BANDAG INC
DEF 14A, 1997-03-26
TIRES & INNER TUBES
Previous: ASTRONICS CORP, 10-K, 1997-03-26
Next: BANTA CORP, 10-K405, 1997-03-26




                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
           Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
                              Exchange Act of 1934
                               (Amendment No. ___)

   Filed by the Registrant [X]
   Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [  ]

   Check the appropriate box:

   [ ]  Preliminary Proxy Statement
   [ ]  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
        14a-6(e)(2))
   [X]  Definitive Proxy Statement
   [ ]  Definitive Additional Materials
   [ ]  Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section  240.14a-11(c) or Section 
        240.14a-12

                              BANDAG, INCORPORATED
                (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)(4) and 0-
        11.

        1)  Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

        2)  Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

        3)  Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
        pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
        filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

        4)  Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

        5)  Total fee paid:

   [ ]  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

   [ ]  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
        Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting
        fee was paid previously.  Identify the previous filing by
        registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date
        of its filing.

        1)  Amount Previously Paid:

        2)  Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

        3)  Filing Party:

        4)  Date Filed:

   <PAGE>

   BANDAG, INCORPORATED
   Bandag Headquarters
   2905 North Highway 61
   Muscatine, Iowa 52761-5886
   March 28, 1997


                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

                             To Be Held May 6, 1997



   To The Shareholders:

        The Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of Bandag, Incorporated, an
   Iowa corporation, will be held at the Holiday Inn, 2915 North Highway 61,
   Muscatine, Iowa, on May 6, 1997, commencing at ten o'clock a.m., Central
   Daylight Time, for the following purposes:

        (1)  To elect two directors for terms of three years.

        (2)  To ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as independent
             auditors of the Corporation for the fiscal year ending December
             31, 1997.

        (3)  To transact such other business as may properly come before the
             meeting or any adjournment thereof.

        The Board of Directors has fixed March 21, 1997 as the record date
   for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at
   the meeting.

        You are invited to attend the meeting; however, if you do not expect
   to attend in person, you are urged to sign, date and return immediately
   the enclosed Proxy, which is solicited by the Board of Directors.  You may
   revoke your Proxy and vote in person should you attend the meeting.

                            By Order of the Board of Directors




                            WARREN W. HEIDBREDER, Secretary

   <PAGE>

   BANDAG, INCORPORATED
   Bandag Headquarters
   2905 North Highway 61
   Muscatine, Iowa 52761-5886
   March 28, 1997 


                         P R O X Y    S T A T E M E N T


   This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of
   proxies by the Board of Directors of Bandag, Incorporated (the
   "Corporation") to be voted at the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of
   the Corporation to be held on Tuesday, May 6, 1997, or at any adjournment
   thereof, for the purposes set forth in the foregoing Notice of Annual
   Meeting.  Any shareholder giving a proxy may revoke it at any time prior
   to its exercise.

        Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 21, 1997,
   will be entitled to vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof.  At
   the close of business on March 21, 1997, there were 9,846,205 outstanding
   $1.00 par value shares of Common Stock and 2,051,350 outstanding $1.00 par
   value shares of Class B Common Stock.  Each share of Common Stock is
   entitled to one vote and each share of Class B Common Stock is entitled to
   ten votes at the meeting.

        The Corporation's Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December
   31, 1996, this Proxy Statement and the enclosed form of proxy are being
   mailed to shareholders on or about March 28, 1997.

        The following table sets forth information as to the Common, Class A
   Common and Class B Common shares of the Corporation beneficially owned by
   each director and director-nominee, each of the executive officers named
   in the Summary Compensation Table and by all directors and executive
   officers as a group as of March 21, 1997:

                                                               Percentage of
                                                                 Aggregate
                                                               Voting Power
                                                 Percentage      of Common
                                               of Outstanding      Stock
                                   Amount         Stock of      and Class B
     Directors, Nominees and    Beneficially     Respective       Common
        Executive Officers        Owned[1]       Class [1]        Stock**

    Lucille A. Carver  
        Common Stock           2,615,685            27%
        Class A Common Stock   3,730,431            34%
        Class B Common Stock   1,114,746            54%             45%

    Martin G. Carver [2] [3]
        Common Stock             139,924             1%
        Class A Common Stock     600,782             5%
        Class B Common Stock     502,622            25%             17%

    Roy J. Carver, Jr.  
        Common Stock                 -0-            -0-
        Class A Common Stock     319,202             3%
        Class B Common Stock     400,732            20%             13%

    Robert T. Blanchard
        Common Stock                 -0-             0%
        Class A Common Stock         -0-             0%
        Class B Common Stock         -0-             0%             0%

    Robert K. Drummond [4]
        Common Stock               2,305             *
        Class A Common Stock       3,760             *
        Class B Common Stock       1,455             *               *

    James R. Everline
        Common Stock                 100             *
        Class A Common Stock         450             *
        Class B Common Stock         350             *               *

    Edgar D. Jannotta
        Common Stock               7,000             *
        Class A Common Stock       7,000             *
        Class B Common Stock         -0-            -0-              *

    R. Stephen Newman
        Common Stock               2,500             *
        Class A Common Stock       2,500             *
        Class B Common Stock         -0-            -0-              *

