UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

 

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

 

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Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12

 

National Presto Industries, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

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

 

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Notice of

Annual

Meeting

and

Proxy 

Statement

 

Annual Meeting of Stockholders 

May 15, 2018

 

Please sign and return the
enclosed proxy card promptly.

 

National Presto Industries, Inc. 

3925 North Hastings Way 

Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54703 

 

  

National Presto Industries, Inc. 

Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54703

 

April 10, 2018

 

Dear Stockholder:

 

We invite you to attend our annual meeting of stockholders. We will hold the meeting at our offices in Eau Claire on May 15, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. CDT.

 

We sincerely hope that you will be able to be present to meet the management of your company, see any new products that may be displayed at the meeting, and vote on the items of business described in the enclosed Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement. If, however, you are unable to attend the meeting in person, we urge that you participate by voting your stock by proxy. You may cast your vote by signing and returning the enclosed proxy card.

 

Enclosed with this proxy, you should have received our annual report for 2017, which contains a description of our business and also includes audited financial statements for that year. If you did not receive a copy of the 2017 annual report, a copy will be made available at no charge by contacting us at 1-800-945-0199.

 

We are always pleased to hear from our stockholders. If you cannot be present in person at the meeting, we would be happy to have your letters expressing your viewpoints on our products and businesses or to answer any questions that you might have regarding your company. 

	Chair of the Board and President

  

 

NATIONAL PRESTO INDUSTRIES, INC. 

3925 North Hastings Way 

Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54703

 

Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders

 

TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF NATIONAL PRESTO INDUSTRIES, INC.:

 

The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of National Presto Industries, Inc. will be held at the offices of National Presto, 3925 North Hastings Way, Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54703, on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. (CDT), for the following purposes:

 

(1)

to elect Maryjo Cohen as director for a three-year term ending at the annual meeting to be held in 2021;

 

(2)

to ratify the appointment of BDO USA, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018; and

 

(3)

to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

 

Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 15, 2018, will be entitled to vote at the meeting and any adjournment thereof.

 

	Douglas J. Frederick
	Secretary
April 10, 2018

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY

OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF

STOCKHOLDERS ON MAY 15, 2018.

Our Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, Proxy Statement,

and 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K are available on the

National Presto website at www.gopresto.com/proxy/.

 

 

 

 April 10, 2018

 

NATIONAL PRESTO INDUSTRIES, INC. 

3925 North Hastings Way 

Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54703

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 15, 2018

 

The accompanying proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of National Presto Industries, Inc. (the “Company”), for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 3925 North Hastings Way, Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54703, on May 15, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. (CDT) (the “Annual Meeting”), and any adjournment thereof. When such proxy is properly executed and returned, the shares it represents will be voted at the meeting and at any adjournment thereof. Any stockholder giving a proxy has the power to revoke it at any time before it is voted. Presence at the meeting of a stockholder who has signed and returned a proxy does not alone revoke that proxy. The proxy may be revoked by returning a later dated proxy, giving written notice of revocation to the Secretary of the Company, or attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.

 

At the Annual Meeting stockholders will be asked:

 

(1)

to elect Maryjo Cohen as director for a three-year term ending at the annual meeting to be held in 2021;

 

(2)

to ratify the appointment of BDO USA, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018; and

 

(3)

to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

 

Only stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 15, 2018, will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Only those stockholders, persons holding proxies from such stockholders, beneficial owners of shares who demonstrate that they are in fact beneficial owners, representatives of the media, and other guests who are invited by the management of the Company may attend the Annual Meeting. If you hold your shares through a broker or otherwise in street name, please bring a brokerage statement or a letter from a bank or broker confirming ownership as of the record date and valid photo identification.

 

The presence in person or by proxy of holders of a majority of the shares of stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Abstentions and proxies submitted by brokers who do not have authority to vote on certain matters will be considered “present” at the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining a quorum. The proxy materials were first mailed to stockholders on or about April 10, 2018.

 

Under the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) rules, if a broker holds a beneficial owner’s shares in its name and does not receive voting instructions from the beneficial owner, the broker has discretion to vote these shares on certain routine matters, including ratification of the appointment of BDO USA, LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. However, on non-routine matters, the broker must receive voting instructions from the beneficial owner, as it does not have discretionary voting power for these particular items. Non-routine matters include the election of directors. So long as the broker has discretion to vote on at least one proposal, these “broker non-votes” are counted toward establishing a quorum. When voted on routine matters, broker non-votes are counted toward determining the outcome of that routine matter.

 

Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast, which means the individual receiving the largest number of votes will be elected director as chosen in the election. Therefore, shares voted as “withhold authority to vote” will have no effect on the election of the director.

 

 

Approval of each of the other proposals at the Annual Meeting requires the affirmative approval of a majority of the votes cast. Abstentions do not constitute a vote “for” or “against” the proposal and will be disregarded in the calculation of votes cast.

 

If a stockholder signs and returns a proxy card without specifying how to vote the shares, the person named as proxy on the proxy card will vote the shares FOR the election of the director nominee and FOR the ratification of BDO USA, LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

 

VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF

 

The Company has 7,003,654 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote as of the close of business on the record date, March 15, 2018. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote.

 

The following table sets forth information as to beneficial ownership of the Company’s common stock as of the record date by (i) each person known to the Company to hold more than 5% of such stock, (ii) each director, (iii) each named executive officer in the Summary Compensation Table, and (iv) all directors and officers as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, all stockholders listed in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares owned by them.

 

Beneficial Owner		Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership			Percent of Common Stock
Maryjo Cohen		1,904,791	(1)		27.2	%
BlackRock, Inc.
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055		656,934	(2)		9.4	%
Royce & Associates, LLC
745 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10151		644,700	(3)		9.2	%
The Vanguard Group, Inc.
100 Vanguard Blvd.
Malvern, PA 19355		496,894	(4)		7.1	%
Douglas J. Frederick		142,686	(5)		2.0	%
Randy F. Lieble		9,291	(6)		*
Spencer W. Ahneman		4,105	(6)		*
Richard N. Cardozo		2,400	(7)		*
Joseph G. Stienessen		1,382	(8)		*
Jeffery A. Morgan		724	(6)		*
Patrick J. Quinn		500	(9)		*
Richard L. Jeffers		435	(6)		*
All officers and directors as a group (9 persons)		2,066,314			29.5	%

 

(*)

Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company.

