SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
(Rule 14A-101)
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
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Check the appropriate box: |
Preliminary proxy statement | Confidential, for use of the | |
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Definitive proxy statement. | |
Definitive additional materials. | |
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12. |
WSI Industries, 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):
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing. |
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WSI INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
January 8, 2004
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of WSI Industries, Inc. (the Company) will be held at 4200 IDS Center, 80 South 8th Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Thursday, January 8, 2004, at 11:00 a.m., local time, for the following purposes:
1. | To elect six directors to hold office until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are elected. |
2. | To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof. |
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on November 10, 2003, as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors |
Charles P. Moorse, Secretary |
Minneapolis, Minnesota
December 5, 2003
TO ASSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS, PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN YOUR PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE, WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND IN PERSON. SHAREHOLDERS WHO ATTEND THE MEETING MAY REVOKE THEIR PROXIES AND VOTE IN PERSON IF THEY SO DESIRE. THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY.
WSI INDUSTRIES, INC.
PROXY STATEMENT
This Proxy Statement is furnished to the shareholders of WSI Industries, Inc. (the Company) in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of the Company to be voted at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on January 8, 2004, or any adjournment or adjournments thereof. The Companys offices are located at 18151 Territorial Road, Osseo, MN 55369 and its telephone number is (763) 428-4308. The mailing of this proxy statement to shareholders of the Company commenced on or about December 5, 2003.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Voting
The Company currently has only one class of securities, Common Stock, of which 2,551,129 shares were issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the close of business on November 10, 2003. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on November 10, 2003 will be entitled to vote at the meeting.
Each share is entitled to one vote and shareholders have cumulative voting rights in connection with the election of directors in the event any shareholder gives written notice of intent to cumulate votes to any officer of the Company before the meeting or to the presiding officer at the meeting. A shareholder may cumulate votes for the election of directors by multiplying the number of votes to which the shareholder may be entitled by six (the number of directors to be elected) and casting all such votes for one nominee or distributing them among any two or more nominees.
All shareholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person. Whether or not you expect to attend the meeting, please complete, date, sign and return the enclosed proxy as promptly as possible (or follow instructions to grant a proxy to vote by means of telephone) in order to ensure your representation at the meeting. A return envelope (which is postage prepaid if mailed in the United States) is enclosed for that purpose. Even if you have given your proxy, you may still vote in person if you attend the meeting. Please note, however, that if your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee and you wish to vote at the meeting, you must bring to the meeting a letter from the broker, bank or other nominee confirming your beneficial ownership of the shares. Additionally, in order to vote at the meeting, you must obtain from the record holder a proxy issued in your name.
Quorum and Vote Requirements
Under Minnesota law, a quorum, consisting of a majority of the shares of common stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, must be present in person or by proxy before action may be taken at the Annual Meeting. Votes cast by proxy or in person at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders will determine whether or not a quorum is present.
Shares held by brokers who do not have discretionary authority to vote on a particular matter and who have not received voting instructions from their customers are not counted or deemed to be present or represented for the purpose of determining whether stockholders have approved that matter, but they are counted as present for the purposes of determining the existence of a quorum at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Abstentions will be treated as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of
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determining the presence of a quorum, but as unvoted for purposes of determining the approval of the matter submitted to the shareholders for a vote. If you abstain from voting on any of the other proposals, it has the same effect as a vote against the proposal.
A director nominee will be elected if approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the voting power of the shares present, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote for the election of directors. You may either vote FOR or WITHHOLD authority to vote for each nominee for the Board of Directors. If you withhold authority to vote for the election of one of the directors, it has the same effect as a vote against that director.
Each other item of business properly presented at a meeting of shareholders generally must be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a greater of: (a) a majority of the voting power of the shares present, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote on that item of business or (b) a majority of the voting power of the minimum number of shares that would constitute a quorum. You may vote FOR, AGAINST or ABSTAIN on any other proposal.
