<PAGE>
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
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
[X] Definitive Additional Materials
[_] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
ABC RAIL PRODUCTS CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
N/A
(Name of Persons(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required
[_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) 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>
[LOGO]
ABC RAIL PRODUCTS CORPORATION
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of stockholders of
ABC Rail Products Corporation (the "Company") to be held at the Stock Exchange
Trading Room of The Art Institute of Chicago, located at 230 South Columbus
Drive, Chicago, Illinois, 60603, on Friday, November 15, 1996 at 9:00 a.m.
This booklet includes the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the
Proxy Statement. The Proxy Statement describes the business to be transacted
at the meeting and provides other information concerning the Company which you
should consider when voting your shares. The principal business of the Annual
Meeting will be the election of directors and the ratification of the
appointment of independent accountants.
All stockholders are urged to attend the meeting or to vote by proxy. If you
do not expect to attend the meeting in person, please sign, date and return
the accompanying proxy in the enclosed postage prepaid envelope. If you later
find that you are able to attend the Annual Meeting and would like to vote in
person, you can revoke your proxy at any time before the voting, and vote in
person.
/s/ Donald W. Grinter
Donald W. Grinter
Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer
October 18, 1996
<PAGE>
[LOGO]
ABC RAIL PRODUCTS CORPORATION
----------------
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
November 15, 1996
----------------
Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting of stockholders of ABC Rail
Products Corporation (the "Company") will be held at the Stock Exchange
Trading Room, located at The Art Institute of Chicago, 230 South Columbus
Drive, Chicago, Illinois, 60603, on Friday, November 15, 1996 at 9:00 a.m. for
the following purposes:
1. To elect seven directors;
2. To ratify the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP as the Company's
independent accountants for the fiscal year ending July 31, 1997;
and
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any postponements or adjournments thereof.
Stockholders of record at the close of business on October 1, 1996 are
entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the annual meeting and any
postponements or adjournments thereof.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ D. Chisholm MacDonald
D. Chisholm MacDonald
Secretary
Chicago, Illinois
October 18, 1996
<PAGE>
ABC RAIL PRODUCTS CORPORATION
200 South Michigan Avenue
Suite 1300
Chicago, Illinois 60604
----------------
PROXY STATEMENT
----------------
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of
proxies by the Board of Directors of ABC Rail Products Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (the "Company") to the holders of the Company's Common Stock, $.01
par value (the "Common Stock"), in connection with the annual meeting of
stockholders of the Company (the "Annual Meeting") to be held at 9:00 a.m. on
Friday, November 15, 1996, and all postponements or adjournments thereof. This
Proxy Statement, Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and accompanying
proxy card are first being mailed to stockholders on or about October 18,
1996, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting
of Stockholders.
GENERAL
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on October 1, 1996 (the
"Record Date") are entitled to receive notice of the Annual Meeting and to
vote the shares of Common Stock held by them on that date at the Annual
Meeting or any postponements or adjournments thereof. The presence at the
Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the
shares of Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on the Record Date
will constitute a quorum. Each outstanding share entitles its holder to cast
one vote on each matter to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting. As of the
Record Date, 8,271,026 shares of Common Stock were outstanding.
If the accompanying proxy card is properly signed and returned to the
Company and is not revoked, it will be voted in accordance with the
instructions contained therein. Unless contrary instructions are given, the
persons designated as proxy holders in the proxy card will vote for the
election as directors of the slate of nominees proposed by the Board of
Directors, for ratification of the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP ("Arthur
Andersen") as the Company's independent accountants for the fiscal year ending
July 31, 1997 ("Fiscal 1997") and as recommended by the Board of Directors or,
if no such recommendation is given, in their own discretion, with regard to
all other matters. Each stockholder may revoke a previously granted proxy at
any time before it is voted by filing with the Secretary of the Company a
revoking instruction or another duly executed and subsequently dated proxy or
by attending the meeting and voting in person. Attendance at the Annual
Meeting will not, in itself, constitute revocation of a previously granted
proxy.
Under Delaware law, properly executed proxies that are marked "abstain" or
are held in "street name" by brokers that are not voted on one or more
particular proposals (if otherwise voted on at least one proposal) will be
counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum has been achieved at the
Annual Meeting. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against the
proposal to which such abstention applies. Broker non-votes will be treated
neither as a vote for nor as a vote against any of the proposals to which such
broker non-votes apply. Proxies and ballots will be received and tabulated by
American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, the Company's transfer agent.
