly with another person with right of
survivorship, or in his name with his spouse as tenants by the entirety with
right of survivorship.
Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 7.2, a Participant may register
or transfer Common Stock to a trust established by the Participant as grantor
if he so indicates on his Participation Agreement and if the following
conditions are satisfied:
Terms of Trust. The trust must contain the following provisions: (i) the
Participant must have the right to amend and revoke the trust, in whole or in
part; and (ii) during the Participant's lifetime, the income and principal of
the trust may not be distributed or used for the benefit of any person or
entity other than the Participant. In the event that Common Stock is
transferred to a trust, in accordance with the provisions described above, it
shall remain subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan but any reversion
of ownership of the Common Stock from the trust to the Participant, by full or
partial revocation of the trust, distribution of the Common Stock, or
otherwise, shall not be considered a transfer under the Plan. In addition, in
the event of any such transfer, the term Participant shall, to the extent
necessary to carry out the terms of the Plan, mean the trustee of any such
trust and/or the trust itself. None of the rights or privileges of a
shareholder of the Company shall exist with respect to Shares purchased under
the Plan until the certificates representing such Shares are issued.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
9.1 Underscored References. The underscored references contained in the Plan
are included only for convenience, and they shall not be construed as a part
of the Plan or in any respect affecting or modifying its provisions.
9.2 Number and Gender. The masculine and neuter, wherever used in the Plan,
shall refer to either the masculine, neuter or feminine; and, unless the
context otherwise requires, the singular shall include the plural and the
plural the singular.
9.3 Governing Law. This Plan shall be construed and administered in
accordance with the laws of the State of Missouri.
9.4 Purchase for Investment. The Committee may require each person
purchasing Shares pursuant to an Option to represent to and agree with the
Company in writing that such person is acquiring the Shares for investment and
without a view to distribution or resale. The certificates for such Shares may
include any legend which the Committee deems appropriate to reflect any
restrictions on transfer. All certificates for Shares delivered under the Plan
shall be subject to such stock transfer orders and other restrictions as the
Committee may deem advisable under all applicable laws, rules, and
regulations, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any
such certificates to make appropriate references to such restrictions.
9.5 Restricted Shares. Shares purchased under the Plan may be subject to
restrictive agreements between an Employer and a Participant. In such case,
the Employer shall have the right to include a legend reflecting any such
restriction on any certificate for such Shares.
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9.6 No Employment Contract. The adoption of the Plan shall not confer upon
any Employee any right to continued employment nor shall it interfere in any
way with the right of the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary to terminate the
employment of any of its employees at any time.
9.7 Offset. In the event that any Participant wrongfully appropriates funds
or other property of an Employer and thereby becomes indebted to such
Employer, any funds or Shares in his stock purchase account may be applied
against and used to satisfy such indebtedness.
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APPENDIX B
LEGGETT & PLATT, INCORPORATED
1999 KEY OFFICERS INCENTIVE PLAN
SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT, DEFINITIONS, AND ADMINISTRATION
1.1 Establishment of the Plan. Leggett & Platt, Incorporated hereby
establishes the 1999 Key Officers Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). Subject to the
approval of Leggett's shareholders at the 1999 annual meeting of shareholders,
the Plan shall become effective as of January 1, 1999. If the Plan is not so
approved, no Awards will be paid. Awards are intended to qualify as "other
performance-based compensation" under Section 162(m) of the Code and,
therefore, the Plan shall be construed, interpreted, and administered in
accordance with such intention.
1.2 Purpose of the Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to attract, motivate,
and retain the services of participants in the Plan ("Participants") who make
significant contributions to Leggett's success by allowing them to share in
that success.
1.3 Definitions. The following terms, when used in the Plan, shall have the
following meanings:
(a) "Award" means the bonus, if any, to which a Participant is entitled
under the Plan based on the attainment of a Performance Objective.
(b) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any
reference to the Code includes regulations promulgated pursuant to the
Code.
(c) "Corporate Participant" means a Participant whose Award is determined
based on the performance of Leggett.
(d) "EBIT" means Leggett's earnings for a Year before deducting interest,
taxes, and other items approved by the Committee.
