SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934

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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [  ]

Check the appropriate box:
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[X] Definitive Proxy Statement                                                            Commission only
[  ] Definitive Additional Materials
[  ] Soliciting Material pursuant to Rule 14a-11c or Rule 14a-12


MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
 (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)


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20132014

NOTICE

OF

ANNUAL

MEETING

AND

PROXY

STATEMENT






 
 

 

Notice of
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To be held February 21, 201320, 2014



To Our Shareholders:

The Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of Matthews International Corporation will be held at 6:9:00 PMAM on Thursday, February 21, 201320, 2014 at the Sheraton Station SquareRenaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel, 300 West Station Square Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,202 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 for the purpose of considering and acting upon the following:

1.  To elect three directorsone director of the Company for a term of three years and one director of the Company for a term of two years.

2.  To approve the adoption of the 2012 Equity Incentive2014 Director Fee Plan.

3.  To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered   public accounting firm to audit the records of the Company for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013.2014.

3.4.  To provide an advisory (non-binding) vote on the executive compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.

4.5.  To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

Shareholders of record as of December 31, 20122013 will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof.

Please indicate on the enclosed proxy card whether you will or will not be able to attend this meeting. Return the card in the enclosed envelope as soon as possible.  If you receive more than one proxy card (for example, because you own common stock in more than one account), please be sure to complete and return all of them.

We hope you can be with us for this important occasion.

                                                                                                                                          Sincerely,

 
 

                                                                                                                                         Steven F. Nicola
                                                                                                                                        Corporate Secretary

January 22, 201321, 2014





 
 

 

Matthews International Corporation
Proxy Statement

Table of Contents




  Page
Proxy Statement  1
Outstanding Stock and Voting Rights  2
General Information Regarding Corporate Governance  3
Board of Directors
  3
Board Composition
  3
Board Committees
  4
Executive Committee
  4
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
  4
Audit Committee
  5
Finance Committee
  5
Compensation Committee
  5
Meeting Attendance
  6
Compensation of Directors
  6
Director Compensation Table
  7
Access to Directors
  7
Proposal 1 – Election of Directors  7
Nominees
  8
Continuing Directors
  9
Proposal 2 – Approval of the Adoption of the 2012 Equity Incentive2014 Director Fee Plan                                                                                                                                      12
Proposal 3 – Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm2523
Proposal 4 – Advisory (non-binding) vote on the executive compensation of
                       the Company’s named executive officers2524
Stock Ownership2625
Stock Ownership Guidelines
2726
Executive Compensation and Retirement Benefits2927
Compensation Committee Report
2927
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
2927
Annual Compensation of the Named Executive Officers
43
Summary Compensation Table
43
Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
44
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table
45
Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table
46
Retirement Benefits
46
Pension Benefits Table
47
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
48
Audit Committee Matters                                                                                                                                      51
Report of the Audit Committee                                                                                                                                      51
Relationship with Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm                                                                                                                                      52
Certain Transactions                                                                                                                                      52
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act                                                                                                                                      53
Shareholder Proposals for the 20142015 Annual Meeting                                                                                                                                      53
Other Matters                                                                                                                                      53
Exhibit A                                                                                                                                      55
Exhibit B7984










 
 

 

Matthews International Corporation
Two NorthShore Center
Pittsburgh, PA 15212 - 5851
412 / 442-8200



Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholder Meeting to Be Held on February 21, 201320, 2014

The 20132014 Proxy Statement and the Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended September 30, 20122013 are also available at www.matw.com under the section entitled “Reports”.



PROXY STATEMENT

The accompanying proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of Matthews International Corporation (“Matthews” or the “Company”) whose principal executive offices are located at Two NorthShore Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212.  This Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy were first released to shareholders on or about January 22, 2013.21, 2014.

Execution of the proxy will not affect a shareholder's right to attend the meeting and vote in person.  Any shareholder giving a proxy has the right to revoke it at any time before it is voted by giving notice to the Corporate Secretary or by attending the meeting and voting in person.

Matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting are those set forth in the accompanying notice.  Shares represented by proxy will be voted in accordance with instructions.  In the absence of instructions to the contrary, the proxy solicited will be voted forFOR the proposals set forth.forth therein.

Management does not intend to bring before the meeting any business other than that set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders.  If any other business should properly come before the meeting, it is the intention of management that the persons named in the proxy will vote in accordance with their best judgment.




 
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OUTSTANDING STOCK AND VOTING RIGHTS

The Company has one class of stock outstanding:  Class A Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, referred to as the "Common Stock."

Each outstanding share of Common Stock of the Company entitles the holder to one vote upon any business properly presented at the shareholders' meeting.  Cumulative voting is not applicable to the election of directors.

The Board of Directors of the Company has established December 31, 20122013 as the record date for shareholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. The transfer books of the Company will not be closed. A total of 27,674,76527,332,183 shares of Common Stock are outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting.  The holders of 13,666,092 shares will constitute a quorum at the meeting.

Abstentions and broker non-votes have no effect on any proposal(explained herein) will be counted for purposes of determining a quorum.  If your shares are held by a broker (in street name), the broker will ask you how you want your shares to be voted upon.  Broker non-votes as to any matter are shares held by brokers and other nominees which are voted at the meeting on matters as to whichvoted. If you give the broker or nominee has discretionary authority, but which areinstructions, your shares will be voted as you direct.  If you do not votedgive instructions to your broker, one of two things can happen, depending on the type of proposal.  For the ratification of the selection of independent auditors, which is considered a non-significant matter, in question because the broker or nomineemay vote your shares in its discretion.  The broker does not have discretionarythe discretion to vote your shares for the election of directors, for the non-binding advisory vote to approve the compensation paid to our named executive officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement, or for the vote to approve the 2014 Director Fee Plan; these are considered significant matters.  If you do not provide voting authority asinstructions to such matter.your broker for these significant matters, the broker may not vote your shares on these proposals at all.  When that happens, it is called a "broker non-vote."

 
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GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING CORPORATE GOVERNANCE


Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is the ultimate governing body of the Company. As such, it functions within a framework of duties and requirements established by statute, government regulations, court decisions and court decisions.the Company’s organizational documents. Generally, the Board of Directors reviews and confirms the basic objectives and broad policies of the Company, approves various important transactions, appoints the officers of the Company and monitors Company performance in key results areas.  The Board also has oversight responsibility of the processes established to report and monitor systems for material risks applicable to the Company.  The full Board regularly reviews enterprise-wide risk management, which includes relationships with significant customers, volatility of commodity costs, changes in the markets in which the Company operates and existing and potential competitors.   In addition, each Board committee plays a significant role in carrying out the risk oversight function.  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee oversees risks related to corporate governance and ethics.  The Audit Committee oversees risks related to financial reporting and control; environmental, health and sustainability matters; management policies and guidelines; legal claims and issues; and information technology.  The Finance Committee established in fiscal 2012, oversees the Company’s financial policies, strategies and capital structure.  The Compensation Committee oversees risks related to human resources, succession planning and compensation.

Board Composition

The Articles of Incorporation of the Company provide that the Board of Directors has the power to set the number of directors constituting the full Board, provided that such number shall not be less than five nor more than fifteen. Until further action, the Board of Directors has fixed the number of directors constituting the full Board at eight, divided into three classes.  The terms of office of the three classes of directors end in successive years.

After reviewing the independence standards contained in the NASDAQ listing requirements, the Board of Directors has determined that each of its directors is independent under these standards, other than the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Joseph C. Bartolacci.  The Company’s Governance Guidelines provide that an employee member can remain on the Board for a period of no longer than one year following retirement from employment with the Company.

The Board of Directors has determined that an independent, non-employee member should be appointed to serve as Chairman of the Board.  The Board believes that separation of the positions of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, with the appointment of an independent, non-employee director as Chairman of the Board, strengthens the Company’s corporate governance.  John D. Turner is the Company’s current independent, non-employee Chairman of the Board.

Mr. Turner and the other independent directors meet at such times as are necessary and generally on the dates of regularly scheduled Board meetings.  The independent directors met a total of fourfive times in fiscal 2012.2013.

During fiscal 2012,2013, there were sixfive regularly scheduled meetings and onetwo special meetingmeetings of the Board of Directors.



 
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Board Committees
 
 
There are five standing committees appointed by the Board of Directors -- the Executive, Nominating and Corporate Governance, Audit, Finance and Compensation Committees.

Management has the same responsibility to each Committee as it does to the Board of Directors with respect to providing adequate staff services and information.  Furthermore, each Committee has the same power as the Board of Directors to employ the services of outside consultants and to have discussions and interviews with personnel of the Company and others.

