UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

_______________________________________________

SCHEDULE 14A

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.    )

 

Filed by the Registrant ☒

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

 

PERCEPTRON, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

November 6, 2018

47827 Halyard Drive

Plymouth, Michigan 48170-2461

(734) 414-6100

Facsimile: (734) 414-4700

Dear Perceptron Shareholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Perceptron, Inc. (the “Company”) to be held on Friday, December 7, 2018, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time, at 47827 Halyard Drive, Plymouth, Michigan 48170-2461.

The attached notice of the meeting and Proxy Statement describe the items of business to be transacted:

The Board of Directors encourages you to read the Proxy Statement carefully. We have also made available a copy of our Annual Report for fiscal year 2018. We encourage you to read the Annual Report, which includes information about our business and products, as well as our audited financial statements.

After the formal business session at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, there will be a report to the shareholders on the progress of the Company along with a discussion period. I look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting and hope you will make plans to attend. I urge you to please vote your shares now, whether or not you plan to attend the meeting.

Sincerely,

David L. Watza

President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer

 

---

 

NOTICE OF THE 2018 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

 

A certified list of shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting will be available for examination by any shareholder during the meeting at the corporate offices at 47827 Halyard Drive, Plymouth, Michigan 48170-2461.

A copy of the 2018 Annual Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018 and Proxy Statement accompanies this notice.

By the Order of the Board of Directors

 

Thomas S. Vaughn

Secretary

November 6, 2018

The vote of every shareholder is important, and your cooperation in promptly voting by returning your marked, dated and signed proxy is greatly appreciated.  The proxy is revocable and will not affect your right to vote in person if you attend the meeting.  Your proxy will, however, help to assure a quorum and to avoid added proxy solicitation costs.

 

 

---

 

PERCEPTRON, INC.

2018 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

PROXY STATEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTSn1

 

 

i

---

 

PROXY STATEMENT

_____________________________

PERCEPTRON, INC.

2018 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD AT 8:30 A.M. ON DECEMBER 7, 2018

_____________________________

INTRODUCTION

This Proxy Statement and the accompanying Notice of the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, 2018 Annual Report and proxy card are furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Perceptron, Inc., a Michigan corporation (the “Company”, “we”, “us”, “our”). The proxies are being solicited for use at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (“Annual Meeting”) to be held at the Company’s corporate offices on Friday, December 7, 2018, at 8:30 a.m., Eastern Time, and at any adjournment of that meeting. The Company’s corporate offices are located at 47827 Halyard Drive, Plymouth, Michigan 48170-2461, and the Company’s telephone number is (734) 414-6100. The Company expects that this Proxy Statement and the accompanying materials will be first sent or given to shareholders on or about November 6, 2018.

Only shareholders of record of the Company’s Common Stock, $0.01 par value (the “Common Stock”) at the close of business on October 26, 2018 (the “Record Date”) will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof. Shareholders of record on the Record Date are entitled to one vote per share on any matter that may properly come before the Annual Meeting. As of the Record Date, there were 9,617,889 shares of Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote. The Company has no other class of stock outstanding. The presence, either in person or by properly executed proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock is necessary to constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. See “Share Ownership of Management and Certain Shareholders” for a description of the beneficial ownership of the Common Stock.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholder Meeting to be Held on December 7, 2018.

•The Notice of the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Proxy Statement and our 2018 Annual Report are available at http://www.proxyvote.com. The Notice of the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Proxy Statement, our 2018 Annual Report and form of proxy were distributed by mail, on or about November 6, 2018.  

Directors, officers and other employees of the Company may solicit, without additional compensation, proxies by any appropriate means, including personal interview, mail, telephone, courier service and facsimile transmissions.   Arrangements will also be made with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries which are record holders of the Common Stock to forward proxy soliciting material to the beneficial owners of such shares and the Company will reimburse such record holders for their reasonable expenses incurred in connection therewith.  The cost of soliciting proxies, including the preparation, assembling and mailing of the Notice of the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Proxy Statement, the 2018 Annual Report and the accompanying proxy card, as well as the cost of forwarding such material to the beneficial owners of Common Stock, will be borne by the Company.  Only one Notice of the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Proxy Statement and Annual Report, will be delivered to multiple shareholders sharing an address unless the Company has received contrary instructions from one or more of the shareholders.  Upon written or oral request from a shareholder who shares an address with another shareholder, the Company shall deliver a separate copy of the Notice of the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Proxy Statement and 2018 Annual Report.  Shareholders can call or write the Company for a separate notice, annual report or proxy statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting or for a future meeting of shareholders at (734) 414-6100 or 47827 Halyard Drive, Plymouth, MI 48170-2461.  Similarly, those shareholders who share an address and wish to receive only one copy of the notice, annual report or proxy statement when they are receiving multiple copies can also call or write the Company at the number and address given above.

1

---

 

Shares may be voted by record holders in four separate ways as follows: (i) by Internet, going to the voting site www.proxyvote.com and following the instructions outlined on the secured website by following the instructions provided on your proxy card or vote instruction form,  (ii) by telephone, following the instructions on your proxy card, (iii) by completing and mailing the written proxy, or (vi) by ballot at the Annual Meeting.  Shares represented by a duly executed proxy, unless previously revoked, will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions of the shareholder thereon if the proxy is received by the Company before the close of business on December 6, 2018.  Shares represented by a proxy received after this time will be voted if the proxy is received by the Company in sufficient time to permit the necessary examination and tabulation of the proxy before the vote of shareholders is taken.  IF NO INSTRUCTIONS ARE PROVIDED ON A PROXY RETURNED BY THE SHAREHOLDER, SUCH SHARES WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS NAMED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT, “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED RIGHTS PLAN, AS AMENDED, “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM DESCRIBED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.  A proxy also gives Messrs. W. Richard Marz and David L. Watza discretionary authority, to the extent permitted by law, to vote all shares of Common Stock represented by the proxy on any other matter that is properly presented for action at the meeting, including the election of any person to the Board where a nominee named in this Proxy Statement is unable to serve or, for good cause, will not serve; however, the Board does not intend to present any other matters at the Annual Meeting.  Any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by the person giving it at any time before it is voted.  Proxies may be revoked by (i) filing with the Assistant Secretary of the Company, at or before the Annual Meeting, a written notice of revocation bearing a later date than the proxy, (ii) voting again by telephone or Internet since only your last vote will be counted, (iii) duly executing a subsequent proxy relating to the same shares and delivering it to the Assistant Secretary of the Company at the Company’s corporate offices at or before the Annual Meeting, or (iv) attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person, if the shareholder is a shareholder of record (although attendance at the Annual Meeting will not in and of itself constitute a revocation of a proxy).

If a shareholder owns shares through a bank or brokerage firm in street name, the shareholder’s bank or brokerage firm is required to vote the shares according to the shareholder’s instructions.  In order to vote the shares, a shareholder will need to follow the directions that the bank or brokerage firm provides.  Many banks and brokerage firms also offer the option of voting over the Internet or by telephone, instructions for which would be provided by the bank or brokerage firm on its vote instruction form.  Under the rules of The New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), if a shareholder does not give instructions to a brokerage firm, it may still be able to vote your shares with respect to certain “discretionary” matters that are deemed by the NYSE to be routine (e.g., the ratification of the appointment of independent auditors), but it will not be allowed to vote shares with respect to certain “non-discretionary” items.  If a shareholder does not provide voting instructions to a broker with respect to non-discretionary items such as the election of directors, ratification of the First Amended and Restated Rights Plan, as amended, or the advisory vote on executive compensation, the shares will not be voted for any such proposal.  In such case, the shares will be treated as “broker non-votes.”  The ratification of the Company’s independent auditors is considered a routine matter, so a bank or broker will have discretionary authority to vote such shares held in street name on that proposal.  A broker non-vote may also occur if a broker fails to vote shares for any reason.

Abstentions, 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 from the beneficial owner) and withheld votes with respect to the election of directors, are counted only for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the 2018 Annual Meeting.  Broker non-votes and withheld votes will be excluded entirely from the vote on the election of directors and will, therefore, have no effect on the election.  Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast, so that only votes cast “for” directors are counted in determining which directors are elected.  The ratification of the First Amended and Restated Rights Plan, as amended, the advisory vote on executive compensation and the ratification of the Company’s independent auditors require a majority of the votes cast on the matters.  For purposes of determining the number of votes casted with respect to the ratification of the First Amended and Restated Rights Plan, as amended, the advisory vote on executive compensation and the ratification of the Company’s independent auditors, only those cast “for” or “against” are included, and abstentions and broker non-votes are not counted for this purpose.  

 

2

---

 

MATTERS TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING

PROPOSAL 1— ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” EACH OF THE NOMINEES

At the Annual Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to elect a Board of seven directors to hold office, in accordance with the Bylaws of the Company, until the 2019 annual meeting and until the election and qualification of their successors, or until their resignation or removal. The shares represented by properly executed proxies will be voted in accordance with the specifications made therein. PROXIES WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE ELECTION OF SUCH NOMINEES UNLESS THE SPECIFICATION IS MARKED ON THE PROXY INDICATING THAT AUTHORITY TO DO SO IS WITHHELD. If a nominee is unable to serve or, for good cause, will not serve, the proxy confers discretionary authority to vote with respect to the election of any person to the Board. The nominees receiving a plurality of votes cast at the Annual Meeting will be elected to the Board.  Shares may not be voted cumulatively for the election of directors.

The nominees named below have been selected by the Board of the Company. Except for Mr. Freeland, each of the nominees is currently a director of the Company. The following table sets forth information regarding the nominees for election to the Company’s Board. In addition, a description of the specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that led our Board to conclude that each of the nominees and each of the continuing members of the Board should serve as a director follows the biographical information of each nominee below. Messrs. Bryant, Ratigan and Taylor were appointed to the Board and are being nominated pursuant to the Standstill Agreement, dated August 9, 2016 between the Company, Harbert Discovery Fund LP, Harbert Discovery Fund, GP, LLC, Harbert Fund Advisors Inc. and Harbert Management Corporation, as amended, (the “Standstill Agreement”) and the Voting Agreement, dated August 9, 2016 between the Company, Moab Partners, L.P. and Moab Capital Partners, LLC, as amended (the “Voting Agreement”).

3

---

 

4

---

 

5

---

 

 

Director Compensation for Fiscal 2018

The following table provides information as to compensation paid by the Company for services rendered in all capacities to the Company and its subsidiaries during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018 (“fiscal 2018”) by the members of our Board of Directors, other than Mr. Watza, whose compensation is described under “Compensation of Executive Officers.” All payments to members of the Board of Directors set forth in the table are made pursuant to the standard director compensation arrangements described under “Standard Director Compensation Arrangements.”

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL 2018

 

 

 

6

---

 

 

Standard Director Compensation Arrangements

Our standard compensation arrangements for our Board of Directors who are not our employees (the “Eligible Directors”) include the following retainers:

 

 

Additional retainer fees of $50,000 and $7,500 for each of Messrs. Marz and Taylor, respectively, were paid in fiscal 2018.  Additional retainer fees of $25,000 and $2,500 for each of Messrs. Marz and Taylor, respectively, have been approved for the first half of fiscal 2019.  Additionally, each non-management director received an additional retainer fee of $10,000 for the March 1, 2018 payment.  The annual retainers identified above are typically paid quarterly on September 1, December 1, March 1 and June 1.  All Eligible Directors, other than a non-executive Board Chair, also receive $1,250 for each Board meeting attended.  Each non-management director elected to be paid via shares of Perceptron’s stock in lieu of cash for their retainers and meeting fees for the calendar year of 2017.  Directors are reimbursed for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending Board and committee meetings.

