STRATTEC SECURITY CORP
DEF 14A, 1998-09-09
MOTOR VEHICLE PARTS & ACCESSORIES
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<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
 
Filed by the registrant [x]
 
Filed by a party other than the registrant [ ]
 
Check the appropriate box:
 
[ ]  Preliminary proxy statement              
                                              
[x]  Definitive proxy statement

[ ]  Definitive additional materials

[ ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12

                         STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

                                   Registrant
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
 
Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):
 
[x]  No fee required.
 
[ ]  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
 
     (1)  Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
 
     (2)  Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
 
     (3)  Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
          pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11:
 
     (4)  Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
 
     (5)  Total fee paid:
 
[ ]  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
 
                                 STRATTEC LOGO
 
                         STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
                            3333 WEST GOOD HOPE ROAD
                           MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN 53209
 
                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
     The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION, a
Wisconsin corporation (hereinafter called the Corporation), will be held at the
Manchester East Hotel, 7065 North Port Washington Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
53217, on Thursday, October 22, 1998, at 2 p.m. local time, for the following
purposes:
 
     1. To elect one Director to serve for a three-year term.
 
     2. To take action with respect to any other matters that may be properly
brought before the meeting and that might be considered by the shareholders of a
Wisconsin corporation at their annual meeting.
 
By order of the Board of Directors
 
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
September 9, 1998
                                          JOHN G. CAHILL,
                                          Secretary
 
     SHAREHOLDERS OF RECORD AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON AUGUST 26, 1998 ARE
ENTITLED TO VOTE AT THE MEETING. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THAT A
MAJORITY OF THE STOCK IS REPRESENTED. PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN AND DATE THE
ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE WHETHER OR NOT
YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING. IF YOU LATER FIND THAT YOU MAY BE PRESENT AT THE
MEETING OR FOR ANY OTHER REASON DESIRE TO REVOKE YOUR PROXY, YOU MAY DO SO AT
ANY TIME BEFORE IT IS VOTED.
<PAGE>   3
 
                                    STRATTEC
 
                         STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
                            3333 WEST GOOD HOPE ROAD
                           MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN 53209
 
          PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 1998 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                         TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 22, 1998
 
     This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by
the Board of Directors of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION of proxies, in the
accompanying form, to be used at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the
Corporation to be held on October 22, 1998 and any adjournments thereof. Only
shareholders of record at the close of business on August 26, 1998 will be
entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. The shares represented by each
valid proxy received in time will be voted at the meeting and, if a choice is
specified on the proxy, it will be voted in accordance with that specification.
If no instructions are specified in a signed proxy returned to the Corporation,
the shares represented thereby will be voted in FAVOR of the election of the
director listed in the enclosed proxy. Shareholders may revoke proxies at any
time to the extent they have not been exercised. The cost of solicitation of
proxies will be borne by the Corporation. Solicitation will be made primarily by
use of the mails; however, some solicitation may be made by employees of the
Corporation, without additional compensation therefor, by telephone, by
facsimile, or in person. On the record date, the Corporation had outstanding
5,721,858 shares of $.01 par value common stock ("Common Stock") entitled to one
vote per share.
 
     A majority of the votes entitled to be cast with respect to each matter
submitted to the shareholders, represented either in person or by proxy, shall
constitute a quorum with respect to such matter. Approval of each matter
specified in the notice of the meeting requires the affirmative vote of a
majority, or in the case of the election of directors a plurality, of the shares
represented at the meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes (i.e., shares held
by brokers in street name, voting on certain matters due to discretionary
authority or instructions from the beneficial owners but not voting on other
matters due to lack of authority to vote on such matters without instructions
from the beneficial owner) will count toward the quorum requirement and will not
count toward the determination of whether such matters are approved or directors
are elected. The Inspector of Election appointed by the Board of Directors will
count the votes and ballots.
 
     The Corporation's principal executive offices are located at 3333 West Good
Hope Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53209. It is expected that this Proxy Statement
and the form of Proxy will be mailed to shareholders on or about September 9,
1998.
<PAGE>   4
 
