1 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: Ducommun Incorporated - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): [X] Fee not 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: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [ ] 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: - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission [X] Definitive Proxy Statement Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) [ ] Definitive Additional Materials [ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to sec. 240.14a-11(c) or sec. 240.14a-12 2 DUCOMMUN INCORPORATED 111 WEST OCEAN BOULEVARD, SUITE 900 LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA 90802 (562) 624-0800 ------------------------ NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS MAY 6, 1998 ------------------------ To the Shareholders of Ducommun Incorporated: Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Ducommun Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (the "Corporation"), will be held at the Long Beach Airport Marriott Hotel, 4700 Airport Plaza Drive, Long Beach, California, on Wednesday, May 6, 1998, at the hour of 9:00 o'clock A.M. for the following purposes: 1. To elect three directors to serve for three-year terms ending in 2001. 2. To consider and act upon a proposed amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock from 12,500,000 shares to 35,000,000 shares. 3. To transact any other business that may properly be brought before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. March 16, 1998 has been established as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. All shareholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person. To insure your representation at the meeting, please complete and mail your Proxy Card in the return envelope provided, as soon as possible. This will not prevent you from voting in person, should you so desire, but will help to secure a quorum and will avoid added solicitation costs. By Order of the Board of Directors James S. Heiser Long Beach, California Secretary March 30, 1998 3 DUCOMMUN INCORPORATED 111 WEST OCEAN BOULEVARD, SUITE 900 LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA 90802 (562) 624-0800 ------------------------ PROXY STATEMENT ------------------------ This Proxy Statement is being mailed on or about March 30, 1998 to shareholders of Ducommun Incorporated (the "Corporation") who are such of record on March 16, 1998, in connection with the solicitation of proxies for use at the Corporation's Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 9:00 o'clock A.M. on May 6, 1998, or at any adjournments or postponements thereof (the "Annual Meeting"), for the purposes set forth herein and in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting. The accompanying Proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. Solicitation will be by mail, interview, telephone and telegraph. D. F. King & Co., Inc. has been retained to assist in the solicitation of proxies for which it will be paid a fee of $4,500 plus reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses. Brokers, nominees, banks and other custodians will be reimbursed for their costs incurred in forwarding solicitation material to beneficial owners. All expenses incident to the proxy solicitation will be paid by the Corporation. Proxies in the accompanying form will be voted in accordance with the instructions given therein. If no instructions are given, the Proxies will be voted for the election as directors of the management nominees, and in favor of each of the proposals described herein. Any shareholder may revoke his Proxy at any time prior to its use by filing with the Secretary of the Corporation a written notice of revocation or a duly executed Proxy bearing a later date or by voting in person at the Annual Meeting. The close of business on March 16, 1998 has been fixed as the record date (the "Record Date") for the determination of holders of shares of Common Stock entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. At the close of business on the Record Date, the Corporation had outstanding 7,469,668 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Common Stock"). In the election of directors, each holder of Common Stock will be entitled to a number of votes equal to the number of directors to be elected multiplied by the number of shares held. The votes so determined may be cast for one candidate or distributed among two or more candidates. On all other matters to come before the Annual Meeting, each holder of Common Stock will be entitled to one vote for each share owned. A majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock will constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum has been obtained. In the election of directors and with respect to the amendment of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted. On all other matters, abstentions will be counted, but broker non-votes will not be counted, for purposes of determining whether a proposal has been approved. In the election of directors, the three candidates receiving the highest number of votes will be elected to fill the vacancies on the Board of Directors. The Corporation's 1997 Annual Report to Shareholders is being mailed to shareholders with this Proxy Statement. 