<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:
[X] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, for Use of the
Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to sec. 240.14a-11(c) or sec. 240.14a-12
Powell Industries, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(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)(l) 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
POWELL INDUSTRIES, INC.
8550 MOSLEY DRIVE
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77075
---------------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD MARCH 14, 1997
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF POWELL INDUSTRIES, INC.:
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of
Powell Industries, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the "Company"), will be held at
the Hobby Airport Hilton, 8181 Airport Boulevard, in Houston, Texas on Friday,
March 14, 1997 at 11:00 a.m. Houston time, for the following purposes:
1. To elect three (3) members of the Company's Board of Directors,
class of 2000;
2. To consider a proposed amendment to the articles of incorporation
of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of the Company's
Common Stock to 30,000,000; and
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournment thereof.
The stock transfer books will not be closed. Stockholders of record as of
the close of business on January 27, 1997 are entitled to notice of, and to vote
at, the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof, notwithstanding any transfer
of stock on the books of the Company after such record date.
You are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person. YOU ARE URGED TO
COMPLETE, DATE, AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND TO RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE
ENCLOSED ENVELOPE, WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING.
By Order of the Board of Directors
J. F. Ahart
Vice President and Secretary
Houston, Texas
January 9, 1997
<PAGE> 3
POWELL INDUSTRIES, INC.
8550 MOSLEY DRIVE
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77075
---------------------
PROXY STATEMENT
JANUARY 9, 1997
---------------------
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
MARCH 14, 1997
---------------------
SOLICITATION AND VOTING RIGHTS
The accompanying proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of Powell
Industries, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the "Company"), for use at the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held on Friday, March 14, 1997 at
11:00 a.m., Houston time, at the Hobby Airport Hilton, 8181 Airport Boulevard,
in Houston, Texas, or at any adjournment thereof.
This Proxy Statement and proxy and the accompanying Notice of Annual
Meeting, Summary Annual Report to Stockholders, and Form 10-K for the year ended
October 31, 1996, including consolidated financial statements, will be mailed to
stockholders on or about February 10, 1997. The cost of soliciting proxies in
the enclosed form will be borne by the Company. The Board of Directors of the
Company has fixed January 27, 1997, as the record date for determination of
stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.
There are 10,604,471 shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $.01 per
share ("Common Stock"), outstanding and entitled to vote. Each holder of Common
Stock will be entitled to one vote for each share owned.
The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company is necessary to constitute a
quorum at the meeting. The three persons receiving the greatest number of votes
cast at the meeting to fill the directorships with terms to expire in 2000 will
be elected as directors of the Company, class of 2000. Thus, abstentions and
broker non-votes will have no effect on the election of directors. Regarding
other matters, under Nevada law generally the vote of stockholders who hold at
least a majority of the voting power present at a meeting at which a quorum is
present is the act of the stockholders. Accordingly, abstentions and broker
non-votes will have the effect of negative votes with respect to any such other
matters.
The shares represented by each valid proxy received by the Company on the
form solicited by the Board of Directors will be voted in accordance with
instructions specified on the proxy. Under Nevada law, a stockholder giving a
duly executed proxy may revoke it before it is exercised only by filing with or
transmitting to the Secretary of the Company an instrument or transmission
revoking it, or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date.
<PAGE> 4
COMMON STOCK OWNED BY
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth as of January 9, 1997 (except as otherwise
noted below), the number of shares of Common Stock owned by each person who is
known by the Company to own beneficially more than five percent (5%) of the
Company's outstanding Common Stock:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND NATURE
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL
OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNERSHIP PERCENT OF CLASS
------------------- ----------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Thomas W. Powell..................................... 3,552,968(1) 33.43%
P.O. Box 12818
Houston, Texas 77217
Bonnie L. Powell..................................... 1,357,225(2) 12.70%
P.O. Box 112
Warda, Texas 78960
Heartland Advisors, Inc.............................. 1,065,000(3) 10.04%
790 North Milwaukee Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
NationsBank of Texas, N.A............................ 810,788(4) 7.64%
Trustee of the Powell Industries, Inc.
Employee Stock Ownership Trust
and of the Powell Industries, Inc.