(1)

Includes 100,975 shares owned by the L.E. Phillips Family Foundation, Inc., a private charitable foundation of which Ms. Cohen is an officer and director and as such exercises shared voting and investment powers; 1,669,664 shares held in a voting trust, described in the section below captioned “Voting Trust Agreement,” in which Ms. Cohen has sole voting power over all of these shares; and 121,478 shares owned by private charitable foundations (other than the Phillips Foundation) of which Ms. Cohen is a co-trustee, officer, or director, and as such exercises shared voting and investment powers; 8,051 shares received as restricted stock pursuant to the National Presto Industries 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan and 2017 Incentive Compensation Plan; and 4,623 shares held in a 401(k) account that were contributed into the account by the Company through the Company’s contribution. Ms. Cohen disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned or held in trust for any other person, including family members, trusts, or other entities with which she may be associated.

(2)

Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 25, 2018, reporting sole voting power with respect to 644,841 shares and sole dispositive power with respect to 656,934 shares.

(3)

Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 23, 2018, reporting sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 644,700 shares.

(4)

Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 9, 2018, reporting sole voting power with respect to 5,801 shares, shared voting power with respect to 233 shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 491,177 shares, and shared dispositive power with respect to 5,717 shares.

(5)

Includes 137,781 shares owned by a private charitable foundation of which Mr. Frederick is a co-trustee and officer and as such exercises shared voting and investment powers; 4,207 shares received as restricted stock pursuant to the National Presto Industries 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan and 2017 Incentive Compensation Plan; and 698 shares held in a 401(k) account that were contributed into the account by the Company through the Company’s contribution. Mr. Frederick disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by the private charitable foundation.

 

 

(6)

These figures include shares received as restricted stock pursuant to the National Presto Industries 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan and 2017 Incentive Compensation Plan as well as shares of common stock that are owned by the individuals in their 401(k) accounts and that were contributed into such accounts by the Company through the Company’s contribution.

(7)

Owned by the Richard N. Cardozo Family Trust, Richard N. Cardozo SEP IRA, and Richard N. Cardozo Roth IRA, Arlene Cardozo Family Trust, and Arlene Cardozo By-Pass Trust.

(8)

Owned by Joseph G. Stienessen SEP IRA.

(9)

Owned by the Patrick J. Quinn and Susan L. Quinn Rev. Trust.

 

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

 

Based upon a review of Forms 3, 4, and 5 and any amendments thereto filed with the SEC pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Company believes the reporting persons have filed timely reports during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

 

Voting Trust Agreement

 

Eleven entities comprising trusts related to the Cohen family and extended family members have entered into a voting trust agreement with respect to the voting of an aggregate of 1,669,664 shares of common stock of the Company. The voting trust agreement will terminate on November 3, 2027 unless sooner terminated by the voting trustee or unanimous written consent of all the parties to the voting trust agreement, or unless extended by unanimous written consent by all parties to the agreement. The voting trustee under the agreement is Maryjo Cohen. Under the agreement, the voting trustee exercises all rights to vote the shares subject to the voting trust with respect to all matters presented for stockholder action.

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

Plan Category		Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants, and rights		Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants, and rights		Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans(1)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders		—		—		146,097
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders		—		—		—
Total		—		—		146,097

 

(1)

Calculations based on the number of shares that have been granted under the 2017 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2017 Plan”) and not forfeited as of the record date March 15, 2018. The 2017 Plan was approved by the stockholders on May 16, 2017. It replaced the Incentive Compensation Plan that was adopted by the stockholders on May 18, 2010 (the “2010 Plan”). With the adoption of the 2017 Plan, the shares remaining under the 2010 Plan were no longer available for grant.

 

 

PROPOSAL NUMBER 1 

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

One director will be elected at the Annual Meeting for a three-year term expiring at the 2021 Annual Meeting. The Restated Articles of Incorporation (as amended) of the Company currently provide for five directors, divided into three classes with two classes of two directors and one class of one director and the term of office of one class expiring each year. At each Annual Meeting, successors of the class whose term of office expires in that year are elected for a three-year term. The nominee(s) who receive the highest number of votes will be elected director(s) of the Company for the three-year term commencing at the Annual Meeting. Upon recommendation of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee, the Board of Directors has nominated Maryjo Cohen for a term that will expire at the annual meeting to be held in 2021.

 

The Company believes that the nominee will be able to serve; but should the nominee be unable to serve as a director, the proxies will be voted for the election of such substitute nominee as the Board may propose.

 

Information Concerning Directors and Nominee

 

All our directors bring to our Board a wealth of leadership experience. The process undertaken by the Nominating Committee in recommending qualified director candidates is described below under “Corporate Governance.” Information about each Board nominee and each other member of the Board, including certain individual qualifications and skills of our directors that contribute to the Board’s effectiveness as a whole, is provided below.

 

 

Name		Age		Business Experience		Director Since
Nominee for Election To The Board - For A Term Ending 2021
Maryjo Cohen		65		Chair of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since May 1994.		1988
Ms. Cohen’s day-to-day leadership and experience as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), as well as her 41 years as an employee of the Company, are invaluable to Board discussions and judgments required for decision-making that is in the best long-term interest of the Company and its stockholders.
Directors Continuing In Office - For A Term Ending 2020
Randy F. Lieble		64		Director from December 2006 to August 2007 and December 2008 to present. Vice President from October 2004 to August 2007 and September 2008 to present. Chief Financial Officer from November 1999 to August 2007 and September 2008 to present. Treasurer from November 1995 to August 2007 and September 2008 to present. Secretary from January 2009 to November 2009.		2008
Mr. Lieble’s experience as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and his 40 years as an employee of the Company during which he has been involved in virtually all phases of the business are invaluable to Board discussions and judgments required for decision-making that is in the best long-term interest of the Company and its stockholders.

