AGREEMENT by and
between STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION, a Wisconsin corporation (the
“Company”) and Richard Messina (the
“Executive”), dated as of the 1st day of December,
2008.
The Board of
Directors of the Company (the “Board”), has determined
that it is in the best interests of the Company and its
shareholders to assure that the Company will have the continued
dedication of the Executive, notwithstanding the possibility,
threat or occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined below) of
the Company. The Board believes it is imperative to diminish the
inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of the personal
uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened Change
of Control and to encourage the Executive’s full attention
and dedication to the Company currently and in the event of any
threatened or pending Change of Control, and to provide the
Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements upon a Change
of Control which ensure that the compensation and benefits
expectations of the Executive will be satisfied and which are
competitive with those of other corporations. Therefore, in order
to accomplish these objectives, the Board has caused the Company to
enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT
IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
(a) The
“Effective Date” shall mean the first date during the
Change of Control Period (as defined in Section l(b)) on which a
Change of Control (as defined in Section 2) occurs. Anything
in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if a Change of
Control occurs and if the Executive’s employment with the
Company or this Agreement is terminated prior to the date on which
the Change of Control occurs, and if it is reasonably demonstrated
by the Executive that such termination of employment or of this
Agreement (i) was at the request of a third party who has
taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change of Control or
(ii) otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of a
Change of Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement the
“Effective Date” shall mean the date immediately prior
to the date of such termination of employment or purported
termination of this Agreement.
(b) The
“Change of Control Period” shall mean the period
commencing on the date hereof and ending on the third anniversary
of the date hereof; provided, however, that commencing on the date
one year after the date hereof, and on each annual anniversary of
such date (such date and each annual anniversary thereof shall be
hereinafter referred to as the “Renewal Date”), unless
previously terminated, the Change of Control Period shall be
automatically extended so as to terminate three years from such
Renewal Date, unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal
Date the Company shall give notice to the Executive that the Change
of Control Period shall not be so extended.
2. Change
of Control . For the purpose of this Agreement, a “Change
of Control” shall mean:
(a) The
acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning
of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) (a
“Person”) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning
of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 20% or
more of either (i) the then outstanding shares of common stock
of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”)
or (ii) the combined voting power of the then outstanding
voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting
Securities”); provided, however, that the following
acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (i) any
acquisition directly from the Company, (ii) any acquisition by
the Company, (iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit
plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or
any corporation controlled by the Company or (iv) any
acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction which
complies with clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection
(c) of this Section 2; or
(b) Individuals
who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the
“Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute
at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any
individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose
election, or nomination for election by the Company’s
shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the
directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered
as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but
excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial
assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened
election contest with respect to the election or removal of
directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or
consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board;
or
(c) Approval
by the shareholders of the Company of a reorganization, merger or
consolidation (a “Business Combination”), in each case,
unless, following such Business Combination, (i) all or
substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the
beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common
Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior
to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or
indirectly, more than 60% of, respectively, the then outstanding
shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation
resulting from such Business Combination (including, without
limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction
owns the Company through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially
the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such
Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and
Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be,
(ii) no Person (excluding any employee benefit plan (or
related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from
such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or
indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively, the then
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outstanding
shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such
Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities of such corporation except to the
extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business
Combination and (iii) at least a majority of the members of
the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such
Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the
time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of
the Board, providing for such Business Combination; or
(d) Approval
by the shareholders of the Company of (i) a complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company or (ii) the sale or
other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company, other than to a corporation, with respect to which
following such sale or other disposition, [a] more than 60% of,
respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of such
corporation and the combined voting power of the then outstanding
voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in
the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly or
indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals and
entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the
Outstanding Company Common Stock and outstanding Company Voting
Securities immediately prior to such sale or other disposition in
substantially the same proportion as their ownership, immediately
prior to such sale or other disposition, of the Outstanding Company
Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case
may be, [b] less than 20% of, respectively, the then outstanding
shares of common stock of such corporation and the combined voting
power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is then
beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any Person
(excluding any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the
Company or such corporation), except to the extent that such Person
owned 20% or more of the Outstanding Company Common Stock or
Outstanding Company Voting Securities prior to the sale or
disposition, and [c] at least a majority of the members of the
board of directors of such corporation were members of the
Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial
agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such sale
or other disposition of assets of the Company or were elected,
appointed or nominated by the Board.
3.
Employment Period . The Company hereby agrees to continue
the Executive in its employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to
remain in the employ of the Company subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, for the period commencing on the
Effective Date and ending on the third anniversary of such date
(the “Employment Period”).
(a)
Position and Duties .
(i) During
the Employment Period, [a] the Executive’s position
(including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements),
authority, duties and responsibilities shall be at least
commensurate in all material respects with the most
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significant of
those held, exercised and assigned at any time during the 120-day
period immediately preceding the Effective Date and [b] the
Executive’s services shall be performed at the location where
the Executive was employed immediately preceding the Effective Date
or any office or location less than 35 miles from such
location.
(ii) During
the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of vacation and
sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees
to devote reasonable attention and time during normal business
hours to the business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent
necessary to discharge the responsibilities assigned to the
Executive hereunder, to use the Executive’s reasonable best
efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such
responsibilities. During the Employment Period it shall not be a
violation of this Agreement for the Executive to [a] serve on
corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees, [b] deliver
lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational
institutions and [c] manage personal investments, so long as such
activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of
the Executive’s responsibilities as an employee of the
Company in accordance with this Agreement. It is expressly
understood and agreed that to the extent that any such activities
have been conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective Date,
the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of
activities similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the
Effective Date shall not thereafter be deemed to interfere with the
performance of the Executive’s responsibilities to the
Company.
(i)
Base Salary . During the Employment Period, the Executive
shall receive an annual base salary (“Annual Base
Salary”), which shall be paid at a monthly rate, at least
equal to twelve times the highest monthly base salary paid or
payable, including any base salary which has been earned but
deferred, to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated
companies in respect of the 12-month period immediately preceding
the month in which the Effective Date occurs. During the Employment
Period, the Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed no more than
12 months after the last salary increase awarded to the
Executive prior to the Effective Date and thereafter at least
annually and shall be first increased no more than 12 months
after the last salary increase awarded to the Executive prior to
the Effective Date and thereafter at least annually by the higher
of (x) the average increase (excluding promotional increases) in
base salary awarded to the Executive for each of the three full
fiscal years (annualized in the case of any fiscal year consisting
of less than twelve full months or during which the Executive was
employed for less than twelve months) prior to the Effective Date,
and (y) the percentage increase (excluding promotional
increases) in base salary generally awarded to peer executives of
the Company and its affiliated companies for the year of
determination. Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall not serve
to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this
Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such
increase and the term Annual Base Salary as utilized in this
Agreement shall refer to Annual Base Salary as so increased. As
used in this Agreement, the term “affiliated companies”
shall include any company controlled by, controlling or under
common control with the Company.
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(ii)
Annual Bonus . In addition to Annual Base Salary, the
Executive shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the
Employment Period, an annual bonus (the “Annual Bonus”)
in cash at least equal to the higher of (x) the average of the
three highest bonuses paid or payable, including any bonus or
portion thereof which has been earned but deferred, to the
Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies in respect of
the five fiscal years (or such shorter period during which the
Executive has been employed by the Company) immediately preceding
the fiscal year in which the Effective Date occurs (annualized for
any fiscal year during such period consisting of less than twelve
full months or with respect to which the Executive has been
employed by the Company for less than twelve full months) and
(y) the bonus paid or payable (annualized as described above),
including any bonus or portion thereof which has been earned but
deferred, to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated
companies in respect of the most recently completed fiscal year
prior to the Effective Date (such higher amount being referred to
as the “Recent Annual Bonus”). Each such Annual Bonus
shall be paid no later than the end of the third month of the
fiscal year next following the fiscal year for which the Annual
Bonus is awarded, unless the Executive shall elect to defer the
receipt of such Annual Bonus.
(iii)
Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans . During the
Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate
in all incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies
and programs applicable generally to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies, but in no event shall such
plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive with
incentive opportunities (measured with respect to both regular and
special incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that such
distinction is applicable), savings opportunities and retirement
benefit opportunities, in each case, less favorable, in the
aggregate, than the most favorable of those provided by the Company
and its affiliated companies for the Executive under such plans,
practices, policies and programs as in effect at any time during
the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or if
more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any
time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies.
(iv)
Welfare Benefit Plans . During the Employment Period, the
Executive and/or the Executive’s family, as the case may be,
shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all
benefits under welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and
programs provided by the Company and its affiliated companies
(including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental,
disability, salary continuance, employee life, group life,
accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and programs)
to the extent applicable generally to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies, but in no event shall such
plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive with
benefits which are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most
favorable of such plans, practices, policies and programs in effect
for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately
preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective
Date to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies.
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(v)
Expenses . During the Employment Period, the Executive shall
be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable
expenses incurred by the Executive in accordance with the most
favorable policies, practices and procedures of the Company and the
affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at any time during
the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if
more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time
thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and
its affiliated companies.
(vi)
Fringe Benefits . During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits, including, without
limitation, tax and financial planning services, payment of club
dues, and, if applicable, use of automobile and payment of related
expenses, in accordance with the most favorable plans, practices,
programs and policies of the Company and its affiliated companies
in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to
the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with
respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies.
(vii)
Office and Support Staff . During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a size and
with furnishings and other appointments, and to exclusive personal
secretarial and other assistance, at least equal to the most
favorable of the foregoing provided to the Executive by the Company
and its affiliated companies at any time during the 120-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to
the Executive, as provided generally at any time thereafter with
respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies.
(viii)
Vacation . During the Employment Period, the Executive shall
be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the most favorable
plans, policies, programs and practices of the Company and its
affiliated companies as in effect for the Executive at any time
during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date
or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at
any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies.
5.
Termination of Employment .
(a)
Death or Disability . The Executive’s employment shall
terminate automatically upon the Executive’s death during the
Employment Period. If the Company determines in good faith that the
Disability of the Executive has occurred during the Employment
Period (pursuant to the definition of Disability set forth below),
it may give to the Executive written notice in accordance with
Section 12(b) of this Agreement of its intention to terminate the
Executive’s employment. In such event, the Executive’s
employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th
day after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the
“Disability Effective Date”), provided that, within the
30 days after such receipt, the Executive shall not have
returned to full-time
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performance of
the Executive’s duties. For purposes of this Agreement,
“Disability” shall mean the absence of the Executive
from the Executive’s duties with the Company on a full-time
basis for 180 consecutive business days as a result of incapacity
due to mental or physical illness which is determined to be total
and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its
insurers and acceptable to the Executive or the Executive’s
legal representative (such agreement as to acceptability not to be
withheld unreasonably).
(b)
Cause . The Company may terminate the Executive’s
employment during the Employment Period for Cause. For the sole and
exclusive purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall
mean:
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