1 4 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS Three directors (out of a total of eight) are to be elected at the forthcoming Annual Meeting to serve for three-year terms expiring at the Annual Meeting in 2001 and thereafter until their successors are elected and qualified. The nominees for such positions are Norman A. Barkeley, H. Frederick Christie and Kevin S. Moore. In the absence of a contrary direction, Proxies in the accompanying form will be voted for the election of the foregoing nominees. Management does not contemplate that any of the nominees will be unable to serve as directors, but if that should occur the persons designated in the Proxies will cast votes for other persons in accordance with their best judgment. In the event that any person other than the nominees named herein should be nominated for election as a director, the Proxy holders may vote for less than all of the nominees and in their discretion may cumulate votes. Should any of the directors whose terms continue past the 1998 Annual Meeting cease to serve as directors prior to the Annual Meeting, the authorized number of directors will be reduced accordingly. The following information is furnished as of March 16, 1998, with respect to each of the three persons who are nominees for election to the Board of Directors, as well as for the other five directors of the Corporation whose terms of office will continue after the 1998 Annual Meeting. 2
DIRECTOR TERM NAME, PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AND OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS AGE SINCE EXPIRES -------------------------------------------------- --- -------- ------- Norman A. Barkeley 68 1987 2001 Chairman of the Board of the Corporation; Director, Kaynar Technologies, Inc. Joseph C. Berenato 51 1997 2000 Chief Executive Officer and President of the Corporation. H. Frederick Christie 64 1985 2001 Consultant; Retired President and Chief Executive Officer, The Mission Group (subsidiary of SCEcorp); Director, Ultramar Diamond Shamrock Corp., AECOM Technology Corp., IHOP Corp., Southwest Water Company, Capital Income Builder, Inc., Small Cap World Fund, Capital World Growth and Income Fund, Inc., and American Mutual Fund, Inc.; Trustee, American Variable Insurance and New Economy Fund; and Director or Trustee of twelve fixed income funds of the Capital Research & Management Company. Robert C. Ducommun 46 1985 1999 Management Consultant; Director, American Metal Bearing Company and Inventa Corporation. Kevin S. Moore 43 1994 2001 Senior Vice President, The Clark Estates, Inc. (private investment firm); Director, Hitox Corporation of America, Snake Eyes Golf Clubs, Inc. and National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum, Inc. Thomas P. Mullaney 64 1987 1999 General Partner, Matthews, Mullaney & Company (private investment firm); Director, Merisel, Inc., Brenner's Home Furnishings Corporation, Lucas Arts Entertainment Company and Lucas Digital Ltd. 5 Mr. Mullaney was previously a director of the Corporation in 1984 and 1985. Mr. Schmutz is advisory counsel to the law firm of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, which rendered legal services to the Corporation during 1997 and has and is expected to continue to render legal services to the Corporation during 1998. Mr. Schmutz was previously a director of the Corporation from 1985 to 1987. The Board of Directors met five times in 1997. All incumbent directors attended seventy-five percent or more of the meetings of the Board of Directors and Committees of the Board on which they served during 1997. Each of the persons named above was elected by the shareholders at a prior annual meeting. Directors who are not employees of the Corporation or a subsidiary are paid an annual retainer of $12,500 and receive $1,000 for each Board of Directors meeting, Shareholders meeting or Committee meeting they attend. Under the Directors Deferred Income and Retirement Plan, a director may elect to defer payment of all or part of his fees for service as a director until he retires as a director, at which time the deferred fees will be paid to him with interest. A retiring director will also receive the annual retainer fee in effect at the time of retirement or at the time of payment, whichever is higher, for life or for a period of years equal to his service as a director, whichever is shorter, provided that the director retires after the age of 65, has served as a director for at least five years and is not an employee of the Corporation when he retires (the "retirement benefits"). In 1997, accrual of additional retirement benefits under the Directors Deferred Income and Retirement Plan was terminated, but existing directors remain eligible for retirement benefits accrued to such date. Directors are also eligible to participate in the Corporation's 1994 Stock Incentive Plan. Directors who are not employees of the Corporation or a subsidiary, following each annual meeting of shareholders, are granted stock options to purchase 1,500 shares of Common Stock of the Corporation at an exercise price equal to 100% of the closing price of the Corporation's Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of grant. SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), requires the Corporation's officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of the Corporation's equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and to furnish copies of such forms to the Corporation. Based solely on a review of the copies of such forms furnished to the Corporation, and on written representations that no Forms 5 were required, the Corporation believes that during its past fiscal year all of its officers, directors and greater than 10% owners complied with the filing requirements of Section 16(a). 3
