UNITED STATES
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                           SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

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                              OWENSOwns & MINOR, INC.Minor, Inc.
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                           [OWENS & MINOR, INC. LOGO]

                                   NOTICE OF
                                     1999
                                ANNUAL MEETING
                                      AND
                                PROXY STATEMENTNotice of

                                      2000

                                 Annual Meeting

                                      and

                                Proxy Statement

            WHETHER OR NOT YOU PRESENTLY PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING
            IN PERSON, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS URGES YOU TO SIGN AND
                   RETURN THE PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

                              OWENSOwens & MINOR, INC.Minor, Inc.
                                 4800 COX ROAD
                        GLEN ALLEN, VIRGINIACox Road
                        Glen Allen, Virginia 23060-6292




                                               [OWENS & MINOR, LOGO]INC. LETTERHEAD]
                                           4800 Cox Road, Post Office Box 27626
                                                Glen Allen, Virginia 23060-6292
                                              (804) 747-9794 FAX (804) 270-7281

March 11, 199913, 2000

Dear Shareholders:

  It is my pleasure to invite you to our Annual Meeting of Shareholders on
Wednesday,Tuesday, April 28, 199925, 2000 at 10:00 a.m. The meeting will be held at the Virginia Historical Society, 428 North Boulevard,Crestar
Bank Building, 919 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia. Directions and sug-
gested parking are on the back of the Proxy Statement. Morning refreshments
will be served. For those shareholders unable to attend the meeting, an audio
of the Annual Meeting will be available on our website at www.owens-minor.com
for 30 days following the Annual Meeting.

  The primary business of the meeting will be to elect threefour directors and to
ratify KPMG LLP as our independent auditors. In addition to considering these
matters, we will review major developments since our last shareholders meeting
as well as opportunities in 1999.2000 and beyond.

  Please complete, sign and return the enclosed proxy card as soon as possible
in the postage-paid envelope provided. Your vote is important. All of us at
Owens & Minor appreciate your continued interest and support.

            Warm regards,
            /s/ G. Gilmer Minor, III

            -----------------------
            G. GILMER MINOR, III
            Chairman President and Chief Executive Officer



PROXY STATEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS                                               PAGE
- - ------------------------------------------------------------   -----