The cost of soliciting proxies in the enclosed form will be borne by the
Company. The Company will also request brokerage firms, banks, nominees,
custodians and fiduciaries to forward proxy materials to the beneficial owners
of shares of Common Stock as of the Record Date and will reimburse the cost of
forwarding the proxy materials in accordance with customary practice.
<PAGE>
STOCK OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL
OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of the Common Stock as of August 1, 1996 of (a) persons owning of
record or known to the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than five
percent of the outstanding Common Stock, (b) each director, (c) each of the
Named Executive Officers (as defined under "Executive Compensation" below) and
(d) all current directors and executive officers of the Company as a group.
All information with respect to beneficial ownership has been furnished by the
respective director, executive officer or stockholder, as the case may be, or
has been derived from documents filed by such stockholder with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). To the knowledge of the Company,
each of such stockholders has sole voting and investment power over the shares
indicated unless otherwise noted.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER
OF
NAME SHARES PERCENT
---- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
Chancellor Capital Management, Inc./
Chancellor Trust Company............................. 805,400(1) 9.7%
LGT Asset Management, Inc............................. 454,950(2) 5.5
Janus Capital Corporation/Thomas H. Bailey/
Janus Venture Fund................................... 450,000(3) 5.4
Investment Advisers, Inc.............................. 437,500(4) 5.3
Donald W. Grinter..................................... 331,216(5) 4.0
Ben R. Yorks.......................................... 37,500(6) *
D. Chisholm MacDonald................................. 100,000(7) 1.2
David G. Kleeschulte.................................. 57,418(8) *
Eugene S. Ziemba...................................... 20,000(9) *
Jean-Pierre M. Ergas.................................. 10,000(10) *
Donald R. Gant........................................ 12,000(11) *
Clarence E. Johnson................................... 17,500(12) *
James E. Martin....................................... 10,000(13) *
George W. Peck IV..................................... 6,000(14) *
All current directors and executive
officers as a group (8 persons)...................... 544,134(15) 6.4
</TABLE>
- --------
*Less than 1.0%
(1) According to the most recently filed joint Schedule 13G of these
entities, the entities are investment advisers for various fiduciary
client accounts which have an ownership interest in the shares. The
address for each of the entities is 1166 Avenue of the Americas, New
York, New York 10036.
(2) The address for LGT Asset Management, Inc. is 50 California, 27th Fl.,
San Francisco, California 94111.
(3) According to the most recently filed joint Schedule 13G of these entities
and Mr. Bailey, these entities and Mr. Bailey share voting and
dispositive power over all shares. Janus Capital Corporation ("Janus
Capital") is the beneficial owner of these shares through its role as
investment adviser or sub-adviser which furnishes investment advice to
several investment companies registered under Section 8 of the Investment
Company Act and individual and institutional clients (the "Managed
Portfolios") which hold these shares. Thomas H. Bailey is a 12.2% owner
and the President and Chairman of the Board of Janus Capital. Janus
Venture Fund is one of the Managed Portfolios to which Janus Capital
provides investment advice, and the interest of Janus Venture Fund
amounts to all shares. The address for these entities and Mr. Bailey is
100 Fillmore Street, Suite 300, Denver, Colorado 80206-4923.
(4) According to the most recently filed Schedule 13G of this entity, this
entity exercises sole voting and dispositive power over 354,500 shares
and shared voting and dispositive power over 83,000 shares. The shares
are owned by various custodian banks for various clients of the listed
entity. The address for Investment Advisers, Inc. is 3700 First Bank
Place, Box 357, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440.
2
<PAGE>
(5) Includes 64,000 shares subject to outstanding options which are
exercisable as of or within 60 days of August 1, 1996.
(6) Includes 37,500 shares subject to outstanding options which were
exercisable as of or within 60 days of August 1, 1996, 10,000 shares of
which were subject to an option which will vest upon the date and to the
extent of exercise of a second option for 10,000 shares which is
currently exercisable. In connection with Mr. Yorks' early retirement,
the Company and Mr. Yorks entered into an agreement dated as of October
2, 1996 (the "Yorks Agreement") pursuant to which the vesting of all of
his outstanding options was accelerated to the date thereof. See
"Executive Compensation--Severance and Change in Control Arrangements."