Revoking A Proxy
Any proxy may be revoked at any time before it is voted by written notice to the Secretary of the Company, by receipt of a proxy properly signed and dated subsequent to an earlier proxy, or by revocation of a written proxy by request in person at the Annual Meeting; but if not revoked, the shares represented by such proxy will be voted.
Solicitation
The cost of this solicitation will be borne by the Company. In addition to solicitation by mail, officers, directors and employees of the Company may solicit proxies by telephone, telegraph or in person. The Company may also request banks and brokers to solicit their customers who have a beneficial interest in the Companys Common Stock registered in the names of nominees and will reimburse such banks and brokers for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL
SHAREHOLDERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table includes information as of November 10, 2003, concerning the beneficial ownership of Common Stock of the Company by (i) shareholders known to the Company to hold more than five percent of the Common Stock of the Company, (ii) each of the directors and director nominees of the Company, (iii) each executive officer named in the table on page 7 and (iv) all officers and directors of the Company as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, all beneficial owners have sole voting and investment power over the shares held. The business address of each person is 18151 Territorial Road, Osseo, Minnesota 55369.
Name and Address | Percent | |||||||
of Beneficial Owner | Amount (1) | Of Class (2) | ||||||
Paul Baszucki (3) |
14,250 | * | ||||||
Melvin L. Katten (3) |
57,300 | 2.2 | ||||||
George J. Martin (3) |
83,327 | 3.3 | ||||||
Eugene J. Mora (3) |
14,250 | * | ||||||
Michael J. Pudil (3)(4) |
140,000 | 5.2 | ||||||
Michael N. Taglich (3)(5) |
134,255 | 5.3 | ||||||
Paul D. Sheely (4) |
34,334 | 1.3 | ||||||
All Officers and Directors
as a Group (7 persons) |
477,716 | 18.7 |
* | Less than one percent. | |
(1) | Includes shares which may be purchased within sixty days from the date hereof pursuant to outstanding stock options in the amount of 8,500 shares for each of Messrs. Baszucki, Mora, Martin and Katten; 140,000 shares for Mr. Pudil; 33,334 shares for Mr. Sheely; 1,000 shares for Mr. Taglich; and 208,334 shares for all officers and directors as a group. | |
(2) | Shares of common stock subject to options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days are deemed to be beneficially owned by the person holding the options for computing such persons percentage, but are not treated as outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person. | |
(3) | Serves as a director of the Company and has been nominated for re-election. | |
(4) | Serves as an executive officer of the Company and appears in the table on page 7 hereof. | |
(5) | Based upon a Schedule 13D filed on October 18, 2002. In that Schedule 13D, Mr. Taglich states he has sole voting and investment power over 94,050 and shares voting and investment power with his brother over 39,205 shares held by Taglich Brothers, Inc. Mr. Taglich and his brother are both partners of Taglich Brothers, Inc. Mr. Taglich disclaims beneficial ownership with respect to shares of the Companys Common Stock held by any other person. |
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AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
In settlement of a threatened proxy contest, Michael N. Taglich and the Company entered into a letter agreement dated November 22, 2002 (the Letter Agreement). Pursuant to the Letter Agreement, Mr. Taglich agreed that until December 31, 2004 neither he nor any of his affiliates or associates would, without the prior approval of the Company, directly or indirectly solicit proxies to vote or seek to influence any person with respect to the voting of the Companys securities or demand a meeting of shareholders of the Company. In exchange, the Company agreed to nominate Mr. Taglich for election as a director at the 2002 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Company also agreed that if Mr. Taglich were elected at that Annual Meeting, the Company would name him as the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Furthermore, the Company agreed to pay certain legal fees incurred by Mr. Taglich in connection with the threatened proxy contest. Mr. Taglich was elected as a director of the Company at the 2002 Annual Meeting and has since been appointment Chairman of the Board.