Eligible Directors are also eligible to participate in the First Amended and Restated 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (“2004 Stock Plan”).  The Management Development, Compensation and Stock Option Committee (the “Management Development Committee”) or, if there is no such committee or similar committee, the Board, administers the 2004 Stock Plan.  Unless otherwise specified in the 2004 Stock Plan, the Management Development Committee has the power to select the recipients of awards under the 2004 Stock Plan, including Eligible Directors, and has broad power to determine the terms of awards and to change such terms in various ways subsequent to grant.  The 2004 Stock Plan permits grants to Eligible Directors of non-qualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance share awards, including cash, and deferred stock units at any time prior to August 27, 2023.  Except for a single incentive stock option grant of 10,000 options, the Management Development Committee has only awarded non-qualified stock options and restricted stock grants under the 2004 Stock Plan.

The exercise price for a non-qualified stock option will be not less than 100% of the fair market value of Common Stock on the date of grant.  Fair market value means, for purposes of determining the value of Common Stock on the grant date, the closing sale price of the Common Stock on The NASDAQ Stock Market’s Global Market (“NASDAQ Global Market”) on the grant date.  Such options generally will vest one-third on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date and become immediately exercisable in the event that the Eligible Director is re-nominated for election to the Board, but is not re-elected or, following a Change in Control, the Eligible Director’s service on the Board is terminated by the Company, he is not re-nominated by the Company to serve on the Board, or voluntarily resigns from the Board at the request of the Company.  All options granted under the 2004 Stock Plan are exercisable for a period of ten years from the date of grant, unless earlier terminated due to the termination of the Eligible Director’s service as a director of the Company.  During fiscal 2018, no Eligible Directors received a grant of stock options under the 2004 Stock Plan.  

During fiscal 2018, no Eligible Directors received a restricted stock award under the 2004 Stock Plan.  In the event of a failure of the Eligible Director to be reelected to the Board after being re-nominated for election by the Board, or following a Change in Control of the Company, a termination by the Company of the Eligible Director’s membership on the Board, or failure to re-nominate the Eligible Director for election to the Board, or voluntary resignation by the Eligible Director from the Board at the request of the Board, the shares of restricted stock that an Eligible Director holds shall become fully vested and non-forfeitable and all restrictions shall lapse.

The exercisability of options and the vesting of restricted stock awards under the 2004 Stock Plan is accelerated in the event of the occurrence of certain Changes in Control of the Company.  See “Compensation of Executive Officers - Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” for the definition of Change in Control of the Company.

7

---

 

The 2004 Stock Plan also permits Eligible Directors to purchase shares of Common Stock through the 2004 Stock Plan in exchange for all or a portion of the cash fees payable to them for serving as a director of the Company (“Directors Stock Purchase Rights Option”).  By December 31 of each year, a director must make his or her election to purchase shares of Common Stock in exchange for all or a portion of a director’s fees payable from December 1 of that year to November 30 of the next year.  

Directors’ fees are typically payable in cash on September 1, December 1, March 1 and June 1 of each year, however, each director can elect to receive the Company’s stock in lieu of cash on a calendar year election. On each of these dates, we determine the number of shares of Common Stock each Eligible Director who has elected to participate in the Directors Stock Purchase Rights Option has earned on that date.  This determination is made by dividing all director’s fees payable on each of those dates that the Eligible Director has elected to exchange for Common Stock, by the fair market value of the Common Stock on that date.  Any portion of the director’s fees payable on each of those dates that the Eligible Director has not elected to receive in Common Stock will be paid to the Eligible Director in cash.  The fair market value of the Common Stock will be determined by using the closing price of the Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Market on the grant date (the first day of the month in which the quarterly payment date for directors’ fees falls).  We will issue share certificates for all shares of Common Stock purchased in a calendar year within  5 business days of the above payment dates, unless an Eligible Director requests to receive his or her share certificate at another time by sending written notice to the Company.

8

---

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Board Leadership Structure and Board and Committee Information

The Company’s Board consists of six independent directors and one management director, Mr. Watza.  The Board is responsible for direction of the overall affairs of the Company.  The Board has established three standing committees, being 1) the Audit Committee, 2) the Management Development, Compensation and Stock Option Committee (the “Management Development Committee”) and 3) the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “Nominating Committee”), as further detailed below.  Each of the committees is comprised solely of independent directors and each committee has a different chair.  The Company believes that it is beneficial to have a non-executive Chairman who is responsible for leading the Board.  The Company also believes that a predominantly independent Board, mixed with the experience of its management director, constitutes a leadership structure that is most appropriate for the Company and its shareholders at this time because it supports strategy development and execution and facilitates information flow between senior management and the Board.  The Board retains the authority to modify this structure to best address the Company’s unique circumstances as and when appropriate.  

Our directors are elected to serve until their successors are elected.  The Board, and each committee thereof, meets formally from time to time and also takes action by consent resolutions.  During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018, the Board met a total of thirteen times.  All of the current directors who are standing for re-election attended at least 75% of the total meetings of the Board, and of any committee on which they served, held during the period in fiscal 2018 in which they served as directors or members of any such committees.  Our policy is that each director is strongly encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders if reasonably possible.  All of the directors except Mr. Smith attended the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders in person.

Chairman.  Mr. Marz has been elected by the directors to serve as Chairman of the Board.  The Chairman provides leadership to enhance the Board’s effectiveness, presides over meetings of the directors, and serves as liaison between the Board and management.  The Chairman is responsible for determining when to hold executive sessions held by the independent directors.

The Board has delegated certain authority to an Audit Committee, a Management Development Committee and a Nominating Committee to assist it in executing its duties.  The Board has adopted charters for each of these Committees.  The charters are available on our website at www.perceptron.com.  The Board determined that all of the directors, other than Mr. Watza, are “independent directors” as defined in Marketplace Rule 4200(a)(15) of The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”).

The composition and principal functions of each Committee are as follows:

Audit Committee.  The Audit Committee is comprised of three outside members of the Board. Members of the Audit Committee are: Messrs. Neely, who serves as Chairman, Oswald and Ratigan.  The Board determined that all of the members of the Audit Committee are independent as required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and NASDAQ listing standards for audit committee members.  In addition, the Board determined that both Messrs. Neely and Ratigan qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by applicable SEC rules and that each of the Audit Committee members satisfies all other qualifications for Audit Committee members set forth in the applicable NASDAQ rules.  The Audit Committee held seven meetings in fiscal 2018.

On November 3, 2014 the Board approved and adopted the Audit Committee’s revised charter.  The Audit Committee’s primary responsibilities include the following:

9

---

 

Management Development, Compensation and Stock Option Committee.  The Management Development Committee is comprised of two outside members of the Board subsequent to June 21, 2018. Members of the Management Development, Committee prior to June 21, 2018 were: Messrs. Smith, who served as Chairman until his resignation from the Board on June 21, 2018, Neely and Taylor.  Subsequent to June 21, 2018, members of the Management Development Committee are Messrs. Taylor who serves as Chairman, and Neely.  The Board determined that all members of the Management Development Committee are independent as required by the NASDAQ listing standards for compensation committees responsible for determining compensation of executive officers.  The committee held ten meetings in fiscal 2018.

On November 11, 2014, the Board approved and adopted the Management Development Committee’s revised charter.  The Management Development Committee’s primary responsibilities include the following:

Eight employees are currently under the purview of the Management Development Committee, including all of the current executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table included herein.  Mr. Watza participates in meetings of the Management Development Committee and makes recommendations with respect to the annual compensation of employees under the Committee’s purview.  The Management Development Committee separately determines the compensation of Mr. Watza in executive session.  Pursuant to its charter, the Management Development Committee is authorized to retain its own compensation consultants and outside legal, accounting, and other advisers at the Company’s expense.  Such consultants and advisers report directly to the Management Development Committee and the Committee has the sole authority to hire and fire any compensation consultants or advisers.  The Management Development Committee does not delegate its authority to such consultants or advisers.  In fiscal 2018, the Management Development Committee engaged the services of Rahmberg, Stover and Associates, LLC (“Rahmberg”), a compensation consulting firm, and has considered such firm’s input in evaluating compensation trends and best practices, identifying peer group companies and benchmarking compensation data, developing its short and long term executive incentive plans and other aspects of administering the Company’s executive compensation program and equity compensation programs.  Rahmberg serves at the discretion of the Management Development Committee.

10

---

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.  The Nominating Committee is comprised of two outside members of the Board subsequent to June 21, 2018. Members of the Nominating Committee prior to June 21, 2018 were: Messrs. Oswald, who serves as the Chairman, Bryant and Smith until his resignation from the Board on June 21, 2018.  Subsequent to June 21, 2018, members of the Nominating Committee are: Messrs. Oswald, who serves as the Chairman, and Bryant. The Board determined that all members of the Nominating Committee are independent as required by the NASDAQ listing standards for nominating committee members.  The committee held four meetings in fiscal 2018.

On November 12, 2007, the Board approved and adopted the Nominating Committee’s revised charter.  The Nominating Committee’s primary responsibilities include the following:

The Nominating Committee may use various methods to identify director candidates, including recommendations from existing Board members, management, shareholders, professionals and other sources outside the Company, which could include third-party search firms.  The Nominating Committee will evaluate and screen the list of potential nominees and narrow the list to individuals they believe best satisfy the needs of the Company.  The Nominating Committee will conduct interviews and gather additional information concerning the individuals, as they deem appropriate.  Based on the foregoing, the Nominating Committee will recommend to the Board the number of members of the Board to be elected at the next annual meeting of shareholders of the Company and the persons to be nominated for election to the Board.  Director candidates need not possess any specific minimum qualifications.  Rather, a candidate’s suitability for nomination and election to the Board will be evaluated in light of the portfolio of skills, experience, perspective and background required for the effective functioning of the Board.  While the Company does not have a formal written diversity policy, the Nominating Committee considers diversity of director nominees in terms of background, experience, skill set, gender and expertise in matters relating to the Company’s business in an effort to promote balanced deliberation and consideration of matters presented to the Board.  Among the desired qualities that the Nominating Committee will consider are: (i) high ethical character; (ii) practical intelligence and judgment, an inquiring mind and a good range of problem solving skills; (iii) independence; (iv) ability to work in a collaborative culture; (v) high-level leadership experience and personal achievement; (vi) sufficient personal commitment and time to devote to responsibilities as a director; and (vii) capacity and desire to represent the balanced best interests of the shareholders as a whole.  In addition, while not a requirement, the Nominating Committee will take into consideration a director’s age after he or she reaches 75 and tenure of any director who has served on the Board for more than ten years.

The Nominating Committee will consider candidates recommended by shareholders using the same procedures and standards utilized for evaluating candidates recommended by other sources except that the Nominating Committee will not consider a director nominee proposed by a shareholder if (i) the shareholder does not submit the required information timely; (ii) the shareholder or group of shareholders proposing the director nominee do not beneficially own, in the aggregate, more than 5% of the Common Stock, with the Common Stock used to satisfy this requirement owned for at least one year prior to the date of the recommendation, or (iii) the shareholder proposes as the nominee himself or herself, or an affiliate or affiliated party.  See “Shareholder Proposals and Nominees for 2019 Annual Meeting – Shareholder Nominees” for a description of the procedures to be used by shareholders to submit recommendations of possible director nominees to the Nominating Committee.

11

---

 

Board Role in Risk Oversight

The Company’s management team is responsible for identifying and monitoring the material risks facing the Company, while the Board is responsible for oversight of management’s efforts with respect to risk, which oversight occurs at both the Board and the committee level.  For example, the Audit Committee focuses on financial and accounting exposures and compliance; the Management Development Committee monitors risks arising from compensation policies and practices; and the Nominating Committee oversees risks associated with the Company’s fiduciary responsibilities, which include board membership, board structure and corporate governance.  Management provides regular updates throughout the year regarding the management of the risks they oversee.

The Company’s risk structure allows the Company’s independent directors to exercise effective oversight of the actions of management, led by Mr. Watza as President and Chief Executive Officer, in identifying the risks and implementing effective risk management policies and controls.

