<PAGE> 1
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the registrant [X]
Filed by a party other than the registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary proxy statement [ ] Confidential, for Use of the
Commission Only (as permitted
by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive proxy statement
[ ] Definitive additional materials
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or
Rule 14a-12
HERMAN MILLER, INC.
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
HERMAN MILLER, INC.
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] $125 per Exchange Act Rule 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(j)(2)
or Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A.
[ ] $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act
Rule 14a-6(i)(3).
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing
fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Total fee paid:
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was
paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount previously paid:
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Form, schedule or registration statement no.:
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Filing party:
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Date filed:
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 2
HERMAN MILLER, INC.
NOTICE OF 1995 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
AND PROXY STATEMENT
August 21, 1995
Dear Shareholder:
Herman Miller, Inc.'s fiscal year ended June 3, 1995. Enclosed you will find
this year's Annual Report and a proxy card to vote your shares. Also, let us
know if you expect to attend the annual Shareholders Meeting scheduled for
October 5, 1995, by mailing a reservation card or contacting Robbie Kroll at
616-654-3305.
The Annual Report discusses our performance for fiscal 1995 and introduces you
to our new Aeron(TM) chair. If you have any questions for me or for other
senior managers, please write them on the question card and return it to us.
If there isn't time at the meeting to answer all of the questions we receive, a
member of my team or I will mail you a response. We will also take questions
during the meeting.
The Shareholders Meeting will take place in the Midwest Distribution Center
(where we met last year), 10001 Adams Street, Holland, Michigan. Chairman of
the Board Richard Ruch will convene the business meeting promptly at 4 p.m.
EDT. Please allow time for parking and registration. After the business
meeting, we will serve a light buffet to all who indicate on the reservation
card that they will be staying.
During the business meeting, we will elect five directors to the Board of
Directors, vote on the 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, ratify Arthur
Andersen LLP as our independent public accountants, and transact any other
business as may come before the meeting.
I hope to see you there.
Sincerely,
/s/ Michael A. Volkema
Michael A. Volkema
President and Chief Executive Officer
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT.
PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE
AND PROMPTLY RETURN YOUR PROXY
CARD IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE
<PAGE> 3
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
The annual meeting of the shareholders of Herman Miller, Inc. (the
"Company"), will be held at the Company's Midwest Distribution Center, 10001
Adams Street, Holland, Michigan, on Thursday the 5th of October, 1995, at 4
p.m. (E.D.T.) for the following purposes:
1. To elect five directors, four directors each for a term of three
years and one director for a term of one year.
2. To consider and act on the proposal to approve the Herman
Miller, Inc., 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
3. To consider and act upon a proposal to ratify the appointment of
Arthur Andersen LLP as independent public accountants for the
Company for the fiscal year ending June 1, 1996.
4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Shareholders of record at the close of business on August 7, 1995, will be
entitled to vote at the meeting.
Whether or not you expect to be present at this meeting, you are urged to
sign the enclosed proxy and return it promptly in the enclosed envelope. If you
do attend the meeting and wish to vote in person, you may do so even though you
have submitted a proxy.
By order of the Board of Directors
James N. DeBoer, Jr., Secretary of the Board
August 21, 1995
<PAGE> 4
HERMAN MILLER, INC.
855 East Main Avenue
P.O. Box 302
Zeeland, Michigan 49464-0302
PROXY STATEMENT
This Proxy Statement is furnished to the shareholders of Herman Miller,
Inc. (the "Company"), in connection with the solicitation by the Board of
Directors of proxies to be used at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. This
meeting will be held on Thursday, October 5, 1995, at 4 p.m. (E.D.T.) at the
Company's Midwest Distribution Center, 10001 Adams Street, Holland, Michigan.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
Each shareholder, as an owner of the Company, is entitled to vote on
matters scheduled to come before the Annual Meeting. The use of proxies allows
a shareholder of the Company to be represented at the Annual Meeting if he or
she is unable to attend the meeting in person. The proxy card accompanying this
Proxy Statement is to be used for such purpose.
If the proxy card is properly executed and returned to the Company, the
shares represented by the proxy will be voted at the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders and at any adjournment of that meeting. Where shareholders specify
a choice, the proxy will be voted as specified. If no choice is specified, the
shares represented by the proxy will be voted for the election of all nominees
named in the proxy and for each of the proposals described in this Proxy
Statement.
A proxy may be revoked prior to its exercise by (1) delivering a written
notice of revocation to the Secretary of the Company, (2) executing a proxy at
a later date, or (3) attending the meeting and voting in person. However,
attendance at the meeting does not automatically serve to revoke a proxy.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Company's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws provide for the
division of the Board of Directors into three classes of nearly equal size,
with the directors of each class to hold office for staggered three-year terms.
At the annual meeting, five directors are to be elected, four to the class of
directors whose term of office expires at the 1998 annual meeting, and one to
the class of directors whose term expires at the 1996 annual meeting. The Board
of Directors has nominated Dr. E. David Crockett, David L. Nelson, Charles D.
Ray, M.D., and Michael A. Volkema for election to serve as members whose terms
expire at the 1998 annual meeting. J. Harold Chandler has been nominated to
serve as a member of the class whose term expires at the 1996 annual meeting.
Each of the nominees previously has been elected as a director by the Company's
shareholders except Messrs. Volkema and Chandler. Mr. Volkema was appointed to
the Board of Directors in connection with being selected as President and Chief
Operating Officer on May 17, 1995. As of that same date, Mr. Chandler was
appointed to fill the remainder of the term of Max O. DePree.
Mr. DePree retired as a director and Chairman of the Board at the May 17,
1995, Board meeting in conformity with the Company's Bylaws, which provide that
a director must resign from the Board at or before the first annual meeting
after attaining the age of 70. Mr. DePree turned 70 on October 28, 1994.
Following Mr. DePree's retirement, the Board elected Mr. Richard H. Ruch
to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Ruch has served on the
Board since 1986 and has served as Vice Chairman since April 1992 when he
retired as CEO of the company after 37 years of service with the Company.
-1-
<PAGE> 5
The latter portion of this Proxy Statement contains more information about
the nominees. Unless otherwise directed by a shareholder's proxy, the persons
named as proxy voters in the accompanying proxy will vote for the nominees
named above. If any of the nominees become unavailable, which is not
anticipated, the Board of Directors, at its discretion, may designate
substitute nominees, in which event the enclosed proxy will be voted for such
substituted nominees. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons
than the number of nominees named.
A plurality of the votes cast at the meeting is required to elect the
nominees as directors of the Company. Accordingly, the five individuals who
receive the largest number of votes cast at the meeting will be elected as
directors. Shares not voted at the meeting, whether by abstention, broker
nonvote, or otherwise, will not be treated as votes cast at the meeting. The
Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the election of all persons nominated
by the Board.
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
On August 7, 1995, the Company had 24,934,135 shares of common stock
issued and outstanding, par value $.20 per share. Shareholders are entitled to
one vote for each share of common stock registered in their names at the close
of business on August 7, 1995, the record date fixed by the Board of Directors.
Votes cast at the meeting and submitted by proxy will be tabulated by the
Company's transfer agent.
As of August 7, 1995, no person was known by management to be the
beneficial owner of more than 5 percent of the Company's common stock, except
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AND ADDRESS OF AMOUNT AND NATURE OF
BENEFICIAL OWNER BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP PERCENT OF CLASS
<S> <C> <C>
Trimark Investment Management, Inc. 2,400,000(1) 9.6%
Scotia Plaza, Suite 5200, 40 King Street West
Toronto, Ontario M5H 3Z3
FMR Corp. 1,800,800(2) 7.2%
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Ariel Capital Management, Inc. 1,682,139(3) 6.8%
307 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60601
GeoCapital Corporation 1,492,100(4) 6.0%
767 Fifth Avenue, 45th Floor
New York, New York 10153
</TABLE>
(1) This information is derived from notification received by the company
from the beneficial owner, including notice that it has sole voting
and dispositive power as to 2,400,000 shares.
(2) This information is derived from notification received by the company
from the beneficial owner, including notice that it has sole voting
power as to 335,300 shares and sole dispositive power as to
1,797,900 shares.