DIRECTOR TERM NAME, PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AND OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS AGE SINCE EXPIRES -------------------------------------------------- --- -------- ------- Richard J. Pearson 72 1978 2000 Retired President and Chief Operating Officer, Avery Dennison Corporation; Chairman, Chachies Foods; Director, Ameron International, Atol Holdings, M & R Printing Equipment, Inc., Magnet Inc. and Seidler Capital, Inc.; Trustee, Pomona College. Arthur W. Schmutz 76 1988 2000 Advisory Counsel, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher ; Director, H. F. Ahmanson & Company and Home Savings of America. 6 COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Corporation has standing Executive, Audit, Compensation and Nominating Committees. The members of the Executive Committee are Messrs. Barkeley, Berenato, Mullaney and Schmutz. The Executive Committee, which did not formally meet during 1997, performs the same function as the Board of Directors, subject to certain limitations, including limitations on the power to amend or repeal the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, adopt an agreement of merger or consolidation, or recommend to the shareholders the sale, lease or exchange of substantially all of the property and assets of the Corporation. The members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Christie, Ducommun, Pearson and Schmutz. The Audit Committee, which met formally three times during 1997, reviews the scope of audits, audit procedures and the results of audits with the corporate staff and the independent accountants, and approves all non-audit services by the independent accountants. The members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Moore, Mullaney and Pearson. The Compensation Committee, which met formally one time during 1997, reviews and recommends compensation for officers, grants stock options and administers stock option programs. The members of the Nominating Committee were Messrs. Barkeley, Christie, Ducommun and Moore until May 7, 1997, and thereafter were Messrs. Berenato, Ducommun and Pearson. The Nominating Committee, which did not formally meet during 1997, reviews and recommends to the Board of Directors the nominees for election as directors of the Corporation at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders or otherwise by the Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee may, in its discretion, consider nominees recommended by Shareholders. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT The tables below show the name and address of the beneficial owners, amount and nature of beneficial ownership and percentage ownership of persons or groups known by the Corporation to be the beneficial owners of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock as of March 16, 1998. The tables below also show the name, amount and nature of beneficial ownership and percentage ownership of each director and nominee for director, each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table contained in this Proxy Statement, and all directors and executive officers as a group as of March 16, 1998. Unless otherwise indicated, such shareholders have sole voting and investment power (or share such power with their spouse) with respect to the shares set forth in the tables. The Corporation knows of no contractual arrangements which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of the Corporation. 4 7 For the purposes of the tables, beneficial ownership of shares has been determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the SEC, under which a person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of securities if he or she has or shares voting or investment power with respect to such securities or has the right to acquire ownership thereof within 60 days. Accordingly, the amounts shown in the tables do not purport to represent beneficial ownership for any purpose other than compliance with SEC reporting requirements. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS - --------------- (1) The number of shares includes (i) 50,099 shares held by a foundation of which Mr. Ducommun is an officer, (ii) 159,212 shares as to which Mr. Ducommun has been granted a proxy to exercise voting power by his sister, Electra D. de Peyster, (iii) 1,500 shares owned by Mr. Ducommun's wife and step daughters and 500 shares owned by his nephews, as to which he disclaims any beneficial interest, and (iv) 1,500 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options. Mr. Ducommun has sole voting and sole investment power as to 320,200 shares, shared voting power as to 159,212 shares and shared investment power as to 52,099 shares. (2) The information is based on a Schedule 13D filed with the SEC dated July 29, 1992 and other information provided by The Clark Estates, Inc. The Clark Estates, Inc. provides administrative and investment services to a number of Clark family accounts which beneficially own an aggregate of 1,119,811 shares, including The Clark Foundation which owns 390,702 shares. Kevin S. Moore, Senior Vice President of The Clark Estates, Inc., has been granted powers of attorney to exercise voting and investment power as to 1,119,811 shares. The Clark Estates, Inc. and Mr. Moore have shared voting and investment power as to 1,119,811 shares. Mr. Moore's shares include 1,500 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options. (3) The information is based on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC dated February 14, 1998. FMR Corp. has sole investment power as to 440,900 shares. (4) The information is based on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC dated February 11, 1998. Neuberger & Berman, LLC has sole voting power as to 410,200 shares, shared voting power as to 199,900 shares, and shared investment power as to 620,800 shares. 5
NAME AND ADDRESS NUMBER OF PERCENTAGE OF SHAREHOLDERS SHARES OF CLASS ---------------- ------------ ---------- Robert C. Ducommun 533,011(1) 7.1% 1155 Park Avenue New York, NY 10128 The Clark Estates, Inc. 1,119,811(2) 15.0% One Rockefeller Plaza, 31st Floor New York, NY 10020 Kevin S. Moore 1,121,311(2) 15.0% One Rockefeller Plaza, 31st Floor New York, NY 10020 FMR Corporation 440,900(3) 5.9% 82 Devonshire Street Boston, MA 02109 Neuberger & Berman, LLC 620,800(4) 8.3% 605 Third Avenue New York, NY 10158 8 SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT - --------------- * Less than one percent. (1) The number of shares includes the following shares that may be purchased within 60 days after March 16, 1998 by exercise of outstanding stock options: 159,750 by Mr. Barkeley, 53,750 by Mr. Berenato, 47,000 by Mr. Hahn, 42,500 by Mr. Hansen, 20,000 by Mr. Heiser, 1,500 by each of Messrs. Christie, Ducommun, Moore, Mullaney, Pearson and Schmutz, and 387,833 by all directors and executive officers as a group. The number of shares for Mr. Berenato includes 3,500 held in an IRA for the benefit of himself, and 1,500 held in trust for the benefit of his son. Mr. Schmutz has investment power only as to 10,000 shares held in a trust. (2) See the information set forth in Note 1 to the table under "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners." (3) See the information set forth in Note 2 to the table under "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners." 6
NUMBER OF PERCENTAGE NAME SHARES(1) OF CLASS ---- --------- ---------- Norman A. Barkeley 245,595 3.2% Joseph C. Berenato 77,502 1.0% H. Frederick Christie 4,500 * Robert C. Ducommun 533,011(2) 7.1% Kevin S. Moore 1,121,311(3) 15.0% Thomas P. Mullaney 2,500 * Richard J. Pearson 1,840 * Arthur W. Schmutz 11,500 * Robert B. Hahn 53,668 * Robert L. Hansen 42,500 * James S. Heiser 41,795 * All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (16 persons) 2,246,987 28.6% 9 COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE The following table discloses compensation received by the Corporation's chief executive officer and the other four most highly-paid executive officers of the Corporation (including subsidiary presidents) for the three fiscal years ended December 31, 1997. Columns have been omitted from the table when there has been no compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to any of the named executive officers required to be reported in that column in any fiscal year covered by the table. - --------------- (1) All other compensation for Mr. Barkeley in 1997 consisted of insurance premiums paid by the Corporation with respect to term life insurance for the benefit of Mr. Barkeley. OPTIONS/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
LONG-TERM ANNUAL COMPENSATION COMPENSATION -------------------------- ---------------- AWARDS ---------------- SECURITIES ALL OTHER UNDERLYING COMPENSATION NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY($) BONUS($) OPTIONS/SARS(#) ($)(1) --------------------------- ---- --------- -------- ---------------- ------------ Norman A. Barkeley 1997 $203,365 $200,000 32,000 $22,416 Chairman of the Board 1996 325,000 325,000 0 22,416 1995 325,000 250,000 0 2,124 Joseph C. Berenato 1997 297,860 300,000 15,000 0 President and Chief Executive Officer 1996 220,000 220,000 30,000 0 1995 185,000 135,000 0 0 Robert B. Hahn 1997 164,382 135,000 0 0 President, MechTronics of Arizona 1996 165,143 95,000 8,000 0 Corp. and Aerochem, Inc. 1995 159,000 105,000 0 0 Robert L. Hansen 1997 169,465 140,000 0 0 President, AHF-Ducommun 1996 160,877 125,000 20,000 0 Incorporated 1995 154,003 82,000 0 0 James S. Heiser 1997 160,000 112,000 0 0 Vice President, Chief Financial 1996 149,174 120,000 10,000 0 Officer, General Counsel, 1995 131,123 80,000 0 0 Secretary and Treasurer 7