Notice of Meeting ..........................................     1
Questions and Answers ......................................     2
Board Meetings and Committees ..............................     3
Director Compensation ......................................     4
PROPOSAL 1 -- ELECTION OF DIRECTORS ........................     5
 Nominees for Election .....................................     5
 Directors Continuing in Office ............................     6
 Retiring Director .........................................     7
PROPOSAL 2 -- APPROVAL OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS .............     8
Stock Ownership Information ................................     8
 Compliance with Section 16(a) Reporting ...................     8
 Stock Ownership Guidelines ................................     8
 Stock Ownership by Management .............................     9
Executive Compensation .....................................    10
 Summary Compensation Table ................................    10
 1998 Option Grants ........................................    11
 1998 Option Exercises and Year-End Option Values ..........    11
 Retirement Plans ..........................................    11
 Report of the Compensation & Benefits Committee ...........    12
 Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Total Return ...........    15
 Severance Agreements ......................................
Proxy Statement Table of Contents Page - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---- Notice of Meeting................................................................... 1 Questions and Answers............................................................... 2 Board Meetings and Committees....................................................... 3 Director Compensation............................................................... 4 Proposal 1 -- Election of Directors................................................. 5 Nominees for Election........................................................... 5 Directors Continuing in Office.................................................. 6 Proposal 2 -- Approval of Independent Auditors...................................... 8 Stock Ownership Information......................................................... 8 Compliance with Section 16(a) Reporting......................................... 8 Stock Ownership Guidelines...................................................... 8 Stock Ownership by Management and the Board of Directors........................ 9 Executive Compensation.............................................................. 10 Summary Compensation Table...................................................... 10 1999 Option Grants.............................................................. 11 1999 Option Exercises and Year-End Option Values................................ 11 Retirement Plans................................................................ 12 Report of the Compensation & Benefits Committee................................. 13 Comparison of Five-Year and Ten-Year Cumulative Total Return.................... 15 Severance Agreements............................................................ 17
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please sign and return the proxy card in the enclosed envelope. [OWENS & MINOR, INC. LOGO] NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 1999 TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF OWENSTo Be Held Tuesday, April 25, 2000 To the Shareholders of Owens & MINOR:Minor: The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Owens & Minor will be held on Wednesday,Tuesday, April 28, 199925, 2000 at 10:00 a.m. at the Virginia Historical Society, 428 North Boulevard,Crestar Bank Building, 919 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia. The purposes of the meeting are: 1. To1.To elect threefour directors to serve until the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2002; 2. To2003; 2.To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as independent auditors; and 3. To3.To transact any other business properly before the Annual Meeting. Shareholders as of March 2, 19991, 2000 will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Your attention is directed to the attached Proxy Statement. This Proxy Statement, proxy card and Owens & Minor's 19981999 Annual Report are being distributeddis- tributed on or about March 11, 1999. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS DREW ST.13, 2000. By Order of the Board of Directors Drew St. J. CARNEALCarneal Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary 1 [OWENS & MINOR LOGO] STREET ADDRESS MAILING ADDRESSStreet Address Mailing Address 4800 Cox Road P.O. Box 27626 Glen Allen, Virginia 23060-6292 Richmond, Virginia 23261-7626 PROXY STATEMENT ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON APRIL 28, 1999Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 25, 2000 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Q: WHAT AM I VOTING ON? A: Proposal 1: The election of the following three directors, each for a three-year term: Vernard W. Henley, G. Gilmer Minor, III and Peter S. Redding. Proposal 2: Ratification of KPMG LLP as Owens & Minor's independent auditors. Q: WHO IS ENTITLED TO VOTE? A: Shareholders as of the close of business on March 2, 1999 (the Record Date) are entitled to vote. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote. Q: HOW DO I VOTE? A: Vote by completing, signing and returning the enclosed proxy card. You may revoke a proxy prior to the meeting by (1) submitting a subsequently dated proxy, (2) giving notice in writing to the Secretary of the Company or (3) voting in person at the meeting. Q: WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON'T MAKE SELECTIONS ON MY PROXY CARD? A: If you sign your proxy card, but do not make any selections, you give authority to the individuals designated on the proxy card to vote on the two proposals and any other matter that may arise at the meeting. All proxies will be voted in favor of the election of directors and in favor of the ratification of independent auditors unless otherwise indicated on the proxy card. Q: WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF I GET MORE THAN ONE PROXY CARD? A: Your shares are probably registered differently or are in more than one account. Sign and return all proxy cards to ensure that all your shares are voted. Please have all of your accounts registered in the same name and address. You may do this by contacting our transfer agent, Bank of New York, at 1-800-524-4458. Q: WHAT CONSTITUTES A QUORUM? A: As of March 2, 1999, 32,685,349Q: What am I voting on? A: Proposal 1: The election of the following four directors, each for a three- year term: Josiah Bunting, III, John T. Crotty, James E. Rogers and James E. Ukrop. Proposal 2: Ratification of KPMG LLP as Owens & Minor's independent audi- tors. Q: Who is entitled to vote? A: Shareholders as of the close of business on March 1, 2000 (the Record Date) are entitled to vote. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote. Q: How do I vote? A: Vote by completing, signing and returning the enclosed proxy card. You may revoke a proxy prior to the meeting by (1) submitting a subsequently dated proxy, (2) giving notice in writing to the Secretary of the Company or (3) voting in person at the meeting. Q: What happens if I don't make selections on my proxy card? A: If you sign your proxy card, but do not make any selections, you give authority to the individuals designated on the proxy card to vote on the two proposals and any other matter that may arise at the meeting. All proxies will be voted in favor of the election of directors and in favor of the ratification of independent auditors unless otherwise indicated on the proxy card. Q: What does it mean if I get more than one proxy card? A: Your shares are probably registered differently or are in more than one account. Sign and return all proxy cards to ensure that all your shares are voted. Please have all of your accounts registered in the same name and address. You may do this by contacting our transfer agent, Bank of New York, at 1-800-524-4458. Q: What constitutes a quorum? A: As of March 1, 2000, 32,824,257 shares of Owens & Minor common stock were issued and outstanding. A majority of the outstanding shares, present or represented by proxy, constitutes a quorum. A quorum is required to conduct the Annual Meeting. If you vote by proxy card, you will be considered part of the quorum. Abstentions and shares held by brokers that are voted on any matter are included in the quorum.
2 Q: WHICH SHAREHOLDERS OWN AT LEAST 5% OF OWENS & MINOR? A: Westport Asset Management, Inc. (253 Riverside Avenue, Westport, CT 06880) owned 2,976,450 shares, or 9.11%, as of February 16, 1999. Wellington Management Company, LLP (75 State Street, Boston, MA 02109) owned 2,896,300 shares, or 8.86%, as of December 31, 1998. Valenzuela Capital Partners LLC (1270 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 508, New York, NY 10020) owned 2,211,350 shares, or 6.77%, as of February 1, 1999. Q: WHAT PERCENTAGE OF OWENS & MINOR STOCK IS OWNED BY ITS DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS? A: As of March 2, 1999, approximately 5.5%. Q: WHEN ARE THE YEAR 2000 SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS DUE? A: Shareholder proposals must be submitted in writing by December 11, 1999 to Drew St.J. Carneal, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Owens & Minor, 4800 Cox Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060. Shareholder recommendations for director-nominees must be accompanied by a consent of the nominee to serve if elected and set forth the following: (i) the name and address of the nominating shareholder and each proposed nominee; (ii) the number of shares of common stock owned by the nominating shareholder and each nominee; and (iii) such other information about each nominee as is required by rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission to be disclosed in a proxy statement. Q: WHAT ARE THE COSTS OF SOLICITING PROXIES?Q: Which shareholders own at least 5% of Owens & Minor? A: Wellington Management Company, LLP (75 State Street, Boston, MA 02109) owned 4,475,100 shares, or 13.63%, as of February 9, 2000. Of these 4,475,100 shares, 2,006,100 shares, or 6.11%, were owned by Vanguard Specialized Funds--Vanguard Health Care Fund (P.O. Box 2600, Valley Forge, PA 19482) as of February 4, 2000. Westport Asset Management, Inc. (253 Riverside Avenue, Westport, CT 06880) owned 3,308,250 shares, or 10.08%, as of February 16, 2000. Putnam Investments, Inc. (One Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02109) owned 2,619,669 shares, or 7.98%, as of February 7, 2000. Q. What percentage of Owens & Minor stock is owned by its directors and officers? A: As of March 1, 2000, approximately 8.19%. Q: When are the year 2001 shareholder proposals due? A: Shareholder proposals must be submitted in writing by December 15, 2000 to Drew St.J. Carneal, Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary, Owens & Minor, 4800 Cox Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060. Shareholder recommendations for director-nominees must be accompanied by a consent of the nominee to serve if elected and set forth the following: (i) the name and address of the nominating shareholder and each proposed nominee; (ii) the number of shares of common stock owned by the nominating share- holder and each nominee; and (iii) such other information about each nominee as is required by rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission to be disclosed in a proxy statement. Q: What are the costs of soliciting proxies? A: Owens & Minor will pay all costs of this proxy solicitation. Corporate Investor Communications has been retained to aid in the distribution and solicitation of proxies for approximately $4,000 plus expenses. The Company will reimburse stockbrokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their expenses in forwarding proxy and solicitation materials.
BOARD MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES The Board of Directors held ninesix meetings during 1998.1999. All directors attended at least 75% of the total meetings of the Board of Directors and any committeescommit- tees on which they serve. The Board of Directors has the following committees: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:Executive Committee: Exercises limited powers of the Board when the Board is not in session. AUDIT COMMITTEE:Audit Committee: Oversees the Company's financial reporting and internal control structure and serves as a direct line of communication among the Company's independent auditors, Internal Audit Department and the Board. RecommendsRec- ommends the Company's independent auditors. All members are non-employee directors. COMPENSATIONCompensation & BENEFITS COMMITTEE:Benefits Committee: Administers executive compensation programs,pro- grams, policies and practices. Advises the Board on salaries and compensation of the executive officers and makes other studies and recommendations concerningconcern- ing compensation and compensation policies. All members are non-employee directors. GOVERNANCEGovernance & NOMINATING COMMITTEE:Nominating Committee: Considers and recommends nominees for election as directors and officers. Reviews and evaluates the procedures, practices and policies of the Board and its members. All members are non-employeenon- employee directors. STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE:Strategic Planning Committee: Reviews and makes recommendations for the strategic direction of the Company. 3 BOARD COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
COMPENSATIONCompensation & GOVERNANCEGovernance & STRATEGIC DIRECTOR BOARD AUDIT BENEFITS EXECUTIVE NOMINATING PLANNINGStrategic Director Board Audit Benefits Executive Nominating Planning - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- G. Gilmer Minor, III X X* X - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Henry A. Berling X X X - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Josiah Bunting, III X X X R. E. Cabell, Jr., Esq.- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John T. Crotty X X* X X - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- James B. Farinholt, Jr. X X* X X X*- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vernard W. Henley X X X X - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- E. Morgan Massey X X X X X* - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Peter S. Redding X X X - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- James E. Rogers X X* X X - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- James E. Ukrop X X X X - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Anne Marie Whittemore X X X X* - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No. of meetings in 1998 91999 6 4 5 4 4 32 1
*Chairperson DIRECTOR COMPENSATION EMPLOYEE DIRECTORSEmployee directors receive no additional compensation other than their normalnor- mal salary for serving on the Board or its committees. NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORSNon-employee directors receive the following annual cash and stock compensation:compensa- tion: DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE
TYPE OF COMPENSATION CASH STOCKType of Compensation Cash Stock - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Annual Retainer $ 10,000* $ 10,000*$12,500 $12,500 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Additional Retainer for Committee Chair $ 3,000*3,500 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Board or Committee Attendance Fee (per meeting) $ 1,000*1,200 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Board or Committee Telephone Conference (per meeting) $ 500*600 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stock Options Option for 3000 shares
*Effective April 28, 1999, director compensation will be increased to the following amounts: Annual Retainer (cash), $12,500; Annual Retainer (stock), $12,500; Additional Retainer for Committee Chair, $3,500; Board or Committee Attendance Fee (per meeting), $1,200; Board or Committee Telephone Conference (per meeting), $600. Directors may defer the receipt of all or part of their directorsdirector fees. Amounts deferred are "invested" in bookkeeping accounts that measure earnings and losses based on the performance of a particular investment. Directors may elect to defer their fees into the following two subaccounts: (i) an account based upon the price of the common stock and (ii) an account based upon the current interest rate of the Company's fixed income fund in its 401(k) plan. Subject to certain restrictions, a director may take cash distributions from a deferred fee account either prior to or following the termination of his or her service as a director. Directors are also permitted to receive payment of their director fees in common stock. 4 PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS The Board of Directors is divided into three classes for purposes of election.elec- tion. One class is elected at each Annual Meeting to serve for a three-year term. ThreeFour directors will be elected at the Annual Meeting to serve for a three-year term expiring at the Company's Annual Meeting in the year 2002.2003. Each nominee has agreed to serve if elected. If any nominee is not able to serve, the Board may designate a substitute or reduce the number of directors serving on the Board. Unless otherwise directed, a proxy will be voted for the nominees shown below. Each nominee must be elected by a plurality of shares voted in this election. Votes that are withheld and broker shares that are not voted in the election of directors will not be included in determining the number of votes cast. Information on each nominee and continuing director, including age and principalprin- cipal occupation during the past five years, is set forth below. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTEThe Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH NOMINEE AS DIRECTOR.the election of each nominee as director. NOMINEES FOR ELECTION FOR THREE-YEAR TERM EXPIRINGFor Three-Year Term Expiring in 2003: [PHOTO OF JOSIAH BUNTING, III] Josiah Bunting, III, 59, is Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia. From 1987 to 1995, he served as Headmaster of The Lawrenceville School. Gen- eral Bunting has been a director since 1995. [PHOTO OF JOHN T. CROTTY] John T. Crotty, 62, is Managing Partner of CroBern Management Partnership, a healthcare investment firm, and President of CroBern, Inc., a healthcare consulting and advisory firm. Prior to co-founding these businesses, Mr. Crotty held several senior management positions during 19 years with American Hos- pital Supply Corporation, including corporate vice president of planning and business development and president of the services operating group. He also serves on the Boards of Directors of two private companies in the healthcare industry. Mr. Crotty has been a director since July 1999. [PHOTO OF JAMES E. ROGERS] James E. Rogers, 54, is President of SCI Investors Inc, a private equity investment firm. Mr. Rogers also serves on the Boards of Directors of Wellman, Inc., Caraustar Indus- tries, Inc., Chesapeake Corporation and Vir- ginia Management Investment Corporation. Mr. Rogers has been a director since 1991. [PHOTO OF JAMES E. UKROP] James E. Ukrop, 62, is Chairman of Ukrop's Super Markets, Inc., a retail grocery chain, and Chairman of First Market Bank. Mr. Ukrop also serves on the Board of Directors of Legg Mason, Inc. Mr. Ukrop has been a director since 1987. 5 DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE Terms expiring in 2002: [PHOTO][PHOTO OF VERNARD W. HENLEY, 69,HENLEY] Vernard W. Henley, 70, is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of ConsolidatedConsoli- dated Bank and Trust Company, Richmond, Virginia.Vir- ginia. Mr. Henley has been a director since 1993. [PHOTO][PHOTO OF G. GILMER MINOR,MINOR] G. Gilmer Minor, III, 58,59, is Chairman President and Chief Executive Officer of Owens & Minor. Mr. Minor also serves on the BoardsBoard of Directors of SunTrust Banks, Inc. and Richfood Holdings, Inc. Mr. Minor has been a director since 1980. [PHOTO][PHOTO OF PETER S. REDDING, 60,REDDING] Peter S. Redding, 61, is President and Chief Executive Officer of Standard Register.Register and a member of its Board of Directors. From JanuaryJanu- ary to December 1994, Mr. Redding was ExecutiveExecu- tive Vice President and Chief Operating OfficerOffi- cer of Standard Register. Mr. Redding also serves on Thethe Boards of Directors of KeyBank (Dayton, OH), The Victoria Theatre Association,Associa- tion, The Human Race Theatre, The Children's Medical Center Foundation and the Ohio FoundationFoun- dation of Independent Colleges and Projects Unlimited.Colleges. Mr. Redding would join the Board as a new director of Owens & Minor. 5 DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE TERMS EXPIRING IN 2001: [PHOTO] E. MORGAN MASSEY, 72, is Chairman of Inter-American Coal, N.V. and Chairman Emeritus of A.T. Massey Coal Company, Inc., both coal companies. Mr. Massey also serves as Chairman of the Massey Cancer Center Advisory Board, Richmond, Virginia, and is a member of the Board of Directors of VCU Engineering School Foundation. He is also Vice Chairman of the Marine Advisory Council of the Virginia Institute for Marine Science. Mr. Massey has been a director since 1988. [PHOTO] JAMES B. FARINHOLT, JR., 64, is Special Assistant to the President of Virginia Commonwealth University for Economic Development, advising on campus expansion and commercial- ization of scientific discoveries. From 1978 to 1995, Mr. Farinholt served as President of Galleher & Company, Inc., an investment company, which he sold. Mr. Farinholt has been a director since 1974. [PHOTO] ANNE MARIE WHITTEMORE, 53, is a partner1999. 6 Terms expiring in the law firm of McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe, L.L.P. Mrs. Whittemore also serves on the Boards of Directors of Fort James Corporation, T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and Albemarle Corporation. Mrs. Whittemore has been a director since 1991. [PHOTO]2001: [PHOTO OF HENRY A. BERLING, 56,BERLING] Henry A. Berling, 57, is Executive Vice President,Pres- ident, Partnership Development of Owens & Minor and has served in this position since 1995. From 1996 to 1998, Mr. Berling also served as the Company's Chief Sales Officer. Mr. Berling served as Executive Vice President,Presi- dent, Sales and Customer Development from 1994 to 1995. Mr. Berling has been a director since 1998. 6 TERMS EXPIRING IN 2000: [PHOTO] JOSIAH BUNTING, III, 58,[PHOTO OF JAMES B. FAIRNHOLT, JR.] James B. Farinholt, Jr., 65, is SuperintendentSpecial Assistant to the President of the Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.Com- monwealth University for Economic Develop- ment, advising on campus expansion and com- mercialization of scientific discoveries. From 19871978 to 1995, heMr. Farinholt served as HeadmasterPresident of The Lawrenceville School. General BuntingGalleher & Company, Inc., an investment company, which he sold. Mr. Farinholt has been a director since 1995. [PHOTO] JAMES1974. [PHOTO OF E. UKROP, 61,MORGAN MASSEY] E. Morgan Massey, 73, is Chairman of Ukrop's Super Markets,Asian- American Coal, Inc. and Chairman Emeritus of A.T. Massey Coal Company, Inc., a retail grocery chain, andboth coal companies. Mr. Massey is Chairman of First Market Bank.Evan Energy Company, a private company with coal, oil, gas and pipeline investments. He is a member of the Board of Directors of VCU Engi- neering School Foundation and is also Vice Chairman of the Marine Advisory Council of the Virginia Institute for Marine Science. Mr. UkropMassey has been a director since 1988. [PHOTO OF ANNE MARIE WHITTEMORE] Anne Marie Whittemore, 54, is a partner in the law firm of McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe LLP. Mrs. Whittemore also serves on the Boards of Directors of Richfood Holdings, Inc.and Legg Mason,Fort James Corpo- ration, T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. Mr. Ukropand Albemarle Corporation. Mrs. Whittemore has been a director since 1987. [PHOTO] JAMES E. ROGERS, 53, is President of SCI Investors Inc, a private equity investment firm. Mr. Rogers also serves on the Boards of Directors of Wellman, Inc. and Caraustar Industries, Inc. Mr. Rogers has been a director since 1991. RETIRING DIRECTOR Effective at the Annual Meeting, Mr. Cabell will retire as a director because he has reached our mandatory retirement age. The Company gratefully acknowledges Mr. Cabell's 37 years of service and dedication to Owens & Minor. [PHOTO] R.E. CABELL, JR., ESQ., 75, is retired (Of Counsel) from the law firm of Williams, Mullen, Christian & Dobbins. Mr. Cabell also serves on the Board of Directors of The C.F. Sauer Company and is a Trustee of Hampden-Sydney College. Mr. Cabell has been a director since 1962. 7 PROPOSAL 2: APPROVAL OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS The Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of its Audit Committee, has appointed KPMG LLP to serve as the Company's independent auditors for 1999,2000, subject to ratification by the shareholders. Unless otherwise directed, a proxy will be voted for the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as independent auditors of the Company. Representatives of KPMG LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting to answer questions and to make a statement, if they desire to do so. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTEThe Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR THE RATIFICATION OFthe ratification of KPMG LLP AS OWENSas Owens & MINOR'S INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR 1999.Minor's independent auditors for 2000. STOCK OWNERSHIP INFORMATION COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) REPORTINGCompliance With Section 16(a) Reporting Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's directors and executive officers to file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of holdings and transactions in the Company's common stock. Based on the Company's records and information provided by the directorsdirec- tors and officers, the Company believes that the filing requirements were satisfiedsat- isfied in 1998, except that an option grant to Gloria Farrow, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Human Resources, was reported late due to a Company reporting error. STOCK OWNERSHIP GUIDELINES1999. Stock Ownership Guidelines Under the Company's Management Equity Ownership Program (MEOP) adopted in 1997, officers are expected, over a five-year period, to achieve the following levels of ownership of common stock: Officer Value of Common Stock Owned - - ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------
Officer Value of Common Stock Owned ------- --------------------------- Chief Executive Officer 4.0 x Base Salary Executive Vice Presidents 2.0 x Base Salary Senior Vice Presidents 1.5 x Base Salary Vice Presidents, Group and Regional Vice Presidents 1.0 x Base Salary
In addition, the Board of Directors adopted a policy in 1997 that each director achieve, over a five-year period, a level of ownership in common stock equal to at least five times the annual retainer fee (including both cash and stock retainer). 8 STOCK OWNERSHIP BY MANAGEMENTStock Ownership By Management and the Board of Directors This table shows as of March 2, 19991, 2000 the number of shares of common stock beneficiallyben- eficially owned by each director and nominee, the Company's five most highly compensated officers and all current executive officers and directors of the Company as a group.
SOLE VOTING AGGREGATE NAME OF AND INVESTMENT PERCENTAGE BENEFICIAL OWNER POWER(1) OTHER(2) OWNEDSole Voting Aggregate Name of and Investment Percentage Beneficial Owner Power(1) Other(2) Owned - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- G. Gilmer Minor, III 715,817805,038 13,976 2.2%2.48% - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Henry A. Berling 406,317438,449 8,457 1.3%1.36% - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Josiah Bunting, III 9,13513,385 0 * R. E. Cabell, Jr. 89,103 8,655- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- John T. Crotty 5,148 0 * - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- James B. Farinholt, Jr. 20,69922,417 0 * - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vernard W. Henley 14,849 75019,067 0 * - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- E. Morgan Massey 210,696431,446 23,000 *1.38% - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Peter S. Redding 05,613 0 * - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- James E. Rogers 23,69325,411 0 * - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- James E. Ukrop 55,01472,450 0 * - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Anne Marie Whittemore 21,41329,942 225 * - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Craig R. Smith 139,202 45180,290 1,393 * Ann Greer Rector 48,630 2,342 *- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Drew St.J. Carneal 93,283 2,191117,842 2,572 * - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- F. Lee Marston 23,530 426 * - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- All Executive Officers and Directors as a group (26(25 persons) 2,167,072 58,157 5.5%2,706,219 62,012 8.19%
*Represents less than 1% of the total number of shares outstanding. (1) Includes 808,262985,694 shares which certain officers and directors of the CompanyCom- pany have the right to acquire through the exercise of stock options within 60 days following March 2, 1999.1, 2000. Stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 2, 19991, 2000 for each of the Named Executive Officers are as follows: Mr. Minor 190,000,242,000, Mr. Smith 107,750,141,250, Mr. Berling 80,000, Mrs. Rector 41,100,105,000, Mr. Carneal 61,500.77,700 , Mr. Marston 17,600 (2) Includes: (a) shares held by certain relatives or in estates; (b) shares held in various fiduciary capacities; (c) shares held by the 401(k) plan; and (d) shares for which the shareholder has shared power to dispose or to direct disposition. These shares may be deemed to be beneficially owned under the rules and regulations of the SEC, but the inclusion of such shares in the table does not constitute an admission of beneficial ownership. 9 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE This table shows for each of the past three years the compensation paid by the Company to its five most highly compensated officers (Named Executive Officers)Offi- cers).
ANNUAL COMPENSATION LONG-TERM COMPENSATIONAnnual Compensation Long-Term Compensation (1) AWARDS OTHER RESTRICTED SECURITIES ANNUAL STOCK UNDERLYING ALL OTHER COMPENSATION AWARDS OPTIONS COMPENSATION NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Awards --------------------- Other Restricted Securities Annual Stock Underlying All Other Compensation Awards Options Compensation Name and Principal Position Year Salary ($) BONUSBonus ($) ($)(2) ($)(3) (#)(4) ($)(5) - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- G. Gilmer Minor, III 1999 $518,071 $ 0 -- $215,004 55,000 $34,523 Chairman & Chief 1998 $503,462 $118,125503,462 118,125 -- $239,532239,532 50,000 $36,724 Chairman, President &36,724 Executive Officer 1997 476,926 110,000 -- 227,500 50,000 35,921 Chief Executive Officer 1996 409,619- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Craig R. Smith 1999 321,392 0 -- 0 45,000 33,217 Craig R. Smith19,827 50,000 18,735 President, Chief 1998 266,676 65,314 -- 60,202 25,000 18,807 Executive Vice PresidentOperating Officer 1997 262,062 64,974 -- 47,380 20,000 17,978 Chief Operating Officer 1996 231,620- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Henry A. Berling 1999 283,346 0 -- 0 20,000 15,563 Henry A. Berling63,362 25,000 19,876 Executive Vice 1998 266,676 61,145 -- 70,873 25,000 21,199 Executive Vice President, Partnership 1997 256,369 60,996 -- 68,289 25,000 20,706 Partnership Development 1996 223,789- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Drew St.J. Carneal 1999 195,133 0 -- 0 15,000 15,133 Ann Greer Rector 1998 226,246 52,820 -- 24,266 15,000 10,24035,245 18,000 5,006 Senior Vice President 1997 201,539 52,875 -- 17,043 15,000 9,602 Chief Financial Officer 1996 159,866 0 -- 0 15,000 2,777 Drew St.J. Carneal 1998 182,630 47,549 -- 40,417 15,000 5,006 Senior Vice PresidentGeneral Counsel & 1997 178,800 41,860 -- 37,765 15,000 4,791 General Counsel & Secretary 1996 167,633- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- F. Lee Marston 1999 197,613 0 -- 5,000 5,000 18,595 Senior Vice President, 1998 189,072 38,427 -- 12,504 8,000 16,913 Chief Information 1997 131,539 57,435 -- 7,763 10,000 0 15,000 2,894Officer (6) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The Company has no Long-Term Incentive Plans as defined by applicable SEC rules. (2) None of the Named Executive Officers received Other Annual Compensation in excess of the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of combined salary and bonus for fiscal years 1999, 1998 1997 or 1996.1997. (3) Of the total Restricted Stock awards for 1998,1999, $5,000 of restricted stock (602 shares) was granted to each Named Executive Officer as an incentive award (to vest if the officer remains an employee of the Company for one year), and the following amounts were awarded to the Named Executive Officer for achieving his or her stock ownership requirement under the Management Equity Ownership Program: Mr. Minor $210,000 Mrs. Rector $11,061 Mr. Smith $ 43,873 Mr. Carneal $28,529 Mr. Berling $ 55,586Own- ership Program (MEOP): Mr. Minor $210,004 Mr. Smith $ 14,827 Mr. Berling $ 58,362
Mr. Carneal $30,245 Mr. Marston $ 0
Aggregate restricted stock holdings and values at December 31, 19981999 for the Named Executive Officers are as follows.follows: Mr. Minor 54,169 shares, $484,135 Mr. Smith 8,709 shares, $ 77,837 Mr. Berling 15,680 shares, $140,140
Mr. Carneal 8,525 shares, $76,192 Mr. Marston 1,328 shares, $11,869
Dividends are paid on restricted stock at the same rate as all shareholders of record. Mr. Minor 29,891 shares, $470,783 Mrs. Rector 3,329 shares, $52,432 Mr. Smith 6,593 shares, $103,840 Mr. Carneal 4,784 shares, $75,348 Mr. Berling 8,759 shares, $137,954 (4) No SARs were granted in 1999, 1998 1997 or 1996.1997. (5) Includes for each officer Company contributions or benefits attributable in 1999 to the following:
401(k) Plan Stock Purchase Plan Company-Owned Life Insurance ------------- --------------------- ---------------------------------------- ------------------- ---------------------------- Mr. Minor $5,000 $720 $31,004$28,803 Mr. Smith 5,000 225 13,582431 13,304 Mr. Berling 5,000 0 16,199 Mrs. Rector14,876 Mr. Carneal 4,286 720 5,2340 Mr. CarnealMarston 4,286 720 0 14,309
In addition, Mr. Minor was granted a performance award in lieu of a 1999 salary increase pursuant to which he will be issued 10,000 shares of common stock if, within two years of the award date, the common stock closes on the New York Stock Exchange at a price equal to or greater than $18.00 per share. (6) Mr. Marston joined the Company on March 27, 1997. 10 19981999 OPTION GRANTS This table shows options granted during 19981999 to the Named Executive Officers.Offi- cers. The Company granted no SARs during 1998.1999.
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS(1) VALUE(2) NUMBER OF SECURITIESIndividual Grants(1) Value(2) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Securities % OF TOTAL UNDERLYING OPTIONS GRANTED EXERCISE OR OPTIONS TO EMPLOYEES BASE PRICE EXPIRATION GRANT DATE NAME GRANTED IN FISCAL YEARof Total Underlying Options Granted Exercise or Options to Employees Base Price Expiration Grant Date Name Granted in Fiscal Year ($/SHARES) DATE PRESENT VALUEShare) Date Present Value ($) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- G. Gilmer Minor, III 50,000 9.91% $ 13.562555,000 9.70% $14.375 2/02/08 $204,50001/09 $239,250 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Craig R. Smith 25,000 4.96% 13.562530,000 5.29% 14.375 2/02/08 102,25001/09 130,500 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 20,000 3.52% 10.000 4/28/09 87,000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Henry A. Berling 25,000 4.96% 13.56254.41% 14.375 2/02/08 102,250 Ann Greer Rector 15,000 2.97% 13.5625 2/02/08 61,35001/09 108,750 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Drew St.J. Carneal 15,000 2.97% 13.562518,000 3.18% 14.375 2/02/08 61,35001/09 78,300 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- F. Lee Marston 5,000 0.88% 14.375 2/01/09 21,750
(1) The vesting schedule is as follows: 40% on 2/2/99;, 30% on 2/2/00; and 30% on 2/2/01.first, second and third anniversary of grant date. (2) Based upon Black Scholes option valuation model. Assumptions include a risk-free interest rate of 4.7%6.4%, annual dividend yield of 1.47%2.0%, an average period outstanding of 4.13.6 years and expected volatility of approximately 35.11%35.3%. 19981999 OPTION EXERCISES AND YEAR-END OPTION VALUES This table shows for the Named Executive Officers any options exercised during 1998dur- ing 1999 and unexercised options held on December 31, 1998.1999. There were no SARs exercised during 19981999 or outstanding on December 31, 1998.1999. Value of unexercisedunexer- cised options is calculated using the difference between the option exercise price and $15.75$8.9375 (year-end stock price) multiplied by the number of shares underlying the option.
SHARES NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF ACQUIRED UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY UPON VALUE OPTIONS AT YEAR END OPTIONS AT YEAR END NAME EXERCISE REALIZED EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLENumber of Securities Value of Shares Underlying Unexercised Unexercised In-the-Money Acquired Options at Year End Options at Year End Upon Value ------------------------- ------------------------- Name Exercise Realized Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- G. Gilmer Minor, III 0 $ 0 141,500 93,500 $152,251 $227,406190,000 100,000 * * - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Craig R. Smith 10,500 73,941 85,750 43,000 128,489 103,0630 0 107,750 71,000 * * - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Henry A. Berling 22,500 211,883 58,000 44,500 63,456 109,344 Ann Greer Rector 0 0 28,500 28,500 97,519 78,54480,000 47,500 * * - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Drew St.J. Carneal 22,500 150,008 46,500 28,500 48,709 69,0940 0 61,500 31,500 * * - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- F. Lee Marston 0 0 10,200 12,800 * *
*There were no outstanding in-the-money options as of December 31, 1999. 11 RETIREMENT PLANS PENSION PLAN.Pension Plan. The Company provides retirement benefits under a defined benefitbene- fit pension plan to substantially all employees who had earned benefits as of December 31, 1996. Benefits under the pension plan are based upon both length of service and compensation and are determined under a formula based on an individual's earnings and years of credited service. Funding is determined on an actuarial basis. Effective December 31, 1996, participants in the pension plan ceased to accrue additional benefits; provided, however, that participantspartici- pants who havehad completed at least five years of service as of January 1, 1997 and whose age plus years of service equaled at least 65 continue to earn an accrued benefit until the earlier of (i) December 31, 2001 or (ii) until retirement, death or termination of employment (with the exception of certain highly compensatedcom- pensated employees if the pension plan does not meet certain coverage requirementsrequire- ments of the Internal Revenue Code). 11 The following table shows estimated annual benefits payable under the pension plan at normal retirement age of 65 years based on the specified remuneration and years of service:
AVERAGE STRAIGHT LIFE ANNUITY BENEFITS BASED ON YEARS OF CREDITED SERVICE AVERAGE COMPENSATION(1)Average Straight Life Annuity Benefits Based on Years of Credited Service Average ------------------------------------------------------------------ Compensation(1) 15 YRS.yrs. 20 YRS.yrs. 25 YRS.yrs. 30 YRS.yrs. 35 YRS.yrs. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 200,000 32,055 41,674 51,293 60,912 70,531 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 250,000 36,265 48,364 60,462 72,561 84,660 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 300,000 39,736 54,315 68,893 83,472 98,050 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 350,000 43,208 60,266 77,325 94,383 111,441 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 400,000 46,680 66,218 85,756 105,294 124,832 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 450,000 50,151 72,169 94,187 116,205 130,000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 500,000 53,623 78,121 102,618 127,116 130,000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 550,000 57,095 84,072 111,049 130,000 130,000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 600,000 60,566 90,023 119,480 130,000 130,000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 650,000 64,038 95,975 127,911 130,000 130,000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 700,000 67,510 101,926 130,000 130,000 130,000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 750,000 70,981 107,878 130,000 130,000 130,000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 800,000 74,453 113,829 130,000 130,000 130,000
(1) Average compensation represents compensation based upon a benefit formulafor- mula applied to an employee's career average earnings, which approximates the amount of salary set forth in the Summary Compensation Table. The maximum amount of covered compensation is $160,000, or some other amount as may be determined by the Secretary of Treasury pursuant to Section 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code. Benefits are computed on a straight-life annuity basis, and are not subject to offset for Social Security benefits or other amounts. The years of service credited for the Named Executive Officers under the pension plan are presently as follows: Mr. Minor, 3534 years; Mr. Smith, 7 years; Mr. Berling, 3231 years; Mrs. Rector, 0Mr. Carneal, 9 years; and Mr. Carneal, 10Marston, 0 years. SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN.Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. The Company provides supplemental retirement benefits to certain employees selected by the Compensation & BenefitsBene- fits Committee under the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP). The SERP entitles participants to receive a specified percentage of the participant'spartici- pant's average base monthly salary during the five years preceding his or her retirement (in the case of the Named Executive Officers, 65%) reduced by the benefit payable under the pension plan, Social Security and Social Security.any defined bene- fit pension plan of a prior employer. The estimated annual benefits payable under the SERP upon retirement at normal retirement age for the Named ExecutiveExecu- tive Officers are: Mr. Minor $237,666,$237,944, Mr. Smith $144,524,$144,883, Mr. Berling $111,673, Mrs. Rector $128,970,$110,092, Mr. Carneal $86,747.$ 84,355, Mr. Marston $106,690. 12 REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION & BENEFITS COMMITTEE The Compensation & Benefits Committee (Compensation Committee) is comprised of five outside directors who are not current or past employees of the Company.Compa- ny. The Compensation Committee's primary functions of the Compensation Committee are toto: . oversee the design and competitiveness of the Company's total compensationcompensa- tion program, to. evaluate the performance of the Company's senior executives and approve related compensation actions, and to. administer the Company's compensation plans for employees who are subject to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in accordance with the terms of each respective plan.officers. The Compensation Committee met fourfive times during 1998. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY1999. Executive Compensation Philosophy The Compensation Committee's philosophy is toto: . establish and maintain programs and practices that promote achievement of the Company's strategic objectives, . provide rewards that reflect the Company's performance, and . align executives' financial interests with those of shareholders. CompensationTo accomplish this, compensation for executives is therefore based uponon measures of the Company's financial performance and strategic results that are intendedshould translate to lead to the creation ofincreased shareholder value. The Compensation Committee also strives to maintain market competitive compensation levels and therefore regularlycom- pensation levels. To meet this objective, the Compensation Committee evaluates executive compensation levels through comparisons againstto the peer 12 companies reflectedincluded in the Performance Graphperformance graph of this proxy statement, and other companies of similar size and operating characteristics. Base salary levels generallysalaries are targeted at competitive market averagesmedian for like experienced executives. Annual incentive compensation opportunities, when combined with base salaries, are intended to fully reach competitive averagemedian total cash compensation levels as warranted by the Company's and the individual officer's performance. Longer-term incentive compensation opportunities, such as stock options and restricted stock, link executive compensation with achievement of strategic objectives and shareholdershare- holder value growth. This combination is intended to focus management on the annual and longer-term success of the Company. The Compensation Committee recognizes that sometimes it may sometimes beis necessary to sacrificesac- rifice short-term financial performance to obtain longer-term business success. This belief leads thesuc- cess. The Compensation Committee to regularly monitormonitors the balance between annual and longer-term rewards and actacts as needed to encourage meaningful levels of share ownership among executives. The Management Equity Ownership Program (MEOP) adopted in 1997 for the Company's officers works to further alignaligns the interests of executives and shareholders. Committee Process and Compensation Administration In deciding base salary levels, incentive payments and granting of stock options and restricted stock, the Compensation Committee looks to the Chief Executive Officer for recommendations on senior executives. The Compensation Committee meets privately, without the presence of management, including the Chief Executive Officer, to determine compensation actions for the Chief Exec- utive Officer. To maintain the desired level of competitiveness and techni- cally sound compensation and benefit programs, the Compensation Committee obtains input from the Company's Human Resources Department and periodically from outside advisors. Base Salary In 1999 the Chief Executive Officer received no increase in base salary. In lieu of a base salary increase, the Chief Executive Officer will receive a performance-based stock award of 10,000 shares of common stock, if the stock price is at or above $18.00 per share on or before April 28, 2001. The other four Named Executive Officers' base salaries were adjusted in 19981999 to maintain competitive pay levels consistent with the Compensation Committee's compensationcompensa- tion philosophy. TheMr. Smith was promoted from Executive Vice President for Operations to President in 1999, and his base salary was increased to a level appropriate for the Chief Executive Officer increased 5% over the 1997 level.President position. Base salaries for the other three Named Executive Officers increased an average of 4.7%4.9% over 19971998 levels. COMMITTEE PROCESS AND ANNUAL INCENTIVE PLAN Early each13 Annual Incentive Each year the Compensation Committee meets to review key aspects of the upcoming year's business plan and to establish Annual Incentive Plan goals for each corporate officer, including the Chief Executive Officer, executive and senior vice presidents and vice presidents.Officer. Goals under this plan are weighted to reflect their importance and contribution to desired Company performance and therefore shareholder outcomes.experience. The 19981999 Annual Incentive Plan goals for named executives were based onincluded a minimum net income goal, Company results in two areas: the Company's earnings per share (EPS) achievementmeasured by revenue growth and profitability, as well as pre-established personal performance objectives. These goals were weighted two-thirds basedthree-fourths on EPSrevenue growth and one-thirdprofitability performance and one-fourth on personal performance objectives for the Chief Executive Officer and each of the other Named Executive Officers.Offi- cers; provided that payout on any financial or personal performance goal achieved was contingent upon meeting the minimum net income goal. The CompensationCompen- sation Committee receives periodic updates during the year on business performanceperfor- mance in relation to incentive plan goals, particularly with respect to senior executives. Discussions of management contribution and performance are the norm, not the exception, in Compensation Committee meetings. At the close of each year, the Compensation Committee meets to discuss financial and other performanceper- formance compared to Annual Incentive Plan goals and longer-term strategic business goals. These longer-term business goals center around the Company's strategic objectives to remain customer oriented in everything it does and to actively evolve its business consistent with the service needs of customers and the Company's markets. In decidingFor 1999 the levelCompany showed a moderate increase in sales to $3.19 billion from $3.08 billion in 1998. Excluding the effects of annual salary increases, incentive payments and granting of stock options, the Compensation Committee looks to the Chief Executive Officer for recommendations on senior executives and then meets privately, without the presence of management, including the Chief Executive Officer in relation to his own compensation, to determine compensation actions. The Compensation Committee's decision-making process is benefited by input from the Company's Human Resources Department, and periodically from outside advisors, to maintain the desired level of competitiveness and technically sound compensation and benefit programs. The lossrestructuring charge taken in 1998 of Columbia/HCA as a customer was moderated byand the aggressive actions of management to add new business with favorable terms. These efforts kept Company salesrelated credit taken in 1998 level with 1997 at $3.1 billion, and1999, net income excluding the non-recurring restructuring charge dueincreased to the Columbia/HCA loss was$27.4 million in 1999, compared to $26.8 million versus $24.3 million in 1997.1998. Net income per diluted common share, excluding the effects of the restructuring charge and related credit, was $.75$0.80, compared to $.60$0.75 in 1997.1998. The maximumtarget cash award payable under the Company's Annual Incentive Plan to the Chief Executive Officer for full attainment of EPSmeeting targeted Company financial and personalper- sonal performance goals would be 50%was 44% of his base salary. An annual incentive cash awardAlthough the Company showed growth in revenues and profitability for 1999 and many personal perfor- mance objectives were achieved, the amount of $118,125, or 22.5% of base salary,minimum net income goal was paid tonot met. Therefore, the Named Executive Officers, including the Chief Executive OfficerOffi- cer, received no bonus under the Company's Annual Incentive Plan. All Named Executive Officers did receive a one-time award of $5,000 in common stock to recognize achievement of specific fourth quarter performance objectives. The shares are restricted and vest provided the officer remains an employee of the Company for 1998 performance.one year. Under the Company's Annual Incentive Plan, executives are also eligible to receive a bonus of common stock equivalent to an additional 25% of the cash incentive payment. The shares are restricted and vest provided the officer maintains a continuous employment relationship withremains an employee of the Company for the following three years. The restricted stock bonus for Named Executive Officers is dependent on performanceperfor- mance against the same goals as for the Annual Incentive Plan. The Chief Executive Officer and otherBecause no bonus was paid to the Named Executive Officers each received a 13 restrictedfrom the Company's Annual Incentive Plan, no common stock bonus equal to 25%was earned by the Named Executive Officers under this provision of the cash annual incentive award paid for 1998 performance. The value of restricted stock provided to the Chief Executive Officer was $29,532. LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLANPlan. Long-Term Incentive Plan Each year the Compensation Committee considers the desirability of granting senior executives awards under the Company's stock option plan. The plan provides for the use of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted and performance-based awards, and stock appreciation rights. The Compensation Committee's decision to grant stock options is discretionary and largely determined by key financial performance measures and strategic accomplishments, thoughalthough there are no specific performanceper- formance targets are applied for this purpose. Option grant decisions may also be based upon outstanding individual performance, job promotions and greater responsibilityresponsi- bility within the Company. Stock option levelsoptions are a key component of a competitive total compensation and include such considerations as salary grade levels, responsibility levels and expectations of future impact on overall Company performance.pro- gram. The Compensation Committee believes stock option grants have historicallyhistori- cally been effective in helping to focusfocusing executives on enhancing long-term profitabilityprofitabil- ity and shareholder value. The Compensation Committee granted 50,00055,000 stock options to the Chief Executive Officer in 19981999 to encourage future growth in shareholder returns. Grants were also provided to the other Named Executive Officers. The Compensation Committee does not specifically consider the number of options currently held by an officer in determining current option grant levels. MANAGEMENT EQUITY OWNERSHIP PROGRAM14 Management Equity Ownership Program As stated earlier, in 1997 the Compensation Committee approved the ManagementManage- ment Equity Ownership Program (MEOP) for members of the management team, including each of the Named Executive Officers. This program is intended to strengthen the alignment of management and shareholder interests by creating meaningful levels of stock ownership by management. An ownership target has been determined for each level of the management team. These targets range from four times salary for the Chief Executive Officer to one times salary for Regional Vice Presidents. Eligible holdings in meeting these targets include direct holdings, indirect holdings, shares held through Company plans such as the 401(k) Plan and Stock Purchase Plan and restricted stock holdings. Participants are given a five year period to progress to the full targetTo encour- age ownership amount with interim ownership requirements toand help senior management meet each year. During the initialtheir equity investment phase, 4% of any 1998 salary increase was delivered in the form of restricted stock. Participants have the optiontargets, participants may elect to receive a portion of their annual cash incentive award in restricted stock. The Company provides no loans to assist partici- pants in meeting their ownership targets. Participants are given a five-year period to reach the full target ownership amount with interim ownership targets to meet each year. As of December 31, 1999, the value of the stock to help meet their equity investment requirements. In addition,owned by participants, in aggregate, well exceeded the aggregate full target ownership amount. If a participant meets his or her target level of ownership, a 10% annual equity ownership dividend is paid on all common stock owned up to the participant'spartici- pant's full target level. The dividend is paid in the form of restricted stock and will vest five years after grant if the desired ownership level is achieved and maintained.main- tained. If a participant's ownership falls below the desired ownership level, a portion of his or her annual bonus and/or salary increase, if earned, will be paid in the form of restricted stock and dividend shares will be forfeited until the requiredtarget ownership level is met. During 1998, 4% of1999, the Chief Executive Officer's salary increaseOfficer was paid in the form of restricted stock andgranted an annual dividend of 13,25423,497 restricted shares was granted. CORPORATE TAX CONSIDERATIONSshares. Corporate Tax Considerations Congress passed a law effective in 1994, covered in Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, that disallows corporate tax deductions for executive compensation in excess of $1 million for "proxy table" executives. This law does allow for certain exemptions to the deduction cap, including pay plans that depend on formulas rather than discretion and therefore are "performance-based."performance- based." All current executive compensation is fully deductible. The Compensation Committee intends for the Company's pay plans and actions to be performance-basedperformance- based and therefore fully eligible for compensation expense deductions. The foregoing report has been furnished by Mrs. Whittemore and Messrs. Henley, Massey,Hen- ley, Redding, Rogers (Chairman) and Ukrop. 14 COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR AND TEN-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN The following performance graph comparesgraphs compare the performance of the Company's common stock to the S&P 500 Index and a Peer Group (which includes the Company and the companies listed below) for the last five and ten years. TheWe revised our Peer Group this year because two members of the group were acquired during 1999, and we wanted the group to be more representative of product distribu- tion within the healthcare industry as opposed to distribution generally. Therefore, we have deleted companies from the Peer Group that do not conduct business in healthcare product distribution and added four companies that engage in healthcare product distribution. In addition, to provide a more bal- anced view of the Company's historical stock performance, we are providing performance graphs for both a five-year and ten-year horizon. 15 10-YEAR TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN This graph assumes that the value of the investment in the common stock and each index was $100 on December 31, 19931989 and that all dividends were reinvested. 5-YEAR TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURNreinvest- ed. [GRAPH]
Dec-89 Dec-90 Dec-91 Dec-92 Dec-93 Dec-94 Dec-95 Dec-96 Dec-97 Dec-98 Dec-99 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dec-93 Owens & Minor, Inc. 100 120 246 272 429 403 366 299 429 473 275 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- S&P 500 100 97 126 136 150 152 209 256 342 440 532 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Industry Peer Index(1) 100 110 122 141 177 159 222 271 398 582 284 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Old Industry Peer Index(2) 100 103 121 156 193 197 264 348 470 598 382
5-YEAR TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN This graph assumes that the value of the investment in the common stock and each index was $100 on December 31, 1994 and that all dividends were reinvest- ed. [GRAPH]
Dec-94 Dec-95 Dec-96 Dec-97 Dec-98 Dec-99 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Owens & Minor, Inc. 100 94 85 70 100 11091 74 106 117 68 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------- S&P 500 100 101 139 171 229 294138 169 226 290 351 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------- New Industry Peer IndexIndex(1) 100 102 137 181 244 310140 171 250 366 178 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Old Industry Peer Index(2) 100 134 177 239 304 194
[*Graphs prepared by William M. Mercer, Incorporated] 16 (1) The New Peer Group selected for purposes of the above graph consistsperformance graphs con- sists of companies engaged in the business of healthcare product distribution and includes Owens & Minor, Inc., AmeriSource Health Corporation, Bergen Brunswig Corporation, Bindley Western Industries, Inc., Cardinal Health, Inc., Henry Schein Inc., McKesson HBOC, Inc., Moore Medical Corp. and PSS World Med- ical, Inc. (2) The Old Peer Group, also shown for comparison purposes, consists of cer- tain companies engaged in healthcare product distribution and non-healthcare related distribution and includes Owens & Minor, Inc., Arrow Electronics, Inc., Bergen Brunswig Corp.,Corporation, Bindley Western Industries, Inc., Cardinal Health, Inc., Hughes Supply, Inc., Moore Medical Corp., Nash Finch Company,Co., Richfood Holdings, Inc., United Stationers Inc. and VWR Scientific Products Corp. SEVERANCE AGREEMENTS The Company has entered into Severance Agreements with certain officers in order to encourage key management personnel to remain with the Company and to avoid distractions regarding potential or actual changes in control of the Company. The Severance Agreements provide for the payment of a severance benefit if the officer's employment with the Company is terminated for any reason (other than as a consequence of death, disability or normal retirement) within two years after a change in control. For the Named Executive Officers, the severancesever- ance benefit is equal to 2.99 times the officer's annual base salary plus bonus. Each Severance Agreement continues in effect through December 31, 1999,2000, and unless notice is given to the contrary, the term is automatically extended for an additional year at the end of each year. March 11, 1999 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS13, 2000 By Order of the Board of Directors DREW ST. J. CARNEAL Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary 1517 [This Page Left Intentionally Blank] Directions to Owens & Minor, Inc. Annual Meeting of Shareholders Wednesday,Tuesday, April 28, 199925, 2000 -- 10:00 a.m. Virginia Historical Society 428 North BoulevardCrestar Bank Building 919 East Main Street Richmond, Virginia The Boulevard is Exit 78[GRAPHIC MAP] Suggested Parking (1) Standard Parking surface lot on both I-64south side of Cary Street between 8th and I-95: From Washington DC, follow I-95 South9th Streets. (2) Standard Parking surface lot on north side of Cary Street at 8th and Cary. (3) Standard Parking surface lot on east side of 8th Street between Main and Cary Streets. (4) Crestar Bank Building parking deck on Cary Street beyond 9th Street. If you park in one of the above lots, please bring your parking ticket to the exit. From Petersburg, follow I-95 North. From Charlottesville, follow I-64 East. From Norfolkmeeting and the Airport, follow I-64 West. Take the Boulevard south just past Kensington Avenue, turn right into the Virginia Historical Society. Parking is available behind the building and in the adjacent Virginia Museum parking lot.we will provide validation stickers. OWENS & MINOR, INC. P R O X YPROXY Solicited by the Board of Directors for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders The undersigned hereby appoints Henry A. Berling, James B. Farinholt, E. Morgan MasseyVernard W. Henley, G. Gilmer Minor, III and Anne Marie WhittemorePeter S. Redding (and if the undersigned is a proxy, the substitute proxy) and each of them with power of substitution, the proxies of the undersigned to vote all shares held of record on March 2, 19991, 2000 by the undersigned as directed on the reverse side and in their discretion on all other matters which may properly come before the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Owens & Minor, Inc., to be held on April 28, 199925, 2000 at 10:00 A.M. at the Virginia Historical Society, 428 North Boulevard,Crestar Bank Building, 919 E. Main Street, Richmond, Virginia, and any adjournments or postponements thereof. The undersigned directs said proxies to vote as specified upon the Itemsitems shown herein which are referred to in the Notice of Annual Meeting and as set forth in the Proxy Statement. This Proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed by the undersigned shareholder(s). If no direction is made, this Proxy will be voted FOR Proposals 1 and 2. (Continued and to be dated and signed on the reverse side.) OWENS & MINOR, INC. P.O. BOX 11421 NEW YORK, N.Y. 10203-0421
[ ] The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Proposals 1 and 2. 1. Election of Directors FOR all nominees [X] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to [X] FOR ALL EXCEPT [X] vote for all nominees nominee(s) marked in space below For a term of three years: Vernard W. Henley, G. Gilmer Minor, III and Peter S. Redding. (INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark the "FOR ALL EXCEPT" box and write the nominee's(s') name(s) in the space provided below. Your shares will be voted for the remaining nominee(s).) - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Ratification of appointment of KPMG LLP as independent auditors. 3. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting. FOR [X] AGAINST [X] ABSTAIN [X] Change of Address and [X] or Comments Mark Here Please sign exactly as your name appears herein. Attorneys-in-fact, executors, administrators, trustees and guardians should 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. Shareholders who are present at the meeting may withdraw their proxy and vote in person if they so desire. Dated:_______________________________________, 1999 ___________________________________________________ Signature ___________________________________________________If Mailing Your Proxy, Please Detach Here You Must Detach This Portion of the Proxy Card Before Returning it in the Enclosed Envelope The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Proposals 1 and 2. 1. Election of Directors FOR all nominees [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees [ ] FOR ALL EXCEPT nominee(s) marked in space below [ ] For a term of three years: Josiah Bunting, III, John T. Crotty, James E. Rogers and James E. Ukrop. (INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark the "FOR ALL EXCEPT" box and write the nominee's(s') name(s) in the space provided below. Your shares will be voted for the remaining nominee(s).) _______________________________________________________________________________ 2. Ratification of appointment of KPMG LLP as independent auditors. FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN [ ] 3. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting. Change of Address and or Comments Mark Here [ ] Please sign exactly as your name appears herein. Attorneys-in-fact, executors, administrators, trustees and guardians should 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. Shareholders who are present at the meeting may withdraw their proxy and vote in person if they so desire. Dated: ___________________________, 2000 ________________________________________ Signature ________________________________________ Signature Votes must be indicated (x) in Black or Blue ink. [X] (Please sign, date and return this proxy in the enclosed postage prepaid envelope.) (x) in Black or Blue ink. []