                             ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
     The Board of Directors of the Corporation is divided into three classes,
with the term of office of each class ending in successive years. One director
is to be elected at the Annual Meeting to serve for a term of three years
expiring in 2001, and four directors will continue to serve for the terms
designated in the following schedule. As indicated below, the person nominated
by the Board of Directors is an incumbent director. The Corporation anticipates
that the nominee listed in this Proxy Statement will be a candidate when the
election is held. However, if for any reason the nominee is not a candidate at
that time, proxies will be voted for a substitute nominee designated by the
Corporation (except where a proxy withholds authority with respect to the
election of directors).
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        DIRECTOR
NAME, PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION FOR PAST FIVE YEARS AND DIRECTORSHIPS  AGE    SINCE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------  ---   --------
<S>                                                               <C>   <C>
NOMINEE FOR ELECTION AT THE ANNUAL MEETING (CLASS OF 2001):
FRANK J. KREJCI...............................................    48      1995
President of Wisconsin Furniture LLC (a manufacturer of custom
furniture) since June 1996. Vice President of WITECH Corp.
(venture capital subsidiary of Wisconsin Energy Corp., a public
utility) from May 1988 to June 1996.
INCUMBENT DIRECTORS (CLASS OF 1999):
MICHAEL J. KOSS...............................................    44      1995
President and Chief Executive Officer of Koss Corporation
(manufacturer and marketer of high fidelity stereophones for the
international consumer electronics market) since 1989. Director
of Koss Corporation.
JOHN G. CAHILL................................................    41      1995
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and
Secretary of the Corporation since 1994. Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer, Johnson Worldwide
Associates, Inc. (manufacturer and marketer of recreational and
marking systems products) from 1992 to 1994 and Corporate
Controller from 1989 to 1992.
INCUMBENT DIRECTORS (CLASS OF 2000):
HAROLD M. STRATTON II.........................................    50      1994
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation since
1994. Vice President of Briggs & Stratton Corporation and
General Manager of the Technologies Division of Briggs &
Stratton Corporation from 1989 to 1995. Director of Smith
Investment Company.
ROBERT FEITLER................................................    67      1995
Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of
Weyco Group, Inc. (manufacturer, purchaser and distributor of
men's footwear) since April 1996. President and Chief Operating
Officer of Weyco Group, Inc. from June 1968 to April 1996.
Director of Weyco Group, Inc.
</TABLE>
 
     The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee.
The Board's Audit Committee is comprised of Messrs. Krejci, Koss and Feitler
(Chairman). The Audit Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors
regarding the engagement of independent public accountants to audit the books
and accounts of the Corporation and reviews with such accountants the audited
financial statements and their reports thereon. The Audit Committee also
consults with the independent public
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   5
 
accountants with respect to the annual audit scope and plan of audit and with
respect to the adequacy of the Corporation's internal controls and accounting
procedures. The Audit Committee met two times during fiscal 1998 and all
committee members were present at each meeting.
 
     The Board's Compensation Committee is comprised of Messrs. Krejci
(Chairman), Koss and Feitler. The Compensation Committee, in addition to such
other duties as may be specified by the Board of Directors, reviews the
compensation and benefits of senior managers and makes appropriate
recommendations to the Board of Directors, administers the Corporation's
Economic Value Added Plan for Executive Officers and Senior Managers,
administers the STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION Stock Incentive Plan and prepares
on an annual basis a report on executive compensation. The Compensation
Committee met two times during fiscal 1998 and all committee members were
present at each meeting.
 
     The Board of Directors held five meetings in fiscal 1998 and all of the
directors attended these meetings.
 
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
 
     Each nonemployee director of the Corporation receives an annual retainer
fee of $8,000, a fee of $750 for each Board meeting attended and a fee of $500
for each committee meeting attended. Effective June 30, 1997, the Corporation
implemented an Economic Value Added Plan for Non-Employee Members of the Board
of Directors (the "Director EVA* Plan"). The purpose of the Director EVA Plan is
to maximize long-term shareholder value by providing incentive compensation to
nonemployee directors in a form which relates the financial reward to an
increase in the value of the Corporation to its shareholders and to enhance the
Corporation's ability to attract and retain outstanding individuals to serve as
nonemployee directors of the Corporation. The Director EVA Plan provides for the
payment of an annual cash bonus to each nonemployee director equal to the
product of (a) 40% of the director's retainer and meeting fees for the fiscal
year, multiplied by (b) a Company Performance Factor. In general, the Company
Performance Factor is determined by reference to the financial performance of
the Corporation relative to a targeted cash-based return on capital, which is
intended to approximate the Corporation's weighted cost of capital (which was
12% for fiscal 1998).
 