Frozen Stock Ownership Trust
5433 Westheimer
Houston, Texas 77056
Wellington Management Company........................ 747,000(5) 7.04%
75 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Mr. Powell has sole voting power and sole investment power with respect to
2,762,512 of such shares. Of those 2,762,512 shares, 1,072,007 are held
directly by Mr. Powell, 78,720 by his IRA, and 1,611,785 by Palfam,
Incorporated, a corporation controlled by Mr. Powell. Also includes 317,360
shares held by the Thomas Walker Powell Trust. Mr. Powell is a co-trustee of
such trust and shares voting and investment power with respect to the shares
held by such trust with the other co-trustee, Bonnie L. Powell. The shares
held by such trust are also included in the number of shares listed as
beneficially owned by Mrs. Powell. Also includes 445,500 shares held by
Testamentary Trust No. 1, of which Mr. Powell is a co-trustee. Mr. Powell
shares voting and investment power with respect to such shares held by
Testamentary Trust No. 1 with Bonnie L. Powell and Richard F. Margolin, the
other co-trustees of such trust. Any act of such co-trustees requires the
approval of a majority of them. The shares held by Testamentary Trust No. 1
are also included in the number of shares listed as beneficially owned by
Mrs. Powell. Also includes 1,677 shares allocated to the account of Mr.
Powell under the Powell Industries, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan (see
footnote (4) to this table) and 919 shares held in trust for the account of
Mr. Powell under the Employees Incentive Savings Plan of the Company. Mellon
Bank, N.A. is the sole trustee of the Employees Incentive Savings Plan and
as such has sole power to vote such shares as directed by the administrative
committee of the Plan. All data in this Proxy Statement with respect to
shares held in the Employees Incentive Savings Plan are as of October 31,
1996. Also includes 25,000 shares subject to stock options which are
currently exercisable by Mr. Powell.
2
<PAGE> 5
(2) Mrs. Powell has sole voting power and sole investment power with respect to
594,365 of such shares. Also includes 317,360 shares held by the Thomas
Walker Powell Trust. Mrs. Powell is a co-trustee of such trust and shares
voting and investment power with respect to the shares held by such trust
with the other co-trustee, Thomas W. Powell. The shares held by such trust
are also included in the number of shares listed as beneficially owned by
Mr. Powell. Also includes 445,500 shares held by Testamentary Trust No. 1,
of which Mrs. Powell is a co-trustee. Mrs. Powell shares voting and
investment power with respect to such shares held by Testamentary Trust No.
1 with Thomas W. Powell and Richard F. Margolin, the other co-trustees of
such trust. Any act of such co-trustees requires the approval of a majority
of them. The shares held by Testamentary Trust No. 1 are also included in
the number of shares listed as beneficially owned by Mr. Powell.
(3) Heartland Advisors, Inc. has the sole power to dispose or direct the
disposition of all of such shares, and has sole power to vote or direct the
vote of 859,000 of such shares. The information with respect to the holdings
of Heartland Advisors, Inc. is as of December 1, 1996.
(4) Of such shares, 774,461 are held in the Powell Industries, Inc. Employee
Stock Ownership Trust (the "ESOP") and 36,327 are held in the Powell
Industries, Inc. Frozen Employee Stock Ownership Trust (the "Frozen ESOP").
NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as Trustee, votes and disposes of shares not
allocated to the accounts of participants, and allocated shares as to which
no direction is received from the participant. Participants have the right
to direct the voting and tender of shares allocated to their accounts. As of
October 31, 1996, 153,512 of the shares held by the ESOP were allocated to
the accounts of participants. An additional 44,863 shares will be allocated
to the accounts of participants effective December 31, 1996, but the amount
of this latter allocation to each participant has not been determined as of
the date of this Proxy Statement. Accordingly, such shares to be allocated
as of December 31, 1996 are not included in the number of shares shown as
owned by executive officers in this proxy statement. All shares held in the
Frozen ESOP have been allocated to accounts of participants. All data in
this Proxy Statement with respect to shares held in either the ESOP or the
Frozen ESOP are as of December 10, 1996.
(5) Based on a Schedule 13G dated January 31, 1996 filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission by Wellington Management Company ("WMC"). According to
such Schedule 13G, such shares are owned by a variety of investment clients
of WMC, but WMC, in its capacity as investment advisor, may be deemed the
beneficial owner of such shares. Also according to such Schedule 13G, WMC
has shared voting power with respect to 453,000 of such shares and shared
dispositive power with respect to all of such shares.
3
<PAGE> 6
The following table sets forth, as of January 9, 1997, except for plan
share data (see footnotes (1) and (4) to the preceding table), the number of
shares of the Common Stock beneficially owned by each director and nominee for
director, each of the executive officers listed in the Summary Compensation
Table below, and all executive officers and directors of the Company as a group:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND NATURE
OF BENEFICIAL PERCENT
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNERSHIP(1) OF CLASS
------------------------ ----------------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
J.F. Ahart................................................ 22,768(2) *
Thomas C. Burtnett........................................ 6,253(3) *
Eugene L. Butler.......................................... 1,000 *
Adam Janas................................................ 14,438(4) *
Bonnie L. Powell.......................................... 1,357,225(5) 12.70%
Thomas W. Powell.......................................... 3,552,968(6) 33.43%
Stephen W. Seale, Jr...................................... 3,000(7) *
Elbert D. Stewart......................................... 1,500 *
Donald D. Sykora.......................................... 1,000 *
Lawrence R. Tanner........................................ 2,500 *
Ronald J. Wolny........................................... 1,937 *
M.M. Zeller............................................... 25,444(8) *
All Executive Officers and Directors as a group (16
persons)................................................ 4,262,865(9) 39.90%
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Less than one percent (1%).