Shareholder Communications with the Board of Directors

Shareholders desiring to communicate with the Board or any individual director may send communications to the Board in writing by mail addressed to the Board of Directors or an individual director, c/o Assistant Secretary, Perceptron, Inc., 47827 Halyard Drive, Plymouth, MI 48170-2461 or by e-mail addressed to boardofdirectors@perceptron.com.

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (“Code of Ethics”) that applies to the Company’s directors, executive officers and other employees.  The Code of Ethics is available on our website at www.perceptron.com.  Shareholders may also obtain a written copy of the Code of Ethics, without charge, by sending a written request to the Investor Relations Department, Perceptron, Inc., 47827 Halyard Drive, Plymouth, Michigan 48170-2461.  We will disclose any amendments to, or waivers from, the provisions of the Code of Ethics applicable to the directors or executive officers on the Company’s website.

Certain information relating to corporate governance matters can be viewed at www.perceptron.com, free of charge, including our (i) charters for the Audit Committee, Management Development Committee and Nominating Committee and (ii) Code of Ethics.  We intend to post additional information on this website from time to time as the Board adopts or revises policies and procedures.  The information found on our website is not part of this or any report we file with, or furnish to, the SEC.

Audit Committee Report

In accordance with its revised charter, which was approved and adopted by the Board on November 3, 2014, the Audit Committee provides assistance to the Board in fulfilling its responsibility to the shareholders, potential shareholders and investment community relating to corporate accounting, reporting practices of the Company and the quality and integrity of the accounting policies, internal controls and financial reports of the Company.  In doing so, it is the responsibility of the Audit Committee to maintain free and open communication between the Board, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and the financial management of the Company.

The Company’s management is primarily responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of the Company’s financial statements.  The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, BDO USA, LLP, is responsible for performing an independent audit of the Company’s financial statements and expressing an opinion as to the conformity of the financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles.

The Audit Committee received from the independent registered public accounting firm and reviewed a formal written statement describing all relationships between the firm and the Company that might bear on the firm’s independence consistent with the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the auditors any relationships that may impact their objectivity and independence and satisfied itself as to the auditors’ independence.

12

---

 

The Audit Committee discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard 1301, Communications with Audit Committees, issued by the PCAOB, and, with and without management present, discussed and reviewed the results of the independent registered public accounting firm’s examination of the financial statements, their evaluation of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting, and the overall quality of the Company’s accounting and financial reporting.

The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with management and the independent registered public accounting firm the audited financial statements of the Company as of and for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018, including the quality of accounting principles and significant judgments affecting the financial statements and the results of BDO’s independent audit described above.

The members of the Audit Committee are not engaged in the practice of auditing or accounting.  In performing its functions, the Audit Committee necessarily relies on the work and assurances of the Company’s management and the independent registered public accounting firm.

Based on the above-mentioned reviews and discussions with management and the independent registered public accounting firm and in light of its role and responsibilities, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the Company’s audited financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018 be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2018 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Further, the Audit Committee approved the engagement of BDO USA, LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019.

 

 

Management Development, Compensation and Stock Option Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

During fiscal 2018, the Management Development Committee consisted of Messrs. Neely and Taylor, and Mr. Smith prior to June 21, 2018.  During fiscal 2018, no member of the Management Development Committee served as an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries nor had any member of the Management Development Committee formerly served as an officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.  See “Proposal 1 – Election of Directors.”  During fiscal 2018, none of our executive officers served on the board of directors or on the compensation committee of any other entity, any of whose executive officers served either on our Board or on our Management Development Committee.

 

13

---

 

PROPOSAL 2 – RATIFICATION OF THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” PROPOSAL 2

Background

The Company is a party to a First Amended and Restated Rights Agreement with American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as rights agent, dated as of August 20, 2015 (the “Rights Agreement”).  On August 20, 2018, the Company entered into the First Amendment to First Amended and Restated Rights Agreement (the “Amendment”), which amended the Rights Agreement to change the “Final Expiration Date,” as defined in the Rights Agreement, from August 20, 2018 to August 20, 2021.

Just as in 2015, we are asking our shareholders to vote to ratify the Rights Agreement in connection with the recent extension of its term for the reasons stated below.  Neither our Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws or other governing documents or applicable law require shareholder approval of the Rights Agreement.  However, the Board has determined to request shareholder ratification of the Rights Agreement as a matter of good corporate governance practice.

The Rights Agreement encourages persons seeking to acquire control of the Company to negotiate in good faith with the Board in order to discourage potential acquirors from using abusive or otherwise undesirable takeover tactics and to provide the Board with the opportunity to negotiate a fair premium for shareholders.  The Rights Agreement accomplishes this by making an acquisition of the Company that is not approved by the Company’s Board prohibitively expensive for the acquiror by significantly diluting the acquiror’s stock interest in the Company and increasing the number of shares of Common Stock that would have to be acquired.

Under the Rights Agreement, if the acquiror accumulates 20% or more of the Common Stock, each right granted under the Rights Agreement (“Right”) would permit the holder of a Right to acquire newly issued shares of Common Stock of the Company or, in certain circumstances, common stock of the acquiror, at a price equal to half their market value for the $73.00 exercise price of the Rights.  Rights held by the acquiror and by certain related persons and transferees would become void.  However, before an acquiror acquires more than 20% of the outstanding Common Stock, the Rights may be redeemed by the Board or, in certain circumstances, by vote of the shareholders, or the terms of the Rights may be modified by the Board to, among other things, exempt a particular acquiror from the dilutive effects of the Rights.  These provisions have the effect of encouraging potential acquirors to negotiate with the Board before acquiring 20% or more of the Common Stock so that the Board may redeem or modify the Rights as part of an acquisition without triggering the dilutive effects of the Rights.

The Board’s decision to amend the Rights Agreement to extend its term until August 20, 2021 was not made in response to, or in anticipation of, any acquisition proposal, and is not intended to prevent a non-coercive takeover bid from being made for the Company or to keep management or the directors in office.

If shareholder approval of the Rights Agreement, as amended, is not obtained, the Rights Plan will automatically terminate upon final adjournment of the Company’s 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Reasons for the Rights Agreement

The Board believes that the Rights Agreement strikes an appropriate balance between allowing the Board to use a rights agreement to increase its negotiating leverage to maximize shareholder value and current best practices providing a role for shareholders in the acquisition process under certain circumstances.

The Board believes that the continuation of the Rights Agreement at this time is of particular importance as the Company continues to implement its renewed product development efforts.  The continuation of the Rights Agreement gives the Board and management the time to complete these efforts so that they can be more fully reflected in the market price of the Common Stock.

14

---

 

The Board believes that the Rights Agreement is in the best interests of the Company’s shareholders because it:

•Provides a way for the Board to defend shareholders against abusive tactics used to gain control of the Company without paying all shareholders a fair premium, and to ensure that all Company shareholders are treated fairly in an acquisition of the Company.  Abusive tactics that the Rights Agreement protects against include, but are not limited to, an acquiror taking control of the Company through open-market purchases without giving the shareholders a control premium for their shares or the protections of the federal tender offer rules or an acquiror attempting to acquire a majority interest in the Company through a partial tender offer, and then forcing the remaining public shareholders to accept cash and/or securities of lesser value;

•Encourages anyone seeking to acquire control of the Company to negotiate in good faith with the Board and gives the Board significant negotiating power on behalf of the shareholders.  This enables the Board to negotiate a fair premium for shareholders that is consistent with the intrinsic value of the Company and to block any transaction by an acquiror who is unwilling to pay a fair price (subject to the shareholders’ right to redeem the Rights under certain circumstances described below);

•Slows the process by which a potential acquiror may gain control of the Company, thereby affording the Board additional time to evaluate a proposed transaction and, if necessary, seek alternative transactions or implement other courses of action to maximize shareholder value;

•Provides the Board with the ability to run an effective auction of the Company or other sale process, when the Board has decided to sell the Company, and to protect a negotiated transaction from interlopers once the auction or other sale process is completed;

•Does not prevent the making of unsolicited offers or the acquisition of the Company at a full and fair price since the existence of the Rights Agreement does not eliminate the Board’s responsibility to consider acquisition proposals in a manner consistent with the directors’ fiduciary duties to shareholders;

•Includes a “qualified offer” provision which allows shareholders, by majority vote at a special meeting, to approve a resolution authorizing the redemption of all, but not less than all, of the outstanding Rights to permit certain “qualified offers” to be consummated even if the Board does not support the offer.

Anti-Takeover Effects

The Board believes that the continuation of the Rights Agreement for the reasons described above is in the shareholders’ best interests.  In making your voting decision, however, you should consider that, while the Rights Agreement is not intended to prevent a takeover of the Company, it may discourage the accumulation by any person or group of 20% or more of the outstanding Common Stock and may have the effect of rendering more difficult or discouraging any acquisition of the Company deemed undesirable by the Board, even if shareholders disagree with the Board’s conclusion.  The Rights Agreement will cause substantial dilution to a person or group that attempts to acquire the Company on terms or in a manner not approved by the Board, except pursuant to an offer conditioned upon the elimination, purchase or redemption of the Rights.  Because the Rights Agreement may increase the price required to be paid by a potential acquiror in order to obtain control of the Company and thus discourage certain transactions, the continuing effectiveness of the Rights Agreement may reduce the likelihood of a takeover proposal being made for the Common Stock and discourage some offers from being made at all.  This effect and the perception that it may be less likely that the Company will be acquired could have an adverse impact on the market price for the Common Stock.

Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws include provisions that may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control or takeover attempt of the Company by a third-party that is opposed by our Board, including the following: (i) authorization of “blank check” preferred stock that could be issued by our Board to make it more difficult to acquire, or to discourage a third party from acquiring, a majority of our outstanding voting stock; (ii) non-cumulative voting for directors; (iii) control by our Board of the size of our Board within parameters set in the Bylaws; and (iv) advance notice requirements for nomination of candidates to our Board or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by our shareholder at a meeting of the shareholder.  Our Board does not currently have any plans to implement additional measures that may have an anti-takeover effect.

15

---

 

Summary of Rights Agreement

The following is a summary of the material terms of the Rights Agreement.  The statements below are only a summary, and we refer you to the full text of the Rights Agreement in its original form, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the report on Form 8-K filed on August 24, 2015 and as an Exhibit to Form 8-A/A, filed on August 24, 2015 and the Amendment in its original form, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the report on Form 8-K on August 20, 2018 and as an Exhibit to Form 8-A/A, filed on August 20, 2018.  Each statement in this summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to these documents.

General

Currently, under the terms of the Rights Agreement, each share of Common Stock outstanding has one Right attached to it, so that the purchase of a share of Common Stock is also a purchase of the attached Right.  Certificates representing the Common Stock also represent the attached Rights.  The Rights are not currently exercisable or separately tradable.  Until a Right is exercised as described below, the holder of the Right will have no rights as a shareholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends.

After the “Distribution Date,” which is described below, and, if later, the expiration of the Company’s right to redeem the Rights, each Right will become separately tradable and, initially will entitle the holder to purchase from the Company one one-hundredth of a fully paid non-assessable share of Series A Preferred Stock, no par value (the “Preferred Stock”), of the Company, at a purchase price of $73.00 per one one-hundredth of a share (the “Purchase Price”), subject to adjustment.  Each one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock has rights that are roughly equivalent to one share of Common Stock.  The Rights will expire at the close of business on August 20, 2021 (the “Final Expiration Date”), or, if earlier, (i) the final adjournment of the Company’s 2018 Annual Meeting of the Shareholders, if shareholder approval of the Rights Agreement has not been obtained, (ii) redemption or call for exchange of Rights by the Company as described below or (iii) expiration upon the consummation of certain transactions as described below.

Events Causing Exercisability and Separate Transferability

Except for Permitted Offers discussed below, a “Distribution Date” will occur and the Rights will become exercisable and separately tradable upon the earlier of:

As soon as practicable following the Distribution Date, separate certificates evidencing the Rights (“Right Certificates”) will be mailed to holders of record of the Common Stock as of the close of business on the Distribution Date and such separate Right Certificates alone will evidence the Rights.