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Six directors will be elected at the Annual Meeting to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors are elected. The Board of Directors has nominated for election the six persons named below. All of the nominees are currently directors of the Company and all were elected by the shareholders at the 2002 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. It is anticipated that proxies will be voted for such nominees, and the Board of Directors has no reason to believe any nominee will not continue to be a candidate or will not be able to serve as a director if elected. In the event that any nominee named below is unable to serve as a director, the persons named in the proxies have advised that they will vote for the election of such substitute or additional nominees as the Board of Directors may propose. See Agreements Relating to the Election of Directors above for information regarding an agreement between the Company and Mr. Taglich, a director nominee.
The names and ages of the nominees, their principal occupations and other information is set forth below, based upon information furnished to the Company by the nominees.
Nominees for Election to the Board of Directors
Principal Occupation | Director | |||||
Name and Age | and other Directorships | Since | ||||
Paul Baszucki (63) | Chairman of Norstan, Inc., Minnetonka, Minnesota (technology); Director of Norstan, Inc. and G&K Services, Inc. | 1988 |
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Melvin L. Katten (67) | Senior Partner of Katten Muchin & Zavis, Chicago, Illinois (law firm). | 1985 |
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George J. Martin (66) | Private Investor; prior to October 1995, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of PowCon Incorporated (manufacturer of electronic welding systems). | 1983 |
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Eugene J. Mora (68) | Private Investor; Director of Pridestaff, Inc.; prior to October 4, 1996, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Amserv Healthcare Inc., LaJolla, California. | 1985 |
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Principal Occupation | Director | |||||
Name and Age | and other Directorships | Since | ||||
Michael J. Pudil (55) | President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company; Prior to November 1993, Vice President and General Manager of Remmele Engineering, Inc., St. Paul, Minnesota (contract machining). | 1993 |
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Michael N. Taglich (38) | Chairman of the Board; President of Taglich Brothers, Inc. (NASD registered broker-dealer, investment banking firm) since 1992 and currently Chairman of the Board of Telenetics Corporation (telecommunications equipment manufacturer) and member of the Board of Directors of Telenetics since May 2002. | 2003 |
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR
THE ELECTION OF THE ABOVE NAMED NOMINEES
OTHER INFORMATION
REGARDING OUR DIRECTORS
Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors met eight times during fiscal year 2003. Each current director attended 75% or more of the meetings of the Board of Directors and any committee on which he served.
The Company has two standing committees, the Compensation Committee and the Audit Committee. The Compensation Committee, which met two times during the last fiscal year, is currently comprised of Messrs. Taglich (Chair), Martin, Baszucki and Katten. The Compensation Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding salaries, compensation and benefits of officers and key employees. A report of the Compensation Committee is found on page 9.
The Audit Committee, which met four times during the last fiscal year, is currently comprised of Messrs. Mora (Chair), Baszucki and Katten. The Audit Committee is responsible for engaging the Companys independent auditors, approving the fees and services to be provided by the auditors, overseeing the auditors, reviewing and evaluating significant matters relating to the audit and internal controls of the Company; and reviewing the scope and results of audits by, and recommendations of, the Companys independent auditors. In addition, the Audit Committee reviews the audited financial statements of the Company and considers major changes and questions of choice regarding appropriate auditing and accounting principles and practices to be followed in the preparation of the Companys financial statements. The Companys Board of Directors has reviewed the education, experience and other qualifications of each of the members of its Audit Committee. While the Board of Directors has determined that no one person serving on the Companys Audit Committee meets the Securities and Exchange Commission definition of an audit committee financial expert, the Board of Directors believes that the members comprising the Audit Committee have the requisite attributes and abilities to allow them collectively to fulfill their duties as Audit Committee members. A report of the Audit Committee is found on page 10.
