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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 (AMENDMENT NO. )
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
[ ] Confidential, for the Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
HUBBELL INCORPORATED
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Total fee paid:
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Filing Party:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Date Filed:
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[HUBBELL LOGO]
HUBBELL INCORPORATED
584 Derby Milford Road, Orange, Connecticut 06477-4024
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD MAY 7, 2001
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TO THE SHAREHOLDERS:
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of
Hubbell Incorporated (the "Company") will be held at the Sheraton Reading Hotel,
1741 Paper Mill Road, Wyomissing, Pennsylvania 19610, on Monday, May 7, 2001 at
10:00 A.M. local time for the purpose of considering and acting upon the
following proposals:
1. Election of Directors of the Company for the ensuing year, to serve
until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company and until
their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified.
The following persons have been designated by the Board of Directors
for nomination as Directors:
E. Richard Brooks Malcolm Wallop Joel S. Hoffman
George W. Edwards, Jr. Daniel J. Meyer G. Jackson Ratcliffe
Andrew McNally IV John A. Urquhart
2. The ratification of the selection of independent accountants to
examine the annual financial statements for the Company for the year
2001.
3. Approval of the Company's 1973 Stock Option Plan for Key Employees,
as amended (the "1973 Plan").
4. Reapproval of the Company's Senior Executive Incentive Compensation
Plan (the "Senior Executive Plan").
5. The transaction of such other business as may properly come before
the meeting and any adjournments thereof.
Accompanying this Notice of Annual Meeting is a form of proxy and a proxy
statement. Copies of the Company's Annual Report for the year ended December 31,
2000 have been mailed under separate cover to all shareholders.
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IMPORTANT: IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR SHARES BE REPRESENTED AT THIS MEETING.
THEREFORE, PLEASE FILL IN, DATE, AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND MAIL IT
PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. NO STAMP IS NECESSARY IF MAILED IN THE UNITED
STATES.
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The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 9, 2001 as
the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and
to vote at such meeting and any adjournments thereof. The transfer books will
not be closed.
By order of the Board of Directors
RICHARD W. DAVIES
Vice President,
General Counsel and
Secretary
Dated: March 27, 2001
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HUBBELL INCORPORATED
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD MAY 7, 2001
------------------
The accompanying proxy is solicited by and on behalf of the Board of
Directors of Hubbell Incorporated, a Connecticut corporation (the "Company"), to
be voted at its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at the Sheraton
Reading Hotel, 1741 Paper Mill Road, Wyomissing, Pennsylvania 19610, on Monday,
May 7, 2001, and any adjournments thereof. Commencing on or about March 27,
2001, copies of this Proxy Statement and the proxy form are being mailed to all
shareholders. Copies of the Company's Annual Report for the year 2000 have been
mailed under separate cover to all shareholders.
Any shareholder executing a proxy may revoke it at any time prior to its
use. The Company will treat any duly executed proxy as not revoked until it
receives a duly executed instrument revoking it, or a duly executed proxy
bearing a later date or, in the case of death or incapacity of the person
executing the same, written notice thereof. A proxy also may be revoked by
voting by ballot at the annual meeting.
VOTING RIGHTS AND SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF
CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote at
the meeting is the close of business on March 9, 2001. On March 9, 2001, the
Company had outstanding 9,671,623 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $.01
per share, and 48,825,701 shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $.01 per
share, and no other voting securities. Each share of Class A Common Stock is
entitled to twenty votes and each share of Class B Common Stock is entitled to
one vote. The vote required for each proposal to be acted upon at this meeting
is set forth in the description of that proposal.
The following table sets forth as of March 9, 2001, or such other date as
indicated in the table or the notes thereto, each of the persons known to the
Company to own beneficially shares representing more than 5% of any class of the
Company's outstanding voting securities, with the percent of class stated
therein being based upon the outstanding shares on March 9, 2001.
AMOUNT AND
NATURE OF
TITLE OF CLASS NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL PERCENT
-------------- BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNERSHIP OF CLASS
Class A Common Stock Andrew McNally IV, G. J. Ratcliffe, 2,734,240(1)(2)(4) 28.27%
and John A. Urquhart, as trustees
under a Trust Indenture dated
September 2, 1957 made by Louie E.
Roche (the "Roche Trust"), c/o
Hubbell Incorporated, 584 Derby
Milford Road, Orange, Connecticut
06477
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AMOUNT AND
NATURE OF
TITLE OF CLASS NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL PERCENT
-------------- BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNERSHIP OF CLASS
Class A Common Stock Andrew McNally IV, G. J. Ratcliffe, 1,855,840(2)(3)(4) 19.19%
and John A. Urquhart, as trustees
under a Trust Indenture dated
August 23, 1957 made by Harvey
Hubbell (the "Hubbell Trust"), c/o
Hubbell Incorporated, 584 Derby
Milford Road, Orange, Connecticut
06477
Class B Common Stock T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and 3,887,052(5) 7.96
T. Rowe Price Equity Income
Fund, Inc.,
100 E. Pratt Street,
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Class B Common Stock Capital Research and Management 6,875,000(6) 14.08
Company, Capital Income Builder,
Inc. and The Income Fund of
America, Inc.,
333 South Hope Street,
Los Angeles, California 90071
---------------
(1) The beneficiaries of such trust are the issue of Harvey Hubbell and
their spouses.
(2) The Trust Indenture requires that, so long as no bank or trust company
is acting as a trustee, there shall be three individuals acting as trustees,
each of whom, so long as any securities of the Company are held by the trust,
must be an officer or Director of the Company. The Trust Indenture provides that
successor trustees are to be appointed by the trustees then in office. The
trustees have shared voting and investment power with respect to the securities
of the Company held in such trust.
(3) The beneficiaries of such trust are the issue of Harvey Hubbell.
(4) In addition, Messrs. McNally, Ratcliffe, and Urquhart beneficially own
shares of the Company's Common Stock. Mr. Ratcliffe holds unexercised options
for the purchase of the Company's Class B Common Stock and is a Trustee of the
Harvey Hubbell Foundation which owns 106,304 shares of Class A Common Stock and
29,358 shares of Class B Common Stock. (See "Election of Directors" and table
captioned "Aggregated Options/SAR Exercises During 2000 Fiscal Year and Fiscal
Year-End Option/SAR Values".)
(5) The Company has received a copy of Schedule 13G as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
("Price Associates") and T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund, Inc. ("Price Equity")
reporting ownership of these shares as of December 31, 2000. As reported in said
Schedule 13G, Price Associates has sole voting power for 858,000 of such shares
and sole dispositive power for 3,886,152 of such shares, and Price Equity has
sole voting power for 2,491,000 of such shares.
(6) The Company has received a copy of Schedule 13G as filed with the SEC
by Capital Research and Management Company ("Capital Research"), Capital Income
Builder, Inc. ("Capital Income") and The Income Fund of America, Inc. ("Income
Fund") reporting ownership of these shares as of December 29,
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2000. As reported in said Schedule 13G, Capital Research has sole dispositive
power for all of such shares, as to which it has disclaimed beneficial
ownership, Capital Income has sole voting power for 2,575,000 of such shares and
Income Fund has sole voting power for 2,580,000 of such shares.
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The following table sets forth as of March 9, 2001, the equity securities
of the Company beneficially owned by each of the Directors and named executive
officers of the Company, and by all Directors and executive officers of the
Company as a group (13 persons):
AMOUNT AND
NATURE OF PERCENT
BENEFICIAL OF
NAME TITLE OF CLASS OWNERSHIP(1) CLASS
E. Richard Brooks.................... Class A Common 656(2) 0.01%
George W. Edwards, Jr. .............. Class A Common 1,000(2) 0.01
Class B Common 156(2) --
Joel S. Hoffman...................... Class A Common 2,900(2) 0.03
Class B Common 528(2) --
Andrew McNally IV.................... Class A Common 4,590,080(2)(3) 47.46
Class B Common 13,512(2) 0.03
Daniel J. Meyer...................... Class B Common 726(2) --
G. Jackson Ratcliffe................. Class A Common 4,820,672(3)(4) 49.84
Class B Common 722,594(5) 1.48
John A. Urquhart..................... Class A Common 4,590,080(2)(3) 47.46
Class B Common 3,226(2) 0.01
Malcolm Wallop....................... Class B Common 100(2) --
Timothy H. Powers.................... Class B Common 1,000 --
Harry B. Rowell, Jr. ................ Class A Common 168,911(4) 1.75
Class B Common 391,235(5) 0.80
Glenn M. Grunewald................... Class B Common 89,113 0.18
Richard W. Davies.................... Class A Common 130,698(4) 1.35
Class B Common 129,194(5) 0.26
All Directors and executive officers
as a group......................... Class A Common 4,916,932(2)(3)(4) 50.84
Class B Common 1,374,129(2)(5) 2.81
---------------
(1) The figures in the table and notes thereto represent beneficial ownership
and sole voting and investment power except where indicated and include the
following shares obtainable within sixty days of March 9, 2001 by the
exercise of stock options pursuant to the Company's 1973 Plan: Mr.