The principal functions of the five standing Committees are summarized as follows:

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors to have and exercise during periods between Board meetings all of the powers of the Board of Directors, except that the Executive Committee may not elect directors, change the membership of or fill vacancies on the Executive Committee, change the By-laws of the Company or exercise any authority specifically reserved by the Board of Directors.  Among the functions customarily performed by the Executive Committee during periods between Board meetings are the approval, within limitations previously established by the Board of Directors, of the principal terms involved in sales of securities of the Company, and such reviews as may be necessary of significant developments in major events and litigation involving the Company.  In addition, the Executive Committee is called upon periodically to provide advice and counsel in the formulation of corporate policy changes and, where it deems advisable, make recommendations to the Board of Directors.

The members of the Executive Committee are John D. Turner (Chairperson), Gregory S. Babe, Katherine E. Dietze, Alvaro Garcia-Tunon and John P. O’Leary, Jr.  The Executive Committee holds meetings at such times as are required.  The Executive Committee did not meet in fiscal 2012.2013.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The principal functions of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are to (1) identify individuals qualified to become members of the Board of Directors, (2) recommend to the Board of Directors the director nominees for the next annual meeting of shareholders, (3) monitor and recommend to the Board of Directors changes, as necessary, to the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, (4) lead the Board of Directors in complying with its Corporate Governance Guidelines and (5) review and make recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning director compensation.  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is also responsible for the annual evaluations of the performance of the Board of Directors and Committees of the Board, including individual directors.  ThisThe Committee is committed to ensuring that (i) the nominees for membership on the Board of Directors are of the highest possible caliber and are able to provide insightful, intelligent and effective guidance to the management of the Company and (ii) the governance of the Company is in full compliance with law, reflects generally accepted principles of good corporate governance, encourages flexible and dynamic management without undue burdens and effectively manages the risks of the business and operations of the Company.  From time to time, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has retained the services of a third-party search firm to assist in the identification and evaluation of potential nominees for the Board of Directors.  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee operates pursuant to a Charter and the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are available for viewing on the Company’s website at www.matw.com under the section entitled “Corporate Governance”.  
 
 
 
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All members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are independent in accordance with the listing standards of NASDAQ.  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met threeseven times during fiscal 2012.2013.  The current members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are John P. O’Leary, Jr. (Chairperson), Gregory S. Babe and Jerry R. Whitaker.

Audit Committee

The principal functions of the Audit Committee are to provide oversight of (1) the integrity of the Company's financial statements, reports on internal controls and other financial information provided by the Company, (2) the Company's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (3) the qualifications and independence of the Company's independent registered public accounting firm and (4) the performance of the Company's internal audit function (including disclosure controls and procedures for internal controls over financial reporting) and independent registered public accounting firm. The Committee will serve as a vehicle to provide an open avenue of communication between the Company's Board of Directors and financial management, the internal audit department, and the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee is responsible for appointing the Company's independent registered public accounting firm.  The Audit Committee operates pursuant to a Charter, which is available for viewing on the Company’s website at www.matw.com under the section entitled “Corporate Governance”.

The Audit Committee members are Alvaro Garcia-Tunon (Chairperson), Katherine E. Dietze and Morgan K. O’Brien, all of whom the Board of Directors has determined in its business judgment are independent from the Company and its management as defined by the relevant provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”).  Mr. Garcia-Tunon has been designated as the Audit Committee financial expert.expert as determined by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.  During fiscal 2012,2013, the Audit Committee met six times.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee established in fiscal 2012, provides oversight of the Company’s financial policies, strategies and capital structure.  The Committee’s principal responsibilities include review and monitoring of significant capital expenditures; mergers, acquisitions and divestitures; the Company’s capital structure, debt and equity offerings; the dividend policy and share repurchase program; risk management programs; and the Company’s investor relations program.  The Committee also provides oversight to the Pension Board on employee benefit plan matters and related plan investment management.  Members of the Finance Committee are Katherine E. Dietze (Chairperson), Morgan K. O’Brien and Jerry R. Whitaker.  The Finance Committee met threeten times in fiscal 2012.2013.

Compensation Committee

The principal functions of the Compensation Committee, the members of which are Gregory S. Babe (Chairperson), Alvaro Garcia-Tunon and Morgan K. O’Brien, are to review periodically the suitability of the remuneration arrangements (including benefits) for the principal executives of the Company, and to prepare an annual report on executive compensation for inclusion in the Company’s Proxy Statement.  The Committee also reviews, at least annually, succession plans for the position of Chief Executive Officer and other senior executive positions of the Company.  The Compensation Committee operates pursuant to a Charter, which is available for viewing on the Company’s website at www.matw.com under the section entitled “Corporate Governance”. During fiscal 2012,2013, the Compensation Committee met fivefour times.
 

 
 
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Meeting Attendance

Under the applicable rules of the SEC,Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company's Proxy Statement is required to name those directors who during the preceding year attended fewer than 75% of the total number of meetings held by the Board and by the Committees of which they are members. During fiscal 2012,2013, all directors attended at least 75% of such meetings for which they were eligible.

The Company does not have a formal policy with regard to Board members attending the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, but it is customary for the Board members to do so, and in general all or most of the Board members have attended annual meetings in the recent past.  All but one of the Board members attended the 20122013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Compensation of Directors

Director compensation is administered and determined by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.  In performing its duties, the Committee consults with various independent third-party advisors.  In fiscal 2012,2013, the Committee consulted primarily with PayGovernance, an independent human resources consulting firm.

Under the Company’s 1994 Director Fee Plan, as amended, each eligible independent director received an annual retainer valued at $60,000 in 2012.2013.  Such annual retainer may be paid either in cash or in shares of the Company’s Common Stock, as determined by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.  If the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee decides to pay the annual retainer in cash, a director may instead elect to receive the annual retainer in current shares of the Company’s Common Stock or Common Stock credited to a deferred stock account as phantom stock.  If the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee chooses to pay such annual retainer in Common Stock, a director may defer the receipt of such Common Stock.

Each independent director also receives an annual stock-based grant (non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights and/or restricted shares).  The value of this grant was $80,000$100,000 in the form of restricted stock in 2012,2013, and will be $100,000 in the form of restricted stock in 2013.2014.  The precise annual stock-based awards to be granted and their valuation are determined by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.  At December 31, 2012,2013, there were 99,95577,913 shares available for future grant under the 1994 Director Fee Plan.

The non-employee Chairman of the Board receives an additional annual retainer fee of $70,000 which, at the election of the Chairman, may be received in cash, current shares of the Company’s Common Stock or Common Stock credited to a deferred stock account as phantom stock.  Each Committee chairperson receives an additional retainer fee for a year of service as a Committee chairperson.  The chairperson retainer fee was $7,500 ($12,000 in the case of the Audit Committee chairperson) in 2012.2013.  Meeting fees are not paid to Directors.

The Company is submitting the 2014 Director Fee Plan to a vote of the shareholders as Proposal 2 of this Proxy Statement.  If adopted, each eligible independent director will be compensated as described in Proposal 2 of this Proxy Statement.

The Company does not provide any retirement benefits or perquisites to any of its non-employee directors.


 
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The following table summarizes the director compensation earned by the non-employee directors of the Company for fiscal 2012.2013.

Director Compensation Table

Name Fees Earned or Paid in Cash (1)  Stock Awards (2)  Option Awards  Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compen-sation  Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings  All Other Compen-sation  Total  Fees Earned or Paid in Cash (1)  Stock Awards (2)  Option Awards  Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compen-sation  Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings  All Other Compen-sation  Total 
J.D. Turner  $130,000   $80,000   -   -   -   -   $210,000   $130,000   $100,000   -   -   -   -   $230,000 
G.S. Babe  67,500   80,000   -   -   -   -   147,500   67,500   100,000   -   -   -   -   167,500 
K.E. Dietze  67,500   80,000   -   -   -   -   147,500   67,500   100,000   -   -   -   -   167,500 
A. Garcia-Tunon  72,000   80,000   -   -   -   -   152,000   72,000   100,000   -   -   -   -   172,000 
M.K. O’Brien  60,000   80,000   -   -   -   -   140,000   60,000   100,000   -   -   -   -   160,000 
J.P. O’Leary, Jr.  67,500   80,000   -   -   -   -   147,500   67,500   100,000   -   -   -   -   167,500 
J.R. Whitaker  60,000   80,000   -   -   -   -   140,000   60,000   100,000   -   -   -   -   160,000 


(1)  Mr. Babe elected to receive fees of $67,500 in shares of the Company’s Common Stock credited to a deferred stock account as phantom shares.
(2)  Amounts in this column reflect the grant date fair value of awards of restricted shares of the Company’s Common Stock granted during fiscal 20122013 computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ASC Topic 718; however, the estimate of forfeiture related to service-based vesting conditions is disregarded for purposes of this valuation.  There were no forfeitures of restricted shares by any of the directors during fiscal 2012.2013.  On March 8, 2012,14, 2013, Messrs. Turner, Babe, Garcia-Tunon, O’Brien, O’Leary, Whitaker and Ms. Dietze were each awarded 2,5892,872 restricted shares with a grant date fair value of $80,000.$100,000.