    Gary L. Carlson 
        Common Stock               2,634             *
        Class A Common Stock       2,239             *
        Class B Common Stock         -0-            -0-              *

    Donald F. Chester
        Common Stock                  51             *
        Class A Common Stock          52             *
        Class B Common Stock         -0-            -0-              *

    Thomas E. Dvorchak [5]
        Common Stock               9,889             *
        Class A Common Stock       5,226             *               *
        Class B Common Stock         -0-            -0-

    Sam Ferrise II
        Common Stock                 662             *
        Class A Common Stock         663             *               *
        Class B Common Stock         -0-            -0-

    Stuart C. Green
        Common Stock               1,837             *
        Class A Common Stock       1,011             *               *
        Class B Common Stock         -0-            -0-

    William A. Sweatman
        Common Stock                 661             *
        Class A Common Stock         664             *
        Class B Common Stock           2             *               *

    All Directors, Nominees
      and Executive Officers
      as a Group (17
      Persons) 
        Common Stock           2,791,425            28%
        Class A Common Stock   4,680,885            42%
        Class B Common Stock   2,019,905            98%             76%


   *  Shares owned constitute less than 1% of shares outstanding and less
      than 1% of votes entitled to be cast.

   ** Shares of Class A Common Stock are non-voting.

   [1] Beneficial owners exercise both sole voting and sole investment power
       unless otherwise stated. The Class B Common Stock is convertible on a
       share-for-share basis into Common Stock at the option of the
       shareholder. As a result, pursuant to Rule 13d-3(d)(1) of the
       Securities Exchange Act of 1934, a shareholder is deemed to have
       beneficial ownership of the shares of Common Stock which such
       shareholder may acquire upon conversion of the Class B Common Stock. 
       In order to avoid overstatement, the amount of Common Stock
       beneficially owned does not take into account such shares of Common
       Stock which may be acquired upon conversion (an amount which is equal
       to the number of shares of Class B Common Stock held by a
       shareholder). The percentage of outstanding Common Stock is based on
       the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of March
       21, 1997 (9,846,205 shares), and does not take into account shares of
       Common Stock which may be issued upon conversion of the Class B
       Common Stock.

   [2] Mr. Carver disclaims beneficial ownership of 24,180 shares of Common
       Stock, 5,300 shares of Class A Common Stock and 525 shares of Class B
       Common Stock held by members of his family.

   [3] Includes 100,000 shares of Common Stock and 100,000 shares of Class A
       Common Stock which Mr. Carver has the right to acquire upon exercise
       of stock options within 60 days after March 21, 1997.

   [4] Mr. Drummond disclaims beneficial ownership of 130 shares of Common
       Stock, 260 shares of Class A Common Stock and 130 shares of Class B
       Common Stock held by members of his family.

   [5] Mr. Dvorchak disclaims beneficial ownership of 3,750 shares of Class
       A Common Stock held by a member of his family.


                        ---------------------------------

       Shareholders Owning More Than Five Percent.  The following tables
   provide information concerning persons known by the Corporation to
   beneficially own more than five percent of any class of the Corporation's
   voting securities as of March 21, 1997, other than the ownership of
   Lucille A. Carver, Martin G. Carver and Roy J. Carver, Jr., which is
   contained in the previous table:

                                                Percentage    Percentage
                                   Amount           of            of
                                Beneficially   Outstanding    Aggregate
         Name and Address           Owned      Common Stock  Voting Power

    FMR Corp.(1)
    82 Devonshire Street
    Boston, MA  02109
        Common Stock            527,800(1)        5.30%           *

    The Capital Group
    Companies, Inc.(2)
    333 South Hope Street
    Los Angeles, CA  90071      585,100(4)         6.0%        1.69%(4)


   *   Shares beneficially owned constitute less than 1% of votes entitled
       to be cast.
   __________________________

   (1) Information shown is based on a jointly filed Schedule 13G filed with
       the Securities and Exchange Commission by FMR Corp., Edward C.
       Johnson 3d, Abigail P. Johnson and Fidelity Management & Research
       Company.  Of the shares shown, FMR Corp. and/or its affiliates have
       the sole power to vote or direct the voting of 32,000 shares, have
       shared voting power over none of such shares and have sole power to
       dispose or direct the disposition of all of such shares.

   (2) Information shown is based on a Schedule 13G filed with the
       Securities and Exchange Commission by The Capital Group Companies,
       Inc. and Capital Guardian Trust Company.  Of the shares shown, The
       Capital Group Companies, Inc. has sole voting power over 514,400 of
       such shares, shares voting power over none of such shares and has
       sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of all such shares.



                      Proposal No. 1-ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

       The Articles of Incorporation require election of directors to
   staggered terms of three years.  Due to the resignation of Stephen A.
   Keller on February 5, 1997, there is a vacancy on the Board; therefore,
   two nominees this year are to be elected for three-year terms.  The Board
   of Directors intends to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of
   Mr. Keller as soon as a suitable candidate is identified.  Such person
   will serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders.