(3) This information is derived from notification received by the company
from the beneficial owner, including notice that it has sole voting
power as to 1,345,639 shares and sole dispositive power as to
1,682,139 shares.
(4) This information is derived from notification received by the company
from the beneficial owner, including notice that it has sole
dispositive power as to 1,492,100 shares.
-2-
<PAGE> 6
DIRECTOR AND EXECUTIVE OFFICER INFORMATION
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT. The following table shows, as of August
7, 1995, the number of shares beneficially owned by each of the Named
Executives identified in the executive compensation tables of this Proxy
Statement and by all directors and executive officers as a group. Except as
described in the notes following the table, the following persons have sole
voting and dispositive power as to all of their respective shares.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND NATURE
NAMED EXECUTIVE OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP(3) PERCENT OF CLASS(6)
<S> <C> <C>
J. Kermit Campbell(1) 59,961 .24%
Philip J. Mercorella(2) 46,273 .18%
James H. Bloem 63,132 .25%
Hansjorg Broser 37,639(4) .15%
Gary S. Miller 61,731 .24%
Andrew C. McGregor 41,434 .16%
All executive officers and directors
as a group (22 persons) 758,822(5) 2.99%
</TABLE>
(1) Mr. Campbell resigned as an officer and director on July 11, 1995,
subsequent to the Company's 1995 fiscal year.
(2) Mr. Mercorella's employment with the Company ended on May 22, 1995.
(3) Includes the following numbers of shares with respect to which the
Named Executives have the right to acquire beneficial ownership
under stock options exercisable in 60 days: Mr. Campbell-24,000; Mr.
Bloem-32,000; Mr. Broser-16,000; Mr. Miller-41,000; Mr.
McGregor-23,500; and Mr. Mercorella-18,500.
(4) Includes 3,000 shares of restricted stock that are subject to
forfeiture under certain conditions.
(5) Included in this number are 417,300 shares with respect to which
executive officers and directors have the right to acquire
beneficial ownership under options exercisable within 60 days.
(6) Calculated based on the number of shares outstanding plus the shares
referred to in note (5) above.
-3-
<PAGE> 7
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The information in the following table relating to
each nominee's and director's age, principal occupation or employment for the
past five years, and beneficial ownership of shares of common stock as of
August 7, 1995, has been furnished to the company by the respective nominees
and directors. Except as described in the notes following the table, the
following nominees and directors have sole voting and dispositive power as to
all of the shares set forth in the following table.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR FIRST
BECAME A SHARES PERCENT OF
NAME AND PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AGE DIRECTOR OWNED(1) CLASS(2)
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS FOR TERMS TO
EXPIRE IN 1998:
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Dr. E. David Crockett 59 1982 16,800 .07%
Since November 1992--Chairman, Cornerstone
Imaging, Inc. (Document Image Processing)
Since May 1991--General Partner, Aspen Ventures
(Venture Capitalists)
David L. Nelson 65 1972 18,100(3) .07%
Since January 1994--Vice President, Customer
Support, America's Region Asea, Brown,
Boveri, Inc.
Prior to January 1994--Vice President, Customer
Satisfaction, Industry Segment, Asea,
Brown, Boveri, Inc. (Manufacturer of
Computerized Equipment for Measuring and
Controlling Industrial Processes)
Charles D. Ray, M.D. 67 1977 18,030(4) .07%
Chairman of the board of Directors, Ray
Medica, Inc. (Formerly The CeDaR
Companies, Inc. (Development and Manufacturer
of Health Care Products)
Michael A. Volkema 39 1995 50,230(5) .20%
Since July 1995-- Chief Executive Officer,
Herman Miller, Inc.
Since May 1995-- President, Herman Miller,
Inc.
From February 1995 to May 1995-- President
and Chief Executive Officer, Coro, Inc.
(a subsidiary of Herman Miller, Inc.)
From May 1993 to September 1994-- Chairman of
the Board, Meridian, Inc. (a subsidiary of
Herman Miller, Inc.)
Prior to May 1993-- President, Meridian, Inc.
(a subsidiary of Herman Miller, Inc.)
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS FOR TERMS TO
EXPIRE IN 1996:
J. Harold Chandler 46 1995 0 0%
Since November 1993--President and Chief
Executive Officer, Provident Life &
Accident Insurance Co.
From June 1993 to November 1993--President,
MidAtlantic NationsBank and Maryland
National Corporation
From January 1992 to June 1993--President,
NationsBank/Washington, D.C., Maryland, and
N. Virginia
Prior to January 1992--President and Chief
Executive Officer, Sovran Bank--Washington,
D.C., Maryland, and N. Virginia
</TABLE>
-4-
<PAGE> 8
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR FIRST
BECAME A SHARES PERCENT OF
NAME AND PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AGE DIRECTOR OWNED(1) CLASS(2)
DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS EXPIRE IN 1996:
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Dr. Alan M. Fern 64 1983 12,300 .05%
Director, National Portrait Gallery,
Smithsonian Institution
Brian Griffiths, Lord Griffiths of Fforestfach 53 1991 6,000 .02%
Since 1990--International Advisor, Goldman
Sachs
International Limited (International
Banking Firm)
Prior to 1990--Government Service, United
Kingdom
DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS EXPIRE IN 1997:
William K. Brehm 66 1991 6,000 .02%
Chairman of the Board SRA International,
Inc.
(Consulting Engineering Firm)
C. William Pollard 57 1985 21,249(6) .08%
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer,
The ServiceMaster Company (Management and
Consumer Services for Health Care,
Industrial, and Educational Facilities)
Ruth Alkema Reister 59 1985 14,936(7) .06%
Private Investments and Civic and Charitable
Activities
Richard H. Ruch 65 1986 139,005(8) .55%
Since July 1995--Chairman of the Board of
Directors, Herman Miller, Inc.
From April 1992 to July 1995--Vice Chairman
of the Board of Directors, Herman
Miller, Inc.
Prior to April 1992--President and Chief
Executive Officer, Herman Miller, Inc.
</TABLE>
(1) Shares shown for each director who is not an officer of the company
include 15,000 shares for Messrs. Crockett, Nelson, and Ray; 13,500
shares for Ms. Reister and Mr. Pollard; 11,300 shares for Dr. Fern;
and 6,000 shares for Messrs. Brehm and Grifffiths with respect to
which the director has the right to acquire beneficial ownership
under options exercisable within 60 days.
(2) Percentages are calculated based upon shares outstanding, plus shares
which the director has the right to acquire under stock options
exercisable within 60 days.
(3) Shares are owned jointly by Mr. Nelson and his wife. Excludes 1,200
shares owned of record and beneficially by Mr. Nelson's wife, with
respect to which Mr. Nelson disclaims beneficial ownership.
(4) Includes 30 shares which Dr. Ray owns as custodian for his children.
(5) Includes 8,000 shares with respect to which Mr. Volkema has a right
to acquire beneficial ownership under options exercisable within 60
days and 25,905 shares of restricted stock which are subject to
forfeiture under certain conditions.
(6) Excludes 403 shares owned of record and beneficially by Mr. Pollard's
wife. Mr. Pollard disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.
(7) Excludes 600 shares owned by Mrs. Resister's husband. Mrs. Reister
disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.
(8) Includes 59,000 shares with respect to which Mr. Ruch has a right to
acquire beneficial ownership under options exercisable within 60
days and 2,400 shares of restricted stock which are subject to
forfeiture under certain conditions. In addition, Mr. Ruch's wife
owns 7,100 shares which are excluded from the table and as to which
Mr. Ruch disclaims beneficial ownership.
-5-
<PAGE> 9
Mr. Crockett also is a director of Cornerstone Imaging, Inc., and Metatec
Corporation. Mr. Nelson also is a director of Cardinal Fund, Inc. Mr. Pollard
also is a director of The ServiceMaster Company, Provident Life and Accident
Insurance Company, and Trammell Crow Company. Brian Griffiths, Lord Griffiths
of Fforestfach, also is a director of The ServiceMaster Company. Mr. Chandler
is also a director of Provident Life & Accident Insurance Company, AmSouth Bank
Corporation and Healthsource, Inc.