Events Causing Adjustment of the Shares Acquirable Upon Exercise or the Purchase Price

In the event that (i) the Company were the surviving corporation in a merger or other combination with an Acquiring Person or affiliated or associated persons of an Acquiring Person and its Common Stock were not changed or exchanged; (ii) an Acquiring Person engages in one of a number of self-dealing transactions specified in the Rights Agreement; (iii) in certain circumstances, an Acquiring Person becomes the beneficial owner of 20% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, except pursuant to a Permitted Offer, or (iv) during such time as there is an Acquiring Person, there shall occur certain failures to pay, or reductions in, dividends on outstanding common or preferred stock of the Company or a recapitalization of the Company which has the effect of increasing the Acquiring Person’s proportionate share of the outstanding Common Stock by more than 1%, each holder of a Right, other than the Acquiring Person (and any affiliates and certain transferees), will then have the right to receive upon exercise and payment to the Company of the Purchase Price, instead of one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock, that number of shares of Common Stock having an average market value equal to two times the Purchase Price.  Any Rights that are beneficially owned by any Acquiring Person (or any affiliate or certain transferees) will be null and void.  In other words, the Rights holders, other than the Acquiring Person and certain others, may at that time purchase Common Stock at a 50% discount.

16

---

 

Alternatively, in the event that, after the first public announcement that a person or group has become an Acquiring Person, the Company is a party to a merger or other business combination transaction in connection with which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation or in which all or a part of the Common Stock shall be changed into or exchanged for stock or other securities of any other person or cash or any other property, then each holder of a Right, other than the Acquiring Person (and any affiliates and certain transferees), shall have the right to receive upon exercise and payment to the Company of the Purchase Price, instead of one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock, common shares of the acquiring or surviving company having an average market value equal to two times the Purchase Price.  In other words, the Rights holders, other than the Acquiring Person and certain others, may at that time purchase the acquiring or surviving company’s common shares at a 50% discount.

A “Permitted Offer” is tender or exchange offer for all outstanding shares at a price and on terms determined by a majority of the Board, prior to the consummation of the offer, after receiving advice from an investment banking firm selected by a majority of the Board, to be a price that is fair to shareholders and in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.  A “Permitted Combination” is merger or combination with an Acquiring Person who becomes such in a Permitted Offer if the price per share of Common Stock offered in such transaction is no less than the price per share of Common Stock paid to all holders in the Permitted Offer tender or exchange offer and the form of consideration being offered in such transaction is the same as the form of consideration paid in the Permitted Offer tender or exchange offer.  The Rights expire upon the consummation of a Permitted Offer or a Permitted Combination.

The Purchase Price payable and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of the Rights are subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution upon the occurrence of specified events affecting the Preferred Stock.  The number of outstanding Rights and the Purchase Price are also subject to adjustment in the event of a stock dividend on the Common Stock payable in Common Stock or subdivisions or combinations of the Common Stock occurring before the Distribution Date.

Exchange Right

At any time after any person becomes an Acquiring Person but prior to the time such Acquiring Person has acquired 50% or more of the outstanding Common Stock, the Board may cause shareholders to exchange all or part of their Rights for shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock at a ratio of one share of Common Stock or one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock per Right, subject to adjustment.  As soon as the Board has determined to make such exchange, the Rights may no longer be exercised.

Redemption of the Rights

At any time prior to a person or group of affiliated or associated persons becoming an Acquiring Person (or if pursuant to a Permitted Offer, such later date as fixed by the Board), the Board may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $.001 per Right (the “Redemption Price”).  After the Company’s right of redemption expires, as provided above, the Company’s right of redemption may be reinstated, prior to certain triggering events, (i) if an Acquiring Person reduces his beneficial ownership to less than 20% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock in a transaction or series of transactions not involving the Company; and (ii) there are no other persons, immediately following the event described in clause (i), who are Acquiring Persons.  Additionally, the Board may at any time prior to the occurrence of certain triggering events, redeem the then outstanding Rights in whole, but not in part, at the Redemption Price, if such redemption is in connection with the consummation of a merger or other business combination involving the Company, but not involving an Acquiring Person or its affiliates or associates, which is determined to be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders by the Board.

In addition, if the Company receives a “Qualified Offer,” the Rights may be redeemed by way of shareholder action taken at a special meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of voting on a resolution accepting the Qualified Offer and authorizing the redemption of the Rights pursuant to the provisions of the Rights Agreement.  In order for a special meeting of the shareholders to be called, the Company must receive a written notice complying with the terms set forth in the Rights Agreement, not earlier than 60 business days nor later than 80 business days following the commencement of a Qualified Offer.  The notice must be properly executed by the holders of record (or their duly authorized proxy) of not less than 10% of the Common Shares then outstanding (excluding the acquirer and its affiliates and associates).  The special meeting must be held within 90 business days after the Company receives a request from shareholders to hold such a meeting, subject to certain exceptions.  If a resolution to redeem the Rights is approved at the special meeting by holders of a majority of the Common Shares then outstanding (excluding the acquirer or its affiliates and associates) (or if the special meeting is not held on or before the 90th business day after receipt of the request for a meeting to vote on such a resolution or such later date at which an acquisition agreement approved by the Board is voted on by shareholders), it will become effective immediately prior to the consummation of any Qualified Offer consummated within 60 days after the earlier of the special meeting or the 90th business day after receipt of a request for a special meeting of shareholders.

17

---

 

A “Qualified Offer” is a tender offer for all outstanding Common Stock not already beneficially owned by the person making the offer that meets certain conditions, including all of the following:

18

---

 

Amendments

The Rights Agreement may be amended without shareholder approval prior to the Distribution Date at the Board’s discretion.  After the Distribution Date, the Board generally may amend the Rights Agreement without the consent of the Rights holders to cure any ambiguity, correct defects or inconsistencies, shorten or lengthen time periods or supplement or change any other provision which does not adversely affect the Rights holders; provided that the lengthening of any time period is for the purpose of protecting, enhancing or clarifying the rights of, and/or for the benefit of the holders of the Rights (other than the Acquiring Person and its affiliated and associated persons).  However, if the Rights are not then redeemable, the Board may not lengthen a time period relating to when the Rights may be redeemed.

Required Vote

Ratification of the Rights Agreement requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter.

PROXIES WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED ON THE PROXY.

19

---

 

PROPOSAL 3 — ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” PROPOSAL 3

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, or the Dodd-Frank Act, provides shareholders with the opportunity to vote to approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.  This advisory vote is commonly known as “Say-on-Pay.”  Accordingly, the Board is asking our shareholders to indicate their support for the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement.

At the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, our shareholders expressed a preference that advisory votes on executive compensation be held on an annual basis.  Consistent with this preference, the Board determined to implement an advisory vote on executive compensation on an annual basis until the next required vote on the frequency of shareholder votes on the compensation of executive officers.

This proposal is not intended to address the specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and the Company’s executive compensation program and practices.  Please read the “Compensation of Executive Officers,” together with the related compensation tables and narrative disclosure, below, for a detailed explanation of the Company’s executive compensation program and practices.

The Board is asking our shareholders to vote “FOR” the following non-binding resolution:

“Resolved, that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and the related compensation tables and narrative disclosure, in the Proxy Statement is hereby approved on an advisory basis.”

Required Vote

The approval of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter.  As an advisory vote, the result will not be binding on the Board; however, the Management Development Committee, which is comprised solely of independent directors, will consider the outcome of the vote when evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s compensation policies and practices.

PROXIES WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED ON THE PROXY.

20

---

 

PROPOSAL 4 — RATIFICATION OF COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” PROPOSAL 4

As provided in its charter, the Audit Committee selects our independent registered public accounting firm, reviews the scope of the annual audit and approves all audit and non-audit services permitted under applicable law to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm.  The Audit Committee has evaluated the performance of BDO USA, LLP (“BDO”) and has selected them as our independent registered public accounting firm to audit our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019.  BDO has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since January 7, 2013. You are requested to ratify the Audit Committee’s appointment of BDO.  Representatives of BDO are expected to be present at the annual meeting and will be given the opportunity to make a statement, if they desire to do so, and to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders present at the meeting.

A majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting is required for ratification.  However, by NASDAQ and SEC rules, selection of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is the direct responsibility of the Audit Committee. Therefore, if shareholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will seek to understand the reasons for such failure and will take those views into account in this and future appointments.  Even if the current selection is ratified by shareholders, the Audit Committee reserves the right to appoint a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the fiscal year if the Audit Committee determines that such change would be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

Additional information regarding the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm can be found under “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm”.

Required Vote

Ratification of the Company’s independent auditors requires a majority of the votes cast on the matter.

PROXIES WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT AUDITORS UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED ON THE PROXY.

 

21

---

 

SHARE OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN SHAREHOLDERS

Principal Shareholders

The following table sets forth information with respect to beneficial ownership of the Common Stock by each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of our outstanding Common Stock.  The number of shares reported is as of the dates indicated in the footnotes below.  The percentage of class is based on 9,617,889 shares of Common Stock outstanding on October 26, 2018.  The information has been furnished by each such person.

 

 

 

22

---

 

Beneficial Ownership by Directors and Executive Officers

The following table sets forth information with respect to beneficial ownership of the Common Stock by each of our directors and director nominees, the persons named in the Summary Compensation Table and by all our directors and executive officers as a group as of October 26, 2018, unless otherwise indicated.  The information as to each person has been furnished by such person and, except as where otherwise indicated, each person has sole voting power and sole investment power with respect to all shares beneficially owned by such person.

 

 

* Less than 1% of class

23

---

 

 

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Under the securities laws of the United States, our directors, executive (and certain other) officers and any persons holding more than ten percent of the Common Stock are required to report their ownership of the Common Stock and any changes in that ownership to the SEC.  Directors, officers and greater than ten percent shareholders are required by the SEC to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.  Specific due dates for these reports have been established and we are required to report in this proxy statement any failure to file by these dates during our last fiscal year.  To our knowledge, all of these filing requirements were satisfied during our last fiscal year by our officers, directors and ten percent shareholders, except that Mr. Watza failed to timely file a Form 4 reporting the surrender of 845 shares of Common Stock to the Company in order to satisfy withholding tax obligations.  In making this statement, we have relied solely on the representations of our directors, officers and ten percent shareholders and copies of the reports that have been filed with the SEC.

24

---

 

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The executive officers listed below were appointed by the Board and serve in the capacities indicated.  Executive officers are normally appointed annually by the Board and serve at the pleasure of the Board.

 

 

25

---

 

COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Executive Summary.  This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) is intended to provide information about our compensation objectives and policies for our principal executive officer, our principal financial officer and our other named executive officers (the “NEOs”) included in the Summary Compensation Table that follows this discussion.  This CD&A is intended to place in perspective the compensation information contained in the tables that follow this discussion.

During fiscal 2018, the Management Development Committee, after reviewing the Company’s executive compensation programs, determined to not change the principal components of our programs as discussed below.  This approach was supported by the results of the advisory vote by shareholders of the Company at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on November 9, 2017 at which the “Say on Pay” Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation was approved by 96.0% of the shareholders voting on the proposal.

General Philosophy.  Our objective is to provide a superior return to shareholders. To support this objective, we believe that we must attract, retain and motivate top quality executive talent.  Our executive compensation program is a critical tool in this process.

Our executive compensation program consists of five components:

Our compensation philosophy at all levels of the organization emphasizes performance-based compensation.  This is particularly true of our executive compensation program, which has been designed to link executive compensation to Company performance through at-risk compensation opportunities, providing significant reward to executives who contribute to our success.  A significant portion of our NEOs and other executives’ potential annual cash compensation is tied to our revenue and profitability goals.  We provide long-term incentives to our team through periodic stock awards.  Through stock awards to our NEOs and other executives, we have tied a significant portion of their future compensation potential to the creation of long-term shareholder value.  Further, we believe that stock-based incentives for team members, in addition to providing an incentive for their continued employment, more closely align their interests with those of the Company and its shareholders.  