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The Company does not have a nominating committee. However, the Companys Bylaws provide that a notice of proposed shareholder nominations for the election of directors must be timely given in writing to the Secretary of the Company prior to the meeting at which directors are to be elected. To be timely, the notice must be given by such shareholders to the Secretary of the Company not less than 45 days nor more than 75 days prior to the date corresponding to the date of mailing of the proxy materials for the previous years Annual Meeting. The notice to the Company from a shareholder who intends to nominate a person at the meeting for election as a director must contain certain information about such shareholder and the person(s) nominated by such shareholder, including, among other things, the name and address of record of such shareholder, a representation that the shareholder is entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting, the name, age, business and residence addresses and principal occupation of each nominee, a description of all arrangements or understandings between the shareholder and each nominee, such other information as would be required to be included in a proxy statement soliciting proxies for the election of the proposed nominee(s), and the consent of each nominee to serve as a director if so elected. The Company may also require any proposed nominee to furnish other information reasonably required by the Company to determine the proposed nominees eligibility to serve as director. If the presiding officer of a meeting of shareholders determines that a person was not nominated in accordance with the foregoing procedure, such person will not be eligible for election as a director.
On October 29, 2003, the Company adopted a Code of Ethics & Business Conduct which applies to all directors and employees, including the Companys principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions. The Code of Ethics & Business Conduct is an exhibit to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2003 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov.
Director Compensation
Directors who are not employees of the Company (currently all directors except Mr. Pudil) were paid an annual retainer of $5,000. Additionally, the Companys Chairman receives a retainer of $10,000 per year. Mr. Taglich served as the Companys Chairman for a portion of fiscal year 2003 and received a retainer of $5,000 in fiscal year 2003 for this service. Each non-employee director is paid a fee of $500 for each meeting of the Board of Directors or any Committee attended, except that no payments are made for Committee meetings which immediately precede or follow a Board meeting.
Each non-employee member of the Board of Directors receives at the time of election or re-election to the Board by the shareholders an option to purchase 2,000 shares of the Companys Common Stock at a purchase price equal to the fair market value of the Companys Common Stock on the date of such election or reelection. The term of each director option is five years, unless the director leaves the Board, in which event the option expires within 30 days of leaving the Board. Each director option is exercisable in equal installments of 25% per year beginning six months after the date of grant.
The Company established a retirement program in 1982 for directors not covered by any other retirement plan of the Company which provides for the payment of an annual benefit equal to the annual retainer paid to directors during the full fiscal year preceding retirement. The retirement benefit, which is payable to directors who have served five years or more, commences at the time the director retires if age 65 or older, or at age 65 if the director ceases to serve as a director prior to age 65. The retirement benefit is subject to proportionate reduction if the director has served the Company less than 15 years. Benefits are payable during the lifetime of the retired director, but not exceeding 10 years.
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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Set forth below is biographical and other information on our executive officers. Information about Michael J. Pudil, our President and Chief Executive Officer, may be found under the heading Nominees for Election to the Board of Directors.
Paul D. Sheely (44) | Vice President, Treasurer, and Assistant Secretary. Mr. Sheely joined the Company in September 1998 as Vice President of Finance. From 1996 to 1998 he served as Chief Financial Officer of Graseby Medical, Inc., a medical device manufacturer of volumetric infusion pumps. |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION
Summary of Cash and Certain Other Compensation
The following table shows, for the fiscal years ending August 31, 2003, August 25, 2002 and August 26, 2001, the cash compensation paid by the Company, as well as certain other compensation paid or accrued for those years, to the Companys President and Chief Executive Officer, Michael Pudil, and to the only other executive officer of the Company whose salary and bonus earned for 2003 exceeded $100,000, Paul Sheely, the Companys Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer (the Named Executive Officers).
