<PAGE> 1
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
/X/ Definitive proxy statement
/ / Definitive additional materials
/ / Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
(NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
STEPHEN J. PERISUTTI
THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
101 PROSPECT AVENUE, N.W.
CLEVELAND, OHIO 44115
(216) 566-2543
(NAME OF PERSON(S) FILING PROXY STATEMENT)
Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):
/X/ $125 per Exchange Act Rule 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(j)(2).
/ / $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
14a-6(i)(3).
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
Not Applicable
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
Not Applicable
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to
Exchange Act Rule 0-11:
Not Applicable
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
Not Applicable
/ / 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:
Not Applicable
(2) Form, schedule or registration statement no.:
Not Applicable
(3) Filing party:
Not Applicable
(4) Date filed:
Not Applicable
<PAGE> 2
THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
------------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY will be
held in the LTV Auditorium, Room 927, Midland Building, 101 Prospect Avenue,
N.W., Cleveland, Ohio on Wednesday, April 24, 1996 at 10:00 A.M., local time,
for the following purposes:
1. To fix the number of Directors of the Company at ten and to elect ten
Directors to hold office until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders
and until their successors are elected; and
2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders.
Holders of Common Stock of record at the close of business on March 4, 1996
are the only shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders.
L. E. STELLATO
Secretary
Midland Building
Cleveland, Ohio 44115-1075
March 13, 1996
YOU CAN HELP AVOID THE NECESSITY AND EXPENSE OF SENDING A FOLLOW-UP LETTER
BY THE PROMPT COMPLETION AND RETURN OF THE ENCLOSED PROXY WHETHER OR NOT YOU
EXPECT TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS. FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, THERE
IS ENCLOSED A SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE REQUIRING NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE
UNITED STATES.
<PAGE> 3
THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
MIDLAND BUILDING
CLEVELAND, OHIO 44115-1075
PROXY STATEMENT
March 13, 1996
PRELIMINARY
The enclosed proxy is requested by the Board of Directors in connection
with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held April 24, 1996 for the
purpose of considering and acting upon the matters specified in the foregoing
Notice of Annual Meeting. The mailing date of this Proxy Statement is on or
about March 13, 1996.
The Board of Directors is not aware of matters other than those specified
in the foregoing Notice of Annual Meeting that will be brought before the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders for action. However, if any such matters should be
brought before the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, it is intended that the
persons appointed as proxies may vote or act thereon according to their
judgment.
ANNUAL REPORT
The Company's Annual Report to Shareholders for the year which ended
December 31, 1995 is enclosed with this Proxy Statement. In addition, financial
and other reports may be submitted at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, but it
is not intended that any action will be taken with respect thereto.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
It is intended that proxies which contain no instructions to the contrary
will be voted in favor of fixing the number of Directors at ten and for the
election of the nominees listed on the proxy. The candidates receiving the most
votes will be elected.
Should any nominee decline or be unable to accept such nomination or be
unable to serve as a Director, an event which management does not now expect,
the Board of Directors reserves the right to substitute such other person as a
nominee, or to reduce the number of nominees to such extent, as they shall deem
advisable.
Each of the nominees, except for Mr. Collins who was appointed a Director
by unanimous action of the Board of Directors on January 24, 1996, has been
previously elected as a Director by the shareholders. The following, based upon
information received in part from the respective persons and in part from the
records of the Company, sets forth information regarding each nominee as of
December 31, 1995:
JAMES M. BIGGAR has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Glencairn
Corporation (real estate development) since July 1991 prior to which he
served as Chairman of Nestle USA, Inc. (food products, restaurants, hotels)
commencing January 1991. From January 1984 to January 1991, Mr. Biggar
served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nestle Enterprises, Inc.
Mr. Biggar is 67 years old and has served as a Director of the Company
since July 1987. Mr. Biggar is also a Director of National City Bank and
National City Corporation, and is Chairman of the New Cleveland Campaign.
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<PAGE> 4
JOHN G. BREEN has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company
since June 1986. Mr. Breen is 61 years old and has served as a Director of
the Company since April 1979. Mr. Breen is also a Director of National City
Corporation, Mead Corporation, Parker-Hannifin Corporation and The Goodyear
Tire and Rubber Company. Mr. Breen is a Trustee of Catholic Charities
Corporation, the Cleveland Opera, John Carroll University, the Musical Arts
Association (The Cleveland Orchestra) and University Hospitals of
Cleveland, and is a Member of The Case Western Reserve University Visiting
Committee for the School of Medicine.
DUANE E. COLLINS has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of
Parker-Hannifin Corporation (manufacturer of motion control products) since
July 1993 prior to which he served as Vice Chairman of the Board of
Directors of Parker-Hannifin commencing June 1992. From July 1988 to June
1992, Mr. Collins served as Executive Vice President and President,
International, of Parker-Hannifin. Mr. Collins is 59 years old and has
served as a Director of the Company since January 1996. Mr. Collins is also
a Director of Parker-Hannifin, National City Bank and the Greater Cleveland
Growth Association, and is a Trustee of the Cleveland YMCA.
THOMAS A. COMMES has served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the
Company since June 1986. Mr. Commes is 53 years old and has served as a
Director of the Company since April 1980. Mr. Commes is also a Director of
KeyCorp, Centerior Energy Corporation and the Greater Cleveland Growth
Association, and is a Trustee of The Cleveland Clinic Foundation and
Vocational Guidance Services (VGS).
DANIEL E. EVANS has served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary of
Bob Evans Farms, Inc. (food products and restaurants) since 1971. Mr. Evans
is 59 years old and has served as a Director of the Company since April
1990. Mr. Evans is also a Director of Evans Enterprises, Inc., Motorists
Mutual Insurance Company, National City Bank and National City Corporation.
ROBERT W. MAHONEY has served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President
of Diebold, Incorporated (manufacturer of financial self-service
transaction systems and security products) since July 1993 prior to which
he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Diebold commencing
April 1988. Mr. Mahoney is 59 years old and has served as a Director of the
Company since January 1995. Mr. Mahoney is also a Director of The Timken
Company, and is a Trustee of Mount Union College, Ohio Foundation of
Independent Colleges, the Professional Football Hall of Fame and Canton
(Ohio) Junior Achievement. Mr. Mahoney is a Member of the Stark (County,
Ohio) Development Board and the Chamber of Commerce Leadership Canton
(Ohio) Advisory Board.
WILLIAM G. MITCHELL, prior to his retirement in May 1987, served as Vice
Chairman of Centel Corporation (independent telephone and electric
properties) since May 1986. Mr. Mitchell is 65 years old and has served as
a Director of the Company since April 1979. Mr. Mitchell is also a Director
of Interlake Corporation, The Northern Trust Company, Northern Trust
Corporation and Peoples Energy Corporation.
A. MALACHI MIXON, III has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of
Invacare Corporation (manufacturer and distributor of home health care
products) since January 1980 and has served as Chairman of Invacare since
September 1983. Mr. Mixon is 55 years old and has served as a Director of
the Company since April 1993. Mr. Mixon is also a Director of The Lamson
and Sessions Co. and NCS HealthCare, Inc., and is a Trustee of The
Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland Institute of Music and Case Western
Reserve University.