Ratcliffe -- 517,530 shares of Class B Common Stock, Mr. Rowell -- 276,790
shares of Class B Common Stock, Mr. Grunewald -- 82,388 shares of Class B
Common Stock, and Mr. Davies -- 76,110 shares of Class B Common Stock; and
all executive officers as a group -- 1,017,269 shares of Class B Common
Stock.
(2) Does not include share units (representing shares of Class A Common Stock
and Class B Common Stock) credited to and held under the Company's deferred
compensation program for Directors who are not employees of the Company, as
discussed below under "Compensation of Directors". As of March 9, 2001, the
following have been credited under the deferred compensation program: Mr.
Brooks -- 2,832 shares each of Class A and Class B Common Stock; Mr.
Edwards -- 7,534 shares each of Class A and
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Class B Common Stock; Mr. Hoffman -- 10,013 shares each of Class A and Class
B Common Stock; Mr. McNally -- 21,706 shares each of Class A and Class B
Common Stock; Mr. Meyer -- 6,730 shares each of Class A and Class B Common
Stock; Mr. Urquhart -- 1,225 shares each of Class A and Class B Common
Stock; and Mr. Wallop -- 1,680 shares each of Class A and Class B Common
Stock.
(3) Includes 2,734,240 shares of Class A Common Stock owned by the Roche Trust
of which Messrs. McNally, Ratcliffe, and Urquhart are co-trustees and have
shared voting and investment power; and 1,855,840 shares of Class A Common
Stock owned by the Hubbell Trust of which Messrs. McNally, Ratcliffe, and
Urquhart are co-trustees and have shared voting and investment power.
(4) Includes 106,304 shares of Class A Common Stock held by the Harvey Hubbell
Foundation of which Messrs. Ratcliffe, Rowell and Davies are co-trustees and
have shared voting and investment power.
(5) Includes 29,358 shares of Class B Common Stock held by the Harvey Hubbell
Foundation of which Messrs. Ratcliffe, Rowell and Davies are co-trustees and
have shared voting and investment power.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Company's By-Laws provide that the Board of Directors shall consist of
not less than three nor more than eleven Directors who shall be elected annually
by the shareholders. The Board has fixed the number of Directors at eight, and
the following persons are proposed as Directors of the Company to hold office
until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their respective
successors have been duly elected and qualified. In the event that any of the
nominees for Directors should become unavailable, it is intended that the shares
represented by the proxies will be voted for such substitute nominees as may be
nominated by the Board of Directors, unless the number of Directors constituting
a full Board of Directors is reduced. Directors are elected by plurality vote.
Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted for the purposes of the
election of Directors.
YEAR FIRST
AGE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION BECAME A
NAME ------ -------------------- DIRECTOR
G. Jackson Ratcliffe........... 64 Chairman of the Board, President and Chief 1980
Executive Officer of the Company. Director of
Praxair, Inc., Olin Corporation and Sunoco,
Inc.
E. Richard Brooks.............. 63 Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 1993
of Central and South West Corporation (utility
holding company). Director of American
Electric Power Company, Inc.
George W. Edwards, Jr. ........ 61 Retired President and Chief Executive Officer 1990
of The Kansas City Southern Railway Company
(railroad). Chairman of the Board and a
Director of El Paso Electric Company.
Joel S. Hoffman................ 62 Retired Partner of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, 1989
a New York City law firm.
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YEAR FIRST
AGE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION BECAME A
NAME ------ -------------------- DIRECTOR
Andrew McNally IV.............. 61 Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 1980
of Rand McNally & Company (printing,
publishing and map-making). Principal of
Hammond, Kennedy, Whitney & Company, Inc. (a
leverage buy-out firm); and a director of
Burns International Service Corp., Morgan
Stanley Funds, and Reinhold Industries, Inc.
Daniel J. Meyer................ 64 Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive 1989
Officer of Milacron Inc. (plastics
processing systems and services and metal
cutting process products and services).
Director of Broadwing, Inc., The E. W.
Scripps Company, and AK Steel Corporation.
John A. Urquhart............... 72 President of John A. Urquhart Associates 1991
(management consultant) and Senior Advisor
to the Chairman and a Director of Enron
Corp. (natural gas pipeline system).
Director of Teco Energy, Incorporated, a
public utility holding company, and its
subsidiary, Tampa Electric Company, The Weir
Group plc., and Catalytica Energy Systems,
Inc.
Malcolm Wallop................. 68 Chairman of Frontiers of Freedom Institute 1995
(non-profit foundation). Director of El Paso
Energy Corporation, El Paso Energy Partners
and Sheridan State Bank.
---------------
(1) As of March 9, 2001.
Each of the individuals was elected as a Director by the shareholders of
the Company. During the five years ended December 31, 2000, each of the
Directors has either been retired or held the principal occupation set forth
above opposite his name.
Messrs. Brooks, Hoffman, Meyer, and Wallop serve as members of the Audit
Committee, with Mr. Meyer as Chairman. The Audit Committee, which consists of
members who are "independent" as defined in the New York Stock Exchange listing
standards, met five times in 2000. The Audit Committee recommends to the Board
of Directors of the Company the appointment of independent accountants to serve
as auditors for the following year, subject to ratification by the shareholders
at the Annual Meeting; meets periodically with the independent accountants,
internal auditors, and appropriate personnel responsible for the management of
the Company and subsidiary companies concerning the adequacy of internal
controls and the objectivity of the financial reporting of the Company; and
reviews and approves the scope of the audit and fees for audit and non-audit
services performed by the independent accountants. The independent accountants
and the Company's internal auditors each meet alone with the Audit Committee and
have access at any time to the Audit Committee.
Messrs. Brooks, Edwards, Hoffman, and Ratcliffe serve as members of the
Executive Committee, with Mr. Ratcliffe as Chairman. The Executive Committee,
which did not meet in 2000, exercises, during the intervals between the meetings
of the Board of Directors, all the powers of the Board of Directors in the
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management of the business, properties and affairs of the Company, except
certain powers enumerated in the By-Laws of the Company.
Messrs. Edwards, McNally, Urquhart, and Wallop serve as members of the
Compensation Committee, with Mr. Edwards as Chairman. The Compensation
Committee, which met two times in 2000, is charged with the duties of
recommending to the Board of Directors the remuneration (salary plus additional
compensation and benefits) of the Chief Executive Officer and, after
consultation with him, the remuneration of all other corporate officers;
reviewing the remuneration for senior executives; approving stock option grants;
recommending (for approval) to the Board of Directors pension changes, and other
significant benefits or perquisites; reviewing the existing senior executive
resources of the Company and the plans for the development of qualified
candidates, and reporting to the Board of Directors annually; recommending to
the Board of Directors (for approval) changes proposed by the Chief Executive
Officer pertaining to organization structure or appointment of the Company's
officers; and conducting annually with the Chief Executive Officer an appraisal
of the performance of the Chief Executive Officer and reviewing the latter's
appraisal of the performance of the other members of the Company's key
management group.
Messrs. Brooks, McNally, Meyer, Ratcliffe, Urquhart, and Wallop serve as
members of the Finance Committee, with Mr. McNally as Chairman. The Finance
Committee, which met once in 2000, recommends to the Board of Directors of the
Company proposals concerning long and short-term financing, material divestments
and acquisitions, cash and stock dividend policies, programs to repurchase the
Company's stock, stock splits, and other proposed changes in the Company's
capital structure; periodically reviews the Company's capital expenditure policy
and recommends changes to the Board of Directors, where appropriate, and, when
requested by the Board of Directors, reviews and makes recommendations to the
Board of Directors with respect to proposals concerning major capital
expenditures and leasing arrangements; reviews annually the Company's insurance
programs and their adequacy to protect against major losses and liabilities;
reviews and monitors the administration and asset management of the Company's
employee benefit plans, including the selection of investment and other
advisors, the allocation of assets between fixed income and equity, and the
performance of plan investment managers; and reviews and monitors the
administration of the Company's cash and investment portfolios, including the
Company's investment guideline policies.
The Board of Directors does not have a nominating committee. This function
is performed by the Board of Directors as a whole. The Company's By-Laws contain
time limitations, procedures and requirements relating to shareholder
nominations of Directors. Any shareholder who intends to bring before an annual
meeting of shareholders any nomination for Director shall deliver written notice
to the Secretary of the Company setting forth specified information with respect
to the shareholder and additional information as would be required under SEC
regulations for a proxy statement used to solicit proxies for such nominee. In
general, the notice must be delivered not less than seventy days nor more than
ninety days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual
meeting.