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE INDIVIDUAL GRANTS VALUE AT ASSUMED ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL RATES OF PERCENT OF STOCK PRICE NUMBER OF SECURITIES TOTAL OPTIONS/ APPRECIATION FOR UNDERLYING SARS GRANTED OPTION TERM(3) OPTIONS/SARS TO EMPLOYEES IN EXERCISE OR EXPIRATION --------------------- NAME GRANTED(#)(1) FISCAL YEAR BASE PRICE DATE 5%($) 10%($) ---- -------------------- --------------- ($/SH)(2)-- ---------- --------- --------- Norman A. Barkeley 32,000 57.1% $21.00 1/2/02 $185,661 $410,263 Joseph C. Berenato 15,000 26.8% 21.00 1/2/02 87,029 192,311 Robert B. Hahn 0 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Robert L. Hansen 0 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A James S. Heiser 0 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 10 - --------------- (1) The stock option granted to Mr. Barkeley becomes exercisable in increments of 50% of the number of shares granted on December 31, 1997 and 1998 so that the option is fully exercisable on and after December 31, 1998. The stock option granted to Mr. Berenato becomes exercisable in increments of 25% of the number of shares granted on the anniversary date of the date of grant so that the option is fully exercisable on and after January 2, 2001. However, the stock options become fully exercisable immediately in the event of a change of control of the Corporation. A change of control of the Corporation is defined in the stock option agreement to mean a change in control of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act. Such a change in control is deemed conclusively to have occurred in the event of certain tender offers, mergers or consolidations, the sale, lease, exchange or transfer of substantially all of the assets of the Corporation, the acquisition by a person or group of 25% (or in the case of The Clark Estates, Inc., 30%) or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Corporation, the approval by the shareholders of a plan of liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation, or certain changes in the members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation. (2) The exercise price may be paid by delivery of already owned shares. (3) These amounts represent certain assumed rates of annual appreciation specified in the regulations adopted by the SEC. The actual value, if any, on stock option exercises will be dependent on a number of factors, including the price performance of the Corporation's Common Stock. There can be no assurance that the rates of appreciation presented in the table will be achieved. AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUES The following table provides information on option/SAR exercises in 1997 by the named executive officers and the value of such executive officers' unexercised options/SARs at December 31, 1997. EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN The Corporation maintains an Executive Retirement Plan under which Mr. Barkeley presently is the only executive eligible to participate. Pursuant to the Executive Retirement Plan, Mr. Barkeley or his designee will receive, upon Mr. Barkeley's retirement or other termination of employment, a monthly benefit payment for a period of 15 years in the amount of $7,448. Mr. Barkeley also may elect to receive such benefit in the form of an actuarially equivalent single-life annuity or an actuarially equivalent joint and survivor annuity. The Executive Retirement Plan also provides for the payment of such benefit in a single lump sum at the election of Mr. Barkeley or upon a change in control of the Corporation, in each instance subject to certain penalties and reductions of benefits. 8
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS/SARS OPTIONS/SARS SHARES FISCAL YEAR-END(#) FISCAL YEAR-END($) ACQUIRED ON VALUE --------------------------- --------------------------- NAME EXERCISE(#) REALIZED($) EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE ---- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------- ----------- ------------- Norman A. Barkeley 115,000 $3,985,018 159,750 16,000 $4,650,734 $223,000 Joseph C. Berenato 14,000 417,407 42,500 37,500 1,260,156 688,594 Robert B. Hahn 0 0 55,000 6,000 1,699,750 127,875 Robert L. Hansen 7,500 216,516 37,500 15,000 1,108,594 319,688 James S. Heiser 23,000 669,079 27,500 7,500 842,031 159,844 11 KEY EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE AGREEMENTS Messrs. Barkeley, Berenato, Hahn, Hansen and Heiser are parties to key executive severance agreements entered with the Corporation. The key executive severance agreements provide that if the employment of an executive officer is terminated without cause (as defined in the agreements), except in the event of disability or retirement, he shall be entitled to receive the following: (i) if the employment of the executive is terminated within two years following a change in control of the Corporation, then the executive shall be entitled to receive payment of his full base salary for a period of two years, payment of the amount of any bonus for