(e) "Leggett" means Leggett & Platt, Incorporated or any successor
thereto and also includes the subsidiaries and affiliates of Leggett &
Platt, Incorporated.
(f) "Profit Center" means a separate operating unit or branch of Leggett
for which Leggett budgets an operating income for a Year.
(g) "Profit Center Participant" means a Participant whose Award is
determined based on the performance of one or more Profit Centers and the
performance of Leggett.
(h) "ROAAE" means Leggett's after tax return for a Year on its adjusted
average equity.
(i) "ROANA" means EBIT return for a Year on Leggett's adjusted net
assets.
(j) "Year" means the calendar year. The determination of whether or not
Performance Objectives are achieved and the amount, if any, of a potential
Award to which a Participant shall be entitled shall be determined each
Year.
1.4 Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation
Committee of Leggett's Board of Directors (the "Board"), or such other
committee as may be appointed by the Board (the "Committee"). The Committee
shall be comprised of two or more "outside directors" of the Board (as defined
in Section 162(m) of the Code). The Committee shall have full power and
authority to administer and interpret the Plan and to establish rules and
procedures for its administration. The Committee has sole responsibility for
selecting Participants, establishing Performance Objectives (defined below)
and Award formulas, and determining Awards.
SECTION 2. ELIGIBILITY, PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES AND AWARDS
2.1 Eligibility and Participation. Eligibility for participation in the Plan
shall be limited to key employees of Leggett as determined by the Committee.
The Committee shall determine who is a Corporate Participant and who is a
Profit Center Participant.
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2.2 Performance Objectives. Awards are paid based on the achievement of
performance objectives ("Performance Objectives"). Unless and until otherwise
so determined by the Committee, the Performance Objectives are as follows:
(a) For Corporate Participants, an Award is payable when Leggett has
achieved ROAAE of at least 8% or ROANA of at least 8%. ROAAE and ROANA are
given equal weight in the formula. The maximum payout as a percentage of
EBIT for Corporate Participants is payable when Leggett has achieved ROAAE
of 25.5% and ROANA of 22.0%. The aggregate amount of Awards under the Plan
and bonuses paid under Leggett's Key Management Incentive Compensation Plan
may not exceed 4% of EBIT; provided however, that Awards and bonuses
related to Profit Center performance are not subject to the 4% of EBIT
limit.
(b) For Profit Center Participants, 75% of the Award is based on the
achievement of Profit Center objectives and 25% of the Award is based on
the achievement of the ROAAE and ROANA targets described in 2.2(a) above.
The Profit Center portion of the Award is payable when the Profit Center
has operating income of at least 62.5% of budgeted operating income. The
maximum Profit Center portion is payable when the Profit Center has
operating income equal to 100% of budgeted operating income.
2.3 Potential Award. The amount of each Participant's Award is determined by
applying the Award formula to a percentage of the Participant's annual salary
at the end of the Year (the "Target Percentage"). The Award formula and each
Participant's Target Percentage shall be determined by the Committee no later
than 90 days after the beginning of each Year.
2.4 Other Performance Objectives and Awards. The Committee may select other
and/or additional Performance Objectives than those set forth in Section 2.2.
These Performance Objectives may be different for different Participants and
shall be based on one or more of the following measures of Leggett's (or, if
applicable, a Profit Center's) performance: revenues, operating income, return
on equity, return on assets, cash flow, market price of Leggett's stock,
earnings, earnings per share of Leggett's stock, and/or one or more of the
Performance Objectives set forth in Section 2.2.
2.5 Determination of Final Awards. As soon as practical after the end of
each Year, the determination of Awards for Participants will be made and
certified in writing to the Board by the Committee solely on the basis of the
attainment of Performance Objectives. The Committee shall have discretion to
reduce by up to 10%, but shall not increase, the Award to which a Participant
would be entitled based on Performance Objectives. No such reduction shall
increase the Award of any other Participant who is subject to Section 162(m).
2.6 Maximum Award. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, a
Participant's Award for a Year may not exceed 0.3% of EBIT for that Year.