Seven meetings of the Board of Directors of the Company were held during
the year ended December 31, 2000.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
CASH AND OTHER FORMS OF COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth the aggregate cash and other compensation
paid or accrued by the Company for services rendered in all capacities to the
Company and its subsidiaries to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and the
four other most highly compensated executive officers of the Company for the
three fiscal years ended December 31, 2000.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
LONG
TERM
COMPEN-
ANNUAL COMPENSATION SATION
----------------------------- -----------
OTHER SECURITIES ALL
ANNUAL UNDERLYING OTHER
COMPEN- OPTIONS/ COMPEN-
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS(1) SATION SARS SATION(2)
--------------------------- ---- ------ -------- ------- ---------- ---------
G.J. Ratcliffe..................... 2000 $744,000 $627,000 $17,910 250,000 $60,836
Chairman of the Board, President 1999 714,000 390,000 18,672 200,000 55,640
and Chief Executive Officer 1998 700,000 780,000 20,242 132,000 55,640
T. H. Powers....................... 2000 387,600 210,000 8,797 74,000 -0-
Senior Vice President and 1999 380,000 123,500 8,903 53,000 45,000
Chief Financial Officer 1998 106,692 247,000 -0- 40,000 -0-
H. B. Rowell....................... 2000 408,000 180,000 6,006 93,000 3,836
Executive Vice President 1999 400,000 185,000 13,116 93,000 4,140
1998 347,500 370,000 11,895 70,000 4,140
G.M. Grunewald(3).................. 2000 275,000 180,000 3,332 100,000 -0-
Executive Vice President and 1999 225,000 135,000 5,174 30,000 -0-
Chief Operating Officer 1998 210,000 130,000 3,781 22,000 -0-
R. W. Davies....................... 2000 229,500 105,000 3,674 25,000 3,836
Vice President, General 1999 225,000 50,000 6,572 20,000 4,140
Counsel and Secretary 1998 216,300 100,000 5,651 15,000 4,140
---------------
(1) Reflects bonus earned during fiscal year under the Company's incentive
compensation plans.
(2) Includes (a) premiums under the Company's supplemental medical plan which
provides for reimbursement of certain medical expenses not covered by the
Company's group insurance policy, (b) Director and Board committee fees for
Mr. Ratcliffe of $57,000 in 2000, and $51,500 in 1999 and 1998, and (c) an
amount paid in 1999 to Mr. Powers in connection with Mr. Powers joining the
Company.
(3) Elected as of July 7, 2000; previously, he was a Group Vice President of the
Company.
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OPTIONS/SAR GRANTS DURING 2000 FISCAL YEAR
The following table provides information on option grants in fiscal 2000 to
the named executive officers of the Company.
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
-------------------------------------------------------------- VALUE AT
NUMBER OF PERCENT OF ASSUMED ANNUAL
SECURITIES TOTAL RATES OF STOCK PRICE
UNDERLYING OPTIONS/SARS EXERCISE APPRECIATION FOR
OPTIONS/ GRANTED TO OR BASE OPTION TERM
SARS EMPLOYEES PRICE EXPIRATION -----------------------
NAME GRANTED(1) IN FISCAL YEAR ($/SHARE) DATE 5%(2) 10%(2)
---- ---------- -------------- --------- ---------- ----- ------
G. J. Ratcliffe..... 250,000 15.6% $24.594 12/04/10 $3,873,555 $9,776,115
T. H. Powers........ 74,000 4.6 24.594 12/04/10 1,146,572 2,893,730
H. B. Rowell........ 93,000 5.8 24.594 12/04/10 1,440,962 3,636,715
G.M. Grunewald...... 100,000 6.2 24.594 12/04/10 1,549,422 3,910,446
R. W. Davies........ 25,000 1.6 24.594 12/04/10 387,356 977,612
---------------
(1) Non-qualified options to acquire shares of Class B Common Stock of the
Company were granted on December 5, 2000 at 100% of the fair market value of
the Class B Common Stock on the date of grant. No portion of the option is
exercisable before the third anniversary of the date of grant; on the third
anniversary of the date of grant the option becomes fully exercisable. The
exercise price of an option may be paid in cash or in shares of either the
Company's Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, or a combination
thereof. The 1973 Plan provides for the acceleration of all options (other
than incentive stock options granted on or after January 1, 1987) in the
event of a "Change of Control" as defined in the 1973 Plan. In the event of
a Change of Control (other than a Change of Control that would be ineligible
for pooling-of-interests accounting if the following cashout right were to
be exercised), all participants who are officers, and any other participants
who are designated by the Compensation Committee, would have the right to
surrender their then exercisable options, including those accelerated within
the thirty-day period following the Change of Control and to receive in cash
the amount by which the highest closing price within the sixty days
preceding the Change of Control of the common stock underlying the option
exceeds the option price for such common stock.
(2) The potential realizable value illustrates value that might be realized upon
exercise of the options immediately prior to the expiration of their
ten-year term, assuming the specified compounded rates of appreciation on
the Company's Class B Common Stock over the term of the options. These
numbers do not take into account provisions of the options providing for
cancellation of the option following termination of employment,
nontransferability, or the vesting provisions described in footnote (1)
above.
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AGGREGATED OPTIONS/SAR EXERCISES DURING 2000 FISCAL YEAR
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
The following table provides information on stock option exercises in
fiscal 2000 by the named executive officers of the Company and the value of such
officers' unexercised stock options at December 31, 2000. All outstanding stock
options and stock option exercises are in shares of the Company's Class B Common
Stock.
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY
OPTIONS/SARS AT OPTIONS/SARS
SHARES FISCAL YEAR-END AT FISCAL YEAR-END(1)
ACQUIRED VALUE --------------------------- ---------------------------
NAME ON EXERCISE REALIZED EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
---- ----------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
G. J. Ratcliffe.......... 0 $ -- 517,530 582,000 $ 72,636 $476,500
T. H. Powers............. 0 -- -0- 167,000 -0- 141,044
H. B. Rowell............. 30,098 125,540 276,790 256,000 173,205 177,258
G.M. Grunewald........... 4,723 23,982 82,388 152,000 43,633 190,600
R. W. Davies............. 0 -- 76,110 60,000 49,143 47,650
---------------
(1) Limited to in-the-money stock options.
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PENSION PLANS
The Company has in effect a non-contributory defined benefit retirement
plan for salaried employees ("Basic Plan") and a supplemental executive
retirement plan ("SERP") which is an unfunded plan. Pension benefits are earned
under both the Basic Plan and the SERP. The annual benefits under the Basic Plan
are calculated as 1.50% of final compensation per year of total Company service,
which includes both basic compensation and bonuses, reduced by 1.50% of primary
social security benefit per year of service. SERP benefits are calculated as 6%
of final total compensation (basic compensation and bonuses as reflected in the
Salary and Bonus columns under the Summary Compensation Table on page 8 hereof)
per year of SERP service up to a maximum of 60%, offset by benefits payable
under the Basic Plan. Except as otherwise provided for certain SERP participants
who have entered into Continuity Agreements with the Company (as referred to
below, in Continuity Agreements, Severance Policy, and Change of Control
Provisions) no SERP benefit is payable if a participant terminates employment
prior to age 55 with less than 10 years of SERP service. The following table
illustrates annual pension benefits pursuant to the SERP (which is greater in
each instance than benefits payable under the Basic Plan) under the joint and
survivor annuity form upon retirement at age 65 to executive officers in the
specified salary classifications:
TOTAL PENSION (ON 3 HIGHEST IN LAST 10 YEARS)
--------------------------------------------- ANNUAL BENEFIT FOR YEARS OF SERVICE INDICATED(1)(2)
AVERAGE ANNUAL -----------------------------------------------------
COMPENSATION 5 YRS. 10 YRS. 15 YRS. 20 YRS.
-------------- ------ ------- ------- -------
$ 200,000 $ 60,000 $120,000 $120,000 $120,000
400,000 120,000 240,000 240,000 240,000
600,000 180,000 360,000 360,000 360,000
800,000 240,000 480,000 480,000 480,000
1,000,000 300,000 600,000 600,000 600,000
1,200,000 360,000 720,000 720,000 720,000
1,400,000 420,000 840,000 840,000 840,000
1,600,000 480,000 960,000 960,000 960,000
---------------
(1) The estimated annual benefits are based upon the assumptions that the
individual will remain in the employ of the Company until age 65 and that
the plans will continue in their present form.
(2) Years of SERP Service at December 31, 2000:
OFFICER SERVICE
------- -------
Mr. Ratcliffe................................ 26
Mr. Powers................................... 2
Mr. Rowell................................... 21
Mr. Grunewald................................ 4
Mr. Davies................................... 18
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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The total direct compensation package for the Company's executives is made
up of three elements: base salary, a short-term incentive program in the form of
a discretionary, performance-based bonus, and long-term incentive program in the
form of stock options.
Total direct compensation for the Chief Executive Officer and the four
highest paid executive officers is based on the performance of the Company. The
Compensation Committee also reviews compensation data provided by outside
consultants. This data is provided for each element of the total direct
compensation package for comparable positions within (i) companies in our
industry of similar size, and (ii) companies in general industry of comparable
size and complexity.
The Compensation Committee believes that companies in our industry of
similar size provide limited comparison data and the use of a broader database,
including companies from general industry, ensure more accurate comparisons and
results.