(7) Includes 40,000 shares subject to outstanding options which are
exercisable as of or within 60 days of August 1, 1996.
(8) Includes 32,500 shares subject to outstanding options which are
exercisable as of or within 60 days of August 1, 1996.
(9) Includes 20,000 shares subject to outstanding options which were
exercisable as of or within 60 days of August 1, 1996. In connection with
Mr. Ziemba's resignation in October, 1996, all of his outstanding options
that had not been previously exercised were cancelled.
(10) Includes 5,000 shares subject to outstanding stock options which are
exercisable as of or within 60 days of August 1, 1996.
(11) Includes 10,000 shares subject to outstanding stock options which are
exercisable as of or within 60 days of August 1, 1996.
(12) Includes 10,000 shares subject to outstanding stock options which are
exercisable as of or within 60 days of August 1, 1996.
(13) Includes 5,000 shares subject to outstanding stock options which are
exercisable as of or within 60 days of August 1, 1996. Also includes
3,000 shares held in an irrevocable trust created for the benefit of Mr.
Martin's grandchildren, with respect to which Mr. Martin's shares
dispositive power with the trustee, who is his daughter.
(14) Includes 5,000 shares subject to outstanding stock options which are
exercisable as of or within 60 days of August 1, 1996.
(15) Includes 171,500 shares subject to outstanding options which are held by
current directors and executive officers and are exercisable as of or
within 60 days of August 1, 1996.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors presently consists of seven members. All directors
hold office until the next annual meeting of the stockholders or until their
successors have been elected.
At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will elect a board consisting of seven
directors for the ensuing year and until their successors are elected. The
Board of Directors has set its number at seven. Accordingly, the proxies
cannot be voted for more than seven directors. Unless authority to do so is
specifically withheld, the persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote
for the election as directors of the slate of nominees named below. Under
Delaware law, the seven nominees who receive the most votes at the meeting
will be elected as directors. All of the nominees are currently directors of
the Company, holding office until election of their successors.
3
<PAGE>
The name, duration of service as a director, age, and current principal
position(s) with the Company of each current director of the Company as of
August 1, 1996 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DIRECTOR
NAME SINCE AGE PRINCIPAL POSITION(S)
---- -------- --- --------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Donald W. Grinter....... 1991 59 Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer
and Director
D. Chisholm MacDonald... 1991 54 Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
Director
Jean-Pierre M. Ergas.... 1995 57 Director
Donald R. Gant.......... 1994 67 Director
Clarence E. Johnson..... 1994 69 Director
James E. Martin......... 1995 69 Director
George W. Peck IV....... 1991 64 Director
</TABLE>
Donald W. Grinter. Mr. Grinter has served as a director of the Company since
1991. Mr. Grinter has also served as the Company's Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer since December 1993. From August 1991 until December
1993, Mr. Grinter served as the Company's President and Chief Executive
Officer and from August 1989 until August 1991, he served as the Company's
President and Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining the Company, from June
1987 until August 1989, Mr. Grinter was President of the Supermarket Group of
Hussmann Corporation, a subsidiary of IC Industries (now Whitman Corporation),
the parent company of Abex Corporation ("Abex"), from which the Company
purchased substantially all of its assets in 1989. Mr. Grinter served as an
Executive Vice President of Abex from June 1984 until June 1987.
D. Chisholm MacDonald. Mr. MacDonald has served as a director of the Company
since 1991 and as the Company's Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer since 1987. Prior thereto, he served as Vice President and Corporate
Controller of the U.S. operations of ASEA Inc., a heavy industrial
manufacturing company, from 1982 until 1987.
Jean-Pierre M. Ergas. Mr. Ergas has served as a director of the Company
since July 1995. Since January 1996, he has been the Executive Vice President
of Alcan Aluminum Limited ("Alcan"), an international manufacturer of
aluminum. From June 1995 to January 1996, Mr. Ergas served as Senior Advisor
to the Chief Executive Officer of Alcan. During 1994, he served as a trustee
in residence of DePaul University. From 1991 to 1993, he served as Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of American National Can Company ("ANC"), a
manufacturer of consumer goods packaging. From 1989 to 1991, Mr. Ergas served
as Chief Executive Officer of ANC. Mr. Ergas also serves as a director of
Brockway Standard Inc. and Dover Corporation.