The Board of Directors held five meetings during the last fiscal year. All
of the directors attended at least 75 percent of the aggregate number of
meetings of the Board and the Board committees on which they served.
FINANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE. The Company has a Finance and Audit Committee
comprised of Ms. Ruth A. Reister (chair); Dr. E. David Crockett (vice chair);
Messrs. William K. Brehm, C. William Pollard, Alan M. Fern, and Brian
Griffiths, Lord Griffiths of Fforestfach. The Finance and Audit Committee
recommends to the Board of Directors the selection of independent auditors and
reviews the scope of their audit, their audit reports, and any recommendations
made by them. The committee approves fees paid for audit and nonaudit services
by the independent public accountants. The committee also reviews the
activities of the Company's internal auditors, and reviews and recommends to
the Board issues concerning the Company's dividend policies, capital
expenditures, welfare benefits plans, and other related financial matters. The
committee met three times during the last fiscal year.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE. The Company has an Executive
Compensation Committee, comprised of Mr. David L. Nelson (chair), Messrs.
William K. Brehm, E. David Crockett, Richard H. Ruch, and Charles D. Ray, M.D.
The Executive Compensation Committee recommends to the Board the annual
executive incentive plan, the grant of employee stock options, and the annual
remuneration of the Company's Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Chief Executive
Officer, and acts as the administrative committee for the Company's Employee
Stock Option Plans. The committee met four times during the last fiscal year.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE. The Company has a Nominating Committee comprised of
Messrs. David L. Nelson, C. William Pollard, and Richard H. Ruch. The
Nominating Committee selects and presents to the Board candidates for election
to fill vacancies on the Board. The committee will consider nominees
recommended by shareholders, provided recommendations are submitted in writing,
on or before the 60th day preceding the date of the annual meeting, including a
description of the proposed nominee's qualifications, his or her consent to
serve as a director, as well as other required data on the nominee and the
shareholder submitting the proposal and other relevant biographical data, to
Richard H. Ruch, at Herman Miller, Inc., 855 East Main Avenue, P.O. Box 302,
Zeeland, Michigan 49464-0302. The committee met five times during the last
fiscal year.
COMPENSATION OF BOARD MEMBERS AND NON-EMPLOYEE OFFICERS
The Company pays directors' fees to nonemployee directors at the rate of
$32,500 per year, and at one-half that rate to employee directors. No
additional amounts are payable for service on committees of the Board or for
any other assignments that may be undertaken by a director as a director.
During the past year, Mr. DePree received additional compensation equal to 25
percent of the base salary of the Company's President and Chief Executive
Officer in consideration of his agreement to devote 25 percent of his business
time to the activities of the Board of Directors. Mr. Ruch, serving in his role
as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, received additional compensation
equal to 30 percent of the base salary of the President and Chief Executive
Officer in consideration of his agreement to devote 30 percent of his business
time to the activities of the Board of Directors. Pursuant to these agreements
Messrs. DePree and Ruch received $120,725 and $138,370, respectively, in total
compensation for their services as directors during the Company's fiscal year
ended June 3, 1995.
The Company has in effect a stock option plan, approved and adopted by its
shareholders, under which officers and directors who are not employees of the
Company or its subsidiaries are granted options to purchase shares of the
Company's common stock. This plan provides for the annual grant of options to
each participant, effective the last business day of the Company's third fiscal
quarter, to acquire 1,500 shares of common stock at prices equal to the fair
market value of the shares on the date of grant. Subject to certain exceptions,
the options are not exercisable until 12 months after the date of grant and
expire 10 years after the date of the grant. The option price is payable upon
exercise in cash or, subject to certain limitations, in shares of the Company's
common stock already owned by the optionee, or a combination of shares and
cash. Options are not transferable by optionees, except by will or by the laws
of descent and distribution, and may be exercised only while an optionee serves
as a nonemployee officer or director of the Company or during various limited
periods after death or retirement.
-6-
<PAGE> 10
During fiscal 1995, each director and officer of the Company who is not an
employee was granted an option to purchase 1,500 shares of the Company's common
stock at $22.50, its fair market value on the date of grant. Under this plan, a
total of 16,500 options were granted to all nonemployee directors and officers
as a group, and 700 options were exercised at an average exercise price of
$26.50 per share during the past year.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
GENERAL
The Company has long recognized the importance of a well-founded executive
compensation program and the role it plays in achieving the Company's short-
and long-term objectives of promoting superior corporate performance, creating
shareholder value, and maintaining fairness and relative equity in the
compensation of and between its executives and all other employee-owners. The
Executive Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, which is comprised
of five nonemployee directors, was established over 20 years ago to provide an
ongoing review of the executive compensation program to assure that it is
structured and administered to support the Company's mission and strategy. The
committee is responsible for recommendations to the full Board for several
aspects of executive compensation, including the annual remuneration of the
Company's Chief Executive Officer, which includes base salary, incentive pay,
and equity-based compensation. In addition, the committee also establishes for
both the Chief Executive Officer and other employees the performance objectives
for the annual executive incentive plan which covers approximately 75
individuals. The Company's Chief Executive Officer establishes the base salary
of the Company's other executive officers.
COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY
The Company's compensation philosophy, as formulated by the Executive
Compensation Committee and endorsed by the Board of Directors, is designed to
engender and preserve a sense of fairness and equity among employees,
shareholders, and customers. For example, the Company has established a
formula for determining maximum compensation which can be received by the Chief
Executive Officer. This formula, which has been in effect since 1984, limits
cash compensation (including salary and incentive bonus) to 20 times the
average annual compensation earned by the Company's regular full-time
employee-owners.
The executive compensation program has been designed to:
- Link a material portion of annual compensation directly to operating
performance.
- Promote achievement of long-term strategic goals and objectives.
- Align the interests of executives with the long-term interests of the
shareholders.
- Attract, motivate, and retain executives of outstanding ability.
EXECUTIVE STOCK OWNERSHIP GUIDELINES. To further emphasize and reinforce
the importance of linking shareholder and management interests, the Board has
adopted stock ownership guidelines for approximately 150 executives, including
all officers. Under the guidelines, the CEO is expected to own 120,000 shares,
and other executives are expected to own between 3,000 and 30,000 shares, with
the level of ownership determined by the executive's responsibility level and
corresponding management position within the Company. Executives are expected
to make reasonable progress toward meeting the ownership guidelines over a
ten-year period.
To assist executives in attaining the required ownership levels, the Board
and shareholders adopted in 1994 the Key Executive Stock Purchase Assistance
Plan. The plan authorizes the Board's Executive Compensation Committee to
extend loans to selected executives to acquire shares of the Company's stock.
The executives can earn repayment of a portion of the principal and interest
due on these loans provided that certain corporate performance goals are
attained.
-7-
<PAGE> 11
During fiscal 1995, 16 individuals were selected to participate in the
plan. Loans totaling $4.0 million resulting in the acquisition of 181,000
shares were made. Based on the Company's performance as measured against its
fiscal 1995 goals, 65 percent of the annual repayment of principal and interest
due was earned. The executives were responsible for payments of $226,221 for
principal and interest which was unearned.
COMPENSATION ELEMENTS. Presently, the executive compensation program
consists of salary, annual cash incentives, long-term incentives in the form of
stock options and restricted stock, and selected benefits typically offered to
executives by major corporations.
The Company's compensation strategy is not limited to executive officers
but is designed to create a sense of common purpose and interest among all
employees. To that end, the Company has adopted plans which align the interests
of all its employees with the interests of its shareholders. The following is
a listing of some of the plans designed to achieve this goal:
- All employees with over one year of service are shareholders of the
Company through participation in the Employee Ownership--Profit-
Sharing Plan. All Company contributions to the Plan are invested
exclusively in the Company's common stock, except to satisfy
liquidity needs of the plan. On June 3, 1995, the Employee
Ownership--Profit-Sharing Plan held 1,577,738 shares, or 6.4 percent,
of the Company's common stock.