Base salaries are determined by competitive data and individual levels of
responsibility. Target levels for bonuses and stock options for each executive
position are determined by competitive data; however, actual bonuses paid and
the number of stock options granted each executive are based upon the
achievement of Company financial plan goals which include factors such as net
sales, net income, and earnings per share.
In the past few years, the Company has adopted a more aggressive
incentive-pay-for-performance posture. During this period, the competitive
position, or emphasis, on base salaries has been lowered. Bonus and stock option
opportunities thereby represent a greater portion in the total direct
compensation package, enhancing the Company's goal of linking pay more directly
to financial performance.
While these comments are directed towards compensation for the Chief
Executive Officer and the four other highest paid executive officers, the
Compensation Committee employs similar procedures to determine the compensation
levels of other executives as well.
BASE SALARY
The Company defines its market competitive position for base salaries as
the 50th percentile. This represents a change over the years from a market
competitive position of the 60th percentile for base salaries. To determine the
salary for the Chief Executive Officer and the four highest paid executive
officers, the Compensation Committee reviewed projected year 2000 salary data
for companies within our industry and companies of comparable size and
complexity. Based upon this data, base salaries were established to approximate
the 50th percentile for comparable positions in companies both within our
industry and companies from general industry. For year 2000, the base salaries
of the Chief Executive Officer and the four other highest paid executive
officers increased over the prior year.
BONUS
Bonuses are paid pursuant to the Company's short-term incentive
compensation plan and the Senior Executive Plan. Under the incentive
compensation plan, 5% of the amount by which the Company's consolidated
earnings, as defined in the plan, for each fiscal year exceeds 10% of the
invested capital and long-term debt at the beginning of such fiscal year is
allocated to a bonus pool to be paid out to participating
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employees, including the executive officers. Awards in varying amounts may be
made from the pool at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. Under the
Senior Executive Plan, awards may be made based on performance goals including a
percentage of the bonus pool described above. Awards under the Senior Executive
Plan may only be reduced by the Compensation Committee.
To establish target levels for executive officers' bonus awards, the
Compensation Committee uses data provided by outside consultants for comparable
positions at companies within our industry and companies from general industry
with comparable performance characteristics such as return on net sales and
return on equity.
In determining the year 2000 bonus award for each executive officer, the
Compensation Committee's primary focus was the review of the year 2000 business
plan with regard to net sales, pre-tax profit, and earnings per share, compared
to actual results. The Compensation Committee recognized the success the Company
has had in achieving non-financial goals in the Company's acquisition and
restructuring programs, and in making strategic plan decisions, which are
expected to result in long-term growth and benefit the shareholders. As noted,
however, the Compensation Committee gave greater consideration to short-term
results. The Company, while improving earnings per share, fell short in
achieving all of year 2000's financial objectives and, as a result, the year
2000 bonuses of the executive officers, including the Chief Executive Officer,
were below target levels.
For the year 2000, the Compensation Committee had designated Mr. Ratcliffe
as the sole participant in the Senior Executive Plan and established his
objective performance goal by designating that a percentage of the short-term
incentive compensation plan pool be paid to Mr. Ratcliffe. The Compensation
Committee exercised its discretion pursuant to the Senior Executive Plan to
award Mr. Ratcliffe a bonus of $627,000.
STOCK OPTIONS
The Compensation Committee believes that the holding of Company stock
represents a unity of interest between executives and shareholders. In
determining target levels for stock option grants for each senior executive, the
Compensation Committee reviews data provided by an outside consultant. The data
provided is on comparable position pay levels at companies of comparable size in
financial performance and complexity. The actual number of stock option grants
for each executive officer is based upon the financial performance of the
Company, both in the short- and long-term. The Compensation Committee reviewed
year 2000 net sales, pre-tax profit and earnings per share. The Compensation
Committee also reviewed long-term strategic plans which will position the
Company for greater growth. In determining awards of stock option grants, the
Compensation Committee does not consider the executive officer's unexercised
stock option grants.
In considering levels of stock option grants for the five highest paid
executive officers, the primary focus was to link the executives' long-term
compensation to the success of the Company's long-term strategic plans. The
Compensation Committee recognized that while short-term financial goals have not
been met, the Company has positioned itself for long-term growth which will
benefit shareholders. As a result, the number of shares awarded under the year
2000 stock option grants to certain of the executive officers, including the
Chief Executive Officer, increased over the prior year's level.
GENERAL MATTERS
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code")
limits to $1 million annually the amount that can be deducted by a publicly held
corporation for compensation paid to any of its
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top five executives (as indicated in the Summary Compensation Table for that
year), unless the compensation in excess of $1 million is performance based or
meets certain other conditions. The Company has qualified the 1973 Plan as a
performance based plan with respect to grants of options made at fair market
value, and adopted the Senior Executive Plan, payments under which are intended
to qualify as performance based compensation, but decided not to amend the
Company's short-term incentive compensation plan.
The Compensation Committee believes that the total direct compensation
package consisting of base salary, bonus, and stock options, is appropriate for
the Company's executive officers and other executives, on the basis of
competitive practice, along with the Company's performance against established
short- and long-term financial performance goals.
Compensation Committee
George W. Edwards, Jr.,
Chairman
Andrew McNally IV
John A. Urquhart
Malcolm Wallop
CORPORATE PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return on the
Company's Class B Common Stock during the five fiscal years ended December 31,
2000 with a cumulative total return on the (i) Standard & Poor's MidCap 400
("S&P MidCap"), and (ii) Hubbell Self-Constructed Peer Group Index ("HI Peer
Group"). The comparison assumes $100 was invested on January 1, 1996 in the
Company's Class B Common Stock and in each of the foregoing indices and assumes
reinvestment of dividends.
The HI Peer Group consists of corporations whose businesses are
representative of the Company's business segments and, therefore, serves as a
base for comparing total return to shareholders. The companies that comprise the
HI Peer Group are (a) Cooper Industries, Inc., (b) Emerson Electric Co., (c)
Thomas & Betts Corporation, (d) National Service Industries, Inc., and (e)
Woodhead Industries, Inc. The HI Peer Group has been weighted in accordance with
each corporation's market capitalization (closing stock price multiplied by the
number of shares outstanding) as of the beginning of each of the five years
covered by the performance graph. The weighted return for each year was
calculated by assuming the products obtained by multiplying (a) the percentage
that each corporation's market capitalization represents of the total market
capitalization for all corporations in the index for each such year by (b) the
total shareholder return for that corporation for such year.
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COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
AMONG HUBBELL, S&P MIDCAP 400, AND HI PEER GROUP
[LINE GRAPH]
HUBBELL INCORPORATED S&P MIDCAP 400 HI PEER GROUP
-------------------- -------------- -------------
100.00 100.00 100.00
1996 126.10 119.20 120.69
1997 160.51 157.65 144.00
1998 133.52 180.40 150.50
1999 99.08 206.96 140.49
2000 99.95 243.18 184.47
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
The Company had agreed to employ Mr. Ratcliffe for a three-year period and
Mr. Rowell for a two-year period at the respective salaries (effective January
1, 2001) of $760,000 and $416,000 per annum. The Agreements are automatically
extended on a daily basis until notice of termination is given. In 1998, the
Company gave notice under the Agreement to Mr. Ratcliffe that his employment
agreement would terminate on May 15, 2001, and in the year 2000, the Company
gave notice under the Agreement to Mr. Rowell that his employment agreement
would terminate on July 7, 2002. The Company may increase their salary and grant
them bonuses (which they presently receive by participation in the Company's
incentive compensation plans described above). If their employment is terminated
(other than for cause), or if the Executive terminates his employment for any of
the reasons below, he is entitled to receive the present value (discounted at
120% of the short term federal rate) of the amounts which would be received over
the remainder of the term of the Agreement if he received during that period an
annual amount equal to the sum of (i) his current base salary and (ii) the
average of the most recent bonuses that he received for the three prior fiscal
years of the Company. The reasons for which the Executive may terminate his
employment include: diminution in his authority (Mr. Ratcliffe), reduction in
his compensation level or failure to increase his compensation
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commensurate with other senior executive officers, relocation or adverse
modification of his benefits under bonus, benefit or other similar plans or of
fringe benefits. In the event of his disability or death during the term of the
Agreement he or his estate will be entitled to his per annum base salary for the
remainder of the term of the Agreement less certain offsets. In addition, in the
event of the Executive's discharge other than for cause or, if the Executive
terminates his employment for any of the reasons described above, Executive
would be entitled for the remainder of the employment term to (i) various
medical and health plans, (ii) death and accidental death benefits, (iii)
office, secretarial and other benefits afforded to senior executives and (iv)
continued participation in the SERP.
CONTINUITY AGREEMENTS, SEVERANCE POLICY AND CHANGE OF CONTROL PROVISIONS
Continuity Agreements. The Company has entered into agreements (the
"Continuity Agreements") with the executive officers named in the Summary
Compensation Table providing severance benefits in the event of a termination of
employment in the circumstances described below following certain "change in
control" events, as defined in the Continuity Agreements. The Continuity
Agreements were effective as of December 27, 1999 and remain in effect through
December 27, 2001. Thereafter, the Continuity Agreements automatically extend
for additional one-year periods unless notice is given to the contrary by the
Company at least 180 days prior to the renewal date. Unless previously
terminated as described above, in the event of any change in control, the
Continuity Agreements will remain in effect until the second anniversary
thereof.