HELEN O. PETRAUSKAS has served as Vice President - Environmental and Safety
Engineering of Ford Motor Company (automobile manufacturing) since March
1983. Mrs. Petrauskas is 51
2
<PAGE> 5
years old and has served as a Director of the Company since July 1993. Mrs.
Petrauskas is also a Director of MCN Corporation, is a Trustee of the Henry
Ford Health System, and is a Member of the Advisory Board - Center for Risk
Analysis, Harvard School of Public Health and a Member of the Board of
Visitors of North Carolina A&T State University.
RICHARD K. SMUCKER has served as President of The J.M. Smucker Company (makers
of food products) since January 1987. Mr. Smucker is 47 years old and has
served as a Director of the Company since September 1991. Mr. Smucker is
also a Director of The J.M. Smucker Company and the Wm. Wrigley Jr.
Company, and is a Trustee of the Musical Arts Association (The Cleveland
Orchestra).
DIRECTORS' FEES
Each Director who is not an employee of the Company receives a retainer of
$25,000 per annum, earned and payable monthly. In addition, each such Director
receives $1,500 for each meeting of the Board of Directors or Committee of the
Board of Directors that he or she attends, or $2,000 for each meeting of a
Committee of the Board of Directors that he or she chairs. No fees or other
remuneration, as such, are paid to employees of the Company for services as a
member of the Board of Directors or any Committee thereof. Directors who are not
employees of the Company are permitted to defer all or a portion of their fees
pursuant to the Company's Director Deferred Fee Plan. The plan provides for
deferred fees to be invested in either a Deferred Cash Account (which bears
interest at the current base lending rate) or a Shadow Stock Account (the value
of which fluctuates according to the value of the Company's Common Stock).
CORPORATE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
The following table sets forth the names and ages of the current Corporate
Officers, the positions and offices with the Company held by them as of February
29, 1996 and the date when each was first elected or appointed a Corporate
Officer:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DATE WHEN
FIRST ELECTED
NAME AGE PRESENT POSITION OR APPOINTED
- ----------------------- --------- ----------------------------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
John G. Breen 61 Chairman and Chief Executive January 1979
Officer, Director
Thomas A. Commes 53 President and Chief Operating March 1979
Officer, Director
Larry J. Pitorak 49 Senior Vice President -- Finance, June 1978
Treasurer and Chief Financial
Officer
John L. Ault 50 Vice President -- Corporate January 1987
Controller
Sean P. Hennessy 38 Vice President -- Information January 1996
Services
Conway G. Ivy 54 Vice President -- Corporate March 1979
Planning and Development
Robert E. Kinney 60 Vice President -- Administration February 1994
Thomas Kroeger 47 Vice President -- Human Resources October 1987
Louis E. Stellato 45 Vice President, General Counsel and December 1989
Secretary
James J. Sgambellone 38 Assistant Secretary and Corporate July 1991
Director of Taxes
</TABLE>
3
<PAGE> 6
Following is a brief account of each Corporate Officer's business
experience with the Company during the last five year period:
Mr. Breen has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since June
1986 and has served as a Director since April 1979.
Mr. Commes has served as President and Chief Operating Officer since June
1986 and has served as a Director since April 1980.
Mr. Pitorak has served as Senior Vice President -- Finance, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer since April 1992 prior to which he served as Senior Vice
President -- Finance and Chief Financial Officer commencing July 1991. From
February 1988 to July 1991, Mr. Pitorak served as Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary.
Mr. Ault has served as Vice President -- Corporate Controller since January
1987.
Mr. Hennessy has served as Vice President -- Information Services since
January 1996 prior to which he served as Controller, Paint Stores Group
commencing October 1991. From January 1990 to October 1991, Mr. Hennessy served
as Director of Accounting, Paint Stores Group.
Mr. Ivy has served as Vice President -- Corporate Planning and Development
since April 1992 prior to which he served as Vice President and Treasurer
commencing January 1989.
Mr. Kinney has served as Vice President -- Administration since February
1994 prior to which he served as President & General Manager, Transportation
Services Division commencing July 1987.
Mr. Kroeger has served as Vice President -- Human Resources since October
1987.
Mr. Stellato has served as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
since July 1991 prior to which he served as Assistant Secretary and Corporate
Director of Taxes commencing December 1989.
Mr. Sgambellone has served as Assistant Secretary and Corporate Director of
Taxes since July 1991 prior to which he served as Senior Corporate Counsel
commencing December 1989.
There are no family relationships between any of the persons named.
4
<PAGE> 7
OPERATING MANAGERS OF THE COMPANY
The following table sets forth the names and ages of the current Operating
Managers, the positions and offices with the Company held by them as of February
29, 1996 and the date when each was first appointed an Operating Manager.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DATE WHEN
FIRST
NAME AGE PRESENT POSITION APPOINTED
- ------------------------- --------- ----------------------------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
William P. Antonace 41 President & General Manager, January 1996
Transportation Services Division
Frank E. Butler 60 President & General Manager, November 1981
Coatings Division
Christopher M. Connor 39 President & General Manager, June 1986
Diversified Brands Division
T. Scott King 43 President & General Manager, February 1992
Consumer Brands Division
Blair P. LaCour 49 President & General Manager, Mid October 1989
Western Division, Paint Stores
Group
John C. Macatee 44 President, Paint Stores Group June 1986
Steven J. Oberfeld 43 President & General Manager, South September 1992
Western Division, Paint Stores
Group
James E. Renshaw 48 President & General Manager, June 1986
Eastern Division, Paint Stores
Group
Salvatore V. Sanzone 60 President & General Manager, April 1994
Southeastern Division, Paint Stores
Group
Joseph M. Scaminace 42 President & General Manager, May 1985
Automotive Division
</TABLE>
Following is a brief account of each Operating Manager's business
experience during the last five year period:
Mr. Antonace has served as President & General Manager, Transportation
Services Division since January 1996 prior to which he served as Vice President
& Director -- Operations, Coatings Division commencing March 1993. From July
1992 to March 1993, Mr. Antonace served as Director -- Materials Management,
Coatings Division prior to which he served as Vice President & Director -- Sales
& Operations, Transportation Division commencing April 1991. From April 1989 to
April 1991, Mr. Antonace served as Vice President & Director -- Operations,
Transportation Divison.
Mr. Butler has served as President & General Manager, Coatings Division
since February 1992 prior to which he served as President & General Manager,
Consumer Division commencing May 1984.
Mr. Connor has served as President & General Manager, Diversified Brands
Division (formerly Specialty Division) since April 1994 prior to which he served
as Senior Vice President -- Marketing, Paint Stores Group commencing September
1992. From June 1986 to September 1992, Mr. Connor served as President & General
Manager, Western Division, Paint Stores Group.
5
<PAGE> 8
Mr. King has served as President & General Manager, Consumer Brands
Division since February 1992 prior to which he served as Vice President,
Director of Sales and Marketing, Consumer Division commencing June 1987.
Mr. LaCour has served as President & General Manager, Mid Western Division,
Paint Stores Group since September 1992 prior to which he served as President &
General Manager, Mid Central Division, Paint Stores Group commencing October
1989.
Mr. Macatee has served as President, Paint Stores Group since September
1992 prior to which he served as President & General Manager, South Central
Division, Paint Stores Group commencing June 1986.
Mr. Oberfeld has served as President & General Manager, South Western
Division, Paint Stores Group since September 1992 prior to which he served as
Vice President of Sales, South Central Division, Paint Stores Group commencing
August 1990.
Mr. Renshaw has served as President & General Manager, Eastern Division,
Paint Stores Group since June 1986.
Mr. Sanzone has served as President & General Manager, Southeastern
Division, Paint Stores Group since April 1994 prior to which he served as Vice
President of Sales, Eastern Division, Paint Stores Group commencing August 1990.
Mr. Scaminace has served as President & General Manager, Automotive
Division since April 1994 prior to which he served as President & General
Manager, Specialty Division commencing September 1985.
There are no family relationships between any of the persons named.
COMPENSATION AND MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Management Compensation Program. The Company's Management Compensation
Program ("Program") is administered by the Compensation and Management
Development Committee ("Committee") of the Board of Directors. The Committee is
composed of five outside Directors and reports to the Board of Directors on all
compensation matters regarding the Executive Officers. The Program is designed
to enable the Company to attract, motivate and retain key executives and to
establish and maintain a performance and achievement-oriented environment. The
Program provides for: (a) competitive base salary levels which reflect, in part,
individual performance, (b) additional annual incentive compensation based on
the achievement of financial and other performance goals, and (c) long-term
stock-based incentive opportunities. The Program consists of both cash and
equity-based compensation.
The annual base salary, annual incentive opportunities and long-term
incentive opportunities are intended to be competitive with market base salary
and incentive compensation opportunities. The Committee utilizes data from
various commercially available executive compensation surveys in order to
identify, on an annual basis, the base salary and incentive opportunities
available at manufacturing companies with comparable sales. The Committee
believes that these companies are likely competitors of the Company for
executive talent. These companies may include some of the companies comprising
the peer group identified in the performance graphs if such companies
participated in one or more of the compensation surveys. For the various
components of compensation, the Committee uses the median compensation paid to
executive officers holding equivalent positions or having similar
responsibilities in manufacturing companies with comparable sales. The amount of
compensation paid to the Executive Officers is not based upon the cumulative
total return on the Company's Common Stock as reflected in either of the
performance graphs.
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<PAGE> 9
Base Salary. Annual cash compensation consists, in part, of a base salary.
With regard to base salary, a salary range for each Executive Officer is
approved on the basis of such person's position and level of responsibility by
using the compensation surveys, with the median market base salary approximating
the midpoint of the range. Once a range is formulated, salary levels are based
upon the Executive Officer's performance and, to a lesser extent, tenure in the
particular position. The base salary of each Executive Officer is reviewed and
approved annually.
Annual Incentive Compensation. Annual cash compensation also consists of
the opportunity to earn additional compensation under the Company's Management
Incentive Plan ("Incentive Plan"). All of the Executive Officers participate in
the Incentive Plan. In approving the amount of annual incentive compensation to
be paid to any of the Executive Officers under the Incentive Plan, great
emphasis is placed on establishing incentive opportunities which are directly
linked with Company performance and the maximization of shareholder value. The
Committee establishes a threshold Company earnings goal, and 75% of this goal
must be met before incentive compensation is paid to the Executive Officers,
subject to the Committee's discretion to award special incentive compensation
under exceptional circumstances. This earnings goal is established at a level
which exceeds the Company's prior year's earnings and requires that the Company
improve its earnings performance before incentive compensation is paid (except
as provided in the foregoing sentence). During the fiscal year ended December
31, 1995, the Company's earnings exceeded that goal. In addition, compensation
decisions for individual Executive Officers are based, in part, on financial
performance goals for the Company, as described below, and other individual
goals related to each Executive Officer's area of responsibility.
Annual incentive compensation awarded to an Executive Officer is also
determined by using the median incentive compensation (identified from the
compensation surveys), which is generally equivalent to the amount an Executive
Officer could receive under the Incentive Plan if 100% of all of the Company and
individual goals are obtained. Under the Incentive Plan, annual bonus awards for
the Executive Officers range from zero, if less than 75% of the stated goals are
reached, to between 35% and 60% of the Executive Officer's base salary
(depending upon the Executive Officer's position) if 100% of the stated goals
are obtained. In the event the Company and an Executive Officer exceed 100% of
the stated goals, incentive compensation can be awarded up to an aggregate
maximum amount of 60% to 95% of the Executive Officer's base salary (depending
upon position). Decisions on annual incentive compensation awarded to an
Executive Officer are based upon financial performance goals, such as after-tax
net income and the return on stockholders' equity, for each Incentive Plan year,
and the accomplishment by the Executive Officer of individual performance goals
(both quantitative and qualitative), which vary by Executive Officer and which
usually relate to the particular business unit or function for which such person
has responsibility. The financial performance goals are generally weighted more
heavily.
Long-term Incentive Compensation. Long-term incentive compensation may be
awarded to any one or all of the Executive Officers under the Company's 1994
Stock Plan. All of the Executive Officers participate in the Stock Plan. Under
the Stock Plan, the Committee may grant stock options to the Executive Officers
based on competitive market practices. Competitive market practices are
determined by the various compensation surveys mentioned above, and the
Committee grants stock options based upon the median market value of the
underlying stock relating to stock options that comparable companies are
granting to their executive officers. The specific number of stock options
granted to an Executive Officer is based upon the Executive Officer's position
and level of responsibility. The option exercise price is equal to the fair
market value of the Company's Common Stock on the date options are granted.
Stock options granted typically vest at the rate of one-third per year for three
years (beginning one year from the date of grant) and expire ten years from the
date of grant.
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<PAGE> 10
Awards of restricted stock under the Stock Plan, which are subject to a
"substantial risk of forfeiture", may be granted to the Executive Officers. The
granting of restricted stock is determined in the same manner that the granting
of stock options is determined. If granted, restricted stock may be issued with
certain performance and time restrictions. The number of shares of restricted
stock which may actually vest at the end of the restriction period is dependent
upon the Company's relative return on average shareholder equity versus a group
of peer companies. The companies that comprise this group of peer companies are
the same companies that comprise the Peer Group identified in the performance
graphs (except for one company for which sufficient financial data is not
available to calculate cumulative total return). Depending on the Company's
performance at the end of the restriction period, from 0% to 100% of the
restricted stock may vest. The restriction period is typically four years from
the date of grant of the restricted stock.
Chief Executive Officer's Compensation. The Committee determined Mr.
Breen's compensation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 based on a
number of factors and criteria. Mr. Breen's base salary range was determined
using the median base salary of chief executive officers for companies having
comparable sales as the Company. Mr. Breen's base salary within his range was
established based upon a review by the Committee of Mr. Breen's 1994 performance
(which was measured, in part, by the Company's 1994 performance) and his tenure
with the Company. For 1995, the average salary increase given generally to
salaried employees of the Company was 4.0%, and the range of potential increases
was 0% to 8.5%. Mr. Breen received a base salary increase of 4.5% in December
1994, bringing his base salary to $793,052. Mr. Breen's increase was based
primarily upon the Committee's evaluation of Mr. Breen's 1994 performance
relating to the financial and other performance measures set forth below and his
tenure with the Company.
In addition, in 1995 Mr. Breen earned a bonus of $585,000 as annual
incentive compensation under the Incentive Plan. The amount of this bonus was
based primarily upon the Company's achievement of 1995 financial performance
goals relating to after-tax net income, return on stockholders' equity, return
on sales, cash flow and working capital as a percent of sales. Mr. Breen's
achievement of certain other 1995 goals relating to management succession
planning, acquisition strategies and 1995 budget considerations were also
factors, but were weighted less heavily.
In January 1995, Mr. Breen was awarded 44,000 stock options and 20,000
shares of restricted stock under the Stock Plan. In determining the number of
stock options and shares of restricted stock awarded to Mr. Breen, the Committee
also identified the median market value of the underlying shares relating to
stock options and of shares of restricted stock which comparable companies
granted to their chief executive officers. The amount of outstanding stock
options and shares of restricted stock is not considered by the Committee in
making awards of stock options and restricted stock.
Policy on Deductibility of Compensation. Section 162(m) of the Internal
Revenue Code generally provides that certain compensation in excess of $1
million per year paid to a company's chief executive officer and any of its four
other highest paid executive officers is not deductible to a company unless the
compensation qualifies for an exception. This deduction limit generally applies
only to compensation that could otherwise be deducted by a company in a taxable
year, which excludes compensation deferred by an executive officer. For 1995,
Mr. Breen was the only Executive Officer who was paid compensation exceeding $1
million. However, because of Mr. Breen's use of deferrals, the Committee does
not expect that Section 162(m) will limit the Company's deductibility of his
compensation.
Section 162(m) provides an exception to the deductibility limit for
performance-based compensation if certain procedural requirements, including
shareholder approval of the material terms of the performance goal, are
satisfied. The Committee believes that grants of options,
8
<PAGE> 11
stock appreciation rights and restricted stock under the Stock Plan qualify for
full deductibility under Section 162(m). Compensation paid under the Incentive
Plan does not qualify for the exemption for performance-based compensation. At
this time, based upon the Company's current compensation structure and Mr.
Breen's use of deferrals, the Committee believes it is in the best interests of
the Company and its shareholders for the Committee to retain flexibility in
awarding incentive compensation under the Incentive Plan which does not qualify
for the exemption for performance-based compensation. The Committee will
continue to review and evaluate, as necessary, the impact of Section 162(m) on
the Company's compensation programs.
COMPENSATION AND MANAGEMENT
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
W.G. Mitchell, Chairman
J.M. Biggar
L. Carter
R.W. Mahoney
A.M. Mixon, III
9
<PAGE> 12
PERFORMANCE GRAPHS
The following line graphs set forth a comparison of the cumulative total
shareholder return on the Company's Common Stock with the cumulative total
return of the companies listed on the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index and a
peer group of companies selected on a line-of-business basis. The "Peer Group"
is comprised of the following companies: Akzo Nobel nv, Armstrong World
Industries, Inc., BASF Corporation, Ferro Corporation, H.B. Fuller Company,
Genuine Parts Company, Grow Group, Inc. (through the last day it was publicly
traded), Guardsman Products, Inc., Hechinger Company, The Home Depot, Inc.,
Imperial Chemicals Industries PLC, Lilly Industries, Inc., Lowe's Companies,
Inc., Masco Corporation, Morton International, Inc., Newell Co., PPG Industries,
Inc., Pratt & Lambert United, Inc., RPM, Inc., Standard Brands Paint Company,
The Stanley Works, USG Corporation and The Valspar Corporation.
COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
AMONG THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY, S&P 500 INDEX AND
THE PEER GROUP
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MEASUREMENT PERIOD SHERWIN-
(FISCAL YEAR COVERED) WILLIAMS S&P 500 PEER GROUP
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1990 $100 $100 $100
1991 $146 $130 $149
1992 $169 $140 $166
1993 $201 $155 $199
1994 $191 $157 $205
1995 $237 $215 $230
</TABLE>
Assumes $100 invested on December 31, 1990 in the Common Stock of The
Sherwin-Williams Company, S&P 500 Index and the Peer Group, including
reinvestment of dividends, through the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995.
10
<PAGE> 13
COMPARISON OF TEN YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
AMONG THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY, S&P 500 INDEX AND
THE PEER GROUP
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MEASUREMENT PERIOD SHERWIN-
(FISCAL YEAR COVERED) WILLIAMS S&P 500 PEER GROUP
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1985 $100 $100 $100
1986 $127 $119 $132
1987 $114 $125 $142
1988 $122 $145 $157
1989 $169 $192 $177
1990 $188 $186 $163
1991 $274 $242 $243
1992 $318 $261 $270
1993 $377 $287 $324
1994 $358 $291 $334
1995 $445 $400 $375
</TABLE>
Assumes $100 invested on December 31, 1985 in the Common Stock of The
Sherwin-Williams Company, S&P 500 Index and the Peer Group, including
reinvestment of dividends, through the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995.
11
<PAGE> 14
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG TERM
COMPENSATION AWARDS
-------------------------
RESTRICTED SECURITIES
ANNUAL COMPENSATION STOCK UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
NAME AND --------------------------------- AWARD(S) OPTIONS/ COMPEN-
PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY ($) BONUS ($) ($)(1,2) SARS (#) SATION($)(3)
- --------------------------- ---- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
J. G. Breen 1995 793,052 585,000 667,500 44,000 134,701
Chairman and Chief 1994 758,888 625,000 --0-- 32,000 152,574
Executive Officer 1993 722,800 560,000 615,000 32,000 143,026
T. A. Commes 1995 514,900 390,000 367,125 23,000 131,732
President and Chief 1994 492,038 420,000 --0-- 18,000 137,021
Operating Officer 1993 467,308 325,000 338,250 18,000 108,471
J. C. Macatee 1995 266,895 245,000 166,875 11,000 64,542
President, Paint Stores 1994 247,845 230,000 --0-- 9,000 59,136
Group(4) 1993 -- -- -- -- --
F. E. Butler 1995 284,150 200,000 166,875 8,000 64,757
President & General 1994 251,340 210,000 --0-- 6,000 64,347
Manager, Coatings 1993 -- -- -- -- --
Division(4)
L. J. Pitorak 1995 272,840 210,000 166,875 11,000 63,818
Senior Vice President -- 1994 255,024 175,000 --0-- 9,000 65,718
Finance, Treasurer and 1993 238,360 145,000 153,750 9,000 52,252
Chief Financial Officer
</TABLE>
- ---------------
1 The number of shares of restricted stock held on December 31, 1995 and the
aggregate value of such holdings on such date for Messrs. Breen, Commes,
Macatee, Butler and Pitorak are 40,000 shares with a value of $1,630,000,
22,000 shares with a value of $896,500, 10,000 shares with a value of
$407,500, 10,000 shares with a value of $407,500 and 10,000 shares with a
value of $407,500, respectively. The value of restricted stock is equal to the
number of shares of restricted stock indicated multiplied by the closing price
of the Company's Common Stock on December 29, 1995. The values indicated are
not necessarily indicative of the actual values which may be realized by the
named Executive Officers.
2 Dividends are paid on all restricted stock at the same rate as paid on the
Company's Common Stock.
3 The amounts disclosed in this column for 1995 include: (a) Company
contributions in the amount of $7,500 for each of Messrs. Commes, Macatee and
Pitorak under the Company's Pension Investment Plan, a defined contribution
plan. Messrs. Breen and Butler do not participate in such plan; (b) Company
contributions in the amounts of $33,352, $11,792 and $12,501 for Messrs.
Commes, Macatee and Pitorak, respectively, under the Company's Pension
Investment Plan Equalization Program, a defined contribution plan. Messrs.
Breen and Butler do not participate in such program; (c) Company contributions
in the amount of $6,360 for each of Messrs. Breen, Commes, Macatee, Butler and
Pitorak under the Company's Employee Stock Purchase and Savings Plan, a
defined contribution plan; (d) Company contributions in the amounts of
$94,972, $58,389, $26,156, $26,119 and $24,236 for Messrs. Breen, Commes,
Macatee, Butler and Pitorak, respectively, under the Company's Deferred
Compensation Savings Plan, a defined contribution plan; (e) the dollar value
of compensatory split-dollar life insurance benefits, under the Company's
Executive Life Insurance Plan, in the amounts of $29,227, $22,447, $10,403,
$29,024 and $10,622 for Messrs. Breen, Commes, Macatee, Butler and Pitorak,
respectively; and (f) payments, by the Company, related to premiums under the
Company's Executive Disability Income Plan in the amounts of $4,142, $3,684,
$2,331, $3,254 and $2,599 for Messrs. Breen, Commes, Macatee, Butler and
Pitorak, respectively.
4 Messrs. Macatee and Butler first became "Executive Officers" (as such term is
defined under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) during the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1994. In accordance with the rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission, only 1994 and 1995 compensation is required to be
disclosed for Messrs. Macatee and Butler.
12
<PAGE> 15
OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
--------------------------------------------------------
PERCENT OF
NUMBER OF TOTAL
SECURITIES OPTIONS/ POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE
UNDERLYING SARS AT ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES
OPTIONS/ GRANTED TO OF STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION
SARS EMPLOYEES EXERCISE OR FOR OPTION TERM(4)
GRANTED IN FISCAL BASE PRICE EXPIRATION --------------------------------
NAME (#)(1,2) YEAR ($/SH)(3) DATE 5% ($) 10% ($)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
J. G. Breen 44,000 8.7267 32.6875 1/23/05 904,508 2,292,200
T. A. Commes 23,000 4.5617 32.6875 1/23/05 472,811 1,198,196
J. C. Macatee 11,000 2.1817 32.6875 1/23/05 226,127 573,050
F. E. Butler 8,000 1.5867 32.6875 1/23/05 164,456 416,764
L. J. Pitorak 11,000 2.1817 32.6875 1/23/05 226,127 573,050
Value realizable for all
shareholders(5) N/A N/A N/A N/A 1,746,318,415 4,425,513,732
Value realizable for the named
Executive Officers as a % of
value realizable for all
shareholders N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.114% 0.114%
</TABLE>
- ---------------
1 Generally, one-third of the options granted are exercisable on each of the
first, second and third anniversary dates of the grant.
2 All options granted become immediately exercisable, in full, upon a filing
pursuant to any federal or state law in connection with any tender offer for
shares of the Company's Common Stock (other than a tender offer by the
Company) or upon the signing of any agreement for the merger or consolidation
of the Company with another corporation or for the sale of substantially all
of the assets of the Company to another corporation, which tender offer,
merger, consolidation or sale, if consummated, would, in the opinion of the
Board of Directors of the Company, likely result in a change in control of the
Company. In the event any such tender offer, merger, consolidation or sale is
abandoned or, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, is not likely to be
consummated, the Board of Directors may nullify the effect of the immediately
preceding sentence and reinstate the provisions providing for accrual in
installments, without prejudice to any exercise of options that may have
occurred prior to such nullification.
3 The exercise price is equal to the fair market value of the Company's Common
Stock on the date of grant.
4 The amounts disclosed in these columns, which reflect appreciation of the
Company's Common Stock price at the 5% and 10% rates dictated by the
Securities and Exchange Commission, are not intended to be a forecast of the
Company's Common Stock price and are not necessarily indicative of the actual
values which may be realized by the named Executive Officers or the
shareholders. These assumed rates of 5% and 10% would result in the Company's
Common Stock price increasing from $32.6875 per share to approximately $53.24
per share and $84.78 per share, respectively.
5 The amounts disclosed reflect appreciation of the Company's Common Stock price
at the 5% and 10% rates dictated by the Securities and Exchange Commission and
are based upon the closing price of the Company's Common Stock on January 23,
1995 (the date on which the options set forth in this table were granted)
multiplied by the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on such
date.
13
<PAGE> 16
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FY-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED IN-THE-
SHARES UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED MONEY OPTIONS/SARS AT FY-END
ACQUIRED ON OPTIONS/SARS AT FY-END (#) ($)(2)
EXERCISE VALUE ----------------------------- -----------------------------
NAME (#) REALIZED ($)(1) EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- ----------------- ----------- ------------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
J. G. Breen 43,334 395,779 31,999 76,001 293,325 621,425
T. A. Commes --0-- --0-- 69,001 41,000 1,098,564 335,438
J. C. Macatee 15,600 270,075 47,100 20,000 838,213 163,688
F. E. Butler --0-- --0-- 14,567 14,000 187,536 114,500
L. J. Pitorak 10,534 113,419 19,000 20,000 206,250 163,688
</TABLE>
- ---------------
1 The value realized on the exercise of options is based on the difference
between the exercise price and the fair market value of the Company's Common
Stock on the date of exercise.
2 The value of unexercised in-the-money options is based on the difference
between the exercise price and the fair market value of the Company's Common
Stock on December 31, 1995.
PENSION PLAN
The Sherwin-Williams Company Salaried Employees' Retirement Plan ("Pension
Plan") provides pension benefits for certain salaried employees hired on or
before December 31, 1983. Messrs. Breen and Butler are the only Executive
Officers named in the Summary Compensation Table who participate in the Pension
Plan. The Pension Plan requires five years of service for a participant to
become fully vested with respect to a participant who has at least one hour of
service on or after January 1, 1989 and ten years of service for all other
participants. A participant may also become one hundred percent vested in the
event the participant's employment is terminated (in specified situations) after
a Change in Control (as defined in the Pension Plan) of the Company. As of
December 31, 1995, the maximum annual benefit under the provisions of the
Pension Plan is $120,000 due to limitations imposed by ERISA and the Internal
Revenue Code.
The Company has established a Retirement Equalization Program to provide
eligible employees with the benefits they would have received under the Pension
Plan but for the maximum limitations imposed by ERISA and the Internal Revenue
Code. The program authorizes the Company, at its discretion, to enter into
appropriate agreements with employees who are, or may become, eligible to
participate in the program. The benefits under this program will be paid from an
irrevocable grantor trust funded from the Company's general funds or by the
Company from the Company's general funds in the event of a deficiency in the
trust.
The following table sets forth the estimated aggregate annual normal
benefits payable under the Pension Plan and the Company's Retirement
Equalization Program commencing at age 65 in the form of a single life annuity:
14
<PAGE> 17
PENSION PLAN TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS OF SERVICE
--------------------------------------------
REMUNERATION 15 20 25 30
- ------------ -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 300,000 44,490 59,490 74,490 89,490
400,000 59,490 79,490 99,490 119,490
500,000 74,490 99,490 124,490 149,490
600,000 89,490 119,490 149,490 179,490
700,000 104,490 139,490 174,490 209,490
800,000 119,490 159,490 199,490 239,490
900,000 134,490 179,490 224,490 269,490
1,000,000 149,490 199,490 249,490 299,490
1,100,000 164,490 219,490 274,490 329,490
1,200,000 179,490 239,490 299,490 359,490
1,300,000 194,490 259,490 324,490 389,490
1,400,000 209,490 279,490 349,490 419,490
1,500,000 224,490 299,490 374,490 449,490
1,600,000 239,490 319,490 399,490 479,490
</TABLE>
Pensions are based upon average annual earnings (salary and bonus) for the
highest five consecutive years out of the last ten years of employment with the
Company. For Messrs. Breen and Butler, this average amount equaled $1,264,590
and $398,768, respectively, as of December 31, 1995. Normal monthly pensions
equal one-twelfth of one percent of the Average Annual Earnings (as defined in
the Pension Plan) times the number of years of credited service up to a maximum
of forty years, less an offset of $42.50 (or such lesser amount as may be
required under the Internal Revenue Code). The pension may be adjusted for a
surviving spouse's pension or other options under the Pension Plan. Pensions are
not subject to any other deduction for social security or any other offset
amounts. Messrs. Breen and Butler were credited with seventeen and twenty-nine
years of service, respectively, under the Pension Plan as of December 31, 1995
and participate in the Company's Retirement Equalization Program.
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS, TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND
CHANGE-IN-CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS
Employment Contracts. Messrs. Breen and Commes have employment contracts
with the Company. In addition to their basic compensation, incentive
compensation, and participation in the employee benefit plans and the 1994 Stock
Plan, each is entitled to receive, in the event the Company terminates his
employment for any reason, except in the event termination is the result of a
change of control of the Company, an amount equal to one and one-half times his
annual salary and any bonus paid or payable to him for the preceding year. In
the event the termination of employment is the result of a change of control of
the Company, Mr. Breen is entitled to receive, at the time of his termination of
employment, a cash amount equal to two times his annual assured compensation,
and Mr. Commes is entitled to receive a cash amount equal to his annual assured
compensation. Annual assured compensation is defined as the sum of (i)
twenty-six times the executive's highest regular bi-weekly salary in effect
within the three year period preceding termination, plus (ii) the greater of the
highest bonus paid or payable within the three year period preceding termination
or the bonus such executive would have received for the year of termination had
the executive reached 100% of any stated goals (as explained in the Compensation
and Management Development Committee Report on Executive Compensation). Assuming
a termination date of February 29, 1996 as a result of a change of control, the
cash amounts payable under such contracts would have been approximately
$2,900,012 and $940,000 for Messrs. Breen and Commes, respectively. Amounts
received under the employment contracts due to a termination of employment
resulting from a change of
15
<PAGE> 18
control of the Company shall be offset against the amounts payable under the
severance pay agreements described below.
In addition, pursuant to a provision of Mr. Breen's employment contract,
the Company will pay to Mr. Breen, upon retirement, supplemental pension
benefits so that his total pension benefits will not be less than those he would
have received under the Gould Inc. Salaried Retirement Plan if Mr. Breen had
continued to be employed by Gould Inc. (Mr. Breen's previous employer) until his
retirement and had received compensation in the amount and form paid to him by
the Company. The following table sets forth the estimated aggregate annual
supplemental benefits payable to Mr. Breen, under this provision of his
employment contract, commencing at age 65 in the form of a single life annuity:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS OF SERVICE
--------------------------------------------
REMUNERATION 15 20 25 30
- ------------ -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$1,000,000 278,987 228,987 178,987 128,987
1,100,000 308,987 253,987 198,987 143,987
1,200,000 338,987 278,987 218,987 158,987
1,300,000 368,987 303,987 238,987 173,987
1,400,000 398,987 328,987 258,987 188,987
1,500,000 428,987 353,987 278,987 203,987
1,600,000 458,987 378,987 298,987 218,987
</TABLE>
These supplemental pension benefits are based upon the average annual
salary and bonus paid to Mr. Breen for the highest five years out of the last
fifteen years of employment with the Company. For Mr. Breen, this average amount
equaled $1,264,590 as of December 31, 1995. These benefits are not subject to
any deduction for social security or other offset amounts. Mr. Breen was
credited with seventeen years of service under this provision of his employment
contract as of December 31, 1995.
Severance Pay Agreements. To ensure continuity and the continued
dedication of key executives during any period of uncertainty caused by the
possible threat of a takeover, the Company has entered into severance pay
agreements with certain key executives. In the event there is a Change of
Control (as that term is defined in the agreements) of the Company and the
employment of the executive terminates under certain conditions described in the
agreements at any time during the two year period following a Change of Control
of the Company, the executive will receive an agreed upon amount of severance
pay. In the event the executive has an employment contract with the Company
providing for the payment of severance pay at the time of termination of
employment, the amounts payable under such employment contract shall be offset
against amounts payable under the severance pay agreement. The Company has
entered into severance pay agreements with each of the Executive Officers named
in the Summary Compensation Table.
For Messrs. Breen and Commes, the severance pay agreements provide that
upon termination, whether voluntary or involuntary, unless the termination is
because of death, Disability or by the Company for Cause (as such terms are
defined in the agreements), they will receive, in addition to accrued salary,
bonus and vacation pay: (a) a lump sum cash amount equal to four times the sum
of (i) twenty-six times their highest regular bi-weekly salary in effect within
the three year period preceding termination, plus (ii) the greater of the
highest bonus received within the three year period preceding termination or the
bonus such executive would have received for the year of termination had the
executive reached 100% of any stated goals (as explained in the Compensation and
Management Development Committee Report on Executive Compensation); (b)
continued participation in the Company's employee welfare benefit plans and
other benefit arrangements for a period of four years following termination; and
(c) special retirement benefits so that the total retirement benefits received
will be equal to the retirement benefits which would have been received had
their employment with the Company continued
16
<PAGE> 19
during the four year period following termination. The executive will also
receive an additional payment equal to the amount of any excise tax imposed on
the executive by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, and any taxes,
interest or penalties incurred with respect thereto. Assuming a termination date
of February 29, 1996, the lump sum cash amounts payable under the severance pay
agreements (including any amount relating to the excise tax described above)
would have been approximately $8,595,614 and $3,760,000 for Messrs. Breen and
Commes, respectively.
For all other Executive Officers named in the Summary Compensation Table,
the severance pay agreements provide that upon termination for any reason other
than death, Disability, by the Company for Cause or by the executive for other
than Good Reason (as such terms are defined in the agreements), the executive
will receive, in addition to accrued salary, bonus and vacation pay: (a) a lump
sum cash amount equal to three times the sum of (i) twenty-six times the
executive's highest regular bi-weekly salary in effect within the three year
period preceding termination, plus (ii) the greater of the highest bonus
received by the executive within the three year period preceding termination or
the bonus such executive would have received for the year of termination had the
executive reached 100% of any stated goals (as explained in the Compensation and
Management Development Committee Report on Executive Compensation); (b)
continued participation in the Company's employee welfare benefit plans and
other benefit arrangements for a period of three years following termination;
and (c) special retirement benefits so that the total retirement benefits
received will be equal to the retirement benefits which would have been received
had such executive's employment with the Company continued during the three year
period following termination. The executive will also receive an additional
payment equal to the amount of any excise tax imposed on the executive by
Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, and any taxes, interest or penalties
incurred with respect thereto. Assuming a termination date of February 29, 1996,
the lump sum amounts payable under the foregoing provision of the severance pay
agreements (including any amount relating to the excise tax described above)
would have been approximately $1,582,665, $1,528,647 and $1,475,988 for Messrs.
Macatee, Butler and Pitorak, respectively.
In addition, each such executive has the right to terminate his employment
with the Company for any reason during the thirty day period immediately
following the first anniversary date of a Change of Control of the Company, in
which event such executive shall receive, in lieu of the amount set forth in
clause (a) above and in addition to the benefits described in clauses (b) and
(c) above, a lump sum cash amount equal to two times the sum of clauses (a)(i)
and (a)(ii) above. Assuming a termination date of February 29, 1996, the lump
sum amounts payable under the foregoing provision of the severance pay
agreements (including any amount relating to the excise tax described above)
would have been approximately $1,055,110, $1,019,098 and $983,992 for Messrs.
Macatee, Butler and Pitorak, respectively.
The salary and other benefits provided by the severance pay agreements will
be payable either from an escrow fund established by the Company with a national
banking institution or from the Company's general funds. The Company has agreed
to indemnify such executives for any legal expense incurred in the enforcement
of their rights under the severance pay agreements.
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
The Board of Directors has appointed Ernst & Young LLP to examine the
consolidated financial statements and other records of the Company for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 1996. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are
expected to be present at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders and will have an
opportunity to make a statement if they wish and to respond to appropriate
shareholders' questions.
17
<PAGE> 20
MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors held seven meetings during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1995.
The Board of Directors has established, among other committees, an Audit
Committee, a Board Composition Committee and a Compensation and Management
Development Committee. The functions and members of these Committees are as
follows:
Audit. The Audit Committee has the responsibility of reviewing the adequacy
of the Company's financial controls and the quality and integrity of its
financial reports. In addition, the Audit Committee recommends to the Board of
Directors independent public accountants to audit the books, records and
accounts of the Company for the ensuing fiscal year. The Committee reviews all
reports and recommendations of the independent public accountants with respect
to matters within their area of responsibility and reports to the Board of
Directors on the scope and depth of the audit. The Committee also makes
inquiries into the Company's internal audit functions and procedures.
The Audit Committee met twice during 1995 and is currently composed of five
outside Directors: L. Carter, D. E. Evans, W. G. Mitchell, H.O. Petrauskas and
R. K. Smucker.
Board Composition. The Board Composition Committee develops plans for the
composition and size of the Board of Directors. Matters considered by this
Committee include the ratio of inside to outside Directors, as well as the
skills and disciplines desired as represented by individual Directors. The
Committee also is charged with the responsibility to conduct searches for
individual members, interview prospective candidates and make selections and
recommendations to the Board of Directors. The Committee has not undertaken to
consider nominees recommended by shareholders but has and will continue to
employ professional search firms to assist it in identifying potential members
of the Board of Directors with the desired skills and disciplines.
The Board Composition Committee met twice in 1995 and is currently composed
of three outside Directors: J. M. Biggar, L. Carter and W. G. Mitchell.
Compensation and Management Development. The Compensation and Management
Development Committee establishes general policies on an annual basis for
changes in compensation for all key employees of the Company. In addition, the
Committee sets the compensation for certain elected officers and key employees.
The Committee administers the Company's Management Incentive Plan,
Executive Life Insurance Plan, Executive Disability Income Plan, Deferred
Compensation Savings Plan, Key Management Deferred Compensation Plan, Retirement
Equalization Program, Pension Investment Plan Equalization Program and 1994
Stock Plan and recommends to the Board of Directors for approval other types of
incentive compensation and similar plans.
The Compensation and Management Development Committee met three times
during 1995 and is currently composed of five outside Directors: J. M. Biggar,
L. Carter, R. W. Mahoney, W. G. Mitchell and A.M. Mixon, III.
STOCK OUTSTANDING
At the close of business on the record date, March 4, 1996, there were
outstanding 85,575,231 shares of Common Stock.
VOTING OF SHARES
Each share is entitled to one vote upon all matters presented at the Annual
Meeting. All proposals and other business as may properly come before the Annual
Meeting require the
18
<PAGE> 21
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock
present, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote thereat. Shares represented
by properly executed proxies will be voted at the meeting in accordance with the
instructions thereon, and, unless authority to do so is withheld or the
shareholder abstains from voting, the shares represented by proxies will be
voted in favor of the proposals referred to in the Notice of Annual Meeting.
Such shares will be voted in the Proxies' discretion upon such other business as
may properly come before the Annual Meeting. Proxies marked as withholding
authority or abstaining will be treated as present for purposes of determining a
quorum for the Annual Meeting, but will not be counted as a vote for any
proposal as to which authority is withheld or abstention is indicated. Proxies
returned by brokers as "non-votes" will not be treated as present for purposes
of determining a quorum for the Annual Meeting and will not be counted as a vote
for any proposal as to which a non-vote is indicated, unless properly voted by
the broker.
REVOCABILITY OF PROXY
A proxy may be revoked at any time before a vote is taken or the authority
granted is otherwise exercised. Revocation may be accomplished by the execution
of a later proxy with regard to the same shares or by giving notice to the
Company in writing or in open meeting.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth, as to each Director and nominee, each
Executive Officer named in the Summary Compensation Table and all Directors and
Executive Officers as a group, information regarding shares of Common Stock held
by each as of December 31, 1995.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND NATURE PERCENT OF
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP(1,2) CLASS
------------------------ --------------------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
J. M. Biggar 7,100 direct *
800 indirect
J. G. Breen 249,823 direct *
185,612 indirect
F. E. Butler 32,490 direct *
29,128 indirect
L. Carter 2,640 indirect(3) *
D. E. Collins 1,000 direct *
T. A. Commes 182,942 direct *
90,312 indirect
D. E. Evans 200 direct *
J. C. Macatee 70,409 direct *
18,782 indirect
R. W. Mahoney 500 direct *
W. G. Mitchell 3,882 direct *
A. M. Mixon, III 5,000 direct *
H. O. Petrauskas 1,022 direct *
L. J. Pitorak 44,823 direct *
7,621 indirect
</TABLE>
19
<PAGE> 22
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND NATURE PERCENT OF
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP(1,2) CLASS
------------------------ --------------------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
R. K. Smucker 1,013 direct *
All Directors and Executive 880,348 direct 1.6016
Officers as a Group 488,337 indirect
</TABLE>
- ---------------
*Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1% of the total number of shares
of Common Stock outstanding.
1 The figures indicated include the following number of shares of Common Stock
for which the Executive Officers named in the Summary Compensation Table and
all Executive Officers as a group have the right to acquire beneficial
ownership, within sixty days from December 31, 1995, through the exercise of
stock options: Mr. Breen, 67,999; Mr. Commes, 88,667; Mr. Macatee, 56,766; Mr.
Butler, 21,233; Mr. Pitorak, 28,666; and all Executive Officers as a group,
459,320.
2 Unless otherwise indicated, voting and investment power relating to the shares
of Common Stock indicated above is exercised solely by the beneficial owner or
shared by such owner and such owner's spouse or children.
3 All shares are held in trust for the benefit of Mr. Carter.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
The following table sets forth, as to each beneficial owner of more than
five percent of the Company's Common Stock, information regarding shares of
Common Stock held by each as of December 31, 1995.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND
NATURE OF PERCENT OF
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP CLASS
- --------------------------------- --------------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Cooke & Bieler, Inc.
1700 Market Street, Suite 3222
Philadelphia, PA 19103 4,940,700(1) 5.78
FMR Corp.
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109 8,937,440(2) 10.52
Mellon Bank Corporation
One Mellon Bank Center
Pittsburgh, PA 15258 14,319,095(3) 16.85
</TABLE>
- ---------------
1 Of the shares listed, Cooke & Bieler, Inc. has sole voting power over
3,996,800 shares and sole dispositive power over 4,845,550 shares, but has no
shared voting or shared dispositive power. This information is based upon
Cooke & Bieler, Inc.'s Schedule 13G, dated January 31, 1996.
2 Of the shares listed, Fidelity Management & Research Company ("Fidelity"), a
wholly-owned subsidiary of FMR Corp., beneficially owns 8,398,362 (9.89%)
shares as a result of acting as an investment adviser to various investment
companies. One of these companies, Fidelity Magellan Fund, owns 4,944,200
(5.82%) of such shares. Of the total shares listed, FMR Corp. has sole voting
power over 348,378 shares and sole dispositive power over all shares, but has
no shared voting or shared dispositive power. Edward C. Johnson, III (the
Chairman of FMR Corp.) and Fidelity also each have sole dispositive power over
the shares owned by Fidelity, but neither has sole voting power over such
shares; such power resides with the Boards of Trustees of the Fidelity funds.
This information is based upon FMR Corp.'s Schedule 13G, dated January 10,
1996.
20
<PAGE> 23
3 All of the shares are beneficially owned by Mellon Bank Corporation and its
affiliates in their various fiduciary capacities. Of the shares indicated,
Mellon Bank Corporation and its affiliates have sole voting power over 983,000
shares, shared voting power over 13,149,095 shares, sole dispositive power
over 1,032,000 shares, and shared dispositive power over 187,000 shares. Of
the shares indicated, 13,075,095 (15.39%) are beneficially owned by Mellon
Bank, N.A. as Trustee of the Company's Employee Stock Purchase and Savings
Plan. Mellon Bank, N.A. has shared voting power over all shares held pursuant
to such plan, but has no dispositive power or sole voting power over any such
shares. This information is based upon Mellon Bank Corporation's Schedule 13G,
dated January 22, 1996.
SECTION 16(a) REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's
Directors and Executive Officers, and persons owning more than ten percent of a
registered class of the Company's equity securities, to file reports of
ownership and changes in ownership of such equity securities with the Securities
and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange. To the Company's
knowledge, based solely on the information furnished to the Company and written
representations by such persons, all of the Company's Executive Officers and
Directors complied with their respective filing requirements under Section 16(a)
for 1995.
RELATED TRANSACTIONS
During 1995, the Company and its subsidiaries purchased products and
services from, and sold products and services to, corporations of which certain
of the Company's non-employee Directors and/or nominees for Director are
officers. These transactions were in the ordinary course of the Company's
business and were at competitive terms and prices. The Company does not consider
these transactions to be material to the Company's business or to such other
companies' businesses.
EXPENSE AND METHOD OF PROXY SOLICITATION
The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors and the entire
cost of solicitation will be paid by the Company. In addition to the
solicitation of proxies by use of the mails, officers and regular employees of
the Company may solicit the return of proxies, and Kissel-Blake, Inc., New York,
N.Y., has been retained to aid in the solicitation of proxies, for which
services it will receive a fee estimated at $13,500. Proxies will be solicited
by personal interview, mail, telephone and telegraph.
REPORT OF BALLOTING AT 1995 SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING
There were outstanding and entitled to vote at the April 26, 1995 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders of the Company 85,066,500 shares of Common Stock. There
were present in person or by proxy and voting or withholding the authority to
vote in the election of Directors, holders of a total of 74,939,688 shares,
representing 88.0954% of the voting power of the Company.
The Resolution to establish the number of Directors at ten and to elect ten
Directors was passed with each of the ten nominees receiving a favorable vote of
at least 99.6103% but not greater than 99.6708% of the shares present in person
or by proxy.
DATE FOR RECEIPT OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Shareholder proposals must be received at the Company's headquarters, 101
Prospect Avenue, N.W., Cleveland, Ohio 44115-1075, Attention: Corporate
Secretary, on or before November 13, 1996 in order to be included in the proxy
material relating to the 1997 Annual
21
<PAGE> 24
Meeting of Shareholders of the Company. In order to remove any question as to
the date on which a proposal was received by the Board of Directors, it is
suggested that proposals be submitted by Certified Mail-Return Receipt
Requested.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
THE COMPANY WILL PROVIDE TO EACH SHAREHOLDER WHO IS SOLICITED TO VOTE AT
THE 1996 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS, UPON THE WRITTEN REQUEST OF SUCH PERSON
AND WITHOUT CHARGE, A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S 1995 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K.
PLEASE DIRECT REQUESTS TO THE COMPANY'S HEADQUARTERS, 101 PROSPECT AVENUE, N.W.,
CLEVELAND, OHIO 44115-1075, ATTENTION: INVESTOR RELATIONS.
22
<PAGE> 25
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints J. G. Breen and T.
A. Commes as Proxies, each with the power to appoint
his substitute, and hereby authorizes them to
represent and to vote, as designated below, all the
shares of Common Stock of The Sherwin-Williams
Company held of record by the undersigned on March
4, 1996, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be
held on April 24, 1996 or any adjournment thereof.
1. For election of 10 Directors to hold office until
the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until
their successors are elected; the Nominees are:
J. M. Biggar, J. G. Breen, D. E. Collins, T. A.
Commes, D. E. Evans, R. W. Mahoney, W. G.
Mitchell, A. M. Mixon, III, H. O. Petrauskas and
R. K. Smucker.
YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO SPECIFY YOUR CHOICE BY MARKING THE APPROPRIATE BOX
ON THE REVERSE SIDE, BUT YOU NEED NOT MARK ANY BOX IF YOU WISH TO VOTE
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS' RECOMMENDATION. THIS PROXY,
WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY
THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE
VOTED FOR PROPOSAL 1. THE PROXIES CANNOT VOTE YOUR SHARES UNLESS YOU
SIGN AND RETURN THIS CARD.
THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
[LOGO]
COMMON
STOCK
PROXY
SEE REVERSE
SIDE
<PAGE> 26
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
/X/ PLEASE MARK YOUR SHARES IN YOUR NAME REINVESTMENT SHARES
VOTE AS IN THIS
EXAMPLE.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WITHHELD
FOR ALL AS TO ALL
NOMINEES NOMINEES
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1. Election of / / / / THE BOARD OF
Directors DIRECTORS
(see reverse RECOMMENDS
side) A VOTE FOR
PROPOSAL 1
</TABLE>
FOR, except vote withheld as to the following Nominee(s):
_________________________________________________________
2. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before the meeting.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE
ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
(If your address has changed, please mark the box at
left and indicate your new address below)
Change ____________________________________________
of / /
Address ____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
NOTE: Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. Joint
owners should each sign. When signing as
attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or
guardian, please give full title as such. If a
corporation, please sign in full corporate name by
President or other authorized officer. If a
partnership, please sign in partnership name by
authorized person.
SIGNATURE(S)__________________________________ _______________, 1996
(Date)
SIGNATURE(S)__________________________________ _______________, 1996
(Date)