- ---------------
 
*EVA is a registered trademark of Stern, Stewart & Co.
                                        3
<PAGE>   6
 
                               SECURITY OWNERSHIP
 
     The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial
ownership of shares of Common Stock as of August 31, 1998 by (i) each director,
nominee and named executive officer (as defined below), (ii) all directors and
executive officers as a group, and (iii) each person or other entity known by
the Corporation to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding Common
Stock.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           NATURE OF BENEFICIAL
                                                                                OWNERSHIP
                                                                         ------------------------
                                               TOTAL NO. OF              SOLE VOTING     SHARED      SOLE
                                                  SHARES                     AND       VOTING AND   VOTING
                                               BENEFICIALLY   PERCENT    INVESTMENT    INVESTMENT    POWER
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER                         OWNED(1)     OF CLASS      POWER        POWER      ONLY(2)
- ------------------------                       ------------   --------   -----------   ----------   -------
<S>                                            <C>            <C>        <C>           <C>          <C>
The State of Wisconsin Investment Board(3)...    440,600         7.7      440,600            --        --
First Union Corporation(4)...................    353,134         6.2      332,000            --        --
Heartland Advisors, Inc.(5)..................    720,300        12.6           --            --        --
John G. Cahill...............................     90,671         1.6        5,800            --        11
Robert Feitler...............................     10,000           *       10,000            --        --
Michael J. Koss..............................         --          --           --            --        --
Frank Krejci.................................         40           *           40            --        --
Harold M. Stratton II........................    164,580         2.8       31,183        11,169(6)     22
Michael R. Elliott...........................     53,116           *           --            --        30
Andrew G. Lechtenberg........................     18,082           *           --            40       264
Gerald L. Peebles............................     44,160           *           --            --       193
All directors and executive officers as a
  group (8 persons)..........................    380,649         6.3       47,023        11,209       520
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------------
 *  Less than 1%.
 
(1) Includes the rights of the following persons to acquire shares pursuant to
    the exercise of currently vested stock options: Mr. Stratton -- 122,206
    shares; Mr. Cahill -- 84,860 shares; Mr. Peebles -- 43,967 shares; Mr.
    Elliott -- 53,086 shares; Mr. Lechtenberg -- 17,778 shares; and all
    directors and executive officers as a group -- 321,897 shares.
 
(2) All shares are held in the Employee Savings and Investment Plan Trust.
 
(3) The State of Wisconsin Investment Board, P.O. Box 7842, Madison, Wisconsin
    53707, filed a Schedule 13G dated February 6, 1996, as amended by a Schedule
    13G/A dated January 21, 1997 and a Schedule 13G/A dated January 20, 1998,
    reporting that as of January 20, 1998 it was the beneficial owner of 440,600
    shares of Common Stock, with sole voting and investment power as to all of
    such shares.
 
(4) First Union Corporation, One First Union Center, Charlotte, North Carolina
    28288-0137, filed a Schedule 13G dated February 3, 1997, as amended by a
    Schedule 13G/A dated February 11, 1998, reporting that as of February 11,
    1998 it was the beneficial owner of 353,134 shares of Common Stock. The
    shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by First Union Corporation include
    332,934 shares as to which First Union Corporation has sole voting power,
    20,200 shares as to which First Union Corporation
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   7
 
    has shared voting power, 332,000 shares as to which First Union Corporation
    has sole investment power and 21,134 shares as to which First Union
    Corporation has shared investment power.
 
(5) Heartland Advisors, Inc. ("Heartland"), 790 North Milwaukee Street,
    Milwaukee Wisconsin 53202, filed a Schedule 13G dated February 12, 1997, as
    amended by a Schedule 13G/A dated February 2, 1998, reporting that as of
    February 2, 1998 it was the beneficial owner of 720,300 shares of Common
    Stock. The shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Heartland include
    682,000 shares as to which Heartland has sole voting power and 720,300
    shares as to which Heartland has sole investment power.
 
(6) Includes 10,100 shares held in trust as to which Mr. Stratton is co-trustee
    and beneficiary, 169 shares owned by Mr. Stratton's spouse and 900 shares as
    to which Mr. Stratton is custodian on behalf of his children.
 
     The above beneficial ownership information is based on information
furnished by the specified persons and is determined in accordance with Rule
13d-3, as required for purposes of this Proxy Statement. It is not necessarily
to be construed as an admission of beneficial ownership for other purposes.
 
            SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
 
     Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), requires the Corporation's directors and executive officers,
and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Corporation's
equity securities, to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") initial reports of beneficial ownership and reports of changes in
beneficial ownership of the Corporation's equity securities. The rules
promulgated by the Commission under section 16(a) of the Exchange Act require
those persons to furnish the Corporation with copies of all reports filed with
the Commission pursuant to section 16(a). Based solely upon a review of such
forms actually furnished to the Corporation, and written representations of
certain of the Corporation's directors and executive officers that no forms were
required to be filed, all directors, executive officers and 10% shareholders
have filed with the Commission on a timely basis all reports required to be
filed under section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, except that Messrs. Stratton,
Cahill, Elliott and Peebles each filed a Form 4 report in September 1998 to
report exempt stock option grants received in August 1997.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   8
 
                               PERFORMANCE GRAPH
 
     The chart below shows a comparison of the cumulative return since February
27, 1995 had $100 been invested at the close of business on February 27, 1995 in
each of the Common Stock, the Nasdaq Composite Index (all issuers), and the Dow
Jones Auto Parts and Equipment Index.
 