Severance benefits under the Continuity Agreements become payable in the
event that, following (or, in certain circumstances, in anticipation of) a
change in control, the executive is terminated without "cause" (generally
defined to include (a) continued and willful failure to perform the executive's
duties after receipt of a written demand to perform, (b) gross misconduct
materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company and (c) conviction of, or
plea of nolo contendere to, a felony) or the executive terminates employment for
"good reason" (generally defined to include (a) material and adverse changes in
the executive's duties and responsibilities, (b) reduction in cash compensation
or failure to annually increase base salary, (c) relocation of the executive's
workplace and (d) any election by the executive to terminate employment during a
thirty-day period following the first anniversary of the change in control or,
in the case of Mr. Ratcliffe, attainment of age 65, if earlier). The benefits
payable under the agreements include (i) a lump sum amount equal to three times
the sum of the executive's annual base salary and annual bonus (as calculated
under the Continuity Agreements), (ii) continuation of certain of the
executive's perquisites for a period of 36 months after termination (or, in the
case of Mr. Ratcliffe, a lump sum payment equal to 105% of his annual base
salary in lieu of such continuation), (iii) a pro-rated portion of the
executive's annual target bonus for the year in which termination occurs, (iv)
enhanced benefits under the Company's SERP, (v) outplacement services at a cost
to the Company not exceeding 15% of the executive's annual base salary, (vi)
medical, dental and life insurance coverage for up to 36 months after
termination, and (vii) all other accrued or vested benefits to which the
executive is entitled under benefit plans in which the executive is
participating (offset by any corresponding benefits under the Continuity
Agreements). In addition, the executive is entitled to a gross-up payment from
the Company to cover any excise taxes (and any income taxes on the gross-up
amount) imposed on these severance payments and benefits as a result of their
being paid and provided in connection with a change in control, unless the total
value of such payments and benefits is less than $50,000 higher than the
greatest amount which could be paid without being subject to excise taxes (in
which event such payments and benefits will be reduced by the amount of the
excess). The Continuity Agreements do not affect the rights
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of an executive under any employment agreement to which the executive may be a
party immediately prior to a change in control (including the agreements
referred to above under "Employment Agreements"), but payment of benefits
thereunder will reduce any corresponding benefit under an executive's Continuity
Agreement.
Severance Policy and Change of Control Provisions. The Company has a
severance policy which covers corporate officers (other than Messrs. Ratcliffe
and Rowell) and other individuals. The policy provides that if an eligible
individual's employment is terminated (other than for cause), or if the eligible
individual terminates his employment for any of the reasons noted below within
three years after the occurrence of certain "Change of Control" events, he is
entitled to receive the present value (discounted at 120% of the short term
federal rate) of the severance amounts provided under the policy. The formula in
the case of corporate officers is based upon eight weeks of base salary
continuation for each full year of service, subject to a minimum of 26 weeks and
a maximum of 104 weeks, with the formula amount reduced to 67% and 33% thereof,
respectively, if termination occurs in the second and third year following the
Change of Control event. In addition, upon such termination of employment, the
eligible individual would be entitled to (a) a bonus of no less than his target
bonus for the year in which the Change of Control occurs, pro rated for the
number of months to such termination, and (b) for the period the base salary
would have been continued even though paid as a lump sum (i) various medical and
health plans, and (ii) death and accidental death benefits. The reasons for
which the eligible individual may terminate his employment include: diminution
in his authority, reduction in his compensation level, relocation or adverse
modification of his benefits under bonus, benefit or similar plans.
The 1973 Plan provides for the acceleration of all options (other than
incentive stock options granted on or after January 1, 1987) in the event of a
"Change of Control" as defined in the 1973 Plan, except that, in the event of a
Change of Control where the cash out of an eligible option would cause the
Change of Control transaction to be ineligible for pooling-of-interests
accounting under APB No. 16, no cash out will occur. (See footnote (1) to the
table captioned "Options/SAR Grants During 2000 Fiscal Year.") In the event that
a 1973 Plan participant retires (whether or not a Change of Control has
occurred) with the consent of the Company, the Compensation Committee may, in
its discretion, extend the exercise period of the participant's exercisable
option to the date on which the option would expire in the event that the
participant had continued to be employed by the Company.
Certain provisions of the SERP do not take effect until the occurrence of
certain "Change of Control" events. Among others, provisions in the SERP
providing for (i) the suspension, reduction or termination of benefits in cases
of gross misconduct by a participant (as determined in the sole discretion of
the Compensation Committee); (ii) the forfeiture of benefits if a retired
participant engages in certain proscribed competitive activities; (iii) the
reduction in benefits upon the early retirement of a participant; and (iv) the
off-set of amounts which a participant may then owe the Company against amounts
then owing the participant under the SERP, are automatically deleted upon the
occurrence of a Change of Control event. In addition, neither a participant's
years of service with the Company (as calculated for the purpose of determining
eligibility for benefits under the SERP), nor benefits accrued under the SERP
prior to the Change of Control event, may be reduced after the occurrence of a
Change of Control event. If a participant's employment is terminated after a
Change of Control, unless the participant elects to receive a distribution of
benefits under the SERP in installment payments, the participant will receive
payment of his benefits in one lump sum
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(utilizing actuarial assumptions established in the SERP) within 10 days after
termination. The SERP requires the Company, upon a Change of Control, to
establish a grantor trust for the purpose of holding assets in respect of the
Company's obligations to make payments to participants.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Each Director receives $40,000 (plus an additional $3,000 for serving as a
committee chairman) per year compensation from the Company plus $1,500 for each
board and board committee meeting attended, together with the expenses, if any,
of such attendance. Directors also receive $1,500 for each rendition of
consulting services otherwise than as part of a board or committee meeting. No
such consulting services were rendered during 2000. The Company and all current
Directors (other than Mr. Ratcliffe) have entered into an agreement to defer
receipt of all or a portion of such fees pursuant to a deferred compensation
agreement providing for payment of the fees in stock units (each stock unit
consisting of one share each of the Company's Class A Common Stock and Class B
Common Stock), subject to certain terms and conditions of the Deferred
Compensation Plan under which the fees are deferred, upon their termination of
service as Directors of the Company. Dividend equivalents are paid on the stock
units and are converted into additional stock units. Certain provisions of the
deferred compensation program do not take effect until the occurrence of certain
"Change of Control" events, as defined in the plan. After the occurrence of a
Change of Control event, the plan may not be amended without the prior written
consent of an affected participant and no termination of the plan shall have the
effect of reducing any benefits accrued under the plan prior to such
termination. Further, in the event of a Change of Control, any stock unit
credited to a Director's account shall be immediately converted into a right to
receive cash and shall thereafter be treated in all respects as part of such
Director's cash account, except that, in the event of a Change of Control in
which the cash out of an eligible stock unit would cause the Change of Control
transaction to be ineligible for pooling-of-interests accounting under APB No.
16, no cash out will occur and the stock unit will instead be paid in shares of
stock of the entity resulting from the transaction as soon as permitted under
the applicable securities laws and accounting rules. Following a Change of
Control, unless a Director has already confirmed his election to receive
installment payments, the cash account will be paid out in one lump sum on the
earlier to occur of (x) the 30th day after the date the Director retires or
otherwise separates from service with the Board, if such retirement or
separation occurs after January 1 but before November 1 of any calendar year and
(y) the January 1 of the year following the Director's retirement or separation
from service. In addition, in the event that any Directors confirm their
elections to receive payment of their cash and/or stock unit accounts in
installment payments, the Company will establish a grantor trust for the purpose
of holding assets in respect of the Company's obligations to make payments,
after a Change of Control, to any Directors who elect to receive installment
payments.
The Company also has a retirement plan for Directors who are not employees
or officers of the Company and who do not qualify to receive a retirement
benefit under any pension plan of the Company or its subsidiaries ("Eligible
Directors"). Under this plan, an Eligible Director retiring at or after age 70
with at least ten years of service as a Director is paid annually for life an
amount equal to (i) his Base Retainer (as defined below), (ii) an additional 10%
of the Base Retainer, and (iii) any additional amounts paid for service as
Committee Chairman. A retiring Eligible Director who had reached age 70 and had
served for at least five but less than ten years as a Director would be entitled
to a reduced amount equal to 50% of his Base Retainer, plus 10% of such Base
Retainer for each year of service beyond five years up to a maximum of nine
years. An
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Eligible Director who retires prior to age 70 with five or more years of service
as a Director receives a retirement benefit commencing at age 70 calculated as
described above on the basis of his Base Retainer in effect during the calendar
year immediately preceding his actual retirement date. The plan also provides
that a Director who was a retiree of the Company whether or not qualified for a
retirement benefit under any pension plan of the Company but who had at least
five years of service as a Director subsequent to such retirement is entitled to
a retirement benefit under the plan at a reduced amount equal to 25% of the Base
Retainer. Except as otherwise provided in the event of a Change of Control,
benefits payable under this plan are not funded but are paid out of the general
funds of the Company. Director contributions to this plan are not permitted.