Our approach to NEO base salaries is to ensure that they are competitive so that they are effective in attracting and retaining a high quality executive team.  Similarly, in designing our employee benefit programs and severance and change in control benefits, we strive to offer benefits consistent with the general practice of comparable companies.

We believe that compensation should be simple, straightforward and easily understood by the recipients.  As a result, our incentive compensation programs have generally been tied to a limited number of key Company-wide performance metrics that can be objectively measured.  

We continue to implement a corporate strategy designed to leverage our leading technologies and market position to accelerate the next evolution of growth of the Company as well as increase diversification across industries.  The main components of our strategy are: to continue to invest in engineering capabilities, focus on our core automotive technologies and customers, tenaciously pursue cost efficiencies and prudently manage our working capital. 

In the coming years, we will continue to revise and refine our executive and non-executive compensation programs to properly motivate our executives and team to implement this strategy.  We will directly reward them for growth on a Company-wide basis.

Equity Ownership Guidelines.  The Management Development Committee determined to implement equity ownership guidelines for our executive team. In August 2017, the Board determined that the Chief Executive Officer and other NEOs should hold shares equal to one-times and one-half-times their base salaries, respectively.  This will be accomplished by requiring these executives to retain at least 25% of the net shares of Common Stock acquired upon the vesting or exercise of any equity incentive awards, after deducting the number of shares of Common Stock that were withheld or sold to pay applicable taxes and/or exercise price, until the executive has met the ownership guidelines.  This requirement will be measured each year at June 30^th.  At June 30, 2018, all members of the executive team had complied with this requirement.

26

---

 

The Role of the Management Development Committee and Chief Executive Officer in the Compensation Process.  The Management Development Committee is responsible for the planning, review and administration of our executive compensation program and stock-based executive compensation programs.  During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018, all members of this Committee were non-employee directors of the Company.  The Management Development Committee generally meets in conjunction with regularly scheduled Board meetings and between Board meetings at the request of the Chief Executive Officer or the Management Development Committee.

The Management Development Committee generally reviews the components of executive compensation on an annual basis to determine whether there should be any adjustments in base salary, to establish the annual cash incentive plan, to establish a long term equity incentive plan, to determine if other stock-based incentives should be granted and to review the terms of our other executive compensation programs.  Each year the Chief Executive Officer presents an evaluation of the performance of the NEOs and other executive team members to the Management Development Committee.  Based upon this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations to the Management Development Committee regarding compensation for the NEOs and other executives, other than himself.  The Chief Executive Officer may make recommendations regarding changes in a particular NEO or other executive’s compensation more frequently than annually as a result of changes in circumstances, such as the assumption of increased executive level responsibilities.  The Management Development Committee considers the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer, as well as the other information provided to them by the Company, and then establishes compensation for the NEOs and other executives, either annually or periodically as the need arises.

The Management Development Committee independently assesses the performance of the Chief Executive Officer.  Based upon that assessment, the performance of the Company and the Management Development Committee’s decisions regarding the compensation of the other NEOs and executives, the Management Development Committee independently establishes the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, without any recommendations from or participation by the Chief Executive Officer in that process.

The Management Development Committee has not established a set percentage relationship between the size of the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation package as compared to the other NEOs.  However, historically one of the factors considered by the Management Development Committee in setting the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation is the level of compensation awarded to the other NEOs for each element of compensation.

The base salary, annual cash incentive opportunity, stock-based incentives and other compensation terms for new executive officers are established by the Management Development Committee based upon the executive’s qualifications, position and level of responsibility as compared with our other executives, our profitability and other factors, such as assessments of individual performance and market practices, and, in the case of executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer, upon the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer.

The Chief Executive Officer typically proposes the terms of an annual cash incentive plan and equity incentive plan to the Management Development Committee for consideration.  The Committee revises the plans as it deems appropriate and approves the final plans, usually in the first quarter of the fiscal year.

The Management Development Committee generally reviews all elements of compensation as a whole in establishing executive compensation.  It does not have a pre-set formula for the proper mix of the elements, other than the annual cash incentive and equity incentive plans.  In the case of our annual cash incentive and equity incentive plans, each of our NEOs and other executives has a set target percentage of his or her base salary that can be earned as an annual cash incentive and an equity incentive for achievement of Company-wide performance metrics.

The Role of Risk Assessment in Compensation Planning.  As part of its process of developing and implementing the Company’s compensation programs for both executive and non-executive team members, the Management Development Committee considers whether the programs being proposed have the potential to create risks that could have a material adverse effect on the Company.  The Management Development Committee believes that the Company’s compensation programs have been structured with an appropriate balance between providing strong compensation-related incentives to the team to drive revenue and profit growth, without encouraging them to take excessive risks to achieve growth.  For instance, while the Company uses performance-based compensation at all levels of its compensation program, base salary still represents the largest single portion of all team members’ cash compensation.  This encourages team members to take appropriate risks to achieve established goals, but tempered by the need to maintain the Company’s long-term established business assets and value.  Further, Company revenue and operating income targets used in incentive plans are based upon the Company’s operating budget for the fiscal year generally developed by the executives and the team and approved by the Company’s Board of Directors.  By setting targets in this fashion, the Management Development Committee strives to set realistic targets to drive reasonably achievable growth.  

27

---

 

In addition, the amount that can be earned by the executives and the team under this plan are capped at a percentage of the team member’s base salary, discouraging risk taking to achieve performance levels significantly above the expected levels of performance.

Key Elements of Compensation for Fiscal 2018

Base Salary.  The Management Development Committee recognizes the importance of a competitive compensation structure in retaining and attracting valuable senior executives.  Executive salary levels are reviewed and established annually.  The salaries received by our executives generally reflect their levels of responsibility, our profitability and other factors, such as assessments of individual performance and market practices.

In connection with the appointment of Mr. Watza as President and Chief Executive Officer in November 2016, his base salary was set at $325,000.  In April 2018, the Management and Development Committee approved a 4% merit increase for Mr. Watza, which coincided with merit increases for all U.S.-based employees and set his salary at $338,000.  The Management Development Committee set his base salary at a level they viewed as commensurate with amounts paid to his predecessors.  Mr. Watza has also been awarded two non-qualified options to purchase 100,000 shares under each award of the Company’s Common Stock, under the Company’s 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, with grant dates effective December 1, 2016 and October 2, 2017, respectively.  The options are exercisable in three equal annual installments on the first anniversary, second anniversary and third anniversaries of each grant at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock on December 1, 2016 and October 2, 2017, respectively.

In connection with the appointment of Mr. Van Valkenburg as Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing in December 2016, his base salary was set at $215,000.  In March 2017, the Management Development Committee approved a merit increase for Mr. Van Valkenburg and set his salary at $220,000, which coincided with merit increases for all U.S.-based employees.  In April 2018, the Management Development Committee approved a 4.5% merit increase for Mr. Van Valkenburg, which coincided with merit increases for all U.S.-based employees and set his salary at $230,000.

Annual Non-Equity Incentive Plan.  Our executives and director-level team members are eligible for annual cash incentive opportunities.  Generally, at the beginning of each fiscal year, the Management Development Committee develops a cash incentive plan applicable to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, the other NEOs and our other executives and director-level team members.

In the case of our annual cash incentive, each of our executives and director-level team members, including the NEOs, has a set target percentage of their base salary that can be earned as an annual cash profit sharing incentive for achievement of Company-wide performance metrics and individual strategic goals.

For fiscal 2018, the Management Development Committee adopted the Fiscal 2018 Executive Short Term Incentive Plan, which applied to Mr. Watza, the other NEOs, our other executives and director-level team members.  Under the Fiscal 2018 Executive Short Term Incentive Plan, participants could earn annual incentive cash compensation based upon performance against pre-established Company financial targets and individual strategic objectives.

The amount of the award of any cash incentives under the Fiscal 2018 Executive Short Term Incentive Plan for fiscal 2018 performance was based on the Company’s achievement of specified results with respect to Company revenue and operating income targets for fiscal 2018.  The weightings of these targets for fiscal 2018 were as follows:

 

 

 

The financial targets include progressive threshold (90% of target for Company Revenue and 75% for Company Operating Income Before Incentive Compensation), target and maximum (110% of target for Company Revenue and 150% of target for Company Operating Income Before Incentive Compensation) performance level incentive objectives.  Furthermore, the Company’s Operating Income Before Incentive Compensation must be at least 75% of the target level under the Company’s Fiscal 2018 Operating Budget for any annual incentive cash compensation payable to be made under the Executive Short Term Incentive Plan.

An annual incentive cash compensation payout can be made under the Fiscal 2018 Executive Short Term Incentive Plan if the Company Operating Income Before Incentive Compensation equals or exceeds 75% of the Company

28

---

 

Operating Income Before Incentive Compensation target.  The specific amount that such participant receives is dependent on company financial performance, the participant’s base salary and his or her predetermined participation level stated as a percentage of base salary (55% for Mr. Watza and 35% for other executives).

The amount that could have been received by Mr. Watza under the Fiscal 2018 Executive Short Term Incentive Plan ranged from 0% (assuming the threshold objectives were not met) to 96.25% (assuming the maximum objectives were met) of base salary, with a cash incentive amount of 55% of base salary if both of the target financial performance objectives are met.  For each of the other executives, the amount such executives could have received under the Fiscal 2018 Executive Short Term Incentive Plan ranged from 0% (assuming the threshold objectives were not met) to 61.25% (assuming the maximum objectives were met) of base salary, with a threshold cash incentive amount of 35% of base salary if both of the target financial performance objectives are met.

Participating team members under the Fiscal 2018 Executive Short Term Incentive Plan had to be employed on or before December 31, 2017 in order to be eligible. Participating team members hired between July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017, were eligible for a pro-rata portion of their individual participation level. Participating team members had to be employed by the Company at the date of the payouts in fiscal 2019, except as otherwise provided under any severance agreement applicable to the participant.  See “Compensation of Executive Officers – Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”  The Management Development Committee reserved the right to increase, decrease or eliminate any payout under the Fiscal 2018 Executive Short Term Incentive Plan for any participant, including to provide for no payout even if the financial performance targets or strategic objectives were achieved by the participant.

After completion of fiscal 2018, the Management Development Committee determined the extent to which the specified goals relating to the financial targets were achieved.  Our fiscal 2018 Revenue and Operating Income Before Incentive Compensation for purposes of the Fiscal 2018 Executive Short Term Incentive Plan were approximately 120% and 200%, respectively, of the target thresholds.  Accordingly, a cash incentive was earned for both the revenue target and the operating income target, for a payout of 161.5% of the target level cash incentive amount.

Long Term Equity Incentive Plan.  Our executives and director-level team members are eligible for equity incentive opportunities.  Generally, at the beginning of each fiscal year, the Management Development Committee develops an equity incentive plan applicable to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, the other NEOs and our other executives and director-level team members.

Under the Fiscal 2018 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan (the “Executive Long Term Incentive Plan”), the Company’s key executives, including the named executive officers, can earn incentive restricted stock units and performance share award units under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan. The equity awards granted under the Executive Long Term Incentive Plan were targeted to be 50% in the form of restricted stock units and 50% in the form of performance share award units.

The equity awards were granted on October 2, 2017. The specific number of shares of restricted stock units and the specific target number of performance share award units that each participant receives was determined by dividing an award amount denominated in dollars by the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market’s Global Market on the date the restricted stock units and performance share award units were awarded.  The award amount is equal to a predetermined percentage of the participant’s base salary (40% for our President and Chief Executive Officer and 30% for the other executives, with Mr. Watza and the other NEO receiving a grant of 8,200 and 4,150 of restricted stock units, respectively, and 8,200 and 4,150 of performance share award units, respectively).