                      CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN COMPARISON*
                    THE CORPORATION VERSUS PUBLISHED INDICES
   (NASDAQ COMPOSITE INDEX AND THE DOW JONES AUTO PARTS AND EQUIPMENT INDEX)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         DOW JONES
                                                                                         AUTO PARTS
                                                                         NASDAQ             AND
               MEASUREMENT PERIOD                       THE            COMPOSITE         EQUIPMENT
             (FISCAL YEAR COVERED)                 CORPORATION**         INDEX             INDEX
<S>                                               <C>               <C>               <C>
2/27/95                                                        100               100               100
6/30/95                                                         94               119               110
6/28/96                                                        137               152               127
6/27/97                                                        160               185               157
6/26/98                                                        235               241               180
</TABLE>
 
 * Total return assumes reinvestment of dividends
 
** The closing price of the Common Stock on February 27, 1995 was $13.00, the
   closing price on June 30, 1995 was $12.25, the closing price on June 28, 1996
   was $17.75, the closing price on June 27, 1997 was $20.75 and the closing
   price on June 26, 1998 was $30.47.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   9
 
            COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     The Corporation's Compensation Committee (the "Committee"), which is
comprised of three outside directors of the Corporation, is responsible for
considering and approving compensation arrangements for senior management of the
Corporation, including the Corporation's executive officers and the chief
executive officer. The objectives of the Committee in establishing compensation
arrangements for senior management are to: (i) attract and retain key executives
who are important to the continued success of the Corporation; and (ii) provide
strong financial incentives, at reasonable cost to the shareholders, for senior
management to enhance the value of the shareholders' investment.
 
     The primary components of the Corporation's executive compensation program
are (i) base salary, (ii) incentive compensation bonuses and (iii) stock
options.
 
     The Committee believes that:
 
     - The Corporation's incentive plans provide strong incentives for
       management to increase shareholder value;
 
     - The Corporation's pay levels are appropriately targeted to attract and
       retain key executives; and
 
     - The Corporation's total compensation program is a cost-effective strategy
       to increase shareholder value.
 
BASE SALARIES
 
     Executive officers' base salaries are reviewed annually by the Committee,
based on level of responsibility and individual performance. It is the
Corporation's objective that base salary levels, in the aggregate, be at
competitive salary levels. In fixing competitive base salary levels, the
Committee used a survey of a broad group of domestic industrial organizations
from all segments of industry. From this survey, the Committee determined a
competitive salary level for fiscal 1998 for each executive officer position
near the average derived from the survey for positions with similar
responsibilities at companies with a similar level of sales, also taking into
account additional factors such as the executive officer's performance. Because
the survey was based on industry-wide studies, the companies in the survey do
not correspond to the companies that make up the Dow Jones Auto Parts and
Equipment Index, which is used by the Corporation as the published industry
index for comparison in the Performance Graph on page 6.
 
INCENTIVE BONUSES
 
     The Corporation maintains an Economic Value Added ("EVA") Plan for
Executive Officers and Senior Managers (the "EVA Plan"), the purpose of which is
to provide incentive compensation to certain key employees, including all
executive officers, in a form which relates the financial reward to an increase
in the value of the Corporation to its shareholders. In general, EVA is the net
operating profit after taxes, less a capital charge. The capital charge is
intended to represent the return expected by the providers of the Corporation's
capital. The Corporation believes that EVA improvement is the financial
performance measure most closely correlated with increases in shareholder value.
 
     For fiscal 1998, the amount of bonus which a participant was entitled to
earn was derived from a Company Performance Factor and from an Individual
Performance Factor. The Company Performance Factor was determined by reference
to the financial performance of the Corporation relative to a targeted
cash-based return on capital established by the Committee, which is intended to
approximate the Corpora-
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   10
 
tion's weighted cost of capital. The Individual Performance Factor was
determined by reference to the level of attainment of certain quantifiable and
non-quantifiable company or individual goals which contribute to increasing the
value of the Corporation to its shareholders. Individual Target Incentive Awards
under the EVA Plan range from 65% of base compensation for the President and CEO
to 35% of base compensation for other officers for fiscal 1998. Mr. Stratton's
fiscal 1998 bonus equals 169% of his Target Incentive Award.
 