 

 

Name		Age		Business Experience		Director Since
Joseph G. Stienessen		73		Certified Public Accountant. Self-employed as an accounting advisor and consultant since July 2007. Former principal with Larson, Allen, Weishair and Company, LLP, a CPA firm, from October 2004 to July 2007; prior to November 2003, Managing Partner of Stienessen, Schlegel and Company, LLC.		2005
Mr. Stienessen has extensive knowledge and experience in the areas of accounting and finance. His expertise in those areas is invaluable to Board discussions, judgments required for decision-making that is in the best long-term interest of the Company and its stockholders, and to the fulfillment of his positions on the Nominating and Compensation Committees. His background also enables him to act as the financial expert for the Company’s Audit Committee.
Directors Continuing In Office - For A Term Ending 2019
Richard N. Cardozo		82		Professor Emeritus, Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota; Former Chairman, Brownstone Distributing; Principal, CPE Associates, Inc., a consulting firm.		1998
Mr. Cardozo has an extensive academic background in and practical knowledge of management. That background, along with his experience, knowledge and long-standing service as a director of the Company and former Chairman of Brownstone Distributing are invaluable to Board discussions, judgments required for decision-making that is in the best long-term interest of the Company and its stockholders, and to the fulfillment of his positions on the Audit, Nominating, and Compensation Committees.
Patrick J. Quinn		68		Former Chairman and President, Ayres Associates, Inc., an engineering firm, from January 2001 and April 2000 respectively, until his retirement in December 2010. Director of certain funds of Wisconsin Capital Management (a regulated mutual fund company). Mr. Quinn serves as a director of Future Wisconsin Housing Funds, Inc. (non-profit housing owner/developer), and is a former director of the Eau Claire Community Foundation (non- profit).		2001
Mr. Quinn’s executive experience and business acumen, together with his 17 years of service as a director of the Company, are invaluable to Board discussions, judgments required for decision-making that is in the best long-term interest of the Company and its stockholders, and to the fulfillment of his positions on the Audit, Nominating, and Compensation Committees.

 

The Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote FOR the director nominee.  

 

 

Corporate Governance

 

During 2017, there were four Board of Directors meetings. Each of the directors attended all of the meetings of the Board of Directors, the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and all meetings of committees on which that director served, with the exception of Mr. Quinn who did not attend an audit committee meeting held in March 2017. The attendance policy for members of the Board of Directors may be reviewed in the Corporate Governance Guidelines document found on the Company’s website located at www.gopresto.com and is available in print upon request.

 

The Board of Directors has determined that each of Messrs. Cardozo, Quinn, and Stienessen qualify as an “independent director” as defined by the rules of the New York Stock Exchange. The Board has determined that Messrs. Cardozo, Quinn, and Stienessen do not have a relationship with the Company, other than as a director, and are therefore independent.

 

The Company has Audit, Compensation, and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committees consisting of Messrs. Cardozo, Quinn, and Stienessen. During 2017, the Audit Committee held five formal meetings. The Board has determined that Mr. Stienessen qualifies as an Audit Committee Financial Expert under SEC rules. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee met once in 2017. The Compensation Committee had one meeting in 2017.

 

The purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities relating to: (1) the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, (2) the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (3) the independent auditor’s qualifications and independence, and (4) the performance of the Company’s internal audit function and independent auditors.

 

The purpose of the Compensation Committee is to discharge the Board’s responsibilities relating to the CEO’s compensation and make recommendations regarding the compensation of other executives, including review of the succession plans for the CEO and other senior executives. Activities of the Compensation Committee shall be consistent with the Company’s overall direction and purpose regarding executive compensation as set forth in its charter. See also “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” for a further description of the functions performed by the Compensation Committee.

 

The purpose of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee is to identify individuals qualified to become Board members in accordance with the criteria described below and to take such other action consistent with provisions in its charter. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee is also responsible for advising the Board on corporate governance matters, which include developing and recommending to the Board corporate governance principles, overseeing the self-evaluation process for the Board and its committees, and such other functions as set forth in its charter.

 

Charters of the Nominating/Corporate Governance, Compensation, and Audit Committees; the Corporate Governance Guidelines; and the Corporate Code of Conduct are set forth in the Corporate Governance section of the Company’s website located at www.gopresto.com and are available in print upon request.

 

The Company’s Board of Directors has established a process whereby stockholders and other interested parties may send communications to the Board of Directors, as well as to the Presiding Director (Mr. Cardozo) of executive sessions attended by only non-management directors. The Presiding Director may be reached by mailing a letter to: Independent Directors, Attn: Presiding Director, National Presto Industries, Inc., 3925 N. Hastings Way, Eau Claire, WI 54703. The manner in which stockholders and other interested parties can send communications to the Board is set forth in the Corporate Governance section of the Company’s website located at www.gopresto.com.