- Additional stock ownership is available to all employees with over
one year of service through participation in the Employee Stock
Purchase Plan. In fiscal 1995, 1,442 of the 4,984 eligible employees,
or 29 percent, purchased 132,013 shares of the Company's common stock
through this plan. Since inception of the plan in 1977, employees
have purchased a total of 1,967,927 shares. This year the
shareholders will vote on the adoption of the 1995 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan which, if approved, will serve to continue the
Company's effort to provide employees with an incentive to increase
their ownership in the Company.
- Retirement benefits are provided through a qualified and fully funded
Defined Benefit Retirement Income Plan. (Plan assets consist
primarily of listed common stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and corporate
obligations.) On June 3, 1995, Plan assets included 327,672 shares,
or 1.3 percent, of the Company's common stock.
- Quarterly cash bonuses can be earned by all employees through the
Earned Share Bonus Plan. This incentive compensation plan measures
performance against a series of predetermined goals for product
quality, customer service, net sales and net income growth, asset
utilization, and implemented cost savings. For fiscal 1995 aggregate
bonuses of $4.7 million, or 3.8 percent of eligible compensation, was
paid pursuant to this plan.
In addition, a wide range of other benefits is provided to employees to
ensure a competitive wage and benefit package is provided.
COMPANY PERFORMANCE AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The salaries of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and other executives
are established on a performance-based evaluation system. Each executive
officer's performance, except that of the Chief Executive Officer, is evaluated
by his or her superior and reviewed by the Executive Compensation Committee.
This review considers the employee's overall performance relative to the
achievement of corporate objectives as well as individual contributions and
achievements. This same evaluation system is applied to the Company's Chief
Executive Officer by this committee.
-8-
<PAGE> 12
Annual cash incentive bonuses can be earned through the Executive Incentive
Plan, which is designed to tie compensation to corporate performance. The plan
consists of a formula approved annually by the Executive Compensation Committee
which weights the achievement of selected performance objectives against the
annual plan as approved by the Board of Directors. No bonus is paid if a
minimum net income threshold is not met. Depending on their individual level
of responsibility, an executive officer can earn up to 60 percent of his or her
salary under this plan if all performance objectives are attained. An
additional bonus can be earned when overperformance against the annual plan
occurs.
In relating this pay-for-performance program to the results achieved by the
Company in the last three fiscal years, amounts paid under the Executive
Incentive Program were 35.0 percent, 120.0 percent, and 93.1 percent of
eligible bonuses for the fiscal years ended in 1995, 1994, and 1993,
respectively.
In fiscal 1995, 65.0 percent of eligible bonus was earned under the bonus
calculation formula. However, the minimum net income requirement for a bonus
to be paid was not achieved due to the reduction in net income resulting from
restructuring charges and the increase in legal reserves for potential
litigation. The Board of Directors approved the 35.0 percent of eligible bonus
paid in fiscal 1995 due to the extraordinary reasons for the Company not
reaching the minimum net income threshold.
The Executive Compensation Committee also authorizes the grant of stock
options to employees of the Company, including executive officers. As a
guideline, the committee believes that the aggregate number of shares subject
to options granted in any one year to all employees should not exceed 1 percent
of the Company's outstanding shares at the time of grant. In general, options
are granted to employees based on their respective levels of responsibility
within the Company, as well as their past performance and potential to
contribute to the future success of the Company.
Cash compensation including salary, Earned Share Bonus, and Executive
Incentive Bonus of the Company's Chief Executive Officer is limited by formula
to 20 times the average annual compensation earned by the Company's regular
full-time employee-owners (currently $31,602). This imposes a cap on the CEO's
cash compensation for 1995 of $632,040.
On July 11, 1995, J. Kermit Campbell resigned as the Company's Chief
Executive Officer and was succeeded by Michael A. Volkema. Mr. Campbell
earned a base salary and bonus for the fiscal year ending June 2, 1995, of
$359,686 and $74,209, respectively, representing total cash compensation of
$435,646. This reflects a 5% base salary increase in fiscal 1995 which was the
first base salary adjustment Mr. Campbell received since joining the Company in
April 1992. The increase was in response to the Company's strong fiscal 1994
performance. The cash incentive of $74,109 earned in fiscal 1995 is 35% of Mr.
Campbell's bonus potential of $211,740, and was based on performance against
the annual plan objectives. Mr. Campbell's salary and bonus for the prior
fiscal year was $580,945 and was comprised of salary of $336,100 and cash bonus
of $241,992. The maximum bonus payout potential was earned in fiscal 1994 and
represented 72% of Mr. Campbell's base salary.
Mr. Campbell received two stock option grants in fiscal 1995: 12,000 shares
on July 13, 1994, which were related to services performed for fiscal 1994, and
20,000 shares on May 17, 1995, related to services performed in fiscal 1995.
David L. Nelson (Chair) William K. Brehm
E. David Crockett Charles D. Ray, M.D.
Richard H. Ruch
-9-
<PAGE> 13
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth the compensation received by the Named
Executives for each of the three fiscal years ended June 3, 1995; May 28, 1994;
and May 29, 1993.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL COMPENSATION LONG TERM COMPENSATION
AWARDS PAYOUTS
SECURITIES
RESTRICTED STOCK UNDERLYING LTIP ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL YEAR SALARY(1) BONUS(2) OTHER(3) AWARDS OPTIONS/SAR PAYOUTS(4) COMPENSATION(5)
POSITION ($) ($) ($) ($) ($) ($)
#
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
J. Kermit Campbell(6) 1995 359,686 75,960 0 0 32,000 171,587 6,343
President and Chief 1994 336,100 244,845 0 0 12,000 0 7,706
Executive Officer 1993 336,100 190,597 0 1,275,000(7) 15,000 0 4,908
Philip J. Mercorella(8) 1995 203,846 43,851 0 0 8,000 14,292 3,838
Senior Vice President and 1994 195,840 143,858 0 0 8,000 0 5,584
General Manager Systems 1993 192,000 110,094 0 0 10,000 0 5,032
James H. Bloem 1995 197,692 43,851 0 0 8,000 93,315 3,538
Vice President 1994 153,000 113,013 0 0 8,000 0 4,580
1993 150,000 86,630 0 0 10,000 0 4,088
Hansjorg Broser 1995 179,384 36,960 24,728 0 18,000 50,599 4,611
President, Herman Miller 1994 168,000 81,065 0 0 8,000 0 8,852
Europe 1993 146,966 96,000 70,394 95,250(9) 0 0 5,244
Gary S. Miller 1995 162,058 35,241 0 0 23,000 44,852 4,061
Senior Vice President 1994 153,000 113,013 0 0 8,000 0 5,314
Design and Development 1993 150,000 86,630 0 0 10,000 0 4,700
Andrew C. McGregor 1995 162,058 29,876 44,402 0 20,000 46,167 3,151
Vice President and 1994 153,000 91,800 0 0 5,000 0 4,393
General Manager of North 1993 146,175 68,052 100,676 0 4,500 0 3,709
America Sales, Marketing &
Dist.
</TABLE>
(1) Includes amounts deferred by employees pursuant to Section 401(k) of
the Internal Revenue Code. Includes 53 weeks of compensation for 1995
and 52 weeks for 1994 and 1993, consistent with the Company's fiscal
year.
(2) Represents amounts earned under the Company's Earned Share Bonus Plan
and Executive Incentive Plan.
(3) The amounts disclosed in this column include cost of living, foreign
assignment, foreign exchange, spouse travel, and moving expenses.
(4) Represents amounts earned under the Company's Key Executive Stock
Purchase Assistance Plan and applied to the repayment of loans made
thereunder.
(5) Includes amounts attributable during Fiscal 1995 to benefit plans of
the Company as follows: (a) amounts contributed by the Company
pursuant to the Company's profit sharing plan for the account of
Messrs. Campbell, Mercorella, Bloem, Broser, Miller, and McGregor were
$1,435; $2,152; $1,614; $1,435; $1,973; and $2,012, respectively; and
(b) payments by the Company in Fiscal 1995 of premiums for
extraordinary term life insurance for the benefit of Messrs. Campbell,
Mercorella, Bloem, Broser, Miller, and McGregor were $4,908; $1,618;
$1,924; $3,176; $2,088; and $1,134, respectively.