     The EVA Plan provides the powerful incentive of an uncapped bonus
opportunity, but also uses a "Bonus Bank" to ensure that significant EVA
improvements are sustained before significant bonus awards are paid out. The
Bonus Bank feature applies to those participants determined by the Committee to
be "Executive Officers" under the EVA Plan. All of the named executive officers
have been designated Executive Officers for fiscal 1998. Each year, any accrued
bonus in excess of 125% of the target bonus award is added to the outstanding
Bonus Bank balance. The bonus paid is equal to the accrued bonus for the year,
up to a maximum of 125% of the target bonus, plus 33% of the Bonus Bank balance
at the end of the year. Thus, significant EVA improvements must be sustained for
several years to ensure full payout of the accrued bonus. A Bonus Bank account
is considered "at risk" in the sense that in any year the accrued bonus is
negative, the negative bonus amount is subtracted from the outstanding Bonus
Bank balance. In the event the outstanding Bonus Bank balance at the beginning
of the year is negative, the bonus paid is limited to the accrued bonus up to a
maximum of 75% of the target bonus. The executive is not expected to repay
negative balances. On termination of employment due to death, disability or
retirement or by the Corporation without cause, the available balance in the
Bonus Bank will be paid to the terminating executive or his designated
beneficiary or estate. Executive officers who voluntarily leave to accept
employment elsewhere or who are terminated for cause will forfeit any positive
available balance.
 
STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
 
     In 1994, the Corporation established the STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
Stock Incentive Plan ("Incentive Plan"). The Incentive Plan authorizes the
Committee to grant to officers and other key employees stock incentive awards in
the form of one or any combination of the following: stock options, stock
appreciation rights, deferred stock, restricted stock and stock purchase rights.
During fiscal 1998, the Committee granted options to purchase Common Stock to
the executives as shown in the Summary Compensation Table.
 
     On August 25, 1998, after publication of financial results for fiscal 1998,
the Committee granted leveraged stock options (LSOs) to 13 key employees,
including options to purchase 26,805 shares to Mr. Stratton, options to purchase
17,399 shares to Mr. Cahill, options to purchase 7,207 shares to Mr. Elliott and
options to purchase 7,071 shares to Mr. Peebles, based on the amount of
incentive bonus under the EVA Plan earned for fiscal 1998. The method of
calculating the number of options granted to each executive, and the method of
determining their exercise price, is set forth in the EVA Plan and Incentive
Plan. These leveraged stock options have an exercise price of $37.88 per share
and provide a form of option grant that simulates a stock purchase with 10:1
leverage. The number of leveraged options granted to Mr. Stratton for fiscal
1998 was determined in the manner described and was based on his incentive bonus
for fiscal 1998.
 
     The maximum aggregate number of LSOs to be granted each year is 80,000. If
the Total Bonus Payout under EVA produces more than 80,000 LSOs in any year,
LSOs granted for that year will be reduced pro-rata based on proportionate Total
Bonus Payouts under the EVA Plan. The amount of any such reduction shall be
carried forward to subsequent years and invested in LSOs to the extent the
annual limitation is not exceeded in such years.
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   11
 
COMPENSATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
 
     The compensation awarded to Mr. Stratton reflects the basic philosophy
generally discussed above that compensation be based on Corporation and
individual performance.
 
     The Committee determined Mr. Stratton's base salary for fiscal 1998 based
on the compensation survey and annual review described above. With respect to
the EVA Plan and the Stock Incentive Plan, Mr. Stratton's awards for fiscal 1998
were determined in the same manner as for all other participants in these plans.
 
                                          COMPENSATION COMMITTEE:
 
                                          Frank J. Krejci
                                          Michael J. Koss
                                          Robert Feitler
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   12
 
                             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
CASH COMPENSATION
 
     The table which follows sets forth certain information for the years
indicated below concerning the compensation paid by the Corporation (and its
predecessor) to the Corporation's Chief Executive Officer and the four other
most highly compensated executive officers in fiscal 1998 (collectively, the
"named executive officers"):
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             LONG-TERM
                                                                           COMPENSATION
                                                ANNUAL COMPENSATION    ---------------------
                                      FISCAL   ---------------------   SECURITIES UNDERLYING      ALL OTHER
    NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION        YEAR    SALARY($)    BONUS($)    OPTIONS/SARS(#)(1)     COMPENSATION($)
    ---------------------------       ------   ---------    --------   ---------------------   ---------------
<S>                                   <C>      <C>          <C>        <C>                     <C>
Harold M. Stratton II, .............   1998     220,648     242,920            26,805               4,995(2)
President and                          1997     205,000     174,558            26,549               4,172(2)
Chief Executive Officer                1996     186,533      97,000            23,660               3,867(2)
John G. Cahill, ....................   1998     178,811     157,667            17,399               5,469(3)
Executive Vice President               1997     166,400     108,493            16,501               5,098(3)
and Chief Financial Officer            1996     159,173      75,607            18,440               4,942(3)
Gerald L. Peebles, .................   1998     113,488      64,080             7,071               4,722(4)
Vice President-General                 1997     112,000      43,198             6,570               4,464(4)
Manager Strattec de Mexico             1996     107,400      22,554             5,500               3,139(4)
Michael R. Elliott, ................   1998     117,048      65,311             7,207               2,918(5)
Vice President-Sales and               1997     111,200      47,288             7,192               3,209(5)
Marketing                              1996     105,931      32,441             7,901               3,100(5)
Andrew G Lechtenberg, ..............   1998     105,000      46,516                --               4,721(6)
Vice President-Engineering             1997     103,000      37,564             5,713               4,344(6)
                                       1996      97,700      29,066             7,090               3,802(6)
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------------
(1) For fiscal 1996, all amounts are leveraged stock options granted on August
    21, 1996 based on executive performance for fiscal 1996. For fiscal 1997,
    all amounts are leveraged stock options granted on August 20, 1997 based on
    executive performance for fiscal 1997. For fiscal 1998, all amounts are
    leveraged stock options granted on August 25, 1998 based on executive
    performance for fiscal 1998.
 