 

In identifying prospective director candidates, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee (herein the “Nominating Committee”) considers its personal contacts, recommendations from stockholders, and recommendations from business and professional sources, but has not historically paid a fee to any third party. The Nominating Committee’s policy is to consider qualified candidates for positions on the Board recommended in writing by stockholders. Stockholders wishing to recommend candidates for future Board membership should submit the recommendations in writing to the Secretary of the Company no later than December 11, 2018, (for inclusion of such candidate, if subsequently nominated, in the Company’s Proxy Statement) or February 14, 2019, (for recommending a candidate who, if subsequently nominated, would not be included in the Company’s Proxy Statement) with the submitting stockholder’s name and address and pertinent information about the proposed nominee similar to that required by the by-laws in connection with a nomination to be made by stockholders. When evaluating the qualifications of potential new directors, or the continued service of existing directors, the

 

 

Nominating Committee considers a variety of criteria, including the individual’s reputation for honesty and integrity; respect from leaders and the general citizenry in the community in which the individual resides; the individual’s knowledge of business principles and intellectual capacity to quickly grasp and understand the intricacies of the Company’s businesses; attainment of official status with a leading company, agency, educational institution, or other form of enterprise; accessibility geographically and otherwise for meetings; specialized skills or expertise; independence; financial expertise; freedom from conflicts of interest; ability to understand the role of a director; and ability to fully perform the duties of a director. While candidates recommended by stockholders will generally be considered in the same manner as any other candidate, special consideration will be given to existing directors desiring to stand for re-election given their history of service and their knowledge of the Company, as well as the Board’s knowledge of their level of contribution resulting from such service. Stockholders wishing to recommend for nomination or nominate a director should contact the Company’s Secretary for a copy of the relevant procedure for submitting nominations and a full delineation of the criteria considered by the Nominating Committee when evaluating potential new directors or the continued service of existing directors.

 

The Company has not adopted any formal policies or procedures for the review, approval, or ratification of transactions between the Company and its related persons that may be required to be reported under the SEC disclosure rules. Such transactions, if and when they are proposed or have occurred, have been or will be reviewed by the entire Board (other than the director involved) on a case-by-case basis. The Company’s Corporate Code of Conduct does contain several provisions that would provide valuable guidance for the review of such transactions.

 

The Board believes that the Company’s CEO is best situated to serve as Chair of the Board because she is the director most familiar with the Company’s business and industry, and most capable of effectively identifying strategic priorities and leading the discussion and execution of strategy.

 

The Board has an active role, as a whole and also at the committee level, in overseeing management of the Company’s risks. The Board regularly reviews information regarding the Company’s credit, liquidity, and operations, as well as the risks associated with each. The Company’s Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to the Company’s executive compensation plans and arrangements. The Audit Committee oversees management of financial risks. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee manages risks associated with the independence of the Board of Directors and potential conflicts of interest. While each committee is responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of such risks, the entire Board of Directors is regularly informed through committee reports about such risks.

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

The directors who served on the Compensation Committee during fiscal 2017 were Richard N. Cardozo, Patrick J. Quinn, and Joseph G. Stienessen. The Compensation Committee determines the compensation of the CEO and makes recommendations to the Board with respect to the compensation of the other executive officers of the Company, including those listed in the Summary Compensation Table on page 11. Board member Ms. Cohen did not participate in decisions regarding her own 2017 compensation.

 

None of the members of the Compensation Committee during fiscal 2017, or in the last three years, was an officer or employee of the Company, or had any related party transaction with the Company. During fiscal 2017, none of the executive officers of the Company served as a member of the board or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more officers serving as a member of the Company’s Board or Compensation Committee.

 

Director Compensation

 

The fiscal 2017 compensation of non-employee directors of the Company is shown in the following table.

 

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL 2017

 

Name		Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) 2017
Patrick J. Quinn		39,000
Richard N. Cardozo		39,500
Joseph G. Stienessen		39,500

 

Each non-employee director receives an annual retainer of $34,000. In addition, each director is paid $1,000 for each full day Board or committee meeting attended and $500 for each half day Board or committee meeting

 

 

attended. The Company reimburses basic and reasonable travel costs associated with attending a meeting of the Board or a committee that requires in excess of 100 miles of travel. Non-employee directors do not receive stock or stock-related compensation.

 

Audit Committee Report

 

Each member of the Audit Committee is independent as defined by the rules of the New York Stock Exchange and the Board of Directors has determined that no member has a relationship to the Company that may interfere with the exercise of their independence from management of the Company. It is the purpose of the Audit Committee to assist the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities relating to: (1) the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, (2) the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (3) the independent auditor’s qualifications and independence, and (4) the performance of the Company’s internal audit function and independent auditors.

 

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management and the independent auditors the Company’s audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017, management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, and the independent auditors’ attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Audit Standard No. 16, Communications with Audit Committees. The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and letter from the independent auditors required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent auditors’ communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent auditors the independent auditors’ independence. This included consideration of the compatibility of non-audit services with the auditors’ independence.

 

Based on the Audit Committee’s review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Company’s Board that the Company’s audited financial statements be included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, for filing with the SEC.

 

Submitted by members of the Audit Committee:

 

	Joseph G. Stienessen
	Richard N. Cardozo
	Patrick J. Quinn

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION

 

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

Overview

 

The Discussion and Analysis section addresses the material elements of the Company’s executive compensation program, including its compensation philosophy and objectives and the fashion in which it is to be administered. It is intended to complement and enhance an understanding of the compensation information presented in the tables that follow. As used in this proxy statement, the term “named executive officers” means the Company’s CEO and CFO for the 2017 fiscal year as well as the three other current executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table on page 11. In this discussion and analysis, the term “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board.

 

Compensation Objectives and Philosophy

 

The Company’s executive compensation program is intended to:

 

●

provide fair compensation to executive officers based on their performance and contributions to the Company;

 

●

provide incentives that attract and retain key executives;

 

●

instill a long-term commitment to the Company; and

 

●

develop a pride and sense of ownership.

 

The compensation program is therefore intended to attract, motivate, and retain executive officers who have the capability to manage the Company’s day-to-day operations and personnel, compete ethically in each of its competitive business segments, implement any strategic plans developed by the Company, and implement the Company’s strategic plan to increase stockholder value.

 

The principal element of the executive compensation program is base salary. An award of a discretionary bonus to reward exceptional performance is sometimes made. The Company provides health and life insurance benefits, a 401(k) program with a generous Company contribution, and other welfare benefits that are available to all of its salaried employees on a non-discriminatory basis. Awards of restricted stock are part of the executive compensation program. The Committee believes that restricted stock awards reward performance and align the interests of executives with the long-term interests of stockholders.

 

The objectives and factors considered with respect to the form and amount of each individual element of our compensation program are more fully described herein.

 

Compensation Process

 

The Committee has the responsibility to determine and approve the compensation of the executive officer, to make recommendations to the Board with respect to the compensation of selected non-CEO executive officers, and to make recommendations to the Board with respect to incentive plans.

 

The Committee met on November 17, 2016, to review compensation matters and establish the base salary of the CEO for 2017. On the same date, the Board established the base salaries of other executive officers. No executive officer made a recommendation regarding the form or amount of his or her own compensation. The CEO does provide the Committee with recommendations on salaries of the other executive officers. The Committee met on November 16, 2017, to review discretionary cash bonuses and stock awards with respect to performance in 2017. The Committee did not retain any compensation consultant to assist it in the review or determination of executive compensation in 2017.

 

Elements of Our Executive Compensation Program

 

Base Salary and Benefits. The base salaries for executive officers is intended to promote the Company’s compensation objectives generally and specifically to provide basic economic security at a level that will attract and retain talented executive officers. Annual increases in base salary of each of the Company’s executive officers, if any, are determined in accordance with its compensation policy and, where appropriate, the economic conditions in which the Company is operating. Individual job performance is the single most important factor in the Committee’s role in determining base salary. The base salaries of the executive officers were established at levels considered appropriate in light of the duties and scope of their responsibilities.

 

 

The Company strives to provide employee benefits to executive officers and all other salaried employees that are consistent with benefits provided in the communities in which they reside, including 401(k), health insurance, life and disability insurance, and other welfare benefits. Executive officers participate in these plans on the same basis as other employees.

 

Discretionary Bonus. Although the Company primarily relies upon awarding an adequate and proper base salary to promote its compensation objectives, the Committee also acknowledges the benefit of awarding discretionary bonuses. To this end, the Company’s executive officers may from time to time identify executive officer contributions to the overall performance of the Company to the Committee and request that the Committee consider approving a bonus to reward such performance. In 2017, the Committee made discretionary bonuses to Messrs. Lieble and Frederick for their contributions to corporate performance.

 

Incentive, Equity, and Deferred Compensation. Historically, the Company did not feel this type of compensation was necessary because the Company has experienced low turnover and long-term executive officer retention without emphasizing incentive or equity based compensation. It has found, however, that SEC insider trading restrictions are such that it is difficult for executives to purchase stock on the open market without violating insider trading rules. Accordingly, with the stockholders adoption of the National Presto Industries, Inc. 2017 Incentive Compensation Plan on May 16, 2017, the Compensation Committee has the authority to grant restricted stock awards at its discretion based on an employee’s noteworthy performance. In January of 2017, in relation to their performance related to the divestiture of the assets of the Company’s Absorbent Product segment, the Committee awarded restricted stock to Messrs. Lieble and Frederick under the 2010 Plan. The awards were denominated in dollars but were payable in common stock based on the closing stock price on the NYSE on January 3, 2017 ($104.75). In order to create ownership as well as provide incentives for future performance, in December 2017, the Committee decided to grant restricted stock to the named executive officers and several other key employees pursuant to the 2017 Plan. The awards are denominated in dollars but were payable in common stock based on the closing stock price on the NYSE on December 31, 2017 ($99.45). The Committee determined the dollar value of the awards based on job responsibilities, experience, and individual performance in 2017 as well as recommendations of the CEO. The awards made in 2017 recognized contributions to corporate performance.

 

Perquisites. In 2017, no named executive officer received perquisites having a value in excess of $10,000. The Committee does not consider perquisites to be a material element of the Company’s compensation program for executive officers.

 

Termination and Change-in-Control Arrangements. The Company does not maintain any employment or change-in-control agreements for its executive officers.

 

Tax Considerations. The Committee is aware that prior to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “2017 Tax Act”), Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, limited deductions to $1 million for compensation paid to the CEO and each of the four most highly paid executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table who are officers on the last day of the year, and that compensation that qualified as “performance-based” under Section 162(m) was exempt from this $1 million deduction limitation. In connection with 2017 compensation decisions, the Committee considered this limit and its application to the compensation paid to its executive officers as part of its compensation policy.

 

Under the 2017 Tax Act, the performance-based exception has been repealed and the $1 million deduction limit now applies to anyone serving as the chief executive officer or the chief financial officer at any time during the taxable year and the top three other highest compensated executive officers serving at fiscal year end. The new rules generally apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017.

 

Compensation Committee Report

 

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis contained under this heading. On the basis of its reviews and discussions, the Committee has recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section be included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, and this Proxy Statement.

 

Submitted by the Company’s Compensation Committee:

 

	Richard N. Cardozo
	Patrick J. Quinn
	Joseph G. Stienessen

 

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table sets forth compensation for individuals who served as CEO and CFO during fiscal 2017 and for each of the other three most highly compensated executive officers who were serving as executive officers as of December 31, 2017, as well as an individual for whom disclosure would have been provided but for the fact that the individual was not serving as an executive officer of the registrant at the end of the last completed fiscal year.

 

Name and Principal Position	Year	Salary(1)   ($)	Bonus(2)   ($)	Stock Awards(3)   ($)		Option Awards ($)	Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)	Change in Pension Value and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings($)	All Other Compensation(4) ($)		Total ($)
Maryjo Cohen,	2017	575,000		99,947					25,839		700,786
Chair of the Board,	2016	555,000		85,496					24,606		665,102
President, Chief	2015	555,577		108,226					25,532		689,335
Executive Officer
Randy F. Lieble,	2017	430,000	43,000	403,987					42,591		919,578
Vice President,	2016	418,000	83,600	71,474					23,759		596,833
Treasurer, Chief	2015	420,892	40,600	87,855					24,385		573,732
Financial Officer,
and Director
Richard L. Jeffers,	2017	249,115		9,945					11,494		270,554
Vice President–
Sales(5)
Douglas J.	2017	258,900	25,890	183,267					29,955		498,012
Frederick,	2016	251,400	25,140	21,488					20,739		318,767
General Counsel	2015	253,225	24,400	26,384					20,926		324,935
and Secretary
Jeffery A. Morgan,	2017	205,000		9,945					9,772		224,717
Vice President–	2016	200,000		4,188					9,193		213,381
Engineering(6)	2015	183,164		21,627					9,435		214,226
Spencer W.	2017	298,700		9,945					20,409		329,054
Ahneman, Former	2016	290,000		8,468					19,953		318,421
Vice President–	2015	289,615		32,486					21,269		343,370
Sales(7)

  

(1)

The annual base salaries in 2015 were as follows: Ms. Cohen, $535,000; Mr. Lieble, $405,740; Mr. Ahneman, $280,000; Mr. Frederick, $244,110; and Mr. Morgan, $179,247. The additional amounts reported are due to one extra pay period in 2015.

