BE AEROSPACE INC
DEF 14A, 1997-07-09
PUBLIC BLDG & RELATED FURNITURE
Previous: PRUDENTIAL MULTI SECTOR FUND INC, N-30D, 1997-07-09
Next: ACM INSTITUTIONAL RESERVES INC, N-30D, 1997-07-09



<PAGE>
 
                           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 (S)240.14a-11(c) or (S)240.14a-12
 
                              BE AEROSPACE, INC.
                     -------------------------------------
               (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
 
                              BE AEROSPACE, INC.
                     -------------------------------------
                  (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
 
Payment of Filing Fee (check the appropriate box):
 
[X] No fee required
 
[_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
 
   (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
       ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   (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>
 
                              BE AEROSPACE, INC.
                           1400 CORPORATE CENTER WAY
                           WELLINGTON, FLORIDA 33414
 
                               ----------------
 
                   NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
 
                                AUGUST 6, 1997
 
                               ----------------
 
  Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of BE
Aerospace, Inc. will be held in the Conference Center, 36th Floor, Ropes &
Gray, One International Place, Boston, Massachusetts at 10:30 A.M. on
Wednesday, August 6, 1997 for the following purposes:
 
    1. To elect two Class III directors;
 
    2. To consider and act upon a proposal to increase the aggregate number
  of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance by the Company from
  30,000,000 to 50,000,000.
 
    3. To consider and act upon a proposal to amend the Amended and Restated
  1989 Stock Option Plan by increasing the aggregate number of shares
  available for grant thereunder; and
 
    4. To transact any other business that may properly come before the
  meeting, or any adjournment thereof.
 
  Stockholders of record at the close of business on June 3, 1997 are entitled
to notice of and to vote at the meeting.
 
  Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting in person, please sign and
date the enclosed proxy and return it promptly in the enclosed envelope.
 

                                          By Order of the Board of Directors,
 
                                          Edmund J. Moriarty
                                          Secretary
 
July 10, 1997
<PAGE>
 
                              BE AEROSPACE, INC.
 
                               ----------------
 
                        ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
 
                                AUGUST 6, 1997
 
                               ----------------
 
                                PROXY STATEMENT
 
                               ----------------
 
  The enclosed form of proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors
of BE Aerospace, Inc. (the "Company") to be voted at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held in the Conference Center, 36th Floor, Ropes & Gray,
One International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110 at 10:30 A.M. on
Wednesday, August 6, 1997 or at any adjournment thereof (the "Meeting"). A
proxy may be revoked by a stockholder at any time before it is voted (i) by
returning to the Company another properly signed proxy bearing a later date;
(ii) by otherwise delivering a written revocation to the Secretary of the
Company; or (iii) by attending the Meeting and voting the shares represented
by the proxy in person. Shares represented by the enclosed form of proxy
properly executed and returned, and not revoked, will be voted at the Meeting.
 
  The expense of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. Officers and
regular employees of the Company (who will receive no compensation therefor in
addition to their regular salaries) may solicit proxies. In addition to the
solicitation of proxies by use of the mails, the Company may use the services
of its officers and regular employees to solicit proxies personally and by
mail, telephone and telegram from brokerage houses and other shareholders. The
Company also has retained Corporate Investor Communications, Inc. to assist in
such solicitation for a fee of $4,000 plus expenses. The Company also will
reimburse brokers and other persons for their reasonable charges and expenses
in forwarding soliciting materials to their principals.
 
  In the absence of contrary instructions, the persons named as proxies will
vote in accordance with the intentions stated below. The holders of record of
shares of the common stock, $0.01 par value, of the Company (the "Common
Stock") at the close of business on June 3, 1997 are entitled to receive
notice of and to vote at the Meeting. As of that date, the Company had issued
and outstanding 22,069,522 shares of Common Stock. Each such share of Common
Stock is entitled to one vote on each matter to come before the Meeting.
 
  Consistent with Delaware state law and the Company's by-laws, a majority of
the shares entitled to be cast on a particular matter, present in person or
represented by proxy, constitutes a quorum as to such matter. Votes cast by
proxy or in person at the Meeting will be counted by the person appointed by
the Company to act as inspector of election for the Meeting. The two nominees
for election as directors at the Meeting who receive the greatest number of
votes properly cast for the election of directors shall be elected directors.
Proposal No. 2, as hereinafter described, must receive the affirmative vote of
a majority of the outstanding Common Stock, and accordingly abstentions and
"broker non-votes" (i.e., shares represented at the Meeting held by brokers or
nominees as to which (i) instructions have not been received from the
beneficial owners or persons entitled to vote; and (ii) the broker or nominee
does not have the discretionary voting power on a particular matter) will have
the effect of a vote against Proposal No. 2. A majority of the shares in
attendance at the Meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, is
necessary to approve the action described in Proposal No. 3 of the
accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting. The inspector of election will count
the total number of votes cast "for" approval of Proposal No. 3 for purposes
of determining whether sufficient affirmative votes have been
 
                                       1
<PAGE>
 
cast. The inspector of election will count shares represented by proxies that
withhold authority to vote either for the nominees for election as a director
or for Proposal Nos. 2 and 3 or that reflect abstentions and broker non-votes
only as shares that are present and entitled to vote on the matter for
purposes of determining the presence of a quorum, but neither abstentions nor
broker non-votes will have any effect on the outcome of voting on any matter.
 
  The Annual Report to Stockholders for the Company's fiscal year ended
February 22, 1997 accompanies this proxy statement. This proxy statement and
the enclosed proxy are being mailed to stockholders on the same date as the
date of the Notice of Annual Meeting.
 
                                PROPOSAL NO. 1
 
                             ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
  The persons named in the enclosed proxy intend to vote each share as to
which a proxy has been properly executed and returned and not revoked in favor
of the election as directors of the two nominees named below, each of whom is
now a director of the Company, unless authority to vote for the election of
either or both of such nominees is withheld by marking the proxy to that effect.
 
  Pursuant to the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Board
of Directors is divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as
possible, so that each director (in certain circumstances after a transitional
period) will serve for three years, with one class of directors being elected
each year.
 
  The nominees are the two directors currently designated as Class III
Directors, whose terms expire at the 1997 Annual Meeting. The enclosed proxy
cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than two.
 
  If Proposal No. 1 is approved, Messrs. Richard G. Hamermesh and Amin J.
Khoury will be elected as Class III Directors for a term of three years,
expiring at the 2000 Annual Meeting, and until their respective successors are
elected and shall qualify to serve.
 