The restricted stock units vest 33-1/3% on the first anniversary of the grant date, 33-1/3% on the second anniversary of the grant date and 33-1/3% on the third anniversary of the grant date, provided the participant remains employed with the Company on each of the relevant vesting dates. The restricted stock units will become fully vested in the event a successor corporation refuses to assume the restricted stock units or the participant’s employment is terminated without Cause (as defined in the award agreement) in connection with or within three years following a Change in Control of the Company (as defined in the award agreement).

29

---

 

Subject to the Company’s achievement of specified results with respect to corporate revenue and operating income targets for fiscal years 2018, 2019 and 2020 (the “Performance Measures”), 33-1/3% of the performance share award units vest based upon the achievement of Performance Measures for fiscal 2018 (the “Fiscal 2018 Tranche”), 33-1/3% based upon the achievement of Performance Measures for fiscal 2019 and 33-1/3% based upon the achievement of Performance Measures for fiscal 2020, provided the participant remains employed with the Company on each of the relevant vesting dates. The Performance Measures were set at the date of grant based upon the Company’s 3 Year Long Range Plan. The weightings of the Performance Measures for determining the number of performance share award units that will vest for each participant in fiscal years 2018, 2019 and 2020 were as follows:

 

 

 

 

The financial targets included in the Performance Measures include progressive threshold (90% of target for Company Revenue and 75% for Company Operating Income Before Incentive Compensation), target and maximum (110% of target for Company Revenue and 150% of target for Company Operating Income Before Incentive Compensation) performance level incentive objectives.  Furthermore, the Company’s Operating Income Before Incentive Compensation must be at least 75% of the target level under the Company’s Fiscal 2018 Operating Budget for any performance share award units to vest under the Executive Long Term Incentive Plan.

Under the Fiscal 2018 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan, the value of the performance share award units that could be earned by Mr. Watza ranged from 0% (assuming the threshold objectives were not met) to 65% (assuming the maximum objectives were met) of base salary, with a grant date value of 40% of base salary if both of the target financial performance objectives are met.  Under the Fiscal 2018 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan, the grant date value of the equity award that could be earned by the Company’s other executives ranged from 0% (assuming the threshold objectives were not met) to 48.8% (assuming the maximum objectives were met) of base salary, with a grant date value of 30% of base salary if both of the target financial performance objectives are met.

Participating team members under the Fiscal 2018 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan had to be employed on or before December 31, 2017 in order to be eligible. Participating team members hired between July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017 were eligible for a pro-rata portion of their individual participation level.  Participating team members have to be employed by the Company at each vesting date, except as otherwise provided under any severance agreement applicable to the participant.  See “Compensation of Executive Officers – Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”  The Management Development Committee reserved the right to increase, decrease or eliminate any performance share award units under the Fiscal 2018 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan for any participant, even if the financial performance targets were achieved.

After completion of fiscal 2018, the Management Development Committee determined the extent to which the specified goals relating to the financial targets were achieved for the Fiscal 2018 Tranche.  Our fiscal 2018 Revenue and Adjusted Operating Income Before Incentive Compensation for purposes of the Fiscal 2018 Tranche of the Fiscal 2018 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan were approximately 120% and 200%, respectively, of the target thresholds.  Accordingly, a performance award was earned for both the revenue target and the operating income target for the Fiscal 2018 Tranche for a payout of 161.5% of the target level performance share award units for the 2018 Fiscal 2018 Tranche. Thus, for the Fiscal 2018 Tranche, Mr. Watza and the other NEO vested in 4,414 and 2,235, respectively, of performance share award units.

Stock-Based Incentives.  The 2004 Stock Plan permits the Management Development Committee to grant stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance share awards and deferred stock units, in addition to incentive and non-qualified stock options.  

In November 2016, in connection with Mr. Watza being named as President and Chief Executive Officer, he was awarded a non-qualified option to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, under the Company’s 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, with a grant date effective December 1, 2016.  On October 2, 2017, Mr. Watza received another grant of non-qualified stock options to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock that the Company had committed to grant in connection with Mr. Watza’s appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer.  These grants are at levels commensurate with those made to his predecessors.

30

---

 

The options granted to Mr. Watza become exercisable in three equal annual installments, beginning one year from their date of initial grant, at an exercise price equal to 100% of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant.  The options expire ten years from the date of grant, or if earlier, one year after the executive’s death or permanent disability or three months after the executive’s termination of employment.  In addition, any portion of these options that is not exercisable becomes exercisable immediately upon a Change in Control of the Company as described under “Compensation of Executive Officers – Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”  All of the options granted were non-qualified stock options.

Under the terms of the Fiscal 2018 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan, Mr. Watza and the other NEOs, received an award of restricted stock units and had the opportunity to, and did, earn performance share award units under the 2004 Stock Plan in fiscal 2018 as described above under “Compensation of Executive Officers – Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Key Elements of Compensation for Fiscal 2018 – Long Term Equity Incentive Plan.”

The Management Development Committee does not have a set time of the year in which it makes discretionary equity awards under the 2004 Stock Plan, nor does it make such awards every year.  

The Management Development Committee periodically reviews the various stock-based incentive alternatives available to the Company under the 2004 Stock Plan as part of its development of a program to provide appropriate long-term incentives to the executive team and more closely align their interests with the Company and its shareholders.  Historically, the Management Development Committee used grants of non-qualified stock options as the Company’s principal long-term stock incentive program for the executive team. More recently, the Management Development Committee also has used restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards and performance share unit awards to the executive team, members of the Board of Directors and other team members.  We have increased our use of these other forms of awards in order to reduce the number of shares being issued by the Company as equity incentive awards.  Because recipients of these types of awards are not required to pay an exercise price to realize the benefits of the award, as compared to stock option grants where they are required to do so, we are able to award fewer shares to participants than if we granted stock options, yet provide participants with equivalent value to a stock option grant.  In the future, the Management Development Committee plans to use a combination of stock option grants, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards and performance share units.

The Management Development Committee has generally provided for stock options grants, restricted stock awards and restricted stock unit awards to become exercisable immediately upon a Change in Control of the Company. Prior to the adoption of the Fiscal 2018 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan, the Management Development Committee used a single trigger structure for acceleration of vesting of stock option grants, restricted stock awards and restricted stock unit awards upon a Change in Control of the Company so that vesting occurs upon the occurrence of the Change of Control. They believe this provided executives with the appropriate incentives to act in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, without concern for their own personal interests, and to provide for continuity of management during the pendency of a transaction that could result in a Change in Control of the Company.

The Management Development Committee designed the restricted stock unit awards under the Fiscal 2018 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan to use a double trigger structure for acceleration of vesting of the awards upon a Change in Control of the Company.  Under the double trigger structure, accelerated vesting of awards requires both a Change in Control and qualified termination of employment or non-assumptions of awards. Similarly, the Management Development Committee designed the performance share unit awards under the Fiscal 2018 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan to provide that, upon a Change in Control of the Company, the performance requirements will be eliminated and any unvested portion of the award will vest, at the target number of shares subject to the original grant, in annual tranches at the anniversary date of the date of grant, based upon the year in which the tranche would have vested based upon achievement of the performance targets, if the holder of the award is employed as of such date or, if earlier, a qualified termination of employment or non-assumption of the award. The Committee currently intends to use these provisions for all future grants under the 2004 Stock Plan.

Employee Benefits.  We believe it is important to the retention of our team members that we maintain a competitive benefit package at all levels within the Company.  Further, we believe a well-designed employee benefit program further promotes the creation of value for our shareholders by enhancing job productivity by encouraging our team members to maintain a healthy lifestyle and providing a reasonable level of financial support in the event of an illness, injury or death.

All of our team members, including the NEOs and our other executives, receive customary benefits such as medical, dental and vision plans, short and long-term disability and group life insurance.  In addition, the NEOs and certain other executives receive enhanced life insurance (in lieu of group life) and supplemental long-term executive disability benefits, commensurate with their higher compensation levels.

31

---

 

We also maintain a 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan (the “401(k) Plan”) in which all team members employed in the United States, including the NEOs and our other executives, are eligible to participate on the same basis.  All team members are eligible to contribute up to 75% of their salaries on a pre-tax basis to the 401(k) Plan.  For calendar year 2018, the annual maximum contribution limit is $18,500 for employees under 50 years of age and $24,500 for employees 50 years of age or older.  In addition, the Board of Directors may authorize the Company, from time to time, to match a portion of the team members’ contributions to the 401(k) Plan.  In fiscal year 2018, the Company contributed a match of 25% of each team member’s voluntary contribution to the 401(k) Plan up to the first 8% of a team member’s compensation.  Furthermore, based on the performance of the Company in fiscal year 2018, the Board approved an additional match for fiscal 2018 of each team member’s voluntary contributions to the 401(k) Plan up to 3% of their compensation for the period January 1 to June 30, 2018.  

To facilitate the performance of their management responsibilities, we provide certain key employees selected perquisites and other personal benefits, such as an automobile expense allowance and, when key employees join us, relocation benefits, such as temporary housing and reimbursements of travel costs prior to relocation.

Severance Agreements.  The Board, upon recommendation of the Management Development Committee, authorized the implementation of formal severance agreements for the Company’s executive officers beginning in fiscal 2005.  The terms of the severance agreements are described under “Compensation of Executive Officers – Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.”  The Board determined it appropriate to formalize the Company’s general severance policies and practices for its executive team and at the same time institute enhanced severance arrangements payable in the event of a termination of the executive’s employment following a change in control of the Company.  The Board and Management Development Committee believe that the enhanced severance arrangements are necessary in order to provide executives with the appropriate incentives to act in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, without concern for their own personal interests, and to provide for continuity of management during the pendency of a transaction that could result in a change in control of the Company.  The Management Development Committee, in developing its recommendations to the Board, consulted with an outside compensation consultant hired by the Committee and the Company’s outside legal counsel.  Based upon the foregoing, the Management Development Committee believes that the severance agreements contain terms and conditions which are comparable to those used by other companies that are similar in size to the Company.

The NEOs have all entered into our standard executive agreement not to compete, restricting the executive’s right to compete with us for the longer of twelve months following the termination of employment or the period post-termination during which we are required to make payments to the executive, and standard employee proprietary information and inventions agreement, containing confidentiality provisions and a two-year post-termination restriction on soliciting our employees.  We have the right to cease all further payments under the NEO’s severance agreement in the event that the NEO violates the executive non-competition agreement.  The NEOs must sign a standard release to receive payments under the severance agreements, including standard non-disparagement provisions.

Payments under the severance agreements, when aggregated with any other “parachute payments” (defined under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) as compensation that becomes payable or accelerated due to a Change in Control) payable under any of our other plans, agreements or policies, are capped so as to not be treated as “excess parachute payments” under Code Sections 280G and 4999.  See “Compensation of Executive Officers – Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Golden Parachute Excise Tax” below for a further discussion of our policy with respect to golden parachute amounts.

Deductibility of Executive Compensation.  Code Section 162(m) restricts the deductibility of executive compensation paid to the chief executive officer and any of the three most highly compensated executive officers (other than the chief financial officer) at the end of the fiscal year to the extent such compensation (including gains from the exercise of certain stock options) exceeds $1,000,000 in any year.  There are exceptions to the limitation for performance-based compensation that is based on nondiscretionary, pre-established performance measures.

Our Board established certain restrictions on the granting of options under the 2004 Stock Plan so that compensation realized in connection with the stock-based grants under the 2004 Stock Plan could be structured to be exempt from the restrictions on deductibility under Section 162(m).  For instance, the 2004 Stock Plan restricts stock grants to any participant in any fiscal year as follows: (i) up to 200,000 shares of Common Stock may be subject to stock option grants, (ii) up to 200,000 shares of Common Stock may be subject to stock appreciation right grants, (iii) up to 200,000 shares of Common Stock may be subject to restricted stock awards, (iv) up to 200,000 shares of Common Stock may be subject to restricted stock units and (v) up to 200,000 shares of Common Stock may be subject to performance share awards.  It is important to note that while these restrictions allow the Management Development Committee continuing discretion in establishing executive officer compensation, they do limit such discretion by restricting the size of stock

32

---

 

awards which the Management Development Committee may grant to any single individual.  The permitted size of the stock awards to a single individual was established based on the determination of the maximum number of shares which would be required to be granted in any fiscal year to retain or attract a chief executive officer of the Company.  The stock option grants under the 2004 Stock Plan have been designed to be exempt from the restrictions on deductibility under Section 162(m).  While the restricted stock awards under the 2004 Stock Plan, to date, have not been designed to be exempt from the restrictions on deductibility under Section 162(m), they have been small enough in number to not likely result in payments to any executive officer in any year which would be subject to such restrictions.