Access to Directors

The shareholders of the Company may communicate in writing to the Board of Directors by sending such communication to the Board or a particular director in care of Steven F. Nicola, Corporate Secretary, at the Company.  At present, such communications will be directly forwarded to the Board or such particular director, as applicable.


PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Nominations for election to the Board of Directors may be made by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee or by the shareholders.  Alvaro Garcia-Tunon,Section 3.01 of the Company’s Bylaws provides that “no one shall be eligible for nomination as a Director for any term during which, or before which, he will attain 70 years of age.”  John P. O’Leary, Jr. and Jerry R. Whitaker,D. Turner, whose termsterm of office areis expiring, havehas been nominated by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to serve for a two-year term that will end in 2016.  Gregory S. Babe, whose term of office is expiring, has been nominated by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to serve for a three-year term that will end in 2016.2017.  Nominations made by the shareholders must be made in writing in accordance with Section 6.1 of the Articles of Incorporation.  No such nominations have been received.
7


The Company’s process for filling director vacancies includes determination of the professional skills and background desired to serve the best interests and current needs of the Company and its shareholders, retention of a third-party search firm to assist in the identification and evaluation of director candidates, consideration of candidates nominated by shareholders (if any), evaluation of candidate’s credentials and experience by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (including personal interviews with selected candidates), and a formal recommendation by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to the Board of Directors regarding the candidate considered to be the most qualified to fill the director vacancy.
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The Committee assesses a candidate’s background, skills, diversity, personal characteristics and business experience and applies the the following criteria and qualifications.  Candidates are to be of the highest ethical character, share the values of the Company, have reputations, both personal and professional, consistent with the image and reputation of the Company, be highly accomplished in their respective field, with superior credentials and recognition, and provide the relevant expertise and experience necessary to assist the Board and the Company to increase shareholder value.  The Board may prioritize the criteria depending on the current needs of the Board and the Company.  The Board does not have a formal diversity policy for selecting directors, but considers diversity of race, gender and national origin to be relevant factors that are weighed with other criteria in recommending and nominating directors for election to the Board of Directors of Matthews.

Under the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, any director who experiences a change in principal occupation or primary business affiliation from that in which such director was engaged upon their last election to the Board, must offer to submit a letter of resignation from the Board.

The Board of Directors has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will become unavailable for election. If any nominee should become unavailable prior to the meeting, the accompanying proxy will be voted for the election in the nominee's place of such other person as the Board of Directors may recommend.

Only affirmative votes are counted in the election of directors.  The three nomineesnominee for election as directorsa director at the Annual Meeting in the Class of 2016 and the Class of 2017 who receivereceives the highest number of votes cast for the election of directors by the holders of the Company’s Common Stock present in person or voting by proxy, a quorum being present, will be elected as directors.

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR the election of the nominated directors.

The following information is furnished with respect to the persons nominated by the Board of Directors for election as directors and with respect to the continuing directors.


Nominees

Class of 2016

Alvaro Garcia-Tunon,John D. Turner, age 60, was elected67, has been a director of the Company since 1999.  Mr. Turner retired as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Copperweld Corporation, a manufacturer of tubular and bimetallic wire products, in 2003, where he had served as Chief Executive Officer since 1988.  Mr. Turner’s experience, knowledge and expertise as an executive in the metal manufacturing industry are valuable resources to the Company.  During his tenure as a Director, Mr. Turner has also served or participated on each of the Committees of the Board, providing him with the experience and perspective of the Board’s decision making process in all areas of the Company’s operations.  Mr. Turner also has experience as a director for several large public companies. Mr. Turner serves as Chairman of the Executive Committee.  Mr. Turner received a Bachelor's Degree in Biology from Colgate University.  He currently also serves on the Board of Directors in October 2009.  Mr. Garcia-Tunon was named Executive Vice Presidentof Allegheny Technologies Incorporated, a position he has held since February, 2004, and Chief Financial Officer for Wabtec Corporation, a provideris the chairman of products and services for the global rail industry, in February 2012.  Prior to that, he was Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary since December 2010.  Prior thereto he served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary since 2003.  Mr. Garcia-Tunon was Senior Vice President, Finance of Wabtec from 1999 until 2003, and prior thereto was Vice President and Treasurer of Wabtec.  As the current Chief Financial Officer of a public company with global operations, Mr. Garcia-Tunon has leadership skills in international business, corporate governance and risk management.  He also provides the Board and the AuditTechnology Committee of which he is a Chairman, the strong financial and accounting skills required to be considered a financial expert.  Mr. Garcia-Tunon also is a member of the Executive and Compensation Committees.that Board.
 
 
 
8

 

Mr. Garcia-Tunon currently serves onClass of 2017

Gregory S. Babe, age 56, was elected to the Board of Directors of MSA, a global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of safety products that protect people and facility infrastructures. He also is a board member of the Pittsburgh Civic Light Orchestra and Senator John Heinz History Center, where heNovember 2010.  Mr. Babe currently serves as its Treasurer.  Mr. Garcia-Tunon graduated from the College of William and Mary with a Juris Doctor degree and is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce and Accounting.

John P. O'Leary, Jr., age 66, has been a director of the Company since 1992.  Mr. O'Leary retired as Senior Vice President, SCA North America, a packaging supplier, in June 2004, where he had served as Senior Vice President since May 2002.  Prior thereto, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Tuscarora Incorporated (“Tuscarora”)start-up Liquid X Printed Metals, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of SCA Packaging International B.V. and a division of SCA North America.  Tuscarora is a producer and manufacturer of custom design protective packaging.  Preceding SCA's acquisition of Tuscarora,Carnegie Mellon University spin out.  From July 2012 to June 2013 Mr. O'LearyBabe served as Chairman of Tuscarora's Board of Directors.  Mr. O’Leary’s background as Chief Executive Officer of Tuscarora (formerlyOrbital Engineering, Inc., a publicly-traded company)privately held engineering services company.  Mr. Babe retired as President and Chief Executive Officer of Bayer Corporation and Bayer MaterialScience LLC in June 2012.  Mr. Babe was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Bayer Corporation and Senior ViceBayer Representative for the United States and Canada in October 2008.  Mr. Babe was responsible for the North American activities of the worldwide Bayer Group, an international health care, nutrition and high-tech materials group based in Leverkusen, Germany.  In addition, he held the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of SCABayer MaterialScience LLC, a producer of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America, provide valuable experience forsince July 2004.  Mr. Babe is considered well-qualified to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors based on his experience as a Chief Executive Officer of Matthews.a multinational manufacturing company. He has also served on the Company’s Audit, Nominatingpossesses a strong background in manufacturing and Corporate Governanceregulatory and Executive Committees, providing a broad knowledge of the Company’s operating, financial and compliance objectives.government affairs. Mr. O’LearyBabe is currently Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate GovernanceCompensation Committee and is a member of the Executive Committee.and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees.  Mr. O'Leary holds a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business and received a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from Gettysburg College. He currentlyBabe serves on the Board of Directors of Pregis, Inc., a protective packaging company, and Kenson Plastics, a small private custom plastic converter.  Mr. O’Leary has served onchairs the Board of Directors of Pregis, Inc. from October 2005 to the present.

Jerry R. Whitaker, age 62, was elected to the Board of DirectorsAudit Committee of the Company in July 2011.  Mr. Whitaker was President of Electrical Sector-Americas, Eaton Corporation, a global manufacturer of highly engineered products, until his retirement in June 2011.  Prior thereto, he served in various management positions at Eaton Corporation since 1994.  Prior to joining Eaton Corporation, Mr. Whitaker spent 22 years with Westinghouse Electric Corp.  Mr. Whitaker’s experience and knowledge as an executive in global manufacturing industries and acquisition integration are valuable resources to the Company.  Mr. WhitakerBenedum Foundation.  He is also a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance and Finance Committees.Foundation Board of West Virginia University.  Mr. Whitaker receivedBabe holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Syracuse University and a Masters in Business Administration from George Washington University.  He currently serves as a director on the boards of Crescent Electric Company, an independent distributor of electrical hardware and supplies, Sealed Air Corporation, a global leader in food safety and security, as well as on the advisory board for Universal Electric Company, a manufacturer of customizable power distribution systems.  Mr. Whitaker also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh as well as the boards of the Carnegie Science Center, the American Middle East Institute, Renewable Manufacturing Gateway and the Advisory Board of the L.C. Smith School of Engineering at SyracuseWest Virginia University.