  It is expected that Messrs. Hamermesh and Khoury will be able to serve, but
if either is unable to serve, the proxies reserve discretion to vote, or
refrain from voting, for a substitute nominee or nominees or to fix the number
of directors at a lesser number.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
NOMINEES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   NAME, AGE (AS OF JUNE 3, 1997),
                   BUSINESS EXPERIENCE AND CURRENT                     DIRECTOR
                            DIRECTORSHIPS                               SINCE
                   -------------------------------                     --------
<S>                                                                    <C>
RICHARD G. HAMERMESH, 49--Dr. Hamermesh has been a Director of the       1987
 Company since July 1987. Since August 1987, Dr. Hamermesh has been
 the Managing Partner of the Center for Executive Development, an
 independent management consulting company, and, from December 1986
 to August 1987, Dr. Hamermesh was an independent consultant. Prior
 to such time, Dr. Hamermesh was on the faculty at the Harvard
 Business School. Dr. Hamermesh is also a Director of Applied
 Extrusion Technologies, Inc., a manufacturer of oriented
 polypropylene films used in consumer products labeling and packaging
 applications.

AMIN J. KHOURY, 58--Mr. Khoury has been Chairman of the Board of the     1987
 Company since he cofounded the Company with Robert J. Khoury in July
 1987 and was Chief Executive Officer until April 1, 1996. Since
 1986, Mr. Khoury has also been the Managing Director of The K.A.D.
 Companies, Inc., an investment, venture capital and consulting firm.
 Mr. Khoury is currently the Chairman of the Board of Directors of
 Applied Extrusion Technologies, Inc., a manufacturer of oriented
 polypropylene films used in consumer products labeling and packaging
 applications, and a member of the Board of Directors of Brooks
 Automation, Inc. the leading manufacturer in the U.S. of vacuum
 central wafer handling systems for semiconductor manufacturing. Mr.
 Khoury is the brother of Robert J. Khoury.
</TABLE>
 
CURRENT DIRECTORS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             NAME, AGE (AS OF JUNE 3, 1997),
             BUSINESS EXPERIENCE AND CURRENT               DIRECTOR  TERM
                      DIRECTORSHIPS                         SINCE   EXPIRES
             -------------------------------               -------- -------
<S>                                                        <C>      <C>
JIM C. COWART, 45--Mr. Cowart has been a Director of the     1989    1998
 Company since November 1989. Since January 1993, Mr.
 Cowart has been the Chairman of the Board of Directors
 and Chief Executive Officer of Aurora Electronics, Inc.,
 a supplier of environmental recycling and recovery
 services to the electronics industry. Since January 1992,
 Mr. Cowart has also been a Director of EOS Capital, Inc.,
 a private capital firm retained by the Company for
 strategic planning, competitive analysis, financial
 relations and other services. From 1987 until 1991, Mr.
 Cowart was a general partner of Capital Resource
 Partners, a private capital investment manager. From 1982
 to 1987, Mr. Cowart was a Senior Vice President of
 Investment Banking at Shearson Lehman Brothers and was
 the President of Shearson Venture Capital, Inc.

PAUL E. FULCHINO, 50--Mr. Fulchino was elected a Director    1996    1998
 and President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company
 effective April 1, 1996. From 1990 to 1996, Mr. Fulchino
 served as President and Vice Chairman of Mercer
 Management Consulting, Inc., an international general
 management consulting firm with over 1,100 employees. In
 addition to his management responsibilities as President
 of Mercer, Mr. Fulchino also had responsibility for
 advising clients throughout the world, particularly with
 respect to the transportation industry, including a
 number of major airlines.
</TABLE>
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              NAME, AGE (AS OF JUNE 3, 1997),
              BUSINESS EXPERIENCE AND CURRENT                DIRECTOR  TERM
                       DIRECTORSHIPS                          SINCE   EXPIRES
              -------------------------------                -------- -------
<S>                                                          <C>      <C>
ROBERT J. KHOURY, 55--Mr. Khoury has been a Director of the    1987    1999
 Company since he cofounded the Company with Amin J. Khoury
 in July 1987. Mr. Khoury was elected Vice Chairman and
 Chief Executive Officer effective April 1, 1996; from July
 1987 until that date, Mr. Khoury served as the Company's
 President and Chief Operating Officer. From 1986 to 1987,
 Mr. Khoury was Vice President of The K.A.D. Companies,
 Inc. Mr. Khoury is the brother of Amin J. Khoury.
BRIAN H. ROWE, 66--Mr. Rowe has been a Director of the         1995    1998
 Company since July 1995. Mr. Rowe is currently Chairman
 Emeritus of GE Aircraft Engines, a principal business unit
 of the General Electric Company, where he also served as
 Chairman from September 1993 through January 1995 and as
 President from 1979 through 1993. Since January 1996, Mr.
 Rowe has served as Executive Vice Chairman of American
 Regional Aircraft Industries. From March 1994 to November
 1995, Mr. Rowe served as a Director of Astrostructures
 Hamble Limited, a manufacturer of military and civil
 aircraft components. Since March 1995, Mr. Rowe has also
 been a Director of Atlas Air Inc., an air cargo carrier.
 Since January 1980, Mr. Rowe has been a Director of
 Cincinnati Bell Inc., a communications services company.
 Since December 1995, Mr. Rowe has also been a Director of
 Stewart & Stevenson Services, Inc., a custom packager of
 engine systems, and Textron Inc., a manufacturer of
 mechanical devices for aircraft and other applications.
HANSJORG WYSS, 61--Mr. Wyss has been a Director of the         1989    1999
 Company since August 1989. Since 1977, Mr. Wyss has served
 as Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of
 Synthes North America and Synthes Canada, Ltd.,
 manufacturers and distributors of orthopedic implants and
 instruments. Mr. Wyss formerly held management positions
 with Monsanto Europe in Belgium, Schappe-Burlington and
 Chrysler International in Switzerland. Mr. Wyss earned his
 MBA at Harvard Graduate School of Business and attained a
 Master of Science from the Swiss Federal Institute of
 Technology in Zurich. Mr. Wyss presently sits on numerous
 boards including Harvard Graduate School of Business,
 Norian Corporation, Boathouse Sports, Southern Utah
 Wilderness Alliance and the Grand Canyon Trust.
</TABLE>
 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES
 
  The Board of Directors held six meetings during the fiscal year ended
February 22, 1997 ("Fiscal 1997"). Each director attended at least 75% of the
aggregate of the total number of Board meetings and the total number of
meetings of committees of the Board on which he served during Fiscal 1997,
except for Mr. Cowart, who attended at least 67% of all meetings. The Board of
Directors currently has two standing committees, the Audit Committee and the
Stock Option and Compensation Committee.