(6) Mr. Campbell resigned as an officer of the Company on July 11, 1995.
(7) The amount represents the value of 75,000 shares of the Company's
common stock (based on the closing price on the date of grant of
$17.00 per share) granted to Mr. Campbell under the terms of an
Incentive Share Grant Agreement. The shares are subject to forfeiture
provisions which lapse as the number of shares become vested each year
over a five- or six-year period. The minimum annual rate of vesting is
10% of the total shares granted during the first five years following
the date of grant, with the balance vesting at the end of the sixth
year (fiscal 1998). The rate of vesting may be accelerated if certain
corporate performance goals are achieved, which would permit full
vesting not earlier than fiscal 1997. Dividends are payable on the
restricted shares at the same rate as dividends on the Company's
common stock. At June 3, 1995, the value of the 75,000 restricted
shares held by Mr. Campbell, based on the closing price of the
Company's common stock on that date ($21.6875 per share) equalled
$1,626,563.
(8) Mr. Mercorella's employment with the Company ended on May 22, 1995.
(9) The amount represents the value of 6,000 shares of the Company's
common stock (based on the closing price on the date of grant of
$15.875 per share) granted to Mr. Broser under the terms of an
Incentive Share Grant Agreement. The shares are subject to forfeiture
provisions which lapse as the number of shares become vested each year
over a five- or six-year period. The minimum annual rate of vesting is
10% of the total shares granted during the first five years following
the date of grant, with the balance vesting at the end of the sixth
year (fiscal 1998). The rate of vesting may be accelerated if certain
corporate performance goals are achieved, which would permit full
vesting not earlier than fiscal 1997. Dividends are payable on the
restricted shares at the same rate as dividends on the Company's
common stock. At June 3, 1995, the value of the 6,000 restricted
shares held by Mr. Broser, based on the closing price of the Company's
common stock on that date ($21.6875 per share) equalled $130,125.
-10-
<PAGE> 14
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
The following table provides information on options granted to the Named
Executives during the year ended June 3, 1995.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Percentage of
Total Options Grant Date
Granted to Exercise or Present
Name Options/SARs Employees in Base Price Expiration Date Value(3)
Granted(1) Fiscal Year (per share)(2)
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
J. Kermit Campbell 12,000 2.8% $29.125 7/13/04 $173,520
20,000 4.6% 21.000 5/17/05 171,600
Philip J. Mercorella 8,000 1.9% 29.125 7/13/04 115,680
James H. Bloem 8,000 1.9% 29.125 7/13/04 115,680
Hansjorg Broser 8,000 1.9% 29.125 7/13/04 115,680
10,000 2.3% 21.000 5/17/05 85,800
Gary S. Miller 8,000 1.9% 29.125 7/13/04 115,680
15,000 3.5% 21.000 5/17/05 128,700
Andrew C. McGregor 5,000 1.2% 29.125 7/13/04 72,300
15,000 3.5% 21.000 5/17/05 128,700
</TABLE>
(1) Indicates number of shares that may be purchased pursuant to
options granted under the Company's 1985 Stock Option Plan and 1994
Stock Option Plan. The Company granted options on July 13, 1994, and
May 17, 1995, totalling 246,780 and 184,000 shares, respectively, to
eligible employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. In general,
options may not be exercised in full or in part prior to the expiration
of one year from the date of grant.
(2) The exercise price equals the prevailing market price of the
Company's common stock on the date of grant. The exercise price may be
paid in cash or, if at least 500 shares are being acquired, by the
delivery of previously owned shares, or a combination of cash and
previously owned shares.
(3) For the options expiring on July 13, 2004, and May 17, 2005,
respectively, the values reflect standard application of the
Black-Scholes option pricing model based on: (a) expected stock price
volatility of .375 and .296; (b) risk free rate of return of 7.39 and
6.54%; (c) a cash dividend yield of 1.75 and 2%; and (d) an expected
time of ten years to exercise. The actual value, if any, of the options
granted is dependent upon the market values of the Company's common
stock subsequent to the date the options become exercisable.
AGGREGATED STOCK OPTION EXERCISES IN FISCAL 1995 AND YEAR END OPTION VALUES
The following table provides information on the exercise of stock options
during fiscal 1995 by the Named Executives and the number and value of
unexercised options at June 3, 1995.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Securities Value of Unexercised
Underlying Unexercised In the Money Options
Options at June 3, 1995 at June 3, 1995(2)
Shares
Acquired
on Value
Name Exercise Realized(1) Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
J. Kermit Campbell 15,000 73,125 12,000 32,000 0 13,750
Philip J. Mercorella 5,000 18,125 72,000 0 83,469 0
James H. Bloem 30,000 97,250 24,000 8,000 20,000 0
Hansjorg Broser 4,000 30,500 8,000 18,000 0 6,875
Gary S. Miller 15,000 50,438 28,500 23,000 21,750 10,313
Andrew C. McGregor 15,000 47,813 14,000 20,000 7,125 10,313
</TABLE>
(1) Represents the aggregate market value of shares acquired at
time of exercise, less the aggregate exercise price paid by
the employee.
(2) Values are based on the difference between the closing price
of the Company's common stock on June 3, 1995 ($21.6875) and
the exercise prices of the options.
-11-
<PAGE> 15
PENSION PLAN TABLE
The following table sets forth the estimated annual benefits payable upon
normal retirement at age 65, on June 3, 1995, to persons in specified
compensation and years of service classifications under the Company's
Retirement Income Plan and the Company's Officers' Supplemental Retirement
Income Plan ("Supplemental Plan"). Projected benefits are computed on a
straight line annuity basis, and such benefits are in addition to any amounts
which may be received under the Social Security Act. Amounts in excess of
$120,000, as limited by Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code, are payable
under the Supplemental Plan to employees eligible or designated to participate
in that plan. All of the Named Executives participate in the Supplemental Plan,
except Messrs. Bloem, McGregor, and Miller.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS OF BENEFIT SERVICE(2)
--------------------------------------------------
AVERAGE ANNUAL
COMPENSATION(1) 20 25 30 35 AND OVER
--------- -------- -------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$240,000 . . . . . . . . . $108,000 $132,000 $156,000 $180,000
$270,000 . . . . . . . . . 121,500 148,500 175,500 202,500
$300,000 . . . . . . . . . 135,000 165,000 195,000 225,000
$330,000 . . . . . . . . . 148,500 181,500 214,500 247,500
$360,000 . . . . . . . . . 162,000 198,000 234,000 270,000
$390,000 . . . . . . . . . 175,500 214,500 253,500 292,500
$420,000 . . . . . . . . . 189,000 231,000 273,000 315,000
$450,000 . . . . . . . . . 202,500 247,500 292,500 337,500
$480,000 . . . . . . . . . 216,000 264,000 312,000 360,000
$510,000 . . . . . . . . . 229,500 280,500 331,500 382,500
$540,000 . . . . . . . . . 243,000 297,000 351,000 405,000
</TABLE>
(1) Average annual compensation is determined under the Retirement Income
Plan by the average of the five highest consecutive years of annual
compensation (the amounts included under the columns "Salary" and
"Bonus" in the Summary Compensation Table) during the last ten years
of employment, subject to a maximum of $150,000 for fiscal 1995.
Average annual compensation under the Supplemental Plan is not subject
to a maximum. For employees designated as participants in the
Supplemental Plan prior to January 21, 1986, average annual
compensation is defined as the highest annual compensation out of the
last three years of employment prior to retirement; for employees
designated as participants after January 21, 1986, average annual
compensation is determined in the same manner as under the Retirement
Income Plan. The combined benefit under both the Retirement Income
Plan and Supplemental Plan may not exceed a designated percentage of
an officer's highest annual compensation, ranging from 50% if an
employee retires at age 55, to 75% if the employee retires at or after
age 65.
(2) The Named Executives have credited years of service and "average
annual compensation" under the Supplemental Plan as follows: J. Kermit
Campbell, 3 years - $534,793; Hansjorg Broser, 3 years - $244,993;
Philip J. Mercorella, 21 years - $274,475.
OTHER ARRANGEMENTS
The Company maintains a Salary Continuation Plan, which provides that an
officer's base salary (as shown in the "Salary" column of the Summary
Compensation Table) will be continued for twelve months after termination of
the officer's employment. Under this plan, benefits terminate if the officer
performs services for a competitor of the Company, and benefits are offset for
any noncompetitor payments for services. No benefits are payable under the plan
if an officer dies, retires, voluntarily terminates employment, or is
terminated for malfeasance.
-12-
<PAGE> 16
SHAREHOLDER RETURN PERFORMANCE GRAPH
Set forth below is a line graph comparing the yearly percentage change in
the cumulative total shareholder return on the Company's common stock with that
of the cumulative total return of the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index and the
NASD Non-Financial Index for the five year period ended June 3, 1995. The
following information is based on an annual investment of $100, on June 2,
1990, in the Company's common stock, the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index and
the NASD Non-Financial Index, with dividends reinvested.
TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN HERMAN MILLER, INC.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NASD Non-Financial 100 114 128 152 156 143
S&P 500 Index 100 112 123 137 143 133
Herman Miller, Inc. 100 101 98 134 133 120
</TABLE>
-13-
<PAGE> 17
PROPOSAL TO ADOPT THE 1995 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
On July 12, 1995, the Board of Directors adopted the Herman Miller, Inc.,
1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Plan"), subject to approval by the
Company's shareholders. The following summary of the Plan is subject to the
specific provisions contained in the complete text of the Plan set forth in
Appendix A to this Proxy Statement.
The Plan is similar to and intended to succeed the Herman Miller, Inc.,
1987 Employee Stock Purchase Plan which expires on November 30, 1997. The Plan
provides for the purchase of the Company's Common Stock ("common stock"), par
value $.20 per share, by employees of the Company at a discount from the market
price of such shares. A total of 1,000,000 shares is reserved for issuance
under this plan.
The Board of Directors believes that the opportunity to purchase shares of
the Company's common stock under the Plan at a discount from market price is
important to attract and retain qualified employees who are essential to the
success of the Company, and that stock ownership is important to providing such
persons with incentive to perform in the best interests of the Company.
At the annual meeting, the Company's shareholders are being asked to
consider and approve this Plan.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN. All active employees of
the Company and its participating subsidiaries, except certain part-time
employees, are eligible to participate in the Plan after completing one year of
continuous employment as of the beginning of an Option Period. An Option Period
begins on the first day of each fiscal quarter and ends on the last day of the
fiscal quarter. No employee is entitled to purchase shares of common stock
under the Plan if he or she is or would be, after the purchase, the holder of
five percent (5%) or more of the total voting power of the Company.
The Plan provides an opportunity for eligible employees to purchase shares
of the Company's common stock at a price equal to eighty-five percent (85%) of
the fair market value of the shares as of the last business day of the Option
Period. As long as the Company's shares are traded in the over-the-counter
market, the fair market value per share will be equal to the closing sale price
of the Company's common stock as reported by the National Association of
Security Dealers Automated Quotation System ("NASDAQ") on the applicable
purchase date. Eligible employees who have elected to participate may
contribute cash (up to 10% of gross earnings of each fiscal quarter) to the
Stock Purchase Plan through equal weekly payroll deductions, by lump sum
contributions received 45 days prior to the last day of the option period, or
both. However, aggregate contributions in any fiscal year for any employee may
not exceed $25,000. Purchases of shares are made as of the last business day of
each fiscal quarter with funds contributed by participating employees during
this quarter. A participant may terminate his or her participation at any time
prior to his or her last pay date in an Option Period by written notice to the
Company, but will not be eligible to reenter the Plan for the balance of the
Company's fiscal year.
Rights under the Plan are not transferable. Any termination of employment,
including death and retirement, terminates participation. In addition, the
Stock Purchase Plan automatically terminates on December 4, 2005, unless
terminated earlier by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may amend
the Stock Purchase Plan at any time, except that it cannot be amended without
shareholder approval if the amendment would: (a) increase the maximum number of
shares that may be issued under the plan, (b) decrease the purchase price per
share subject to the plan, (c) withdraw the administration of the Plan from the
Committee, (d) change the class of employees eligible to participate under the
plan, or (e) render options granted under the plan unqualified for special tax
treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
-14-
<PAGE> 18
SUMMARY OF FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES. The Plan is intended to be a
qualified "Employee Stock Purchase Plan," as defined in Section 423 of the
Code. The following paragraph summarizes the consequences of the acquisition
and disposition of shares of the Company's common stock for federal income tax
purposes, based on management's understanding of existing federal income tax
laws.
Funds contributed by employees through payroll deductions are a part of
current compensation taxable as ordinary income, although not actually received
by employees. As of the purchase date, on the last business day of each fiscal
quarter, a participating employee will be considered to have been granted an
option to purchase shares and to have simultaneously exercised that option with
respect to the shares purchased on that date. If the employee does not dispose
of such shares for a period of two (2) years after the date of the grant of the
option (the "Holding Period"), upon subsequent disposition of the shares or
upon death, the employee will realize compensation, taxable as ordinary income,
equal to the lesser of: (a) the amount by which the fair market value of the
shares at the time of disposition or death exceeds the option exercise price,
or (b) the amount by which the fair market value of the shares at the time the
option was granted exceeded the option exercise price. If (b) is the lesser
amount, the difference between the fair market value of the shares at the time
of disposition or death and the fair market value of the shares at the time of
the option was granted will be taxed as a capital gain. In the event the
Holding Period requirement described above is not met, the amount to be treated
as compensation on disposition of the shares by the employee is the difference
between the option exercise price and the fair market value of the shares at
the time the option is exercised. In the event the Holding Period requirement
is not met, the Company will be entitled to a deduction for federal income tax
purposes equal to the amount recognized as compensation by the employee. In all
other events, the Company will not be entitled to any deduction for federal
income tax purposes with respect to shares to an employee pursuant to exercise
of an option granted under the Stock Purchase Plan.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval and adoption of the
1995 Employees' Stock Purchase Plan. The affirmative vote of a majority of the
outstanding shares of common stock voted at the Annual Meeting is required to
approve and adopt the Plan. While broker nonvotes will not be treated as
votes cast on the approval of the Plan, shares voted as abstentions will be
counted as votes cast. Since a majority of the votes cast is required for
approval, the sum of any negative votes and abstentions will necessitate
offsetting affirmative votes to approve and adopt the Plan. Unless otherwise
directed by marking on the Company proxy, the proxy holder's name therein vote
for the approval of the Plan.
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Board of Directors has appointed Arthur Andersen LLP as independent
public accountants for the Company for the fiscal year ending June 1, 1996.
Representatives of Arthur Andersen LLP will be present at the annual meeting of
shareholders and available to respond to appropriate questions. The Arthur
Andersen LLP representatives will have the opportunity to make a statement if
they so desire.
Although the submission of this matter for approval by shareholders is not
legally required, the Board of Directors believes that such submission follows
sound corporate business practice and is in the best interests of the
shareholders. If the shareholders do not approve the selection of Arthur
Andersen LLP, the selection of such firm as independent public accountants for
the Company will be reconsidered by the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the ratification of the
appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP as the Company's independent public
accountants.
-15-
<PAGE> 19
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS--1996 ANNUAL MEETING
Any shareholder proposal intended to be presented at the next annual
meeting of the Company must be received by the Company at 855 East Main Avenue,
PO Box 302, Zeeland, MI 49464-0302 not later than April 23, 1996, if the
shareholder wishes the proposal to be included in the Company proxy materials
relating to the meeting.
In addition, the Company's Bylaws contain certain notice and procedural
requirements applicable to director nominations and shareholder proposals,
irrespective of whether the proposal is to be included in the Company's proxy
materials. A copy of the Company's Bylaws has been led with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of
the Commission or the Company.
MISCELLANEOUS
Pursuant to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Company's directors and executive officers, as well as any person holding more
than 10 percent of the Company's Common Stock are required to report initial
statements of ownership of the Company's stock and changes in ownership of
those securities to the Securities and Exchange Commission. To the Company's
knowledge, all the required reports were filed by such persons during the
fiscal year ended June 3, 1995, except that four reports pertaining to four
transactions involving the grant of stock options were filed late by Lord Brian
Griffiths, a director of the Company.
If any matters, other than the matters set forth herein, properly come
before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed
proxy to vote the shares thereby represented in accordance with their judgment.
The cost of the solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company. In
addition to the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited personally or by
telephone or telegraph by a few regular employees of the Company without
additional compensation. The Company may reimburse brokers and other persons
holding stock in their names or in the names of nominees for their expenses in
sending proxy materials to the principals and obtaining their proxies.
The annual report of the Company for the fiscal year ended June 3, 1995,
including financial statements, is being mailed to shareholders with this proxy
statement.
Shareholders are urged to date and sign the enclosed proxy and return it
promptly to the Company in the enclosed envelope.
Questions related to your holdings can be directed as follows:
First Chicago Trust Company of New York
PO Box 2500
Jersey City, NJ 07303-2500
Phone: 1 800 446 2617
By Order of the Board of Directors
James N. De Boer, Jr., Secretary of the Board
August 21, 1995
-16-
<PAGE> 20
HERMAN MILLER, INC.
1995 EMPL0YEES' STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
1. Purpose. The purpose of the Herman Miller 1995 Employees' Stock
Purchase Plan (the "Plan") is to provide employees of Herman Miller, Inc. (the
"Company") and the "Participating Subsidiaries" (as herein defined) with a
further inducement to continue their employment with the Company or the
Participating Subsidiaries and to encourage such employees to increase their
efforts to promote the best interests of the Company by permitting them to
purchase shares of common stock, par value $.20 per share (the "Stock") of the
Company, at a price less than the market price thereof, under such
circumstances that the purchase qualifies as the exercise of an option granted
under an employee stock purchase plan, as defined by Section 423 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). As used herein, the
term "Company" does not include any subsidiaries of the Company. This Plan may
be adopted by the board of directors of any corporation which is a member of a
controlled group of corporations, within the meaning of Section 1563(a) of the
Code, of which the Company is also a member, and upon such adoption and with
the approval of the committee described in Section 2, such corporation shall be
deemed to be one of the "Participating Subsidiaries."
2. Committee to Administer Plan. The Plan shall be administered by
a committee appointed by the Board of Directors of the Company (the
"Committee"). The Committee shall consist of not less than three members. The
Board of Directors may from time to time remove members from, or add members
to, the Committee. Vacancies on the Committee, howsoever caused, shall be
filled by the Board of Directors. The Committee may establish from time to
time such regulations, provisions and procedures, within the terms of the Plan,
as in the opinion of its members may be advisable in the administration of the
Plan. The Committee shall keep minutes of its meetings. A majority of the
Committee shall constitute a quorum, and the acts of a majority of the members
present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, or acts reduced to or
approved in writing by a majority of the members of the Committee, shall be the
valid acts of the Committee. The interpretation and construction by the
Committee of any provisions of the Plan shall be final unless otherwise
determined by the Board of Directors. No member of the Board of Directors or
the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination made in good
faith with respect to the Plan.
3. Eligibility. Participation under the Plan shall be open to all
active employees (the "Eligible Employees") of the Company or the Participating
Subsidiaries except (a) employees who have been continuously employed by the
Company or a Participating Subsidiary for less than twelve (12) months at the
beginning of an Option Period (as hereinafter defined); (b) employees whose
customary employment by the Company or a Participating Subsidiary is less than
twenty (20) hours per week; and (c) employees whose customary employment by the
Company or a Participating Subsidiary is for not more than five (5) months in a
calendar year. No option rights shall be granted under the Plan to any person
who is not an Eligible Employee, and no Eligible Employee shall be granted
option rights under the Plan (a) if such employee, immediately after receiving
the grant of such option rights under the Plan, owns (under the rules of
Sections 423(b)(3) and 425(d) of the Code) stock possessing 5 percent or more
of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the
Company or any of its subsidiary corporations (as defined by Section 425(f) of
the Code); or (b) which permit such employee to purchase stock under this Plan
and any other employee stock purchase plan of the Company and its subsidiary
corporations (as defined by Section 425(f) of the Code) at option prices
aggregating more than $25,000 in any one calendar year, and in no event may
such option rights accrue at a rate which exceeds that permitted by Section
423(b)(8) of the Code.
4. Stock Available for Plan. Purchase of Stock pursuant to and on
behalf of this Plan for delivery under this Plan may be made out of the
Company's presently or hereafter authorized but unissued Stock, or out of
shares of Stock now or hereafter held in treasury by the Company, or from
outstanding shares of Stock, or partly out of each, as determined by the
Committee. The maximum number of shares of Stock which may be purchased under
the Plan is 1,000,000 shares, subject, however, to adjustment as hereinafter
set forth. In the event the Company shall, at any time after the effective
date of the Plan, change its issued Stock into an increased number of shares of
Stock,
APPENDIX A
<PAGE> 21
with or without par value, through a Stock dividend or split of shares, or into
a decreased number of shares, with or without par value, through a combination
of shares, then effective with the record date for such change, the maximum
number of shares of Stock which thereafter may be purchased under the Plan
shall be the maximum number of shares which, immediately prior to such record
date, remained available for purchase under the Plan, proportionately
increased, in the case of such Stock dividend or split up of shares, or
proportionately decreased in the case of such combination of shares. In the
event of any other change affecting Stock, such adjustment shall be made as may
be deemed equitable by the Board of Directors to give proper effect to such
event.
5. Effective Dates. This Plan shall become effective on December 4,
1995, provided that the Plan has been adopted by the Company's Board of
Directors and approved by the shareholders of the Company at a duly called
meeting or any adjournment thereof. The first Option Period under the Plan
shall commence on December 4, 1995, and end on March 2, 1996. As long as the
Plan remains in effect, a new Option Period shall commence on the first day of
each fiscal quarter year of the Company and end on the last day of each such
fiscal quarter year.
6. Participation. An employee who is a participant in the Herman
Miller, Inc. 1987 Employees' Stock Purchase Plan (the "1987 Plan") on December
4, 1995, will automatically participate in this Plan as of such date. In
addition, an employee of the Company or a Participating Subsidiary who is an
Eligible Employee at or prior to the first day of any Option Period may become
a Participant as of such date by (a) at least ten (10) days prior to such date,
completing and forwarding a payroll deduction authorization form (the
"Authorization") to the Eligible Employee's appropriate payroll location;
and/or (b) at least forty-five (45) days prior to the last day of the Option
Period, completing and forwarding a lump sum payment form furnished by the
Company accompanied by payment to the Company in the amount of the lump sum to
be credited to the Eligible Employee's Purchase Account. The Authorization
will direct a regular payroll deduction from the Participant's compensation to
be made on each of the Participant's pay dates occurring during each Option
Period in which he or she is a Participant. The term "Authorizations" as used
herein includes Authorizations as defined in and filed pursuant to the 1987
Plan.
7. Payroll Deductions and Lump Sum Payments. The Company and its
Participating Subsidiaries will maintain payroll deduction accounts for all of
their respective employees who are Participants and who have filed
Authorizations for Payroll Deduction. Payments made by Participants, whether
by payroll deduction or lump sum payment, shall be credited to the
Participant's Stock Purchase Account (the "Purchase Account"). No amounts
other than payroll deductions and lump sum payments authorized under this Plan
may be credited to a Participant's Purchase Account. A Participant may
authorize a payroll deduction in any amount not less than $5 for each pay date,
but not more than a maximum of 10 percent of the Participant's gross earnings
payable as wages, salary, and bonus compensation, before withholding or other
deductions ("Gross Earnings"), with respect to which payments are to be made to
him or her by the Company or the Participating Subsidiary on such pay date. A
Participant may make one lump sum payment in any Option Period in any amount
not less than $25, but not more than a maximum of 10 percent of the
Participant's Gross Earnings for the immediately preceding Option Period. In
the event a Participant makes payments for credit to his or her Purchase
Account through both lump sum payments and payroll deductions, the total of all
such payments during any Option Period shall not exceed 10 percent of the
Participant's Gross Earnings during the immediately preceding Option Period.
In no event shall payments of any kind for credit to a Purchase Account by or
on behalf of any Participant aggregate more than $25,000 in any calendar year.
8. Changes in Payroll Deduction. Payroll deductions shall be made
for each Participant in accordance with the Participant's Authorization and
shall continue until the Participant's participation terminates, the
Authorization is revised or the Plan terminates. A Participant may, as of the
beginning of any Option Period, increase or decrease the Participant's payroll
deduction within the limits specified in Section 7 by filing a new
Authorization at least ten (10) days prior to the beginning of such Option
Period.
2
<PAGE> 22
9. Termination of Participation; Withdrawal of Funds. A Participant
may for any reason at any time on written notice given to the Company prior to
the Participant's last pay date in any Option Period elect to terminate his or
her participation in the Plan and permanently draw out the balance accumulated
in his or her Purchase Account. Upon any termination by a Participant of
participation, he or she shall cease to be a Participant, his or her
Authorization shall be revoked insofar as subsequent payroll deductions are
concerned, and the amount to his or her credit in his or her Purchase Account,
and not payable in respect of the exercise of any option to purchase Stock
theretofore granted under the plan, as well as any unauthorized payroll
deductions made after such revocation, shall be promptly refunded to the former
Participant. An Eligible Employee who has thus terminated participation in the
Plan may thereafter begin participation in the Plan again only during the
fiscal year of the Company following the fiscal year of the Company in which
such termination and withdrawal of funds occurred. Partial withdrawals of
funds will not be permitted.
10. Purchase of Shares. Each Participant during each Option Period
under this Plan will be granted an option as of the "Purchase Date" (as herein
defined) for the purchase of as many shares of Stock, including partial shares,
as may be purchased with the funds in his or her Purchase Account. This
election shall be automatically made as provided in this Section unless the
Participant terminates participation as provided in Section 9. The purchase
price for each share of Stock purchased shall be 85 percent of the fair market
value of a share of Stock on the "Purchase Date" (as herein defined). If such
percentage results in a fraction of a cent, the purchase price shall be
increased to the next higher full cent. The term "Purchase Date" shall be the
last business day of the Option Period. If, as of each Purchase Date, the
Participant's Purchase Account contains funds, the Participant shall be deemed
to have exercised an option to purchase shares at the purchase price, the
Participant's Purchase Account shall be charged for the amount of the purchase,
and an entry shall be made to the Participant's account maintained by the
Company's transfer agent. As of each subsequent Purchase Date when funds have
again accrued in the Participant's Purchase Account, shares will be purchased
in the same manner.
If the Stock continues to be traded in the over-the-counter market and
does not become listed upon an established stock exchange, the fair market
value per share shall be the closing sale price of the Stock as reported by the
National Association of Securities Dealers' Automated Quotation System
("NASDAQ") on the Purchase Date, or if no closing sale price in the
over-the-counter market is reported by NASDAQ for the Purchase Date, then on
the next preceding day on which such price is reported. If the Stock becomes
listed upon an established stock exchange or exchanges, the fair market value
of the Stock for purposes of the Plan shall be deemed to be the closing price
of the Stock on such stock exchange or exchanges on the Purchase Date, or if no
sale of Stock shall have been made on any stock exchange on that day, on the
next preceding day on which there was a sale of such Stock.
11. Registration of Certificates. Upon the request of a Participant
during participation in the Plan, and upon a Participant's termination of
participation, a stock certificate representing the full number of shares of
Stock owned by such Participant under the Plan shall be issued and delivered to
the Participant. Fractional share interests shall be paid in cash to the
Participant. Certificates may be registered only in the name of the
Participant or the names of the Participant and his or her spouse.
12. Rights on Retirement, Death, or Termination of Employment. In
the event of a Participant's retirement, death or termination of employment, no
payroll deduction shall be taken from any pay due and owing to a Participant at
such time and the balance in the Participant's Purchase Account shall be paid
to the Participant or, in the event of the Participant's death, to the
Participant's estate.
13. Rights Not Transferable. Rights under this Plan are not
transferable by a Participant and are exercisable only by the Participant
during his or her lifetime.
14. Application of Funds. All funds received or held by the Company
or a Participating Subsidiary under this Plan may be used by the Company or
such Participating Subsidiary for any corporate purpose.
3
<PAGE> 23
15. Amendment of the Plan. The Board of Directors of the Company may
at any time, or from time to time, amend this Plan in any respect, except that,
without the approval of a majority of the shares of Stock of the Company then
issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, no amendment shall be made (a)
increasing the number of shares approved for this Plan (other than as provided
in Section 4), (b) decreasing the Purchase Price per share, (c) withdrawing the
administration of this Plan from the Committee, (d) changing the designation of
the class of employees eligible to receive options under the Plan, or (e) which
would render options granted under the Plan unqualified for special tax
treatment under the Code.
16. Termination of the Plan. Unless sooner terminated as hereinafter
provided, this Plan shall terminate on December 4, 2005. The Company may, by
action of its Board of Directors, terminate the Plan at any time. Notice of
termination shall be given to all then Participants, but any failure to give
such notice shall not impair the termination. Upon termination of the Plan,
all amounts in Purchase Accounts of Participants shall be promptly refunded.
17. Governmental Regulations. The Company's obligation to sell and
deliver Stock under this Plan is subject to the approval of any governmental
authority required in connection with the authorization, issuance or sale of
such Stock. If at any time shares of Stock deliverable hereunder are required
to be registered or qualified under any applicable law, or delivery of such
shares is required to be accompanied or preceded by a prospectus or similar
circular, delivery of certificates for such shares may be deferred for a
reasonable time until such registrations or qualifications are effected or such
prospectus or similar circular is available.
4
<PAGE> 24
HERMAN MILLER, INC.
By signing this card, the shareholder appoints Richard H. Ruch, Michael A.
Volkema, and David L. Nelson, and each of them, as attorneys, with the power of
substitution, to vote the shares of Common Stock of Herman Miller, Inc. ("the
company") held of record by the undersigned on August 7, 1995, at the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders to be held at the company's Midwest Distribution
Center, 10001 Adams Street, Holland, Michigan on Thursday, October 5, 1995, at
4:00 p.m. (E.D.T.) and at any adjournment thereof.
ELECTION OF FOUR DIRECTORS, each for a term of three years. Nominees: Dr. E.
David Crockett, David L. Nelson, Charles D. Ray, M.D., and Michael A. Volkema
ELECTION OF ONE DIRECTOR, for a term of one year. Nominee: J. Harold Chandler
The Proxies will vote your shares in accordance with your direction on this
card. If you do not indicate your choice on this card, the Proxies will vote
your shares "FOR" the nominees and "FOR" the proposals.
All shares votable hereby by the undersigned include shares, if any, held for
my account in the company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Employee Stock
Purchase Plan.
<PAGE> 25
/X/ Please mark
your votes as in
this example.
This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors.
<TABLE>
<S><C>
For Withheld For Against Abstain For Against Abstain
1. ELECTION / / / / 2. APPROVAL OF THE / / / / / / 3. RATIFICATION OF / / / / / /
OF DIRECTORS 1995 EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT OF
AS LISTED ON STOCK PURCHASE ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
REVERSE SIDE. PLAN. AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
For, except vote withheld from FOR THE YEAR ENDING
the following nominee(s): JUNE 1, 1996.
_______________________________ 4. At their discretion, the Proxies are
authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before
the meeting or adjournment thereof.
Signature________________________________________________
Title if required_________________________Date___/__/____
Signature________________________________________________
Title if required_________________________Date___/__/____
Please sign exactly as name appears hereon, joint owners
should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor,
administrator, trustee, or guardian, please give full
title as such.
FOLD AND DETACH HERE
PLEASE MARK THE BOXES ON THE ABOVE PROXY TO INDICATE HOW YOU WISH YOUR SHARES TO BE VOTED.
SIGN AND DATE THE PROXY, DETACH IT, AND RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE PAID ENVELOPE.
WE MUST RECEIVE YOUR VOTE BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS ON OCTOBER 5, 1995.
</TABLE>
