<PAGE>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington D.C. 20549
================================================================================
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:
[_] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
[_] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[_] Definitive Additional Materials
[_] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
ABC-NACO INC.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(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>
ABC-NACO INC.
2001 BUTTERFIELD ROAD, SUITE 502
DOWNERS GROVE, ILLINOIS 60515
March 13, 2000
Dear Fellow Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
ABC-NACO Inc. to be held on Thursday, April 20, 2000 at 9:00 a.m., local time,
in the Shareholders' Room (21st Floor) of Bank of America Illinois, 231 S.
LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60604.
Enclosed you will find a notice setting forth the business expected to come
before the meeting, the Proxy Statement, a form of proxy and a copy of the
Company's Annual Report.
Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting in person, your shares should
be represented and voted at the meeting. After reading the enclosed Proxy
Statement, kindly complete, sign, date and promptly return the proxy in the
enclosed self-addressed envelope. No postage is required if it is mailed in the
United States. Submitting the proxy will not preclude you from voting in person
at the meeting should you later decide to do so. Your cooperation in promptly
submitting your proxy is greatly appreciated.
We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
Sincerely,
/s/ Donald W. Grinter
Donald W. Grinter
Chairman of the Board
/s/ Joseph A. Seher
Joseph A. Seher
Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE>
ABC-NACO INC.
2001 BUTTERFIELD ROAD, SUITE 502
DOWNERS GROVE, ILLINOIS 60515
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
March 13, 2000
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of ABC-NACO Inc. (the "Company") will be
held on Thursday, April 20, 2000 at 9:00 a.m., local time, in the Stockholders'
Room (21st Floor) of Bank of America Illinois, 231 S. LaSalle Street, Chicago,
Illinois, 60604, for the following purposes:
1. To elect to the Board of Directors for a three-year term one class of
directors, consisting of two directors;
2. To ratify the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP as the Company's
independent public accountants; and
3. To transact any other business that may properly come before the
meeting.
The record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to vote
at the Annual Meeting, or any adjournments or postponements thereof, was the
close of business on February 28, 2000. Additional information regarding the
matters to be acted on at the Annual Meeting can be found in the accompanying
Proxy Statement.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Mark F. Baggio
Mark F. Baggio
Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary
_________
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND MAIL PROMPTLY THE ENCLOSED
PROXY, FOR WHICH A RETURN ENVELOPE IS PROVIDED, EVEN IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE
ANNUAL MEETING.
ABC-NACO INC.
2001 BUTTERFIELD ROAD, SUITE 502
DOWNERS GROVE, ILLINOIS 60515
PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON APRIL 20, 2000
GENERAL
You are receiving this proxy statement and proxy card from us because you
own shares of common stock in ABC-NACO Inc. (the "Company"). The Company
recently changed its fiscal year-end to December 31 from July 31. As a result of
this change, the Company is holding its Annual Meeting in April and providing
this proxy statement and proxy card at this time. This proxy statement describes
the proposals on which we would like you to vote. It also gives you information
so that you can make an informed decision. We first mailed this proxy statement
and the form of proxy to stockholders on or about March 13, 2000.
The terms "Fiscal 1999," "Fiscal 1998," and "Fiscal 1997" as used in this
proxy statement refer to the twelve month periods ended July 31, 1999, 1998 and
1997, respectively. The term "Transition Period" as used in this proxy statement
refers to the five-month period ended December 31, 1999. Following the
Transition Period, the Company's next reporting year will be the twelve-month
period ended December 31, 2000.
VOTING AT THE MEETING
DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF THE MEETING
We will hold the annual meeting in the Stockholders' Room (21st Floor) of
Bank of America Illinois, 231 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60604, at
9:00 a.m., local time, on April 20, 2000.
WHO CAN VOTE
Record holders of the Company's common stock at the close of business on
February 28, 2000 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. On the
record date, approximately 19,061,132 shares of common stock were issued and
outstanding and held by approximately 95 holders of record.
QUORUM FOR THE MEETING
A quorum of stockholders is necessary to take action at the annual meeting.
