1 SCHEDULE 14A (RULE 14A-101) INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Filed by the registrant [X] Filed by a party other than the registrant [ ] Check the appropriate box: [ ] Preliminary proxy statement [X] Definitive proxy statement [ ] Definitive additional materials [ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12 ACR GROUP, INC. ------------------------------------------------ (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other than the Registrant) Payment of filing fee (check the appropriate box): [X] No fee required. [ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11 2 ACR GROUP, INC. NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS The annual meeting of shareholders of ACR Group, Inc. will be held at the Westchase Hilton & Towers, 9999 Westheimer, Houston, Texas 77042, on Thursday, August 27, 1998 at 10:00 a.m., Houston time, for the following purposes: (1) To elect directors; and (2) To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 29, 1998 are entitled to notice of the meeting and are entitled to vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof. By Order of the Board of Directors. /s/ Anthony R. Maresca ---------------------- Anthony R. Maresca Secretary June 29, 1998 YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT PLEASE MARK, DATE AND SIGN YOUR PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. 3 ACR GROUP, INC. 3200 WILCREST DRIVE, SUITE 440 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77042-6019 PROXY STATEMENT This statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies for use at the annual meeting of shareholders of ACR Group, Inc. (the "Company") to be held at the time and place and for the purposes set forth in the foregoing Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and at any adjournments thereof. SOLICITATION OF PROXIES Proxies in the accompanying form are solicited by management at the direction of the Board of Directors. Execution and return of the proxy will not in any way affect a shareholder's right to attend the meeting and to vote in person, and a shareholder giving a proxy has the power to revoke it at any time before it is exercised by giving written notice to the Company at or prior to the meeting. Properly executed proxies in the accompanying form, received in due time and not previously revoked, will be voted as specified. Where no choice is specified, proxies will be voted FOR the election of all directors named below. The original solicitation will be conducted by mail. The Company will bear the expense of solicitation of proxies, including the charges and expenses of brokerage firms and others incurred in forwarding solicitation material to beneficial owners of stock. Further solicitation of proxies may be made by telephone or oral communication with shareholders of the Company following the original solicitation. All further solicitation will be by regular employees of the Company who will not be additionally compensated therefor. RECORD DATE - OUTSTANDING SECURITIES Only holders of Common Stock of the Company of record at the close of business on June 29, 1998, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. At that date, there were outstanding 10,634,303 shares of the Company's Common Stock. Each shareholder is entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held on all matters coming before the meeting and, except as otherwise provided by applicable law, a favorable vote consists of a simple majority of the votes cast. Shareholders are not entitled to cumulate their votes in the election of directors, which means that the holders of more than half of the shares voting for the election of directors can elect all of the directors if they choose to do so. 4 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS INFORMATION CONCERNING DIRECTORS It is proposed that five directors will be elected at the meeting, each to hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until his successor is duly elected and qualified. The Company has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unavailable at the time of election. All of the nominees are presently members of the Board of Directors of the Company. The names of the persons nominated by management, together with information as to their principal occupations, age, and experience, are as follows: ALEX TREVINO, JR., age 62, has served as a director of the Company since 1982, Chairman of the Board of the Company since 1988 and President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since July 1990. ANTHONY R. MARESCA, age 47, has been employed by the Company since 1985, serving as Controller until November 1985 when he became Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Mr. Maresca has been a director of the Company since 1986. Mr. Maresca is a certified public accountant. RONALD T. NIXON, age 42, has been a shareholder and officer since 1990 in The Catalyst Group, Inc., a mid-market private investment firm specializing in providing equity and subordinated debt financing. Mr. Nixon has been a director of the Company since 1992. A. STEPHEN TREVINO, age 35, is an