a past fiscal year which has not yet been awarded or paid, and continuation of benefits for a period of two years, or (ii) if the employment of the executive is terminated other than within two years following a change in control of the Corporation, then the executive shall be entitled to receive payment of his full base salary for a period of one year, payment of the amount of any bonus for a past fiscal year which has not yet been awarded or paid, and continuation of benefits for a period of one year. A change in control of the Corporation is defined in the key executive severance agreements to mean a change in control of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act. Such a change in control is deemed conclusively to have occurred in the event of certain tender offers, mergers or consolidations, the sale, lease, exchange or transfer of substantially all of the assets of the Corporation, the acquisition by a person or group of 25% (or in the case of The Clark Estates, Inc., 30%) or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Corporation, the approval by the shareholders of a plan of liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation, or certain changes in the members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation. In the event of a change in the executive's position or duties, a reduction in the executive's base salary as increased from time to time, a removal from eligibility to participate in the Corporation's bonus plan and other events as described in the agreements, then the executive shall have the right to treat such event as a termination of his employment by the Corporation without cause and to receive the payments and benefits described above. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of the Corporation's filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act that incorporate future filings, including this Proxy Statement, in whole or in part, the following Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation and the Performance Graph shall not be incorporated by reference into any such filings. COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION Decisions relating to compensation of the Corporation's executive officers generally are made by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Each member of the Compensation Committee is a nonemployee director of the Corporation. COMPENSATION POLICIES APPLICABLE TO EXECUTIVE OFFICERS The Compensation Committee's executive compensation policies are designed to provide competitive levels of compensation that relate pay to the achievement of the Corporation's financial goals, recognize individual initiative and performance, and assist the Corporation in attracting and retaining qualified executives. Overall compensation of executive officers is set at levels that the Compensation Committee believes to be competitive with other companies of similar size in the Los Angeles area. The Compensation Committee believes that the geographic area of Los Angeles provides the best indication of the market in which the Corporation competes for executive talent and, as a result, the Compensation Committee does not specifically consider the compensation levels of companies in the Peer Group appearing under the caption 9 12 "Performance Graph" in this Proxy Statement. In evaluating competitive compensation information with respect to other companies of similar size in the Los Angeles area, the Compensation Committee does not target any percentile or level of compensation for executive officers of the Corporation but uses such information on a subjective basis to determine the appropriate level of executive officer compensation based on the position, experience and past performance of each individual executive officer. In addition, executive officer compensation reflects the importance to the Corporation of achieving growth in sales, net income and cash flow. As a result, executive officer compensation emphasizes cash compensation consisting of a base salary and an annual bonus, and long-term noncash stock option awards. Except for the Corporation's Chairman, the Corporation does not provide any long-term cash incentive plans, pension, profit-sharing or other retirement benefits, or many of the executive perquisites typically provided by other companies to their senior executives. Annual bonuses are awarded on a discretionary basis by the Compensation Committee based on the Corporation achieving specified levels of sales, net income, return on assets and cash flow and on the individual performance of executive officers. The Corporation's subsidiary presidents are also measured based upon the financial performance of their operating units. Annual bonuses are targeted at 30%-50% of base salary depending on the particular executive officer involved, with an upper range of annual bonus eligibility of twice the targeted amount. Bonuses for 1997 generally were awarded in amounts substantially above the targeted bonus levels for executive officers. The bonuses awarded for 1997 were based on the Corporation significantly exceeding the targeted levels for sales, net income and return on assets under the Corporation's bonus plan. Although the Corporation did not exceed the targeted level for cash flow under the Corporation's bonus plan in 1997, the Compensation Committee considered that the slight decline in cash flow was necessary to support the Corporation's 33% increase in sales in 1997 over the prior year. In making the bonus determinations, the Compensation Committee also considered the Corporation's successful integration during 1997 of a business acquired in 1996 that contributed to the substantial increase in sales. Stock option awards are made periodically to provide management with an ownership interest in the Corporation and significant stock-based performance compensation. Stock option awards are made based on the responsibilities and performance of the particular executive officers, and are designed to provide a substantial portion, which could range up to 50%, of total compensation in a form tied directly to the Corporation's stock performance. All stock options are granted at the market price of the Corporation's common stock on the date of grant and, as such, will have value only in the event of an increase in the Corporation's stock price. Stock options were granted in 1997 to Mr. Barkeley in order to provide him with an incentive to remain in the employment of the Corporation at least until December 31, 1998, and to Mr. Berenato in connection with his promotion to Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. COMPENSATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Mr. Berenato receives a base salary and is eligible to receive an annual bonus on the same basis as described above with respect to executive officers generally. Stock options were granted in 1997 to Mr. Berenato in connection with his promotion to Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. Mr. Berenato's base salary was increased to $300,000 effective January 1, 1997, when he was promoted to Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. The Compensation Committee established Mr. Berenato's base salary at a level that it believed to be competitive with companies of similar size in the Los Angeles area and within the aerospace industry generally. 10 13 Mr. Berenato's annual bonus is awarded on a discretionary basis by the Compensation Committee based on the Corporation achieving specified levels of sales, net income, return on assets and cash flow and on Mr. Berenato's individual performance. The bonus awarded to Mr. Berenato for 1997 was substantially above the targeted bonus level under the Corporation's bonus plan. The bonus awarded for 1997 was based on the Corporation significantly exceeding the targeted levels for sales, net income and return on assets under the Corporation's bonus plan. Although the Corporation did not exceed the targeted level for cash flow under the Corporation's bonus plan in 1997, the Compensation Committee considered that the slight decline in cash flow was necessary to support the Corporation's 33% increase in sales in 1997 over the prior year. In making the bonus determination, the Compensation Committee also considered the Corporation's successful integration during 1997 of a business acquired in 1996 that contributed to the substantial increase in sales, and Mr. Berenato's outstanding personal performance in 1997 in managing the Corporation's business during a period of strong growth. Compensation Committee Richard J. Pearson, Chairman Thomas P. Mullaney Kevin S. Moore 11 14 PERFORMANCE GRAPH The following graph compares the yearly percentage change in the Corporation's cumulative total shareholder return with the cumulative total return of the Russell 2000 Index and an Aerospace/Defense Industry Peer Group for the periods indicated. The graph is not necessarily indicative of future price performance. COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN AMONG DUCOMMUN INCORPORATED, RUSSELL 2000 INDEX AND AEROSPACE/DEFENSE INDUSTRY PEER GROUP(1) - --------------- (1) The Aerospace/Defense Industry Peer Group used in the Performance Graph was developed in 1993 to comply with SEC regulations and consists of the one-half of the companies in the Value Line Aerospace/Defense Index which had the lowest market capitalization on December 31, 1992. These companies are: AAR Corp., EDO Corporation, Hexcel Corporation, Hi-Shear Industries, Inc., Logicon, Inc., M/A-COM Inc., Moog Inc., Nichols Research Corporation, Rohr, Inc., Sparton Corp., TransTechnology Corporation, UNC Inc., United Industrial Corp., Watkins-Johnson Company and Wyman-Gordon Company. Since 1993, several of these companies have been acquired and their performance has been omitted from the Aerospace/Defense Industry Peer Group performance results since the year of acquisition: M/A-COM Inc. in 1995, and Logicon, Inc., Rohr, Inc., and UNC Inc. in 1997. 12
MEASUREMENT PERIOD (FISCAL YEAR COVERED) DCO RUSSELL 2000 PEER GROUP 1992 100.00 100.00 100.00 1993 79.41 118.91 113.66 1994 117.65 116.74 111.13 1995 232.35 149.94 117.07 1996 508.82 174.67 239.94 1997 822.06 213.73 274.53 15 APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT OF RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK The Corporation is currently authorized to issue 12,500,000 shares of Common Stock. At the Record Date, the Corporation had outstanding 7,469,668 shares of Common Stock. The Board of Directors believes that the 12,500,000 authorized shares of Common Stock are insufficient to support the Corporation's long-range corporate growth strategy over the next several years. Accordingly, the Board of Directors has adopted a resolution proposing to amend the Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock to 35,000,000 in order to support the Corporation's long-range growth strategy. The increase in authorized shares of Common Stock will have no effect on the rights of shares presently outstanding. There is no specific acquisition or other transaction presently pending that would require the increase in the number of authorized shares of Common Stock described herein. The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of the Corporation's Common Stock entitled to vote at a duly-held stockholders' meeting is required for the approval of the amendment of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT OF THE RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK. REPORTS The Annual Report of the Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, describing the Corporation's operations and including audited financial statements, has been mailed prior to or concurrently with this Proxy Statement. The Corporation will provide a copy of its most recent report to the SEC on Form 10-K upon the written request of any beneficial owner of the Corporation's securities as of the Record Date for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders without charge except for the cost of reproducing Exhibits. Such request should be addressed to Ducommun Incorporated, 111 West Ocean Boulevard, Suite 900, Long Beach, California 90802, Attn: James S. Heiser, Secretary. INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS The Corporation's independent accountants for the current fiscal year, as well as for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, are Price Waterhouse LLP. A representative of such firm will be afforded the opportunity to make a statement if he desires and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders in attendance. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS From time to time individual shareholders of the Corporation may submit proposals which they believe should be voted upon by the shareholders. The SEC has adopted regulations which govern the inclusion of such proposals in the Corporation's annual proxy materials. All such proposals must be submitted to the Secretary of the Corporation no later than December 1, 1998, in order to be considered for inclusion in the Corporation's 1999 proxy materials. 13 16 OTHER BUSINESS The Board of Directors does not know of any other business which will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other business properly comes before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, the proxy holders will vote in regard thereto according to their discretion insofar as such proxies are not limited to the contrary. By Order of the Board of Directors James S. Heiser Long Beach, California Secretary March 30, 1998 14 17 PROXY DUCOMMUN INCORPORATED 111 West Ocean Boulevard, Suite 900, Long Beach, California 90802 PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS ON MAY 6, 1998 The undersigned hereby appoints KENNETH R. PEARSON and JAMES S. HEISER, and each of them (with full power to act without the other), the agents and proxies of the undersigned, each with full power of substitution, to represent and to vote, as specified below, all of the shares of Common Stock of Ducommun Incorporated, a Delaware corporation, held of record by the undersigned on March 16, 1998, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 6, 1998, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof. (Continued on other side) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOLD AND DETACH HERE 18 Please mark your vote as [X] indicated in this example. 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS Nominees: Norman A. Barkeley, H. Frederick Christie and Kevin S. Moore FOR WITHHOLD all nominees AUTHORITY listed below (except to vote for as marked to the all nominees contrary below) listed below [ ] [ ] (INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write that nominee's name on the space provided below.) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock from 12,500,000 shares to 35,000,000 shares. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN [ ] [ ] [ ] 3. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting. THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 1 AND 2. This proxy may be revoked at any time prior to the voting thereof. All other proxies heretofore given by the undersigned are hereby expressly revoked. THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. Signature(s)___________________________________________ Dated:____________, 1998 Please sign exactly as name appears below. When shares are held by joint-tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by president or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person. FOLD AND DETACH HERE