Summary Compensation Table
Long Term | ||||||||||||||||||||
Compensation | ||||||||||||||||||||
Annual Compensation | Awards | |||||||||||||||||||
Securities | ||||||||||||||||||||
Underlying | All Other | |||||||||||||||||||
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary | Bonus | Options | Compensation(1) | |||||||||||||||
Michael J. Pudil |
2003 | $ | 222,498 | $ | 48,636 | 30,000 | $ | 8,000 | ||||||||||||
Chairman; President and |
2002 | 218,300 | | 60,000 | 7,103 | |||||||||||||||
Chief Executive Officer |
2001 | 215,499 | | 20,000 | 7,072 | |||||||||||||||
Paul D. Sheely |
2003 | 123,885 | 27,080 | 10,000 | 4,956 | |||||||||||||||
Vice President and |
2002 | 121,548 | | 15,000 | 4,862 | |||||||||||||||
Chief Financial Officer |
2001 | 119,990 | | 10,000 | 6,370 |
(1) | These amounts represent Companys matching contributions to the Companys 401(k) plan on behalf of such employee. |
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Option Grants in Fiscal Year 2003
The following table contains information concerning the grant of stock options under the Companys 1987 and 1994 Stock Option Plans to the Named Executive Officers as of the end of fiscal year 2003.
Options/Sar Grants In Last Fiscal Year
Potential Realizable | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Individual Grants | Value at Assumed Annual | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Rates of Stock Price | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of | % of Total Options/ | Appreciation for | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Securities | SARs Granted to | Option Term(1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Underlying Options/ | Employees in Fiscal | Exercise or Base | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Name | SARs Granted | Year | Price ($/Sh) | Expiration Date | 5% | 10% | ||||||||||||||||||
Michael J. Pudil |
30,000 | 60 | % | $ | 1.22 | 01/06/2013 | 23,000 | 58,300 | ||||||||||||||||
Paul D. Sheely |
10,000 | 20 | % | $ | 1.22 | 01/06/2013 | 7,700 | 19,400 |
Option Exercises and Holdings
The following table sets forth information concerning the exercise of options during the last fiscal year and unexercised options held as of the end of fiscal year 2003 by the Named Executive Officers:
Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year
and FY-End Option Values
Number of Securities | Value of Unexercised In-the- | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Underlying Unexercised | Money Options/SARs | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Options/SARs at FY-End | at FY-End (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares Acquired | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name | on Exercise | Value Realized | Exercisable | Unexercisable | Exercisable | Unexercisable | ||||||||||||||||||
Michael J. Pudil |
100,000 | 58,665 | 140,000 | 40,000 | 65,200 | 54,800 | ||||||||||||||||||
Paul D. Sheely |
0 | 0 | 33,334 | 11,666 | 17,500 | 16,200 |
(1) | Based on a per share price of $2.70, which was the closing sale price of the Companys Common Stock on August 29, 2003, the last trading day of the Companys fiscal year. |
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Employment Agreements
The Company has an employment agreement with Mr. Pudil as the Companys President and Chief Executive Officer. The employment agreement provides for, among other things, continued salary and benefits for eighteen months if Mr. Pudils employment is terminated without good cause.
The Company has also entered into employment (change of control) agreements with Messrs. Pudil and Sheely as the Companys executive officers that provide for lump sum cash severance payments and fringe benefits under certain circumstances following a change in control of the Company. The agreements provide for a payment of approximately one and one-half times average respective annual compensation of these executive officers if the change of control is approved by the Board of Directors, and approximately three times average annual compensation if the change of control is not approved by the Board of Directors. In general, a change of control would include a change resulting from the acquisition of 50% or more of the Companys outstanding voting stock by any person, a change in the current members of the Board of Directors or their successors elected or nominated by such members whereby they cease to be a majority of the Board of Directors, or the Company disposing of 75% or more of its assets, other than to an entity owned 50% or greater by the Company or any of its subsidiaries. If a change of control which was not approved by the Board of Directors had occurred at the end of calendar 2003 and the executives employment was terminated without cause or by the executive for good reason, the executive officers would have received the approximate payment indicated pursuant to the employment agreements: Mr. Pudil, $705,500; Mr. Sheely, $392,000; and all current executive officers as a group, $1,097,500.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Report of the Compensation Committee
Decisions on compensation of the Companys executives are generally made by the Compensation Committee of the Board consisting of Messrs. Taglich (Chair), Martin, Baszucki, and Katten. All decisions by the Compensation Committee relating to the compensation of the Companys executive officers are reviewed by the full Board. Pursuant to rules designed to enhance disclosure of companies policies toward executive compensation, set forth below is a report submitted by the Compensation Committee addressing the Companys compensation policies for fiscal year 2003 as they affected Mr. Pudil, the Companys President and Chief Executive Officer, and the other executive officers.