  The Audit Committee, composed of Messrs. Richard G. Hamermesh and Hansjorg
Wyss, held 1 meeting during Fiscal 1997. The Audit Committee recommends to the
Board of Directors the independent auditors to be engaged by the Company,
reviews with management and with the independent auditors the Company's
internal accounting procedures and controls and reviews with the independent
auditors the scope and results of their audit.
 
  The Stock Option and Compensation Committee, composed of Messrs. Cowart and
Hamermesh, held 1 meeting during Fiscal 1997 and acted pursuant to unanimous
written consent on 5 occasions. The Committee
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
provides recommendations to the Board regarding compensation matters and
administers the Company's stock option and compensation plans.
 
                         SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
                       BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
  The following table and notes thereto set forth certain information with
respect to the beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock as of June
3, 1997 by (i) each person who is known to the Company to beneficially own
more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company; (ii)
each of the chief executive officer and the four other most highly paid
executive officers of the Company in Fiscal 1997 (collectively, the "Named
Executive Officers") and each director of the Company; and (iii) all executive
officers and directors of the Company as a group. Except as otherwise
indicated, each of the stockholders named below has sole voting and investment
power with respect to the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           COMMON STOCK
                                                        BENEFICIALLY OWNED
                                                     -------------------------
                                                                   PERCENT OF
                                                        NUMBER     OUTSTANDING
                                                      OF SHARES     SHARES(1)
                                                     ------------  -----------
<S>                                                  <C>           <C>
FMR Corporation.....................................    2,672,800     11.49
  82 Devonshire Street
  Boston, MA 02109
Schneider Capital Management, L.P...................    1,734,100      7.46
  480 East Swedesford
  Wayne, PA 19807
American Century Companies, Inc.....................    1,248,100      5.37
  4500 Main Street
  Kansas City, MO 64111
Hansjorg Wyss* .....................................    193,609(2)       **
Amin J. Khoury+*....................................    187,500(3)       **
Robert J. Khoury+*..................................    123,970(4)       **
Jim C. Cowart*......................................    100,500(5)       **
Thomas P. McCaffrey+................................     75,911(6)       **
Paul E. Fulchino+*..................................     63,611(7)       **
Richard G. Hamermesh*...............................     26,500(8)       **
E. Ernest Schwartz+.................................     26,000(9)       **
Brian H. Rowe*......................................    18,750(10)       **
All Directors and Executive Officers as a group (14
 Persons)........................................... 1,191,230(11)     5.12
</TABLE>
- --------
  + Named Executive Officer
  * Director of the Company
 ** Less than 1 percent
 (1) The number of shares of Common Stock deemed outstanding includes: (i)
     22,069,522 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of June 3, 1997 and (ii)
     shares of Common Stock subject to outstanding stock options which are
     exercisable by the named individual or group in the next sixty days
     (commencing June 3, 1997).
 (2) Includes 52,500 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options
     exercisable in the next sixty days. Excludes options to purchase 12,500
     shares of Common Stock which are not exercisable in the next sixty days.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
 (3) Includes 187,500 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options
     exercisable in the next sixty days. Excludes options to purchase 112,500
     shares of Common Stock which are not exercisable in the next sixty days.
 (4) Includes 122,500 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options
     exercisable in the next sixty days and shares owned through the Company
     401(k) plan. Excludes options to purchase 37,500 shares of Common Stock
     which are not exercisable in the next sixty days.
 (5) Includes 13,000 shares acquired by a profit sharing plan and 77,500
     shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options exercisable in the
     next sixty days. Excludes options to purchase 17,500 shares of Common
     Stock which are not exercisable in the next sixty days.
 (6) Includes 70,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options
     exercisable in the next sixty days and shares owned through the Company
     401(k) plan. Excludes options to purchase 45,000 shares of Common Stock
     which are not exercisable in the next sixty days.
 (7) Includes 62,500 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options
     exercisable in the next sixty days and shares owned through the Company
     401(k) plan. Excludes options to purchase 137,500 shares of Common Stock
     which are not exercisable in the next sixty days.
 (8) Includes 17,500 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options
     exercisable in the next sixty days. Excludes options to purchase 12,500
     shares of Common Stock which are not exercisable in the next sixty days.
 (9) Includes 25,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options
     exercisable in the next sixty days. Excludes options to purchase 30,000
     shares of Common Stock which are not exercisable in the next sixty days.
(10) Includes 18,750 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options
     exercisable in the next sixty days. Excludes options to purchase 26,250
     shares of Common Stock which are not exercisable in the next sixty days.
(11) Includes 971,500 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options
     exercisable in the next sixty days. Excludes options to purchase 530,000
     shares of Common Stock which are not exercisable in the next sixty days.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
                            EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
  The Compensation Committee, which is responsible for making recommendations
to the Board of Directors on compensation relating to officers of the Company
and administering the Company's stock option plans, makes the following report
on executive compensation for Fiscal 1997:
 
  The Company's executive compensation program is designed to reward and
retain executives who are capable of leading the Company in achieving its
strategic and financial objectives in the competitive and rapidly changing
commercial aircraft cabin interior products industry.
 
  The Company relies on three compensation components to motivate executive
performance: annual salary, incentive cash bonuses and stock-based incentive
compensation. Each of the Named Executive Officers has an employment agreement
that establishes an annual base salary at a level the Company believes is
modest for companies in the aerospace and airline industries and in the mid-
range for growth companies traded on the Nasdaq National Market. In addition
to base salary, each Named Executive Officer may receive an incentive cash
bonus at the end of each fiscal year based upon corporate performance and that
officer's individual performance. Corporate performance is measured by the
Company's strategic and financial performance in that fiscal year, with
particular reference to net revenues, operating earnings and working capital
management for the year, together with gains in market share for the Company's
products. Because the Compensation Committee believes that short-term
fluctuations in stock price do not necessarily reflect the underlying strength
or future prospects of the Company, the Compensation Committee does not
emphasize year-to-year changes in stock price in its evaluation of corporate
performance. Individual performance is measured by the strategic and financial
performance of the particular officer's operational responsibility in
comparison to targeted performance criteria.
 