(2) For fiscal 1996, represents $3,214 in matching contributions to the
    Corporation's Savings and Investment Plan (the "Plan"), and $653 of taxable
    employer paid group term life insurance. For fiscal 1997, includes $3,650 in
    matching contributions to the Plan for the executive officer and includes
    $522 of taxable employer paid group term life insurance. For fiscal 1998,
    includes $3,435 in matching contributions to the Plan for the executive
    officer and includes $1,560 of taxable employer paid group term life
    insurance.
 
(3) For fiscal 1996, represents $4,694 in matching contributions to the Plan,
    and $248 of taxable employer paid group term life insurance. For fiscal
    1997, includes $4,846 in matching contributions to the Plan for the
    executive officer and includes $252 of taxable employer paid group term life
    insurance. For fiscal 1998, includes $4,918 in matching contributions to the
    Plan for the executive officer and includes $551 of taxable employer paid
    group term life insurance.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   13
 
(4) For fiscal 1996, represents $2,059 in matching contributions to the Plan,
    and $1,080 of taxable employer paid group term life insurance. For fiscal
    1997, includes $3,357 in matching contributions to the Plan for the
    executive officer and includes $1,107 of taxable employer paid group term
    life insurance. For fiscal 1998, includes $3,274 in matching contributions
    to the Plan for the executive officer and includes $1,448 of taxable
    employer paid group term life insurance.
 
(5) For fiscal 1996, represents $2,724 in matching contributions to the Plan,
    and $376 of taxable employer paid group term life insurance. For fiscal
    1997, includes $2,903 in matching contributions to the Plan for the
    executive officer and includes $306 of taxable employer paid group term life
    insurance. For fiscal 1998, includes $2,576 in matching contributions to the
    Plan for the executive officer and includes $342 of taxable employer paid
    group term life insurance.
 
(6) For fiscal 1996, represents $3,440 in matching contributions to the Plan,
    and $362 of taxable employer paid group term life insurance. For fiscal
    1997, includes $4,038 in matching contributions to the Plan for the
    executive officer and includes $306 of taxable employer paid group term life
    insurance. For fiscal 1998, includes $4,327 in matching contributions to the
    Plan for the executive officer and includes $394 of taxable employer paid
    group term life insurance.
 
STOCK OPTIONS
 
     The Incentive Plan approved by shareholders provides for the granting of
stock options with respect to Common Stock.
 
     The following tables set forth further information relating to stock
options.
 
                     OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE
                                                                                           AT ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES
                               NUMBER OF      % OF TOTAL                                       OF STOCK PRICE
                              SECURITIES     OPTIONS/SARS                                  APPRECIATION FOR OPTION
                              UNDERLYING      GRANTED TO    EXERCISE                             TERM($)(2)
                             OPTIONS/SARS    EMPLOYEES IN    PRICE       EXPIRATION      ---------------------------
           NAME              GRANTED(#)(1)   FISCAL YEAR     ($/SH)         DATE            5%                10%
           ----              -------------   ------------   --------     ----------         --                ---
<S>                          <C>             <C>            <C>        <C>               <C>               <C>
Harold M. Stratton II......     26,549           28.0        31.98     August 20, 2002         --           166,462
John G. Cahill.............     16,501           17.4        31.98     August 20, 2002         --           103,461
Gerald L. Peebles..........      6,570            6.9        31.98     August 20, 2002         --            41,194
Michael R. Elliott.........      7,192            7.6        31.98     August 20, 2002         --            45,094
Andrew G. Lechtenberg......      5,713            6.0        31.98     August 20, 2002         --            35,821
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------------
(1) The foregoing options are exercisable beginning on the third anniversary of
    the date of grant and terminate on the fifth anniversary of the date of
    grant.
 