A majority of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company, represented
in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum. Votes cast by proxy or in
person at the annual meeting will be tabulated by the inspector of election
appointed for the annual meeting. The inspector of election will determine
whether a quorum is present at the annual meeting. The inspector of election
will treat directions to withhold authority, abstentions and broker non-votes as
present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the presence of a
quorum. A broker non-vote occurs when a broker holding shares for a beneficial
owner does not have authority to vote the shares. In the event that a quorum is
not present at the meeting, we expect that the meeting will be adjourned or
postponed to solicit additional proxies.
VOTES REQUIRED
The two nominees for director who receive the greatest number of votes cast
in person or by proxy at the annual meeting will be elected directors of the
Company. The ratification of the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP as the
Company's independent public accountants for the year ending December 31, 2000
requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock
present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the annual meeting.
You are entitled to one vote on each matter to be considered at the meeting
for each share of common stock you own on the record date. A broker who holds
shares of common stock in nominee name will have discretionary authority to vote
those shares on all proposals being submitted at the meeting.
Abstentions may be specified on all proposals except the election of
directors. Abstentions will be counted as present for purposes of the item on
which the abstention is noted and, thus, have the effect of a vote against the
proposal. With regard to the election of directors, votes may be cast in favor
of or withheld with respect to either or both nominees; votes that are withheld
will be excluded entirely from the vote and will have no effect. Shares
represented by a proxy as to which there is a broker non-vote or a proxy in
which authority to vote for any matter considered is withheld will have no
effect on the vote for any matter. Votes will be tabulated by American Stock
Transfer and Trust Company, the Company's transfer agent.
HOW YOU CAN VOTE
You may attend the annual meeting and vote your shares in person. You also
may choose to submit your proxies by completing the enclosed proxy card, dating
and signing it and returning it in the postage-paid envelope provided. If you
sign your proxy card and return it without marking any voting instructions, your
shares will be voted in favor of each of the proposals presented at the annual
meeting. If your shares are held in "street name" (i.e., in the name of a
broker, bank or other record holder), you must either direct the record holder
of your shares how to vote your shares or obtain a proxy from the record holder
to vote at the annual meeting.
HOW YOU MAY REVOKE OR CHANGE YOUR VOTE
You can revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at the annual
meeting by any of the following methods:
- - Submitting a later-dated proxy by mail
- - Sending a written notice, including by telegram or telecopy, to the
Secretary of the Company. You must send any written notice of a revocation of a
proxy so as to be delivered before the taking of the vote at the meeting to:
ABC-NACO Inc.
2001 Butterfield Road
Suite 502
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Attention: Secretary
- - Attending the annual meeting and voting in person. Your attendance at the
annual meeting will not in and of itself revoke your proxy. You must also vote
your shares at the meeting. If your shares are held in the name of a bank,
broker or other holder of record, you must obtain a proxy, executed in your
favor, from the holder of record to be able to vote at the annual meeting.
COSTS OF SOLICITATION
The Company will pay the costs of soliciting proxies. The Company has
retained Corporate Investor Communications, Inc. to aid in the solicitation of
proxies and to verify certain records to the solicitations. The Company will pay
Corporate Investor Communications, Inc. a fee of $3,000 as compensation for its
services and will reimburse it for its related out-of-pocket expenses.
In addition to solicitation by mail, the directors, officers and employees
of the Company may also solicit proxies from stockholders by telephone,
telecopy, telegram or in person. Upon request, the Company will also reimburse
brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their
reasonable expenses in sending the proxy materials to beneficial owners.
PROPOSAL 1--ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
INTRODUCTION
The Board of Directors is divided into three classes of directors, with
Class I and Class II currently consisting of two directors each and Class III
currently consisting of four directors. At each annual meeting of the
stockholders, a class of directors shall be elected for a term expiring at the
third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after its election, to succeed
that class of directors whose term then expires. Each director shall hold office
until his or her successor has been duly elected and qualified, or until the
director's earlier resignation, death or removal.
The Board of Directors proposes the election as directors of the two
persons named below under "Class II Nominees for Election to the Board of
Directors For a Three-Year Term Expiring in 2003," to hold office for a term
ending at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2003. The Company has
inquired of each nominee and has ascertained that each will serve if elected.