attorney in private practice. Mr. Trevino has been a director of the Company since May 1997. Mr. Trevino is the son of Alex Trevino, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. ROLAND H. ST. CYR, age 68, has been an independent consultant to Hallmark Air Conditioning, Inc. ("Hallmark") since June 1997. From 1974 to June 1997, Mr. St. Cyr was Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Hallmark. Hallmark is an HVACR contracting company located in Houston, which was acquired by Group Maintenance America, Inc. in 1997. Mr. St. Cyr has been a director of the Company since April 1998. The Board of Directors of the Company met five times during the fiscal year ended February 28, 1998. The Board has established two standing committees. The Audit Committee, comprised of Messrs. Nixon, St. Cyr and A. Stephen Trevino, exercises oversight with respect to the Company's accounting practices and procedures and its relationship with its independent auditors. The Audit Committee met one time during fiscal 1998. The Compensation Committee, comprised of Messrs. Nixon, St. Cyr and A. Stephen Trevino, makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the compensation and benefits of officers. There were four Compensation Committee meetings held during fiscal 1998. - 2 - 5 The Company does not have a nominating committee. No director attended less than 75% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board of Directors on which the director served. BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK The following table sets forth certain information concerning beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock as of April 30, 1998, by (i) each shareholder who is known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (ii) each director and nominee for director, (iii) the President and Chief Executive Officer, and (iv) all directors and executive officers as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, the shareholders listed in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares indicated. All information with respect to beneficial ownership has been furnished by the shareholders to the Company. - 3 - 6 Amount and Nature Percent of Beneficial of Name and Address of Beneficial Owner Ownership(1) Class - ------------------------------------ ----------------- ------- Alex Trevino, Jr.(2) (3) 2,177,856 20.2% ACR Group, Inc. 3200 Wilcrest Drive, Suite 440 Houston, TX 77042 Ronald T. Nixon(4) 925,000 8.0% The Catalyst Group Three Riverway, Suite 770 Houston, TX 77056 Anthony R. Maresca 314,650 3.0% ACR Group, Inc. 3200 Wilcrest Drive, Suite 440 Houston, TX 77042 A. Stephen Trevino(5) 1,581,654 13.1% Attorney-at-Law 5847 San Felipe, Suite 3475 Houston, TX 77057 Roland H. St. Cyr -0- - 3151 Lake Island Dr. Montgomery, TX 77356 DST Investments 1,468,394 13.8% 2 Memorial Point Houston, TX 77024 The Catalyst Fund, Ltd.(6) 925,000 8.0% Three Riverway, Suite 770 Houston, TX 77056 Dana L. Fisher(7) 740,347 7.0% ACR Supply, Inc. 8798 Westpark Houston, TX 77063 Meridian Fund, Ltd. 638,000 6.0% 601 Jefferson, Suite 4000 Houston, TX 77002 EOT Investments, Inc. 626,697 5.9% 5125 Cape Romain Corpus Christi, TX 78412 St. James Capital Partners, L.P.(8) 545,174 5.0% 1980 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 2030 Houston, TX 77056 Thomas W. Courtney 542,975 5.1% 833 Wyndemere Way Naples, FL 34105 All Directors and Executive Officers 2,603,766 24.2% as a group (5 persons)(9) (10) - 4 - 7 (1) For each beneficial owner, the number of shares outstanding and their percentage of stock ownership includes the number of common and all common equivalent shares (including options exercisable within 60 days) owned by such individual at April 30, 1998. (2) Includes 1,468,394 shares owned by DST Investments, a partnership whose partners are Henrietta Trevino, wife of Mr. Trevino, and his two adult children, and 2,000 shares owned by Henrietta Trevino. The beneficial ownership of all of such shares is disclaimed by Mr. Trevino. (3) Includes 125,000 shares which are subject to options exercisable within 60 days of April 30, 1998. (4) Includes 925,000 shares which are subject to warrants issued to The Catalyst Fund, Ltd., exercisable within 60 days of April 30, 1998, the beneficial ownership of which is disclaimed by Mr. Nixon. (5) Includes 1,468,394 shares owned by DST Investments, a partnership whose partners are Mr. A. Stephen Trevino, his mother and his adult sister, and 108,985 shares owned by The MESA Fund, L.P., a partnership whose partners include the wife and children of Mr. A. Stephen Trevino. (6) Includes 925,000 shares which are subject to warrants exercisable within 60 days of April 30, 1998. (7) Includes 10,000 shares which are subject to options exercisable within 60 days of April 30, 1998. (8) Includes 250,000 shares which are subject to warrants exercisable within 60 days of April 30, 1998. (9) Includes an aggregate of 125,000 shares which are subject to options exercisable by directors and executive officers as a group within 60 days of April 30, 1998. (10) Excludes all shares as to which directors and executive officers disclaim beneficial