We do not believe that other components of our compensation program are likely to result in payments to any executive officer in any year which would be subject to the restriction on deductibility under Section 162(m).  Accordingly, we believe that we have taken appropriate actions to preserve the deductibility of most of the annual performance bonuses and long-term performance incentive awards the Management Development Committee is likely to award in any given year.  We will continue to evaluate the advisability of qualifying future executive compensation programs for deductibility under the Code.

The Management Development Committee recognizes the need to retain flexibility to make compensation decisions that may not meet Section 162(m) standards to enable us to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified executives.  It has the authority to approve non-deductible compensation in appropriate circumstances.  Also, because of ambiguities and uncertainties as to the application and interpretation of Section 162(m) and the related regulations and guidance, no assurance can be given that compensation intended by us to satisfy the requirements for deductibility under Section 162(m) will in fact do so.

Stock Awards Expense.  We are required under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718 “Compensation – Stock Compensation” to record compensation expense associated with stock awards to our employees, including the NEOs, as more fully discussed in Note 17 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018.  As discussed above, the Management Development Committee does consider the impact of FASB ASC Topic 718 in determining to use stock awards as our principal long-term incentive program for the executive team.  Further, the Management Development Committee does consider the amount of compensation expense required to be recorded in determining the size of stock awards to the Chief Executive Officer and the aggregate awards made to the remainder of the executive team and team members generally.

Golden Parachute Excise Tax.  Code Section 280G imposes tax penalties on golden parachute payments associated with a Change in Control of the Company if they exceed a specified level.  These penalties include a 20% excise tax on part of the income received by executives with excess payments, and the elimination of a portion of our tax deduction when these excess payments are triggered.  Payments under our severance agreements and from the acceleration of the exercisability of our stock options and vesting of our restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance share units  in the event of a Change in Control of the Company are potentially subject to these tax penalties.  Currently, payments under our severance agreements are capped at an amount that will not trigger the excise tax.  There is no similar limitation on the acceleration of the exercisability of stock options and vesting of other stock awards since we believe it is unlikely that the acceleration of options and vesting of other stock awards alone would cause an executive to exceed the specified level.  The Management Development Committee recognizes the need to retain flexibility to make compensation decisions that may cause payments to executives to exceed the levels specified in Code Section 280G to enable us to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified executives.  It therefore has the authority to approve compensation that would exceed the specified level or to remove the cap contained in the severance agreements in appropriate circumstances.  However, in the event that any payment by the Company to any executive officer is subject to excise taxes pursuant to Code Section 280G, the Company’s policy is that it will not reimburse the executive officer for any such excise taxes.

Deferred Compensation.  We have also structured our executive compensation program with the intention that it complies with or be exempt from Code Section 409A which may impose additional taxes on our executives for certain types of deferred compensation that are not in compliance with or exempt from Code Section 409A.

Because the Company’s policy is to either comply with or exempt payments from Code Section 409A, it does not generally assume responsibility for any additional tax, interest, or penalties under Code Section 409A. Also, because of ambiguities and uncertainties as to the application and interpretation of Code Section 409A and the related regulations and guidance, no assurance can be given that compensation intended by us to comply with or be exempt from Code Section 409A will in fact do so.

33

---

 

Report of the Management Development, Compensation and Stock Option Committee

The Management Development, Compensation and Stock Option Committee has reviewed and discussed the foregoing Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management. Based on the review and discussion with management, we have recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

 

Consideration of Last Year’s Advisory Shareholder Vote on Executive Compensation

At the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, approximately 96.0% of the votes cast by the shareholders were voted to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as discussed and disclosed in the 2017 Proxy Statement.  The Board and the Management Development Committee appreciate and value the views of our shareholders.  In considering the results of this advisory vote on executive compensation, the Management Development Committee concluded that the compensation paid to our named executive officers and the Company’s overall pay practices enjoy shareholder support and did not make any material changes to the executive compensation program in response to the shareholder vote.

Going forward, future advisory votes on executive compensation will serve as an additional tool to guide the Board and the Management Development Committee in evaluating the alignment of the Company’s executive compensation program with the interests of the Company and its shareholders.  Shareholders may communicate with the Board, the Management Development Committee or individual directors regarding the Company’s executive compensation program by submitting such communications in writing to Perceptron, Inc., Attention: Board of Directors (or the Management Development Committee or the individual director(s)), 47827 Halyard Drive, Plymouth, Michigan 48170-2461.  Communications should be sent by overnight or certified mail, return receipt requested.  Such communications will be delivered directly to the Board, the Management Development Committee or the individual director(s), as designated on such communication.

At the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, our shareholders expressed a preference that advisory votes on executive compensation be held on an annual basis.  Consistent with this preference, the Board determined to implement an advisory vote on executive compensation on an annual basis until the next required vote on the frequency of shareholder votes on the compensation of executive officers.

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth certain information as to compensation paid by us for services rendered in all capacities to the Company and its subsidiaries during fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016 (except as otherwise noted) to (i) persons serving as our Chief Executive Officer at any time during fiscal 2018, (ii) persons serving as our Chief Financial Officer at any time during fiscal 2018, and (iii) persons serving as our executive officers at any time during fiscal 2018, (collectively, the “named executive officers” or “NEOs”).  Please see the Compensation Discussion and Analysis for additional detail regarding the Company’s compensation philosophy, practices and fiscal 2018 compensation decisions.

34

---

 

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

 

 

35

---

 

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table sets forth information concerning each grant of a plan-based award made to a NEO during fiscal year 2018.

36

---

 

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS FOR FISCAL 2018

 

 

 

 

 

37

---

 

Employment Agreements

None of our executive officers has an employment agreement with us, other than the agreements discussed under “Compensation of Executive Officers – Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”

38

---

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The following table provides information with respect to unexercised options and unearned shares held by the NEOs as of June 30, 2018.

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT 2018 FISCAL YEAR-END

 

 

39

---

 

Option Exercises

The following table provides information with respect to options exercised by the NEOs, and restricted stock awards to the NEOs that vested, during fiscal 2018.

OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED DURING FISCAL 2018

 

 

 

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

We have entered into a severance agreement with Messrs. Watza and Van Valkenburg. Under the terms of Mr. Watza’s severance agreement, in the event that we terminate his employment without “Cause” (provided such termination constitutes a “separation from service” under Code Section 409A), he will be paid an amount of cash severance equal to one times his current annual base salary, as in effect immediately prior to his termination, a prorated portion of any bonus he would have earned for the year of termination had Mr. Watza been employed at the end of the applicable bonus period, and continuation of Company-provided health, welfare and automobile benefits for one year or, if earlier, his date of death.  Under the terms of Mr. Van Valkenburg’s severance agreement, in the event that we terminate his employment without “Cause” (provided such termination constitutes a “separation from service” under Code Section 409A), he will be paid an amount of cash severance equal to one-half his current annual base salary, as in effect immediately prior to his termination, a prorated portion of any bonus he would have earned for the year of termination had Mr. Van Valkenburg been employed at the end of the applicable bonus period, and continuation of Company-provided health, welfare and automobile benefits for six months or, if earlier, his date of death.  All severance payments and benefits will be paid or provided over the period during which we are required to provide the benefit.

40

---

 

The severance agreements also provide that, if the employment of or executive officers is terminated for any reason other than death, disability or Cause (provided such termination constitutes a “separation from service” under Code Section 409A), or he resigns for “Good Reason,” six months prior to or within two years after a “Change in Control,” in lieu of the severance described in the prior paragraph, Mr. Watza will be entitled to an amount of severance equal to two times his current annual base salary, as in effect immediately prior to his termination, a prorated portion of his target bonus for the year of termination, based on the number of days worked in the year of termination, continuation of Company-provided health benefits for two years or, if earlier, his date of death, automobile benefits for one year or, if earlier, his date of death, other welfare benefits for two years and continued coverage under director and officer liability insurance policies for six years.  Mr. Van Valkenburg will be entitled to an amount of severance equal to one times his current annual base salary, as in effect immediately prior to his termination, a prorated portion of his target bonus for the year of termination, based on the number of days worked in the year of termination, continuation of Company-provided health benefits for one year or, if earlier, his date of death, automobile benefits for six months or, if earlier, his date of death, other welfare benefits for one year and continued coverage under director and officer liability insurance policies for six years.  Base salary and bonus severance payments and other benefits will be provided over the period during which we are required to provide the benefit.  To the extent that any severance payments would not be exempt from Code Section 409A and the Executive is determined to be a “specified employee” as defined under Code Section 409A, then such payments will be suspended for six months from the date of the Executive’s termination of employment.  Suspended payments will be paid in a lump-sum, plus interest at the prime rate, plus two percent, at the end of the suspension period.  The special severance expires three years from the date of the severance agreement, except that such expiration date shall be extended for consecutive one year periods, unless, at least 180 days prior to the expiration date, we notify Mr. Watza in writing that we are not extending the term of these provisions.

The NEOs have entered into our standard executive agreement not to compete, restricting his right to compete with us for the longer of twelve months or the period in which we are required to make payments to the executive, and standard employee proprietary information and inventions agreement, containing confidentiality provisions and a two-year restriction on soliciting our employees.  We have the right to cease all further payments under the NEOs severance agreement in the event that the NEO violates the executive non-competition agreement.  The NEO must sign a standard release to receive payments under the severance agreements, including standard non-disparagement provisions.

Payments under the severance agreements, when aggregated with any other “golden parachute” amounts (defined under Code Section 280G as compensation that becomes payable or accelerated due to a Change in Control) payable under this agreement or any of our other plans, agreements or policies, shall not exceed the golden parachute cap under Code Sections 280G and 4999.

Outstanding agreements entered into prior to fiscal year 2018 relating to stock options granted and restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards under the 2004 Stock Plan to each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table, as well as stock options granted and restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards under the 2004 Stock Plan to our other officers entered into prior to fiscal year 2018, provide that such options become immediately exercisable and such restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards become immediately vested in the event of a Change in Control. Outstanding agreements entered into during or after fiscal year 2018 relating to stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards under the 2004 Stock Plan to each of the executive officers and our other officers will be subject to a double trigger structure, whereby accelerated vesting of the award would require both a Change in Control and qualified termination of employment or non-assumption of awards. Similarly, outstanding award agreements entered into during or after fiscal year 2018 relating to performance share unit awards under the 2004 Stock Plan provide that, upon a Change in Control of the Company, the performance requirements will be eliminated and any unvested portion of the award will vest, at the target number of shares subject to the original grant, in annual tranches at the anniversary date of the date of grant, based upon the year in which the tranche would have vested based upon achievement of the performance targets of the holder, if the holder of the award of the award is employed as of such date or, if earlier, a qualified termination of employment or non-assumption of the award. See “Compensation of Executive Officers – Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Key Elements of Compensation for Fiscal 2018 – Stock – Based Incentives.”

“Change in Control” for purposes of the severance agreements and the 2004 Stock Plan is generally defined as:

41

---

 

To the extent the agreement or award under the 2004 Stock Plan is subject to Code Section 409A, the event shall not be considered a Change in Control unless it is also a change in ownership, effective control or in the ownership of a substantial portion of assets of the Company, within the meaning of Code Section 409A.