Certain provisions of the retirement plan do not take effect until the
occurrence of certain "Change of Control" events, as defined in the plan. Among
others, provisions in the plan providing for (i) the suspension, reduction or
termination of benefits in cases of gross misconduct by a participant (as
determined in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee); and (ii) the
forfeiture of benefits if a retired participant engages in certain proscribed
competitive activities, are automatically deleted upon the occurrence of a
Change of Control event. In addition, in the event of a Change of Control, if
thereafter a Director retires or otherwise separates from service with the Board
(or already has), unless the Director otherwise elects to receive installment
payments, the Director's benefit payable under the retirement plan will be paid
out in one lump sum (utilizing actuarial assumptions established in the plan) on
the 30th day after the later to occur of (x) the date the Change of Control is
consummated and (y) the date the Director retires or otherwise separates from
service. For purposes of the plan, the term "Base Retainer" is defined as the
annual retainer in effect during the calendar year immediately preceding the
year in which the Director retires. The plan requires the Company to establish a
grantor trust for the purpose of holding assets in respect of the Company's
obligations to make payments, after a Change of Control, to any Directors who
elect to receive installment payments.
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PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE COMPANY'S
1973 STOCK OPTION PLAN, AS AMENDED
At its meeting held on March 5, 2001, the Board of Directors of the Company
approved and recommended that the Company's shareholders approve an amendment to
the 1973 Plan to increase by 2,300,000 shares of Class B Common Stock the number
of authorized but unissued shares of the Company set aside for issuance as
needed in the continued operation of the 1973 Plan. This amendment is deemed
advisable by the Board of Directors in order to provide a sufficient number of
shares for future grants. The 1973 Plan, as amended, is being presented to the
shareholders for approval. The following is a description of the principal
provisions of the 1973 Plan.
Increase in Number of Shares Issuable Under the Plan. The 1973 Plan
currently provides for the issuance of a maximum of 3,600,000 shares of Class A
Common Stock and 15,145,670 shares of Class B Common Stock. As of March 9, 2001,
there were available for grant pursuant to the 1973 Plan options to purchase
1,644,398 shares of Class B Common Stock. In order to have a sufficient number
of shares of Class B Common Stock available for grants of future options, the
proposed amendment would increase the maximum number of shares of Class B Common
Stock which may be issued by 2,300,000 shares.
Plan Administration. The 1973 Plan is administered by the Compensation
Committee consisting of at least two or more members of the Board of Directors
who are each "non-employee directors" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act"). Subject to the express provisions
of the 1973 Plan, the Compensation Committee has the authority to interpret the
1973 Plan, to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to it,
to determine the terms and provisions of the respective option agreements and to
make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of
the 1973 Plan. The Compensation Committee shall contain at least two "outside
directors" as defined in Section 162(m) of the Code.
Amendment and Termination. The Board of Directors of the Company may at
any time amend, suspend or terminate the 1973 Plan, except that no amendment
which would increase the maximum number of shares which may be issued shall be
effective unless, within twelve months before or after the Board of Directors
adopts such amendment, it is approved by the shareholders. No amendment,
suspension or termination of the 1973 Plan shall, without the consent of the
participant, terminate, or adversely affect the participant's rights under, any
outstanding option.
Eligibility. The Compensation Committee determines the particular
employees within the general class of officers and key employees to whom options
shall be granted. Options may not be granted to any Director who is not an
officer or employee or to any member of the Compensation Committee. No incentive
stock option may be granted to persons who would beneficially own, after the
grant, more than 10% of the voting power of all shares of stock of the Company
unless at the time any such option is granted the option price is not less than
110% of the fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant, and
such option expires no more than five years from the date of grant. The number
of shares of stock which may be issued under options granted under the 1973 Plan
to any one individual in any fiscal year shall not exceed 300,000 shares,
subject to adjustment as provided in the 1973 Plan.
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Option Features. The option price of the stock subject to the 1973 Plan
shall not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the underlying shares on
the date of grant. Options may expire not more than ten years after the date of
grant. Unless otherwise restricted as specified in the option grant delivered to
the participant, the participant is permitted to exercise any option with
respect to both Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock in any proportion
as such participant may determine.
The 1973 Plan provides that options are exercisable immediately or in such
installments as the Compensation Committee may prescribe. The Compensation
Committee also is empowered, in its sole discretion, to accelerate the
exercisability of any option at any time.
With respect to incentive stock options granted after December 31, 1986,
the aggregate fair market value (determined at the time the option is granted)
of the stock with respect to which incentive stock options are exercisable for
the first time by a participant during any calendar year (under all such plans
of the individual's employer corporation and its parent and subsidiary
corporations) shall not exceed $100,000.
Unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, no option is
transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, or may
be exercised during the optionee's life by anyone other than the optionee.
In the event of a participant's termination of employment, including the
sale of a subsidiary employing a participant (for any reason other than death,
retirement with the consent of the Company or permanent disability), a
participant's option expires on the earlier of the expiration date specified in
the option or three months from the date of termination of employment. In the
event of a participant's retirement with the consent of the Company, options
continue to mature in the normal manner and are exercisable until the later of
the date three years after the date of retirement or, in the event that the
participant should die during such three-year period, are exercisable until the
date twelve months after death; but in no event later than the end of the option
exercise period specified in the option; provided, however, that in the event
the participant retires with the consent of the Company, the Compensation
Committee may, in its discretion, provide that the participant shall have the
right to exercise his option until the end of the option exercise period
specified in the option. In the case of retirement due to permanent disability,
a participant's options are exercisable, to the extent exercisable at the date
of such retirement, until the date twelve months after the date of such
retirement or, in the event that the participant should die during such
twelve-period, such participant's options are exercisable until the date twelve
months after death; but in no event later than the end of the option exercise
period specified in the option. If a participant's employment terminates by
reason of death, such participant's options would become exercisable, to the
extent exercisable on the date of death, until the date twelve months after
death; but in no event later than the end of the option exercise period
specified in the option.
Payment for stock must be made in full at the time that an option or any
part thereof is exercised and no stock is issued until full payment therefor is
made. Payment may be made in cash or by delivery to the Company of shares of
either Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock or a combination thereof. A
participant may satisfy, pursuant to such rules as may be prescribed by the
Compensation Committee, any income tax withholding obligation that may be
imposed in connection with the exercise of an option by the retention of shares
by the Company, or the return to the Company of shares, in each case equal in
fair market value to the amount of all or any portion of the withholding
obligation.
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The 1973 Plan provides for the acceleration of all options (other than
incentive stock options granted on or after January 1, 1987) in the event of a
"Change of Control" as defined in the 1973 Plan. (See footnote (1) to the table
captioned "Options/SAR Grants During 2000 Fiscal Year.")
Federal Income Tax Consequences. The grant of an incentive stock option
would have no immediate tax consequences to the Company or to the optionee. A
holder of shares pursuant to the exercise of an incentive stock option would
realize no taxable income at the time of exercise (although the exercise may
cause an adjustment to alternative minimum taxable income). If the holder held
his shares for at least two years from the date of grant and at least one year
from the date of exercise, he would realize taxable long-term capital gain or
long-term capital loss upon a subsequent sale of the shares at a price different
from the option price. In the event that the optionee satisfies the holding
period requirement described above, no deduction would be allowed to the Company
for federal income tax purposes in connection with the grant or exercise of the
option or the sale of shares acquired pursuant to such exercise.
If, however, the optionee disposes of the shares within the period
described above (a "disqualifying disposition"), the optionee will generally
recognize ordinary income (and the Company will be entitled to a deduction) at
the time of disposition equal to the excess over the exercise price of the
lesser of (a) the fair market value of the shares acquired on the date of
exercise, or (b) the amount realized upon the disposition. Any excess of the
amount realized upon such disposition over the fair market value at the date of
exercise will be short-term or long-term capital gain, depending on the holding
period.
The grant of a stock option other than an incentive stock option (a
"non-qualified stock option") would have no immediate tax consequences to the
Company or to the optionee. Upon the exercise of such option the optionee will
be treated as receiving compensation taxable as ordinary income in an amount
equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares at the time of
exercise by the optionee over the option price. This excess will also constitute
wages subject to the withholding of income tax. The amount treated as
compensation taxable as ordinary income may be claimed as a deduction by the
Company at the same time as the optionee is treated as realizing compensation.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of the
outstanding shares of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, all
voting as a single class (provided that holders of shares representing a
majority of the votes entitled to be cast actually cast votes) is required to
adopt the 1973 Plan, as amended. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not
affect the voting results although they will have the practical effect of
reducing the likelihood that shares representing a majority of the votes
entitled to be cast will in fact be cast.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE
"FOR" APPROVAL OF THE 1973 PLAN, AS AMENDED.