Compensation Policies Toward Executive Officers. The Compensation Committees executive compensation policies are designed to provide competitive levels of compensation that integrate pay with the Companys annual and long-term performance goals, reward above-average corporate performance, recognize individual initiative and achievements and assist the Company in attracting and retaining qualified executives. The Companys executive compensation has historically consisted of three components: (i) base salaries, (ii) stock options and (iii) cash bonuses paid out pursuant to annual profitability-based plans. The Compensation Committee has historically established the base salaries of each executive officer utilizing compensation surveys, performance against defined goals and longevity with the Company. With respect to cash bonuses, the Compensation Committee has historically established on an annual basis certain profitability targets and performance objectives at the beginning of each fiscal year, pursuant to which cash performance bonuses of up to 50% of an executive officers base salary can be paid. The Company has also used stock option grants as a key ingredient of its executive compensation plans, reflecting the Compensation Committees position that stock ownership by management and stock-based performance compensation arrangements are beneficial in aligning managements and shareholders interests in the enhancement of shareholder value. In order to direct the Companys executives toward steady growth and to retain the executives services, the stock options granted are exercisable over a ten-year period and vest over periods of up to 36 months.
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Chief Executive Officer Compensation. The compensation package for Michael J. Pudil, the Companys Chief Executive Officer, was set by the Board of Directors. The compensation for Mr. Pudil was determined using a process and philosophy similar to that used for all executives. In fiscal 2003, Mr. Pudil earned a bonus of $48,636.
SUBMITTED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
OF THE COMPANYS BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Michael Taglich Paul Baszucki Melvin L. Katten George J. Martin
The preceding report shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this proxy statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 (the 1933 Act) or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the 1934 Act), except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act.
Report of the Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is responsible for engaging the Companys independent auditors, approving the fees and services to be provided by the auditors, overseeing the auditors, reviewing and evaluating significant matters relating to the audit and internal controls of the Company; and reviewing the scope and results of audits by, and recommendations of, the Companys independent auditors. In addition, the Audit Committee reviews the audited financial statements of the Company and considers major changes and questions of choice regarding appropriate auditing and accounting principles and practices to be followed in the preparation of the Companys financial statements.
The Audit Committee acts under a written charter first adopted and approved by the Board of Directors on June 1, 2000, which was amended and restated on October 17, 2002. The Audit Committee is required to be comprised of directors who are independent. The Board of Directors believes that each member of the Audit Committee is an independent director as that term is defined by Nasdaq listing standards and Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
On August 21, 2002, the Company engaged Schechter Dokken Kanter Andrews & Selcer Ltd. (SDK) as its independent public accountant. This engagement was approved by the Audit Committee. SDK performed the audit of the Companys financial statements for the fiscal years ended August 25, 2002 and August 31, 2003. References made in this report to the Companys independent public accountants will refer to SDK.
The Audit Committee held four meetings during fiscal year 2003. The meetings were designed to facilitate and encourage private communication between the Audit Committee and the Companys independent accountants.
During these meetings, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management and the independent accountants. Management represented to the Audit Committee that the Companys consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the consolidated financial statements with management and the independent accountants. The discussions with SDK also included the matters required by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communication with Audit Committees).
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SDK provided to the Audit Committee the written disclosures and the letter regarding its independence as required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees). This information was discussed with the independent accountants.