ownership. COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS Summary Compensation Table The following table sets forth certain information regarding compensation paid by the Company during the fiscal years ended February 28, 1998, February 28, 1997 and - 5 - 8 February 29, 1996 to the Company's chief executive officer. No other executive officer of the Company received compensation which exceeded $100,000 during the fiscal year ended February 28, 1998. SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE Long-Term Annual Compensation Awards Fiscal Compensation ------------------------------- Name and Principal Year ------------ Restricted Position Ended Salary Stock Award($) Options (#) ---------------------------- ------- ------------ -------------- ------------- Alex Trevino, Jr. 2/28/98 $150,000 $ - 75,000 President and 2/28/97 150,000 125,000 - Chief Executive Officer 2/29/96 150,000 - 25,000 Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year The following table sets forth information concerning stock options granted by the Company during the fiscal year ended February 28, 1998 to the Company's chief executive officer. The Company has no plans that provide for the granting of stock appreciation rights and, accordingly, no such rights were granted during the fiscal year ended February 28, 1998. % of Total No. of Securities Options Granted Exercise or Grant Date Underlying Options to Employees Base Share Expiration Present Name Granted(1) in Fiscal Year Price Date Value(2)(3) - ----------------- ------------------ ---------------- ----------- ---------- ------------ Alex Trevino, Jr. 75,000 35.8% $2.81 6/09/2002 $126,750 - -------------- (1) These grants were made pursuant to Mr. Trevino's employment agreement with the Company which expired February 28, 1998 and provided for up to 425,000 options to be issued based upon increases in the Company's cumulative pre-tax earnings per share. (2) This calculation is based on the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model adapted for use in valuing stock options. The actual value, if any, an executive officer may realize ultimately depends on the market value of the Common Stock at a future date. There is no assurance that the value realized by an executive will be at or near the value estimated by the Black-Scholes Model. The estimated values under that model are based on the assumptions described in the footnote below. (3) The Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model calculates the present value of option grants as measured at the date of each grant. All options were granted at fair market value. The following assumptions were used in valuing the options granted: market value - 6 - 9 of stock equal to the exercise price; 5 year option term; estimated volatility of 64.4% based on 21 consecutive quarter-end stock prices prior to grant date; risk-free rate of return of 6.38% based upon the yield of Treasury STRIPs of comparable maturity to the option; and a dividend yield of 0%. Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year-End Option Values The following table discloses the exercise of stock options during the fiscal year ended February 28, 1998 by the Company's chief executive officer, and the value, as of February 28, 1998, of unexercised stock options. Number of Unexercised Value of Unexercised In- Options at the-Money Options at Shares February 28, 1998 February 28, 1998 Acquired on Value ------------------------- ------------------------- Name Exercise Realized Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable - ----------------- ----------- --------- ----------- ------------- ----------- ------------- Alex Trevino, Jr. 262,462 $590,636 125,000 - $99,250 - REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors consists of the three directors who are not employed by the Company. There are no committee interlocks or insider participation among the members of the Compensation Committee. The goal of the Compensation Committee is to ensure that the Company's compensation policies are suitable to attract and retain highly qualified executive officers and directors. Particular emphasis is placed on creating an appropriate blend of base and incentive compensation. Incentive compensation may also include both cash and equity components to align executives' interests with those of the shareholders. The Committee reviews annually the compensation of the Company's executive officers. In evaluating the level of base compensation, the Committee gives particular consideration to the relative compensation of executives in similar positions in publicly traded wholesale distribution companies with comparable sales. From time to time, the Committee may obtain advice from compensation and benefits consultants. The Committee does not anticipate that compensation paid to executive officers will exceed the limits for deductibility established by Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. During fiscal 1998, the Committee engaged an independent consultant to review the compensation of the Company's two executive officers. Based on the consultant's report, the Committee recommended that the base compensation of each officer be increased, that a cash bonus plan for the two officers be established based on meeting and exceeding the Company's short-term earnings per share goals, and that stock options be granted to each of the officers which contained provisions for accelerated vesting based upon increases in - 7 - 10 the market price of the Company's common stock. Effective March 1, 1998, the Board of Directors of the Company approved employment contracts with each of the officers that included the elements of compensation recommended by the Compensation Committee. Ronald T. Nixon A. Stephen Trevino Roland H. St. Cyr Chairman Member Member STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH The following graph sets forth the cumulative total shareholder return (assuming reinvestment of dividends) to ACR Group, Inc.'s shareholders, as well as the NASDAQ Stock Market Index and the NASDAQ Non-Financial Stocks Index. Cumulative Total Return 1993-1998 a) VALUE OF $100 INVESTED 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 ACR Group, Inc. $100 $ 150.00 $ 150.00 $ 156.25 $ 550.00 $ 550.00 NASDAQ Stock Market Index $100 $ 118.34 $ 119.99 $ 167.20 $ 199.47 $ 272.94 NASDAQ Non-Financial Stocks $100 $ 121.06 $ 119.26 $ 166.85 $ 193.08 $ 260.57 b) ANNUAL RETURN 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 ACR Group, Inc. NA 50.00% 0.00% 4.17% 252.00% 0.00% NASDAQ Stock Market Index NA 18.34% 1.39% 39.34% 19.30% 36.83% NASDAQ Non-Financial Stocks NA 21.06% (1.49%) 39.90% 15.72% 34.95% [GRAPH] - 8 - 11 Employment Contracts and Termination of Employment Arrangements Mr. Trevino serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company under an employment agreement that became effective as of March 1, 1998, and terminates, with two years prior notice from the Company, on February 28, 2002 or at any time thereafter. In the absence of notice of termination, the term of the agreement will be extended for additional two-year terms. The agreement may also be terminated by the Company without such notice for cause, death or disability, or if the Company has a net loss before taxes in any fiscal year. The agreement also provides that if Mr. Trevino terminates his employment, or if the Company terminates his employment for cause, Mr. Trevino is prohibited from competing with the Company for a period of two years. Under the agreement, Mr. Trevino's annual salary is $225,000. The agreement also provides that Mr. Trevino is to receive a cash bonus of (i) $25,000 for each year in which the Company's diluted earnings per share is equal to or greater than the forecast diluted earnings per share as approved by the Board of Directors, plus (ii) an amount equal to his base annual salary multiplied by the percentage by which the Company's diluted earnings per share exceeds the forecast diluted earnings per share approved by the Board of Directors. As of March 1, 1998, Mr. Trevino also received options ("Options") to purchase 300,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.24 per share (fair market value at the date of grant). Such Options become exercisable on March 1, 2006, but may be exercised earlier if the market price of the Common Stock attains certain specified levels. Mr. Anthony R. Maresca, the Company's Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, entered into an employment agreement with the Company effective as of March 1, 1998. Under the agreement, Mr. Maresca's annual salary is $125,000, and all other terms are substantially the same as in Mr. Trevino's employment agreement described above. As of March 1, 1998, Mr. Maresca also received Options to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.24 per share, which are exercisable as described in the preceding paragraph with respect to the Options granted to Mr. Trevino. Compensation of Directors Non-employee directors are paid $3,600 per year, payable quarterly, for service on the Board. In addition, non-employee directors are paid $500 for each meeting of the Board or a committee of the Board attended in person and are reimbursed for actual expenses incurred for attendance at meetings. Directors who are employed by the Company receive no compensation for being a director. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS In January 1998, the Company obtained loans aggregating $1.54 million from The - 9 - 12 Catalyst Fund, Ltd. ("Catalyst") and an affiliate of Catalyst to pay the Company's outstanding indebtedness to St. James Capital Partners, L.P. In April 1997, the Company borrowed $450,000 from Catalyst, the proceeds of which were used to acquire the net assets of ACH Supply, Inc. ("ACH") and to provide working capital for ACH. In 1993, the Company borrowed $1.0 million from Catalyst to pay the cash portion of the purchase price of ACR Supply, Inc. ("ACRS") and for working capital for ACRS. All of these loans bear interest at 12 1/2% per annum and are secured by both the stock and operating assets of certain of the Company's subsidiaries and an assignment of proceeds from life insurance policies on Mr. Trevino. Catalyst has subordinated its security interests in connection with up to $18.9 million in additional secured borrowings of the Company. In connection with the January 1998 loans, the Company granted Catalyst and its affiliate warrants to purchase 175,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at a price of $2.06 per share, exercisable at any time before February 28, 2003. In connection with the 1993 loan, Catalyst received a warrant to purchase one million shares of the Company's Common Stock at a price of $.59 per share, which also is exercisable at any time before February 28, 2003. In 1996, Catalyst sold its rights under the 1993 warrant to purchase 250,000 shares of Common Stock. Mr. Nixon is a shareholder and officer of the general partner of Catalyst. As of April 30, 1998, the aggregate unpaid balance owed to Catalyst and its affiliate by the Company on all of the debt facilities was $2,237,214. RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT AUDITORS The independent auditors of the Company are Ernst & Young LLP. The Company has not yet appointed an independent auditor of the Company for fiscal 1999. A representative of Ernst & Young LLP will be present at the annual meeting with the opportunity to make a statement if he desires to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions addressed to him. PROPOSALS OF SHAREHOLDERS It is anticipated that the next annual meeting will be held in August 1999 with proxy solicitation commencing in July 1999. Any proposal to be presented at next year's annual meeting of shareholders must be received by the Company at its principal executive offices by February 24, 1999, for inclusion in the Company's proxy materials relating to that meeting. Any such proposals must comply in all respects with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. OTHER MATTERS Management knows of no matter to be presented for action at the meeting other than those described above. However, if any such other matter should properly come before - 10 - 13 the meeting, or if any vacancy in the proposed slate of directors should be caused by an unexpected occurrence before the holding of the election, the proxies will vote thereon in accordance with the recommendations of management or for such other nominee as management may select. The statements set forth herein as to the present principal occupations of the nominees as directors, the beneficial ownership of securities of the Company, and other matters not of record with the Company, are based upon information furnished to the Company. By Order of the Board of Directors, /s/ Anthony R. Maresca ---------------------- Anthony R. Maresca Secretary June 29, 1998 THE COMPANY WILL FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH PERSON WHOSE PROXY IS BEING SOLICITED, UPON THE WRITTEN REQUEST OF SUCH PERSON, A COPY OF THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMPANY ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 1998, AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, INCLUDING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES THERETO. REQUESTS FOR COPIES OF SUCH REPORT SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO ANTHONY R. MARESCA, ACR GROUP, INC., 3200 WILCREST DRIVE, SUITE 440, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77042. - 11 - 14 ACR GROUP, INC. PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING TO BE HELD AUGUST 27, 1998 The undersigned hereby appoints Alex Trevino, Jr. and Anthony R. Maresca, or either of them, each with power of substitution, the proxies of the undersigned, to vote the stock of the undersigned at the annual meeting of shareholders of ACR Group, Inc., to be held at the Westchase Hilton & Towers, 9999 Westheimer, Houston, Texas 77042, on Thursday, August 27, 1998 at 10:00 a.m., Houston time, or at any adjournments thereof, as indicated on the reverse side hereof. THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS and will be voted as indicated by the shareholder. Unless a contrary direction is indicated, the proxies shall vote the shares FOR the election as directors of the Board's nominees and in accordance with the recommendations of management on any other business coming before the meeting. (Continued on reverse side) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please mark your votes as this [X]. (1) To elect five directors for a term of one year: FOR the nominees WITHHOLD AUTHORITY listed at right to vote for the nominee(s) listed at right [ ] [ ] Anthony R. Maresca, Ronald T. Nixon, Roland H. St. Cyr, Alex Trevino, Jr., and A. Stephen Trevino (INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write that nominee's name in the space provided below). - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLEASE DO NOT FOLD, BEND OR MUTILATE THIS CARD. (Please sign your name here exactly as it appears hereon. Joint owners must each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give your full title as it appears hereon). Dated , 1998 --------------------------- Signature ----------------------------- Signature ----------------------------- Sign, Date and Return the Proxy Card Promptly Using the Enclosed Envelope.