Continuing Directors

Gregory S. Babe, age 55, was elected to the Board of Directors in November 2010.  Mr. Babe currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Orbital Engineering, Inc., a privately held engineering services company.  Mr. Babe retired as President and Chief Executive Officer of Bayer Corporation and Bayer MaterialScience LLC in June 2012.  Mr. Babe was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Bayer Corporation and Senior Bayer Representative for the United States and Canada in October 2008.  Mr. Babe was responsible for the North American activities of the worldwide Bayer Group, an international health care, nutrition and high-tech materials group based in Leverkusen, Germany.  In addition, he held the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Bayer MaterialScience LLC, a producer of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America, since July 2004.
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Mr. Babe is considered well-qualified to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors based on his experience as a Chief Executive Officer of a multinational manufacturing company. He possesses a strong background in manufacturing and regulatory and government affairs. Mr. Babe is Chairman of the Compensation Committee and is a member of the Executive and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees.  Mr. Babe serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committees of the National Association of Manufacturers. He is also a member of the Foundation Board of West Virginia University.  Mr. Babe holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from West Virginia University.

Joseph C. Bartolacci, age 52,53, was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Company in 2006.  He had beenPrior to his appointment as Chief Executive Officer, he was President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company since 2005.  Mr. Bartolacci was elected to the Board of Directors in 2005.  Prior thereto, he held various positions within Matthews, including President, Casket Division; Executive Vice President of Matthews; President, Matthews Europe; President, Caggiati, S.p.A. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Matthews International Corporation)Matthews) and General Counsel of Matthews.  As the only Matthews employee on the Board of Directors, Mr. Bartolacci provides management’s perspective in Board decisions about the business and strategic direction of the Company.  He has first hand operating experience in many of the Company’s diverse global businesses, and brings a well-developed understanding of the industries in which the Company operates, and the opportunities within those industries to drive shareholder value.  Mr. Bartolacci received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Saint Vincent College and a Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh.  Mr. Bartolacci serves on the Company’s Pension Board, the Board of the Jas. H. Matthews & Co. Educational and Charitable Trust, and on the boards of various subsidiaries of Matthews.  Mr. Bartolacci is a member of the Board of Directors of Saint Vincent College and serves as a member of the Citizen’s Bank Mid-Atlantic Regional Advisory Board.

Katherine E. Dietze, age 55,56, was elected to the Board of Directors of the Company in July 2008.  Ms. Dietze was Global Chief Operating Officer, Investment Banking Division of Credit Suisse First Boston, a financial services company, until her retirement in 2005.  She had also held the position of Managing Director, Investment Banking.  Prior to joining Credit Suisse First Boston, Ms. Dietze was a Managing Director for Salomon Brothers Inc, a financial services company.  Ms. Dietze brings a strong background in global investment and financial matters.  
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With her background in investment banking, Ms. Dietze provides a unique and valuable perspective on global financial markets, investments and financial transactions.  Ms. Dietze received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University and graduated from Columbia University with a Masters in Business Administration in Finance and Marketing.  Ms. Dietze serves as Chairperson of the Finance Committee and is a member of the Executive and Audit Committees.  She is also a director and member of the Audit Committee and Governance Committee of Cowen Group, Inc., a financial services firm.  She previously served as Chairperson of the Audit Committee and member of both the Governance and Compensation Committees for LaBranche, LLC, a financial services firm purchased by the Cowen Group in June 2011.  In January 2011, Ms. Dietze was elected to the Board of Trustees of Liberty Property Trust, a real estate investment trust.

Alvaro Garcia-Tunon, age 61, was elected to the Board of Directors in October 2009.  Mr. Garcia-Tunon retired as the Chief Financial Officer of Wabtec Corporation (“Wabtec”), a provider of products and services for the global rail industry, effective January 1, 2014.  He will remain with Wabtec as a strategic advisor going forward.  Mr. Garcia-Tunon was named Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Wabtec in February 2012.  Prior to that, he was Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of Wabtec since December 2010.  Prior thereto he served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of Wabtec since 2003.  Having served as the Chief Financial Officer of a public company with global operations, Mr. Garcia-Tunon has leadership skills in international business, corporate governance and risk management.  He also provides the Board and the Audit Committee, of which he is a Chairman, the strong financial and accounting skills required to be considered a financial expert.  Mr. Garcia-Tunon also is also a member of the Executive and Compensation Committees.  Mr. Garcia-Tunon currently is serving on the Board of Directors of Mine Safety Appliances Company, a global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of safety products that protect people and facility infrastructures, since 2012, and serves on the Audit, Legal and Finance Committees of that Board. He also is a board member of the Pittsburgh Civic Light Orchestra and Senator John Heinz History Center, where he serves as its Treasurer.  Mr. Garcia-Tunon graduated from the College of William and Mary with a Juris Doctor degree and is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce and Accounting.

Morgan K. O’Brien, age 52,53, was elected to the Board of Directors of the Company in July 2011.  Mr. O’Brien has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Peoples Natural Gas Company LLC, a utility serving the southwestern Pennsylvania market, since February 2010.  Prior thereto, Mr. O’Brien served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Duquesne Light Holdings, an electric utility company serving western Pennsylvania, since 2001.    He held various senior executive positions at Duquesne Light Holdings since 1991.  Prior to joining Duquesne Light Holdings, Mr. O’Brien served in various management positions at PNC Bank and at major accounting firms.  
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As a current Chief Executive Officer with more than 10 years experience in that role, Mr. O’Brien brings significant leadership skills to the Board of Directors.  With his experience in the areas of accounting and taxation, he also provides the Board and the Audit Committee, of which he is a member, with strong financial skills.  Mr. O’Brien is also a member of the Compensation and Finance Committees.  Mr. O’Brien received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Masters degree in taxation from Robert Morris University.  Mr. O’Brien serves on the Board of Directors of Peoples Natural Gas Company LLC, HFF, Inc. and on the Board of Trustees of the University of Pittsburgh as Vice Chairman of the Board.  He also serves on the Boards of several civic and charitable organizations in western Pennsylvania.

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John D. Turner,P. O'Leary, Jr., age 66,67, has been a director of the Company since 1999.1992.  Mr. TurnerO'Leary retired as ChairmanSenior Vice President, SCA North America, a packaging supplier, in June 2004, a position that he held since May 2002.  Prior thereto, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Copperweld Corporation,Tuscarora Incorporated (“Tuscarora”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SCA Packaging International B.V. and a division of SCA North America.  Tuscarora is a producer and manufacturer of tubular and bimetallic wire products, in 2003, where he hadcustom design protective packaging.  Preceding SCA's acquisition of Tuscarora, Mr. O'Leary served as Chairman of Tuscarora's Board of Directors.  Mr. O’Leary’s background as Chief Executive Officer since 1988.  Mr. Turner’sof Tuscarora (formerly a publicly-traded company) and Senior Vice President of SCA North America provide valuable experience knowledge and expertise as an executive infor the metal manufacturing industry are valuable resources to the Company.  During his tenure as a Director, Mr. TurnerBoard of Directors of Matthews.  He has also served on each of the Company’s Audit, Nominating and Corporate Governance and Executive Committees, of the Board, providing him with the experience and perspective of the Board’s decision making process in all areasa broad knowledge of the Company’s operations.operating, financial and compliance objectives.  Mr. Turner also has experience asO’Leary is currently Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and is a director for several large public companies. Mr. Turner serves as Chairmanmember of the Executive Committee. Mr. TurnerO'Leary holds a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business and received a Bachelor's Degree in BiologyEconomics from Colgate University.Gettysburg College. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Allegheny Technologies Incorporated.  During the past five years Mr. Turner served onKenson Plastics, a small private custom plastic converter.

Jerry R. Whitaker, age 63, was elected to the Board of Directors of Duquesne Light Holdings, Inc. from May 2002the Company in July 2011.  Mr. Whitaker was President of Electrical Sector-Americas, Eaton Corporation, a global manufacturer of highly engineered products, until his retirement in June 2011.  Prior thereto, he served in various management positions at Eaton Corporation since 1994.  Prior to May 2007joining Eaton Corporation, Mr. Whitaker spent 22 years with Westinghouse Electric Corp.  Mr. Whitaker’s experience and Allegheny Technologies Incorporated from February 2004knowledge as an executive in global manufacturing industries and acquisition integration are valuable resources to the present.Company.  Mr. Whitaker is a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance and Finance Committees.  Mr. Whitaker received a Bachelor of Science degree from Syracuse University and a Masters in Business Administration from George Washington University.  He currently serves as a director on the boards of Crescent Electric Company, an independent distributor of electrical hardware and supplies, where he is a member of the Audit Committee and Chairman of the Compensation Committee; and Sealed Air Corporation, a global leader in food safety and security, where he serves on the Nominating and Governance Committee.  He is also on the advisory board for Universal Electric Company, a manufacturer of customizable power distribution systems.  Mr. Whitaker also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh as well as the boards of the Carnegie Science Center, the American Middle East Institute, Renewable Manufacturing Gateway and the Advisory Board of the L.C. Smith School of Engineering at Syracuse University.

The term for each nominee and director is listed below:

 
Nominees:
Term to expire at Annual
Meeting of Shareholders in:
  
Alvaro Garcia-TunonJohn D. Turner2016
John P. O’Leary, Jr.2016
Jerry R. WhitakerGregory S. Babe20162017
  
Continuing Directors:
 
Gregory S. Babe2014
John D. Turner2014
  
Joseph C. Bartolacci2015
Katherine E. Dietze2015
Morgan K. O’Brien2015
Alvaro Garcia-Tunon2016
John P. O’Leary, Jr.2016
Jerry R. Whitaker2016



 
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PROPOSAL 2

APPROVALADOPTION OF ADOPTION OF
THE 2012 EQUITY INCENTIVE2014 DIRECTOR FEE PLAN

Introduction

The Company’s 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) was adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors on November 15, 2012.  The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast in person or by proxy at a meeting held on or prior to November 14, 2013 in which the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company’s Common Stock are present (in person or by proxy) and voting is required for approval of adoption of the Plan.  If the shareholders of the Company do not approve the Plan as proposed in this proxy statement, the Plan will not be used by the Company.  Upon approval of the Plan, there will be no further grants under the existing 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended through September 26, 2008 (the “2007 Equity Incentive Plan”).

At December 31, 2012, the status of the Company’s equity-based compensation plans (2007 Equity Incentive Plan, 1992 Stock Incentive Plan and 1994 Director Fee Plan) was as follows:

  2007 Equity Incentive Plan  1992 Stock Incentive Plan  1994 Director Fee Plan  Total 
Stock Options            
  Outstanding shares  -   809,558   11,800   821,358 
  Weighted-average exercise price  -   $37.58   $35.39   $37.55 
  Average term to expiration (years)  -   2.9   2.6   2.9 
                 
Full Value Awards (restricted shares only)                
Outstanding unvested shares  666,168   -   29,288   695,456 
                 
Shares available for grant  335,492   -   99,955   435,447 

The Plan is being adopted to replenish the existing share reserve to allow for future equity grants at the Compensation Committee’s discretion.  The need for and value of such long term equity grants within the Company’s overall compensation structure is discussed in the “Long Term Incentive Compensation” section in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis.  In addition, it is the appropriate time to have the shareholders of the Company re-approve the performance goals of the Plan, so that awards to employees who may be covered employees under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code can qualify under the performance-based exception to the limitations on compensation deductions under Section 162(m).  See “Performance Goals,” below.  The Plan also includes provisions that modernize the Company’s equity plan.

Description of Equity Incentive Plan

The full text of the 2014 Director Fee Plan (the “2014 Plan”) is set forth as Exhibit A to this Proxy Statement. The following description of the 2014 Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to Exhibit A.


The 2014 Plan in General. The purposes of the 2014 Plan are to encourageprovide eligible non-employee directors of the Company with a fee arrangement that is not only competitive with those at corporations similar to the Company but which increases the alignment of interests between the non-employee directors and the shareholders of the Company, and to provide a program which is suitable for the recruitment and retention of capable people to serve as non-employee directors of the Company.  As of December 31, 2013, there were seven (7) such directors. Directors who are employees of the Company are not separately compensated for service as a director.

The total number of shares of stock which may be issued under the 2014 Plan or credited to a deferred stock compensation account for subsequent issuance is 150,000 shares of Common Stock as of November 14, 2013. This total will be adjusted upon certain events such as a stock dividend on, or stock split of, the Common Stock. The shares which may be issued under the 2014 Plan may be either authorized but unissued shares or shares previously issued and its subsidiaries to increase their efforts to make the Company and each subsidiary more successful, to provide an additional inducement for such employees to remain withthereafter acquired by the Company, or a subsidiary, to reward such employees by providing an opportunity to acquire sharescombination of each. On December 31, 2013, the fair market value of a share of the Company’s Class A Common Stock par value $1.00 per share, on favorable termswas $42.61.
The Board of Directors of the Company will have full power and authority to administer the 2014 Plan. The Board may delegate some or all of those rights to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee or other committees of the Board. The Board of Directors also has, subject to certain limitations, the right to amend or terminate the 2014 Plan.

The 2014 Plan includes an annual director fee retainer (the “Retainer”). The Retainer is  $60,000 for each non-employee director and, in the case of the non-employee chairperson (“NE Chairperson”), an additional $70,000 (or such other amounts determined by the Board or by any committee of the Board which the Board authorizes to determine such amounts).  The 2014 Plan also provides that the Retainer can be paid in cash or in Common Stock of the Company. Whether the payment is made in cash or Common Stock will be determined by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Company (or another committee of the Board designated to act for these matters) (the “Governance Committee”). Whether the Retainer is paid in cash or Common Stock, a director may elect to receive the Retainer in Common Stock or defer the Retainer payment into a deferred stock compensation account.
In addition to the annual Retainer, other cash fees to be paid under the 2014 Plan are as follows:

Board Meeting Fees:None
Committee Meeting Fees:None
Committee Chairperson Retainer Fees:$7,500 (or $12,000 in the case of the Audit Committee Chairperson) for a year of service as a Committee Chairperson
Shareholders’ Meeting Fees:None

In addition, if the Board elects a Lead Director, in addition to the annual Retainer, the Lead Director would receive other cash fees of $5,000 for a year of service as the Lead Director.
 
 
 
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provideThe 2014 Plan also permits the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted shares under the 2014 Plan. The 2014 Plan provides that each director will receive an annual grant of non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights and/or restricted shares with a means throughtotal value of $100,000 (or such other amounts determined by the Board or by any committee of the Board which the Company may attract able personsBoard authorizes to enterdetermine such amounts). The precise awards to be granted and their valuation will be determined by the employGovernance Committee. The terms applicable to these awards are described below.

In certain instances, the 2014 Plan provides for the accelerated vesting of and extension of time to exercise stock options and stock appreciation rights and the accelerated vesting of restricted shares upon a change in control at the Company. A description of the Company or one of its subsidiaries.  change in control provisions is set forth below.

The eligible employees are those employeesterm of the Company or any subsidiary who share responsibility2014 Plan runs until March 31, 2019.
The 2014 Plan also permits a director to name a death beneficiary with respect to the director’s deferred stock compensation account, provides for hardship withdrawals, and allows a director to make subsequent elections to further delay payments under a previous deferral made by the management, growth or protectiondirector.

Director Fees and Deferrals. Under the 2014 Plan, each eligible non-employee director will receive an annual Retainer valued at $60,000 and, in the case of the businessNE Chairperson, an additional $70,000 (or such other amounts determined by the Board or by any committee of the CompanyBoard which the Board authorizes to determine such amounts). Such annual Retainer will be paid either in cash or any subsidiary,in shares of the Common Stock of the Company, as determined by the Governance Committee. As of September 30, 2012 there were approximately 5,400 employeesIf the Governance Committee decides to pay the Retainer in cash, a director may instead elect to receive the Company.

Under the Plan, which has a ten-year term through November 14, 2022, the maximum number of shares available for grants or awards is an aggregate of 2,500,000 shares.  The Plan also includes a fixed sub-limit for the granting of incentive stock options.  In general, without further shareholder approval, the maximum number of shares for which incentive stock options may be granted is 1,000,000 shares.

The Plan provides for (i) the grant of incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, (ii) the grant of nonstatutory stock options, (iii) the grant of stock appreciation rights, either grantedRetainer in conjunction with stock options (i.e., tandem stock appreciation rights) or not in conjunction with options (i.e., freestanding stock appreciation rights), (iv) restricted share awards, (v) restricted stock units, (vi) performance units and (vii) other stock based awards.  Although the Plan permits the grant of incentive stock options, the Company has not typically granted incentive stock options under its prior equity incentive plans.

The maximum number of shares as to which awards other than performance units or “other stock-based awards” may be made under the Plan to any one employee in any one calendar year is 250,000 shares.  The maximum value of the property, including cash, that may be paid or distributed to any participant pursuant to a grant of performance units in any one calendar year is $5,000,000, and the maximum value of Common Stock and other property, including cash, that may be paid or distributed to any participant with respect to “other stock based awards” in any one calendar year is also $5,000,000.

Share Counting.  For purposes of the limit on the number of shares available under the Plan and available for the sub-limit on incentive stock options (but not for the individual limit on shares that can be granted), each share of Common Stock which is subject to an award other than a stock option or a stock appreciation right is counted as two shares rather than one share, except that in case of performance units,current shares of Common Stock are counted as two shares rather than one shareor Common Stock credited to a deferred stock compensation account. If the Governance Committee chooses to pay such Retainer in Common Stock, a Director may defer the receipt of such Common Stock.
Upon inception, each non-employee director will not receive meeting fees for Board, Committee and Shareholder meetings attended, and each Committee chairperson will receive an annual retainer fee, in the amounts set forth above. Under the 2014 Plan, the Board has the authority to increase or decrease the amount of the annual Retainer, Committee chairperson retainer, and meeting fees.

Annual Retainer fees will be paid or credited fifteen (15) business days after the annual meeting of shareholders, for each actual share issued only atnon-employee director as of that payment or crediting date. Annual Retainer fees will thereby be paid or credited in advance and are not subject to proration or refund in the time, if any, of the actual issuance of shares pursuantevent that a director receiving such fees should die or resign prior to the performance unit award.next annual meeting of shareholders.

ExceptCommittee chairperson retainer fees will be paid on the fifteenth (15th) business day after a director’s annual election or re-election as a Committee chairperson. A director may elect to receive all committee chairperson retainer fees for a calendar year in the case of performance unit awards (where shares of Common Stock are counted only upon actual issuancerather than cash, provided the director elects to defer the receipt of the shares), to the extent that any award is forfeited, or any option and tandem stock appreciation right (if any) or any free-standing stock appreciation right terminates, expires or lapses without being exercised, or any award is settled for cash, thesuch shares of Common Stock subjectthrough credit of shares to his or her deferred stock compensation account.

A director may elect to defer receipt of his or her annual Retainer or committee chairperson retainer fees by filing a notice of election with the Company. When such awards will again be available for awards underelection becomes effective, the Plan.  However, sharesamount of Common Stock subject to such awards will continue to be counted for purposes of the individual limits on shares that can be granted.

If the exercise price of any stock option and/or the tax withholding obligations relating to any awards are satisfiedrepresenting these fees is credited by delivering shares or withholding shares relating to such award, the gross number of shares subject to the award will nonetheless be deemed to have been granted for purposes of the Plan and any shares which are delivered back to the Company to a separate deferred stock compensation account for each director electing deferred treatment. An election to defer receipt of fees will not be added toremain effective until a director files a notice of termination with the aggregate number of shares for which awards may be made under the Plan.  If shares of Common Stock are issued upon the exercise of a stock appreciation right, all shares subject to the stock appreciation right are counted regardless of the number of shares issued upon exercise.

Administration.  The Plan will be administered by a Committee appointed by the Board of Directors.  At present, this is the Compensation Committee.  None of the members ofCompany and such Committee is eligible to participate in the Plan.notice becomes effective.
 

 
 
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Payment of shares of Common Stock credited to a director’s deferred stock compensation account for any year would be made either in a lump sum or in installments. Payment would commence on April 1 of the year following the year a person ceases to be a director of the Company, or on a different date under conditions set forth in the 2014 Plan.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, a director is permitted to further defer the receipt of payments from his or her deferred stock compensation account by making a further deferral election at least twelve months prior to the date on which payments would have otherwise commenced, and by deferring for at least five years from the date payments would have otherwise commenced. Further, a director may file a notice with the Company pursuant to which the director would be paid amounts credited to his or her deferred stock compensation account after the effective date of such notice upon the occurrence of certain changes in control at the Company as described in the 2014 Plan.
Upon the death of a director, payment would be made to the beneficiary designated by the director or to the estate of the director. Advance payment of deferred amounts may be permitted by the Board only to the extent necessary to avoid severe financial hardship resulting from an unanticipated financial emergency beyond the control of the director or his or her beneficiary.

Under the 2014 Plan, any deferral election will be valid only if technical timing rules have been met.

Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and Restricted Stock. The 2014 Plan provides for the grant of nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, and restricted share awards.

Administration.Subject to the provisions of the 2014 Plan, the Governance Committee has full and final authority, in its discretion, to grant nonstatutory stock options and stock appreciation rights and to make restricted share awards under the 2014 Plan, andtotaling $100,000 per year per director (or such other amount determined by the Board or by any committee of the Board which the Board authorizes to determine such amount). Grants and awards will be made effective as of the employeessame date as annual Retainers are paid after the annual meeting. Under the 2014 Plan, the Board has the authority to whom each award is madeincrease or decrease the value of the grants and awards to be made; the Governance Committee has the sole discretion to determine whether the grants and awards should be stock options, stock appreciation rights or restricted shares or partly of each.
The Board and the number of shares covered thereby.  In determining the eligibility of any employee, as well as in determining the number of shares covered by each award, theGovernance Committee considers the position and responsibilities of the employee being considered, the nature and value to the Company or a subsidiary of his or her services, his or her present and/or potential contribution to the success of the Company or a subsidiary and such other factors as the Committee may deem relevant.

The Committee also hashave the power to interpret the 2014 Plan and to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures in connection with the operations of the 2014 Plan as it deemsthey deem necessary and advisable in itstheir administration of the 2014 Plan.

Terms of Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights. The option price for each stock option may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of the grant of the stock option except that, in the case of an incentive stock option granted to an employee who owns actually or constructively pursuant to the rules contained in Section 424(d) of the Internal Revenue Code more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any subsidiary (a “Ten Percent Employee”), the option price may not be less than 110% of such fair market value.option. Fair market value of the Common Stock for all purposes under the 2014 Plan is the mean between the publicly reported highest and lowest sales prices per share of Class A Common Stock of the Company as quoted on the NASDAQ Exchange on the date as of which fair market value is determined.  As of December 31, 2012, the fair market value of the Common Stock of the Company as determined by the above-stated formula was $31.82 per share.

NoExcept in certain cases (principally certain change of control events) and as the Governance Committee may otherwise determine, no stock option may be exercised prior to two years from the date of grant or after the expiration of ten years from the date of grant (five years ingrant. Unless the case of an incentive stock option granted to a Ten Percent Employee).  Unless theGovernance Committee, in its discretion, otherwise determines, an exercisable stock option may be exercised in whole or in part. Otherwise, stock options may be exercised at such times, in such amounts and subject to such restrictions as are determined in its discretion by the Governance Committee.
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The option price for each stock option is payable in full in cash at the time of exercise; however, in lieu of cash the person exercising the stock option may, if authorized by the Governance Committee, at the time of grant in the case of an incentive stock option or at any time in the case of a nonstatutory stock option, pay the option price in whole or in part by delivering to the Company shares of Common Stock having a fair market value on the date of exercise of the stock option equal to the option price for the shares being purchased, except that any portion of the option price representing a fraction of a share must be paid in cash.

If the person exercising a stock option participates in a broker or other agent-sponsored exercise or financing program, the Company maywill cooperate with all reasonable procedures of the broker or other agent to permit participation by the person exercising the stock option in the exercise or financing program, butprogram. But, in such a case, the exercise of the stock option shall not be deemed to occur and no shares of the Common Stock will be issued until the Company has received full payment in cash for the option price from the broker or other agent.

The aggregate fair market value (determined asgrant of stock appreciation rights provides the holder with the right, upon the exercise of the time the incentive stock options are granted)appreciation rights, to receive a number of the shares of Common Stock with respect to which incentive stock options are exercisable for the first time by a participant in the Plan during any calendar year may not exceed $100,000.  If the date on which any incentive stock options may first be exercised would be accelerated pursuant to any provision of the Plan or any stock option agreement, or amendment thereto, and the acceleration of such exercise date would result in a violation of this $100,000 restriction, then, notwithstanding any such provision, but subject to the authorization provided for in the following sentence, the exercise dates of such incentive stock options will be accelerated only to the date or dates, if any, that do not result in a violation of the $100,000
��
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 restriction, and in such event the exercise dates of the incentive stock options with the lowest option prices would be accelerated to the earliest such dates.  The Committee may, in its discretion, authorize the acceleration of the exercise date of one or more incentive stock options even if such acceleration would violate the $100,000 restriction and one or more incentive stock options would thereby be converted in whole or in part to nonstatutory stock options.

Stock Appreciation Rights.  A stock appreciation right (SAR) entitles the holder to receive, on exercise, the excess of the fair market value ofequal to the Common Stock on the exercise date over the SAR grant price.  The Committee may grant SAR awards as stand-alone awards or in tandem with a related option award under the Plan.  The SAR grant price is set by the Committee and may not be less thandifference between the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of exercise of the grant.  Payment upon exercise will be in cash, shares of Common Stock, or both.  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, any related option will no longer be exercisable to the extent a tandem SAR has been exercised,stock appreciation rights and the exercisebase price of an option will cancel the related tandem SAR.

Repricing Prohibited.  The Plan prohibits repricingstock appreciation rights when granted (which may not be less than 100% of options or SARs without further shareholder approval.  Repricing means the grant of a new option or SAR in return for the cancellation, exchange or forfeiture of an award that has a higher grant price than the new award, the amendment of an outstanding award to reduce the grant price, the cancellation or repurchase of an option or SAR at a time when grant price is greater than the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock or any action that would be treated, for accounting purposes, as a repricing.  Theon the date of the grant of a substitute award under the anti-dilution and anti-enlargement provisions explained under “Miscellaneous,” below, is not a repricing.stock appreciation rights). The Governance Committee also has the right to pay cash upon the exercise of the stock appreciation rights in certain circumstances.

Other Terms of Options and SARS.  Unless the Governance Committee determines otherwise, the following provisions of this paragraphthe following sentence will apply in the event that a grantee ceases to be a director of the Company for any termination of employment, except that the third preceding paragraph will apply in any event if the exercise date of any incentive stock option is accelerated.  If the employment of a participant who is not a Disabled Participant (as defined in the Plan) is voluntarily terminated with thereason other than removal for cause or resignation without consent of the Company or a subsidiary or a participant retires under any retirement plan of the Company or a subsidiary (i) any thenBoard. Any outstanding incentive stock option and stock appreciation right held by the participant issuch grantee will vest and be exercisable (but only to the extent the stock option was exercisable immediately prior to the termination of employment) at any time prior to the second anniversary of the date on which the grantee ceases to be a director or the expiration date of the stock option or within three months after the date of termination of employment, whichever is the shorter period, and (ii) any nonstatutory stock option or SAR held by the participant is exercisable (but only to the extent the stock option or SAR was exercisable immediately prior to the termination of employment of the participant) at any time prior to the expiration of the stock option or SAR or within one year after the date of termination of employment,appreciation right, whichever is the shorter period. IfUnless the employmentexercise period has been extended pursuant to the change in control provisions of any participantthe 2014 Plan, if a grantee is voluntarily terminated with suchremoved from office for cause or resigns without the consent and such termination occurs becauseof the participant is a Disabled Participant,Board, any then outstanding stock option or SARand stock appreciation right held by the participant is exercisable in full (whether or not so exercisable immediately prior to the termination of employment) at any time prior to the expirationsuch grantee will terminate as of the close of business on the last day on which the grantee is a director.
Unless the Governance Committee in its discretion otherwise determines, no stock option or SARstock appreciation right granted under the 2014 Plan is transferable other than by Will, by the laws of descent and distribution, or within one year after the dateto certain types of termination of employment, whichever is the shorter period.  In the event of the death of a participant during employment, any then outstandingtrusts. A stock option or SAR is exercisable in full (whether or not so exercisable immediately prior to the death of the participant)stock appreciation right may be exercised during a grantee’s lifetime only by the persongrantee or persons entitled to do so under the Willtrustee of the participant or, if the participant shall fail to make testamentary dispositionsuch trust.

Each grant of the stock option or SAR or shall die intestate, by the legal representative of the participant, in either case at any time prior to the expiration of the stock option or SAR or within one year after the date of death, whichever is the shorter period.  In the event of the death of a participant after termination of employment during a period when a stock option or SAR is exercisable, any outstanding stock optionappreciation right must be confirmed by an agreement between the Company and the grantee which sets forth the terms of the grant.

Restricted Shares. Restricted share awards are subject to such restrictions (including restrictions on the right of the awardee to sell, assign, transfer or SAR heldencumber the shares awarded while such shares are subject to restrictions) as the Governance Committee may impose thereon and are subject to forfeiture to the extent events (which may, in the discretion of the Governance Committee, include termination of service as a director and/or performance-based events) specified by the participant atGovernance Committee occur prior to the time of death is exercisable by the person or persons entitled to do so under the Will of the participant or by the legal representative of the participant (but only to the extent the stock option or SAR was exercisable immediately prior to the death of the participant) at any time prior to the expiration of the stock option or SAR within one year after the date of death, whichever is the shorter period. restrictions lapse.
 
 
 
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If the employment of any participant terminates for any other reason, unless the exercise period of a stock option or SAR following termination of employment has been extended upon the occurrence of one or more of the events described under “Additional Rights in Certain Events” below, the rights of the participant under any then outstanding stock option or SAR terminate at the time of such termination of employment.

Unless the Committee, in its discretion, otherwise determines, no stock option or SAR granted under the Plan is transferable other than by Will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and a stock option or SAR may be exercised during a participant’s lifetime only by the participant.  If the Committee determines that an award is transferable, it may do so only to the extent that such transfer is made without the payment of value or consideration to the participant.

Each grant of a stock option or SARrestricted share award must be confirmed by ana restricted share agreement between the Company and the participantawardee, which sets forth the terms of the stock option or SAR.

Performance Goals.  The Committee may establish performance goals (“Performance Goals”) in connection with the grantnumber of restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance units or “other stock-based awards.”  Inshares awarded, the caserestrictions imposed thereon, the duration of awards to participants who may be covered employees under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code where the Committee wishes to qualify the award for the performance-based exception to the limitations on compensation deductions under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, the Committee may designate the award as a “Qualified Performance-Based Award” and must certify in writing when the Performance Goals have been achieved.  In such cases, the Performance Goals will be based on one or more of the following:

(i)The following criteria for the Company on a consolidated basis, one or more of its direct or indirect subsidiaries, and/or one or more divisions of the foregoing, either in absolute terms or relative to the performance of (x) the Company, its subsidiaries or divisions (for a different period), (y) one or more other companies or (z) an index covering multiple companies:

1.  Net Income
2.  Net Income Growth
3.  Economic Value Added (earnings less a capital charge)
4.  EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) or adjusted EBITDA
5.  Sales
6.  Revenue Growth
7.  Costs
8.  Expenses
9.  Gross Margin
10.  Operating Margin
11.  Pre-tax Profit or Income
12.  Market Share
13.  Return on Net Assets
14.  Return on Assets
15.  Return on Capital
16.  Return on Invested Capital
17.  Cash Flow
18.  Free Cash Flow
19.  Operating Cash Flow
20.  Operating Income
21.  EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes)
22.  Debt to Earnings (including EBITDA and EBIT)
23.  Working Capital
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24.  Working Capital as a percent of sales
25.  Performance versus budgeted amounts
26.  Innovation as measured by a percentage of sales from new products
27.  Environmental Emissions Improvement
28.  Workforce Diversity
29.  Safety Performance

(ii)           The following criteria for the Company, either in absolute terms or relative to the performance of the Company (for a different period), one or more other companies or an index covering multiple companies:

1.          Stock Price
2.          Return on Shareholders’ Equity
3.          Earnings per Share (basic, diluted, GAAP or non-GAAP)
4.          Cash Flow per Share
5.          Total Shareholder Return (stock price appreciation plus dividends)

Restricted Stock.  Restricted stock awards are actual shares of Common Stock issued to a participant subject to such restrictions, (including restrictions onevents the rightoccurrence of the participant to sell, assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise encumber the shares awarded while such shares are subject to restrictions) as the Committee may impose thereon.  Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, the participant shall have, with respect to the shareswhich would cause a forfeiture of the restricted stock, all the rights of a shareholder of the Company, including the right to vote the shares, and receive cash dividends.  Prior to or at the time of grant, the Committee shall condition the award on the continued employment by the participant, Performance Goalssuch other terms and conditions as set by the Committee, or both.  Except in the case of a Qualified Performance-Based Award, the Committee may modify or waive any restrictions it imposes.

In lieu of the payment of cash dividends to the participant, the Committee in its discretion may determine that cash dividends on the shares of restricted stock will be (i) automatically deferred and reinvested in additional restricted stock, or (ii) held by the Company in cash (without any payment of interest thereon), and subject to the same vesting and forfeiture restrictions of the restricted stock with respect to which the dividends are payable.

deems appropriate.  Following a restricted stockshare award and prior to the lapse of the applicable restrictions, toat the extent thatCompany’s discretion, the Company may hold share certificates representing the restricted shares are issued, suchin escrow, issue share certificates will either bearto the awardee with a legend referencingreferring to the restrictions, or willissue the shares in book-entry form in the name of the awardee. Except in certain circumstances, the Governance Committee, in its discretion, may determine that dividends and other distributions on the restricted shares shall not be heldpaid to the awardee until the lapse or termination of the applicable restrictions. Unless otherwise provided, in its discretion, by the Company in escrow.Governance Committee, any such dividends or other distributions shall not bear interest. Upon the lapse of the applicable restrictions, (and not before such time), anyunlegended share certificates representing the restricted shares and unpaid dividends, if any, will be delivered to the participant, or any shares evidenced by book-entryawardee. From the date a restricted share award is effective, however, the awardee will be marked unrestricted.  Ifa shareholder with respect to all of the restrictions applicablerestricted shares and will have all the rights of a shareholder with respect to the restricted stock award are not satisfied withinshares, including the applicable period, the shares subjectright to the award will be forfeited, any certificates returned to the Company and any book entries changed to evidence transfer of the shares to the Company.