PROPOSAL TO REAPPROVE THE COMPANY'S
SENIOR EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
The Company's Senior Executive Plan was first adopted by the Company's
Board of Directors in December, 1995 and approved by the shareholders in May,
1996. There have been no changes to the Senior Executive Plan since its initial
adoption by the Board of Directors and approval by the shareholders in 1996. One
condition which must be met for continued deductibility of compensation is the
requirement that a plan under which such compensation is paid be reapproved by
the shareholders every five years. The purpose of the
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Senior Executive Plan is to provide incentive compensation to executive officers
of the Company and its subsidiaries who have contributed effectively to the
success of the Company by their ability, industry, loyalty or exceptional
services and to encourage continuance of their services with the Company by a
form of recognition of their efforts in contributing significantly to the
success and growth of the Company in the preceding fiscal year. It is intended
that awards under the Senior Executive Plan based solely on the achievement of
objective performance goals will be treated as performance based compensation
within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code that will qualify for exclusion
under the $1 million limitation on deductibility of executive compensation. The
following is a summary of the principal provisions of the Senior Executive Plan.
Plan Administration. The Senior Executive Plan is administered by the
Compensation Committee comprised of members of the Board of Directors who are
"outside directors" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code and who are
not eligible to participate in or to receive any benefits pursuant to the Senior
Executive Plan.
Eligibility and Participation. The persons eligible to participate in the
senior executive plan are those senior executive officers who are, or, as
determined in the discretion of the Compensation Committee, may become "covered
employees" (as defined in Section 162(m) of the Code) of the Company for the
applicable taxable year of the Company.
Determination of Incentive Payments. The Compensation Committee establishes by
March 30 of each calendar year the objective performance goals for that year and
shall determine the method by which a participant's incentive payments shall be
calculated for that year based on the attainment of such performance goals. Such
method may include determining a participant's incentive payments by allocating
to the participant a designated percentage of the incentive compensation fund
established each year under the Company's short-term incentive compensation plan
(described above). Other methods may include performance goals based on stock
price, market share, sales, earnings per share, return on equity, or costs. The
bonus paid to any participant for any year cannot exceed $1.5 million, and the
Compensation Committee may reduce, but may not increase, the incentive payment
to a participant to reflect individual performance and/or unanticipated factors.
Awards under the Senior Executive Plan will be paid in cash as soon as
practicable (but not later than six months) after the close of the fiscal year.
Amendment and Termination. The Board of Directors of the Company may from time
to time amend, suspend or terminate any or all of the provisions of the Senior
Executive Plan, provided that (i) no such action shall affect the rights of any
participant or the operation of the senior executive plan with respect to any
payment to which a participant may have become entitled prior to the effective
date of such action, and (ii) no amendment that requires shareholder approval in
order for incentive payments to be deductible under the Code may be made without
approval of the shareholders of the Company.
Subject to shareholder reapproval of the Senior Executive Plan, for the
year commencing January 1, 2001, the Compensation Committee has (a) designated
Mr. Ratcliffe as the sole participant in the Senior Executive Plan, (b)
established the objective performance goal for Mr. Ratcliffe by designating
that, subject to the terms of the Senior Executive Plan, 15% of the incentive
compensation fund pool established under the Company's short-term incentive
compensation plan be paid to Mr. Ratcliffe, and (c) determined that no
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adjustments in calculating said incentive compensation fund pool would be made
other than those allowed by Section 162(m) of the Code.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of the
outstanding shares of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, all
voting as a single class, is required to reapprove the Senior Executive Plan.
Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast. The Board of
Directors believes that the reapproval of the Senior Executive Plan is in the
best interests of the Company since it will maintain the Company's ability to
deduct this performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE
"FOR" THE REAPPROVAL OF THE HUBBELL INCORPORATED SENIOR EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE
COMPENSATION PLAN.
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RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF AND
RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
GENERAL
The selection of independent accountants to examine the financial
statements of the Company made available or transmitted to shareholders and
filed with the SEC for the year 2001 is to be submitted to the meeting for
ratification or rejection. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 300 Atlantic Street,
Stamford, Connecticut, has been selected by the Board of Directors of the
Company to examine such financial statements.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP have been independent accountants of the Company
for many years. The Company has been advised that a representative of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will attend the Annual Meeting to respond to
appropriate questions and will be afforded the opportunity to make a statement
if the representative so desires.
The aggregate fees billed for professional services provided by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to the Company and its subsidiaries for the year
ended December 31, 2000, were as follows:
- Audit Fees -- $643,400
- Financial Information Systems Design and Implementation Fees -- $0
- All Other Fees -- $275,200
The Audit Committee considered whether the rendering of non-audit services
by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to the Company is compatible with maintaining
their independence.
If the proposal to ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is
not approved by the shareholders, or if prior to the 2002 Annual Meeting,
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP declines to act or otherwise becomes incapable of
acting, or if its employment is discontinued by the Board of Directors, then the
Board of Directors will appoint other independent accountants whose employment
for any period subsequent to the 2002 Annual Meeting will be subject to
ratification by the shareholders at that meeting.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is comprised of independent
Directors functioning in accordance with a written charter (the "Charter")
adopted and approved by the Board of Directors in May, 2000. A copy of the
Charter is attached to this proxy statement as Exhibit A. As provided in the
Charter, the Audit Committee assists the Company's Directors in fulfilling their
responsibilities relating to corporate accounting, the quality and integrity of
the Company's financial reports, and the Company's reporting practices. The
functions of the Audit Committee are further described elsewhere in this proxy
statement (see page 6 hereof.)
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In connection with the discharge of its responsibilities, the Audit
Committee has taken a number of actions, including, but not limited to, the
following:
- the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with management and the
independent accountants the Company's audited financial statements;
- the Audit Committee discussed with the independent accountants the
matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No.
61 (Communications with Audit Committees); and
- the Audit Committee received from the independent accountants the written
disclosures and letter required by Independence Standards Board Standard
No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees), discussed their
independence with them and satisfied itself as to the independence of the
independent accountants.
Based on the foregoing reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee
recommended to the Company's Board of Directors that the audited financial
statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2000 for filing with the SEC.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Daniel J. Meyer, Chairman
E. Richard Brooks
Joel S. Hoffman
Malcolm Wallop
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE
"FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP.
GENERAL
The expense of this solicitation is to be borne by the Company. The Company
may also reimburse persons holding shares in their names or in the names of
their nominees for their expenses in sending proxies and proxy material to their
principals. The Company has retained D. F. King & Co., Inc. to assist in the
solicitation of proxies, at an estimated cost of $7,500, plus reasonable
expenses.
Unless otherwise directed, the persons named in the accompanying form of
proxy intend to vote all proxies received by them in favor of (i) the election
of the nominees to the Board named herein, (ii) the ratification of the
selection of independent accountants, (iii) approval of the Company's 1973 Plan,
as amended, and (iv) reapproval of the Company's Senior Executive Plan. All
proxies will be voted as specified.
Management does not intend to present any business at the meeting other
than that set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting, and it has no
information that others will do so. If other matters requiring the vote of the
shareholders properly come before the meeting and any adjournments thereof, it
is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy to vote
the proxies held by them in accordance with their judgment on such matters.
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SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE
2002 ANNUAL MEETING
Shareholder proposals for inclusion in the proxy materials related to the
2002 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by the Company no later
than December 1, 2001. Any shareholder proposal not intended to be included in
the proxy materials related to the 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be
received by the Company no later than February 27, 2002 or else management of
the Company will retain discretion to vote proxies received for that meeting in
their discretion with respect to such proposal.
By Order of the Board of
Directors
HUBBELL
INCORPORATED
Orange, Connecticut
March 27, 2001
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EXHIBIT A
HUBBELL INCORPORATED
AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHARTER
I. PURPOSE
The Audit Committee (the "Committee") of the Board of Directors (the
"Board") of Hubbell Incorporated (the "Corporation") shall provide assistance to
the directors in fulfilling their responsibilities related to corporate
accounting, the quality and integrity of the financial reports of the
Corporation and the reporting practices of the Corporation. As further described
in this Charter, the Committee's primary duties and responsibilities relate to:
- maintenance by management of the reliability and integrity of the
accounting policies and financial reporting and financial disclosure
practices of the Corporation; and
- establishment and maintenance by management of processes to assure that
an adequate system of internal controls is functioning within the
Corporation.
Although the Committee has the responsibilities described in this Charter,
the Committee is not charged with the duty to: (i) plan or conduct audits or to
determine that the Corporation's financial statements are complete and accurate
and conform to generally accepted accounting principles, which matters are the
responsibility of management and the independent accounting firm serving as
auditors for the Corporation (the "Independent Auditors"); or (ii) resolve
disagreements, if any, between management and the Independent Auditors.
The Audit Committee will fulfill its duties and responsibilities primarily
by carrying out the activities enumerated in Section IV of this Charter.
II. COMPOSITION
The Committee shall be comprised of at least three directors as determined
by the Board, each of whom is to have no relationship to the Corporation that
may interfere with the exercise of his or her independence from the Corporation
and the Corporation's management. The members of the Committee shall meet the
independence and experience requirements of The New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
(the "NYSE").