(2)

Amounts shown for 2017 represent discretionary cash bonuses granted with respect to 2017 performance but paid in January 2018. Amounts shown for 2016 represent discretionary cash bonuses granted with respect to 2016 performance but paid in January 2017. Amounts shown for 2015 represent discretionary cash bonuses granted with respect to 2015 performance but paid in January 2016.

(3)

These amounts reflect the grant date fair value of restricted stock awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant and do not reflect the actual amounts earned. See the Grants of Plan-Based Awards During Fiscal 2017 table and the accompanying disclosure for information on the actual number of shares of restricted stock paid out in fiscal 2017.

(4)

All Other Compensation includes 401(k) employer contributions, the value of life and disability insurance premiums paid by the Company, and the dividends paid related to the stock awards identified for each year, but paid in March of the following year. For the year 2017, 401(k) employer contributions included $18,900 for each of Ms. Cohen, Mr. Lieble, Mr. Ahneman, and Mr. Frederick, $9,985 for Mr. Jeffers and $8,263 for Mr. Morgan.

(5)

Mr. Jeffers was appointed Vice President of Sales effective September 1, 2017. He was associated with the registrant from 1977 to 1989, and returned in 2014. Prior to becoming an officer, he was National Accounts Sales Manager.

(6)

Mr. Morgan was appointed Vice President of Engineering on November 19, 2015. He has been associated with the registrant since 2010. Prior to becoming an officer, he was Director of Engineering and Chief Engineer.

(7)

Effective September 2, 2017, Mr. Ahneman assumed the role of National Sales Manager, at which time he ceased being an executive officer of the Company. Mr. Ahneman served as Vice President of Sales until September 1, 2017.

 

 

Grants of Plan-Based Awards During Fiscal Year 2017 

 

The following table shows all plan-based awards granted to the named executive officers during fiscal 2017.

 

Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards

Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards

Name

Grant Date

Committee Action Date

Threshold ($)

Target ($)

Maximum ($)

Threshold ($)

Target ($)

Maximum ($)

All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Stock Units ($)

All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (#)

Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh)

Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($)(3)

Maryjo Cohen

12/31/2017

12/31/2017

100,000(1)

99,947

Randy F. Lieble

1/3/2017

1/3/2017

261,900(2)

261,875

12/31/2017

12/31/2017

129,000(1)

128,987

Richard L. Jeffers

12/31/2017

12/31/2017

10,000(1)

9,945

Douglas J. Frederick

1/3/2017

1/3/2017

150,000(2)

149,897

12/31/2017

12/31/2017

25,890(1)

25,857

Jeffery A. Morgan

12/31/2017

12/31/2017

10,000(1)

9,945

Spencer W. Ahneman

12/31/2017

12/31/2017

10,000(1)

9,945

 

(1)

These amounts reflect stock awards denominated in dollars but payable in shares of restricted stock based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on December 31, 2017, under the 2017 Incentive Compensation Plan.

(2)

These amounts reflect stock awards denominated in dollars but payable in shares of restricted stock based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on January 3, 2017, under the Incentive Compensation Plan adopted in 2010.

(3)

These amounts reflect the grant date fair value of the awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 based on the actual number of shares of restricted stock paid out and the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date ($104.75 per share for the January 3, 2017 awards and $99.45 per share for the December 31, 2017 awards) and do not reflect the actual amounts earned.

 

The stock awards granted on January 3, 2017 were denominated in dollars but payable in common stock based on a per share price of $104.75, the closing price of the Company’s common stock on January 3, 2017, and were paid as follows: Mr. Lieble, 2,500 shares; Mr. Frederick, 1,431 shares. Unless vested earlier in accordance with the Incentive Compensation Plan, the restricted stock awards will vest 100% on March 15, 2022, assuming the employee remains in the Company’s employ through such date. Certificates evidencing the shares related to the awards were registered to the named individuals upon the execution of a Restricted Stock Award Agreement, which occurred on February 16, 2017, in accordance with the provisions of the Incentive Compensation Plan adopted in 2010.

 

The stock awards granted on December 31, 2017 were denominated in dollars but payable in common stock based on a per share price of $99.45, the closing price of the Company’s common stock on December 29, 2017 (the last trading day in fiscal 2017), and were paid as follows: Ms. Cohen, 1,005 shares; Mr. Lieble, 1,297 shares; Mr. Ahneman, 100 shares; Mr. Jeffers, 100 shares; Mr. Frederick, 260 shares; and Mr. Morgan, 100 shares. Unless vested earlier in accordance with the 2017 Incentive Compensation Plan, the restricted stock awards will vest 100% on March 15, 2023, assuming the employee remains in the Company’s employ through such date. Certificates evidencing the shares related to the awards were registered to the named individuals upon the execution of a Restricted Stock Award Agreement, which occurred on January 2, 2018, in accordance with the provisions of the 2017 Incentive Compensation Plan. The executive officers have voting and dividend rights in unvested restricted shares.

 

 

Outstanding Equity Awards At 2017 Fiscal Year-End

 

The following table shows all outstanding equity awards held by the named executive officers at the end of fiscal 2017.

 

		STOCK AWARDS
Name	Grant Date	Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)(1)		Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(2)		Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units, or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)	Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units, or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)
Maryjo Cohen	11/15/2012	697		69,317
	11/21/2013	993		98,754
	11/20/2014	1,378		137,042
	11/19/2015	1,206		119,937
	11/17/2016	939		93,384
	12/31/2017	1,005		99,947
Randy F. Lieble	11/21/2013	950		94,478
	11/20/2014	678		67,427
	11/19/2015	979		97,362
	11/17/2016	785		78,068
	1/3/2017	2,500		248,625
	12/31/2017	1,297		128,987
Richard L. Jeffers	11/19/2015	120		11,934
	11/17/2016	93		9,249
	12/31/2017	100		9,945
Douglas J. Frederick	11/15/2012	306		30,432
	11/21/2013	571		56,786
	11/20/2014	408		40,576
	11/19/2015	294		29,238
	11/17/2016	236		23,470
	1/3/2017	1,431		142,313
	12/31/2017	260		25,857
Jeffery A. Morgan	11/19/2015	241		23,967
	11/17/2016	46		4,575
	12/31/2017	100		9,945
Spencer W. Ahneman	11/15/2012	69		6,862
	11/21/2013	298		29,636
	11/20/2014	344		34,211
	11/19/2015	362		36,001
	11/17/2016	93		9,249
	12/31/2017	100		9,945

 

(1)

Assuming the employee remains in the Company’s employ through such date, the restricted stock granted on 11/15/2012 vests 100% on March 15, 2018; the restricted stock granted on 11/21/2013 vests 100% on March 15, 2019; the restricted stock granted 11/20/2014 vests 100% on March 15, 2020; the restricted stock granted 11/19/2015 vests 100% on March 15, 2021; the restricted stock granted 11/17/2016 vests 100% on March 15, 2022; the restricted stock granted on 1/3/2017 vests 100% on March 15, 2022; and the restricted stock granted on 12/31/17 vests 100% on March 15, 2023. All restricted stock awards vest upon retirement as set forth in the Incentive Compensation Plan adopted in 2010 and related documents and the 2017 Incentive Compensation Plan and related documents.

(2)

Calculations based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock of $99.45 on December 29, 2017.

 

 

Option Exercises and Stock Vested in Fiscal Year 2017

 

No options were granted or exercised by the named executive officers during fiscal 2017. The following restricted stock awards granted to the named executive officers vested during fiscal 2017.

 

STOCK AWARDS
Name	Vesting Date	Number of Shares Acquired  on Vesting (#)		Value Realized on Vesting ($)(1)
Maryjo Cohen	3/15/2017	534		50,730
Randy F. Lieble	3/15/2017	385		36,575
Douglas J. Frederick	3/15/2017	320		30,400
Spencer W. Ahneman	3/15/2017	53		5,035

 

(1)

Calculations based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the vesting date.

 

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control

 

The Company does not have any change-in-control agreements with any executive officer, director, or employee. The Incentive Compensation Plans under which restricted stock awards have been granted provide that in the event of a change-in-control or the employee’s employment is terminated due to death, disability, or retirement (as defined in the plans), the shares of restricted stock would immediately vest.

 

The amounts shown in the following table reflect the potential value to the named executive officers of acceleration of all unvested restricted stock awards upon a change-in-control of the Company and termination of employment due to death, disability, or retirement (as defined in the plans), assuming that the change-in-control and termination of employment were effective as of December 31, 2017, and based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock of $99.45 on December 29, 2017 (the last trading day in fiscal 2017). The amounts below are estimates of the amounts that would be paid to the named executive officers; the actual amounts to be paid can only be determined at the actual time of a change-in-control or an officer’s termination of employment.

 

	ACCELERATED PORTION OF RESTRICTED  STOCK AWARDS
Name	Number (#)(1)		Value ($)(2)
Maryjo Cohen	6,218		618,380
Randy F. Lieble	7,189		714,946
Richard L. Jeffers	313		31,128
Douglas J. Frederick	3,506		348,672
Jeffrey A. Morgan	387		38,487
Spencer W. Ahneman	1,266		125,904

 

(1)

Total number of shares related to unvested restricted stock awards as of December 31, 2017.

(2)

Total value of unvested restricted stock awards as of December 31, 2017, that would be accelerated.

 

CEO Pay Ratio Disclosure

 

Under rules adopted pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010, the Company is required to calculate and disclose the total compensation paid to its median paid employee, as well as the ratio of the total compensation paid to the median employee as compared to the total compensation paid to the Company’s CEO. Due to estimates, assumptions, adjustments and statistical sampling permitted under SEC rules, the pay ratio disclosed by other companies may not be comparable with the pay ratio that the Company reports.

 

As of the last business day of 2017 (December 29, 2017), the Company employed a total of 981 employees (including full-time and part-time employees and excluding the CEO). For those 981 employees, their 2017 gross

 

 

earnings were used as the starting point for total compensation. Salaries and wages were not annualized for those employees who were not employed for the full year of 2017. Other compensation, determined in the same manner that the Company determined the total compensation of the named executive officers for purposes of the Summary Compensation Table (i.e. 401(k) employer match, restricted stock awards, dividends paid related to the restricted stock awards, and the value of life and disability insurance premiums paid by the Company), was added to the gross earnings amount to determine total compensation. For 2017, the median-compensated employee (i.e. the 491st employee) had total compensation of $36,805.07. As set forth in the Summary Compensation Table, the CEO’s total compensation for 2017 was $700,786. The CEO to median employee pay ratio for 2017 was therefore 19.04:1 ($700,786 / $36,805.07).

 

PROPOSAL NUMBER 2

 

RATIFY APPOINTMENT OF THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

The Board of Directors is submitting the selection of BDO USA, LLP to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2018 for ratification in order to ascertain the views of stockholders on this selection. Proxies solicited by the Board of Directors will, unless otherwise directed, be voted to ratify the appointment by the Audit Committee of BDO USA, LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018. If stockholders do not ratify the appointment of BDO USA, LLP, the Audit Committee will reconsider its selection, but it retains the sole responsibility for appointing and terminating the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if the Audit Committee determines that such a change would be in the Company’s and the stockholders’ best interests.

 

It is not anticipated that a representative of the accounting firm will be present at the Annual Meeting.

 

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the ratification of BDO USA, LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2018.

 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

 

The Audit Committee meets with representatives of the independent registered public accounting firm to review its comments and plans for future audits.

 

The following fees have been incurred by the Company:

 

	Audit  Fees(1)	Audit-Related  Fees(2)	Tax  Fees(3)	All Other  Fees
Year ended  December 31, 2017(4)	$464,125	$2,500	$14,267	$21,084(5)
Year ended December 31, 2016(6)	$477,969	$7,500	$24,859	$75,505(7)

 

 

(1)

Includes fees for financial statement audits, 10-Q reviews, Sarbanes-Oxley 404 controls work, and related expenses.

(2)

Includes fees for agreed upon procedures to assist the Company in completing a declaration letter regarding financial assurance for one of the states in which the Company operates.

(3)

Includes tax return preparation, planning, and compliance filings. Also includes fees for amended state tax returns and fees for other tax and acquisition related issues.

(4)

Fees for 2017 are estimates.

(5)

Includes agreed upon procedures to assist the Company in an insurance claim and work related to the Company’s filing of Form S-8.

(6)

Fees for 2016 reflect final amounts billed.

(7)

This amount mainly relates to agreed upon procedures performed to assist the Company in completing the divestiture of its absorbent products business completed on January 3, 2017.

 

In accordance with the Audit Committee charter, the Audit Committee must review and, in its sole discretion, pre-approve an itemized budget for the independent auditors’ annual engagement letter and all audit, audit-related, tax and other permissible services proposed to be provided by the independent auditor in accordance with the applicable New York Stock Exchange listing standards and United States Securities and Exchange Commission rules, and the fees for such services. The Audit Committee approved all services provided by BDO USA, LLP during fiscal years 2017 and 2016.

 

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

The Company will pay the entire cost of preparing, assembling, and mailing the proxy materials and soliciting votes. Management has made no arrangement to solicit proxies for the meeting other than by use of mail, except that some solicitation may be made by telephone, facsimile, email, or personal calls by officers or regular employees of the Company. The Company will, upon request, reimburse brokers and other persons holding shares for the benefit of others in accordance with the rates approved by the New York Stock Exchange for their expenses in forwarding proxies and accompanying material and in obtaining authorization from beneficial owners of the Company’s stock to give proxies.

 

The Board of Directors knows of no other matters to be brought before this Annual Meeting. If any other matter is properly presented for a vote at the meeting, however, it is the intention of each person named in the proxy to vote such proxy in accordance with his or her judgment on such matters.

 

The 2017 Annual Report is enclosed with this Proxy Statement and contains the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. National Presto Industries, Inc. 2017 Annual Report and Form 10-K annual report on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission may be obtained, without charge, upon written request to Douglas J. Frederick, Secretary, National Presto Industries, Inc., 3925 North Hastings Way, Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54703, phone number 1-800-945-0199 Ext. 2244. Copies of exhibits to Form 10-K may be obtained upon payment to the Company of the reasonable expense incurred in providing such exhibits.

 

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

 

The Company expects the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held on May 21, 2019. Therefore, any stockholder who desires to present a proposal at the 2019 Annual Meeting must deliver the written proposal to the Secretary of the Company at 3925 North Hastings Way, Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54703:

 

●

Not later than December 11, 2018, if the proposal is submitted for inclusion in the Company’s proxy materials for the 2019 Annual Meeting pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; or

 

●

Not later than February 14, 2019, if the proposal is submitted pursuant to the Company’s bylaws, in which case the Company is not required to include the proposal in its proxy materials.

 

Stockholders may present a proposal at the 2019 Annual Meeting for consideration only if proper notice of the proposal has been given in accordance with one of these requirements. Recommendations of Director nominees for the 2019 Annual Meeting may be made only if advance written notice in accordance with the bylaws is delivered to the Secretary of the Company by February 14, 2019 (but December 11, 2018, if any such candidate, if subsequently nominated by the Company’s Nominating Committee, is to be included in the Proxy Statement). 

 

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
	Douglas J. Frederick, Secretary

 

Annual Meeting Proxy Card	1234 5678 9012 345

▼	IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.	▼

A	Proposals — The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” Proposals 1 and 2.
1.  Election of Directors:		For	Withhold						+
01 - Maryjo Cohen		☐	☐

		For	Against	Abstain
2.	Ratify the appointment of BDO USA, LLP as National Presto’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.	☐	☐	☐

In her discretion, the proxy is authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

B	Non-Voting Items
Change of Address — Please print new address below.
C	Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below
Please sign exactly as name appears above. When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.

Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below.		Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box.		Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box.
/            /

				C 1234567890                                      J N T    1 U P X                                        3 6 9 6 0 5 1		MR A SAMPLE (THIS AREA IS SET UP TO ACCOMMODATE 140 CHARACTERS) MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND	+

                         02RLWB

 

Important Notice Regarding Internet Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:
The Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement and 2017 Annual Report are available at
www.gopresto.com/proxy and http://www.edocumentview.com/NPK

▼	IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.	▼

Proxy — NATIONAL PRESTO INDUSTRIES, INC.

This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors

The undersigned hereby appoints Maryjo Cohen as proxy, with the power to appoint substitutes, and hereby authorizes her to represent and to vote as designated below, all the shares of common stock of National Presto Industries, Inc., held of record by the undersigned on March 15, 2018, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 15, 2018 and any adjournment thereof.

 

This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned stockholder. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted “FOR” Proposals 1 and 2.

PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

(Continued, and to be signed, on the other side)