(2) The dollar amounts under these columns are the result of theoretical
    calculations at 5% and 10% rates set by the Commission, and therefore are
    not intended to forecast possible future appreciation, if any, in the Common
    Stock.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   14
 
              AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
                         AND FY-END OPTION/SAR VALUES*
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           NUMBER OF SECURITIES
                                                                          UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED       VALUE OF UNEXERCISED IN-
                                                                              OPTIONS/SARS AT           THE-MONEY OPTIONS/SARS
                                       SHARES ACQUIRED      VALUE           FISCAL YEAR END(#)           AT FISCAL YEAR END($)
                NAME                   ON EXERCISE(#)    REALIZED($)    (EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE)   (EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE)
                ----                   ---------------   -----------    ---------------------------   ---------------------------
<S>                                    <C>               <C>            <C>                           <C>
Harold M. Stratton II................          --               --            122,206/50,209               2,082,835/255,291
John G. Cahill.......................          --               --             84,860/34,941               1,476,683/198,968
Gerald L. Peebles....................      15,000          203,670             43,967/12,070                  755,541/59,345
Michael R. Elliott...................          --               --             53,086/15,102                  932,882/85,349
Andrew G. Lechtenberg................      35,000          415,800             17,778/12,803                  274,236/76,501
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------------
* No SARs are outstanding. Options at fiscal year end exclude leveraged stock
  options granted on August 25, 1998, based on executive performance for fiscal
  1998.
 
  RETIREMENT PLAN AND SUPPLEMENTAL PENSION PLAN
 
     The Corporation maintains a defined benefit retirement plan (the
"Retirement Plan") covering all executive officers and substantially all other
employees in the United States. Under the Retirement Plan, nonbargaining unit
employees receive an annual pension payable on a monthly basis at retirement
equal to 1.6% of the employee's average of the highest 5 years of compensation
during the last 10 calendar years of service prior to retirement multiplied by
the number of years of credited service, with an offset of 50% of Social
Security (prorated if years of credited service are less than 30). Compensation
under the Retirement Plan includes the compensation as shown in the Summary
Compensation Table under the heading "Salary and Bonus," subject to a maximum
compensation amount set by law ($160,000 in 1998).
 
     Executive officers participate in an unfunded program which supplements
benefits under the Retirement Plan. Under the Supplemental Executive Retirement
Plan (the "Supplemental Pension Plan"), executive officers are provided with
additional increments of (a) 0.50% of compensation (as limited under the
Retirement Plan) per year of credited service over the benefits payable under
the Retirement Plan to nonbargaining unit employees and (b) 2.1% of the
compensation exceeding the Retirement Plan dollar compensation limit per year of
credited service.
 
     A trust has been created for deposit of the aggregate present value of the
benefits described above for executive officers upon occurrence of a change in
control of the Corporation, which trust would not be considered funding the
benefits for tax purposes.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   15
 
     The following table shows total estimated annual benefits payable from the
Retirement Plan and the unfunded Supplemental Pension Plan to executive officers
upon normal retirement at age 65 at specified compensation and years of service
classifications calculated on a single life basis and adjusted for the projected
Social Security offset:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 ANNUAL PENSION PAYABLE FOR LIFE
AVERAGE ANNUAL COMPENSATION                                 AFTER SPECIFIED YEARS OF CREDITED SERVICE
  IN HIGHEST 5 OF LAST 10                          -----------------------------------------------------------
 CALENDAR YEARS OF SERVICE                         10 YEARS         20 YEARS         30 YEARS         40 YEARS
- ---------------------------                        --------         --------         --------         --------
<S>                                                <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
        1$00,000.................................. $18,300          $ 36,700         $ 55,000         $ 70,000*
        150,000..................................    28,800           57,700           86,500          105,000*
        200,000..................................    39,300           78,700          118,000          140,000*
        250,000..................................    49,800           99,700          149,500          175,000*
        300,000..................................    60,300          120,700          181,000          210,000*
        350,000..................................    70,800          141,700          212,500          245,000*
        400,000..................................    81,300          162,700          244,000          280,000*
        450,000..................................    91,800          183,700          275,500          315,000*
        500,000..................................   102,300          204,700          307,000          350,000*
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------------
* Figures reduced to reflect the maximum limitation under the plans of 70% of
compensation.
 