(1) The persons listed have sole voting power and sole investment power with
respect to the shares beneficially owned by them, except as otherwise
indicated.
(2) Mr. Ahart has sole voting and investment power over 9,525 of such shares.
Also includes 1,443 shares allocated to Mr. Ahart's account in the ESOP. See
footnote (4) to the preceding table. Also includes 11,800 shares subject to
stock options which are currently exercisable by Mr. Ahart.
(3) Includes 553 shares allocated to Mr. Burtnett's account in the ESOP. See
footnote (4) to the preceding table. Also includes 5,700 shares subject to
stock options which are currently exercisable by Mr. Burtnett.
(4) Mr. Janas has sole voting and investment power over 5,267 of such shares.
Also includes 1,475 shares allocated to Mr. Janas' account in the ESOP. See
footnote (4) to the preceding table. Also includes 1,096 shares held in
trust for Mr. Janas under the Company's Employees Incentive Savings Plan.
See footnote (1) to the preceding table. Also includes 6,600 shares subject
to stock options which are currently exercisable by Mr. Janas.
(5) See footnote (2) to the preceding table.
(6) See footnote (1) to the preceding table.
(7) Such shares are held by Seale Land & Cattle Co., a corporation controlled by
Mr. Seale.
(8) Mr. Zeller has sole vesting and investment power over 10,080 of such shares.
Also includes 1,464 shares allocated to Mr. Zeller's account in the ESOP.
See footnote (4) to the preceding table. Also includes 13,900 shares subject
to stock options which are currently exercisable by Mr. Zeller.
(9) Includes 1,974 shares that are held in trust for certain executive officers
not named above under the Employees Incentive Savings Plan of the Company.
See footnote (1) to the preceding table. Also includes 3,168 shares held in
trust for the accounts of certain executive officers not named above under
the ESOP or the Frozen ESOP. See footnote (4) to the preceding table. Also
includes 16,800 shares subject to stock options which are currently
exercisable by certain executive officers not named above. Also includes
13,750 shares over which certain executive officers not named above have
sole voting and investment power.
4
<PAGE> 7
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The terms of three directors expire in 1997 under the bylaws of the
Company. The terms of the remaining directors continue after the Annual Meeting.
The Board of Directors has nominated Stephen W. Seale, Jr., Donald D. Sykora,
and Ronald J. Wolny for election as directors with terms to expire in 2000. Each
of such nominees currently serves as a director of the Company with a term
expiring in 1997. Although the Board of Directors does not contemplate that any
of the nominees will be unable to serve, if such a situation arises prior to the
Annual Meeting, the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy will vote in
accordance with their best judgment for a substitute nominee.
The following table sets forth for each nominee and for each director whose
term of office continues after the Annual Meeting, his name, age, principal
occupation and employment for the past five years, offices held with the
Company, the date he first became a director, and the date of expiration of his
current term as director.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OFFICES HELD DIRECTOR TERM
NOMINEES AGE FOR PAST FIVE YEARS(1) WITH COMPANY SINCE EXPIRES
-------- --- ---------------------- ------------ -------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Stephen W. Seale, 57 Director -- Operations, Director 1985 1997
Jr................... Materials and Structures
Division and other
assignments at Southwest
Research Institute, an
independent research and
development organization, for
more than the past five years
Donald D. Sykora....... 66 Office of the Chairman, Director 1986 1997
Houston Industries
Incorporated, since September
1, 1995; President and Chief
Operating Officer of Houston
Industries Incorporated, July
1993 -- August 1995;
previously President and
Chief Operating Officer of
its subsidiary, Houston
Lighting & Power Company;
also serves as a director of
Pool Energy Services Company,
Trans Texas Gas Corporation,
and ARS Services
Ronald J. Wolny........ 57 Vice President, Fluor Daniel, Director 1992 1997
Inc. for more than the past
five years
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DIRECTORS REMAINING PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OFFICES HELD DIRECTOR TERM
IN OFFICE AGE FOR PAST FIVE YEARS(1) WITH COMPANY SINCE EXPIRES
------------------- --- ---------------------- ------------ -------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Thomas W. Powell....... 56 Chairman of the Board, Director, Chairman of the 1984 1998
President and Chief Executive Board, President and Chief
Officer of the Company since Executive Officer
1984
Elbert D. Stewart...... 70 Vice President of Artisan Director 1981 1998
Field Design, a graphic
design firm; previously a
consultant for Destec Energy,
Inc.