  While skeptical about the significance of short-term fluctuations in stock
price, the Compensation Committee believes that long-term stock price
appreciation will reflect the Company's achievement of its strategic goals and
objectives. Accordingly, the Company seeks to create long-term performance
incentives for its key employees through the Company's stock-based incentive
compensation program. Stock options are granted to key employees at a price
equal to the fair market value on the date of grant, and awards are based on
the performance of such employees and anticipated contributions by such
employees in helping the Company achieve its strategic goals and objectives.
Stock option grants are also made by reference to the number of stock options
an employee already holds.
 
  The base salary for Mr. Robert J. Khoury, Vice Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company during Fiscal 1997, for Fiscal 1997 was
$450,000 which included a cost-of-living increase calculated by reference to
the Consumer Price Index as provided in his employment agreement with the
Company. See "Employment Contracts--Robert J. Khoury" below. Mr. Khoury was
granted a bonus of $400,000 in Fiscal 1997 and received options to purchase
50,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock. In arriving at the cash bonus and
option awards for Mr. Khoury, the Committee considered the Company performance
criteria described above, as measured by specific targets and performance
objectives, and concluded that the Company had made substantial progress
during Fiscal 1997 toward achieving such targets and performance objectives.
The Committee also considered the Company's progress toward its strategic
objective of becoming the industry leader in manufacturing and servicing
commercial aircraft cabin interior equipment, and Mr. Khoury's leadership role
in achieving such progress.
 
  With respect to the above matters, the Compensation Committee submits this
report.
 
                                          COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
                                          Jim C. Cowart
                                          Richard G. Hamermesh
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
  The following tables set forth information with respect to the compensation
of the Named Executive Officers in Fiscal 1997:
 
                          SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     ANNUAL COMPENSATION    LONG-TERM COMPENSATION
                                     -------------------- --------------------------
                                                                        ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION  YEAR(1) SALARY($)  BONUS($)  OPTIONS(#) COMPENSATION($)
- ---------------------------  ------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------------
<S>                          <C>     <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>
Amin J. Khoury...........     1997   $ 445,046  $ 550,000  150,000       $ 6,188(2)
 Chairman                     1996     403,211          0        0         3,990(2)
                              1995     382,653          0        0         3,764(2)

Robert J. Khoury.........     1997   $ 434,084  $ 400,000   50,000       $15,079(2)
 Vice Chairman and Chief      1996     256,000          0        0         5,137(2)
  Executive Officer           1995     200,000          0   60,000         4,551(2)
                              
Paul E. Fulchino(3)......     1997   $ 398,084  $ 350,000  250,000       $29,407(2)
 President and Chief 
  Operating Officer

Thomas P. McCaffrey......     1997   $ 229,326  $ 305,000   60,000       $23,760(2)
 Corporate Senior Vice        1996     195,000          0        0         5,515(2)
  President of                1995     155,192          0   20,000         4,201(2)
 Administration, Chief        
  Financial Officer and
  Assistant Secretary

E. Ernest Schwartz.......     1997   $ 208,312  $ 208,000   40,000       $15,050(2)
 Group Vice President and     1996     174,282          0        0         4,936(2)
  General                     1995     137,500          0    5,000        18,859(2)
 Manager--Galley Products
  Group                       
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) The periods covered by this table are the fiscal years ended in February
    1997, 1996 and 1995.
(2) Defined contribution plan contributions paid by the Company.
(3) Mr. Fulchino commenced his employment with the Company as of April 1,
    1997.
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
                       OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
                               INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               
                                                                               
                                                                               
                                                                               
                                                                                      POTENTIAL       
                                                                                  REALIZABLE VALUE    
                                                                                 AT ASSUMED RATES OF  
                                          % OF TOTAL                                 STOCK PRICE      
                                            OPTIONS                               APPRECIATION FOR    
                                          GRANTED TO                               OPTION TERM (3)    
                            OPTIONS      EMPLOYEES IN     EXERCISE   EXPIRATION ---------------------  
          NAME           GRANTED (1)(#) FISCAL YEAR (2) PRICE ($/SH)    DATE        5%        10%
          ----           -------------- --------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>                      <C>            <C>             <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>
Amin J. Khoury..........     50,000           4.57         $19.00     10/10/06  $1,547,550 $2,464,300
                            100,000           9.14         $24.94      1/21/07  $4,062,319 $6,468,788
Robert J. Khoury........     50,000           4.57         $19.00     10/10/06  $1,547,550 $2,464,300
Paul E. Fulchino........    200,000          18.29         $10.25      4/01/06  $3,339,450 $5,317,700
                             50,000           4.57         $19.00     10/10/06  $1,547,550 $2,464,300
Thomas P. McCaffrey.....     60,000           5.49         $19.00     10/10/06  $1,857,060 $2,957,160
E. Ernest Schwartz......     40,000           3.66         $19.00     10/10/06  $1,238,040 $1,971,440
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) All of the above stock option awards are vested over a three year period
    (25% on the date of grant and 25% on the three succeeding grant annual
    anniversary dates). The exercise prices were based on the fair market
    value (as determined in accordance with the 1989 Stock Option Plan) of the
    shares of Common Stock at the time the options were granted. Payments of
    the exercise price may be in cash or by any other lawful means authorized
    by the Board of Directors. Options terminate ten years after the date of
    grant or three months following termination of the optionee's employment,
    whichever occurs earlier.
(2) During Fiscal 1997, the Company granted to its employees options covering
    1,093,500 shares of Common Stock.
(3) The dollar amounts under these columns are the result of calculations at
    the 5% and 10% rates set by the Securities and Exchange Commission and
    therefore are not intended to forecast possible future appreciation, if
    any, of the stock price of the Company. If the Company's stock price were
    in fact to appreciate at the assumed 5% or 10% annual rate for the ten
    year term of these options, a $1,000 investment in the Common Stock of the
    Company would be worth $1,629 and $2,594, respectively, at the end of the
    term.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
                AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
                       AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         VALUE OF
                                                       NUMBER OF       UNEXERCISED
                                                      UNEXERCISED      IN-THE-MONEY
                                                      OPTIONS AT        OPTIONS AT
                                                        FY-END            FY-END
                                                    --------------- ------------------
                         SHARES ACQUIRED   VALUE     EXERCISABLE/      EXERCISABLE/
          NAME           ON EXERCISE(#)   REALIZED   UNEXERCISABLE   UNEXERCISABLE(1)
          ----           --------------- ---------- --------------- ------------------
<S>                      <C>             <C>        <C>             <C>
Amin J. Khoury..........     525,000     $4,875,818 295,300/112,500 $4,555,263/342,188
Robert J. Khoury........      90,000      1,150,000  107,500/52,500  1,805,000/528,750
Paul E. Fulchino........      50,000        554,126  12,500/187,500   87,500/2,625,000
Thomas P. McCaffrey.....      15,000        170,625   65,000/50,000    975,000/403,750
E. Ernest Schwartz......      20,000        227,500   23,750/31,250    314,688/232,188
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) The closing price for the Company's Common Stock on the Nasdaq National
    Market on February 21, 1997, the last trading day of the fiscal year, was
    $26.00 per share.
 
DEFINED BENEFIT ARRANGEMENT
 
  Pursuant to the employment agreement between the Company and Mr. Amin J.
Khoury, upon the occurrence of the earlier of December 31, 2001 (the
employment agreement's termination date) or the termination of the employment
agreement by reason of Mr. Khoury's death or incapacity, Mr. Khoury or his
estate, as the case may be, shall be entitled to receive a retirement
compensation payment (the "Retirement Compensation") equal to Mr. Khoury's
base salary, as adjusted for inflation, in effect immediately prior to the
termination of his employment, which amount is payable for each successive
year following termination for the number of years Mr. Khoury has served the
Company. Mr. Khoury's base salary is currently $550,000 and his service to the
Company began on August 1, 1987, the date he became Chairman of the Company.
 
  Pursuant to the amended employment agreement between the Company and Mr.
Robert J. Khoury, in the event that Mr. Khoury terminates his employment, then
Mr. Khoury or his estate, as the case may be, shall be entitled to receive in
each of the ten years following termination a retirement compensation payment
equal to Mr. Khoury's base salary in effect as of the date of termination,
plus incentive bonus and other benefits contained in his contract. Mr.
Khoury's base salary is currently $550,000, and his service to the Company
began on August 1, 1987, the date his employment commenced.
 
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
 
  Directors who are employees of the Company receive no additional
compensation for serving on the Company's Board of Directors. Directors who
are not employees of the Company (the "Eligible Directors") receive
compensation of $2,500 per calendar quarter and are entitled to participate in
the Company's 1991 Directors' Stock Option Plan, as from time to time in
effect (the "Directors' Plan"). Under the Directors' Plan, each Eligible
Director is awarded an option for 5,000 shares of Common Stock on December 15
of each year the plan is in effect, provided he or she is an Eligible Director
on that date. In addition, each Eligible Director, excluding those individuals
who are currently directors of the Company, is awarded an initial grant of
35,000 shares of Common Stock as of the date of his or her first election as a
director.
 
 
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
  The exercise price of all options granted under the Directors' Plan may not
be less than 100% of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of
the grant. Options expire 10 years after the date of grant and become
exercisable, subject to certain conditions which accelerate vesting, as
follows: 25% on the first anniversary of the date of grant and an additional
25% each calendar year thereafter. On December 15, 1996, each of the following
directors was awarded an option to purchase 5,000 shares of Common Stock at a
price of $24.875 per share: Jim C. Cowart, Richard G. Hamermesh, Brian H. Rowe
and Hansjorg Wyss.

EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS
 
  Amin J. Khoury. Mr. Khoury and the Company have entered into an employment
agreement dated as of January 1, 1992, amended as of August 1, 1992, April 1,
1996 and May 30, 1997, which extends through December 31, 2001. Under the
employment agreement, Mr. Khoury receives a base salary of $550,000 per year,
subject to increases as determined from time to time by the Board of Directors
and subject to cost of living increases calculated by reference to the
Consumer Price Index. Mr. Khoury is also entitled to receive bonuses from the
Company when, as and if determined from time to time by the Board of
Directors. In the event of Mr. Khoury's death or incapacity, Mr. Khoury (or in
the event of his death, his designee) will continue to receive his then
current salary and, to the extent legally practicable, benefits until the end
of the term of the contract or the current one-year extension period. If a
change of control of the Company results in the termination of his employment
or reduction in salary or benefits or if Mr. Khoury resigns following such a
change of control because of a change in his position or responsibilities, Mr.
Khoury will receive a lump sum payment equal to two times his then current
salary and will then continue to receive his salary and benefits under the
agreement until the end of the term of the agreement or the next calendar year
end, whichever is later. Mr. Khoury is also entitled to retirement
compensation upon the expiration of his employment term. See "Defined Benefit
Arrangement" above.
 
  Robert J. Khoury. Mr. Khoury and the Company have entered into an employment
agreement dated as of March 1, 1992, amended as of August 1, 1992, April 1,
1996 and May 30, 1997, which extends through February 28, 2001, unless
otherwise terminated. Thereafter, the agreement extends automatically for
consecutive one-year periods until either Mr. Khoury or the Company gives the
other at least 90 days' written notice prior to the end of the next calendar
year end. Under the employment agreement, Mr. Khoury receives a base salary of
$550,000 subject to increases from time to time as determined by the Board of
Directors and subject to cost of living increases calculated by reference to
the Consumer Price Index. Mr. Khoury is entitled to receive an annual
incentive bonus when, as and if determined by the Board of Directors, which
shall not exceed 100% of his then current salary. In the event of Mr. Khoury's
death or incapacity, Mr. Khoury (or in the event of his death, his designee)
will continue to receive his then current salary and, to the extent legally
practicable, benefits until the end of the term of the contract or the current
one-year extension period. If a change of control of the Company results in
the termination of his employment or reduction in salary or benefits or if Mr.
Khoury resigns following such a change of control because of a change in his
position or responsibilities, Mr. Khoury will receive a lump sum payment equal
to two times his then current salary and will then continue to receive his
salary and benefits under the agreement until the end of the term of the
agreement or the next calendar year end, whichever is later. If the Company
terminates his employment agreement for cause, the Company has no further
obligations to him, except for unpaid salary and benefits accrued through the
date of termination. Mr. Khoury is also entitled to retirement compensation
upon the expiration of his employment term. See "Defined Benefit Arrangement"
above.
 
  Paul E. Fulchino. Mr. Fulchino and the Company have entered into a three-
year employment agreement dated as of April 1, 1996, amended as of May 30,
1997, under which Mr. Fulchino receives a base salary of $490,000, subject to
increases as determined from time to time by the Board of Directors and
subject to cost of
 
                                      11
<PAGE>
 
living increases calculated by reference to the Consumer Price Index. Mr.
Fulchino also is entitled to receive an annual incentive bonus as determined
by the Board of Directors, which shall not exceed 100% of his then current
salary. In the event of Mr. Fulchino's death or incapacity, Mr. Fulchino (or,
in the event of his death, his designee) will continue to receive his then
current salary (and in the case of disability, benefits) for the balance of
the term of the contract. If a change of control of the Company results in the
termination of his employment or if Mr. Fulchino resigns following such a
change of control because of a change in his position or responsibilities, or
his compensation or benefits are terminated or reduced, Mr. Fulchino will
receive a lump sum payment equal to two times his then current salary. If the
Company terminates his employment agreement for cause, the Company will have
no further obligations to him, except for unpaid salary and benefits accrued
through the date of termination.
 
  Thomas P. McCaffrey. Mr. McCaffrey and the Company have entered into an
employment agreement dated as of May 1, 1993, amended as of January 1, 1996,
which extends through December 31, 1999, unless sooner terminated. Thereafter,
the agreement extends automatically for one-year periods until either Mr.
McCaffrey or the Company gives the other at least 90 days' written notice
prior to the end of the next calendar year. Under the employment agreement,
Mr. McCaffrey receives a base salary of $234,000 and is entitled to receive an
annual incentive bonus when, as and if determined by the Board of Directors
but not to exceed 100% of salary. In the event of Mr. McCaffrey's death or
incapacity, Mr. McCaffrey (or in the event of his death, his designee) will
continue to receive his then current salary and, to the extent legally
practicable, benefits until the end of the term of the contract or the current
one-year extension period. If a change of control of the Company results in
the termination of his employment or reduction in salary or benefits or if Mr.
McCaffrey resigns following such a change of control because of a change in
his position or responsibilities, Mr. McCaffrey will receive a lump sum
payment equal to his then current salary and will then continue to receive his
salary and benefits under the agreement until the end of the term of the
agreement or the next calendar year end, whichever is later. Mr. McCaffrey
does not have provision in his employment agreement for a retirement benefit.
 
  E. Ernest Schwartz. Mr. Schwartz and the Company have entered into an
employment agreement dated as of March 1, 1992, amended as of January 1, 1996,
which extends through January 1, 1997, unless sooner terminated. Thereafter,
the agreement extends automatically for one-year periods until either Mr.
Schwartz or the Company gives the other at least 90 days' written notice prior
to the end of the next calendar year. Mr. Schwartz receives a base salary of
$218,000 under the agreement and is entitled to receive an annual incentive
bonus when, as and if determined by the Board of Directors. Mr. Schwartz does
not have provision in his employment agreement for a retirement benefit. In
all other respects, Mr. Schwartz's employment agreement contains provisions
similar to those in Mr. McCaffrey's employment agreement described above.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 
  In 1990, the Company adopted a formal policy whereby all transactions
between the Company and its officers, directors, principal stockholders or
other affiliates must be on terms no less favorable to the Company than could
be obtained from unaffiliated third parties on an arm's-length basis, and such
transactions will be approved by a majority of the Company's independent and
disinterested directors.
 
  Under a Supply Agreement dated April 17, 1990 with Applied Extrusion
Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("AET"), the Company purchases from
AET a portion of its requirements of injection-molded plastic parts for use in
the manufacture of passenger control units and other products for installation
in commercial aircraft for the period ending March 31, 1998. Under that
agreement, AET has agreed to use its best efforts at all times to maintain
available and in good working order a sufficient number and variety of
injection molding machines to satisfy the Company's orders as received and to
use its best efforts to initiate production
 
                                      12
<PAGE>
 
within three days of receipt of an order or, in emergency situations, on the
day on which the order is received. The price to be paid by the Company to AET
for products purchased under the Supply Agreement is an amount which results
in a 33 1/3% gross margin to AET, after including in AET's standard cost for
such products, all direct and indirect costs of labor, materials, equipment
and overhead. Purchases by the Company under this agreement for Fiscal 1997
were approximately $1,641,555. Mr. Amin J. Khoury is a director and
significant stockholder of AET and serves as Chairman of its Board of
Directors. Mr. Hamermesh, a director of the Company, also is a director of
AET.
 
  For Fiscal 1997, Boston Film Company, Inc., a multimedia film and video
production house ("BFC"), was paid an aggregate of $133,355 in fees and
expenses for extensive support services performed for a number of the
Company's operating groups, including the production of CD ROM and other
marketing and training materials, preparation of corporate video and slide
presentations, and providing technical support for the management information
systems group. Amin C. Khoury, President of BFC, is the son of Amin J. Khoury,
Chairman of the Company and a minority stockholder of BFC.
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
PERFORMANCE GRAPHS
 
  The following graphs compare the yearly percentage change in the Company's
cumulative total shareholder return on its Common Stock with the cumulative
total return on the Nasdaq National Market Index, the Dow Jones Airlines Index
and the Dow Jones Aerospace and Defense Index from April 24, 1990, the date of
the Company's initial public offering and from February 29, 1992 through
February 21, 1997, the last trading day of Fiscal 1997, based upon an assumed
$100 investment in the Company's Common Stock and in the stocks comprising
each such index as of each respective starting date.
 

                       [PERFORMANCE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]

                COMPARISON OF 79 MONTH CUMULATIVE TOTAL REUTRN*
          AMONG BE AEROSPACE, INC., THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET-US INDEX,
                       THE DOW JONES AIRLINES INDEX AND
                   THE DOW JONES AEROSPACE & DEFENSE INDEX 


<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
INDEX TO APRIL 1990         4/90     7/91     2/92     2/93     2/94     2/95     2/96     2/97
<S>                        <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C> 
NASDAQ STOCK MARKET- US     100      122      158      169      197      202      287      343
DJ AIRLINES                 100       94      110       95      109       92      147      143
DJ AERO & DEFENSE           100      114      121      126      177      199      350      437
B/E AEROSPACE               100      200      200      143      164       79      186      371
</TABLE> 

* $100 INVESTED ON 04/24/90 IN STOCK OR IN INDEX-INCLUDING REINVESTMENT OF
  DIVIDENDS. 


                                      14
<PAGE>
 
 
                       [PERFORMANCE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]

               COMPARISON OF 60 MONTH CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
         AMONG BE AEROSPACE, INC., THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET-US INDEX,
                       THE DOW JONES AIRLINES INDEX AND
                   THE DOW JONES AEROSPACE & DEFENSE INDEX 

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

INDEX TO FEB 1992            2/92     2/93     2/94     2/95     2/96     2/97
<S>                        <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C> 
NASDAQ STOCK MARKET-US       100      106      125      127      181      216
DJ AIRLINES                  100       86       99       84      133      129
DJ AERO & DEFENSE            100      105      147      165      290      362
B/E AEROSPACE                100       71       82       39       93      186
</TABLE> 
 
* $100 INVESTED ON 04/20/90 IN STOCK OR IN INDEX-INCLUDING REINVESTMENT OF
  DIVIDENDS. 


- --------
(1) The stock prices on the Performance Graphs are not necessarily indicative
    of future stock price performance.
 
  Each of the Report of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
and the Performance Graph shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any
general statement incorporating this proxy statement into any filing under the
Securities Act of 1933, as from time to time in effect, or under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as from time to time in effect, except to the
extent that the Company specifically incorporates this information by
reference and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such acts.
 
            SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
 
  Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires
the Company's directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than
ten percent of a registered class of the Company's equity securities, to file
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") initial reports
of ownership
 
                                      15
<PAGE>
 
and reports of changes in ownership of Common Stock and other equity
securities of the Company. Officers, directors and greater-than-ten-percent
shareholders are required by Commission regulations to furnish the Company
with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
 
  To the Company's knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such
reports furnished to the Company and, with respect to its officers and
directors, written representations that no other reports were required, during
Fiscal 1997, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its officers,
directors and greater-than-ten-percent beneficial owners were complied with.

  In making the above statements, the Company has relied on the written
representations of its directors and officers and copies of the reports that
have been filed with the Commission.
 
                                PROPOSAL NO. 2
 
    APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT OF THE COMPANY'S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO
           INCREASE THE AUTHORIZED NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
 
  The Board of Directors of the Company has proposed an amendment to the
Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the "Certificate of
Incorporation") to increase the authorized Common Stock of the Company from
30,000,000 to 50,000,000. The Certificate of Incorporation presently provides
that the Company is authorized to issue 31,000,000 shares of capital stock, of
which 30,000,000 shares are designated common stock, $.01 par value per share,
and 1,000,000 are designated preferred stock, $.01 par value per share
("Preferred Stock"). As of June 3, 1997, 22,069,522 shares of Common Stock
were issued and outstanding, no shares of Common Stock were held in treasury,
7,930,478 shares of Common Stock were unissued, and no shares of Preferred
Stock were issued and outstanding. There were 2,530,712 shares of Common Stock
reserved for issuance upon the exercise of stock options under the Company's
stock option plans. If the amendment is adopted, 25,399,766 shares of Common
Stock will be unreserved and available for future issuance.
 
  The purpose of the amendment is to provide additional shares of Common Stock
that could be issued for corporate purposes without further stockholder
approval unless required by applicable law or regulation. Although the Company
currently has no present intention to issue any additional Common Stock other
than in connection with the exercise, from time to time, of stock options,
future purposes for the additional shares could include effecting acquisitions
of other businesses or properties and securing additional financing for the
operations of the Company through the issuance of additional shares.
 
  The Board does not intend to issue any Common Stock to be authorized under
the amendment except upon terms that the Board deems to be in the best
interests of the Company. The issuance of additional shares of Common Stock
without further stockholder approval may, among other things, have a dilutive
effect on earnings per share and on equity of the present holders of Common
Stock and their voting rights. Holders of the Common Stock of the Company have
no preemptive rights.
 
  The Company intends to have the Nasdaq Stock Market list any additional
shares of Common Stock if and when such shares are issued.
 
  The affirmative vote of a majority of all of the issued and outstanding
Common Stock is required to approve the amendment to the Certificate of
Incorporation.
 
  The proposed amendment would replace the first sentence of the first
paragraph of Article Four of the Certificate of Incorporation in its entirety
as follows:
 
                                      16
<PAGE>
 
    "The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock that this
  Corporation shall have authority to issue is 51,000,000 shares, consisting
  of 50,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, and
  1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share."
 
  THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THIS PROPOSAL.
 
                                PROPOSAL NO. 3
 
                 APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT OF AMENDED AND RESTATED
                            1989 STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
  The Board of Directors has unanimously approved, subject to stockholder
approval, an increase in the number of shares available for grants of options
under the Amended and Restated 1989 Stock Option Plan from 2,550,000 to
3,250,000.
 
  In July 1989, the Company's Board of Directors and stockholders approved the
1989 Stock Option Plan. An amendment and restatement of the 1989 Stock Option
Plan was approved by the stockholders of the Company at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders held on December 5, 1991 and it was further amended by action of
the stockholders at the Annual Meetings of Stockholders held on July 15, 1992,
July 26, 1995 and July 23, 1996 (the 1989 Stock Option Plan as amended and
restated is referred to herein as the "1989 Plan"). The 1989 Plan is
administered by the Stock Option Committee and provides for the grant of
incentive stock options and non-statutory stock options to employees,
consultants or advisers of the Company. Directors who are also employees,
consultants or advisers are also eligible to participate in the 1989 Plan.
 
  The exercise price of all options granted under the 1989 Plan may not be
less than 100% (110% for owners of more than 10% of the Common Stock in the
case of incentive stock options) of the fair market value of the Common Stock
on the date of grant. Options expire 10 years after the date of grant (5 years
after the date of grant for owners of more than 10% of the Common Stock in the
case of incentive stock options). Options generally become exercisable as
follows: 25% upon grant and an additional 25% each calendar year thereafter.
Effective August 15, 1996, options granted under the 1989 Plan may not be
repriced.
 
  A total of 2,550,000 shares of Common Stock has been reserved under the 1989
Plan. As of June 3, 1997, 225,937 options were available for grant under the
1989 Plan. During the fiscal year ended February 22, 1997 the Company granted
options under the 1989 Plan to purchase an aggregate of 650,000 shares of
Common Stock at a weighted average exercise price of $17.22 per share. All of
such options were granted at an exercise price equal to the fair market value
of the Common Stock on the date of grant.
 
  Federal Tax Effects. The following general summary of federal income tax
consequences, based on the law as currently in effect, does not purport to be
a complete description of federal or other tax aspects of the 1989 Plan.
Moreover, the following summary does not discuss possible foreign, state,
estate or other tax consequences.
 
  Incentive Stock Options. Neither the grant nor, in general, the exercise of
an incentive stock option produces taxable ordinary income to the employee or
a deduction to the Company. However, upon exercise of an incentive stock
option the participant's "alternative minimum taxable income" will be
increased, generally by the excess of the fair market value of the shares at
time of exercise over the option price, and the employee may be required to
pay the alternative minimum tax ("AMT"). Any AMT attributable to the exercise
of an incentive stock option may be applied as a credit against the
participant's regular tax liability in subsequent years, subject to certain
limitations.
 
                                      17
<PAGE>
 
  If the participant does not dispose of stock received upon the exercise of
an incentive stock option within two years from the date the option was
granted nor within one year after the date of exercise, any later sale of the
shares will result in a long-term capital gain or loss. However, if shares
received upon exercise of an incentive stock option are disposed of before
these holding-period requirements have been satisfied (a "disqualifying
disposition"), the participant will realize ordinary income, and the Company
will be entitled to a deduction, equal in general to the difference between
the option price and the value of the shares on the date of exercise. In the
case of a disqualifying disposition that is a sale with respect to which loss
(if sustained) would be recognized, the amount of ordinary income will not
exceed the excess of the amount realized on such sale over the adjusted basis
for the stock. A disqualifying disposition of shares acquired upon exercise of
an incentive stock option that occurs in the same taxable year of the
participant as the date his or her AMT income was increased by reason of such
exercise will eliminate the AMT effect, if any, of such exercise.
 
  In the event a participant pays the option price of an incentive stock
option by surrendering shares of previously owned stock, the surrender will
not, in general, result in the recognition of gain. However, the exercise of
an incentive stock option by the surrender of shares which were themselves
acquired by the participant upon exercise of an incentive stock option will be
a disqualifying disposition of the surrendered shares if it takes place within
two years after the grant or one year after the exercise of the incentive
stock option pursuant to which the surrendered shares were acquired.
 
  Incentive stock options granted pursuant to the 1989 Plan are treated for
tax purposes as nonstatutory options (see below) to the extent that the
aggregate fair market value of Common Stock with respect to which such options
are exercisable for the first time by an individual during any calendar year
exceeds $100,000. For purposes of the preceding sentence, incentive stock
options under all option plans of the Company and its subsidiaries are
aggregated, and fair market value is determined as of the time of grant of the
option.
 
  Non-Statutory Stock Options. The grant of a non-statutory stock option does
not produce taxable income to the employee or a deduction to the Company. When
a participant exercises a non-statutory stock option, he or she realizes, for
federal income tax purposes, ordinary income, subject to withholding, in the
amount of the difference between the option price and the then-market value of
the shares, and the Company is entitled to a corresponding deduction (subject
to satisfying its obligation to withhold with respect to such income). The tax
is due regardless of whether or not the optionee sells the stock acquired upon
exercise of the option.
 
  If a participant exercises a non-statutory stock option in whole or in part
by surrendering previously acquired stock (whether acquired upon exercise of
an incentive or non-statutory stock option or otherwise), no gain or loss is
recognized on the exchange of the previously acquired shares for an equivalent
number of new shares.
 
  The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present, in person or by
proxy, and entitled to vote at the Meeting is required to approve the
amendment of the 1989 Plan.
 
  THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR
THIS PROPOSAL.
 
                                 AUDIT MATTERS
 
  Deloitte & Touche has been selected to audit the financial statements of the
Company for the fiscal year ending February 28, 1998, and to report the
results of their examination.
 
  A representative of Deloitte & Touche is expected to be present at the
Meeting and will be afforded the opportunity to make a statement if he or she
desires to do so and to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.
 
                                      18
<PAGE>
 
                             STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
 
  Proposals of stockholders submitted for consideration at the Annual Meeting
of Stockholders to be held in 1998 must be received by the Company no later
than April 7, 1998.
 
                                OTHER BUSINESS
 
  The Board of Directors knows of no business that will come before the
meeting for action other than as described in the accompanying Notice of
Meeting. However, as to any such business, the persons designated as proxies
will have discretionary authority to act in their best judgment.
 
                                   FORM 10-K
 
  A copy of the Company's annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission is available without charge by writing to: BE
Aerospace, Inc., ATTN: Treasurer, 1400 Corporate Center Way, Wellington,
Florida 33414.
 
 
                                      19
<PAGE>
 
                                  DETACH HERE
 
                                     PROXY
 
                     ANNUAL MEETING OF BE AEROSPACE, INC.
                                AUGUST 6, 1997
 
  The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Messrs. Robert J. Khoury and
Thomas P. McCaffrey, or either of them, with full power of substitution to
each, proxies to vote and act at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of BE
Aerospace, Inc. (the "Company") to be held on August 6, 1997 in the Conference
Center, 36th Floor, Ropes & Gray, One International Place, Boston,
Massachusetts at 10:30 a.m., and at any adjournments thereof (the "Meeting"),
upon and with respect to the number of shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01
per share, that the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally
present. The undersigned hereby instructs such proxies, of their substitutes,
to vote on those matters appearing on the reverse side hereof as specified by
the undersigned and in such manner as they may determine on any other matters
which may come before the Meeting, all as indicated in the accompanying Notice
of Meeting and Proxy Statement, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged. All
proxies heretofore given by the undersigned in respect of the Meeting are
hereby revoked.
 
  THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY.
Unless otherwise specified in the boxes provided on the reverse side hereof,
this Proxy will be voted FOR both nominees for Director, FOR approval of the
proposed increase in the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock authorized
for issuance by the Company, FOR approval of the proposed amendment of the
Amended and Restated 1989 Stock Option Plan, and in the discretion of the
named proxies as to any other matter that may properly come before the
meeting.
 
                  CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE
 
                                                               SEE REVERSE SIDE
 
<PAGE>
 
                                  DETACH HERE
 
[X] Please mark votes as in this example
 
PLEASE DO NOT FOLD THIS PROXY
 
1.Election of Directors
 
NOMINEES: Richard G. Hamermesh and Amin J. Khoury
 
FOR BOTH NOMINEES [_]
 
WITHHELD FROM BOTH NOMINEES [_]
 
- ---------------------------------------
To withhold authority to vote for
either nominee, print ONLY that
nominee's name in the space provided
above
 
2.Increase Number of Authorized Shares of Common Stock
 
     FOR [_]  AGAINST [_]  ABSTAIN [_]
 
3.Amendment of 1989 Stock Option Plan
 
     FOR [_]  AGAINST [_]  ABSTAIN [_]
 
The Board unanimously recommends a vote FOR all Proposals
 
MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS CHANGE AND NOTE AT LEFT [_]
 
Please sign exactly as name(s) appear hereon. When signing as attorney,
executor, administrator, trustee, or guardian, please give you full title as
such. Each joint owner should sign.
 
Signature:             Date:       Signature:             Date:
 


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission