<PAGE> 1
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. )
Filed by the registrant [X]
Filed by a party other than the registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary proxy statement [ ] Confidential, for Use of the
Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive proxy statement
[ ] Definitive additional materials
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
BADGER METER, 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] $125 per Exchange Act Rule 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(j)(2)
or Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A.
[ ] $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act
Rule 14a-6(i)(3).
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing
fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Total fee paid:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was
paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount previously paid:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Form, schedule or registration statement no.:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Filing party:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Date filed:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 2
LOGO
BADGER METER, INC.
4545 WEST BROWN DEER ROAD
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN 53223
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
APRIL 19, 1996
The Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of Badger Meter, Inc. (the
"Company") will be held at the BRADLEY CENTER, 1001 North Fourth Street,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53203, on Friday, April 19, 1996, at 8:30 a.m. local time,
for the following purposes:
1. To elect eight directors to serve for the ensuing year;
2. To amend the Badger Meter, Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan; and
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
Holders of record of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock of the Company
at the close of business on February 29, 1996 will be entitled to notice of and
to vote at the meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. Holders of
Common Stock will be entitled to one vote per share so held. Holders of Class B
Common Stock will be entitled to ten votes per share so held.
Please vote the enclosed proxy form, sign and return it in the envelope
provided. You retain the right to revoke the proxy at any time before it is
actually voted.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Deirdre C. Elliott, Secretary
March 25, 1996
<PAGE> 3
BADGER METER, INC.
4545 WEST BROWN DEER ROAD
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN 53223
PROXY STATEMENT
To the Shareholders of
BADGER METER, INC.
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of
proxies by the Board of Directors of Badger Meter, Inc. (the "Company") to be
used at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company (the "Meeting"), which
will be held at 8:30 a.m., Friday, April 19, 1996, at the BRADLEY CENTER, 1001
North Fourth Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53203, and at any adjournments or
postponements thereof.
Shareholders who execute proxies retain the right to revoke them at any
time prior to the voting thereof by giving notice to the Company in writing or
in open meeting. Unless so revoked, the shares represented by such proxies will
be voted at the Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.
The record date for shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the
Meeting is the close of business on February 29, 1996. As of the record date,
the Company had 1,199,507 shares of Common Stock (the "Common Stock") of the
Company outstanding and entitled to one vote per share, and 562,785 shares of
Class B Common Stock (the "Class B Common Stock") of the Company outstanding and
entitled to ten votes per share. As of the record date, the total number of
votes represented by shares of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock was
6,827,357 votes, consisting of 1,199,507 votes represented by outstanding shares
of Common Stock and 5,627,850 votes represented by outstanding shares of Class B
Common Stock.
This Proxy Statement is being furnished to shareholders of the Company on
or about March 25, 1996.
NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
At the Meeting, holders of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, voting as
a single class, shall be entitled to elect eight directors. Directors will be
elected by a plurality of votes cast at the Meeting (assuming a quorum is
present). Consequently, any shares not voted at the Meeting, whether due to
abstentions, broker nonvotes or otherwise, will have no impact on the election
of directors.
Proxies received representing one vote per share of Common Stock or
representing ten votes per share of Class B Common Stock will, unless otherwise
directed, be voted in favor of the election of each of the eight persons named
below to serve as directors until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders or
until their respective successors have been duly appointed, or until their prior
death, resignation or removal.
Listed below are the names of the nominees of the Board of Directors for
the office of director for the ensuing year, together with certain additional
information concerning each such nominee. The eight nominees are presently
directors of the Company. If any of the nominees should be unable or unwilling
to serve, the proxies, pursuant to the authority granted to them by the Board of
Directors, shall have discretionary authority to select and vote for substitute
nominees. The Board of Directors has no reason to believe that any of the
nominees will be unable or unwilling to serve.
1
<PAGE> 4
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AND POSITION DIRECTOR
WITH COMPANY AGE BUSINESS EXPERIENCE DURING LAST FIVE YEARS SINCE
- --------------------------------- --- --------------------------------------------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
James L. Forbes.................. 63 Badger Meter, Inc.: President and Chief 1981
President and Chief Executive Executive Officer.
Officer
Robert M. Hoffer................. 75 WICOR, Inc. (a holding company): Retired 1967
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Wisconsin Gas Company (gas distribution
utility): Retired Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer.
Charles F. James, Jr............. 64 Milwaukee School of Engineering: Vice 1986
President of Academics. University of
Wisconsin - Milwaukee: Dean of the College of
Engineering and Applied Science.
Donald J. Schuenke............... 67 Northern Telecom Limited: Chairman. 1982
Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company:
Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer;
previously President and Chief Executive
Officer.
John J. Stollenwerk.............. 56 Allen-Edmonds Shoe Corporation: Owner and 1996
President.
Pamela B. Strobel................ 43 Commonwealth Edison Co.: Vice President and 1995
General Counsel.
James O. Wright.................. 75 Badger Meter, Inc.: Chairman of the Board. 1948
Chairman of the Board
James O. Wright, Jr.............. 50 The Wright Tax Service: Owner. 1978
</TABLE>
Messrs. James O. Wright, James L. Forbes and James O. Wright, Jr. may be
deemed to "control" the Company because of their voting power over 389,179
shares of Class B Common Stock and 13,828 shares of Common Stock. This stock
held in the Badger Meter Voting Trust represents 3,905,618 votes or
approximately 57.2% of the votes represented by outstanding shares of Common
Stock and Class B Common Stock. (See "Stock Ownership of Management and
Others.") James L. Forbes and James O. Wright each have additional voting power
over 36,289 shares of Common Stock and 110,806 shares of Class B Common Stock as
trustees of the Badger Meter Officers' Voting Trust, for total voting power over
50,117 shares of Common Stock and 499,985 shares of Class B Common Stock,
representing 5,049,967 votes or approximately 74.0% of the votes represented by
outstanding shares of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.
Mr. James O. Wright, Jr. is the son of James O. Wright, Chairman of the
Company.
Certain directors of the Company also serve as directors of other
companies, some of which are publicly held. Mr. Forbes is a director of Firstar
Trust Company, Firstar Corporation, Universal Foods Corporation, and United
Wisconsin Services, Inc. Mr. Schuenke is a director of A. O. Smith Corporation,
Northern Telecom Limited and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. Mr.
Stollenwerk is a director of Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Firstar
Bank Milwaukee, N.A., Koss Corporation and Eastbay, Inc. Mr. Stumpe is a
director of Unico, Inc. Mr. James O. Wright is a director of Marshall & Ilsley
Corporation.
COMMITTEES, MEETINGS AND ATTENDANCE
The Board of Directors of the Company has six standing committees: Audit,
Compensation, Compliance, Nominating, Employee Benefit Plans and Technology.
2
<PAGE> 5
The Audit Committee, which met twice in 1995, consists of Messrs. Hoffer
(Chairman), James and Schuenke. The Audit Committee recommends to the Board of
Directors independent auditors for selection by the Company, discusses with the
independent auditors and internal auditors the scope and results of audits, and
approves and reviews any non-audit services performed by the Company's
independent auditing firm.
The Compensation Committee, which met in February, 1995 for determination
of base compensations for the year 1995, and in January, 1996 to determine
bonuses for 1995, base compensation for 1996 and grants of stock options,
consists of Messrs. Schuenke (Chairman), Hoffer, Wiley and Wright. The
Compensation Committee reviews and establishes all forms of compensation for the
officers of the Company, and administers the Company's benefit plans including
the Restricted Stock Plan, the 1989 Stock Option Plan, the 1993 Stock Option
Plan and the 1995 Stock Option Plan.
The Compliance Committee, which met twice in 1995, consists of Messrs.
Hoffer (Chairman), Stumpe, Wiley, Wright and Wright, Jr. The Compliance
Committee monitors the Company's compliance with the Company's policies
governing activities which include but are not limited to business ethics,
environment, safety, diversity and quality processes.
The Nominating Committee, which met twice in 1995, consists of Messrs.
Forbes (Chairman), Stumpe, Wright and Wright, Jr. The Nominating Committee
selects nominees for the Company's Board of Directors and reviews the succession
of management. This committee considers nominees for director recommended by the
shareholders but has no established procedures which must be followed.
The Employee Benefit Plans Committee, which met twice in 1995, consists of
Messrs. Wright, Jr. (Chairman), Schuenke, Wiley and Wright. The Employee Benefit
Plans Committee oversees the administration of the Company's pension plans,
savings plans, employee stock ownership plans and other retirement plans.
The Technology Committee, which met twice in 1995, consists of Messrs.
James (Chairman), Stumpe and Wright. This committee assesses the development and
maintenance of the technologies used by the Company in all aspects of the
Company's operations.
The Board of Directors held five meetings in 1995. All directors attended
at least 75% of the meetings of the Board of Directors and committees on which
they serve.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
All directors who are not employees of the Company were compensated at the
rate of $1,200 for each Board of Directors meeting that they attended and were
reimbursed for out-of-pocket travel, lodging and meal expenses. Directors who
are not employees of the Company were paid additional fees of $750 per month and
were compensated at the rate of $750 for each committee meeting they attended.
Non-employee members of the committees are compensated $1,000 for out-of-town or
all-day meetings.
Effective for the year beginning January 1, 1996, the non-employee
directors of the Company will participate in the same long-term incentive plan
as certain members of the management group. Under the terms of the plan, the
directors would earn cash bonuses based on the same earnings growth objectives
as other participants. The maximum amount that a director could earn under the
long-term incentive plan is less than $10,000 per year.
In addition, non-employee directors will, upon approval by the
shareholders, receive stock options under the Badger Meter, Inc. 1995 Stock
Option Plan, as amended and described starting on page 14.
STOCK OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS
The following table sets forth, as of February 29, 1996, the number of
shares of the Company's Common Stock and Class B Common Stock beneficially owned
by (i) each director of the Company, (ii) each of the executive officers named
in the Summary Compensation Table set forth below, (iii) all directors and
officers of the Company as a group, and (iv) each person known to the Company to
be the beneficial owner of more
3
<PAGE> 6
than 5% of the Company's Common Stock and/or Class B Common Stock (as reported
to the Securities and Exchange Commission). Beneficial ownership of shares is
reported in the following table and footnotes in accordance with the beneficial
ownership rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such
rules define "beneficial owner" of a security to include any person who has or
shares voting power or investment power with respect to such security.
Compliance with these rules results in overlapping beneficial ownership of
shares. Therefore, certain shares set forth in the table below are reported as
being beneficially owned by more than one person. Although the beneficial owners
of shares of Class B Common Stock are deemed to beneficially own an equal number
of shares of Common Stock, due to the convertibility of Class B Common Stock
into Common Stock, no "double counting" with respect to the two classes of
Common Stock is reported.
In the aggregate, approximately 122,334 shares of Common Stock and 500,085
shares of Class B Common Stock, representing an aggregate of 5,123,184 votes or
approximately 74.6% of the votes represented by the aggregate outstanding shares
of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, are beneficially held by directors and
officers of the Company as a group.
AMOUNT AND NATURE OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF BADGER METER, INC.
COMMON STOCK(1) (UNLESS DESIGNATED AS CLASS B COMMON STOCK)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OPTIONS SOLE SHARED OWNED AND
EXERCISABLE BENEFICIAL BENEFICIAL PERCENT OF CLASS
NAME WITHIN 60 DAYS OWNERSHIP(2) OWNERSHIP(2) OUTSTANDING
- --------------------------- -------------- ------------ ------------ ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
James O. Wright
Common Stock(1).......... 3,000 542(4) 51,117(3)(5)(6) 54,659
(7)(8) 4.5%
Class B Common Stock..... 499,985(3)(5)(7) 499,985
88.8%
James L. Forbes
Common Stock(1).......... 2,700 2,769(3)(4) 50,117(3)(5)(6) 55,386
4.6%
Class B Common Stock..... 41,728(3) 499,985(3)(5) 499,985
88.8%
Robert M. Hoffer
Common Stock(1).......... 3,000 500 3,500
0.3%
Charles F. James, Jr.
Common Stock(1).......... 3,000 300 3,300
0.3%
Donald J. Schuenke
Common Stock(1).......... 3,000 1,500 4,500
0.4%
Pamela B. Strobel
Common Stock(1).......... 500 500
.04%
Warren R. Stumpe
Common Stock(1).......... 3,000 1,000 4,000
0.3%
Edwin P. Wiley
Common Stock(1).......... 3,000 14,028(5)(7) 17,028
1.4%
Class B Common Stock..... 100 252,372(5)(7) 252,472
44.9%
James O. Wright, Jr.
Common Stock(1).......... 3,000 125 13,828(5) 16,953
1.4%
Class B Common Stock..... 4,000(5) 389,179(5)(7) 389,179
69.2%
Robert D. Belan
Common Stock(1).......... 5,200 1,054(3)(4)
6,254
0.5%
Class B Common Stock..... 6,500(3)
6,500
1.2%
</TABLE>
4
<PAGE> 7
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OPTIONS SOLE SHARED OWNED AND
EXERCISABLE BENEFICIAL BENEFICIAL PERCENT OF CLASS
NAME WITHIN 60 DAYS OWNERSHIP(2) OWNERSHIP(2) OUTSTANDING
- --------------------------- -------------- ------------ ------------ -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ronald H. Dix
Common Stock(1).......... 5,200 4,142(3)(4) 48,589(3)(6) 57,731
4.8%
Class B Common Stock..... 9,592(3) 110,806(3) 110,806
19.7%
William H. Vander Heyden
Common Stock(1).......... 2,700 10,591(3)(4) 200 13,491
1.1%
Class B Common........... 11,750(3) 11,750
2.1%
William J. Shinners
Common Stock(1).......... 3,700 1,963(3)(4) 12,200(6) 17,863
1.0%
Class B Common Stock..... 5,886(3) 5,886
1.0%
All Directors and Officers
as a Group (18 persons,
including those named
above)
Common Stock(1).......... 42,900 28,821(3)(4) 64,117(3)(5)(6)(7)(8) 122,334
9.9%
Class B Common Stock..... 84,886(3)(5) 499,985(3)(5)(7) 500,085
88.9%
William H. Alverson
780 N. Water Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Class B Common Stock..... 75,434(5)(7) 75,434
13.4%
William C. Wright
11740 N. Port Washington
Rd.
Mequon, WI 53092
Common Stock(1).......... 4,959 4,959
0.4%
Class B Common Stock..... 75,434(5)(7) 75,434
13.4%
John F. Callan
777 East Wisconsin Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Class B Common Stock..... 178,000(5)(7) 178,000
31.6%
Dimensional Fund Advisors
Inc.
1299 Ocean Avenue, 11th
Floor
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Common Stock(1).......... 44,000(9)(10) 44,000
3.7%
Class B Common Stock..... 49,600(9)(10) 49,600
8.8%
Heartland Advisors, Inc.
790 N. Milwaukee Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Common Stock(1).......... 155,850 155,850
13.0%
</TABLE>
- -------------------------
(1) Class B Common Stock is convertible on a share-for-share basis into Common
Stock at any time at the discretion of the holder thereof. As a result, a
holder of Class B Common Stock is deemed to beneficially own an equal
number of shares of Common Stock which such shareholder acquires upon the
5
<PAGE> 8
conversion of Class B Common Stock. However, in order to avoid
overstatement of the aggregate beneficial ownership of Common Stock and
Class B Common Stock, the Common Stock reported as beneficially owned does
not include Common Stock which may be acquired upon the conversion of Class
B Common Stock. Similarly, the percentage of outstanding Common Stock
beneficially owned is determined with respect to the total number of shares
of Common Stock outstanding as of February 29, 1996 (1,199,507 shares),
which does not include shares of Common Stock which may be issued upon
conversion of Class B Common Stock.
(2) Unless otherwise indicated, the beneficial owner has sole investment and
voting power or shared voting and investment power over the reported
shares.
(3) The Badger Meter Officers' Voting Trust ("Officers' Trust"), of which James
O. Wright, Ronald H. Dix and James L. Forbes are trustees, holds 36,289
shares of Common Stock and 110,806 shares of Class B Common Stock. The
address of the trustees is 4545 West Brown Deer Road, Milwaukee, WI 53223.
The trustees of the Officers' Trust have the right to vote all shares of
Company stock held therein. Whenever beneficiaries of the Officers' Trust
possessing trust interests representing in the aggregate at least 75% of
all the votes represented in the Officers' Trust direct the sale or other
disposition of shares and dissolution of the trust, the trustees must make
the sale or other disposition. When all of the trustees agree and
beneficiaries possessing trust interests representing in the aggregate a
majority of all of the votes represented in the Officers' Trust give their
written approval of the sale or other disposition of shares, the trustees
may make the sale or other disposition. The Officers' Trust will exist for
30 years from December 18, 1992 to December 18, 2022 and thereafter such
additional 30-year renewal periods unless earlier terminated by a vote of
beneficiaries holding 75% or more of the votes in the Officers' Trust or by
applicable law.
The Officers' Trust has a $1.5 million bank credit line used to assist
officers in financing the purchase of Company stock. Loans to the Officers'
Trust are guaranteed by the Company and the stock purchased by the Officers
using this credit facility is pledged to the Company to secure the loans.
The Officers' Trust holds shares with a value more than sufficient to cover
the credit line. Twenty-seven officers, including the named executive
officers, have purchased Company stock using this credit facility.
Mr. James O. Wright, Mr. Ronald H. Dix and Mr. James L. Forbes all share
voting power in all of the shares deposited in the Officers' Trust.
Beneficiaries of the Officers' Trust have sole investment power over only
those shares individually deposited in the Officers' Trust. Mr. Dix has
sole investment power over 200 shares of Common Stock and 9,592 shares of
Class B Common Stock. Mr. Forbes has sole investment power over 200 shares
of Common Stock and 41,728 shares of Class B Common Stock. Mr. Belan, Mr.
Shinners and Mr. Vander Heyden have sole investment power (but no voting
power) over 500, 864 and 8,620 shares of Common Stock and 6,500, 5,886 and
11,750 shares of Class B Common Stock, respectively.
(4) In conjunction with the Badger Meter, Inc. Employee Savings and Stock
Ownership Plan, Common Stock included in the preceding table has been
allocated to the following directors and/or officers as follows: James O.
Wright, 542 shares; James L. Forbes, 2,569 shares; Robert D. Belan, 554
shares; Ronald H. Dix, 1,262 shares; William H. Vander Heyden, 1,971
shares; William J. Shinners, 1,099 shares; and all officers as a group
(including Messrs. Wright and Forbes) 8,812 shares. A person who has been
allocated shares pursuant to this plan has sole voting power but no
investment power with respect to these shares.
(5) The Badger Meter Voting Trust ("Voting Trust"), of which James O. Wright,
James L. Forbes and James O. Wright, Jr. are trustees, holds 13,828 shares
of Common Stock and 389,179 shares of Class B Common Stock. The address of
the trustees is 4545 West Brown Deer Road, Milwaukee, WI 53223. The
trustees of the Voting Trust have the right to vote all shares of Company
stock held therein. The Voting Trust will exist for 30 years beyond the
lives of certain members of the Wright family, unless earlier terminated by
a vote of holders of Voting Trust certificates representing 75% of the
stock then held therein or by applicable law. Shares held in the Voting
Trust include shares reported above as beneficially owned by other named
persons, each of whom may have shared investment power over the shares
listed, as follows: (a) 75,434 of the shares of Class B Common Stock
reported as beneficially
6
<PAGE> 9
owned by Mr. William C. Wright (which includes the 75,434 shares reported
as beneficially owned by William H. Alverson); (b) 13,828 shares of Common
Stock and 252,372 shares of Class B Common Stock of the shares reported as
beneficially owned by Edwin P. Wiley; (c) 13,828 shares of Common Stock and
222,352 shares of Class B Common Stock of the shares reported as
beneficially owned by James O. Wright; (d) 106,680 of the shares of Class B
Common Stock reported as beneficially owned by James O. Wright, Jr. and (e)
178,000 of the shares of Class B Common Stock reported as beneficially
owned by John F. Callan. Mr. James O. Wright, Jr. has sole investment power
over 4,000 shares of Class B Common Stock held in the Voting Trust.
(6) Shares have been awarded pursuant to the Company's Restricted Stock Plan,
which provides that a person who has been awarded restricted shares has no
investment power or voting power in the shares but is entitled to receive
the dividends until the expiration of the restricted period. All of the
officers who held restricted shares deposited their stock in the Badger
Meter Officers' Voting Trust on March 10, 1992 (see note 3 above). These
shares are therefore reflected in the preceding table only for Messrs.
Forbes, Wright and Dix solely as trustees of the Officers' Voting Trust.
Restricted shares were also awarded to employees who are not Company
officers. These shares are held by the BMI EBPA Company, which has sole
voting power over those shares. Mr. Dix and Mr. Shinners are general
partners of the BMI EBPA Company, and their shared voting power in these
shares is therefore reflected in the preceding table.
(7) The number of shares shown includes shares which are reported as
beneficially owned solely because such persons are co-trustees of trusts
for the benefit of various Wright family members, as follows: Edwin P.
Wiley, 13,828 shares of Common Stock and 252,372 shares of Class B Common
Stock; James O. Wright, Jr., 106,680 shares of Class B Common Stock;
William H. Alverson, 75,434 shares of Class B Common Stock; James O.
Wright, 13,828 shares of Common Stock and 222,352 shares of Class B Common
Stock; William C. Wright, 75,434 shares of Class B Common Stock; and John
F. Callan, 178,000 shares of Class B Common Stock. All of these shares are
held in the Voting Trust (see note 5 above).
(8) Includes 1,000 shares of Common Stock over which Mr. Wright has shared
investment power and no voting power.
(9) The reported shares are held in the portfolios of advisory clients of
Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. ("Dimensional"), a registered investment
advisor. Dimensional disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares.
(10) Includes 18,000 shares of Common Stock and 20,300 shares of Class B Common
Stock over which Dimensional has sole investment but no voting power.
Persons who are officers of Dimensional also serve as officers of DFA
Investment Dimensions Group Inc. (the "Fund") and The Investment Trust
Company (the "Trust"), each an open-end management investment company
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. In their capacity as
officers of the Fund and the Trust, these persons vote 15,000 additional
shares of Common Stock and 20,330 additional shares of Class B Common Stock
which are owned by the Fund and 700 shares of Common Stock which are owned
by the Trust. Dimensional has sole investment power over such shares.
7
<PAGE> 10
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth certain information regarding compensation
paid during each of the Company's last three fiscal years to the Company's Chief
Executive Officer and each of the Company's four other most highly compensated
executive officers, based on salary and bonus earned during fiscal 1995.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION
AWARDS
ANNUAL COMPENSATION ------------
-------------------------------------- SECURITIES ALL OTHER
NAME AND FISCAL OTHER ANNUAL UNDERLYING COMPENSATION
PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY($) BONUS($) COMPENSATION($) OPTIONS(#) ($)(2)
- ------------------------------- ------ --------- -------- --------------- ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
James L. Forbes................ 1995 306,647 107,105 0 0 2,260
President/Chief 1994 291,891 90,000 52,000(1) 0 2,002
Executive Officer 1993 280,935 70,000 0 0 2,661
William H. Vander Heyden....... 1995 203,480 0 0 0 2,260
President -- Industrial 1994 198,784 48,824 0 0 2,002
Division 1993 191,697 0 0 0 2,305
Robert D. Belan................ 1995 169,033 57,172 0 2,500 2,260
President -- Utility Division 1994 159,119 40,380 0 0 2,000
1993 149,170 49,600 0 2,500 2,223
Ronald H. Dix.................. 1995 132,980 30,017 0 2,500 2,260
Vice President Admin. & 1994 124,925 28,154 28,814(1) 0 1,674
Human Resources 1993 118,677 18,700 0 2,500 1,668
William J. Shinners............ 1995 111,314 25,696 0 0 2,019
Vice President -- Controller 1994 106,841 24,278 28,814(1) 0 1,448
1993 104,177 16,600 0 1,500 1,480
</TABLE>
- -------------------------
(1) Messrs. Forbes, Dix and Shinners were reimbursed for a portion of their
estimated additional 1994 income taxes as the result of the expiration of
restrictions on stock granted to them in 1986 pursuant to the Company's
Restricted Stock Plan approved by the shareholders in 1984.
(2) Company contribution to Badger Meter, Inc. Employee Savings and Stock
Ownership Plan (ESSOP).
Certain benefits (including social club dues, automobile and legal and
accounting services) were provided through the Company to the executive officers
named in the table above. In 1995, the aggregate amount of such benefits for
each of the executive officers named in the table did not exceed 10% of such
officer's cash compensation.
OPTION GRANTS IN 1995
The following table sets forth certain information concerning options to
purchase Common Stock granted in 1995 to the individuals named in the Summary
Compensation Table.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POTENTIAL
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS REALIZABLE
------------------------------------------------------- VALUE AT ASSUMED
NUMBER OF ANNUAL RATE OF
SECURITIES % OF TOTAL STOCK
UNDERLYING OPTIONS PRICE APPRECIATION
OPTIONS GRANTED TO EXERCISE OR FOR OPTION TERM
GRANTED EMPLOYEES IN BASE PRICE EXPIRATION ------------------
NAME (#)(1) FISCAL YEAR ($/SH) DATE 5%($) 10%($)
- --------------------------------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ---------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Robert D. Belan.................. 2,500 5.9% 22.250 2/16/05 $34,902 $89,102
Ronald H. Dix.................... 2,500 5.9% 22.250 2/16/05 $34,902 $89,102
</TABLE>
- -------------------------
(1) Options granted are non-qualified stock options for purposes of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The option base price is the fair market
value of the stock at the time of the grant. Up to one-third of the options
may be exercised one year after date of grant, up to two-thirds of the
options granted may be exercised two years after date of grant and all of
the options may be exercised three years after date of grant. Termination of
employment for any reason other than death, disability or retirement will
result in the cancellation of the options. The term of the options is ten
years.
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<PAGE> 11
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN 1995 AND YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the exercise
in 1995 of options to purchase Common Stock by the five individuals named in the
Summary Compensation Table and the unexercised options to purchase Common Stock
held by such individuals at December 31, 1995.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
SHARES UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY-OPTIONS
ACQUIRED ON VALUE OPTIONS AT FY-END(#) AT FY-END($)
NAME EXERCISE(#) REALIZED($) EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE
- ----------------------------- ----------- ----------- ------------------------- -------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
James L. Forbes.............. None N/A 2,700/ 0 $25,313/ 0
William H. Vander Heyden..... None N/A 2,700/ 0 $25,313/ 0
Robert D. Belan.............. None N/A 4,367/3,333 $38,282/$16,768
Ronald H. Dix................ None N/A 4,367/3,333 $37,607/$16,768
William J. Shinners.......... None N/A 3,700/ 500 $32,688/$ 3,688
</TABLE>
PENSION PLAN TABLE
The Company maintains a defined benefit pension plan (the "Pension Plan")
covering all domestic salaried employees including the above-named executive
officers.
Average annual compensation covered by the Pension Plan is a participant's
salary and bonus, as shown in the Summary Compensation Table, whether or not
such compensation has been deferred at the participant's election. Under the
Pension Plan, the monthly pension at normal retirement (age 65) for all
executive officers is equal to the sum of nine-tenths percent (0.9%) of the
participant's average monthly compensation (based on the highest 60 months of
the last 120 months compensation) multiplied by the participant's years of
service, not to exceed 30; and six-tenths percent (0.6%) of the participant's
average monthly compensation in excess of the taxable Social Security monthly
wage base, multiplied by the participant's years of service, not to exceed 30.
IRS regulations limit the amount of compensation to be considered in benefit
calculations to $150,000. Participants whose compensation is in excess of
$150,000 also participate in a nonqualified unfunded Pension Plan. Benefits are
calculated to provide the participant the same pension as if there was no
compensation limit.
Based on the assumption that retirement occurs at age 65, the following
table shows the approximate annual retirement benefit payable from either the
funded or unfunded plan to salaried employees retiring in 1995, based on the
benefit formula described above.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AVERAGE YEARS OF SERVICE
ANNUAL -----------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPENSATION 10 15 20 25 30 35
- ------------ ------- ------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$125,000 $17,196 $25,792 $ 34,390 $ 42,987 $ 51,584 $ 51,584
150,000 20,945 31,417 41,890 52,362 62,834 62,834
175,000 24,695 37,042 49,390 61,737 74,084 74,084
200,000 28,445 42,667 56,890 71,112 85,334 85,334
250,000 35,945 53,917 71,890 89,862 107,834 107,834
300,000 43,445 65,167 86,890 108,612 130,334 130,334
350,000 50,945 76,417 101,890 127,362 152,834 152,834
400,000 58,445 87,667 116,890 146,112 175,334 175,334
450,000 65,945 98,917 131,890 164,862 197,834 197,834
</TABLE>
The above table does not reflect limitations imposed by the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), on pensions paid under federal
income tax qualified plans. However, an executive officer covered by the
Company's unfunded program will receive the full pension to which he would be
entitled in the absence of such limitations.
All officers of the Company participate in the Pension Plan. The years of
credited service under the Pension Plan for each individual named in the Summary
Compensation Table are as follows: Mr. Forbes (16),
9
<PAGE> 12
Mr. Vander Heyden (33), Mr. Belan (6), Mr. Dix (14) and Mr. Shinners (24). The
current remuneration for these individuals for purposes of the Pension Plan is
set forth in the Summary Compensation Table.
In 1990, Messrs. Forbes, Vander Heyden, Dix and Shinners agreed to the
cancellation of substantially all of their post-retirement group term life
insurance in exchange for an unfunded supplemental retirement plan. This plan
provides for the payment of 20% of the participant's final monthly salary for
120 months after retirement. Assuming no increase in salary before retirement,
they would be paid additional annual pensions of $62,000, $41,200, $26,400 and
$22,600, respectively. In 1995, Mr. James O. Wright, Chairman of the Board, and
Chief Executive Officer from 1952-1986, was granted a supplemental retirement
pension funded in part by existing life insurance policies. In 1995, Mr. Wright
received $87,500 from this plan. Mr. Wright's payment will be reviewed annually
by the Compensation Committee.
BOARD COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Company's executive compensation program is administered by the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The Committee is composed of
four non-employee directors. Following the Committee's review and approval, all
matters related to executive compensation are reported to the full Board of
Directors for approval.
The powers and duties of the Compensation Committee are:
1. To review and approve all forms of compensation and fringe benefits
for all Corporate Officers, except assistant officers;
2. To review recommendations for and granting of stock options and
administer such other compensation and other forms of benefit plans that
may properly come before this Committee in accordance with the respective
plans;
3. To review and approve annually the corporate executive incentive
plans and incentives to be paid;
4. To review, and recommend to the Board, fees and other forms of
compensation of non-employee directors for service on the board or its
committees or to the Company in any advisory capacity;
5. To review and approve the information relative to executive
compensation, including the information which appears in the Company's
annual proxy statement; and
6. To submit to the Corporate Secretary minutes of each meeting held
by the Committee.
The compensation policies which are used as a general guideline for the
Committee as it carries out its powers and duties are:
1. The design of executive pay programs is intended to attract and
retain qualified executive officers, motivate and reward performance;
2. Achievement of annual incentive compensation levels is dependent
upon the attainment of performance goals as approved by the Compensation
Committee;
3. Long-term incentive programs focus on the enhancement of
shareholder value through the use of stock options and long-term cash
incentives; and
4. The Committee will use its judgment to achieve a fair and
competitive compensation structure, utilizing both short-term and long-term
plans, with fixed and variable components.
In making its decisions, the Compensation Committee reviews:
1. Competitive compensation data for organizations of similar size and
similar business activity, considering both base salary and bonus data
separately and on a combined basis;
2. Financial performance for the Company as a whole and various
operating units, relative to prior year, the budget and other meaningful
financial data; and
10
<PAGE> 13
3. Personal performance, including objectives approved by the
Compensation Committee and on a discretionary basis, where appropriate.
The compensation program for the executive officers of the Company
involves base salaries, short-term cash incentive bonuses and a long-term
program using stock options and cash incentives.
Base Salaries. Salary rate ranges are established for each officer
position. The rate ranges are reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee,
using data supplied by an independent consulting firm, on organizations of
similar size and similar business activity. Similar size for 1995 was deemed as
companies with sales between $50 million and $200 million. The companies in the
performance peer group set forth on page 13 may or may not be included in the
survey, as that performance peer group is limited to publicly-held companies.