       Proxies will be voted for the election of each of the nominees listed
   below, unless the shareholder giving the proxy votes against, or abstains
   from voting for, any nominee.  If, as a result of unforeseen
   circumstances, any such nominee shall be unable  to serve as director,
   proxies will be voted for the election of such person or persons as the
   Board may select. Information about the nominees is set forth below:


                   NOMINEES FOR ELECTION TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS


       ROBERT T. BLANCHARD, age 52, since 1992 has been President of the
   North American Beauty Care Sector of The Procter & Gamble Company, a
   consumer products company.   Mr. Blanchard joined The Procter & Gamble
   Company in 1967 and has held numerous positions, including Vice
   President/General Manager--Northern European Division, Vice
   President/General Manager--Beverages Division, and Group Vice President,
   Global Strategic Planning -- Health and Beauty Care.  Mr. Blanchard is a
   member of the Audit Committee, Management Continuity and Compensation
   Committee and Stock Option Committee.  Mr. Blanchard has been a Director
   since May 1996.

       R. STEPHEN NEWMAN, age 53, since August 1990 has been President and
   Chief Executive Officer of Bacon's Information, Inc., a media information
   services company.  Bacon's Information, Inc. is a subsidiary of K-III
   Communications Corporation.  From 1982 to 1990, he was President of MGI
   Corporation, a computer services company.  Mr. Newman is a member of the
   Audit Committee, Management Continuity and Compensation Committee,
   Strategic Planning Committee and the Stock Option Committee.  Mr. Newman
   has been a Director since 1983.


                         DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE

       ROY J. CARVER, JR., age 53, is Chairman of the Board of Directors and
   President of Carver Pump Company, Muscatine, Iowa.  During 1988, Mr.
   Carver acquired a chain of hardware stores and is President of the
   Muscatine, Iowa based company, Carver Hardware.  Mr. Carver is President
   of Carver Aero, Inc., which operates fixed base operations at airports in
   Muscatine, Iowa; Davenport, Iowa and Clinton, Iowa; President of Carver
   Hotel Enterprises, Inc., a Muscatine, Iowa based hotel and restaurant
   operation; and President of Harrington Signal, Inc., an electronic signal
   panel manufacturing company located in Moline, Illinois.  Mr. Carver holds
   directorships in Catalyst, Inc.,  Iowa First Bancshares Corp. and Met-Coil
   Systems Corporation.  He is a member of the Contributions Committee,
   Management Continuity and Compensation Committee, Nominating Committee and
   the Strategic Planning Committee.  Mr. Carver has been a Director since
   1982 and his term expires in 1998.

       ROBERT K. DRUMMOND, age 58, has been for more than five years a
   partner in the Milwaukee law firm of Foley & Lardner.  In 1996, the
   Corporation paid fees for legal services to Foley & Lardner, and the
   Corporation anticipates that similar services may be provided by Foley &
   Lardner in the current fiscal year.  Mr. Drummond's fees as a Director are
   paid to Foley & Lardner, which credits the sums to the Corporation's legal
   services account.  Mr. Drummond is a member of the Management Continuity
   and Compensation Committee and Strategic Planning Committee.  Mr. Drummond
   has been a Director since 1982 and his term expires in 1998.

       JAMES R. EVERLINE, age 55, is President of Everline & Co., a mergers
   and acquisitions/management consulting company.  Previously, Mr. Everline
   was President, Investment Banking Division of Henry & Company (1990-
   December 1991).  Henry & Company is engaged in the venture capital and
   investment banking business.  Prior to Mr. Everline's employment by Henry
   & Company, he was a Partner of Founders Court Investors Inc. (1988-1989)
   and served as Vice President, Capital Markets Group, Bank of America
   (1981-1988). He is a member of the Audit Committee, Executive Committee,
   Management Continuity and Compensation Committee, Nominating Committee,
   Stock Option Committee and the Strategic Planning Committee.  Mr. Everline
   has been a Director since 1982 and his term expires in 1998.

       LUCILLE A. CARVER,, age 79, has for more than five years served as
   Treasurer of the Corporation.  She is a member of the Contributions
   Committee and the Nominating Committee.  Mrs. Carver has been a Director
   since 1957.  Her term expires in 1999.

       MARTIN G. CARVER, age 48, was elected Chairman of the Board effective
   June 23, 1981, Chief Executive Officer effective May 18, 1982, and
   President effective May 25, 1983.  Mr. Carver was also Vice Chairman of
   the Board from January 5, 1981 to June 23, 1981.  He is a member of the
   Executive Committee, Management Continuity and Compensation Committee,
   Nominating Committee and the Strategic Planning Committee.  Mr. Carver has
   been a Director since 1978.  His term expires in 1999.

       EDGAR D. JANNOTTA, age 65.  On  January 2, 1997,  William Blair &
   Company converted from a partnership to a limited liability company, at
   which time Mr. Jannotta became Senior Director of William Blair & Company,
   L.L.C.  From January 1, 1995 to January 2, 1997 Mr. Jannotta was Senior
   Director of William Blair & Company, after having served as Managing
   Partner for more than five years.  He holds directorships in AAR Corp.,
   Aon Corporation, Molex Incorporated, Oil-Dri Corporation of America,
   Safety-Kleen Corp and Unicom Corporation.  William Blair & Company, L.L.C.
   provided investment banking services to the Corporation in 1996 and the
   Corporation anticipates that services may be provided to the Corporation
   in the current fiscal year.  He is a member of the Audit Committee,
   Management Continuity and Compensation Committee and the Nominating
   Committee.  Mr. Jannotta has been a Director since 1973.  His term expires
   in 1999.