Based on the discussions with management and SDK, the Audit Committees review of the representations of management and the report of SDK, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2003 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SUBMITTED BY THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE COMPANYS BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Eugene J. Mora Paul Baszucki Melvin L. Katten
The preceding report shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 (the 1933 Act) or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the 1934 Act), except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act.
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Performance Graph
The Securities and Exchange Commission requires that the Company include in this Proxy Statement a line graph presentation comparing cumulative, five-year shareholder returns on an indexed basis with a broad market index and either a nationally-recognized industry standard or an index of peer companies selected by the Company. The Company has chosen to use the Nasdaq Stock Market (U.S. Companies) Index as its broad market index and the Nasdaq Non-Financial Stock Index as its peer group index. The table below compares the cumulative total return as of the end of each of the Companys last five fiscal years on $100 invested as of August 30, 1998 in the common stock of the Company, the Nasdaq Stock Market Index and the Nasdaq Non-Financial Stock Index, assuming the reinvestment of all dividends:
COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
Aug. 30, | Aug. 29, | Aug. 27, | Aug 26, | Aug. 25 | Aug. 31 | |||||||||||||||||||
1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | |||||||||||||||||||
WSI Industries, Inc. |
$ | 100 | $ | 51.887 | $ | 66.038 | $ | 27.925 | $ | 16.619 | $ | 40.755 | ||||||||||||
Nasdaq Stock Market (U.S.) |
$ | 100 | $ | 185.554 | $ | 284.193 | $ | 121.605 | $ | 89.247 | $ | 122.941 | ||||||||||||
Nasdaq Non-Financial Stocks |
$ | 100 | $ | 193.679 | $ | 307.024 | $ | 121.762 | $ | 84.208 | $ | 119.705 |
Since the Companys fiscal year ends on the last Sunday of August each year, data in the above table reflects market values for the Companys stock as of the close of trading on the Friday preceding the Companys fiscal year end for each year presented but reflects market values for the Nasdaq indices as of August 31 of each year.
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Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Companys directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Companys equity securities, to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common stock and other equity securities of the Company. These insiders are required by Securities and Exchange Commission regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file, including Forms 3, 4 and 5.
To the Companys knowledge, based solely on review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Company and written representations that no other reports were required, during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2003 all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its insiders were complied with, except that Mr. Taglich was late in filing a Form 4 with respect to an option granted in January 2003.
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Audit Committee approved the engagement of Schechter Dokken Kanter Andrews & Selcer Ltd. (SDK) as the Companys independent public accountant to audit the financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2004 and to perform other accounting services as determined by the Audit Committee.
A representative of SDK is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Fees of Independent Public Accountants
The aggregate fees the Company has been billed by Schechter Dokken Kanter Andrews & Selcer Ltd. (SDK) for professional services rendered for fiscal year 2003 were $38,400.
Audit Fees. $29,500 of the aggregate fees were for audit fees related to the fiscal 2003 year end audit and $3,600 were for fees related to the review of our quarterly financial statements.
All Other Fees. The remaining $5,300 fees were related to the preparation of the fiscal 2002 tax return.
The Audit Committee considered whether the provision of other non-audit services to the Company by SDK is compatible with maintaining the accountants independence and determined that the provision of non-audit services by SDK is not incompatible with maintaining its independence with respect to the Company.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2004 ANNUAL MEETING
The proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission permit shareholders of the Company, after timely notice to the Company, to present proposals for shareholder action in the Companys proxy statement where such proposals are consistent with applicable law, pertain to matters appropriate for shareholder action and are not properly omitted by Company action in accordance with the Commissions proxy rules. The next annual meeting of the shareholders of the Company is expected to be held on or about January 6, 2005 and proxy materials in connection with that meeting are expected to be mailed on or about December 1, 2004. Shareholder proposals prepared in accordance with the
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Commissions proxy rules must be received at the Companys corporate office on or before August 3, 2004, in order to be considered for inclusion in the Board of Directors Proxy Statement and proxy card for the 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Any such proposals must be in writing and signed by the shareholder.