The compensation survey incorporates all companies of similar size, including
privately-held companies, and has a broader definition of similar business
activity, thereby providing the best basis for evaluating compensation relative
to the companies that compete with the Company for executives. The data includes
both salaries and total cash compensation. This process has been used by the
Compensation Committee for the past six years. Based on a review of the data,
the Compensation Committee approved a 3.5 percent increase in the rate ranges
for 1996. The Compensation Committee approved a 2.0 percent increase in the rate
ranges for 1995 at its February, 1995 meeting. The Company's policy is to pay
executives at market, so the midpoint of the rate range reflects compensation
for similar positions in organizations of similar size and similar business.
Each of the individual officers' compensation falls within the appropriate rate
range.
In establishing the compensation of each officer, including the
President/Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee is given a
five-year history, including base salary, short-term incentive awards, and
long-term compensation programs. The Committee is also furnished with a schedule
showing the Common Stock and Class B Common Stock ownership of each officer,
including options and restricted shares.
The base compensation for each employee is established by first determining
the employee's position within the applicable rate range and then considering
various performance factors. For those employees who are managers of an
operating unit, the financial performance of that particular unit, relative to
the prior year, the budget and the current economic condition of the market
being served are considered. Other non-financial objectives examined include any
change in market share, new product development, customer service and the
quality attainment of various products. Because the philosophy of the Company is
one of long-term goals and objectives, greater weight is given to the long-term
factors and lesser weight to the annual financial performance for base
compensation considerations.
The base salary increases approved by the Compensation Committee ranged
from 3.0 to 6.9 percent, with the Chief Executive Officer being granted a 6.5
percent increase, after evaluation of the factors set forth above relative to
each individual's circumstances and performance.
Short-Term Incentive Plan. Under the short-term incentive plan, the maximum
bonus payable is 50 percent of base salary for the President/Chief Executive
Officer and 35-40 percent for the other officers. There are three factors to the
short-term incentive plan. The financial factor, generally 50 percent of the
overall bonus potential, is based on the attainment of a certain earnings per
share threshold established for either the Company overall or the particular
operating unit, approved at the beginning of each year by the Compensation
Committee. The second factor, generally 25 percent of the incentive bonus
potential, is a set of objectives for each officer, determined in advance and
agreed to by the Compensation Committee. These objectives are non-financial and
include such things as personnel development, product development, systems
enhancements and compliance programs. The third factor, generally 25 percent of
the short-term incentive bonus plan potential, is discretionary, giving the
Compensation Committee the ability to compensate officers for outstanding
individual performance, other than financial and specific items included in
their objectives. Under the terms of the short-term incentive plan, bonuses
cannot be paid on the objective or discretionary factors unless the minimum
goal, for the overall corporation or for one of the operating units, based on
earnings per share, is met. For 1995, the bonuses for the executive officers
range from a low of no bonus to a high of 34.55 percent. The President/Chief
Executive Officer received a bonus of $107,105.
In determining the individual short-term incentive awards, the financial
factor was based on earnings per share of the corporation or the individual unit
and the objective and discretionary factors were based upon the performance of
the individual executive.
11
<PAGE> 14
Long-Term Incentive Plans/Stock Option Plans. A long-term compensation
program, which includes the Company's 1989 Stock Option Plan (the "1989 Plan"),
the 1993 Stock Option Plan (the "1993 Plan") and the 1995 Stock Option Plan (the
"1995 Plan"), presents an opportunity for the officers to gain or increase their
equity interests in the Company. All of the stock options are granted at the
market price on the date of grant.
At the January, 1996 Compensation Committee meeting, options were granted
to a total of 42 employees in addition to the individuals named in the Summary
Compensation Table for amounts between 300 and 5,000 shares. Incentive stock
options were granted to the following individuals in the following amounts: Mr.
Forbes received 4,040; Mr. Vander Heyden, 2,884; Mr. Belan, 2,436; Mr. Dix,
1,848; and Mr. Shinners, 1,512. The options were granted in 1996 and are
therefore not set forth in the option table in this 1996 proxy statement.
Currently there are 231 employees who have been granted options, representing in
excess of 25 percent of the Company's employees. The number of options granted
to individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table was deemed reasonable by
the Compensation Committee in view of the number of options granted to other
participants.
For the years beginning January 1, 1996, the Company established a
long-term incentive plan, whereby members of the management group could earn
cash bonuses based upon increases in earnings per share over the prior year. A
cash bonus would be payable after four or five years if the annual increases in
earnings per share meet objectives established by the Board of Directors. During
the years 1996-2000, the maximum annual amount to a participant would be
approximately 11.81 percent of his December 31, 1995 base salary. The
Compensation Committee believes that the long-term incentive plan, based on
increases in earnings per share, ties management compensation to the
shareholders' interest and is reasonable compared to other publicly-held
companies of a similar size.
Section 162(m) Limitations. It is anticipated all 1996 compensation to
executives will be fully deductible under Section 162(m) of the Code and
therefore the Compensation Committee determined that a policy with respect to
qualifying compensation paid to certain executive officers for deductibility is
not necessary.
The foregoing report has been approved by all members of the Committee.
The Compensation Committee
Donald J. Schuenke, Chairman
Robert M. Hoffer
Edwin P. Wiley
James O. Wright
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The Compensation Committee currently consists of Messrs. Schuenke, Hoffer,
Wiley and Wright. Mr. Wiley is a partner in the law firm of Foley & Lardner,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which has served as legal counsel to the Company for many
years.
Mr. James O. Wright, Chairman of the Board of the Company, has served as a
consultant to the Company since March 1, 1988. An annually renewable consulting
agreement between Mr. Wright and the Company provides for annual fees, payable
in twelve equal monthly installments, and the use of an automobile, for Mr.
Wright's services. The Company believes that the benefits received by Mr. Wright
represent reasonable compensation for his services. During 1995, Mr. Wright was
paid fees of $117,500.
Mr. Wright, a director of the Company, is also a director of Marshall &
Ilsley Corporation. The Company maintains a short-term credit line of
$15,000,000 with the M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank, a subsidiary of Marshall &
Ilsley Corporation. During 1995, the maximum indebtedness under this short-term
line of credit was $7,000,000. At February 29, 1996, there was no indebtedness
to the M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank. The terms of the Company's credit lines with
the M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank are comparable to those that would be obtained
from an unaffiliated third party.
12
<PAGE> 15
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares on a cumulative basis the yearly percentage
change since January 1, 1991 in (a) the total shareholder return on the Common
Stock with (b) the total return on the American Stock Exchange Corporate Index
and (c) the total return of a peer group made up of 15 companies in similar
industries and with similar market capitalization as selected by an independent
consulting firm. The graph assumes $100.00 invested on January 1, 1991. It
further assumes the reinvestment of dividends. The returns of each component
company in the peer group have also been weighted based on such company's
relative market capitalization.
COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN OF COMPANY,
PEER GROUP AND BROAD MARKET
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MEASUREMENT PERIOD
(FISCAL YEAR COVERED) BADGER METER PEER GROUP BROAD MARKET
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1990 100.00 100.00 100.00
1991 115.12 101.14 123.17
1992 135.94 100.57 124.86
1993 153.56 102.38 148.34
1994 197.66 125.57 131.04
1995 226.50 176.18 168.90
0 0 0
</TABLE>
* Peer Group consists of Badger Meter, Inc., Bio/Rad Labs, Candela Laser Corp.,
CEM Corp., Cimco, Inc., Frequency Electronics, Innovex, Inc., K-Tron
International, Inc., Keithly Instruments, Inc., Lasertechnics, Inc., Medar,
Inc., Moore Products Company, Newport Corp., Research Frontiers, Inc. and TSI,
Inc. Autoclave Engineers, Inc. and Laser Precision Corp. have been omitted
from this year's Peer Group because they are no longer publicly-held
companies.
13
<PAGE> 16
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO BADGER METER, INC. 1995 STOCK OPTION PLAN
GENERAL
The shareholders of the Company adopted the Badger Meter, Inc. 1995 Stock
Option Plan at the Annual Meeting on April 28, 1995. The Board of Directors of
the Company has adopted the Badger Meter, Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan as amended
(the "Option Plan") which will permit non-employee directors of the Company
("Directors") to become shareholders or to increase their stock ownership of the
Company in accordance with the terms of the Option Plan, which currently covers
only key employees ("Employees"). The Option Plan amendment will become
effective upon approval by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
the aggregate votes outstanding on Common Stock and Class B Common Stock present
or represented at the Meeting (assuming a quorum is present or so represented).
It is intended that certain of the options issued under the Option Plan may
constitute incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the
Code. The remainder of the options issued under the Option Plan will constitute
non-qualified stock options.
The full text of the Option Plan is set forth as Exhibit A to this Proxy
Statement and this brief description is qualified in its entirety by reference
to the full text of the Option Plan. The Board of Directors of the Company
believes that the Option Plan will promote continuity of management, increased
incentive and personal interest in the welfare of the Company by including all
of those who are primarily responsible for its long-term growth and financial
success.
Options may be granted to Employees of the Company and its present and
future subsidiaries. The Option Plan will permit options to be granted to
Directors of the Company as well. Directors of the Company in 1993 received
grants of three thousand (3,000) options at the time of the approval of the
Badger Meter, Inc. 1993 Stock Option Plan. One of the purposes of the amended
plan is to permit those Directors who have been or will be elected to the Board
after April 23, 1993, to receive the same number of options. In addition, the
amendment permits one thousand (1,000) options to be granted to all Directors
and future Directors in order to provide Directors with a greater stake in the
Company's future. Approximately two hundred fifty (250) Employees and Directors
are currently eligible to participate in the Option Plan.
The Option Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors (the "Committee") which shall consist of not less than two
(2) directors all of whom at the time they exercise discretion in administering
the Option Plan will not, and for at least one (1) year prior thereto will not,
have been eligible for participation in the Option Plan as Employees. The
Company's Board of Directors chooses which directors will serve on the
Committee. Subject to the express provisions of the Option Plan, the Committee
has authority to interpret the Option Plan and make all other determinations
necessary or advisable for the administration of the Option Plan.
The Committee has complete authority, subject to the express provisions of
the Option Plan, to select Employees to participate in the Option Plan, and to
determine the number of shares subject to each option, the time at which the
option is to be granted, the type of option, the option period, the option
price, and the manner in which the options become exercisable, and to adopt
other provisions as it deems necessary or desirable.
The Option Plan provides for the grant of options representing up to an
aggregate of one hundred thousand (100,000) shares of Common Stock, subject to
adjustment as discussed below. If an option granted under the Option Plan
expires, is canceled, or terminates unexercised as to any share of Common Stock
subject thereto, or if shares of Common Stock are used to satisfy the Company's
withholding tax obligations, such shares will again be available for purposes of
the Option Plan. Shares which may be issued under the Option Plan may be
authorized but unissued shares, or shares acquired by the Company and held in
its treasury. The aggregate fair market value of Common Stock with respect to
which any incentive stock options are exercisable for the first time by an
optionee during any calendar year under the Option Plan or any other such plan
of the Company shall not exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000). Grants
of non-qualified stock options are not subject to this limitation. In the event
of any change in the outstanding shares of
14
<PAGE> 17
Common Stock by reason of any stock dividend or split, reorganization or
recapitalization, merger, dissolution, combination or exchange of shares or
other similar corporate change, the number of shares of stock subject to the
Option Plan and the aggregate number of shares in outstanding option agreements
shall be equitably adjusted by the Committee.
The option price per share of Common Stock will be fixed by the Committee,
at not less than 50% of the fair market value on the date the option is granted,
but incentive stock options will not be less than 100% of that value. The
Committee will determine the expiration date of each option, but, in the case of
an incentive stock option, such expiration date will not be later than ten (10)
years after the date of grant. No option shall be assignable or transferable by
an optionee except by will or the laws of descent and distribution and may be
exercised during the life of the optionee only by the optionee.
The Option Plan also provides that if the Option Plan as amended is
approved by the shareholders, each Director who is not an employee of the
Company and became or becomes a Director after April 23, 1993, will receive an
option to purchase three thousand (3,000) shares of Common Stock at a price
equal to the closing price on the American Stock Exchange on the date of
shareholder approval or the date of first election to the Board, or if no shares
are traded on that day, the next preceding day on which shares are traded, and
with an expiration date ten (10) years after issuance. The Option Plan also
provides all Directors and future Directors with one thousand (1,000) options in
order to increase the Directors' stake in the future of the Company.
An option may be exercised in full or in part by delivery to the Company at
its principal office of a written notice of exercise specifying the number of
shares with respect to which the option is being exercised. A notice of exercise
will be accompanied by a full payment of the option price of the shares being
purchased (a) in cash or its equivalent; (b) with the consent of the Committee,
shares of Common Stock; or (c) with the consent of the Committee, any
combination of (a) and (b).
Shareholder approval of any amendment of the Option Plan shall be obtained
if otherwise required by: (i) the rules and/or regulations promulgated under
Section 16 of the Exchange Act (in order for the Option Plan to remain qualified
under Rule 16b-3); (ii) the Code or any rules promulgated thereunder (in order
to allow for incentive stock options to be granted under the Option Plan); or
(iii) the listing requirements of the American Stock Exchange or any principal
securities exchange or market on which the Common Stock is then traded (in order
to maintain the quotation or listing of the Common Stock thereon).
An optionee has no rights as a shareholder with respect to any shares
subject to any option until the date the option has been exercised, the shares
have been fully paid, and a stock certificate has been issued.
Other than the options to be granted to each Director or future Director
who is not an employee of the Company, upon shareholder approval of the Option
Plan as described above or at the time of first election to the Board of
Directors, the Company cannot currently determine the awards that may be granted
in the future to Employees and Directors under the Option Plan. Such
determinations will be made from time to time by the Committee, within the
bounds of their discretion.
On February 29, 1996, the closing price per share of the Common Stock on
the American Stock Exchange was $27.75.
TAX CONSEQUENCES
Certain options granted under the Option Plan are intended to be "incentive
stock options" as defined in Section 422 of the Code. If an optionee holds the
shares received on an exercise of an incentive stock option for at least two (2)
years from the date of grant and one (1) year from the date of exercise, he will
recognize no federal taxable income as a result of exercise and any gain (or
loss) realized by the optionee on the disposition of his stock will be treated
as a long-term capital gain (or loss) and no deduction is allowed to the
Company. If the holding period requirements are not satisfied, the optionee will
recognize ordinary income at the time of disposition equal to the lesser of (i)
the gain realized in the disposition, or (ii) the difference between the option
price and the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise. Any
additional gain on the disposition will be a long-term or short-term capital
gain, depending upon the length of time the shares
15
<PAGE> 18
were held. The Company is entitled to a deduction equal to the amount of
ordinary income recognized by the optionee.
Upon exercise of a non-qualified stock option, the excess of the fair
market value of the shares at the time of exercise over the exercise price is
taxable to the optionee as ordinary income. The Company is entitled to a tax
deduction in the same amount at the time income is recognized by the optionee. A
subsequent disposition of the shares will give rise to long-term or short-term
capital gain (or loss), depending on the length of time the shares are held, to
the extent the amount realized from the sale differs from the tax basis, i.e.,
the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise.
TAX WITHHOLDING
The Company may deduct and withhold from any cash payable to an optionee
such amounts as may be required for the purpose of satisfying the Company's
obligation to withhold federal, state or local taxes as a result of the exercise
of an option. With the consent of the Committee, an optionee may be permitted to
satisfy the Company's withholding tax requirements by electing to have the
Company withhold shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the optionee, or
deliver to the Company shares of Common Stock with a fair market value equal to
the amount required to be withheld. This election shall be made in writing and
shall be made according to such rules and in such form as the Committee may
determine.
VOTE REQUIRED
A majority of the votes cast at the Meeting (assuming a quorum is present)
is required for approval of the Option Plan. The votes represented by the
proxies received will be voted FOR approval of the adoption of the Option Plan,
unless a vote against such approval or to abstain from voting is specifically
indicated on the proxy. Consequently, any shares not voted at the Meeting,
whether due to broker non-votes or otherwise (excluding abstentions), will have
no impact on the outcome of the vote. Shares of Common Stock and Class B Common
Stock as to which holders abstain from voting will be treated as votes against
approval of the Option Plan.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE COMPANY SHAREHOLDERS
VOTE FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE PLAN AS AMENDED.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
The Company maintains a short-term credit line of $10,000,000 with Firstar
Bank Milwaukee, N.A. During 1995, the maximum indebtedness under this short-term
line of credit was $6,000,000. At February 29, 1996, $3,245,000 was the total
indebtedness to Firstar Bank Milwaukee, N.A. Mr. Forbes is also a director of
Firstar Corporation (the parent corporation of Firstar Bank Milwaukee, N.A.).
Mr. Stollenwerk is a director of Firstar Bank Milwaukee, N.A. The terms of the
Company's credit lines with Firstar Bank Milwaukee, N.A. are comparable to those
that would be obtained from an unaffiliated third party.
The Company maintains a short-term credit line of $15,000,000 with the M&I
Marshall & Ilsley Bank, a subsidiary of Marshall & Ilsley Corporation. During
1995, the maximum indebtedness under this short-term line of credit was
$7,000,000. At February 29, 1996, the Company had no indebtedness to the M&I
Marshall & Ilsley Bank on this credit line. Mr. James O. Wright is a director of
Marshall & Ilsley Corporation. The terms of the Company's credit lines with the
M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank are comparable to those that would be obtained from
an unaffiliated third party.
Divisions of The Fall River Group supply castings to the Company. During
1995, the Company purchased $10,591,000 of castings from The Fall River Group.
Charles F. Wright, the Chief Executive Officer of The Fall River Group, is a
beneficiary of one of the trusts of which William C. Wright and William H.
Alverson (who each report beneficial ownership of 13.4% of the Company's Class B
Common Stock) are trustees. The amounts paid by the Company for the castings are
at prevailing market rates.
16
<PAGE> 19
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Ernst & Young LLP, the Company's independent auditors for many years, has
been selected to audit the Company and its subsidiaries for 1996.
Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting to
respond to appropriate questions and to make a statement if they desire to do
so.
OTHER MATTERS
The Company has filed an Annual Report on Form 10-K with the Securities and
Exchange Commission for its fiscal year ended December 31, 1995. The Company
will provide a copy of this Form 10-K report without charge to each person who
is a record or beneficial holder of shares of Common Stock or Class B Common
Stock on the record date for the Meeting and who submits a written request for
it. Requests for copies of the Form 10-K should be addressed to Secretary,
Badger Meter, Inc., 4545 West Brown Deer Road, P.O. Box 23099, Milwaukee,
Wisconsin 53223.
The cost of solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company. Brokers,
nominees and custodians who hold stock in their names and who solicit proxies
from the beneficial owners will be reimbursed by the Company for out-of-pocket
and reasonable clerical expenses.
The Board of Directors does not intend to present at the Meeting any
matters other than those set forth herein and does not presently know of any
other matters that may be presented to the Meeting by others. However, if any
other matters should properly come before the Meeting, it is the intention of
the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote said proxy on any such matters
in accordance with their best judgment.
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's
officers and directors to file reports concerning the ownership of Company
equity securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Company.
Based on the Company's review of the copies of such reports furnished to the
Company and written representations that no other reports were required, the
Company believes that, during the year ended December 31, 1995, its officers and
directors complied with all filing requirements applicable to them.
A shareholder wishing to include a proposal in the proxy statement for the
1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must forward the proposal to the Company by
November 25, 1996.
Deirdre C. Elliott
Secretary
March 25, 1996
17
<PAGE> 20
EXHIBIT A
BADGER METER, INC.
1995 STOCK OPTION PLAN
(AS AMENDED)
1. PURPOSE
The purpose of the Badger Meter, Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan as amended
April 19, 1996 (the "Plan") is to promote the best interests of Badger Meter,
Inc. (the "Company") and its shareholders by encouraging directors and key
employees of the Company and its subsidiaries to secure or increase on
reasonable terms their stock ownership in the Company. The Board of Directors of
the Company believes the Plan will promote continuity of management, increased
incentive and personal interest in the welfare of the Company by those who are
primarily responsible for shaping and carrying out the long-range plans of the
Company and its subsidiaries and securing their continued growth and financial
success. It is intended that certain of the options issued under the Plan may
constitute incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the
Internal Revenue Code ("Incentive Stock Options") and the remainder of the
options issued under the Plan will constitute non-qualified stock options
("Non-qualified Stock Options").
2. EFFECTIVE DATE
The Plan shall become effective on the date of adoption by the Board of
Directors of the Company (the "Board"), subject to the approval and ratification
of the Plan by the shareholders of the Company within twelve (12) months of the
date of adoption by the Board, and all options granted prior to such shareholder
approval shall be subject to such approval.
3. ADMINISTRATION
(a) The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the
Board (the "Committee") as such Committee may be constituted from time to time.
The Committee shall consist of not less than two members of the Board selected
by the Board, each of whom shall be a "disinterested person" within the meaning
of Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act"), or any
successor rule or regulation thereto. A majority of the members of the Committee
shall constitute a quorum. All determinations of the Committee shall be made by
a majority of its members. Any decision or determination reduced to writing and
signed by all of the members of the Committee shall be fully effective as if it
had been made by a majority vote at a meeting duly called and held.
(b) Subject to the express provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have
complete authority to select the key employees to whom options shall be granted,
to determine the number of shares subject to each option, the time at which the
option is to be granted, the type of option, the option period, the option price
and the manner in which options become exercisable, and shall establish such
other terms and conditions of the options as the Committee may deem necessary or
desirable. In making such determinations, the Committee may take into account
the nature of the services rendered by the respective employees, their present
and potential contribution to the success of their respective organizations and
such other factors as the Committee in its discretion shall deem relevant.
Subject to the express provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall also have
complete authority to interpret the Plan, to prescribe, amend and rescind the
rules and regulations relating to it, and to make all other determinations
necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. The determinations of
the Committee on the matters referred to in this paragraph 3 shall be
conclusive.
4. ELIGIBILITY
Any non-employee director ("Director") or key employee ("Employee") of the
Company or its present and future subsidiaries, as defined in Section 424(f) of
the Internal Revenue Code ("Subsidiaries"), whose judgment, initiative and
efforts contribute materially to the successful performance of the Company or
its Subsidiaries, shall be eligible to receive options under the Plan.
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<PAGE> 21
5. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
The shares which may be issued pursuant to options under the Plan shall be
shares of the Company's Common Stock, $1.00 par value ("Stock"), and may be
either authorized and unissued or treasury shares. The total number of shares
for which options may be granted and which may be purchased pursuant to options
under the Plan shall not exceed an aggregate of 100,000 shares, subject to
adjustment as provided in the following sentence and in paragraph 12 hereof. If
an option granted under the Plan expires, is canceled or terminates unexercised
as to any shares of Stock subject thereto, or if shares of Stock are used to
satisfy the Company's withholding tax obligations, such shares shall again be
available for the granting of additional options under the Plan.
6. OPTION PRICE
The option price per share of Stock shall be fixed by the Committee, but
shall be not less than 50% (100% in the case of Incentive Stock Options) of the
fair market value of the Stock on the date the option is granted. Unless
otherwise determined by the Committee, the "fair market value" of Stock on the
date of grant shall be the closing price for a share of Stock on such date, or,
if such date is not a trading date, the next preceding trading date as quoted on
the American Stock Exchange Transaction Reporting System.
7. GRANT OF OPTIONS
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Committee may,
from time to time, grant to Employees options to purchase such number of shares
of Stock and on such terms and conditions as the Committee may determine. More
than one option may be granted to the same Employee. The day on which the
Committee approves the granting of an option shall be considered as the date on
which such option is granted.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Director of the Company who is not
an employee of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, and who first
became or becomes a Director after April 23, 1993, shall, upon approval of the
Plan by the shareholders of the Company, or at the time of their first election
to the Board, subject to adjustments as provided in paragraph 12, automatically
receive an option to purchase 3,000 shares of Stock on that date. Any date on
which a Director receives an option shall be referred to as a "Grant Date". Such
options shall be Non-qualified Stock Options with an expiration date ten (10)
years after the Grant Date. The option price per share shall be the closing
price for a share of Stock on the Grant Date, or if such day is not a trading
day, the next preceding trading day as quoted on the American Stock Exchange
Transaction Reporting System.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Director or future Director of the
Company who is not an employee of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate
thereof shall upon approval of the Plan by the shareholders of the Company, or
at the time of their first election to the Board, be entitled to receive an
option to purchase 1,000 shares of Stock on that date in order to increase the
Directors' stake in the future of the Company. Any date on which a Director
receives an option shall be referred to as a Grant Date. Such options shall be
Non-qualified Stock Options with an expiration date ten (10) years after the
Grant Date. The option price per share shall be the closing price for a share of
Stock on the Grant Date, or if such day is not a trading day, the next preceding
trading day as quoted on the American Stock Exchange Transaction Reporting
System.
8. OPTION PERIOD
Except as set forth in paragraph 7, the Committee shall determine the
expiration date of each option, but in the case of Incentive Stock Options such
expiration date shall be not later than ten (10) years after the date such
option is granted.
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<PAGE> 22
9. MAXIMUM PER PARTICIPANT
The aggregate fair market value (determined at the time the option is
granted pursuant to paragraph 7) of the Stock with respect to which any
Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by an Employee during
any calendar year under the Plan or any other such plan of the Company or any
Subsidiary shall not exceed $100,000.
10. EXERCISE OF OPTIONS
An option may be exercised, subject to its terms and conditions and the
terms and conditions of the Plan, in full at any time or in part from time to
time by delivery to the Company at its principal office of a written notice of
exercise specifying the number of shares with respect to which the option is
being exercised. Any notice of exercise shall be accompanied by full payment of
the option price of the shares being purchased (a) in cash or its equivalent; or
(b) with the consent of the Committee, by delivering to the Company shares of
Stock (valued at their fair market value as of the date of exercise, as
determined by the Committee consistent with the method of valuation set forth in
paragraphs 6 and 7); or (c) with the consent of the Committee, by any
combination of (a) and (b).
11. TRANSFERABILITY
To the extent required in order to comply with Rule 16b-3 or unless
otherwise determined by the Committee, no option shall be assignable or
transferable by a Director or an Employee other than by will or the laws of
descent and distribution, and may be exercised during the life of the Director
or Employee only by the Director or Employee or his guardian or legal
representative.
12. CAPITAL ADJUSTMENTS AFFECTING COMMON STOCK
In the event of a capital adjustment resulting from a stock dividend, stock
split, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, combination or
exchange of shares or the like, the number of shares of Stock subject to the
Plan and the aggregate number and class of shares under option in outstanding
option agreements shall be adjusted in a manner consistent with such capital
adjustment; provided, however, that no such adjustment shall require the Company
to sell any fractional shares. The determination of the Committee as to any
adjustment shall be final. Notwithstanding the foregoing, options subject to
grant or previously granted to Directors under the Plan at the time of any
capital adjustments shall be subject only to such adjustments as shall be
necessary to maintain the relative proportionate interest of each Director and
preserve, without exceeding, the value of such options.
13. CORPORATE MERGERS AND OTHER CONSOLIDATIONS
The Committee may also grant options having terms and provisions which vary
from those specified in the Plan provided that any options granted pursuant to
this paragraph are granted in substitution for, or in connection with the
assumption of, existing options granted by another company and assumed or
otherwise agreed to be provided for by the Company pursuant to or by reason of a
transaction involving a corporate merger, consolidation, acquisition or other
reorganization to which the Company is a party.
14. OPTION AGREEMENTS
All options granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by written agreement
(which need not be identical) in such form as the Committee shall determine.
Each option agreement shall specify whether the option granted thereunder is
intended to constitute an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-qualified Stock
Option.
15. TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS
Shares of Stock purchased under the Plan and held by any person who is an
officer or Director of the Company, or who directly or indirectly controls the
Company, may not be sold or otherwise disposed of except pursuant to an
effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 or except in a
transaction
A-3
<PAGE> 23
which, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, is exempt from registration
under such Act. The Committee may waive the foregoing restrictions in whole or
in part in any particular case or cases, or may terminate such restrictions,
whenever the Committee determines that such restrictions afford no substantial
benefit to the Company.
16. AMENDMENT OF PLAN
Shareholder approval of any amendment of the Plan shall be obtained if
otherwise required by: (i) the rules and/or regulations promulgated under
Section 16 of the Exchange Act (in order for the Plan to remain qualified under
Rule 16b-3); (ii) the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any rules
promulgated thereunder (in order to allow for Incentive Stock Options to be
granted under the Plan); or (iii) the listing requirements of the American Stock
Exchange or any principal securities exchange or market on which the Stock is
then traded (in order to maintain the quotation or listing of the Stock
thereon). The provisions of paragraphs 7(b) and 7(c) cannot be amended more than
once every six (6) months other than to comport with changes in the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended, or the rules and regulations thereunder.
17. TERMINATION OF PLAN
The Board shall have the right to suspend or terminate the Plan at any
time; provided, however, that no Incentive Stock Options may be granted after
the tenth (10th) anniversary of the effective date of the Plan as described in
paragraph 2 hereof. Termination of the Plan shall not affect the rights of
Employees or Directors under options previously granted to them, and all
unexpired options shall continue in force and operation after termination of the
Plan except as they may lapse or be terminated by their own terms and
conditions.
18. TAX WITHHOLDING
(a) The Company may deduct and withhold from any cash otherwise payable to
an Employee such amount as may be required for the purpose of satisfying the
Company's obligation to withhold federal, state or local taxes as the result of
the exercise of an option. In the event the amount so withheld is insufficient
for such purpose, the Company may require that the Employee pay to the Company
upon its demand or otherwise make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for
payment of such amount as may be requested by the Company in order to satisfy
its obligation to withhold any such taxes.
(b) With the consent of the Committee, an Employee may be permitted to
satisfy the Company's withholding tax requirements by electing to have the
Company withhold shares of Stock otherwise issuable to the Employee or to
deliver to the Company shares of Stock having a fair market value on the date
income is recognized pursuant to the exercise of an option equal to the amount
required to be withheld. The election shall be made in writing and shall be made
according to such rules and procedures as the Committee may determine,
including, without limitation, such procedures as may be necessary to satisfy
the requirements of Rule 16b-3.
19. RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER
A Director or an Employee shall have no rights as a shareholder with
respect to any shares subject to any option until the date the options shall
have been exercised, the shares shall have been fully paid and a stock
certificate shall have been issued.
A-4
<PAGE> 24
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PROXY
1996 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
BADGER METER, INC.
The undersigned does hereby constitute and appoint James O. Wright,
James L. Forbes and Deirdre C. Elliott, or any one or more of them, as
proxies for the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of
Badger Meter, Inc. to be held on FRIDAY, April 19, 1996, at the
Bradley Center, 1001 North Fourth Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at
8:30 a.m. local time, and any adjournments or postponements thereof,
to vote thereat the shares of stock held by the undersigned as fully
and with the same effect as the undersigned might or could do if
personally present at said Meeting or any adjournments or
postponements thereof:
1. Election of Directors / / FOR all nominees / / WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
listed below (except to vote for all
as marked to the nominees listed
contrary below) below
JAMES L. FORBES, ROBERT M. HOFFER, CHARLES F. JAMES, JR., DONALD J.
SCHUENKE, JOHN J. STOLLENWERK, PAMELA B. STROBEL, JAMES O. WRIGHT AND
JAMES O. WRIGHT, JR.
(INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE
WRITE THAT NOMINEE'S NAME ON THE SPACE PROVIDED BELOW.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
2. To amend the Badger Meter, Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan,
/ / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN
and
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting, or any adjournments or postponements thereof,
hereby revoking any other Proxy heretofore executed by the undersigned
for such Meeting. The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Notice
of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and the Proxy Statement.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(to be signed on the other side)
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(continued from other side)
This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner
directed herein by the undersigned shareholder. IF NO DIRECTION IS
MADE, THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES LISTED
AND FOR THE AMENDMENT OF THE BADGER METER, INC. 1995 STOCK OPTION
PLAN.
Dated , 1996
------------------------------------
Signed
-----------------------------------------
(Signature of Shareholder)
Signed
-----------------------------------------
(Signature if Jointly Held)
Please sign exactly as your name appears
on your stock certificate as shown
directly to the left. Joint owners should
each sign personally. A corporation
should sign in full corporate name by
duly authorized officers. When signing as
attorney, executor, administrator,
trustee or guardian, give full title as
such.
PLEASE SIGN AND MAIL THIS PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. NO POSTAGE IS
REQUIRED.
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