       Directors are elected by a majority of the votes cast (assuming a
   quorum is present).  Consequently, any shares not voted at the Annual
   Meeting, whether due to abstentions, broker non-votes or otherwise, will
   have no impact on the election of directors.


                    THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES

       The Board of Directors met six times in 1996.

       The Audit Committee met three times in 1996; its functions are to
   review major accounting decisions with management and the independent
   auditors, to confer with such auditors with respect to the scope and
   results of the annual audit, to review the annual audit and evaluate the
   auditors' performance, to recommend to the Board of Directors annually the
   selection of outside auditors for the ensuing year, to recommend the scope
   and format of financial information to be submitted to the Board of
   Directors, to review the scope of financial information included in the
   Annual Report to Shareholders, to review the program of the internal audit
   department for the year, to review the financial data included in all
   required governmental reports, and to review the audits of all pension,
   profit sharing and other trust funds held for the benefit of employees of
   the Corporation. The Committee also reviews various insurance coverages of
   the Corporation and the Corporation's compliance with the Foreign Corrupt
   Practices Act.

       The Management Continuity and Compensation Committee met four times
   in 1996; its functions are to review, evaluate and determine executive
   level compensation and to recommend to the Board of Directors the election
   of corporate officers.

       The Nominating Committee met three times in 1996; its duties relate
   to the evaluation and recommendation to the Board of Directors of
   prospective candidates for election as directors of the Corporation. The
   Nominating Committee will consider recommended nominations for the
   position of director which are submitted in writing by the shareholders
   and addressed to the Committee in care of the Corporation at Muscatine,
   Iowa.

       The Stock Option Committee met three times in 1996; its function is
   to select key employees and to award options and restricted stock grants
   to those key employees whose judgment, initiative and efforts contribute
   materially to the successful performance of the Corporation.


                REMUNERATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

   Summary Compensation Information

   The following table sets forth certain information concerning compensation
   paid for the last three fiscal years to the Corporation's Chief Executive
   Officer, each of its five other most highly compensated executive officers
   as of December 31, 1996 whose total cash compensation exceeded $100,000 in
   fiscal 1996 and one additional person who would have been one of the most
   highly compensated executive officers as of December 31, 1996 if he had
   continued to be an executive officer as of such date.  The persons named
   in the table are sometimes referred to herein as the "named executive
   officers."

                  [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]


   <PAGE>
   <TABLE>
                                         Summary Compensation Table
   <CAPTION>

                                                                                       Long Term
                                                                                      Compensation
                                                                      Other Annual     Restricted      All Other
        Name and Principal                                            Compensation       Stock        Compensation
             Position              Year        Salary       Bonus         [1]         Award(s)[2]         [3]

    <S>                            <C>        <C>             <C>       <C>             <C>            <C>
    Martin G. Carver               1996       $332,424        $0        $124,707        $151,876       $ 13,181
      Chairman of the Board,       1995        321,340         0          91,264         111,417         20,255
      Chief Executive Officer      1994        311,740         0          91,127         111,250         20,060
      and President

    Thomas E. Dvorchak             1996       $321,860        $0        $ 27,870        $ 28,126       $ 25,573
      Senior V.P. and Chief        1995        309,127         0          24,813          27,102         26,203
      Financial Officer            1994        304,913         0          25,391          27,813         20,060

    Stuart C. Green                1996       $316,785        $0        $ 29,502        $ 32,343       $ 13,181
      Senior V.P.,                 1995        304,720         0          22,357          26,098         20,255
      Manufacturing                1994        295,268         0          21,942          25,587         20,832

    Gary L. Carlson                1996       $292,550        $0        $212,960        $ 30,469       $173,619
      Senior V.P. and General      1995        281,941         0         161,206          23,087        220,009
      Manager of Eastern           1994        273,808         0          28,224          23,363        170,778
      Hemisphere Retreading                                                                                    
      Division

    Donald F. Chester(4)           1996       $261,344        $0      $    5,006     $       -0-       $ 13,181
      Senior V.P.,                 1995        251,372         0          11,874          14,053         20,255
      International                1994        233,517         0          12,161          14,463         19,359

    Sam Ferrise II                 1996       $219,126        $0        $ 35,213        $ 40,312       $ 13,181
      Vice President,              1995        171,896         0           8,998          12,045         15,855
      Marketing                    1994        148,605         0           4,204           5,563         12,855

    William A. Sweatman            1996       $219,126        $0        $ 35,666        $ 40,312       $ 13,181
      Vice President,              1995        174,073         0           9,373          12,045         15,855
      Sales                        1994        148,512         0           4,329           5,563         12,552


   [1] Amounts shown represent the tax reimbursement or "gross up" with
       respect to restricted stock awards and certain other fringe benefits
       and, in Mr. Carlson's case, includes tax "gross up" in connection
       with foreign service assignment.