     The above table does not reflect limitations imposed by the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, on pensions paid under federal income tax
qualified plans. However, an executive officer covered by the Corporation's
unfunded program will receive the full pension to which he would be entitled in
the absence of such limitations.
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
     Each executive officer of the Corporation has signed an employment
agreement which extends through December 31, 1998, with a one-year automatic
extension upon each anniversary date, unless either party gives 30 days' notice
that the agreement will not be further extended. Under the agreement, the
officer agrees to perform the duties currently being performed in addition to
other duties that may be assigned from time to time. The Corporation agrees to
pay the officer a salary of not less than that of the previous year and to
provide fringe benefits that are provided to all other salaried employees of the
Corporation in comparable positions.
 
CHANGE OF CONTROL EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
     Each executive officer of the Corporation has signed a change in control
employment agreement which guarantees the employee continued employment
following a "change in control" on a basis equivalent to the employee's
employment immediately prior to such change in terms of position, duties,
compensation and benefits, as well as specified payments upon termination
following a change in control. The Corporation currently has such agreements
with the five named executive officers. Such agreements become effective only
upon a defined change in control of the Corporation, or if the employee's
employment is terminated upon, or in anticipation of such a change in control,
and automatically supersede any existing employment agreement. Under the
agreements, if during the employment term (three years from the change in
control) the employee is terminated other than for "cause" or if the employee
voluntarily terminates his employment for good reason or during a 30-day window
period one year after a change in control, the employee is entitled to specified
severance benefits, including a lump sum payment of three times the sum of the
employee's annual salary and
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   16
 
bonus and a "gross-up" payment which will, in general, effectively reimburse the
employee for any amounts paid under federal excise taxes.
 
                                    AUDITORS
 
     Arthur Andersen LLP served as independent auditors for the purpose of
auditing the financial statements of the Corporation for fiscal 1998. A
representative of Arthur Andersen LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting and
will have the opportunity to make a statement if he desires to do so and will be
available to respond to appropriate questions. The Audit Committee will not
choose independent auditors for fiscal 1999 until after the Annual Meeting.
 
                  ANNUAL REPORT TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                            COMMISSION ON FORM 10-K
 
     The Corporation is required to file an annual report, called a Form 10-K,
with the Commission. A copy of Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 28, 1998
will be made available, without charge, to any person entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting. Written request should be directed to John G. Cahill, Office of
the Corporate Secretary, STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION, 3333 West Good Hope
Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53209.
 
                             SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
 
     Proposals which shareholders intend to present at the 1999 Annual Meeting
of Shareholders must be received at the Corporation's principal offices in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin no later than May 12, 1999 for inclusion in the proxy
material for that meeting.
 
                                 OTHER MATTERS
 
     The Directors of the Corporation know of no other matters to be brought
before the meeting. If any other matters properly come before the meeting,
including any adjournment or adjournments thereof, it is intended that proxies
received in response to this solicitation will be voted on such matters in the
discretion of the person or persons named in the accompanying proxy form.
 
                                          BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
                                          STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
 
                                          John G. Cahill, Secretary
 
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
September 9, 1998
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   17
                                     PROXY

                         STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION

          THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     The undersigned hereby appoints Harold M. Stratton II and John G. Cahill,
or either one of them, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, as
proxy or proxies of the undersigned to attend the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION to be held on October 22, 1998 at
2:00 p.m., local time, at Manchester East Hotel, 7065 North Port Washington
Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53217, and at any adjournment thereof, there to vote
all shares of Common Stock which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if
personally present as specified upon the following matters and in their
discretion upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting.

1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS (term expiring at the 2001 Annual Meeting)


       [ ]   FOR the nominee listed below  [ ]   WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
             (except as marked to the            to vote for the nominee
             contrary below)                     listed below


                                FRANK J. KREJCI

(INSTRUCTIONS:  To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write
that nominee's name on the space provided below.)
________________________________________________________________________

2. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
matters as may properly come before the meeting.

                          (continued on reverse side)


<PAGE>   18




PROXY NO.                         NO. OF SHARES

     The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting
of Shareholders and accompanying Proxy Statement, ratifies all that said proxies
or their substitutes may lawfully do by virtue hereof, and revokes all former
proxies.

     Please sign exactly as your name appears hereon, date and return this
Proxy. UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED TO GRANT AUTHORITY
TO ELECT THE NOMINATED DIRECTOR. IF OTHER MATTERS COME BEFORE THE MEETING, THIS
PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BEST JUDGMENT OF THE PROXIES
APPOINTED.

                                  DATED:  ___________________, 1998

                                  ____________________________________
                                  (SIGNATURE OF SHAREHOLDER)

                                  ____________________________________
                                  (SIGNATURE IF JOINTLY HELD)

                                  If signing as attorney, executor,
                                  administrator, trustee or guardian, please
                                  add you full title as such. If shares are
                                  held by two or more persons, all holders must
                                  sign the Proxy.



                                      2


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