</TABLE>
5
<PAGE> 8
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DIRECTORS REMAINING PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OFFICES HELD DIRECTOR TERM
IN OFFICE AGE FOR PAST FIVE YEARS(1) WITH COMPANY SINCE EXPIRES
------------------- --- ---------------------- ------------ -------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Lawrence R. Tanner..... 70 Manager, Facilities Director 1992 1998
Engineering and Construction,
for Compaq Computer Corp.,
1989 to present; consultant
for expansion program for
Compaq Computer Corp., 1988;
retired 1984 -- 1988;
previously spent twenty-six
years with Arabian American
Oil Company (ARAMCO) Saudi
Arabia, the last eight as a
Vice President
J.F. Ahart............. 55 Vice President, Secretary, (2) 1996(3) 1999
Treasurer, and Chief
Financial Officer of the
Company since 1989(2)
Eugene L. Butler....... 55 Chairman of the Board, Director 1990 1999
Intercoastal Terminal, Inc.,
April 1991 to present; CEO,
Chairman, and a director of
Petrominerals Corporation,
April 1993 -- April 1995;
also serves as a director of
Ponder Industries, Inc., an
oil field services company
Bonnie L. Powell....... 63 Private investor for more Director 1986 1999
than the past five years
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) None of the corporations listed (other than the Company) is an affiliate of
the Company.
(2) Mr. Ahart is the Chief Financial Officer, Vice President, Secretary, and
Treasurer of the Company. He also serves as a Vice President and the
Secretary and Treasurer of each subsidiary of the Company.
(3) Mr. Ahart also served as a director of the Company from January of 1990 to
March of 1992.
Bonnie L. Powell is the widow of William E. Powell, the father of Thomas W.
Powell and the founder of the Company.
Only those directors who are not employees of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates are entitled to receive a fee, plus reimbursement of
out-of-pocket expenses, for their services as directors. Under the Company's
standard arrangement for compensation of directors, outside directors receive a
quarterly retainer of $1,750 and a fee of $2,000 for each board meeting
attended. Members of a committee other than the chairman receive a fee of $500
for attending each committee meeting. Committee chairmen receive $1,000 for
attending each committee meeting.
In 1993, the Company adopted the Powell Industries, Inc. Directors' Fee
Program which permits directors to defer receipt of the directors' fees to which
they would otherwise be entitled and to have such deferred fees allocated to a
shadow account as if they were invested in Common Stock of the Company on the
date the fees were payable. Then upon expiration of the deferral period or the
retirement or death of the
6
<PAGE> 9
director, payment will be made in the form of shares of Common Stock equal to
the number of shares in his shadow account (plus any distributions on the Common
Stock that were credited to the shadow account).
Four meetings of the Board of Directors were held in the last fiscal year.
Ronald J. Wolny, who was temporarily on assignment out of the country, attended
fewer than seventy-five percent (75%) of the aggregate of (1) the total number
of meetings of the Board of Directors and (2) the total number of meetings held
by all committees of the Board on which he served.
The Board of Directors has a standing Audit Committee which met 4 times
during the last fiscal year. The Audit Committee consists of Messrs. Seale,
Butler, and Tanner. The Audit Committee has the responsibility to assist the
Board of Directors in fulfilling its fiduciary responsibilities as to accounting
policies and reporting practices of the Company and its subsidiaries and the
sufficiency of the audits of all Company activities. It is the Board's agent in
ensuring the integrity of financial reports of the Company and its subsidiaries,
and the adequacy of disclosures to shareholders. The Audit Committee is the
focal point for communication between other directors, the independent auditors,
internal auditor and management as their duties relate to financial accounting,
reporting, and controls.
The Board of Directors also has a standing Compensation Committee which met
3 times during the last fiscal year. The Compensation Committee consists of Mr.
Sykora, Mrs. Powell, and Mr. Wolny. During the year it consults with management
regarding the compensation and benefits that are provided to the directors,
officers, and employees of the Company. The Compensation Committee also
administers the Stock Option Plan and Incentive Compensation Plan of the
Company.
The Board of Directors does not have a standing nominating committee.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND SIGNIFICANT EMPLOYEES
The following table provides information regarding the executive officers
and/or significant employees of the Company and its subsidiaries who are not
also a director or a nominee for director. The officers of the Company serve at
the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company, and officers of
subsidiaries serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the respective
subsidiaries.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE SINCE POSITION(1)
---- --- ----- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Kelly A. Shaw................ 45 1994 Vice President -- Marketing of the Company
Robert L. Mitchell........... 63 1990 Controller of the Company
Glenn D. Auer................ 57 1991 President of Powell-ESCO Company
Thomas C. Burtnett........... 53 1993 President of Unibus, Inc.