   [2] At December 31, 1996 the number of shares held and the aggregate
       market value of restricted stock held by the named executive officers
       are as follows:  Martin G. Carver, 10,290 shares Common Stock, value
       $487,489, and 6,430 shares Class A Common Stock, value $294,173;
       Thomas E. Dvorchak, 2,220 shares Common Stock, value $105,173, and
       1,420 shares Class A Common Stock, value $64,965; Stuart C. Green,
       1,735 shares Common Stock, value $82,196, and 935 shares Class A
       Common Stock, value $42,776; Gary L. Carlson, 1,445 shares Common
       Stock, value $68,457, and 1,065 shares Class A Common Stock, value
       $48,724; Donald F. Chester, 1,160 shares Common Stock, value $54,955,
       and 720 shares Class A Common Stock, value $32,940; Sam Ferrise II,
       600 shares Common Stock, value $28,425, and 600 shares Class A Common
       Stock, value $27,450; and William A. Sweatman, 600 shares Common
       Stock, value $28,425, and 600 shares Class A Common Stock, value $
       27,450.  Dividends are paid on the shares of restricted stock prior
       to vesting.

   [3] Of the amounts shown in this column for 1996 for each of the named
       executive officers, $12,500 is the Corporation's contribution under
       its Salaried Profit Sharing, Retirement and Savings Plan for each of
       such individuals (of which, because of limitations under the Internal
       Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, $7,500 was paid into such Plan and
       the balance to be paid by the Corporation outside such Plan) and $681
       is the Corporation's contribution to its Bandag Security Program, a
       combination defined benefit and defined contribution plan.  The
       remainder of the amounts shown for Mr. Dvorchak and Mr. Carlson in
       1996 is $12,392 and $160,438, respectively, representing cash paid in
       lieu of vacation and allowances for foreign service assignment,
       respectively.

   [4] Mr. Chester resigned as Senior V.P. International on August 26, 1996,
       but continued as an employee of the Corporation until his retirement
       on December 31, 1996.
   </TABLE>

   Stock Options

       The following table sets forth information regarding the fiscal year-
   end value of unexercised options held by the named executive officers.  No
   options were granted or exercised in 1996.

                       Aggregate Option Exercises in Last
                  Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year-End Option Values
                                                                  Value of
                                                                 Unexercised
                                                                   In-the-
                                                  Number of         Money
                                                 Unexercised       Options
                                                  Options at      at Fiscal
                                               Fiscal Year-End   Year-End[2]
                        Shares
                        Acquired      Value
          Name        on Exercise   Realized     Exercisable     Exercisable

    Martin G. Carver      -0-          -0-        200,000[1]     $4,687,500

   [1] Comprised of 100,000 shares of Common Stock and 100,000 shares of
       Class A Common Stock.  The options were granted in 1987 at an
       exercise price equal to the closing price of the Corporation's Common
       Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of grant.

   [2] The dollar values are calculated by determining the difference
       between the fair market value of the underlying Common Stock and
       Class A Common Stock, respectively, at fiscal year-end and the
       exercise price of the options.

       Pension Plan Benefits.  The following table sets forth annual normal
   retirement age pension benefits under the Bandag Salaried Pension Plan at
   the specified remuneration and years-of-service classifications.  The
   table assumes retirement in 1997.  To the extent benefits are not paid
   under the Salaried Pension Plan due to limitations under the Internal
   Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, they are paid by the Corporation.

   <TABLE>
                                                         PENSION PLAN TABLE

                                                 Annual Pension Per Years of Service

   <CAPTION>
     Highest 5-Year
     Average Annual
     Compensation       5-Years       10-Years      15-Years    20-Years     25-Years     30-Years   35-Years

          <S>            <C>          <C>           <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>
          $ 50,000       $ 3,125      $ 6,250       $ 9,375     $12,000      $14,500      $16,250     $17,500
          $100,000       $ 7,188      $14,375       $21,563     $27,000      $32,000      $35,500     $38,000
          $200,000       $15,313      $30,625       $45,938     $57,000      $67,000      $74,000     $79,000
          $250,000       $19,101      $38,201       $57,302     $70,987      $83,318      $91,950     $98,116
          $300,000       $19,101      $38,201       $57,302     $70,987      $83,318      $91,950     $98,116
          $350,000       $19,101      $38,201       $57,302     $70,987      $83,318      $91,950     $98,116
          $400,000       $19,101      $38,201       $57,302     $70,987      $83,318      $91,950     $98,116

   </TABLE>

       Pension amounts are based upon an employee's base salary (exclusive
   of bonus) and credited years of service.  The base salaries for each of
   the last three fiscal years to the named executive officers are set forth
   in the Summary Compensation Table under "Salary."  As of March 21, 1997,
   Messrs. Carver, Dvorchak, Green, Carlson, Chester, Ferrise and Sweatman
   had completed approximately 17, 25, 5, 23, 13, 15 and 12 years of credited
   service under the Corporation's pension plan, respectively.  Benefits
   shown in the table are computed as a straight line single life annuity
   assuming retirement at age 65 and are not subject to offset for Social
   Security Benefits.

