SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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 ss. 240.14a-11(c) or ss. 240.14a-12
ALAMO GROUP, 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)(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:
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>
[ALAMO LOGO]
ALAMO GROUP INC.
1502 E. WALNUT ST.
SEGUIN, TEXAS 78155
Dear Fellow Stockholders:
You are cordially invited to attend the 1999 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of Alamo Group Inc. to be held on Tuesday, April 27, 1999, at 8:30
a.m., on the 6th Floor of the NationsBank Plaza, 300 Convent Street, San
Antonio, Texas. We hope that you will be able to attend the meeting. Matters on
which action will be taken at the meeting are explained in detail in the notice
of meeting and proxy statement accompanying this letter.
In addition to the specific matters to be acted upon, there will be a
report on the progress of the Company and an opportunity for questions of
general interest to the stockholders.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO BE PRESENT AND REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF
SHARES YOU OWN, PLEASE MARK, SIGN AND MAIL THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ENVELOPE
PROVIDED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. IF YOU ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU MAY REVOKE YOUR
PROXY AND VOTE IN PERSON.
Thank you for your support. We hope to see you at the meeting.
Donald J. Douglass
Chairman of the Board and CEO
March 26, 1999
<PAGE>
ALAMO GROUP INC.
1502 E. Walnut Street
Seguin, Texas 78155
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD APRIL 27, 1999
To the Stockholders of
Alamo Group Inc.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Alamo
Group Inc. (the "Company") will be held on the 6th Floor of the NationsBank
Plaza, 300 Convent Street, San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, April 27, 1999, at
8:30 am., for the following purposes:
(1) To elect seven (7) directors to serve until the next annual meeting
of stockholders and until their successors are elected and
qualified;
(2) To approve the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's
auditors for the 1999 fiscal year; and
(3) To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournment thereof.
In accordance with the By-Laws of the Company, the Board of Directors has
fixed the record date for the meeting at March 19, 1999. Only stockholders of
record at the close of business on that date will be entitled to vote at the
meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Stockholders who do not expect to attend the meeting in person are urged
to sign the enclosed proxy and return it promptly. A return envelope is enclosed
for that purpose.
A complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, showing
the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name
of each stockholder, shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for
any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period
of ten days commencing April 17, 1999, at the offices of the Company at 750 East
Mulberry Street, Suite 401, San Antonio, Texas 78212.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Robert H. George
Secretary
Dated: March 26, 1999
<PAGE>
ALAMO GROUP INC.
1502 East Walnut Street
Seguin, Texas 78155
PROXY STATEMENT
The accompanying Proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of Alamo
Group Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), to be voted at the 1999
Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 27, 1999, and at any
adjournments thereof. The meeting will be held at 8:30 a.m. on the 6th Floor of
the NationsBank Plaza, 300 Convent Street, San Antonio, Texas. This Proxy
Statement and the accompanying Proxy are being mailed to Stockholders on or
about March 26, 1999. The Annual Report of the Company for 1998, including
financial statements, is enclosed.
VOTING AND PROXIES
Only holders of record of common stock of the Company at the close of
business on March 19, 1999, (the "Record Date") shall be entitled to vote at the
meeting. There were 9,735,759 of 20,000,000 authorized shares of common stock,
par value $.10 per share ("Common Stock"), of the Company issued and outstanding
on the Record Date. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote. Any
Stockholder giving a proxy has the power to revoke the same at any time prior to
its use by giving notice in person or in writing to the Secretary of the
Company.
The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock is necessary to constitute a quorum at the
1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and any adjournment thereof.
Votes cast by proxy or in person at the Annual Meeting will be tabulated
by the inspectors of election appointed by the Company for the meeting. The
inspectors of election will treat abstentions and broker non-votes as shares
that are present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.
Abstentions may be specified on all proposals except the election of directors.
Abstentions are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the
approval of any matter submitted to the stockholders for a vote and will thus
have the same effect as a negative vote for the item on which the abstention is
noted. If a broker indicates on a proxy that it does not have the discretionary
authority as to certain shares to vote on a particular matter, those shares will
not be considered present and entitled to vote with respect to that matter.
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK
Listed in the following table are the only beneficial owners that the
Company is aware of as of February 26, 1999, of more than five percent of the
Company's outstanding Common Stock. In addition, this table includes the
outstanding voting securities beneficially owned by its directors, its executive
officers that are listed in the Summary Compensation Table and by its directors
and executive officers as a group.