David J. Dimlich............. 50 1994 President of Transdyn Controls, Inc.
Adam Janas................... 58 1984 President of Delta-Unibus Corp. ("Delta")
M. M. Zeller................. 58 1990 President of Powell Electrical Manufacturing
Company ("PEMCO")
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Each of the corporations listed (other than the Company) is a subsidiary of
the Company.
Mr. Shaw was elected Vice President -- Marketing of the Company on July 22,
1994. He had previously served as a Vice President, Sales and Marketing, of ABB
Power T & D Company, Inc. for more than the past five years.
Mr. Mitchell has been Controller of the Company since July 1, 1990.
7
<PAGE> 10
Mr. Auer has been President of Powell-ESCO Company since May of 1991.
Mr. Burtnett was elected President of Unibus, Inc. on May 17, 1993.
Previously, he had served since 1981 as Engineering Manager of Kyle Distribution
Switchgear, an operation of the Cooper Power Systems Division of Cooper
Industries, Inc., a manufacturer of distribution switchgear.
Mr. Dimlich became chief operating officer of Transdyn Controls, Inc. on
June 30, 1994, and was elected President of Transdyn on August 5, 1994. He
previously served as Senior Vice President of Dynalectric Company, President of
B &T B Insulation Company, and Chief Executive Officer of Comstock Canada Ltd.,
all specialty contractors.
Mr. Janas has served as President of Delta since 1984.
Mr. Zeller has served as President of PEMCO since 1990.
None of the corporations mentioned in the descriptions of the business
backgrounds above is an affiliate of the Company (other than the subsidiaries of
the Company listed in the table above).
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
The following persons failed to file on a timely basis reports required by
Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with respect to the Common
Stock of the Company: (1) Ronald J. Wolny failed to file one report required
with respect to one transaction; and (2) Adam Janas failed to file on a timely
basis two forms with respect to two related transactions.
8
<PAGE> 11
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the
compensation of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and of the Company's
four most highly compensated executive officers for the last fiscal year (other
than the CEO) whose total annual salary and bonus exceeded $100,000, for each of
the Company's fiscal years ending October 31, 1996, October 31, 1995, and
October 31, 1994.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG TERM
ANNUAL COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION AWARDS
------------------ ------------------------
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)
RESTRICTED SECURITIES (G)
STOCK UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
SALARY BONUS AWARDS OPTIONS COMPENSATION
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR ($) ($) ($)(1) (#) ($)(2)
--------------------------- ---- ------- ------- ---------- ---------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Thomas W. Powell 1996 270,000 260,000 0 32,729(3)
CEO 1995 255,767 158,250 35,000 32,729(3)
1994 250,000 101,250 0 32,729(3)
M.M. Zeller 1996 165,000 155,000 0 4,500
President of PEMCO 1995 150,541 85,413 18,500 4,500
1994 147,264 61,543 0 4,500
J.F. Ahart 1996 144,467 104,177 0 4,500
CFO 1995 138,902 74,736 15,500 4,500
1994 138,902 56,255 0 4,500
Adam Janas 1996 112,133 106,400 4,625 0 4,500
President of Delta 1995 106,400 102,270 12,500 4,500
1994 97,405 89,895 0 4,500
Thomas C. Burtnett 1996 92,667 88,000 0 4,500
President of Unibus, Inc. 1995 87,072 55,188 9,000 4,288
1994 82,667 30,380 0 2,611
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) As of October 31, 1996, the only restricted stock award to a named executive
officer the Company had outstanding was the award reported. As of October
31, 1996, the aggregate number of restricted shares subject to such award
was 500, and the value of such shares as of such date was $5,250. Mr. Janas
has the right to receive dividends with respect to such restricted stock
award to the extent dividends are paid generally on the Common Stock.
However, the Company has not previously paid dividends and it is not
anticipated that dividends will be paid in the immediate future. Such award
was made to Mr. Janas in connection with his exercise of a stock option
granted by the Company, pursuant to a provision in the stock option
agreement designed to encourage retention of shares received upon exercise
of options.
(2) Except as noted below with respect to Mr. Powell, each of the amounts in
this column are matching contributions by the Company to the executive
officer's account in the Company's Employees Incentive Savings Plan (a
401(k) plan).
(3) Of this amount, $4,500 was a matching contribution by the Company to Mr.
Powell's account in the Company's Employees Incentive Savings Plan (a 401(k)
plan), and the remaining $28,229 were premiums paid by the Company with
respect to life insurance for the benefit of Mr. Powell.
9
<PAGE> 12
FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(A) (B) (C) (E)
SHARES (D)
ACQUIRED NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
ON VALUE UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
EXERCISE REALIZED OPTIONS AT OCTOBER 31, 1996 (#) AT OCTOBER 31, 1996 ($)
NAME (#) ($) EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE
---- -------- -------- ------------------------------- -------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Thomas W. Powell................ 25,000/40,000 97,250/164,000
M.M. Zeller..................... 13,900/21,600 53,975/81,000
J.F. Ahart...................... 11,800/18,200 45,800/74,450
Adam Janas...................... 2,500 7,500 6,600/14,400 24,750/59,000
Thomas C. Burtnett.............. 5,700/9,800 22,275/40,350
</TABLE>
Each of the named executive officers is covered by the Company's Executive
Severance Protection Plan, which provides severance pay and other specified
benefits upon termination of employment other than for cause (as defined in the
Plan) within three years of a change in control of the Company. The benefits
payable in such event (grossed up for taxes) are (1) three times the officer's
current annual base salary, plus (2) three times the maximum incentive
opportunity for the officer under the Company's then current Incentive
Compensation Plan, plus (3) continuation of medical, dental, and life insurance
benefits for three years or until the officer is covered under another plan,
whichever is earlier.
Thomas W. Powell is covered by the Company's Executive Benefit Plan.
Pursuant to Mr. Powell's Executive Benefit Agreement executed under such Plan,
he is entitled to the following payments: (1) if he should die while in active
employment with the Company, a lump sum benefit of $630,000 payable to his
designated beneficiary; (2) upon normal retirement on or after age 65 and the
completion of at least ten years of continuous employment, salary continuation
payments of $150,000 per year for five years and then $75,000 per year for ten
years; (3) upon termination of employment prior to qualifying for normal
retirement but after attaining age 55 and the completion of at least ten years
of continuous employment with the Company, the salary continuation payments
payable upon normal retirement, reduced by 1/2% for each month prior to age 65
that employment is terminated, commencing on the later of the date of retirement
or attainment of age 60; and (4) upon a sale of all or substantially all of the
property and assets of the Company other than in the usual course of its
business, or a merger of the Company wherein the Company is not the surviving
corporation, and within two years thereafter Mr. Powell's employment with the
Company is terminated or he resigns following a change of his position to one of
less responsibility, Mr. Powell would be entitled to receive salary continuation
payments of $150,000 per year for five years and then $75,000 per year for ten
years. If Mr. Powell entered into competition with the Company following
termination or retirement described in (3) above, he would (a) forfeit all
further payments if the competition occurred within 36 months following
termination, or (b) not be entitled to any further payments until age 60, if the
competition occurred after 36 months following termination.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
During the last fiscal year of the Company, Everett N. DeVault, Donald D.
Sykora, Bonnie L. Powell, and Ronald J. Wolny served on the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company. No member of the
Compensation Committee has ever served as an officer of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries.
10
<PAGE> 13
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee (the "Committee") of your Board of Directors is
pleased to present its annual report to shareholders on executive compensation.
This report summarizes the responsibilities of the Committee, the compensation
policy and objectives that guide the development and administration of the
executive compensation program, each component of the program, and the basis on
which the compensation for the Chief Executive Officer, corporate officers and
other key executives was determined for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996.
During the fiscal year, the Committee was initially comprised of the
following Board members, all of whom were non-employee directors of the Company:
Everett N. DeVault, Chairman, Bonnie L. Powell, and Ronald J. Wolny. During the
year, Mr. DeVault retired from the Board and was replaced as Chair of the
Committee by Donald D. Sykora.
The Committee's responsibilities are to oversee the development and
administration of the compensation program for corporate officers and subsidiary
presidents, and administer the executive incentive and stock option plans.
During fiscal year 1996, the Committee also reviewed market compensation trends
for outside directors and approved the adoption of an Executive Severance
Protection Plan. The Committee met 3 times during the year.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY
The objective of the executive compensation program is to create strong
financial incentive for corporate officers and managers and subsidiary
executives to increase profits and grow revenues. The following objectives guide
the Committee in its deliberations:
- Provide a competitive compensation program that enables the Company to
attract and retain key executives and Board members.
- Assure a strong relationship between the performance results of the
Company or subsidiary and the total compensation received.
- Balance both annual and longer performance objectives of the Company.
- Encourage executives to acquire and retain meaningful levels of Common
Stock of the Company.
- Work closely with the Chief Executive Officer to assure that the
compensation program supports the management style and culture of the
Company.
In addition to normal employee benefits, the executive total compensation
program includes base salary, annual cash incentive compensation, and longer
term stock based grants and awards.
Primary market comparisons are made to a broad group of manufacturing
companies, adjusted for size and job responsibilities. This group is broader
than the published industry index of companies included in the cumulative total
return performance graph presented elsewhere in this Proxy Statement and is used
because it is more representative of the executive market in which the Company
competes for talent and provides a consistent and stable market reference from
year to year. Data sources include national survey databases, proxy statement
disclosures, and general trend data provided by consultants.