       The named executive officers also participate in the Bandag Security
   Program which is a combined defined benefit and defined contribution plan
   (see footnote [3] on page 8).  The annual defined benefit payable at age
   62 for each of the named executive officers is fixed and is as follows: 
   Martin G. Carver, $700; Thomas E. Dvorchak, $1,124; Stuart C. Green, $74;
   Gary L. Carlson, $985, Donald F. Chester, $478; Sam Ferrise II, $611; and
   William A. Sweatman, $434.

   Report of Management Continuity and Compensation Committee on Executive
   Compensation

       The seven member Management Continuity and Compensation Committee of
   the Board of Directors (the "Compensation Committee") makes all decisions
   regarding compensation of the Corporation's executive officers, except for
   the awarding of stock options and restricted stock, which are made by the
   Stock Option Committee.  Set forth below is a report submitted by the
   Compensation Committee addressing the Corporation's compensation policies
   for 1996 applicable to the Corporation's executive officers, including the
   executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table.

       Consistent with the Corporation's commitment to adopt a world-class
   approach to improving total quality, in 1992 the Corporation adopted a new
   approach to the compensation of executive officers and other salaried
   employees.  As the Corporation learned more about total quality systems,
   their fairness to people and their necessity in achieving a corporation's
   long-term objectives, it became apparent that the then existing
   compensation system was not designed with these objectives in mind.  In
   that spirit, a  Midpoint Compensation System (the "System") was approved
   by the Compensation Committee in 1992.

       This System eliminated arbitrary incentives which the Compensation
   Committee believes are a major barrier to continuous improvement.  As a
   result of the adoption of the System, bonuses, country club memberships,
   automobile allowances, split dollar life insurance and tax preparation
   fees, which were perquisites of top executives and some other managers,
   were eliminated.  A portion of the dollar value of these perquisites was
   rolled into the executives' base salaries.  Salary survey information was
   used to ensure that the salaries were fair and competitive with those of
   other companies similar in size to the Corporation.  Under the System,
   bonuses and most traditional executive perquisites are no longer paid. 
   Rather, under the System, an executive officer, including the Chief
   Executive Officer,  receives an annual salary fixed by the Compensation
   Committee, restricted stock awards determined by the Stock Option
   Committee, tax "gross up" payments related to such awards and Corporation
   contributions to the Corporation's Salaried Profit Sharing, Retirement and
   Savings Plan and the Bandag Security Program as determined by the
   Compensation Committee.

       Under the System, a salary "midpoint" for each executive officer,
   including the Chief Executive Officer, is established through the use of
   executive compensation salary surveys, financial performance of the
   Corporation, national trends in compensation and the Corporation's
   competitive need to retain and to recruit the very best and most capable
   people.  Such salary surveys encompass general manufacturing companies
   with revenues from $500 million to $1 billion.  In reviewing the
   Corporation's financial performance, the Compensation Committee considered
   the Corporation's revenues, net income and net income per share in light
   of the competitive and economic conditions encountered by the Corporation
   during the fiscal year, as well as the effect on the Corporation's
   financial performance resulting from the Corporation's investment in
   marketing programs, research and development, plant, machinery and
   equipment and in personnel and related programs.

       The salary "midpoints" represent the salary level in the 75th
   percentile of the salary range for each executive officer position, based
   on executive compensation salary surveys, as adjusted by the Compensation
   Committee based on an evaluation of the importance of the particular
   executive position to the Corporation.  The salary "midpoints" are
   adjusted by the Compensation Committee each year based on a review of the
   factors outlined in the immediately preceding paragraph.  These salary
   "midpoints" are used to calculate the annual increase for each executive
   officer, except the Chief Executive Officer, by multiplying the salary
   "midpoint" (not the existing annual salary) by a percentage established by
   the Compensation Committee.  Multiplying the salary "midpoint" for a given
   position by the annual percentage determined by the Compensation Committee
   increases base salaries which are currently below the salary "midpoint" by
   a greater amount than if base salaries were multiplied by the annual
   percentage, while base salaries which are currently in excess of the
   salary "midpoint" for a given position will receive a smaller increase
   than would be the case if the base salaries were multiplied by such
   percentage.  For 1997, the percentage increase was fixed at 4.0% for all
   salaried Corporation employees, including all executive officers, except
   the Chief Executive Officer.  Such increase in base salary takes effect on
   January 6, 1997 and does not affect 1996 compensation.  In fixing the
   percentage increase for 1997 base salary, the Compensation Committee
   considered a variety of factors, including the inflation rate, the
   Corporation's financial performance and trends in salaried employee
   compensation increases, as disclosed by published salary forecasts.

       Mr. Martin G. Carver, Chief Executive Officer, again declined to
   receive a salary increase for 1997 based on a percentage of the salary
   "midpoint" for his position.  Instead, he again requested that his salary
   increase for 1997 be increased by a percentage of his 1996 base salary,
   which is substantially lower than his salary "midpoint."  The salary
   increase for Mr. Carver for 1997 was equal to 4.0% of his 1996 base salary
   (not his salary "midpoint").   