The Bylaws of the Company establish an advance notice procedure with regard to (i) certain business to be brought before an annual meeting of shareholders of the Company and (ii) the nomination by shareholders of candidates for election as directors.
Properly Brought Business. The Bylaws provide that at the annual meeting only such business may be conducted as is of a nature that is appropriate for consideration at an annual meeting and has been either specified in the notice of the meeting, otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a shareholder who has given timely written notice to the Secretary of the Company of such shareholders intention to bring such business before the meeting. To be timely, the notice must be given by such shareholder to the Secretary of the Company not less than 45 days nor more than 75 days prior to a date corresponding to the date of mailing of the proxy materials for the previous years annual meeting. Notice relating to the conduct of such business at an annual meeting must contain certain information as described in the Companys Bylaws, which are available for inspection by shareholders at the Companys principal executive offices pursuant to Section 302A.461, subd. 4 of the Minnesota Statutes. Nothing in the Bylaws precludes discussion by any shareholder of any business properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the Companys Bylaws.
Shareholder Nominations. The Bylaws provide that a notice of proposed shareholder nominations for the election of directors must be timely given in writing to the Secretary of the Company prior to the meeting at which directors are to be elected. To be timely, the notice must be given by such shareholder to the Secretary of the Company not less than 45 days nor more than 75 days prior to a date corresponding to the date of mailing of the proxy materials for the previous years annual meeting. The notice to the Company from a shareholder who intends to nominate a person at the meeting for election as a director must contain certain information as described in the Companys Bylaws, which are available for inspection by shareholders as described above. If the presiding officer of a meeting of shareholders determines that a person was not nominated in accordance with the foregoing procedure, such person will not be eligible for election as a director.
GENERAL
The Board of Directors of the Company knows of no matters other than the foregoing to be brought before the meeting. However, the enclosed proxy gives discretionary authority in the event that any additional matters should be presented.
The Companys Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2003 is being mailed to shareholders with this Proxy Statement. Shareholders may receive without charge a copy of the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K, including financial statements and schedules thereto, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, by writing to: WSI Industries, Inc., 18151 Territorial Road, Osseo, MN 55369, Attention: Paul D. Sheely, or by calling the Company at (763) 428-4308.
By Order of the Board of Directors, |
Charles P. Moorse, Secretary |
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WSI INDUSTRIES, INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Thursday, January 8, 2004
11:00 a.m.
4200 IDS Center
80 South 8th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402
WSI Industries, Inc. 18151 Territorial Road, Osseo, MN 55369 |
proxy |
This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors for use at the Annual Meeting on January 8, 2004.
The shares of stock you hold in your account or in a dividend reinvestment account will be voted as you specify below.
If no choice is specified, the proxy will be voted FOR Item 1.
By signing the proxy, you revoke all prior proxies and appoint George J. Martin, and Michael J. Pudil, and each of them, with full power of substitution, to vote your shares as of the close of business on November 11, 2002 on the matters shown on the reverse side and any other matters which may come before the Annual Meeting and all adjournments.
See reverse for voting instructions.
The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote FOR Item 1.
1. Election of directors: |
01 Paul Baszucki 02 Melvin L. Katten 03 George J. Martin |
04 Michael N. Taglich 05 Eugene J. Mora 06 Michael J. Pudil |
Vote FOR all nominees (except as marked) |
Vote WITHHELD from all nominees |
(Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for any indicated nominee, write the number(s) of the nominee(s) in the box provided to the right.)
2. IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON ANY OTHER MATTERS COMING BEFORE THE MEETING.
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH PROPOSAL.
Address Change? Mark Box
Indicate changes below:
Date | ||
Signature(s) in Box Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear on Proxy. If held in joint tenancy, all persons must sign. Trustees, administrators, etc., should include title and authority. Corporations should provide full name of corporation and title of authorized officer signing the proxy. |