Variable incentives, both annual and longer term, are important components
of the program and are used to link pay and performance results. Variable
incentive awards and performance standards are calibrated such
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<PAGE> 14
that total compensation will generally approximate the market 50th percentile
when Company performance results are at target levels, and will exceed the 50th
percentile when performance exceeds targets.
The Internal Revenue Code (Section 162(m)) impose a $1,000,000 limit, with
certain exceptions, on the deductibility of compensation paid to each of the
five highest paid executives. In particular, compensation that is determined to
be "performance based" is exempt from this limitation. To be "performance
based," incentive payments must use predetermined objective standards, limit the
use of discretion in making awards, and be certified by the Compensation
Committee made up of "outside directors." While the Committee believes that the
use of discretion is appropriate in specific circumstances, it believes that the
annual incentive compensation and longer term stock plans comply with the
provisions of Section 162(m) as "performance based". It is not anticipated that
any executive will receive compensation in excess of this limit during fiscal
year 1997. The Committee will continue to monitor this situation and will take
appropriate action if it is warranted in the future.
Following is a discussion of each of the principal components of the
executive total compensation program.
Base Salary
The base salary program targets the median of the primary comparison group
for corporate officers and managers. Since subsidiary presidents generally have
a higher incentive opportunity relative to comparable positions in the market,
base salaries for subsidiary presidents are targeted somewhat below the market
median. Each executive is reviewed individually on an annual basis. Salary
adjustments are based on the individual's experience and background, performance
during the prior year, the general movement of salaries in the marketplace, and
the Company's financial position. Due to these factors, an executive's base
salary may be above or below the control point at any point in time.
Annual Incentive Compensation
The Company administers an annual incentive plan for its corporate officers
and managers, and subsidiary presidents and selected subsidiary managers. The
goal of the plan is to reward participants in proportion to the performance of
the Company and/or the subsidiary for which they have direct responsibility, and
their individual contributions to the Company's success.
Subsidiary participants are measured on pre-tax return on sales and revenue
growth for the subsidiary. Return on sales is weighted 70% and revenue growth is
weighted 30% in determining the actual incentive awards. Historical performance
results, and budgeted profit levels and expected revenue growth for the plan
year are considered in setting the performance standards for each subsidiary.
For fiscal year 1996, corporate participants were measured on the Company's
earnings per share from continuing operations and revenue growth from continuing
operations. Earnings per share were weighted 70%, and revenue growth 30%.
If budgeted performance is achieved, the resulting incentive awards, in
combination with base salary, are targeted at the 50th percentile of the market.
If performance is above target, cash compensation will be above the market
median. Due to corporate performance above targeted levels in fiscal 1996,
executive total cash compensation levels for fiscal year 1996 were above
average, which is consistent with this strategy.
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<PAGE> 15
Stock Based Compensation
Stock ownership is encouraged through the use of a stock plan that provides
for the grant of stock options and stock awards. Stock option grants are made on
a periodic basis (typically every other year) and are based on competitive
multiples of base salary. Senior executives typically have a higher multiple
and, as a result, have a greater portion of their total compensation linked to
the longer term success of the Company. In determining the appropriate grant
multiples, the Company targets the market median among publicly held
manufacturing companies of similar size. To encourage stock retention,
participants who retain the shares obtained through the exercise of an option
receive a restricted stock award equal to one additional restricted share for
every five option shares retained for five years from the date they were
acquired. During the year, no stock options were granted.
COMPENSATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
The Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Thomas W. Powell, participates in the
executive compensation program described in this report.
In establishing the total compensation program for Mr. Powell, the
Committee assessed the pay levels for CEOs in similar companies in the
manufacturing industry and the profit performance of the Company. During the
year, Mr. Powell vested in 50,000 shares of Common Stock which had been awarded
on a restricted basis in 1992. No stock options were awarded during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Donald D. Sykora, Chairman
Bonnie L. Powell
Ronald J. Wolny
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<PAGE> 16
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
COMPARISON OF 5-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
AMONG POWELL INDUSTRIES, INC.,
NASDAQ MARKET INDEX AND PUBLISHED INDUSTRY INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MEASUREMENT PERIOD POWELL INDUS- MG GROUP NASDAQ MAR-
(FISCAL YEAR COVERED) TRIES INDEX KET INDEX
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1991 100.00 100.00 100.00
1992 81.01 102.42 96.87
1993 73.42 131.38 127.13
1994 55.70 147.91 135.16
1995 69.62 181.84 160.32
1996 106.33 261.77 188.27
</TABLE>
ASSUMES $100 INVESTED ON OCTOBER 31, 1991
ASSUMES DIVIDENDS REINVESTED
FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1996
AMENDMENT OF ARTICLES TO
INCREASE AUTHORIZED COMMON STOCK
The Board of Directors has approved and submits to the stockholders for
approval an amendment to the articles of incorporation of the Company increasing
the number of authorized shares of Common Stock of the Company from 15,000,000
to 30,000,000.
It is not currently practicable to describe the transaction or
transactions, if any, in which additional shares of the Common Stock are to be
issued (other than issuances of Common Stock under the Company's existing 1992
Stock Option Plan or Directors' Fee Program), because no offering thereof has
been approved. The purpose of this amendment is to afford the Company
flexibility in connection with possible future acquisitions or stock offerings
and other matters. No further authorization by a vote of stockholders of the
issuance of shares of Common Stock authorized by such amendment will be
solicited prior to any such issuance. Holders of the Common Stock have no
pre-emptive rights. It is possible that the issuance of additional shares of
Common Stock may have a dilutive effect on existing holders of Common Stock.
14
<PAGE> 17
Under Nevada law, an amendment of the articles of incorporation of the
Company requires the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares. Accordingly, abstentions and broker non-votes will have the effect of
negative votes with respect to such amendment. The Board of Directors recommends
a vote FOR approval of such amendment.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Arthur Andersen LLP has been selected to serve as independent auditors of
the Company for the fiscal year ending October 31, 1997, and also served as the
principal accountants of the Company for the fiscal year ending October 31,
1996. Representatives of such firm are expected to be present at the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders. They will have the opportunity to make a statement if
they desire to do so, and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate
questions.
OTHER MATTERS
As of the date of this statement, the Board of Directors has no knowledge
of any business which will be presented for consideration at the meeting other
than the election of directors and the proposed amendment of the articles of
incorporation of the Company. Should any other matters be properly presented, it
is intended that the enclosed proxy will be voted in accordance with the best
judgment of the persons voting the matter.
ANNUAL REPORT
A Summary Annual Report to Stockholders and an Annual Report on Form 10-K
covering the fiscal year of the Company ended October 31, 1996 are enclosed
herewith. These reports do not form any part of the material for solicitation of
proxies.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Proposals of stockholders to be presented at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held in 1998 must be received at the office of the Secretary
of the Company no later than October 1, 1997 in order to be included in the
Company's proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting.
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The financial statements and supplementary information and Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
contained in the Company's 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K enclosed herewith are
incorporated by reference.
By Order of the Board of Directors
J. F. AHART
Vice President and Secretary
Dated: January 9, 1997
15
<PAGE> 18
FRONT SIDE OF PROXY
POWELL INDUSTRIES, INC.
PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
MARCH 14, 1997
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned appoints Thomas W. Powell and Stephen W. Seale, Jr.,
and each of them, attorneys and agents with full power of substitution to
vote all shares of common stock of Powell Industries, Inc. which the
undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present at the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of Powell Industries, Inc., to be held at the Hobby
Airport Hilton, 8181 Airport Boulevard, in Houston, Texas, at 11:00 a.m.
Houston time, on March 14, 1997 and at any adjournment thereof, as follows:
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR"
THE ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES AND
"FOR" THE PROPOSAL IN ITEM 2
1. [ ] FOR the election (except as indicated below) to the Board of
Directors, class of 2000, of Stephen W. Seale, Jr., Donald D. Sykora,
and Ronald J. Wolny.
Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for an individual nominee,
write that nominee's name on the line provided below.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
[ ] WITHHOLD authority to vote for all nominees listed above.
2. [ ] FOR amendment of the articles of incorporation of the Company
to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock.
[ ] AGAINST such amendment. [ ] ABSTAIN with respect to such amendment.
(CONTINUED ON REVERSE SIDE)
<PAGE> 19
BACK SIDE OF PROXY
(CONTINUED FROM OTHER SIDE)
3. In their discretion with respect to (1) any other matters as may
properly come before the meeting and any adjournment thereof, (2)
approval of the minutes of the prior meeting, if such approval does not
amount to ratification of the action taken at that meeting, (3) the
election of any other person as a director if a nominee named above is
unable to serve or for good cause will not serve, and (4) matters
incident to the conduct of the meeting.
If properly executed, this proxy will be voted as directed above.
IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED WITH RESPECT TO THE ABOVE PROPOSALS, THIS
PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS' NOMINEES AND "FOR" THE
PROPOSAL SET FORTH IN ITEM 2.
--------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
(PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS NAME APPEARS
HEREON. JOINT OWNERS SHOULD EACH SIGN.
EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, TRUSTEES,
ETC., SHOULD INDICATE THE CAPACITY IN
WHICH SIGNING.)
DATED: 1997
-------------------------
IMPORTANT: PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS
PROXY CARD PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE!