        Although the Compensation Committee considers the Corporation's
   financial performance in determining the total compensation for executive
   officers, including the Chief Executive Officer, there is no specific
   formula or target performance against which executive compensation is to
   be compared or judged.  Rather, the Corporation's performance is part of
   the total mix of information which the Compensation Committee considers in
   making its decisions on executive compensation.


                         Bandag, Incorporated Management
                      Continuity and Compensation Committee

                  Robert T. Blanchard           James R. Everline
                  Roy J. Carver, Jr.            Edgar D. Jannotta
                  Martin G. Carver              R. Stephen Newman
                  Robert K. Drummond

   Report of Stock Option Committee on Executive Compensation

       The Stock Option Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Stock
   Option Committee"), which is composed of three non-employee directors,
   makes all decisions regarding the granting of stock options and the grant
   of restricted stock awards.  No grants of stock options were made in 1996. 
   The purpose of the Corporation's Restricted Stock Grant Plan is to provide
   long-term incentive compensation which will attract and retain superior
   executive personnel.  Under the Plan, the Stock Option Committee awards
   stock to key executives each year.  The shares are held by a custodian
   until seven years have elapsed, when they are then transferred to the
   executive.  Dividends are paid to the recipient of the restricted stock
   while the shares are held by the custodian.  If an executive who has not
   attained age 60 leaves the Corporation before the end of the seven year
   restriction period, the shares are forfeited, except in the case of death
   or disability.  An executive who has attained age 60 and who leaves the
   Corporation prior to the end of the seven-year retention period does not
   forfeit  the shares.

       During 1996 awards of restricted stock were made utilizing the
   Corporation's System.  Restricted stock awards were granted based on a
   percentage of the salary "midpoint" established for each executive
   position.  The percentages were established taking into consideration
   total compensation, as well as each executive's level of responsibility. 
   The Chief Executive Officer's percentage of "midpoint" is greater than the
   other executive officers.  In fixing a greater percentage of the Chief
   Executive Officer's "midpoint," the Stock Option Committee took into
   account that the Chief Executive Officer's base salary is substantially
   below the salary "midpoint" for his position and that his increase in base
   salary for 1997 is substantially less than he would have received had his
   increase been based on his salary "midpoint."  The  number of restricted
   shares granted was computed by multiplying the salary "midpoint" for an
   executive officer, including the Chief Executive Officer, by the
   percentage fixed by the Stock Option Committee and then dividing such 
   amount by the per share market value of the Corporation's Common Stock and
   Class A Common Stock on the date of grant.  In fixing the awards for all
   executives, including the Chief Executive Officer, the Stock Option
   Committee considered the Corporation's performance in the same manner as
   the Compensation Committee did in fixing other components of executive
   compensation.  See "Report of Management Continuity and Compensation
   Committee on Executive Compensation."  The total amount of previous awards
   made to individuals was not a factor in fixing the 1996 awards.    

                              Bandag, Incorporated
                             Stock Option Committee

                  Robert T. Blanchard           R. Stephen Newman
                  James R. Everline

   Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

       The Management Continuity and Compensation Committee (the
   "Compensation Committee") consists of Messrs. Robert T. Blanchard, Roy J.
   Carver, Jr., Martin G. Carver, Robert K. Drummond, James R. Everline, 
   Edgar D. Jannotta and R. Stephen Newman.  The Stock Option Committee
   consists of Messrs. Robert T. Blanchard, James R. Everline and R. Stephen
   Newman.  Mr. Martin G. Carver is Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
   Officer and President of the Corporation.  Mr. Roy J. Carver owns Carver
   Aero, Inc., which sold $162,733.86 of aviation fuel and charter services
   to the Corporation in 1996 (see "Transactions with Management/Principal
   Shareholders" herein).  Mr. Drummond is a partner of the law firm of Foley
   & Lardner, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which has served as legal counsel to the
   Corporation for several years.  Mr. Jannotta is Senior Director of William
   Blair & Company, L.L.C., which provided investment banking services to the
   Corporation in 1996.

       Remuneration of Directors. Directors who are also full-time employees
   of the Corporation do not receive remuneration for acting as directors.
   Non-employee directors are compensated in accordance with the following
   schedule:

       Annual Fees - Chairman of Committee - $36,500. Other Directors -
         $34,500.

       Board Meeting Attendance - $1,250 per meeting.

       Committee Meeting Attendance - Chairman - $1,500 per meeting.
         Other Directors - $1,250 per meeting.

       Transactions with Management/Principal Shareholders.  Roy J. Carver,
   Jr., son of Lucille A. Carver and brother of Martin G. Carver, owns 100%
   of Carver Aero, Inc., which operates fixed base operations at airports in
   Muscatine, Iowa; Davenport, Iowa, and Clinton, Iowa.  During 1996, it sold
   $162,733.86 of aviation fuel and charter services to Bandag, Incorporated
   at competitive prices based on volume purchased.