2.7 Payment of Awards. A Participant's Award will be paid or deferred in the
manner and at the time or times established by the Committee. Payment of an
Award may be made in cash or in property (including stock options), as
determined by the Committee. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, a
Participant must be employed by Leggett on the last working day of the Year to
be eligible for Award payments.
SECTION 3. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
The Committee may amend or terminate the Plan at any time, provided that no
amendment shall be made without shareholder approval if such approval is
required under applicable law or required for Awards to qualify as "other
performance-based compensation" under Section 162(m). Except as otherwise
provided in this Plan, no amendment or termination of the Plan may materially
and adversely affect any outstanding Award without the Participant's consent.
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LEGGETT & PLATT, INCORPORATED
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Harry M. Cornell, Jr., Felix E. Wright,
Michael A. Glauber and Ernest C. Jett, or any one of them, with full power of
substitution, as attorneys in fact of the undersigned to vote the shares of
stock which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present at
the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Leggett & Platt, Incorporated, to be held
at the Company's Corporate Headquarters, No. 1 -- Leggett Road, Carthage,
Missouri, on Wednesday, May 12, 1999 at 10:00 a.m. local time and at any
adjournment thereof.
(Continued and to be signed on reverse side)
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.FOLD AND DETACH HERE.
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(1) ELECTION OF DIRECTORS (R. Bentele; H. Cornell, Jr.; R. Enloe, III;
R. Fisher; B. Gaddy; D. Haffner; T. Hays;
[_] FOR ALL [_] WITHHOLD R. Jefferies, Jr.; A. Levine; R. Pearsall;
NOMINEES AUTHORITY D. Potter; M. Purnell, Jr.; A. Walton;
(except those F. Wright)
listed)
(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote
for any individual nominee, write that
nominee's name on the space provided
below.)
___________________________________________
The Board of Directors recommends a vote
FOR all director nominees listed.
(2) AMENDMENT TO COMPANY'S RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE
AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK FROM 300,000,000 TO 600,000,000
[_] FOR [_] AGAINST [_] ABSTAIN
(3) AMENDMENT TO COMPANY'S 1989 DISCOUNT STOCK PLAN TO INCREASE NUMBER OF
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK AVAILABLE UNDER THE PLAN BY 3,000,000 SHARES
[_] FOR [_] AGAINST [_] ABSTAIN
(4) APPROVAL OF COMPANY'S 1999 KEY OFFICERS INCENTIVE PLAN
[_] FOR [_] AGAINST [_] ABSTAIN
(5) PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE SELECTION OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS THE
COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
1999
[_] FOR [_] AGAINST [_] ABSTAIN
(6) IN THEIR DISCRETION, ON SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE
MEETING [OR ANY ADJOURNMENT THEREOF]
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED. IF NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THIS PROXY
WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 1, 2, 3, 4 AND 5 AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE
PROXIES UPON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING AND
ANY ADJOURNMENT THEREOF.
Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this proxy.
If stock is jointly owned, both parties must sign. Fiduciaries
and representatives should so indicate when signing and when more
than one is named, a majority should sign.
Date Signed: ______________, 1999 Signature(s):_________________
______________________________
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY IMMEDIATELY
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.FOLD AND DETACH HERE.
Dear Shareholder:
Enclosed you will find material relative to the Company's 1999 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders, which will be held on May 12, 1999 at the Company's
Corporate Headquarters in Carthage, Missouri. The Notice of the Annual Meeting
and Proxy Statement describe the business to be transacted at the meeting. The
business includes five proposals of the Board of Directors: (1) the election of
Directors; (2) an increase in the Company's authorized Common Stock; (3)
approval of amendments to the Company's 1989 Discount Stock Plan; (4) approval
of the Company's 1999 Key Officers Incentive Plan; and (5) the ratification of
the Board's selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's independent
accountants for 1999.
The Board recommends that you vote "FOR" each of the proposals.
Whether or not you expect to attend the Annual Meeting, please complete and
return promptly the attached proxy in the accompanying envelope, which requires
no postage if mailed in the United States. Your votes are important to us. We
look forward to hearing from you.