The remaining six directors named below will continue in office. While the Board
of Directors does not anticipate that either of the nominees will be unable to
stand for election as a director at the annual meeting, if that is the case,
proxies will be voted in favor of such other person or persons designated by the
Board of Directors.
Each nominee is a current director of the Company. Set forth below is a
brief description of the background of the nominees for election as directors
and of the directors continuing in office.
CLASS II DIRECTORS NOMINEES FOR ELECTION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR A
THREE-YEAR TERM EXPIRING IN 2003
RICHARD A. DREXLER. Mr. Drexler, age 52, has served as a director of the
Company since February 1999. Prior thereto, Mr. Drexler served as a director of
NACO, Inc. since 1995. Since 1993, Mr. Drexler has served as Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer and President of Allied Products Corporation, which
manufactures equipment for agricultural and related uses and also manufactures
mechanical and hydraulic presses.
GEORGE W. PECK, IV. Mr. Peck, age 68, has served as a director of the
Company since February 1999. Prior thereto, Mr. Peck served as a director of ABC
Rail Products Corporation ("ABC") since August 1991. Mr. Peck served as a
principal of Kohlberg & Co., L.L.C., a New York merchant banking firm
("Kohlberg"), from 1987 to 1997 and as a special limited principal with Kohlberg
from 1997 to present. From 1963 to 1987, Mr. Peck 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 UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR EACH OF THE ABOVE
NOMINEES TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
CLASS III DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE--TERM EXPIRING IN 2001
JOSEPH A. SEHER. Mr. Seher, age 55, has served as Chief Executive Officer
of the Company since February 1999. Prior thereto, Mr. Seher served as Chairman
of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of NACO, Inc. since its formation in
1987. From 1985 to 1987, Mr. Seher was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer of National Castings, Inc., a subsidiary of NACO, a rail products
corporation. From 1981 to 1985, Mr. Seher was Executive Director of Corporate
Development for Atcor, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of electrical,
mechanical, fire protection and consumer products. Mr. Seher has also served as
a management consultant with A.T. Kearney & Co., a management consulting firm,
and as an instructor at The Harvard Business School.
DONALD W. GRINTER. Mr. Grinter, age 63, has served as Chairman of the Board
of the Company since February 1999. Mr. Grinter served as a director of ABC from
1991 until February 1999 and as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the
Board of ABC from December 1993 until February 1999. From August 1991 until
December 1993, Mr. Grinter served as President and Chief Executive Officer of
ABC and from August 1989 until August 1991, he served as President and Chief
Operating Officer of ABC. From June 1987 until August 1989, Mr. Grinter was
President of the Supermarket Group of Hussmann Corporation, a commercial
refrigerator company. Hussmann Corporation is a subsidiary of IC Industries (now
Whitman Corporation), the parent company of Abex Corporation ("Abex"), a
diversified industrial manufacturing company, from which ABC purchased
substantially all of its assets in 1989. Mr. Grinter served as an Executive Vice
President of Abex from June 1984 until June 1987.
DANIEL W. DUVAL. Mr. Duval, age 63, has been a director of the Company
since February 1999. Prior thereto, Mr. Duval served as a director of NACO, Inc.
since 1995. Mr. Duval was President and Chief Executive Officer and a director
of Robbins & Myers, Inc., a manufacturer of fluid management equipment for
process industries, from 1986 to 1998 and was Vice Chairman and a director until
his retirement from Robbins & Myers, Inc. on December 31, 1999. Prior to that
time, Mr. Duval was President and Chief Operating Officer of Midland-Ross
Corporation, a diversified industrial manufacturing company.
JEAN-PIERRE M. ERGAS. Mr. Ergas, age 60, has served as a director of the
Company since February 1999. Prior thereto, Mr. Ergas served as director of ABC
since July 1995. Since January 1, 2000, Mr. Ergas has been Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of BWAY Corporation, a manufacturer of metal containers. Prior
to that time, Mr. Ergas was 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, Mr. Ergas served as a trustee in residence of DePaul
University. From 1991 to 1993, Mr. Ergas 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.
CLASS I DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE - TERM EXPIRING IN 2002
JAMES E. MARTIN. Mr. Martin, age 73, has served as a director of the
Company since February 1999. Prior thereto, Mr. Martin served as a director of
ABC since July 1995. From May 1995 until December 1995, Mr. Martin served as the
Senior Vice President, Operations of Chicago and North Western Railway Company,
a freight 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. Mr. Martin is a member of the National Freight Traffic
Association.
WILLARD H. THOMPSON. Mr. Thompson, age 72, has served as a director of the
Company since February 1999. Prior to the Merger, Mr. Thompson served as a
director of NACO, Inc. since 1988. Mr. Thompson has been an owner and a senior
transport consultant of Transport Specialty Group of California, Inc., a
transportation consulting company, since 1988. Mr. Thompson has also served as a
railroad transport/intermodal specialist for the World Bank.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors held three meetings during the Transition Period.
The Company has standing Audit and Compensation Committees. The Company does not
have a Nominating Committee.
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is responsible for recommending
annually to the Board of Directors the appointment of the Company's independent
public accountants; discussing and reviewing the scope and the fees of the
prospective annual audit; reviewing the results thereof with the Company's
independent public accountants; reviewing compliance with existing major
accounting and financial policies of the Company; reviewing the adequacy of the
Company's financial organization; reviewing 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
reviewing and approving (with the concurrence of a majority of the Company's
independent directors) transactions, if any, with affiliated parties. The Audit
Committee is currently comprised of Messrs. Ergas (Chairman), Drexler and
Martin. During the Transition Period, the Audit Committee held two meetings.
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is responsible for
establishing the Company's executive officer compensation policies and for
administering these policies. The Compensation Committee is currently comprised
of Messrs. Duval (Chairman), Peck and Thompson. During the Transition Period,
the Compensation Committee held three meetings.
During the Transition Period, each of the Company's current directors
attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board of Directors and the
Committees on which he served (during the period that he served).
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
During the Transition Period, the Company's directors who were not
receiving compensation as officers or employees of the Company were paid $6,250
(based on an annual retainer of $25,000, 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. All directors are reimbursed for
expenses incurred in connection with their attendance at Board of Directors and
committee meetings. In November 1999, the Board of Directors terminated the
Director Plan which had provided for an automatic annual stock option grant of
5,000 shares of the Company's common stock to each non-employee director of the
Company. Directors are eligible to participate in the Company's 1999 Omnibus
Stock Plan and in Fiscal 1999, each director was granted a stock option for
5,000 shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $13.3875 per
share. No options were granted to directors during the Transition Period.
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY
The following table shows the compensation of the Company's Chief Executive
Officer and the Company's four other most highly compensated executive officers
for services rendered in all capacities to the Company and its subsidiaries for
the Transition Period, Fiscal 1999, Fiscal 1998 and Fiscal 1997.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL COMPENSATION LONG-TERM
------------------- COMPENSATION
------------------------
TRANSISTION
PERIOD/ OTHER ANNUAL SECURITIES ALL OTHER
FISCAL COMPENSATION UNDERLYING COMPENSATION
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR(1) SALARY($) BONUS($) ($) OPTIONS(#) ($)(2)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Joseph A. Seher . . . . . .8/99-12/99(4) 188,657 -0- -0- -0- 3,267
Chief Executive Officer . 1999 209,925 173,488 -0- -0- -0-
1998 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
1997 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Donald W. Grinter . . . . 8/99-12/99(4) 139,903 -0- -0- -0- -0-
Chairman of the Board . 1999 315,000 111,510 -0- 35,000 8,592
of Directors. . . . . . 1998 301,664 197,820 -0- -0- 8,592
1997 274,992 -0- -0- -0- 9,092
Vaughn W. Makary. . . . . 8/99-12/99(4) 158,400 -0- -0- -0- -0-
President and . . . . . 1999 162,398 112,147 -0- 35,000 5,229
Chief Operating Officer 1998 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
1997 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
John W. Waite . . . . . . 8/99-12/99(4) 118,248 -0- -0- -0- -0-
Executive Vice President . 1999 132,285 80,351 -0- 35,000 4,787
and Chief Administrative 1998 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Officer 1997 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
James P. Singsank(3). . . .8/99-12/99(4) 71,485 -0- -0- -0- 2,099
Senior Vice President and 1999 145,268 37,949 -0- 20,000 4,461
Chief Financial Officer . 1998 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
1997 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
<FN>
- --------
(1) Information for Messrs. Seher, Makary, and Waite in Fiscal 1999 reflects
only compensation paid to such persons by the Company after February 19, 1999
(the effective date of the merger between ABC and NACO, Inc., referred to as the
"Merger"). Prior to the Merger, such persons were directors and/or executive
officers of NACO, and not the Company, and, accordingly, no compensation
information is reflected in the table for such persons prior to the Merger in
Fiscal 1999, or in Fiscal 1998 or Fiscal 1997.
(2) Amounts shown for all persons other than Mr. Grinter represent employer
matching contributions under the Company's Savings and Investment 401(k) Plan
(the "401(k) Plan"). Amounts shown for Mr. Grinter for Fiscal 1999, Fiscal 1998
and Fiscal 1997 include $4,092 in each year for premiums paid on a life
insurance policy on Mr. Grinter's life, of which Mr. Grinter's spouse is the
beneficiary, and employer matching contributions of $4,500, $4,500 and $5,000
respectively, under the 401(k) Plan.
(3) James P. Singsank became Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of the Company on July 6, 1999 and, accordingly, no compensation
information is reflected in the table for Mr. Singsank in Fiscal 1998 or Fiscal
1997.
(4) Amounts shown in the salary column represent the compensation for the
Transition Period. No bonuses were paid to the named executives during the
Transition Period. Salary paid for the twelve-month period ended 1999 to the
named executives was in order of appearance $462,126, $319,903, $373,075,
$314,052 and $163,418, respectively.
</TABLE>
OPTION GRANTS IN THE TRANSITION PERIOD
No options were granted to the named executive officers during the
Transition Period.
OPTION EXERCISES IN THE TRANSITION PERIOD
The table below sets forth certain information for the Transition Period
concerning the value of unexercised options held by each of the named executive
officers as of December 31, 1999. No named executive officer exercised any
options in the Transition Period.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN TRANSITION PERIOD
AND TRANSITION PERIOD OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Securities Value of Unexercised
Underlying Unexercised In-the-Money
Options at Options at
Shares Transition Period (#) Transition Period ($)(1)
Acquired on Value ---------------------- ------------------------
Exercise (#) Realized Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
------------ -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Joseph A. Seher . -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0-
Donald W. Grinter -0- -0- 92,000 35,000 -0- -0-
Vaughn W. Makary. -0- -0- -0- 35,000 -0- -0-
John W. Waite . . -0- -0- -0- 35,000 -0- -0-
James P. Singsank -0- -0- 30,000 35,000 -0- -0-
<FN>
- --------
(1) Represents the difference between $8.50 (the average of the high and low
sale prices of the common stock on the Nasdaq NMS as reported in The Wall Street
Journal on December 31, 1999 and the option exercise price, multiplied by the
number of shares of common stock covered by the options held.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
SEVERANCE AND OTHER ARRANGEMENTS
The Company has severance and change in control arrangements with Messrs.
Seher, Grinter, Makary, Waite, and Singsank (the "Executives"). Each arrangement
provides, among other things, that if the Company terminates an Executive's
employment other than for cause (as defined in the agreement), the Company will
be obligated to pay the Executive the following amounts as severance: (1) two
times the Executive's base salary as of the termination date; (2) the
Executive's pro rata bonus for the year in which he is terminated; and (3)
certain car allowances and outplacement service fees. In addition, the Company
shall continue the Executive's medical benefits and insurance coverage until the
earlier of two years from the date of termination and the time, if applicable,
at which the Executive receives similar benefits from a new employer. If an
Executive is terminated by the Company other than for cause or the Executive
terminates his employment with the Company for good reason (as defined in the
agreement) within three years of a change in control (as defined in the
agreement), the Executive will be entitled to all of the foregoing severance
payments and benefits plus the larger of (A) two times the average bonus paid to
the Executive during the two fiscal years prior to his termination and (B) two
times the bonus the Executive otherwise would have earned based on the
Executive's current salary multiplied by the targeted bonus percentage for the
Executive for the year in which he was terminated. If severance payments to an
Executive would result in the imposition of an excise tax on the payments, the
Company will also reimburse the Executive for the excise tax plus the income and
excise taxes thereon.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee has furnished the following report on executive
compensation to the stockholders of the Company. This report is not and will not
be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company under the Securities
Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Committee. The Compensation Committee consists of Messrs. Duval, Peck and
Thompson, each of whom is a non-employee director of the Company. The Committee
is responsible for reviewing and approving annual salaries and bonuses for all
officers and administering the Company's stock option plans.
Compensation Policy and Objectives. The primary goal of the Company's
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.
The Committee evaluates 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 there is no set peer
group against which compensation has been or will be measured, 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. Section 162(m) did not limit the deductibility of any compensation paid
by the Company in Fiscal 1999.
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 officers during the Transition Period.
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 since the Merger on
February 19, 1999 were determined using these criteria.
Annual incentives. During the Transition Period, executive officers that
were employed by the Company had the opportunity to earn a five-month pro-rata
share of the annual bonus targets which ranged between 20% and 60% of base
salary ("Annual Bonuses") based on target earnings per share established by the
Board of Directors. The target amounts were established shortly before the start
of the Transition Period and Transition Period Bonuses were evaluated by the
Committee after the end of the Transition Period. Over time, the Company has
found that linking executive pay principally to earnings per share ties the
executive's interests and rewards to those of the stockholder. No Transition
Period Bonuses were to be paid to executive officers unless the Company achieved
83% of the targeted earnings per share. Since the minimum level of targeted
earnings per share were not achieved, the Company did not pay Transition Period
Bonuses to its executive officers for the defined period.
Long-Term Incentives. To further align the interest of stockholders and
management, the Company grants stock options 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 is
equal to the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant. The options
are exercisable for periods determined by the Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors and expire ten years from the date of grant. 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 options were granted to the named executive
officers during the Transition Period.
CEO Compensation. Mr. Seher served as Chief Executive Officer of the
Company since the date of the Merger on February 19, 1999. Mr. Seher's
Transition Period salary of $188,657 was driven by a base annual salary of
$490,080. Mr. Seher's base salary was determined based on the vital importance
of the Chief Executive Officer position, achievement of goals and overall
performance. Mr. Seher also participates in the Annual Bonus program described
above and is subject to its standards. No bonus was awarded to Mr. Seher in the
Transition Period since the Company's performance goals were not met.
Conclusion. 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
risk" and payable based on performance-based variables motivates and focuses
management on its pay-for-performance policy which links executive rewards to
stockholder returns.
This report is submitted on behalf of the Compensation Committee:
Daniel W. Duval (Chairman)
George W. Peck, IV
Willard H. Thompson
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS
AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
During the Transition Period, the Compensation Committee was comprised of
Daniel W. Duval (Chairman), George W. Peck, IV and Willard H. Thompson. No
executive officer of the Company served as a member of the compensation
committee or as a director of any other entity that has an executive officer who
serves on the Compensation Committee or is a director of the Company.
<PAGE>
CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
The following table sets forth certain information as to the beneficial
ownership of shares of common stock of each person or group known to the Company
as of February 15, 2000 to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class
of the Company's voting securities. Each beneficial owner has sole investment
and voting power with respect to the shares of common stock set forth below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Common Stock Beneficially
Owned on February 15, 2000
--------------------------
Number of Percent of Class
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER Shares Outstanding
- ----------------------------------------- ------------ -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
State of Wisconsin Investment Board.. . . 1,125,000(1) 5.90%
P.O. Box 7842
Madison, WI 53707
David L. Babson and Company Incorporated. 1,074,200(2) 5.64%
One Memorial Drive
Cambridge, MA 02142-1300
ICM Asset Management, Inc . . . . . . . . 1,061,105(3) 5.60%
601 W. Main Avenue, Ste 600
Spokane, WA 99201
- --------
<FN>
(1) As reported in a statement on Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on February 10, 2000 by State of Wisconsin Investment Board.
(2) (2)As reported in a statement on Schedule 13G filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on January 25, 2000 by David L. Babson and Company
Incorporated.
(3) As reported in a statement on Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on February 8, 2000 by ICM Asset Management, Inc.
</TABLE>
The following table sets forth information as of February 15, 2000 as to
the beneficial ownership of shares of common stock of each director, each
nominee for director, and each named executive officer, individually, and all
directors and executive officers of the Company, as a group. In general,
"beneficial ownership" includes those shares that a director, director nominee
or executive officer has the power to vote or transfer, as well as (1) shares
that may be obtained within 60 days by any such person upon the exercise of
options and (2) shares owned by immediate family members that reside with any
such person. Except as otherwise indicated in the footnotes to the table, each
individual has sole investment and voting power with respect to the shares of
common stock set forth below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMMON STOCK BENEFICIALLY
OWNED ON FEBRUARY 15, 2000
--------------------------
NUMBER OF PERCENT OF CLASS
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER SHARES OUTSTANDING(9)
- ------------------------------------- --------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Richard A. Drexler. . . . . . . . . . 17,400 *
Daniel W. Duval . . . . . . . . . . . 18,400(1) *
Jean-Pierre Ergas . . . . . . . . . . 30,000(2) *
Donald W. Grinter . . . . . . . . . . 319,367(3) 1.67%
Vaughn W. Makary .. . . . . . . . . . 451,538 2.37%
James E. Martin . . . . . . . . . . . 42,000(2)(4)(8) *
George W. Peck IV . . . . . . . . . . 19,000(2)
Joseph A. Seher . . . . . . . . . . . 4,951,857(5) 26.0%
James P. Singsank . . . . . . . . . . 32,500(6) *
Willard H. Thompson . . . . . . . . . 14,314 *
John W. Waite . . . . . . . . . . . . 392,868 2.06%
All directors and executive officers
as a group (14 persons) . . . . . . . 6,308,394(7) 32.8%
------------
- --------
<FN>
* Less than one percent of the Company's outstanding common stock.
(1) Includes 1,000 shares owned of record by his spouse.
(2) Includes 15,000 shares subject to outstanding options which are
exercisable as of or within 60 days of February 15, 2000.
(3) Includes 92,000 shares subject to outstanding options which are
exercisable as of or within 60 days of February 15, 2000.
(4) Includes 6,000 shares held in an irrevocable trust created for the
benefit of Mr. Martin's grandchildren, with respect to which Mr. Martin shares
investment power with the trustee, who is his daughter.
(5) Includes as of March 10, 2000, 3,045,000 shares held by the Seher Family
Limited Partnership, for which Mr. Seher and his wife are the sole general
partners and which Mr. Seher, his wife, the Deborah Jill Seher Trust and the Amy
Marie Seher Trust are the sole limited partners. Such shares are owned
indirectly through the Reporting Person's position as a general partner in the
Seher Family Limited Partnership.
(6) Includes 30,000 shares subject to outstanding options which are
exercisable as of or within 60 days of February 15, 2000.
(7) Includes 168,250 shares subject to outstanding options which are
exercisable as of or within 60 days of February 15, 2000.
(8) Includes 6,000 shares owned of record by others over which Mr. Martin
shares voting and/or investment power.
(9) The 19,061,132 shares are exclusive of 311,110 shares to be issued to
fulfill the Company's stock earn-out obligations on previous acquisitions.
</TABLE>
COMMON STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following common stock price performance graph compares the yearly
change in the Company's cumulative total stockholder returns on its common stock
during the Company's last five fiscal years and the Transition Period, with the
cumulative total return of the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index ("S&P 500")
and the Standard & Poor's Railroads Index ("S&P Railroads"), assuming the
investment of $100 on July 31, 1994 and the reinvestment of dividends (rounded
to the nearest dollar).
[GRAPH OMITTED]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
07/31/94 07/31/95 07/31/96 07/31/97 07/31/98 07/31/99 12/31/99
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ABC-NACO INC. . $100.00 $141.78 $117.81 $100.68 $78.08 $109.59 $45.21
S&P 500 INDEX . $100.00 $126.11 $147.00 $223.65 $266.78 $320.68 $356.52
RAILROADS - 500 $100.00 $125.61 $141.50 $205.26 $161.65 $186.23 $150.86
</TABLE>
This performance graph is presented in accordance with requirements of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, but is not incorporated by reference in any
filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. We caution you not to draw any conclusions from the data
in the graph, as past results do not necessarily indicate future performance.
<PAGE>
PROPOSAL 2--RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT PUBLIC
ACCOUNTANTS
Subject to ratification by the stockholders, the Board of Directors has
reappointed Arthur Andersen LLP as independent public accountants to audit the
consolidated financial statements of the Company for the calendar year ending
December 31, 2000. If the stockholders should fail to ratify the appointment of
the independent accountants, the Board of Directors would reconsider the
appointment.
It is expected that representatives of Arthur Andersen LLP will be present
at the annual meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if they
desire to do so, and will be available to answer appropriate questions.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE
APPOINTMENT OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT PUBLIC
ACCOUNTANTS.
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP COMPLIANCE REPORTING
Based solely upon a review of reports on Forms 3, 4 and 5 and any
amendments thereto furnished to the Company pursuant to Section 16 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and written representations from
the executive officers and directors that no other reports were required, the
Company believes that all of such reports were filed on a timely basis by
executive officers and directors during Transition Period.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR NEXT ANNUAL MEETING
To be considered for inclusion in next year's proxy materials, stockholder
proposals to be presented at such annual meeting must be in writing and be
received by the Company no later than December 15, 2000.
Other proposals that are not included in the proxy materials will be
considered timely and may be eligible for presentation at the Company's annual
meeting on April 20, 2001 if they are received by the Company in the form of a
written notice no later than January 15, 2001.
<PAGE>
OTHER BUSINESS
The Board of Directors does not know of any business to be brought before
the annual meeting other than the matters described in the notice of annual
meeting. However, if a stockholder properly brings any other matters for action,
each person named in the accompanying proxy intends to vote the proxy in
accordance with his judgment on such matters.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Mark F. Baggio
Mark F. Baggio
Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary
March 13, 2000
THE COMPANY'S TRANSITION PERIOD ANNUAL REPORT TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION ON FORM 10-K IS INCLUDED AS A PART OF THE COMPANY'S TRANSITION PERIOD
ANNUAL REPORT WHICH ACCOMPANIES THIS PROXY STATEMENT AND FORM OF PROXY.
<PAGE>
ABC-NACO INC.
2001 BUTTERFIELD ROAD, SUITE 502
DOWNERS GROVE, ILLINOIS 60515
PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD APRIL 20, 2000
The undersigned hereby appoints Joseph A. Seher and Donald W. Grinter, and
each of them individually, as proxies, with the powers the undersigned would
possess if personally present, and with full power of substitution, to vote at
the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of ABC-NACO Inc. to be held April 20, 2000,
and at any adjournments thereof, on the following proposals:
1. Election of Directors.
Nominees:
Richard A. Drexler and George W. Peck IV
2. Ratification of the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP as independent
public accountants.
With respect to other matters that properly come before the annual meeting
or any adjournment of the annual meeting, the proxies named above are authorized
to vote upon those matters in their discretion.
You are encouraged to specify your choices by marking the appropriate boxes
(SEE REVERSE SIDE) but you need not mark any boxes if you wish to vote in
accordance with the Board of Directors' recommendations. Your shares cannot be
voted unless you sign, date and return this card.
SEE REVERSE SIDE
Please mark your vote as in this example. X
When this proxy card is properly executed, the shares to which it relates will
be voted in the manner directed herein. If no direction is made, the shares will
be voted FOR the election of directors and FOR proposal (2) below.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR each of proposal (1) and (2) below.
1. Election of Directors
FOR, except withhold vote from the following nominees:
- ------------------------------------------------------
2. Ratification of independent public accountants.
By signing this proxy card, you acknowledge receipt of the Notice of Annual
Meeting of Stockholders to be held April 20, 2000 and the Proxy Statement dated
March 13, 2000.