                   SHAREHOLDER RETURN PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

       Set forth below is a line graph comparing the yearly percentage
   change during the last five years in the cumulative total shareholder
   return (assuming reinvestment of dividends) on the Corporation's Common
   Stock with the cumulative total return of the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock
   (Index) and the Dow Jones & Co., Inc. Automobile Parts & Equipment-All
   (Index).  Performance information set forth below for the Corporation's
   Common Stock includes the Corporation's Class A Common Stock issued as a
   stock dividend on June 10, 1992.

                  [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]


   <PAGE>
                              Bandag, Incorporated
                             Stock Performance Chart

                 COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN

              Among Bandag, Incorporated, S&P 500 Stock (Index) and
                         Automobile Parts & Equipment -
                                   All (Index)



                               [Performance Graph]


                                            December 31

                            1991   1992    1993   1994    1995     1996

   Bandag, Incorporated     $100    $ 96   $ 91    $ 98    $ 94     $ 83
   S&P 500 Stock (Index)    $100    $108   $118    $120    $165     $203
   Automobile Parts &
    Equipment-All (Index)   $100    $129   $160    $136    $171     $192

   Assumes $100 Invested on December 31,
   1991 in Bandag, Incorporated Common
   Stock, the S&P 500 Stock (Index) and
   the Automobile Parts & Equipment-All
   (Index)


        Proposal No. 2-RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

       The Board of Directors, based upon the recommendation of the Audit
   Committee, which consists of Robert T. Blanchard, James R. Everline, Edgar
   D. Jannotta and R. Stephen Newman, directors of the Corporation, has
   appointed Ernst & Young LLP as the Corporation's independent auditors for
   the year ending December 31, 1997.  

       Ernst & Young LLP served as the Corporation's independent auditors
   for the year ended December 31, 1996. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP
   will be present at the Annual Meeting and will be available to respond to
   any questions raised at the meeting and make any comments they deem
   appropriate.

       Although this appointment is not required by law to be submitted to a
   vote by shareholders, the Board believes it appropriate, as a matter of
   policy, to request that the shareholders ratify the appointment of Ernst &
   Young LLP as independent auditors for 1997. If the shareholders should not
   ratify, the Board will reconsider the appointment.

                          Proposal No. 3-OTHER MATTERS

       The management of the Corporation knows of no matters to be presented
   at the meeting other than those set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting.
   However, if any other matters properly come before the meeting, it is
   intended that the persons named in the enclosed Proxy will vote on such
   matters in accordance with their best judgments.

                          1998 SHAREHOLDERS' PROPOSALS

       The date by which proposals of shareholders intended to be presented
   at the 1998 Annual Meeting of the Corporation must be received by the
   Corporation for inclusion in its proxy statement and form of proxy
   relating to that meeting is November 28, 1997.

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

       The expense of preparing, printing and mailing this proxy statement
   and the proxies solicited hereby will be borne by the Corporation.

       Some of the officers and regular employees of the Corporation may,
   without extra remuneration, solicit proxies personally or by telephone,
   telex or telefax. The Corporation will request brokerage houses, nominees,
   custodians and fiduciaries to forward proxy materials to the beneficial
   owners of shares held of record and will reimburse such persons for their
   expenses.

                       By Order of the Board of Directors



                       WARREN W. HEIDBREDER, Secretary

   <PAGE>

                                 BANDAG, INCORPORATED

                                   Muscatine, Iowa

                        PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING - MAY 6, 1997

             Lucille A. Carver and Martin G. Carver, or either of them each
        with power of substitution, are authorized to vote all shares of
        Common Stock (COM) and Class B Common Stock (CLB) which the
    P   undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of
        Shareholders of Bandag, Incorporated to be held May 6, 1997 and at
    R   any adjournment thereof.

    O        This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Company's Board of
        Directors.  Every properly signed proxy will be voted as directed. 
    X   The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the nominees in Item
        (1) and FOR Item (2).  Unless otherwise directed, proxies will be
    Y   voted in accordance with the foregoing sentence and in the
        discretion of the Board of Directors in connection with Item (3).

             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.  The proxy holders cannot vote your shares unless
        you sign and return this card.

                     CONTINUED, AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE


   [X]
       Please mark
       votes as in
       this example.

     The signer hereby revokes all proxies heretofore given by the signer to
   vote at said meeting or any adjournment thereof.


    1.  Election of Directors                FOR  AGAINST  ABSTAIN

        Robert T. Blanchard                   [_]     [_]     [_]
        R. Stephen Newman                     [_]     [_]     [_]

    2.  The selection of Ernst &
                                             FOR  AGAINST  ABSTAIN
        Young LLP as independent
        auditors for the fiscal year          [_]     [_]     [_]
        ending December 31, 1997.

    3.  In their discretion upon such
        other matters as may properly
        come before the meeting.


      MARK HERE FOR                              MARK HERE IF
        COMMENTS/                                 YOU PLAN TO
        CHANGE OF             [_]                 ATTEND THE       [_]
       ADDRESS AND                                  MEETING
       NOTE AT LEFT


                                         Please sign exactly as name
                                         appears hereon.  Joint owners
                                         should each sign.  When signing as
                                         attorney, executor, administrator,
                                         trustee, or guardian, please give
                                         full title as such.


    Signature: ________________________  Signature: _______________________
    Date: _____________                  Date: ____________



© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission