SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. ____)
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to ss.240.14a-11(c) or ss.240.14a-12
GEHL COMPANY
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(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
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G E H L
GEHL COMPANY
143 Water Street
West Bend, Wisconsin 53095
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders
To Be Held April 23, 2002
To the Shareholders of Gehl Company:
Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting of shareholders of Gehl
Company will be held in the Pavilion at Washington County Fair Park, 3000
Highway PV, West Bend, Wisconsin 53095, on Tuesday, April 23, 2002, at 3:00 P.M.
(CST), for the following purposes:
1. To elect three directors to hold office until the annual meeting of
shareholders in 2005 and until their successors are duly elected and
qualified. The Board unanimously recommends a vote "FOR" the election
of your Board's nominees on the enclosed proxy card.
2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on February 15, 2002
as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of,
and to vote at, the annual meeting.
Whether or not you expect to attend the annual meeting, you are requested
to vote your shares by simply signing, dating and mailing the enclosed proxy
card in the envelope provided, which is postage-paid if mailed in the United
States.
By Order of the Board of Directors
GEHL COMPANY
/s/ Michael J. Mulcahy
Michael J. Mulcahy
Secretary
West Bend, Wisconsin
March 11, 2002
GEHL COMPANY
143 WATER STREET
WEST BEND, WISCONSIN 53095
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held April 23, 2002
GENERAL INFORMATION
Annual Meeting and Submission of Proxy
This proxy statement and the accompanying proxy card are being furnished to
shareholders by the Board of Directors (the "Board") of Gehl Company (the
"Company" or "Gehl") beginning on or about March 11, 2002, in connection with a
solicitation of proxies by the Board for use at the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held on Tuesday, April 23, 2002, at 3:00 P.M. (CST), in the
Pavilion at Washington County Fair Park, 3000 Highway PV, West Bend, Wisconsin
53095, and at all adjournments or postponements thereof (the "Annual Meeting"),
for the purposes set forth in the attached Notice of Annual Meeting of
Shareholders. The Board has fixed the close of business on February 15, 2002 as
the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote
at, the Annual Meeting. On that date, the Company had outstanding and entitled
to vote 5,375,387 shares of the Company's Common Stock, $.10 par value per share
(the "Common Stock"), each of which is entitled to one vote per share.
Whether or not you attend the Annual Meeting, your vote is important.
Accordingly, regardless of the number of shares of Common Stock you own, please
vote by signing, dating and promptly mailing the accompanying proxy card.
Voting Procedures
A proxy, in the enclosed form, that is properly executed, duly returned to
the Company and not revoked, will be voted in accordance with the instructions
contained therein. The shares represented by executed but unmarked proxies will
be voted FOR the persons nominated by the Board for election as directors, and
on such other business or matters which may properly come before the Annual
Meeting in accordance with the best judgment of the persons named as proxies in
the enclosed form of proxy. Other than the election of directors, the Board has
no notice of any matters to be presented for action by the shareholders at the
Annual Meeting.
Execution of a proxy given in response to this solicitation will not affect
a shareholder's right to attend the Annual Meeting and to vote in person.
Presence at the Annual Meeting of a shareholder who has signed a proxy does not
in itself revoke a proxy. Any shareholder giving a proxy may revoke it at any
time before it is voted by giving notice thereof to the Company in writing or by
submitting another duly executed proxy bearing a later date.
Matters to be Considered at the Annual Meeting
At the Annual Meeting, shareholders will consider and vote on the election
of three directors to hold office until the annual meeting of shareholders in
2005 and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. The Board has
nominated Nicholas C. Babson, Thomas J. Boldt and Kurt Helletzgruber (together,
the "Company Nominees") for re-election as directors of the Company.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Company's By-laws provide that the directors shall be divided into
three classes, with staggered terms of three years each. At the Annual Meeting,
the shareholders will elect three directors to hold office until the annual
meeting of shareholders in 2005 and until their successors are duly elected and
qualified. Unless shareholders otherwise specify, the shares represented by the
proxies received will be voted in favor of the election as directors of the
three Company Nominees. The Board has no reason to believe that any of the
listed nominees will be unable or unwilling to serve as a director if elected.
However, in the event that any one or more of the nominees should be unable to
serve or for good cause will not serve, the shares represented by proxies
received will be voted for other nominees selected by the Board in the exercise
of its best judgment.
Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast (assuming a quorum
is present). A majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the election of
directors must be represented in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting in
order for a quorum to be present. An abstention from voting will be included in
computing the number of shares present for purposes of determining the presence
of a quorum, but will not be considered in determining whether each of the
nominees has received a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting. A
broker or nominee voting shares registered in its name, or in the name of its
nominee, which are beneficially owned by another person and for which it has not
received instructions as to voting from the beneficial owner, will have the
discretion to vote the beneficial owner's shares with respect to the election of
directors.
The following sets forth certain information, as of February 1, 2002, about
each of the Board's nominees for election at the Annual Meeting and each
director of the Company whose term will continue after the Annual Meeting.
Nominees for Election at the Annual Meeting
Terms expiring in 2005
Nicholas C. Babson, 55, is President of Babson Holdings, Inc. (an investment
management company). Prior to assuming that position, Mr. Babson was Chairman of
the Board and President from 1984 and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from
1996 of Babson Bros. Co. (a global manufacturer and distributor of dairy
equipment and consumable supplies) until his retirement from that company in
1999. Mr. Babson has served as a director of Gehl Company since 1999. Mr. Babson
currently serves as a member of the Audit Committee and of the Compensation and
Benefits Committee. Mr. Babson is also a director of CenterPoint Properties
Trust (a NYSE-listed real estate investment trust investing in industrial real
estate primarily in the Chicago area), a director of SunTx Capital Partners (a
private equity investment firm located in Dallas, Texas), a trustee of the Farm
Foundation (an association of agricultural educators, economists and business
leaders) and a Regent of the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee.
Thomas J. Boldt, 49, has served as President of The Boldt Group, Inc. (a holding
company with subsidiaries involved in consulting services, general construction,
program and construction management and real estate development) since 1988. Mr.
Boldt held various management positions with various subsidiaries of The Boldt
Group, Inc. from 1976 to 1988. Mr. Boldt has served as a director of Gehl
Company since 1996. Mr. Boldt currently serves as a member of the Audit
Committee. Mr. Boldt is also a director of M&I Bank, Fox Valley (a national
bank) and Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (a business association promoting
the improvement of the economic climate of the State of Wisconsin) and a Regent
of St. Olaf College.
-2-
Kurt Helletzgruber, 49, has served as Executive Vice President of Neuson Kramer
Baumaschinen AG (a holding company located in Linz-Leonding, Austria) since 1999
and as Executive Vice President of Neuson AG (a manufacturer of construction
equipment located in Linz-Leonding, Austria) since 1997. Mr. Helletzgruber has
also served as Managing Director of EBBS and Radinger AG (a manufacturer of
construction machinery located in Vienna, Austria) since 1990. Mr. Helletzgruber
has served as a director of Gehl Company since February, 2002.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS UNANIMOUSLY THE FOREGOING COMPANY NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS
DIRECTORS AND URGES EACH SHAREHOLDER TO VOTE "FOR" ALL COMPANY NOMINEES.
Directors Continuing in Office
Terms expiring in 2003
John T. Byrnes, 56, has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mason
Wells, Inc. (a Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based private equity investment firm) since
May, 1998. Mr. Byrnes was President and a director of M&I Capital Markets Group
(the private equity arm of the Marshall & Ilsley Corporation) from 1985 to 1998.
Mr. Byrnes has served as a director of Gehl Company since 1999. Mr. Byrnes
currently serves as a member of the Audit Committee and of the Nominating
Committee. Mr. Byrnes is also a director for numerous private companies, a
member of the Wisconsin Technology Council and its Executive Committee and a
director of the Medical College of Wisconsin Research Foundation (the technology
transfer arm of the Medical College of Wisconsin).
Richard J. Fotsch, 46, has served as Senior Vice President and General Manager
of Briggs & Stratton Corporation (a NYSE-listed company and the world's largest
manufacturer of air cooled gasoline engines for the outdoor power equipment
industry) since 1999. Mr. Fotsch has served as a Senior Vice President since
1997 and held management positions with various divisions of Briggs & Stratton
Corporation from 1983 to 1997. Mr. Fotsch has served as a director of Gehl
Company since 2000. Mr. Fotsch currently serves as a member of the Nominating
Committee. Mr. Fotsch is a member of the Dean's Advisory Council for the College
of Engineering of Marquette University.
Dr. Hermann Viets, 59, has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of
the Milwaukee School of Engineering (a university located in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin focused primarily on engineering education) since 1991. Dr. Viets has
served as a director of Gehl Company since 1999. Dr. Viets currently serves as
the Chairman of the Nominating Committee. Dr. Viets is also a director of Astro
Med, Inc. (an electronic equipment manufacturer), Milwaukee County Research Park
Corp. (an organization responsible for the development of a high technology
industrial park in western Milwaukee County) and Competitive Wisconsin, Inc. (an
association of business, education and labor leaders promoting the State of
Wisconsin) and is a member of the Greater Milwaukee Committee (an organization
of civic leaders promoting the economic development and social improvement of
the City of Milwaukee).
Terms expiring in 2004
Fred M. Butler, 66, was President and Chief Executive Officer of The Manitowoc
Company, Inc. (a NYSE-listed manufacturer of cranes, commercial ice cube
machines and ships) from 1990 until his retirement in 1998. Mr. Butler has
served as a director of Gehl Company since 1995. Mr. Butler currently serves as
the Chairman of the Compensation and Benefits Committee.
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William D. Gehl, 55, has served as Chairman since April, 1996 and as President
and Chief Executive Officer of Gehl Company since November, 1992. From January,
1990 until joining the Company, Mr. Gehl was Executive Vice President, Chief
Operating Officer, General Counsel and Secretary of The Ziegler Companies, Inc.
(a financial services holding company). Mr. Gehl held various management
positions with The Ziegler Companies from 1978 to 1990. Mr. Gehl has served as a
director of the Company since 1987. Mr. Gehl is also a director and past
Chairman of the Board of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (a
Chicago-based trade association of agricultural and construction equipment
manufacturers), a director of West Bend Savings Bank (a state financial
institution), Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (a business association
promoting the improvement of the economic climate of the State of Wisconsin),
the Associated Equipment Dealers Foundation (a national foundation promoting the
education and training of equipment dealer personnel), Mason Wells, Inc. (a
Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based private equity investment firm) and ASTEC Industries,
Inc. (a manufacturer of road building related machinery). Mr. Gehl is a member
of the Florida and Wisconsin Bar Associations.
John W. Splude, 56, has served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer of HK Systems, Inc. (an integrator of material handling systems and a
provider of supply chain software solutions) since October, 1993. Mr. Splude has
served as a director of Gehl Company since 1995. Mr. Splude currently serves as
the Chairman of the Audit Committee and as a member of the Compensation and
Benefits Committee. Mr. Splude is also a member of the Material Handling
Institute Roundtable (a trade association of material handling equipment
manufacturers), a director of U.S. Bank, N.A. (a national bank) and a Regent of
the Milwaukee School of Engineering.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Company's Board of Directors is currently comprised of ten members,
including William P. Killian who will retire as a director effective at the time
of the Annual Meeting. Effective at the time of the Annual Meeting, the
Company's By-laws will be amended, reducing the size of the Board to nine
members. The Board has standing Audit, Compensation and Benefits, and Nominating
Committees to assist it in discharging its duties. Each Committee is chaired by
a director who is an independent outside director.
The Audit Committee reviews the scope, timing and results of the audit of
the Company's financial statements by the Company's independent auditors and
reviews with the independent auditors management's policies and procedures with
respect to auditing and accounting controls. The Audit Committee also reviews
and evaluates the independence of the Company's independent auditors, approves
services rendered by such auditors and recommends to the Board the engagement,
continuation or discharge of the Company's independent auditors. Messrs. Babson,
Boldt, Byrnes and Splude (Chairman) are members of the Audit Committee. The
Audit Committee held two meetings in 2001. Each member of the Audit Committee is
independent as that term is defined in the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market,
Inc.
The Compensation and Benefits Committee determines (subject to Board
approval) compensation levels for the Company's executive officers, reviews
management's recommendations as to the compensation to be paid to other key
personnel and administers the Company's equity-based incentive compensation
plans. The members of the Compensation and Benefits Committee, which held three
meetings in 2001, are Messrs. Babson, Butler (Chairman), Killian and Splude.
The functions of the Nominating Committee include recommending those
persons to be nominated by the Board for election as directors of the Company
and recommending persons to fill vacancies on the Board. The members of the
Nominating Committee, which held one meeting in 2001, are Messrs. Byrnes,
Fotsch, Killian and Viets (Chairman). The Nominating Committee will consider
-4-
nominees recommended by shareholders, but has no established procedures which
must be followed to make a recommendation. The Company's By-laws set forth
certain requirements for shareholders wishing to nominate director candidates
for consideration by shareholders. With respect to an election of directors to
be held at an annual meeting, a shareholder must, among other things, give
written notice of an intent to make such a nomination to the Secretary of the
Company in advance of the meeting in compliance with the terms and within the
time period specified in the By-laws.
Directors who are officers or employees of the Company receive no
compensation as such for service as members of the Board or committees thereof.
Non-employee directors receive an annual retainer fee of $13,000 ($5,000 of
which is payable in Common Stock), plus a fee of $1,000 for each Board meeting
and a fee of $750 ($1,000 for the committee chairman) for each committee meeting
attended.
In addition to the compensation described above, and in accordance with the
terms of the Gehl Company 2000 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2000 Plan"), each of
Messrs. Babson, Boldt, Butler, Byrnes, Fotsch, Killian, Splude and Viets
automatically received an option to purchase 2,000 shares of Common Stock at a
per share exercise price of $15.25 on January 18, 2002. Under the 2000 Plan,
each non-employee director (if he continues to serve in such capacity) will, on
the day after the annual meeting of shareholders in each year, automatically be
granted an option to purchase 2,000 shares of Common Stock. Options granted to
non-employee directors under the 2000 Plan have a per share exercise price equal
to 100% of the market value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant and
become exercisable ratably over the three-year period following the date of
grant, except that if the non-employee director ceases to be a director by
reason of death, disability or retirement within three years after the date of
grant or in the event of a "change of control of the Company" (as defined in the
2000 Plan) within three years after the date of grant, the option will become
immediately exercisable in full. Options granted to non-employee directors
terminate on the earlier of (a) ten years after the date of grant or (b) twelve
months after the non-employee director ceases to be a director of the Company.
The Board held eleven meetings in 2001. Each director attended at least 75%
of the aggregate of (i) the total number of meetings of the Board and (ii) the
total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which he served
during 2001.
-5-
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
Directors and Management
The following table sets forth certain information, as of February 1, 2002,
regarding beneficial ownership of Common Stock by each director, Company
Nominee, each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table
set forth below and all directors, Company Nominees and executive officers as a
group. Except as otherwise indicated in the footnotes, all of the persons listed
below have sole voting and investment power over the shares of Common Stock
identified as beneficially owned.
Shares of Common
Stock Beneficially Percent
Name of Individual or Number of Group Owned(1)(2) of Class
------------------------------------- ----------- --------
William D. Gehl................................ 255,230 4.6%
Nicholas C. Babson............................. 3,866 *
Thomas J. Boldt................................ 10,481 *
Fred M. Butler................................. 9,981 *
John T. Byrnes................................. 6,380 *
Richard J. Fotsch.............................. 3,366 *
Kurt Helletzgruber............................. 0(3) *
William P. Killian............................. 10,481(4) *
John W. Splude................................. 9,781 *
Hermann Viets.................................. 4,866 *
Malcolm F. Moore............................... 34,332 *
Kenneth P. Hahn................................ 51,667 *
Daniel M. Keyes................................ 3,366 *
Michael J. Mulcahy............................. 42,054 *
All directors, nominees and executive
officers as group (15 persons).............. 482,512 8.5%
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* The amount shown is less than 1% of the outstanding shares.
(1) Total shares of Common Stock outstanding as of February 1, 2002 were
5,374,721.
(2) Includes shares subject to exercisable options as of February 1, 2002, and
options exercisable within 60 days of such date, as follows: Mr. Gehl,
156,000 shares; Mr. Babson, 1,999 shares; Mr. Boldt, 3,999 shares; Mr.
Butler, 6,099 shares; Mr. Byrnes, 666 shares; Mr. Fotsch, 666 shares; Mr.
Killian, 7,999 shares; Mr. Splude, 7,999 shares; Dr. Viets, 1,999 shares;
Mr. Moore, 33,332 shares; Mr. Hahn, 39,999 shares; Mr. Keyes, 3,333 shares;
Mr. Mulcahy, 29,499 shares; and all directors, Company Nominees and
executive officers as a group, 322,421 shares.
(3) Neuson AG and certain affiliated entities beneficially own 689,749 shares
of Common Stock. See "Principal Shareholders - Other Beneficial Owners."
Mr. Helletzgruber is an Executive Vice President of Neuson AG and a Trustee
of the affiliated entities.
(4) Includes shares held by the Killian Family Trust for which Mr. Killian
serves as Trustee. Mr. Killian will retire as a director effective at the
time of the Annual Meeting.
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Other Beneficial Owners
The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial
ownership by the only persons known to the Company to own more than 5% of the
outstanding Common Stock. The beneficial ownership information set forth below
has been reported in filings made by the beneficial owners with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership
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Voting Power Investment Power
----------------------- -----------------------
Name and Address of Percent
Beneficial Owner Sole Shared Sole Shared Aggregate of Class
- -------------------------------- ---------- --------- ---------- --------- ------------ -----------
FMR Corporation
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109 39,500 -0- 695,300 -0- 695,300 12.9%
Neuson AG (1)
Haidfeldstrasse 37
4060 Leonding, Austria 689,749 -0- 689,749 -0- 689,749 12.8%
Dimensional Fund
Advisors Inc.
1299 Ocean Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90401 466,924 -0- 466,924 -0- 466,924 8.7%
Heartland Advisors, Inc.(2)
789 North Water Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202 -0- -0- 280,000 -0- 280,000 5.2%
(1) Represents a joint filing by Neuson AG and two of its shareholders, Baumaschinen AG and PIN Privatstiftung.
(2) Represents a joint filing by Heartland Advisors, Inc. and its President and Chief Executive Officer, William J.
Nasgovitz.
-7-
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Information
The following table sets forth certain information regarding compensation
awarded to, earned by or paid to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and each
of the four other executive officers of the Company whose salary and bonus in
fiscal 2001 exceeded $100,000. The executive officers named in the table below
are sometimes referred to herein as the "named executive officers."
Long Term Compensation
----------------------
Annual Compensation Awards Payouts
------------------------- ----------- ---------
Securities LTIP All Other
Bonus Underlying Payouts Compensation
Name and Principal Position Year Salary($) ($)(a) Options ($)(b) ($)
------ ---------- ----------- ----------- --------- -------------
William D. Gehl 2001 375,000 0 65,000 0 16,267(c)
Chairman, President and Chief 2000 374,000 0 60,000 0 15,762
Executive Officer 1999 349,000 231,070 30,000 24,513 12,404
Malcolm F. Moore(d) 2001 279,230 0 35,000 0 13,343(e)
Executive Vice President and 2000 259,420 0 50,000 0 11,628
Chief Operating Officer 1999 91,346 51,578 25,000 0 1,074
Kenneth P. Hahn 2001 173,650 0 25,000 0 9,461(f)
Vice President of Finance, 2000 139,892 0 25,000 0 7,849
Treasurer and Chief Financial 1999 125,620 48,463 10,000 6,050 6,204
Officer
Daniel M. Keyes (g) 2001 150,000 0 10,000 0 7,232(i)
Vice President Sales and 2000 20,769 15,000(h) 10,000 0 --
Marketing
Michael J. Mulcahy 2001 124,615 0 2,500 0 8,034(j)
Vice President, Secretary and 2000 119,807 0 10,000 0 6,325
General Counsel 1999 106,556 35,223 5,000 5,243 5,167
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(a) The amounts shown in this column do not include bonus amounts in excess of
target which are credited to a "bonus bank" maintained for each of the
named executive officers. Such bonus amounts in the bonus bank for each of
the named executive officers are scheduled to be paid out over time, but
remain "at risk" and subject to loss pursuant to the Company's "Shareholder
Value Added" plan.
(b) The amounts shown in this column include payments out of the "bonus bank"
for each of the named executive officers paid pursuant to the Company's
"Shareholder Value Added" plan.
(c) Includes for 2001 (i) $2,160 in life insurance premiums paid by the
Company, (ii) $8,857 in long-term disability insurance premiums paid by the
Company and (iii) a matching contribution of $5,250 under the Gehl Savings
Plan, a 401(k) Plan.
(d) Mr. Moore became Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of
the Company on August 16, 1999.
(e) Includes for 2001 (i) $1,498 in life insurance premiums paid by the
Company, (ii) $6,595 in long-term disability insurance premiums paid by the
Company and (iii) a matching contribution of $5,250 under the Gehl Savings
Plan, a 401(k) Plan.
-8-
(f) Includes for 2001 (i) $806 in life insurance premiums paid by the Company,
(ii) $3,445 in long-term disability insurance premiums paid by the Company
and (iii) a matching contribution of $5,210 under the Gehl Savings Plan, a
401(k) Plan.
(g) Mr. Keyes became Vice President Sales and Marketing of the Company on
December 15, 2000.
(h) Mr. Keyes received a signing bonus at the time of his appointment as Vice
President Sales and Marketing of the Company.
(i) Includes for 2001 (i) $864 in life insurance premiums paid by the Company,
(ii) $3,080 in long-term disability insurance premiums paid by the Company
and (iii) a matching contribution of $3,738 under the Gehl Savings Plan, a
401(k) Plan.
(j) Includes for 2001 (i) $691 in life insurance premiums paid by the Company,
(ii) $3,605 in long-term disability insurance premiums paid by the Company
and (iii) a matching contribution of $3,738 under the Gehl Savings Plan, a
401(k) Plan.
Stock Options
The Company has in effect equity-based incentive plans pursuant to which
options to purchase Common Stock may be granted to key employees (including
executive officers) of the Company and its subsidiaries. The following table
presents certain information as to grants of stock options made during fiscal
2001 to each of the named executive officers.
Option Grants in 2001 Fiscal Year
Potential Realizable Value At
Assumed Annual Rates of
Stock Price Appreciation for
Individual Grants Option Term(2)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------
Number of Percent of
Securities Total Options At 5%
Underlying Granted to Exercise or Annual
Options Employees in Base Price Expiration Growth At 10% Annual
Name Granted(1) Fiscal Year ($/share) Date Rate Growth Rate
- -------------------- ------------ ------------ ----------- ----------- ---------- -------------
William D. Gehl 65,000 30.2% $14.90 12/13/11 $609,050 $1,543,750
Malcolm F. Moore 35,000 16.3% $14.90 12/13/11 $327,950 $831,250
Kenneth P. Hahn 25,000 11.6% $14.90 12/13/11 $243,250 $593,750
Daniel M. Keyes 10,000 4.6% $14.90 12/13/11 $93,700 $237,500
Michael J. Mulcahy 2,500 1.2% $14.90 12/13/11 $23,425 $59,375
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(1) The options reflected in the table for each of the named executive officers (which are non-qualified options for
purposes of the Internal Revenue Code) vest ratably over the three-year period from the date of grant. Vesting
of the options will be accelerated in the event of the optionee's death or disability or in the event of a
change in control of the Company.
(2) This presentation is intended to disclose a potential value which would accrue to the optionee if the option
were exercised the day before it would expire and if the per share value had appreciated at the compounded
annual rate indicated in each column. The assumed rates of appreciation of 5% and 10% are prescribed by the
rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding disclosure of executive compensation. The assumed
annual rates of appreciation are not intended to forecast possible future appreciation, if any, with respect to
the price of the Common Stock.
-9-
The following table sets forth information regarding the exercise of stock
options by each of the named executive officers during the 2001 fiscal year and
the fiscal year-end value of unexercised options held by the named executive
officers.
Aggregated Option Exercises in 2001 Fiscal Year
and
2001 Fiscal Year-End Option Values
Number of Securities Underlying Value of Unexercised In-the-
Shares Unexercised Options at Fiscal Money Options at Fiscal Year-
Acquired Value Year-End End($)(1)
Name on Realized Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
Exercise ($)(1)
- --------------------------- --------- ---------- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------
William D. Gehl........... 0 0 156,000 115,000 $526,000 $111,000
Malcolm F. Moore.......... 0 0 33,333 76,667 37,291 74,584
Kenneth P. Hahn........... 5,000 35,000 40,000 45,000 114,409 46,251
Daniel M. Keyes........... 0 0 3,333 16,667 9,243 8,501
Michael J. Mulcahy........ 5,000 35,000 26,166 10,834 98,284 18,501
- ---------------
(1) The dollar values are calculated by determining the difference between the fair market value of the underlying
Common Stock and the exercise price of the options at exercise or fiscal year-end, as the case may be.
Retirement Plan
The Company maintains a defined benefit pension plan (the "Retirement
Plan") to provide retirement benefits to certain employees, including the named
executive officers. The following table estimates various annual benefits
payable at age 65 to participants with the years of service and average
compensation levels set forth below:
Estimated Annual Benefits Payable at Age 65
For Indicated Years of Credited Service
Final Annual Average
Compensation 5 Years 10 Years 15 Years 20 Years 25 Years 35+ Years
- --------------------------- --------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ------------
$ 75,000.................. $3,750 $ 7,500 $11,250 $15,000 $18,750 $26,250
100,000.................. 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 35,000
130,000.................. 6,500 13,000 19,500 26,000 32,500 45,500
170,000.................. 8,500 17,000 25,500 34,000 42,500 59,500
200,000.................. 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 70,000
A participant may elect one of several single life or joint and survivor
annuity payment options which provide monthly retirement benefits calculated on
an actuarial basis. Benefits under the Retirement Plan are not reduced by a
participant's Social Security benefits. The Retirement Plan provides for reduced
early retirement and pre-retirement benefits.
Compensation covered by the Retirement Plan for each of the named executive
officers is such person's salary as shown in the Summary Compensation Table
subject to the maximum provided in the Internal Revenue Code. The maximum was
$170,000 for 2001 and is $200,000 for 2002. The number of years of credited
service as of December 31, 2001 that will be recognized for Messrs. Gehl, Moore,
Hahn, Keyes and Mulcahy is 9.2 years, 2.3 years, 13.7 years, 1.1 years and 26.6
years, respectively.
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Supplemental Retirement Benefit Agreements
The Company has entered into a supplemental retirement benefit agreement
under which Mr. Gehl will receive a monthly retirement benefit for fifteen
years. Under the agreement, the monthly benefit to be received by Mr. Gehl is
computed by multiplying the percentage by which benefits have vested by an
amount equal to 60% of average monthly compensation computed by reference to the
highest base salary and cash bonus earned for any five calendar years within the
last ten completed calendar years of service preceding termination, less any
amounts Mr. Gehl would be entitled to receive under the Retirement Plan or
pursuant to Social Security. The agreement provides for a pre-retirement death
benefit consisting of ten annual payments in the amount of 40% of the average
annual compensation computed by reference to the five highest annual base
salaries and cash bonuses earned within the last ten calendar years preceding
the date of death. Benefits vest under the agreement at a rate of 10% per year
for the first four years of service with the Company and are deemed to be fully
vested after five years. Mr. Gehl is fully vested under his agreement. In the
event of a "change of control" of the Company, the present value of the benefit
is payable in a lump sum. The supplemental retirement benefit agreement also
contains a covenant not to compete that covers Mr. Gehl for a two-year period
following his termination of employment. Failure to comply with such provision
will result in a forfeiture of benefits under the agreement.
The Company has also entered into supplemental retirement benefit
agreements under which Messrs. Moore, Hahn, Keyes and Mulcahy will receive a
monthly retirement benefit for fifteen years. Under the agreements, the monthly
benefit to be received by each of Messrs. Moore, Hahn, Keyes and Mulcahy is
computed by multiplying a vesting percentage by the product of (i) the average
monthly compensation computed by reference to the highest base salary and cash
bonus earned by the executive for any five calendar years within the last ten
completed calendar years of service preceding termination and (ii) 30%. The
supplemental retirement benefit agreements provide for a pre-retirement death
benefit consisting of five annual payments in the amount of 40% of the average
annual salary computed by reference to the highest base salaries and cash
bonuses earned during a consecutive five-year period preceding the date of
death. Benefits vest under the supplemental retirement benefit agreement at a
rate of 10% per year for the first four years following execution and are deemed
to be fully vested after five years. In the event there is a "change in control"
of the Company as defined in the supplemental retirement benefit agreement,
benefits become 100% vested and the present value of each benefit is payable in
a lump sum. As of December 31, 2001, Mr. Moore had 2.3 years of credited
service, Mr. Keyes had 1.1 years of credited service and Messrs. Hahn and
Mulcahy were fully vested under their respective supplemental retirement benefit
agreements. The supplemental retirement benefit agreements also contain a
covenant not to compete which covers Messrs. Moore, Hahn, Keyes and Mulcahy for
a two-year period following termination of employment. Failure to comply with
such provisions will result in a forfeiture of benefits under the agreements.
Assuming full vesting, the estimated annual benefits payable to Messrs.
Gehl, Moore, Hahn, Keyes and Mulcahy under the supplemental retirement benefit
agreements based upon their current compensation would be $225,000 (less any
amounts Mr. Gehl would be entitled to receive under the Retirement Plan or
pursuant to Social Security), $83,772, $52,092, $45,000 and $37,392,
respectively.
Employment Agreement
The Company has an employment agreement with Mr. Gehl pursuant to which Mr.
Gehl is to serve as the Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company through June 13, 2004. During the term of his employment
agreement, Mr. Gehl will be paid a minimum annual base salary of $350,000. The
base salary paid to Mr. Gehl under his employment agreement will be reviewed
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at least annually by the Board or a committee thereof and may be increased or
decreased at that time subject to the minimum base salary described above. Mr.
Gehl's current base salary is $375,000.
If, for any reason other than cause or Mr. Gehl's death or disability and
other than in connection with a "change in control" of the Company (as defined
in his agreement), the employment of Mr. Gehl is terminated before the term of
employment has been completed, Mr. Gehl will be entitled to receive his base
salary for one (1) full year from the date of termination as well as the
opportunity to continue to participate in the Company's employee benefit plans
for such period. Pursuant to his agreement, in the event of a change in control
of the Company, the term of Mr. Gehl's employment will automatically be extended
to a date which is two years after the change in control. In addition, upon the
change in control, Mr. Gehl's unvested stock options shall immediately vest, the
amounts he has outstanding under his "bonus banks" under the "Shareholder Value
Added" plan will vest and become payable and any restrictions on any other
benefits granted to Mr. Gehl shall terminate and those benefits shall become
immediately exercisable or payable, as the case may be. If, during the two-year
period following a change in control, the Company terminates Mr. Gehl's
employment (other than for cause) or if Mr. Gehl terminates his employment for
"good reason" (as defined in the employment agreement), including as a result of
significant changes in his working conditions or status without his consent or
after his continued employment for six months following the change in control,
then Mr. Gehl will receive all accrued but unpaid benefits to the date of his
termination plus a lump-sum termination payment equal to three times the sum of
his current base salary and the highest bonus he earned during the preceding
five years. Mr. Gehl's agreement also provides that he will receive family
medical benefits for two years following such termination, outplacement services
and other benefits. Mr. Gehl's employment agreement also provides the benefits
described above in connection with certain terminations which are effected in
anticipation of a change in control. The foregoing termination payment and other
benefits may be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid an "excess parachute
payment" under the Internal Revenue Code, but only if such reduction would
result in a greater after-tax benefit to Mr. Gehl. Under the terms of his
employment agreement, Mr. Gehl is also eligible to receive, among other
benefits, an annual cash bonus and certain life insurance coverage. Under his
employment agreement, Mr. Gehl is subject to a covenant not to compete following
termination of his employment with the Company.
Severance Agreements
The Company has in effect severance agreements with each of Messrs. Moore,
Hahn, Keyes and Mulcahy. Pursuant to the terms of their respective severance
agreements, in the event of a "change in control" of the Company (as defined in
the agreements), Messrs. Moore, Hahn, Keyes and Mulcahy will be granted two-year
employment terms with the Company and will be entitled to such base salaries,
bonus opportunities and other benefits substantially equivalent to those to
which they were entitled immediately prior to the change in control. In
addition, upon the change in control, their unvested stock options will
automatically vest and the amounts they have outstanding under their respective
"bonus banks" under the "Shareholder Value Added" plan will become payable
immediately. If, during the two-year employment period following a change in
control, the Company terminates the executive officer's employment (other than
for cause) or if the officer terminates his employment for "good reason" (as
defined in the severance agreements), including as a result of significant
changes in the executive officer's working conditions or status without his
consent, then the officer will receive all accrued but unpaid benefits to the
date of termination, family medical benefits for two years after such
termination, outplacement services as well as a lump-sum termination payment
equal to two times the sum of his current base salary and the highest annual
bonus he received in the preceding five years. The severance agreements also
provide that the benefits described above may be payable in connection with
certain terminations which are effected in anticipation of a change in control.
In addition, the severance agreements provide that if the executive officer's
employment is involuntarily terminated by the Company other than for cause or
upon the officer's death or disability and other than in connection with a
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change in control, the officer will be entitled to receive his base salary for
one (1) full year from the date of termination as well as the opportunity to
continue to participate in the Company's employee benefit plans for such period.
The foregoing termination and other benefits may be reduced to the extent
necessary to avoid an "excess parachute payment" under the Internal Revenue
Code, but only if such reduction would result in a greater after-tax benefit to
the executive officer.
Retention Agreements
The Company has in effect retention agreements with each of the named
executive officers. These agreements provide that the Company pay to each
executive officer a lump sum retention bonus equal to nine months of the
executive officers' salary if the officer remains employed by the Company
through March 31, 2002. If the executive officer's employment is terminated
prior to March 31, 2002 by the Company without "cause" (as defined in the
retention agreements) or by the executive officer for "good reason" (as defined
in the retention agreements), then the Company must pay the executive officer
the full retention bonus amount. If the executive officer is terminated due to
the executive officer's death or disability prior to March 31, 2002, then the
Company must pay a pro rata portion of the retention bonus amount, based on the
executive's period of service under the agreement.
Report on Executive Compensation
This Report on Executive Compensation describes the policies employed
generally by the Compensation and Benefits Committee for the development of the
Company's executive compensation program and the application of these policies
to executive compensation during fiscal 2001. The members of the Compensation
and Benefits Committee during fiscal 2001 were Messrs. Butler (Chairman),
Babson, Killian and Splude.
Function of the Compensation and Benefits Committee
The Compensation and Benefits Committee is responsible for the various
aspects of the Company's compensation program for its executive officers. The
Committee develops the compensation program for the Company's executive
officers, including the grant of equity awards under the Company's equity-based
plans. Final approval of the Company's executive compensation package as
recommended by the Compensation and Benefits Committee (other than the grant of
equity awards under the Company's equity-based plans, which grants are at the
sole discretion of the Committee) is the responsibility of the Board. During
fiscal 2001, the Board adopted the recommendations of the Compensation and
Benefits Committee without material modification.
Executive Compensation and Stock Option Policies
The basic policy of the Compensation and Benefits Committee is to provide a
competitive compensation program for executive officers sufficient to attract
and retain those executive officers considered crucial to the attainment of the
Company's long-term strategic goals, including the enhancement of shareholder
value. The compensation package for executive officers consists of base salary,
opportunities for cash bonuses and equity-based awards, including stock options,
and participation in other employee benefits plans offered by the Company.
In determining salary levels for executive officers of the Company, the
Compensation and Benefits Committee takes into consideration each individual's
level of expertise and experience and his performance in his particular area of
responsibility during the past fiscal year as well as the overall financial
performance of the Company. In fixing salary levels, the Committee also
considers data regarding salaries paid by companies similarly situated to the
Company. Consistent with prior years, and
-13-
although compensation data from outside sources were reviewed by the Committee,
the Committee did not formally engage an outside compensation consultant in
connection with establishing salary levels for the Company's executive offices
for fiscal 2001.
In addition to base salaries, the Company's compensation package includes
an opportunity for key employees (including the executive officers) to earn cash
bonuses. The Company has in effect a program for its officers and other key
managers that awards incentive compensation based upon a calculation of
"Shareholder Value Added," or SVA. The Company's SVA plan emphasizes economic
value creation that occurs when a business generates a financial return that
exceeds the total cost of capital employed. Specifically, the Company's plan
defines SVA as the difference between (a) net operating profit after tax and (b)
the charge for capital employed in the business. The Company's SVA plan is
designed to reward those executive officers and key managers who use Company
assets most productively, reduce costs and create efficiencies throughout the
Company's organization. Under the Company's SVA plan, target bonuses calculated
as a percent of salary are fixed by the Compensation and Benefits Committee.
Awards paid to participants serving in an identified "value center" (e.g., a
specific manufacturing facility) under the SVA plan are based 30% (as a minimum)
on total Company performance with the remainder of the award based on the
performance of the respective value center(s). Awards to participants with
corporate responsibilities (including the Company's Chief Executive Officer) are
based entirely on Company performance. Target SVA levels were initially
established by the Compensation and Benefits Committee at the time the SVA plan
was adopted and adjust automatically on an annual basis by a predetermined
improvement factor. The Company's plan also incorporates a "bonus bank" into
which bonuses in excess of a target bonus level are credited. Such bonus amounts
are thereafter scheduled to be paid out over time, but remain "at risk" and
subject to loss depending on future Company and value center performance as
determined under the SVA plan. No bonuses were paid to the named executive
officers for 2001 performance under the SVA plan.
To provide an additional performance incentive for its executive officers
and other key management personnel, the Company's executive compensation package
includes stock option grants. Under the Company's 2000 Equity Incentive Plan,
the Compensation and Benefits Committee also has the authority to grant, in
addition to stock options, other equity-based awards, including stock
appreciation rights, restricted stock and performance shares. To date, however,
only stock options have been granted under the Company's equity-based plans. The
general purpose of the Company's current equity-based plans is consistent with
the basic policy of the Company's executive compensation program, which is
designed to promote the achievement of the long-range strategic goals of the
Company and to enhance shareholder value. Stock options granted by the Company
have a per share exercise price of 100% of the fair market value of a share of
Common Stock on the date of grant and, accordingly, the value of the option will
be dependent on the future market value of the Common Stock. Consideration is
given to the financial performance of the Company in determining whether in the
first instance to grant stock options and in determining the size of any stock
option award. In addition, consideration is given to the level of responsibility
of the individual executive officer within the Company, the performance of such
officer in his area of responsibility and the officer's salary grade in
recommending the size of stock option awards. Although these factors are
considered, no specific weight is assigned to one factor as compared to the
others in making an option grant determination. Options relating to an aggregate
of 215,250 shares of Common Stock (including an option grant for 65,000 shares
made to the Company's Chief Executive Officer) were awarded to the executive
officers in 2001.
In addition to base salary, cash bonus opportunity and the potential for
equity-based awards, all executive officers of the Company are eligible to
participate in the various employee benefit plans offered to employees of the
Company. The Company's policy with respect to these plans (including the
Company's retirement plan, saving plan and life insurance program) is to provide
competitive benefits to
-14-
its employees, including executive officers, to encourage their continued
service with the Company and to attract qualified individuals for available
Company positions.
The Company also approved retention agreements for each of the named
executive officers, including the Company's Chief Executive Officer, in fiscal
2001. These agreements provide that a lump sum retention bonus equal to nine
months' salary be paid if the officer remains employed by the Company through
March 31, 2002. The agreements were offered to the named executive officers to
help ensure that they would remain with the Company during the time that the
Company went through its strategic review process.
CEO Compensation
During fiscal 2001, William D. Gehl, the Company's Chief Executive Officer,
was paid a salary of $375,000. Mr. Gehl is party to an employment agreement with
the Company described under the heading "Executive Compensation-Employment
Agreement." Pursuant to Mr. Gehl's employment agreement, his base salary is
subject to review on at least an annual basis and may be increased or decreased
as determined to be appropriate, provided that Mr. Gehl's annual base salary may
not be decreased below $350,000. In fixing the base salary for Mr. Gehl for
fiscal 2001, the Compensation and Benefits Committee considered the
qualifications and experience Mr. Gehl brings to the Company and the Company's
performance during his tenure with the Company as Chief Executive Officer and
also reviewed salaries paid by comparable companies. The Compensation and
Benefits Committee believes that Mr. Gehl's base salary is within the average
range for salaries paid to chief executive officers of companies similarly
situated to the Company. For fiscal 2001 performance, Mr. Gehl did not receive a
cash bonus under the Company's SVA plan. Based on the factors described above,
Mr. Gehl received on December 14, 2001 an option to purchase 65,000 shares of
Common Stock at an exercise price of $14.90 per share.
Deductibility of Executive Compensation
Under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, a tax deduction by
certain corporate taxpayers, such as the Company, is limited with respect to the
compensation of specified executive officers unless such compensation is based
upon performance objectives meeting certain regulatory criteria or is otherwise
excluded from the limitation. The Compensation and Benefits Committee intends to
qualify compensation paid to the Company's executive officers for deductibility
by the Company under Section 162(m).
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS COMMITTEE
Fred M. Butler (Chairman)
Nicholas C. Babson
William P. Killian
John W. Splude
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PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The following graph compares the cumulative total return (change in stock
price plus reinvested dividends) of the Common Stock with the Standard & Poor's
500 Composite Index and the Standard & Poor's Small Cap Construction and Farm
Machinery Index. The graph assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 1996 in
each of the three alternatives, and that all dividends were reinvested.
Comparison of Five Year Cumulative Market Performance
Among S&P 500 Index, S&P Small Cap Construction and Farm Machinery Index,
and the Company
(Assumes $100 invested December 31, 1996 with dividends reinvested)
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
===========================================================================================
December December December December December December
31, 1996 31, 1997 31, 1998 31, 1999 31, 2000 31, 2001
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P Composite 500 $100.00 $131.04 $165.16 $200.87 $178.24 $154.99
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P Small Cap
Construction and Farm
Machinery Index $100.00 $130.08 $112.26 $142.40 $115.55 $36.19
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gehl $100.00 $193.10 $141.38 $165.52 $126.44 $137.01
===========================================================================================
The S&P Small Cap Construction and Farm Machinery Index has been substituted for
the S&P Machinery-Diversified Index used in the Company's performance graph for
the immediately preceding fiscal year due to the fact that S&P no longer
prepares the Machinery-Diversified Index. Although the companies included in the
S&P Small Cap Construction and Farm Machinery Index have a larger market
capitalization than the Company, such companies are believed to provide the
closest peer group representation with respect to the industries served by the
Company (agricultural implements and compact construction equipment).
-16-
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The Audit Committee of the Board is composed of four directors and operates
under a written charter approved by the Board. Each member of the Audit
Committee is independent as such term is defined in the listing standards of the
Nasdaq Stock Market.
Management is responsible for the Company's financial statements and the
reporting process, including the system of internal controls. The Company's
independent auditors are responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity
of the audited financial statements with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States. The Audit Committee's responsibility is to
monitor and oversee this process.
In discharging its oversight responsibility relative to the audit process,
the Audit Committee performed, among others, the following functions during
fiscal year 2001:
o Reviewed and discussed with management the audited financial statements for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001;
o Discussed with the Company's independent auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP, the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing
Standards No. 61 (Communication with Audit Committees); and
o Received the written disclosures and the letter from PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 and discussed
with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP its independence.
Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee
recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2001.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP provided to the Company during fiscal year 2001
the following professional services, each of which was considered by the Audit
Committee for its possible effect on the independence of PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP:
o Audit Fees: $210,850.
o Financial Information Systems Design and Implementation Fees: $0.
o All Other Fees: $351,000 (related primarily to tax compliance, audits of
the Company's employee benefit plans and due diligence work).
AUDIT COMMITTEE
John W. Splude (Chairman)
Nicholas C. Babson
Thomas J. Boldt
John T. Byrnes
-17-
OTHER MATTERS
Independent Auditors
The Board has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's
independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2002.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP acted as the independent auditors for the Company for
the year ended December 31, 2001. Representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting with the opportunity to make a
statement if they so desire. Such representatives are also expected to be
available to respond to appropriate questions.
Shareholder Proposals
Proposals of shareholders pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 ("Rule 14a-8") that are intended to be presented at the
2003 annual meeting of shareholders and included in the Company's proxy
materials for that meeting must be received by the Company no later than
November 4, 2002. Further, a shareholder who otherwise intends to present
business at the 2003 annual meeting must comply with the requirements set forth
in the Company's By-laws. To bring business before an annual meeting, a
shareholder must, among other things, give written notice thereof, complying
with the By-laws, to the Secretary of the Company not less than 60 days and not
more than 90 days prior to the last Thursday in the month of April, subject to
certain exceptions if the annual meeting is advanced or delayed a certain number
of days. The 2003 annual meeting of shareholders is tentatively scheduled to be
held on April 24, 2003. Under the By-laws, if the Company does not receive
notice of a shareholder proposal submitted otherwise than pursuant to Rule 14a-8
(i.e., a proposal a shareholder intends to present at the 2003 annual meeting of
shareholders but does not intend to have included in the Company's proxy
materials) on or prior to February 23, 2003, (assuming an April 24, 2003 meeting
date), then the notice will be considered untimely and the Company will not be
required to present such proposal at the 2003 annual meeting. If the Board
nonetheless chooses to present such proposal at the 2003 annual meeting, then
the persons named in proxies solicited by the Board for the 2003 annual meeting
may exercise discretionary voting power with respect to such proposal.
Compliance with Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Section 16(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 requires the
Company's directors and executive officers to file reports with the Securities
and Exchange Commission regarding their ownership of Common Stock and any
changes in such ownership. Based upon the Company's review of copies of these
reports and certifications given to the Company by such persons, the Company
believes that during 2001 the executive officers and directors of the Company
have complied with the Section 16(a) filing requirements.
Certain Transactions
The Company has an agreement with Neuson AG ("Neuson"), which owns more
than 5% of the Common Stock, pursuant to which Gehl distributes Neuson
excavators under the Company's "Gehl" and "Mustang" brand names in North and
South America. Pursuant to that agreement, the Company purchased Neuson
excavators with an aggregate purchase price of approximately $13.7 million in
2000 and $9.2 million in 2001. The Company intends to continue to purchase
Neuson excavators in the future. The terms of the distributor agreement with
Neuson and the related purchases were negotiated between the Company and Neuson
on an arms-length basis in 1999. Kurt Helletzgruber, a director of the Company,
is an Executive Vice President of Neuson.
-18-
Solicitation of Proxies
Proxies may be solicited by mail, advertisement, telephone or other methods
and in person. Solicitations may be made by directors, officers, investor
relations personnel and other employees of the Company, none of whom will
receive additional compensation for such solicitations.
The Company has retained D.F. King & Co., Inc. ("D.F. King") to provide
solicitation and advisory services in connection with the proxy solicitation,
for which D.F. King is to receive a fee estimated at $8,500, together with
reimbursement for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and for payments made to
brokers and other nominees for their expenses in forwarding soliciting material.
D.F. King will distribute proxy materials to beneficial owners and solicit
proxies by personal interview, mail, telephone and telegram, and will request
brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward
soliciting material to the beneficial owners of Common Stock. The Company has
also agreed to indemnify D.F. King against certain liabilities and expenses,
including liabilities under the federal securities laws.
All expenses of solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company.
Delivery of Proxy Materials to Households
Pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, services
that deliver the Company's communications to shareholders that hold their stock
through a bank, broker or other holder of record may deliver to multiple
shareholders sharing the same address a single copy of the Company's annual
report to shareholders and this proxy statement. Upon written or oral request,
the Company will promptly deliver a separate copy of the annual report to
shareholders and/or this proxy statement to any shareholder at a shared address
to which a single copy of each document was delivered. Shareholders may notify
the Company of their requests by calling or by sending a written request
addressed to Gehl Company, Attention: Secretary, 143 Water Street, West Bend,
Wisconsin 53095.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
The Company will provide without charge a copy of its Annual Report on Form
10-K (including financial statements and financial schedules, but not including
exhibits thereto), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, to each
person who is a record or beneficial holder of Common Stock as of the record
date for the Annual Meeting. A written request for a Form 10-K should be
addressed to Gehl Company, Attention: Secretary, 143 Water Street, West Bend,
Wisconsin 53095.
By Order of the Board of Directors
GEHL COMPANY
/s/ Michael J. Mulcahy
Michael J. Mulcahy
Secretary
March 11, 2002
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