“Cause” is generally defined as the executive’s:

“Good Reason” is generally defined as the occurrence of any of the following events without the executive’s written consent, if the executive terminates employment within one year following the occurrence of such event:

The payments and services to each NEO under the provisions of their severance agreements, stock option agreements and restricted stock agreements in the event of their termination of their employment with the Company and/or a Change in Control of the Company are estimated to aggregate the following amounts.  The estimate assumes that the termination of employment and/or Change in Control occurred on June 30, 2018, except as otherwise noted.

42

---

 

ESTIMATED AGGREGATE PAYMENTS UNDER SEVERANCE, STOCK OPTION

AND RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENTS UPON TERMINATION OF

EMPLOYMENT AND/OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

 

 

 

Pay Ratio Disclosure

We are providing the following disclosure about the relationship of the annual total compensation of our employees to the annual total compensation of Mr. Watza, our Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Financial Officer.

For fiscal year 2018,

43

---

 

Identification of Median Employee

We selected May 3, 2018 as the date on which to determine our median employee. As of that date we had 342 employees, with 137 employees in the United States and 205 employees located outside the United States. The pay ratio disclosure rules provide an exemption for companies to exclude non-U.S. employees from the median employee calculation if non-U.S. employees in a particular jurisdiction account for five percent (5%) or less of the company’s total number of employees. Perceptron applied this de minimis exemption when identifying the median employee by excluding 10 employees in India, 5 employees in Brazil and 1 employee in Singapore. After taking into account the de minimis exemption and excluding our CEO per the calculation rules, 136 employees in the United States and 189 employees outside the United States were considered for identifying the median employee.

For purposes of identifying the median employee population base, we considered base salary and base wages as supplied by the Human Resource department in each of our geographies. We selected base salary and base wages as it represents the principal form of compensation delivered to all of our employees and this information is readily available in each country. In addition, we measured the compensation for purposes of determining the median employee using the year-to-date period January 1, 2018 through May 4, 2018 as it corresponded to the payroll records of our largest block of employees, the U.S. workforce.  As our geographies are paid at different intervals (biweekly vs. monthly) and as some employees were hired between January 1, 2018 and May 4, 2018, the calculation required the application of a standard number of weekdays for consistency. All salaries were pro-rated to account for a 90 weekday timeframe (January 1, 2018 through May 4, 2018). Compensation paid in foreign currencies was converted to U.S. dollars based on exchange rates in effect on our month-end April 30, 2018.

Using this methodology, we determined that our median employee was a full-time salaried employee located in our U.S. headquarters.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Although we do not have a written policy with regard to the approval of transactions between the Company and its executive officers and directors, such transactions are subject to the limitations on conflicts of interest contained in the Company’s Code of Ethics and are generally discouraged by the Company.  To the extent any such transactions are proposed, they would be subject to approval by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors in accordance with the Audit Committee’s charter, applicable law and the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules, which require that any such transactions required to be disclosed in our proxy statement be approved by a committee of independent directors of our Board of Directors.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Policy for Pre-Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Services

The Audit Committee has adopted a policy regarding audit and non-audit services that may be provided by our independent registered public accounting firm.  The policy sets forth the procedures and conditions pursuant to which services proposed to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm must be pre-approved.  The policy provides that the Audit Committee will consider whether services to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm are consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.  In particular, the policy expressly names all services the independent registered public accounting firm may not perform and, in the case of other services, requires the Audit Committee to consider whether the independent registered public accounting firm is the best positioned to provide the most effective and efficient service.

The policy provides that the Audit Committee will review and pre-approve annually, and periodically thereafter as required, the services proposed to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm in the categories of audit services, audit related services, tax services and all other services.  In addition, the Audit Committee is to determine the appropriate ratio of audit, audit related and tax services to all other services.  The Audit Committee has delegated to the chairman of the Audit Committee and, if he or she is unavailable, another member of the Audit Committee, authority to pre-approve audit and non-audit services proposed to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm not previously approved by the Audit Committee.  Under the policy, the Audit Committee is to be informed on a timely basis of services actually rendered by the independent registered public accounting firm, including those pre-approved by a member of the Audit Committee.  The Chief Financial Officer of the Company is to immediately report to the Chairman of the Audit Committee any breach of the policy.

44

---

 

All of the services described below under audit fees, audit-related fees, tax fees and all other fees arising in fiscal 2018 and 2017 were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to its pre-approval policies and procedures prior to the service being provided.  None of the audit-related fees or tax fees described below arising in fiscal 2018 and 2017 were approved by the Audit Committee after the initiation of such services pursuant to an exemption from the SEC’s requirements relating to approval of these types of services by the Audit Committee prior to the provision of the service under Section 2.01(c)(7)(i)(C) of SEC Regulation S-X.

Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Audit Fees.  The aggregate fees and expenses billed by BDO for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements and internal controls over financial reporting, reviews of the quarterly consolidated financial statements included in our Forms 10-Q and audit services provided in connection with other regulatory filings were $463,200 in fiscal 2018 and $446,900 in fiscal 2017.

Audit-Related Fees.  BDO did not render any audit-related services to the Company in fiscal 2018 or fiscal 2017.

Tax Fees.  BDO did not render any tax related services to the Company in fiscal 2018 or fiscal 2017.

All Other Fees.  BDO did not render any other services for the Company in fiscal 2018 or fiscal 2017.

The Audit Committee of the Board does not consider the provision of the services described above by BDO to be incompatible with the maintenance of BDO’s independence.

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINEES FOR 2017 ANNUAL MEETING

Shareholder Proposals

Shareholder proposals intended to be presented at the 2019 annual meeting which are eligible for inclusion in our proxy statement for that meeting under Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Exchange Act, must be received by the Secretary of the Company at 47827 Halyard Drive, Plymouth, MI 48170-2461, no later than July 9, 2019 in order to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement relating to that meeting.  In order to curtail controversy as to the date on which a proposal was received by us, it is suggested that proposals be submitted by certified mail, return receipt requested.

Our Bylaws provide that, in order for shareholder proposals to be properly brought before the 2019 annual meeting, written notice of such proposal, along with the information required by Article I, Section 10 of our Bylaws, must be received by the Secretary of the Company at our principal executive offices no earlier than the close of business on September 8, 2019 and no later than October 8, 2019.  If the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days or delayed by more than 70 days from the anniversary date of the 2018 annual meeting, the notice must be delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 90th day prior to the 2019 annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the 60th day prior to the 2019 annual meeting or, if later, the 10th day following the day on which a public announcement of the date of the 2019 annual meeting is first made by the Company.

We expect the persons named as proxies for the 2019 annual meeting to use their discretionary voting authority, to the extent permitted by law, with respect to any proposal considered untimely at the 2019 annual meeting.

Only persons who are shareholders, both as of the giving of notice and the date of the shareholder meeting, and who are eligible to vote at the shareholder meeting are eligible to propose business to be brought before a shareholder meeting.  The proposing shareholder (or his qualified representative) must attend the shareholder meeting in person and present the proposed business in order for the proposed business to be considered.

Shareholder Nominees

Shareholders desiring to recommend candidates for consideration and evaluation by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee for the 2019 annual meeting should submit such recommendations in writing to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, c/o Assistant Secretary, Perceptron, Inc., 47827 Halyard Drive, Plymouth, MI 48170-2461 no later than June 9, 2019.  The recommendation should be accompanied by the following:  (i) the name, address, e-mail address (if any), and telephone number of the shareholder, the number of shares of the Common Stock beneficially owned by the shareholder and proof of the shareholder’s beneficial ownership of the Common Stock by one of the means set forth in Rule 14a-8(b)(2) promulgated under the Exchange Act; (ii) the name, address, e-mail address (if any) and telephone number of the proposed nominee and the number of shares of the Common Stock beneficially owned by the nominee; (iii) a detailed description of the proposed nominee’s business, professional, public, academic, scientific

45

---

 

or technological experience and other qualifications for Board membership, including the name and address of other businesses for which the proposed nominee has provided services, or for which he or she has served as a director, in the last five years, a description of the proposed nominee’s specific experience in such position and the proposed nominee’s academic achievements; (iv) a description of any potential conflicts between the interests of the Company and its shareholders and the proposed nominee; (v) a written agreement by the proposed nominee to serve as a member of the Company’s Board if nominated and elected; and (vi) a written representation by the shareholder and the proposed nominee that the proposed nominee is not an affiliate or affiliated party with respect to the shareholder.  The Assistant Secretary will forward any recommendations to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.  The nominating shareholder and proposed nominee may be requested to provide additional information regarding the shareholder or the proposed nominee and to attend one or more interviews, in each case, as requested by the Board or Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Shareholders proposing director nominees at the 2019 annual meeting of shareholders must provide written notice of such intention, along with the other information required by Article 1, Section 10 of our Bylaws, to the Secretary of the Company at our principal executive offices no earlier than the close of business on September 8, 2019 and no later than October 8, 2019.  If the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days or delayed by more than 70 days from the anniversary date of the 2018 annual meeting, the notice must be delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 90th day prior to the 2019 annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the 60th day prior to the 2019 annual meeting or, if later, the 10th day following the day on which a public announcement of the date of the 2019 annual meeting is first made by the Company.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the number of directors to be elected is increased and there is no public disclosure regarding such increase or naming all of the nominees for director at least 70 days prior to the first anniversary of the prior year’s annual meeting, then shareholder notice with regard to nomination of directors shall be considered timely if received by the Secretary of the Company no later than the 10th day following public disclosure of the increase in the number of directors to be elected.  A proponent must also update the information provided in or with the notice at the times specified by our Bylaws.  Nomination notices which do not contain the information required by our Bylaws or which are not delivered in compliance with the procedure set forth in our Bylaws will not be considered at the shareholder meeting.

Only persons who are shareholders both as of the giving of notice and the date of the shareholder meeting and who are eligible to vote at the shareholder meeting are eligible to nominate directors.  The nominating shareholder (or his qualified representative) must attend the shareholder meeting in person and present the proposed nominee in order for the proposed nominee to be considered.

See “Corporate Governance – Board Leadership Structure and Board and Committee Information – Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee” for a description of the standards used by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to evaluate candidates recommended by shareholders.

OTHER MATTERS

At the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board is not aware of any matters to be presented for action at the Annual Meeting other than those described above.  However, if any other matters requiring a shareholder vote properly come before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote such proxy in accordance with their best judgment, to the extent permitted by law, on such matters.

 

 

46

---

 

PERCEPTRON, INC. 47827 HALYARD DRIVE PLYMOUTH, MI 48170-2461 ATTN: ASSISTANT SECRETARY VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years. VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: E50554-P14270 KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY PERCEPTRON, INC. For Withhold For All To withhold authority to vote for any individual The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following: All All Except nominee(s), mark "For All Except" and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below. 1. Election of Directors Nominees: 01) John F. Bryant 02) Jay W. Freeland 03) W. Richard Marz 04) C. Richard Neely, Jr.  05) James A. Ratigan 06) William C. Taylor 07) David L. Watza The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposals 2, 3 and 4. 2. The ratification of the First Amended and Restated Rights Plan as amended on August 20, 2018. 3. A non-binding resolution to approve the compensation of our named executive officers. 4. The ratification of the selection of BDO USA, LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2019. For Against Abstain NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.  Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer.  Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date

 

---

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The 2018 Annual Report, Notice and Proxy Statement are available at www.proxyvote.com. E50555-P14270 PERCEPTRON, INC. Annual Meeting of Shareholders December 7, 2018 at 8:30 AM This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors The undersigned hereby appoints W. Richard Marz and David L. Watza, or either of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side, all of the shares of Common Stock of PERCEPTRON, INC. that the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 8:30 AM, Eastern Time, on Friday, December 7, 2018, at Perceptron, Inc. Corporate Headquarters, 47827 Halyard Drive, Plymouth, MI 48170-2461 and any adjournment or postponement thereof. In their discretion, to the extent permitted by law, the proxies are also authorized to vote upon all such other matters as may properly come before the meeting, including the election of any person to the Board of Directors where a nominee named in the Proxy Statement is unable to serve or, for good cause, will not serve. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors' recommendations. Continued and to be signed on reverse side