<PAGE>
AMOUNT AND NATURE
BENEFICIAL OWNER OF BENEFICIAL PERCENT OF
OF COMMON STOCK OWNERSHIP(1) CLASS(2)
------------------------------- -------------------- -----------------
Capital Southwest Venture
Corporation 2,722,500(3) 27.7%
Donald J. Douglass 1,272,640(4) 12.9%
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. 797,400(5) 8.1%
Tweedy, Browne Company LLC 569,780(6) 5.8%
Oran F. Logan 262,329(7) 2.7%
Joseph C. Graf 100 *
O.S. Simpson, Jr 25,280(8) *
William R. Thomas -- (9)
James B. Skaggs 100 *
David H. Morris --
Jim A. Smith 16,000(10) *
Robert H. George 15,450(11) *
Geoffrey Davies 750 *
Ian Burden 8,000(12) *
John C. Moon 10,100(13) *
All Directors and Executive
Officers as a Group (12 Persons) 1,610,749(14) 16.4%
- -------------------------
* Less than 1% of class
(1) In each case the beneficial owner has sole voting and investment power,
except as otherwise provided herein.
(2) The calculation of percent of class is based on the number of shares of
Common Stock outstanding as of February 26, 1999, 9,735,759 shares, plus
37,100 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days, plus 62,500
shares subject to exercisable warrants.
(3) Includes warrants held by Capital Southwest Corporation ("Capital
Southwest"), the parent corporation of Capital Southwest Venture
Corporation, to purchase 62,500 shares of Common Stock at $16.00 per share
that are presently exercisable and will expire on January 3, 2000. Mr.
Thomas, a director of the Company, serves as Chairman of the Board and
President of both Capital Southwest Venture Corporation and Capital
Southwest Corporation and shares voting and investment power with respect to
the shares of Common Stock owned by Capital Southwest Venture Corporation.
Mr. Thomas, personally, disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.
(4) Includes 20,000 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days.
Includes 65,145 shares owned by The Douglass Foundation, a non-profit
organization of which Mr. Douglass is the President; 89,420 shares in the
Douglass Charitable Remainder Unitrust, of which Mr. Douglass is trustee;
63,100 shares owned by Helen D. Douglass, Mr. Douglass' wife. Approximately
200,000 shares, which are not included in the table, are held by various
other members of Mr. Douglass' family and Mr. Douglass disclaims beneficial
ownership of these shares.
(5) Based on a Schedule 13G dated February 12, 1999, in which T. Rowe Price
Associates, Inc. reported that as of December 31, 1998, it or T. Rowe Price
Small Cap Value Fund, Inc. had shared voting power over none of such shares,
sole voting power over 797,400 of such shares, and sole dispositive power
over 852,400 of such shares. T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and T. Rowe
Price Small Cap Value Fund, Inc. disclaim beneficial ownership of all such
shares.
(6) Based on a Schedule 13G dated August 13, 1998, in which Tweedy, Browne
Company LLC reported that as of August 13,
2
<PAGE>
1998, it, TBK Partners, L.P. or Vanderbilt Partners, L.P. had shared voting
power over none of such shares, sole voting power over 569,780 of such
shares, sole dispositive power over 23,900 of such shares and shared
dispositive power over 550,870 of such shares. Tweedy, Browne Company LLC,
TBK Partners, L.P. and Vanderbilt Partners, L.P. disclaim beneficial
ownership of all such shares.
(7) Excludes 100 shares owned by Mr. Logan's wife. Mr. Logan disclaims
beneficial ownership of these shares.
(8) Excludes 13,916 shares owned by Mr. Simpson's wife. Mr. Simpson disclaims
beneficial ownership of these shares.
(9) See footnote 3, above.
(10) Includes 10,000 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days.
(11) Includes 2,400 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days.
(12) Includes 5,200 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days.
(13) Includes 1,000 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days.
(14) Includes 37,100 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days.
ITEM 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The By-Laws of the Company provide that the number of directors which
shall constitute the whole board shall be fixed and determined from time to time
by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors. Currently, the size of the
Board of Directors has been fixed at seven (7) directors. Each director will
serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor is
elected and qualified. Unless otherwise instructed, shares represented by
properly executed proxies in the accompanying form will be voted for the
individuals nominated by the Board of Directors. Although the Board of Directors
anticipates that the listed nominees will be able to serve, if at the time of
the meeting any such nominee is unable or unwilling to serve, such shares may be
voted at the discretion of the proxy holders for a substitute nominee. Certain
information concerning such nominees and the other directors, including all
positions with the Company and principal occupations during the last five years,
is set forth below:
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Donald J. Douglass, age 67, founded the Company in 1969 and has served as
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the company since 1969.
Oran F. Logan, age 55, has been President and Chief Operating Officer of
the Company since 1984. Mr. Logan served as Vice President of the company from
1972 to 1980. Mr. Logan was an Executive Vice President and General manager from
1981 to 1984. Mr. Logan has been a Director of the Company since 1984.
Joseph C. Graf, Age 70, has been director of the Company since 1969. Mr.
Graf retired as Executive Director of Cullen Interests in 1993. Mr. Graf was
employed by the Cullen Interests of Houston, Texas from 1969 to 1993, and he
served as Executive Secretary of the Cullen Foundation, a private foundation,
from 1983 to 1993. He was also a financial advisor and investment manager of
Quintana Petroleum Corporation, a privately held company, from 1969 to 1983.
O. S. Simpson, Jr. age 63, has been a director of the Company since 1969.
Mr. Simpson has served as the President of Toddy Products, Inc., a manufacturer
of coffee makers, since 1964.
William R. Thomas, age 70, has been a director of the Company since 1969.
Since 1980, Mr. Thomas has been President, and since 1982, Chairman of the
Board, of Capital Southwest Corporation, a publicly owned venture capital
investment company located in Dallas, Texas.
James B. Skaggs, age 61, retired as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer and President of Tracor, Inc. in June 1998. He had been CEO, President
and Director since November 1990 and Chairman of the Board since December 1993.
Mr. Skaggs also served as President and Director of Westmark Systems, Inc. from
March 1990 through December 1991. His previous experience includes diverse
management experience primarily in aerospace and computer-based electronic
systems, products and services.
3
<PAGE>
David H. Morris, age 57, retired as President and Chief Operating Officer
of The Toro Company on November 1, 1995. He served in this capacity since
December 1988. Mr. Morris was employed by Toro in February 1979 and served in
various executive capacities with Toro and its subsidiaries. Prior to Toro, Mr.
Morris served as Vice President of Finance for the Health Care Section of Dart
Industries, Inc. from April, 1974 through January 1979. He was first employed at
Dart Industries in February 1970.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING DIRECTORS
None of the nominees for director or the executive officers of the Company
has a family relationship with any of the other executive officers or other
nominees for director. Except for Mr. Douglass, Mr. Morris, and Mr. Thomas, none
of the directors or nominees is a director of any other company which has a
class of securities registered under, or is required to file reports under, the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or of any company registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940. Mr. Douglass was a director of First City
Financial Corporation until November 1998 when he resigned. Mr. Morris is a
director of International Comfort Products Corporation. Mr. Thomas is a director
of Capital Southwest Corporation, Encore Wire Corporation, Mail-Well, Inc. and
Palm Harbor Homes, Inc.
VOTE REQUIRED. A PLURALITY OF THE VOTES CAST AT THE ANNUAL MEETING IS
REQUIRED FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH INDIVIDUAL NOMINATED BY THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS. ALL PROXIES WILL BE VOTED FOR UNLESS A CONTRARY CHOICE IS INDICATED.
THE BOARD HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE SLATE OF DIRECTORS AND
RECOMMENDS ITS APPROVAL BY THE STOCKHOLDERS
MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, the Board of Directors
held ten meetings. During 1998, each of the current directors attended at least
75% of the meetings of the Board of Directors and the committees on which he
served. The Board of Directors adopted Resolutions by Unanimous Written Consent
on four occasions.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, which consists of Messrs.
Graf, Morris and Simpson, met two times during fiscal 1998. The functions of the
Audit Committee are to recommend the appointment of the Company's independent
auditors, to review the arrangements for and the scope of the annual audit and
to review internal accounting controls.
The Compensation/Nomination Committee of the Board of Directors, which
consists of Messrs. Graff, Morris, Simpson, Skaggs, and Thomas, each of whom is
an outside director, met one time during fiscal 1998. The functions of the
Compensation/Nomination Committee are to review and make recommendations
concerning the compensation of officers and other key management personnel,
including the granting of stock options and the nomination of directors. The
Compensation/Nominating Committee will consider nominees recommended by
stockholders. Those wishing to submit recommendations for the 2000 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders should write to the President of the Company at 1502
East Walnut Street, Seguin, Texas 78155.
4
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
The following table sets forth a summary of compensation for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1998, paid by the Company to the Company's Chief
Executive Officer, Donald J. Douglass and the six highest paid executive
officers of the Company, as well as the compensation paid to each such
individual during the Company's last three fiscal years:
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
ANNUAL COMPENSATION LONG TERM
------------------- COMPENSATION
AWARDS
-------------
SECURITIES
UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
FISCAL SALARY BONUS OPTIONS COMPENSATION
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR ($) ($)(1)(2)(3) (#) ($) (4)
- --------------------------- ---- --- ---------- --- ------------
Donald J. Douglass 1998 200,000 54,250 -- 20,400
Chairman of the Board and 1997 200,000 105,000 -- 85,673
Chief Executive Officer 1996 200,000 180,000 -- 18,370
Oran F. Logan 1998 200,000 44,250 -- 8,595
President and Chief Operating 1997 200,000 85,000 -- 57,906
Officer 1996 196,667 185,000 -- 7,121
Jim A. Smith 1998 143,333 15,232 -- 5,133
Executive Vice President and 1997 136,668 40,700 -- 4,675
Chief Financial Officer 1996 94,583 -- 20,000 --
Robert H. George 1998 96,000 8,785 -- 3,825
Vice President and 1997 93,000 22,070 -- 2,820
Secretary 1996 90,000 21,915 -- 2,310
Geoffrey Davies 1998 108,679 44,195 -- 12,010(5)
Managing Director 1997 100,173 43,711 -- 11,555(5)
Alamo Group (EUR) Ltd. 1996 86,695 31,210 5,000 10,849(5)
Ian Burden (6) 1998 98,667 17,085 -- 4,015
Vice President 1997 95,000 29,100 -- 3,184
Alamo Marketing 1996 92,000 22,100 -- 2,622
John C. Moon(6) 1998 95,167 12,559 -- 3,283
Vice President 1997 88,333 28,100 -- 825
Ag Marketing 1996 83,333 22,100 5,000 3,345
(1) Bonuses for 1998 include the 1998 Subjective Bonuses and certain
discretionary bonuses paid in 1998.
(2) Bonuses for 1997 include an Objective Bonus earned in 1997 but not paid
until 1998 and a discretionary bonus paid in 1997.
(3) Discretionary bonuses approved and paid in 1996.
(4) The amounts represent the employer's contribution under the Alamo Group
(USA) Inc. tax-qualified retirement plan (the "401(k) Plan"). In the case of
Mr. Douglass and Mr. Logan, the amounts include restoration payments
pursuant to the Alamo Group Inc. 401(k) Restoration Plan (the "Restoration
Plan") in fiscal 1997 for matching contributions that would have been made
under the Company's 401(k) Plan for the fiscal years from 1989 to 1997 of
$65,873 and $49,889 respectively, and life insurance premiums paid by the
Company in the amount of $13,600 and $2,492 for Mr. Douglass and Mr. Logan,
respectively, for each of fiscal 1996, 1997 and 1998. The purpose of the
Restoration Plan
<PAGE>
is to provide certain members of management supplemental deferred benefits
to compensate for both past and future matching contributions that would
have been or would be made under the Company's 401(k) plan but were or would
be foregone due to certain limitations on contributions to 401(k) plans in
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to
time.
(5) The amount reflects Alamo Group (EUR) Ltd. contribution to Mr. Davies'
retirement plan in the United Kingdom.
(6) Mr. Burden and Mr. Moon are Vice Presidents-Marketing of Alamo Group (USA)
Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN
LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FY-END OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES
UNDERLYING VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY
SHARES OPTIONS AT OPTIONS AT
ACQUIRED FY-END (#) FY-END ($)
ON VALUE EXERCISABLE (E)/ EXERCISABLE(E)/
NAME EXERCISE (#) REALIZED ($)(1) UNEXERCISABLE (U) UNEXERCISABLE (U)(2)
---- ------------ --------------- ----------------- --------------------
<S> <C>
Donald J Douglass -- -- 20,000 E --
Oran F. Logan 27,500 135,469 -- --
Jim A. Smith 1,000 (2,188) 10,000 E --
8,000 U
Robert H. George 3,150 13,865 2,400 E --
Geoffrey Davies 600 2,738 -- --
Ian Burden 400 473 6,400 E --
John C. Moon 7,850 35,816 1,000 E --
</TABLE>
(1) Values are calculated by subtracting the exercise price from the fair market
value of the stock as of the exercise date.
(2) The value of unexercised options at year end were calculated based upon a
fiscal year-end market price of $11.4375 per share. At fiscal year end, none
of the options were in-the money.
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<PAGE>
DIRECTOR AND ADVISOR COMPENSATION
Each director receives $1,000 for each meeting of the Board of Directors,
and $500 for each meeting of any committee thereof which does not occur on the
same day as the Board meeting, attended by the director. The Company pays
directors who are not employees of the Company an additional $6,000 per year.
All payments to directors are subject to an annual aggregate limit of $16,000 in
fees per director, exclusive of expense reimbursements. The Board of Directors
waived the annual aggregate limit for fiscal 1998 because of the additional
meetings related to the proposed merger with WEC Company. Directors are
reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred as a result of attending meetings of
the Board or committees thereof.
The Company employs certain advisors, namely Messrs. H. Norman Abramson,
Stanley L. Blend, and Robert R. Lende, to advise the Board of Directors on
certain business matters. For their services, each of the advisors receives
$2,000 per year plus an additional $1,000 for each meeting of the Board of
Directors and $500 for each meeting of any committee thereof which does not
occur on the same day as the Board meeting, attended by the advisor, subject to
an annual aggregate limit of $8,000 in fees per advisor, exclusive of expense
reimbursements. Advisors are also reimbursed for all reasonable expenses
relating to their attendance at meetings of the Board of Directors or any
committees thereof.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
All executive officers of the Company serve at the discretion of the Board
of Directors. The executive officers are appointed to their positions by the
Board until the next annual meeting of directors or until their successors have
been duly qualified and elected.
In April, 1998, Severance Agreements were granted to certain officers and
key managers. The Agreements would become effective in the event of a change in
control and they provide salary continuation for periods ranging from twelve to
eighteen months. These Agreements expire on June 30, 1999, unless extended by
the Company.
The advisors all serve pursuant to annual contracts that are renewable
annually at the discretion of the Compensation/Nomination Committee of the Board
of Directors. The advisors agree to use reasonable efforts to attend meetings of
the Board of Directors and to spend an additional four business days in each
fiscal year consulting or advising the Company with regard to any questions or
problems that may arise. Each advisor contract contains a confidentiality
agreement that impose certain restrictions on the advisor and an agreement by
the Company to indemnify the advisor to the fullest extent provided by Delaware
corporate law.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
In 1990 and 1997, the Company loaned $700,000 and $270,000 respectively to
Mr. Douglass. In 1997 and 1998, the Company loaned $310,000 and $20,000
respectively to Mr. Logan. Proceeds from these loans were used to pay personal
income taxes resulting from the exercise of non-qualified options. The principal
balance bears interest at the mid-term Applicable Federal Rate which was 5.43%
as of December 31, 1998 and is payable quarterly. On December 31, 1991, pursuant
to approval of the Board of Directors, the $700,000 loan was renewed with a
maturity date of December 31, 1999. Mr. Douglass's and Mr. Logan's loans for
$270,000, $310,000 and $20,000, respectively, mature on December 31, 2006. At
December 31,1998, the outstanding principal balance of the loans to Mr. Douglass
were $700,000 and $270,000 and the outstanding principal balance of the loans to
Mr. Logan were $310,000 and $20,000. Mr. Douglass's loans are secured by 100,000
shares of the Company's Common Stock. Mr. Logan's loan is secured by 31,800
shares of the Company's Common Stock.
The Company has adopted the Executive Loan Program of 1991 (the "Loan
Program") pursuant to which the Company may make loans from time to time to the
Chief Operating Officer, any Vice President or any other employee of the Company
designated by the Compensation/Nomination Committee of the Board of Directors
("Qualified Borrowers") to purchase stock of the Company. All loans are secured
by the pledge of the shares being purchased. Under the Loan Program, the maximum
aggregate amount which the Chief Operating Officer may borrow is $400,000 and
the maximum aggregate amount any other Qualified Borrower may borrow is
$200,000. Each loan under the Loan Program bears interest, payable quarterly, at
the base rate of interest as published by
7
<PAGE>
NationsBank of Texas, N.A. As of the date hereof, there is outstanding under the
Loan Program a total of $320,000 and $38,307 from Mr. Logan and Mr. George
respectively and an aggregate of $226,388 from all other Qualified Borrowers.
The Company pays the premiums for life insurance policies in the face
amount of $500,000 and $250,000 for Mr. Douglass and Mr. Logan, respectively. In
the event of the death of either Mr. Douglass or Mr. Logan, the proceeds from
the applicable insurance policy will be applied to the payment of any
outstanding loans the decedent may have from the Company, with the balance, if
any, going to his estate.
Management believes that the transactions described above were on terms no
less favorable to the Company than otherwise available from unaffiliated third
parties. Any future transactions between the Company and its officers,
directors, principal stockholders, affiliates or advisors will be on terms no
less favorable to the Company than those reasonably obtainable from third
parties and will be approved or ratified by a majority of the Company's
independent directors.
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION/NOMINATION COMMITTEE
-----------------------------------------------
THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPHS CONSTITUTE THE REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS (THE "COMMITTEE") ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
POLICIES. IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULES PROMULGATED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION, THIS REPORT SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO BE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO
ANY STATEMENTS OR REPORTS FILED BY THE COMPANY WITH THE SEC THAT DO NOT
SPECIFICALLY INCORPORATE THIS REPORT BY REFERENCE.
The goals of the Company's compensation programs are to attract, retain
and motivate competent executive officers and key managers who have the
experience and ability to contribute materially to the long-term success of the
Company. The principal elements of compen sation for the executive officers and
key managers are base salary, bonus payments and stock options.
In April 1998, the Committee reviewed and approved base salaries effective
May 1, 1998, for each of the executive officers, including the Chief Executive
Officer, and key managers on an individual basis, taking into consideration
individual contributions to the Company's performance, length of tenure with the
Company, surveys of compensation levels of comparable positions and internal
equities among positions. Among other things, the Committee considered each
officer and key manager's contributions to the Company's business in recent
years and to its foundations for sustained earnings growth, as well as each
participant's role in achieving customer satisfaction, market penetration, and
efficient utilization of assets and employees in his area of responsibility.
From time to time, the Committee has also granted stock options to
executive officers and key managers/employees. Such options are granted at an
exercise price not less than the fair market value of the stock on the date of
the grant and thus have no value unless the value of the Company's stock
appreciates. The Committee believes that these options provide a significant
incentive for the option holders to enhance the value of the Company's common
stock by continually improving the Company's performance. The Committee did not
grant any options during 1998. During the three years ended December 31, 1998,
options to purchase 43,000 shares were granted, and options on 225,250 shares
were available for grant at the end of 1998.
In December 1997, the Committee established an Incentive Compensation Plan
for the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, key managers and
certain other designated key employees for the year ending December 31, 1997,
and for subsequent years, subject to future changes or termination at the
recommendation of the Committee. The Incentive Compensation Plan comprises an
Objective Incentive Compensation Program ("Objective ICC") and a Subjective
Incentive Compensation Program ("Subjective ICC").
The bonus payable pursuant to the Objective ICC (the "Objective Bonus") at
Target represents two-thirds (2/3) of each participant's total potential bonus
(the "Target Bonus"). The Committee determines "Target Earnings", for the
Company, or relevant operating earnings, based upon projected earnings and the
Committee's judgment of a reasonable target, considering, in its discretion, the
performance of comparable businesses, anticipated market conditions and
appropriate goals for both earnings growth and return on capital. At the
8
<PAGE>
beginning of each year, a Target Bonus is established for each participant and
approved by the Committee. Based upon the relationship of the Company's Actual
Earnings to Target Earnings, a participant's actual Objective Bonus may range
from zero to 175% of the target Objective Bonus. This target Objective Bonus is
increased at the rate of three times any percentage by which actual earnings
exceed Target and reduced at the rate of five times any percentage short-fall.
Objective Bonuses for a year are paid in February of the following year. The
aggregate of all actual Objective Bonuses are subject to pro-rata limitation to
the extent necessary to prevent any such bonuses from causing the Company's
annual net income to be less than fifteen percent of beginning shareholders'
equity.
The bonus payable pursuant to Subjective ICC (the "Subjective Bonus")
represents one-third (1/3) of a participant's total Target Bonus. The actual
Subjective Bonus is based upon a subjective evaluation of the participant's
performance and progress in achieving goals and objectives. A participant's
actual Subjective Bonus may range from zero to 100% of the target Subjective
Bonus and is generally paid in April of each year. Subjective Bonuses are not
earned or paid if Actual Earnings for the immediately preceding fiscal year are
less than sixty percent of Target Earnings.
Target Bonuses for the year ended December 31, 1998 expressed as a
percentage of annual base salary, for the Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Operating Officer were as follows:
1998
----------------------------------
Target Target
Objective Subjective
Bonus Bonus
---------- ---------
CEO 50% 25%
COO 40% 20%
For 1998, the Company's performance, excluding losses of the Company's
discontinued Rhino International operation, produced net income of less than 15%
of beginning shareholders' equity and hence no Objective ICC Bonuses were paid.
Subjective ICC Bonus payments were made in 1998 based upon an evaluation of each
participant's performance. It is anticipated that the Company will continue an
Incentive Compensation Plan in 1999, modified to reflect certain changes
established by the Committee in the light of current circumstances.
The Committee, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to modify or
terminate the Incentive Compensation Plan and/or discontinue payments under the
Plan at any time and the Committee, in its sole discretion, is entitled to
interpret the Plan.
Dated: March 26, 1999 William R. Thomas, Chairman
Joseph C. Graf
David H. Morris
O. S. Simpson, Jr.
James B. Skaggs
9
<PAGE>
STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph sets forth the cumulative total return to the
Company's Stockholders during a five-year period ended December 31, 1998, as
well as the performance of an overall stock market index (S&P 500 Index) and the
Company's selected peer group index (Russell 2000 Index).
The Company believes that, at this point in its development, there does
not exist a representative industry peer group of companies with a similar
business segment profile. The Securities and Exchange Commission has indicated
that companies may use a base other than industry or line of business for
determining its peer group index, such as an index of companies with similar
market capitalization. Accordingly, the Company has selected the Russell 2000
Index, a widely used small market capitalization index, to use as a
representative peer group.
COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE RETURN
Among S&P 500 Index, Russell 2000 Index, and Alamo Group Inc. ("ALG")
[LINEAR GRAPH PLOTTED FROM DATA IN TABLE BELOW]
PERIOD S&P 500 INDEX RUSSELL 2000 ALG
INDEX
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 1993 100 100 100
December 1994 101 98 105
December 1995 139 126 120
December 1996 171 147 117
December 1997 229 180 151
December 1998 294 179 82
The graph assumes $100.00 invested on December 31, 1993 in ALG stock or in the
S&P 500 Index or Russell 2000 Index including reinvestment of dividends.
10
<PAGE>
ITEM 2. APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS
The Board of Directors has appointed the firm of Ernst & Young LLP as
independent auditors to examine the financial statements of the Company for the
1999 fiscal year. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be
present at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders with the opportunity to make a
statement if they desire to do so and are expected to be available to respond to
appropriate questions.
A proposal will be presented at the Annual Meeting to ratify the
appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's independent auditors. If
Stockholder approval should be withheld, the Board of Directors would consider
an alternative appointment for the succeeding fiscal year. The Board of
Directors recommends that the Stockholders approve the appointment of Ernst &
Young LLP.
VOTE REQUIRED. THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF THE MAJORITY OF THE SHARES OF
COMMON STOCK PRESENT IN PERSON OR REPRESENTED BY PROXY AT THE ANNUAL MEETING IS
REQUIRED. ALL PROXIES WILL BE VOTED FOR ADOPTIONS UNLESS A CONTRARY CHOICE IS
INDICATED.
THE BOARD HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED APPOINTMENT OF
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
AND RECOMMENDS ITS APPROVAL BY THE STOCKHOLDERS
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Oran F. Logan, the Company's President and Chief Operating Officer, filed
a Form 4 late reporting a purchase of stock.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2000 ANNUAL MEETING
Proposals of Stockholders intended to be presented at the 2000 Annual
Meeting, pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, must be received in writing by the Company at its principal executive
offices not later than November 26, 1999. The Company's principal executive
offices are located at 1502 East Walnut Street, Seguin, Texas, 78155. Please
direct all such proposals to the attention of the President of the Company.
If a stockholder intends to present business at the 2000 Annual Meeting
other than pursuant to Rule 14a-8, to be considered timely pursuant to Rule
14a-4(c), the Company should receive notice of the proposal at least 45 days
before the date on which the Company first mailed its proxy materials for the
prior year's annual meeting of stockholders. Therefore, to be considered timely,
the Company should receive notice of a stockholder proposal submitted other than
pursuant to Rule 14a-8 no later than February 9, 2000.
11
<PAGE>
PROXY SOLICITATION
The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. Proxies may
be solicited through the mail and through telephonic communications, or meetings
with Stockholders or their representatives by directors, officers and other
employees of the Company who will receive no additional compensation therefor.
The Company requests persons such as brokers, nominees and fiduciaries
holding stock in their names for others, or holding stock for others who have
the right to give voting instructions, to forward proxy material to their
principals and to request authority for the execution of the proxy, and the
Company will reimburse such persons for their reasonable expenses.
OTHER MATTERS
No business other than the matters set forth in this Proxy Statement is
expected to come before the meeting, but should any other matters requiring a
vote of Stockholders arise, including a question of adjourning the meeting, the
persons named in the accompanying Proxy will vote thereon according to their
best judgment in the interests of the Company. If any of the nominees for office
of director should withdraw or otherwise become unavailable for reasons not
presently known, the persons named as proxies may vote for another person in his
place in what they consider the best interests of the Company.
A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K INCLUDING FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1998, IS INCLUDED IN THE ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS WHICH
ACCOMPANIES THESE PROXY MATERIALS. COPIES OF ANY EXHIBIT(S) TO THE FORM 10K WILL
BE FURNISHED ON REQUEST AND UPON THE PAYMENT OF THE COMPANY'S EXPENSES IN
FURNISHINGS SUCH EXHIBIT(S). ANY REQUEST FOR EXHIBITS SHOULD BE IN WRITING
ADDRESSED TO ROBERT H. GEORGE, SECRETARY, ALAMO GROUP INC., 1502 EAST WALNUT
STREET, SEGUIN, TEXAS 78155.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Robert H. George
Secretary
Dated: March 26, 1999
12
<PAGE>
PROXY
ALAMO GROUP INC.
PROXY FOR 1999 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTOR
The undersigned hereby appoints Donald J. Douglass, Oran F. Logan or
Robert H. George or any one of them, proxies or proxy with full power of
substitution and revocation as to each of them, to represent the undersigned and
to act and vote, with all powers which the undersigned would possess if
personally present, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Alamo Group Inc. to
be held at 8:30 a.m. on the 6th floor of the NationsBank Plaza, 300 Convent
Street, San Antonio, Texas, Tuesday, April 27, 1999 on the following matters and
in their discretion on any other matters which may come before the meeting or
any adjournments thereof. Receipt of Notice-Proxy Statement dated March 26, 1999
is acknowledged.
(CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON THE REVERSE SIDE)
^FOLD AND DETACH HERE^
<PAGE>
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ITEMS 1 AND 2.
---
ITEM 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS:
[ ] FOR all nominees [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY Donald J. Douglass
to vote for all nominees Joseph C. Graf
listed at right Oran F. Logan
David H. Morris
O.S. Simpson, Jr.
James B. Skaggs
William R. Thomas
(INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE
WRITE THAT NOMINEE'S NAME ON THE SPACE PROVIDED BELOW.)
________________________________________________
ITEM 2 - Proposal FOR ratification of appointment of Ernst & Young as
the Company's independent auditors for 1999.
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
ITEM 3 - In their discretion, upon such other business as may properly
come before the meeting
This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed
herein by the undersigned.
In the absence of such direction the proxy will be voted FOR the
nominees listed in Item 1 and FOR the Proposal set forth in Item 2.
I PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING [ ]
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Sign exactly as name(s) appears at left. If
shares are held jointly, each holder should
sign. If signing for an estate, trust or
corporation, title or capacity should be
stated.)
Please date, sign and return this Proxy in
the enclosed business envelope.
Date ________________________________, 1999
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
(SIGNATURE IF HELD JOINTLY)
^FOLD AND DETACH HERE^