Donald R. Gant. Mr. Gant has served as a director of the Company since 1994.
Since December 1990, he has been a limited partner of The Goldman Sachs Group,
L.P., of which Goldman Sachs & Co., an investment banking firm, is its
principal affiliate. From 1962 to December 1990, he was a general partner of
Goldman Sachs & Co. Mr. Gant is a director of Diebold Incorporated and The
Stride Rite Corporation.
Clarence E. Johnson. Mr. Johnson has served as a director of the Company
since 1994. Mr. Johnson previously served as President and Chief Executive
Officer and as a director of Borg-Warner Corporation, a manufacturing/service
conglomerate, from 1983 to 1987. From December 1987 to February 1990, he
served as Senior Vice President and Consultant of Kidder, Peabody & Co.
Incorporated, an investment banking firm.
James E. Martin. Mr. Martin has served as a director of the Company since
July 1995. From May 1995 until December, 1995, he served as the Senior Vice
President, Operations of Chicago and North Western Railway Company. From April
1994 to May 1995, he served as Executive Vice President, Operations of Chicago
and North Western Transportation Company. From 1989 to March 1994, Mr. Martin
was the President of The Belt Railway Company of Chicago. He is a member of
the National Freight Traffic Association.
4
<PAGE>
George W. Peck IV. Mr. Peck has served as a director of the Company since
August 1991. Mr. Peck has been a principal of Kohlberg & Co. ("Kohlberg"), a
New York merchant banking firm, since 1987. From 1963 to 1987, he was a
Director and Vice President of Canny, Bowen Inc., an executive recruiting
firm. Mr. Peck serves as a director of Northwestern Steel and Wire Company,
ABT Building Products Corporation and The Lion Brewery, Inc.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION
OF THE SLATE OF NOMINEES SET FORTH ABOVE.
COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS
The Company has standing Audit and Compensation Committees. The Company also
has a Committee (the "Director Plan Committee") for the 1994 Director Stock
Option Plan (the "Director Plan"). The Company does not have a nomination
committee.
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is currently comprised of Messrs.
Ergas, Gant and Johnson. The functions of the Audit Committee are to recommend
annually to the Board of Directors the appointment of the independent public
accountants of the Company, discuss and review the scope and the fees of the
prospective annual audit, review the results thereof with the Company's
independent public accountants, review compliance with existing major
accounting and financial policies of the Company, review the adequacy of the
financial organization of the Company, review management's procedures and
policies relative to the adequacy of the Company's internal accounting
controls and compliance with federal and state laws relating to accounting
practices, and review and approve (with the concurrence of a majority of the
independent directors of the Company) transactions, if any, with affiliated
parties.
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is currently comprised of
Messrs. Gant, Johnson and Martin. The functions of the Compensation Committee
are to review and approve annual salaries and bonuses for all officers,
administer the Company's existing stock option plans (other than the Director
Plan), and carry out the responsibilities required by the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission").
Director Plan Committee. The Director Plan Committee is currently comprised
of Mr. Grinter and Mr. MacDonald, who was appointed to the Director Plan
Committee in October, 1996. The Director Plan Committee administers the
Director Plan.
During the fiscal year ended July 31, 1996 ("Fiscal 1996"), five meetings of
the Board of Directors were held, four meetings of the Audit Committee were
held, five meetings of the Compensation Committee were held and no meetings of
the Director Plan Committee were held. All incumbent directors except for Mr.
Ergas attended at least 75%, in the aggregate, of the number of meetings held
during their tenure on the Board of Directors and the committees of which they
were members.
5
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table provides information relating to compensation for Fiscal
1996 and the fiscal years ended July 31, 1995 ("Fiscal 1995") and 1994
("Fiscal 1994") for the Company's chief executive officer and the other four
most highly compensated executive officers of the Company (the "Named
Executive Officers") (determined by reference to Fiscal 1996). The amounts
shown include compensation for services in all capacities provided to the
Company.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM
ANNUAL COMPENSATION COMPENSATION
------------------------------- ------------
AWARDS
------------
SECURITIES
OTHER ANNUAL UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION OPTIONS/SARS COMPENSATION
POSITION YEAR ($) ($) ($) (#) ($)(1)
- ------------------ ---- ------- ------- ------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Donald W. Grinter...... 1996 256,192 0 0 0 8,712
(Chairman of the Board
and 1995 240,000 0 0 20,000 9,172
Chief Executive
Officer) 1994 223,335 120,000 0 0 4,092
Ben R. Yorks........... 1996 242,628 0 0 0 4,287
(Former President and
Chief 1995 225,000 0 12,232(3) 15,000 1,969
Operating Officer) 1994 139,844 227,625(2) 35,984(4) 170,000 984
D. Chisholm MacDonald.. 1996 172,898 0 0 0 4,557
(Senior Vice President
and 1995 165,000 0 0 20,000 1,547
Chief Financial
Officer) 1994 148,334 82,500 0 0 1,373
David G. Kleeschulte... 1996 122,761 0 0 0 2,921
(Vice President and
General 1995 120,000 0 0 5,000 3,165
Manager--International
Division) 1994 122,084 30,000 0 0 1,800
Eugene S. Ziemba....... 1996 152,309 0 15,560(5) 0 4,701
(Former Vice President
and 1995 142,000 40,600 13,115(5) 10,000 3,950
General Manager-- 1994 130,000 59,318 12,690(5) 0 1,942
Mechanical Division)
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) With the exception of amounts shown for Mr. Grinter, amounts represent
employer matching contributions under the Company's Savings and Investment
(401(k)) Plan. Amounts shown for Mr. Grinter for Fiscal 1996 and Fiscal
1995 include, and for Fiscal 1994 represent, premiums paid on a life
insurance policy on Mr. Grinter's life, of which Mr. Grinter's spouse is
the beneficiary. The premiums paid in each of Fiscal 1996 and Fiscal 1995
totalled $4,092. The amounts shown for Mr. Grinter for Fiscal 1996 and
Fiscal 1995 also include employer matching contributions of $4,620 and
$5,080, respectively, under the Company's Saving and Investment (401(k))
Plan.
(2) Includes a bonus of $162,000 which would have been paid by Mr. Yorks'
former employer and which the Company agreed to pay in connection with Mr.
Yorks' acceptance of employment with the Company in Fiscal 1994.
(3) Consists of relocation expenses.
(4) Includes relocation expenses of $29,831.
(5) Consists of living expenses.
6
<PAGE>
VALUE OF OPTIONS
The following table discloses, for each of the Named Executive Officers,
information regarding the value of all stock options held by the Named
Executive Officers at the end of Fiscal 1996. No stock options were granted to
any of the Named Executive Officers during Fiscal 1996. There were no stock
appreciation rights granted or exercised during such year.
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS/SARS AT
SHARES ACQUIRED VALUE OPTIONS/SARS AT FY-END (#) FY-END ($)
NAME ON EXERCISE (#) REALIZED ($)(1) EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE(1)
- ---- --------------- --------------- -------------------------- ----------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Donald W. Grinter....... 0 0 59,000/33,000 624,125/216,375
Ben R. Yorks............ 65,000 617,500 33,750/86,250 287,344/719,531
D. Chisholm MacDonald... 0 0 35,000/25,000 348,125/124,375
David G. Kleeschulte.... 0 0 31,250/13,750 345,781/117,349
Eugene S. Ziemba........ 30,000 345,000 17,500/22,500 174,063/177,188
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Value is calculated by multiplying the number of shares by the difference
between the closing price of the Common Stock ($21.50) on July 31, 1996, as
reported on the Nasdaq National Market System ("Nasdaq") and the respective
exercise prices.
SEVERANCE AND CHANGE-IN-CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS
Mr. Yorks had an employment agreement with the Company, which provided that
if Mr. Yorks' employment was terminated without cause, he would be entitled for
one year following such termination to continue to receive his salary and other
benefits and to receive outplacement services. Pursuant to the Yorks Agreement,
the earlier employment agreement was terminated. In addition, under the Yorks
Agreement, Mr. Yorks agreed to serve as a consultant to the Company until March
31, 1997, for which he is entitled to receive a specified salary and certain
insurance benefits. The Yorks Agreement prohibits Mr. Yorks from competing with
the Company for as long as he is entitled to receive insurance benefits.
All stock options which have been granted to the Named Executive Officers
will immediately vest in full on the date that any person or group of persons
(other than holders of Common Stock on July 1, 1993) acquire a majority of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
In Fiscal 1996, the Company's directors who were not receiving compensation
as officers or employees of the Company were paid an annual retainer of
$20,000, payable quarterly, and a fee of $1,500 per day for attending each
meeting of the Board of Directors and each meeting of any committee of which
they were a member. For Fiscal 1997, the annual retainer will be $20,000 and
the per day fee for meeting attendance will be $1,500. All directors are
reimbursed for expenses incurred in connection with their attendance at Board
of Directors and committee meetings.
On the date of the first regular meeting of the Board of Directors following
the annual meeting of the Company's stockholders in each year, each member of
the Board of Directors who is not an employee of the Company or a subsidiary or
an affiliate of the Company (each an "Eligible Director") is automatically
granted a non-qualified option under the Director Plan to purchase 5,000 shares
of Common Stock at an exercise price per share equal to the fair market value
of a share of Common Stock on such date ("Director Option"). For purposes of
the Director Plan, "fair market value" is the arithmetic mean of the highest
and lowest sale prices of the shares of Common Stock as reported on Nasdaq on
the date a Director Option is granted or, if there were no sales on such date,
on the most recent preceding date on which sales occurred. During Fiscal 1996,
Messrs. Ergas, Gant, Johnson and Martin each received a Director Option with an
exercise price of $21.1875 per share,
7
<PAGE>
and Mr. Peck was separately granted a non-qualified option to purchase 5,000
shares of Common Stock with an exercise price of $21.1875 per share. The option
granted to Mr. Peck has the same terms as the Director Options as described
below.
Director Options become exercisable to the extent of 100% of the shares
covered thereby commencing six months after the date of grant. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if an optionee dies or becomes disabled, all Director Options
held by such optionee will become exercisable in full. To the extent
exercisable, each Director Option will be exercisable in whole or in part from
time to time. Director Options terminate five years after the date of grant of
such option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an optionee ceases to be a
director for any reason other than such optionee's death or disability, the
Director Options granted with respect to such year shall terminate upon the
later of six months from the date of grant of such Director Options or 90 days
following the date such Optionee ceases to be a Director.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
Messrs. Gant, Johnson and Martin served as members of the Compensation
Committee during Fiscal 1996. No executive officer of the Company served as a
member of the compensation committee or as a director of any other entity, one
of whose executive officers serves on the Compensation Committee or is a
director of the Company.
REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Committee
During Fiscal 1996, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors was
comprised of Messrs. Gant, Johnson and Martin, each a non-employee director.
The Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving annual salaries and
bonuses for all officers and administering the Company's existing stock option
plans (other than the Director Plan).
Compensation Policy and Objectives
The primary goal of the Compensation Committee is to assure that the
compensation provided to the Company's executive officers is linked to the
Company's business strategies and objectives, thereby aligning the financial
interests of senior management with those of the stockholders. Beyond that, the
priorities of the Compensation Committee are to assure that the Company's
executive compensation programs enable the Company to attract, retain and
motivate the high caliber of executives required for the success of the
Company's business. These objectives are achieved through a variety of
compensation programs, summarized below, which support both the current and
long-term performance of the Company's business.
Commencing in September 1994, the Committee began evaluating the
competitiveness of its executive compensation programs using information drawn
from a variety of sources, including published survey data, information
supplied by consultants and the Company's own experience in recruiting and
retaining executives. While some of the companies in the peer group chosen for
comparison of stockholder returns in the graph appearing under "Executive
Compensation--Performance Graph" may be included in the surveys and information
considered by the Committee in setting executive compensation, there is no set
peer group against which compensation has been or will be measured. Instead,
the Committee reviews broad-based industry salary data for manufacturing
companies with sales in the Company's range, and when available, examines
industry specific data relative to a particular position.
The Committee is cognizant of provisions under Section 162(m) of the Internal
Revenue Code which limit the deductibility of certain compensation expense. The
Company is currently studying the effects of Section 162(m) but believes that
it will not limit the deductibility of any compensation paid by the Company in
Fiscal 1996.
The following are the criteria considered by the Committee and the Board of
Directors in establishing the Company's compensation programs for its executive
officers and the factors considered in determining the compensation of the
Company's chief executive officer during Fiscal 1996.
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<PAGE>
Base Salary
Base salaries for executive officers were determined by evaluating the
responsibilities of the position, historical salary increases, market levels
for similar positions and Company performance. Individual salaries varied
somewhat below or above the prevailing market rates based upon the
individual's performance and contribution to Company success and tenure on the
job. Salaries are reviewed on an annual basis and adjusted as necessary, based
primarily upon individual performance with consideration given to each
executive's total compensation package. Base salaries for Fiscal 1996 were
determined using principally subjective criteria. Base salary levels for the
Named Executive Officers increased an average of approximately 6.1% in Fiscal
1996.
Annual Incentives
In Fiscal 1996, executive officers had an opportunity to earn annual bonuses
of up to 60% of base salary ("Annual Bonuses") based on internal operating
performance goals which exceeded budgeted financial targets established by the
Board of Directors. The goals were established early in Fiscal 1996 and Annual
Bonuses were evaluated by the Committee after the end of Fiscal 1996. In
Fiscal 1996, the Company used sales, operating profit, return on net assets
and cash flow as its primary measures of divisional and/or corporate
performance for the Company's executive officers. At the divisional level,
bonuses are linked to a combination of both divisional and Company internal
operating performance goals. Over time, the Company has found that linking
executive pay principally to these factors ties the executive's interests and
rewards to those of the stockholder. No Annual Bonuses are paid to executive
officers unless the Company achieves 90% of the amounts targeted for the
internal operating performance measures. Since the Company's budgeted
financial targets were not met for Fiscal 1996, senior management recommended,
and the Committee accepted, that no bonuses be paid to Named Executive
Officers for Fiscal 1996.
Long-Term Incentives
To further align the interests of stockholders and management, the Company
grants stock options periodically to its executive officers. The number of
shares awarded is established and reviewed from time to time by the
Compensation Committee on the basis of subjective factors. The exercise price
has thus far been equal to the fair market value of the stock on the date of
the grant. The options are exercisable between one year and ten years from the
grant date. Such stock options provide incentive for the creation of
stockholder value since the full benefit of the compensation package cannot be
realized unless the price of the Common Stock appreciates. No stock options
were granted to any of the Named Executive Officers during Fiscal 1996. See
"Executive Compensation--Value of Options."
CEO Compensation
Mr. Grinter has served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
since December 1993, and served as President and Chief Executive Officer from
August 1991 to December 1993. The graph appearing under "Executive
Compensation--Performance Graph" partially illustrates the Company's
accomplishments since the Company's initial public offering in December of
1993. Mr. Grinter's Fiscal 1996 compensation of $264,904 (see "Executive
Compensation--Summary Compensation Table") included a base salary of $256,192,
an increase of approximately 6.7% over Fiscal 1995. Mr. Grinter's base salary
for Fiscal 1996 was determined based on the vital importance of the Chief
Executive Officer position, achievement of long-term goals and overall
performance. Mr. Grinter also participates in the Annual Bonus program
described above and is subject to its standards. Since the Company did not
achieve its financial targets for Fiscal 1996, the Committee did not award an
Annual Bonus to Mr. Grinter. No stock options were granted by the Board of
Directors to Mr. Grinter in Fiscal 1996. See "Executive Compensation--Value of
Options."
Summary
The Committee believes that a high caliber, motivated management team is
critical to sustained business success. Placing a significant portion of the
total potential compensation for the Named Executive Officers "at
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<PAGE>
risk" and payable based on performance-based variables motivates and focuses
management on those issues that drive the success of the Company. The
Committee intends to continue its pay for performance policy which links
executive rewards to stockholder returns.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE DURING FISCAL 1996
Donald R. Gant
Clarence E. Johnson
James E. Martin
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the percentage change in the Company's
cumulative return on its Common Stock with that of the Standard & Poor's 500
Stock Index ("S&P 500") and that of the Standard & Poor's Railroads Index
("S&P Railroads") at December 14, 1993 (the first day the Common Stock was
listed on Nasdaq) and at July 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996. The graph assumes a
$100 investment and reinvestment of dividends.
[PERFORMANCE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
12/14/93 07/31/94 07/31/95 07/31/96
-------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ABC Rail Products Corporation............... $100.00 $152.08 $215.62 $179.18
S&P 500..................................... $100.00 $100.52 $126.76 $147.75
S&P Railroads............................... $100.00 $ 92.19 $115.80 $130.46
</TABLE>
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<PAGE>
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act") requires the Company's executive officers and directors and
owners of 10% or more of the Common Stock to file with the Commission initial
reports of ownership and reports of changes of ownership of the Common Stock.
Such persons are required to furnish the Company with copies of all such
reports. Based upon a review of these filings and written representations from
such persons that no other reports were required, the Company notes that all
required filings related to Fiscal 1996 were timely made, with the exception
of Mr. Ziemba, a former executive officer, and Mr. Martin, who filed late Form
4s.
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
The Company has appointed Arthur Andersen as the Company's independent
accountants for Fiscal 1997. Arthur Andersen has served as the Company's
independent accountants since 1992. Services provided to the Company and its
subsidiaries by Arthur Andersen with respect to Fiscal 1996 included the
examination of the Company's consolidated financial statements and
consultations on various tax and information services matters. Representatives
of Arthur Andersen are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting to respond
to appropriate questions and to make such statements as they may desire.
Ratification of the appointment of Arthur Andersen as the Company's
independent accountants for Fiscal 1997 will require the affirmative vote of a
majority of the shares of Common Stock represented in person or by proxy and
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. In the event stockholders do not
ratify the appointment of Arthur Andersen as the Company's independent
accountants for Fiscal 1997, such appointment will be reconsidered by the
Audit Committee and the Board of Directors.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" RATIFICATION
OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT
ACCOUNTANTS FOR FISCAL 1997.
OTHER MATTERS
As of the date of this proxy statement, the Company knows of no business
that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting other than the
items referred to above. Proxies in the enclosed form will be voted in respect
of any other business that is properly brought before the Annual Meeting in
accordance with the recommendation of the Board of Directors or, if no such
recommendation is given, in the discretion of the person or persons voting the
proxies.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 1997 ANNUAL MEETING
Any proposal of a stockholder intended to be presented at the Company's 1997
annual meeting of stockholders (the "1997 Annual Meeting") must be received by
the Secretary of the Company by June 21, 1997, for inclusion in the Company's
proxy, notice of meeting and proxy statement relating to the 1997 Annual
Meeting.
By order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ D. Chisholm MacDonald
D. Chisholm MacDonald
Secretary
October 18, 1996
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<PAGE>
PROXY
ABC RAIL PRODUCTS CORPORATION
200 SOUTH MICHIGAN AVENUE
SUITE 1300
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60604
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the accompanying notice of annual
meeting and 1996 proxy statement and hereby appoints Donald W. Grinter and D.
Chisholm MacDonald and each of them, attorneys and proxies, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, to vote all shares of the common stock of ABC
RAIL PRODUCTS CORPORATION (the "Company") held of record by the undersigned at
the close of business on October 1, 1996 at the annual meeting of stockholders
of the Company to be held at The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, on
November 15, 1996, and at any postponement or adjournment thereof, as follows:
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
WITH AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
ALL NOMINEES LISTED BELOW to vote for all nominees
(except as marked to the contrary listed [_]
below) [_]
Donald W. Grinter Clarence E. Johnson
D. Chisholm MacDonald James E. Martin
Jean-Pierre M. Ergas George W. Peck IV
Donald R. Gant
(INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE,
WRITE THAT NOMINEE'S NAME IN THE SPACE PROVIDED BELOW.)
______________________________________________________
2. Ratification of the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP as the Company's
independent accountants for the fiscal year ending July 31, 1997.
[_] FOR [_] AGAINST [_] ABSTAIN
3. As recommended by the Board of Directors, or in the absence of such
recommendation in their own discretion, to vote upon such other business as
may properly come before said meeting or any postponement or adjournment
thereof.
All of the foregoing is as set forth in the Notice and Proxy Statement
relating to the meeting.
(CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON THE REVERSE SIDE)
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<PAGE>
IF THIS PROXY IS PROPERLY EXECUTED, THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY WILL BE
VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED AND, IN THE ABSENCE OF DIRECTION AS TO THE MANNER
OF VOTING, WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION AS DIRECTORS OF THE SLATE OF NOMINEES
SET FORTH ABOVE AND FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN
LLP AS INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS.
Please date this proxy and sign exactly as name(s) appears below and return
the signed proxy in the enclosed envelope. When shares are held by joint
tenants, both should 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.
PLEASE DO NOT FOLD
DATED: ____________________, 1996 _________________________________________
Signature
_________________________________________
Signature if held jointly
2