The members of the Committee shall be appointed annually by the Board.
Unless a Chairperson is designated by the Board, the Committee may designate a
Chairperson by majority vote of the full Committee membership.
III. MEETINGS
The Committee shall meet on a regularly-scheduled basis at least two times
annually, and on such other occasions as circumstances may dictate. Meetings of
the Committee shall be held upon call by the Chairman of the Board or the
Chairman of the Committee. A quorum of the Committee shall consist of a majority
of
A-1
32
the members of the Committee in office at the time of any meeting and the vote
of a majority of the members of the Committee present at the time of a vote, if
a quorum is present at that time, shall be the act of the Committee.
When deemed appropriate by the Committee, meetings of the Committee also
should be attended by the director of the Corporation's internal audit
department, representatives of the Corporation's management and representatives
of the Independent Auditors.
To foster open communication, the Committee should meet separately on at
least an annual basis with the director of the Corporation's internal auditing
department and with representatives of the Independent Auditors for the purpose
of discussing any matters that the Committee or either of these persons or
groups believe should be discussed on a private basis.
IV. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To fulfill its duties and responsibilities, the Committee shall undertake
the following:
Documents, Reports and Review
1. The Committee shall review and reassess, at least annually, the adequacy of
this Charter. To the extent believed appropriate by the Committee, the
Committee shall make recommendations to the Board to update or otherwise
modify this Charter.
2. The Committee shall review with management and the Independent Auditors the
Corporation's audited financial statements, including a discussion with the
Independent Auditors of the matters required to be discussed by Statement of
Auditing Standards No. 61 ("SAS No. 61").
3. The Committee shall cause to be prepared such reports relating to the
Committee as may be required to be included in the Corporation's proxy
statements by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC").
4. The Committee shall monitor submission to the NYSE of such written
affirmations regarding the Committee as may be required by the rules of the
NYSE.
Independent Auditors
5. The Committee shall review the performance of the Independent Auditors and
make recommendations to the Board regarding their appointment or
termination. The Committee and the Board shall have the ultimate authority
and responsibility to select, evaluate and, where appropriate, replace the
Independent Auditors (whose engagement with respect to any period following
the Corporation's next annual meeting will be subject to shareholder
ratification at such meeting). The Independent Auditors are ultimately
accountable to the Committee and the Board for their review of the financial
statements and controls of the Corporation. On an annual basis, the
Committee should review and discuss with the Independent Auditors all
relationships the Independent Auditors have with the Corporation to
determine their independence.
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33
6. The Committee shall oversee independence of the Independent Auditors by:
- receiving from the Independent Auditors, on a periodic basis, a formal
written statement delineating all relationships between the Independent
Auditors and the Corporation and containing such other information as may
be required by Independence Standards Board Standard 1, as the same may
be modified or supplemented ("ISB No. 1");
- reviewing, and discussing with the Board, if necessary, and the
Independent Auditors, on a periodic basis, any disclosed relationships or
services (whether between the Independent Auditors and the Corporation or
otherwise) that may impact the objectivity or independence of the
Independent Auditors; and
- recommending, if necessary, that the Board take action in response to
disclosures by the Independent Auditors to satisfy itself regarding the
independence of the Independent Auditors.
7. Based on the review and discussions referred to in IV.2 (with respect to the
audited financial statements and SAS No. 61) and IV.6 (with respect to the
independence of the Independent Auditors), the Committee shall determine
whether to recommend to the Board that the Corporation's audited financial
statements be included in the Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the last fiscal year for filing with the SEC.
Financial Reporting Process
8. Through consultation with the Independent Auditors and the internal
auditors, the Committee shall review the adequacy of the Corporation's
financial reporting processes, both internal and external.
9. The Committee shall review significant changes to the Corporation's
accounting principles and auditing practices suggested by the Independent
Auditors, management or the internal auditing department.
10. The Committee shall establish regular systems of reporting to the Committee
by each of management, the Independent Auditors and the internal auditing
department regarding any significant judgments made in management's
preparation of the Corporation's financial statements and any significant
difficulties encountered during the course of reviews or audits, including
any restrictions on the scope of work or access to information.
11. The Committee shall review any significant disagreements among management,
the Independent Auditors and the internal auditing department in connection
with the preparation of the Corporation's financial statements.
Compliance/General
12. The Committee shall review, with the Corporation's counsel, any legal matter
that could have a significant impact on the Corporation's financial
statements.
13. The Chairperson of the Committee shall report to the Board following
meetings of the Committee.
14. The Committee shall maintain minutes or other records of its meetings and
activities. Minutes of each meeting of the Committee shall be distributed to
each member of the Committee and each other member of the Board. The
Secretary of the Corporation shall retain the original signed minutes for
permanent filing.
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HUBBELL INCORPORATED
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS, MAY 7, 2001
(FOR SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK)
PROXY
The undersigned hereby appoints each of G. J. RATCLIFFE and RICHARD W.
DAVIES as proxies of the undersigned, with full power of substitution, to vote
the shares of the undersigned in Hubbell Incorporated at the annual meeting of
its shareholders and at any adjournment thereof upon the matters set forth in
the notice of meeting and Proxy Statement dated March 27, 2001 and upon all
other matters properly coming before said meeting or any adjournment thereof.
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE DIRECTORS AND FOR PROPOSALS
(2), (3) AND (4) UNLESS A CONTRARY SPECIFICATION IS MADE, IN WHICH CASE IT WILL
BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH SPECIFICATION.
PLEASE FILL IN, DATE AND SIGN ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN THIS PROXY IN
THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE.
(Continued and to be signed on the other side.)
- FOLD AND DETACH HERE -
35
Please mark
your votes [X]
as this
FOR SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF ALL THE
NOMINEES IN PROPOSAL 1, AND FOR PROPOSALS 2, 3 AND 4
PROPOSAL 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
G. RATCLIFFE, E. BROOKS, G. EDWARDS, J. HOFFMAN, A. McNALLY IV, D. MEYER,
J. URQUHART, M. WALLOP
FOR all nominees listed above, WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for
(except as marked to the contrary below). all nominees listed above.
[ ] [ ]
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
PROPOSAL 2 - Ratification of the selection of [ ] [ ] [ ]
PricewaterhouseCoopers as independent accountants
for the year 2001.
PROPOSAL 3 - Approval of the Company's 1973 Stock [ ] [ ] [ ]
Option Plan, as amended.
PROPOSAL 4 - Reapproval of the Company's Senior [ ] [ ] [ ]
Executive Incentive Compensation Plan.
(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write
that nominee's name in the space provided below.)
_____________________________________________________________________________
Signature(s) _____________________________________ Date _______________
NOTE: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear hereon. Persons signing
in a representative capacity should indicate their capacity.
- FOLD AND DETACH HERE -
36
HUBBELL INCORPORATED
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS, MAY 7, 2001
(FOR SHARES OF CLASS B COMMON STOCK)
PROXY
The undersigned hereby appoints each of G. J. RATCLIFFE and RICHARD W.
DAVIES as proxies of the undersigned, with full power of substitution, to vote
the shares of the undersigned in Hubbell Incorporated at the annual meeting of
its shareholders and at any adjournment thereof upon the matters set forth in
the notice of meeting and Proxy Statement dated March 27, 2001 and upon all
other matters properly coming before said meeting or any adjournment thereof.
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE DIRECTORS AND FOR PROPOSALS
(2), (3) AND (4) UNLESS A CONTRARY SPECIFICATION IS MADE, IN WHICH CASE IT WILL
BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH SPECIFICATION.
PLEASE FILL IN, DATE AND SIGN ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN THIS PROXY IN
THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE.
(Continued and to be signed on the other side.)
- FOLD AND DETACH HERE -
37
Please mark
your votes [X]
as this
FOR SHARES OF CLASS B COMMON STOCK
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF ALL THE
NOMINEES IN PROPOSAL 1, AND FOR PROPOSALS 2, 3 AND 4.
PROPOSAL 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
G. RATCLIFFE, E. BROOKS, G. EDWARDS, J. HOFFMAN, A. McNALLY IV, D. MEYER,
J. URQUHART, M. WALLOP
FOR all nominees listed above, WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for
(except as marked to the contrary below). all nominees listed above.
[ ] [ ]
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
PROPOSAL 2 - Ratification of the selection of [ ] [ ] [ ]
PricewaterhouseCoopers as independent accountants
for the year 2001.
PROPOSAL 3 - Approval of the Company's 1973 Stock [ ] [ ] [ ]
Option Plan, as amended.
PROPOSAL 4 - Reapproval of the Company's Senior [ ] [ ] [ ]
Executive Incentive Compensation Plan.
(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write
that nominee's name in the space provided below.)
_____________________________________________________________________________
Signature(s) _____________________________________ Date _______________
NOTE: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear hereon. Persons signing
in a representative capacity should indicate their capacity.
- FOLD AND DETACH HERE -