Restricted Stock Unit Awards.  Restricted stock units are awards denominated in shares of Common Stock that will be settled, subject to the terms and conditions ofvote the restricted stock unitsshares and at the sole discretion of the Committee, in an amount of cash, shares of Common Stock, or both, based upon the fair market value of a specified number of shares of Common Stock.  The vesting of such units will be conditioned upon the continued service of the participant, the attainment of Performance Goals as set by the Committee, or both.  Except in the case of a Qualified Performance-Based Award, the Committee may modify or waive any of the conditions applicable to restricted stock units.  Restricted stock units generally may not be transferred by a participant.  Participants granted restricted stock units will not be entitled to anyreceive all dividends payable on the Common Stock unless the agreement relating to the award provides otherwise and shall not have any voting rightsother distributions paid with respect to such units.

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Performance Units.  Performance units may be grantedthe restricted shares, subject only to the preceding provisions of this paragraph and the restrictions imposed by the Committee either alone or in addition to other awards under the Plan and subject to the satisfaction of Performance Goals specified by theGovernance Committee.  The Committee may select periods during which the Performance Goals chosen by the Committee are measured for the purpose of determining the extent to which a performance unit has been earned.  The Committee decides whether the Performance Goals have been achieved, what amount of the award will be paid and the form of payment, which may be cash, shares of Common Stock or other property or any combination.  Performance units will not have any voting rights and holders of performance units will not be shareholders of the Company unless and until shares of Common Stock are issued.  Performance units generally may not be transferred by a participant.

Other Awards.  The Committee may award Common Stock and other awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based upon, Common Stock, including but not limited to, unrestricted stock or dividend equivalents.  Any such award shall be subject to such terms and conditions as established by the Committee.

Certain Restrictions on Certain Awards.  Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, and subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Plan, awards of restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance units, or other stock-based Awards are generally subject to vesting during a restriction period of at least three years following the date of grant.  However, a restriction period of only at least one year following the date of grant may be used if vesting is conditional, in whole or in part, upon the achievement of performance goals.  Awards with restriction periods of at least three years may vest in part on a pro rata basis prior to the expiration of such restriction period.  The Committee may grant or accelerate awards without regard to the foregoing requirements for up to, collectively for all such awards, ten percent (10%) of the shares available for award under the Plan.

Additional Rights in Certain Events. The 2014 Plan provides for acceleration of the exercisability and extension of the expiration date of stock options and SARs,stock appreciation rights, and for the lapse of the restrictions on restricted share awards, and for the vesting of restricted stock units and performance units upon the occurrence of one or more events described in Section 1113 of the 2014 Plan (“Section 1113 Events”). Such an event is deemed to have occurred when (i) the Company acquires actual knowledge that any person (other than the Company, a subsidiary or any employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company) has acquired beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, of securities representing 20% or more of the voting power of the Company, (ii) at any time less than 60% of the members of the Board of Directors (excluding vacant seats) are persons who were either directors on November 15, 201214, 2013 or individuals whose election or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors on November 15, 201214, 2013 or who were so approved, (other than individuals whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an election or proxy contest), (iii) the consummation of a merger, consolidation, share exchange, division or sale or other disposition of assets of the Company as a result of which the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such transaction doshall not hold, directly or indirectly, immediately following such transaction, a majority of the voting power of (x)(a) in the case of a merger or consolidation, the surviving or resulting corporation, (y)(b) in the case of a share exchange, the acquiring corporation, or (z)(c) in the case of a division or a sale or other disposition of assets, each surviving, resulting or acquiring corporation which, immediately following the transaction, holds more than 30% of the consolidated assets of the Company immediately prior to the transaction, or (iv) the commencement of any liquidation or dissolution of the Company (other than pursuant to any transfer of 70% or more of the consolidated assets of the Company to an entity or entities controlled by the Company and/or its shareholders following such liquidation or dissolution). The Section 13 Events described above may be limited in effect and otherwise subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, which provides certain limitations on the ability to accelerate deferred compensation upon changes in control.
 

 
 
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Unless the confirming agreement or an amendment thereto otherwise provides, but subject to the $100,000 restriction described above for incentive stock options and exceptions for certain participants described in Section 11 of the Plan, notwithstanding any other provision contained in the 2014 Plan, upon the occurrence of any Section 1113 Event (i) all outstanding stock options and SARsstock appreciation rights become immediately and fully exercisable whether or not otherwise exercisable by their terms, (ii)and all stock options and SARsstock appreciation rights held by a participantdirector whose employment withservice on the Company or a subsidiaryBoard terminates within one year of any Section 1113 Event for any reason other than voluntary termination with the consent of the Company or a subsidiary, retirement under any retirement plan of the Company or a subsidiary or death are exercisable for the longer of a period of three months from the date of such termination of employment,service or the standard periods of expiration or termination as described above, but in no event after the expiration date of the stock option or SARs, (iii)the stock appreciation rights.

Unless the restricted share agreement or an amendment thereto otherwise provides, notwithstanding any other provision contained in the 2014 Plan, upon the occurrence of any Section 13 Event prior to the scheduled lapse of all restrictions applicable to restricted stockshare awards under the 2014 Plan, which have not previously lapsed willall such restrictions lapse regardless of the scheduled lapse of such restrictions and (iv) all restricted stock units and performance units are considered to be earned and payable in full, any vesting conditions are considered to have been satisfied, and such restricted stock units and performance units will be settled in cash as promptly as is practicable after the Section 11 Event.  None of the provisions (i) to (iv) above in this paragraph will apply to a participant whose securities are included in those determining the beneficial ownership of a person referred to in subsection (i) of the Section 11 Events above.restrictions.

Miscellaneous. Deferred stock compensation accounts shall be maintained only on the books of the Company, and no shares of Common Stock or other assets shall be set aside until shares of Common Stock actually become payable to a director or his beneficiary. No person shall have voting rights with respect to shares of Common Stock credited to a deferred stock compensation account and not yet payable to the director or his beneficiary.

If, as of any payment or crediting date, insufficient shares are available to pay or credit the annual Retainer or meeting fees into a deferred stock compensation account, the Company shall pay or credit such fees in cash to the account.

In the event that any outstanding stock option or stock appreciation right is cancelled by mutual consent, terminates, or expires for any reason without having been exercised in full, the shares of Common Stock not purchased under the stock option or stock appreciation right are again available for all purposes of the 2014 Plan. If any shares of Common Stock are forfeited to the Company pursuant to the restrictions applicable to restricted shares awarded under the 2014 Plan, the number of shares so forfeited are again available for all purposes of the 2014 Plan. The number of shares of Common Stock which are surrendered in full or partial payment to the Company of the option price of a stock option will be available for the purpose of granting awards under the 2014 Plan.
The Board of Directors may alter or amend the 2014 Plan at any time, except that, without approval of the shareholders of the Company, no alteration or amendment may (i) increase the maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock for which awards may be made under the Plan, (ii) increase the maximum aggregate number of shares as to which incentive stock options may be granted pursuant to the sub-limit under the Plan, (iii) make any changes in the class of employees eligible to be granted awards under the Plan, (iv) change the maximum number of shares as to which awards may be made to any participant under the Plan, (v) change the maximum amount that may be paid or distributed to any participant in any one calendar year under the Plan pursuant to a grant of performance units or other stock-based awards, (vi) change the restrictions regarding repricing explained above, (vii) change the option price or base price of any SAR permitted under the Plan, (viii) be made if shareholder approval of the amendment is at the time required for awardsshares under the 2014 Plan to qualify for the exemption from Section 16(b) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, Actas amended, provided by Rule 16b-3, or by the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange on which the Common Stock may then be listed or (ix) be made to the extent such approval is needed for Qualified Performance-Based Awards to qualify for an exemption under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.listed. In addition, no alteration or amendment of the 2014 Plan may, without the written consent of the holder of any award theretoforea stock option, stock appreciation rights, or restricted shares granted or awarded under the 2014 Plan prior thereto, adversely affect the rights of such holder with respect thereto.

TheNo shares of Common Stock shall be issued or credited, nor any options or stock appreciation rights granted, nor restricted stock awarded under the 2014 Plan after March 31, 2019, provided that this does not preclude the issuance of shares in payment of the balance of a director’s deferred stock compensation account or the exercise of previously granted stock options or stock appreciation rights.  Additionally, the Board of Directors may also terminate the 2014 Plan at any time, but termination of the 2014 Plan would not terminate any outstanding awardsstock options or stock appreciation rights granted under the 2014 Plan or cause a revocation or forfeiture of any restricted stockshare award under the 2014 Plan.
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The 2014 Plan contains anti-dilution and anti-enlargement provisions providing for proportionate adjustment or substitution in the maximum aggregate number of shares availableof Common Stock for awards under the Plan, in the various maximum limitations on awards under the Plan,which stock options and stock appreciation rights may be granted, as to which restricted shares may be awarded, and in the number of shares covered by outstanding awards under the Planstock options and in the exercise price of outstanding awardsstock appreciation rights in certain events, including mergers, consolidations, acquisitionsstock dividends on shares of outstanding Common Stock. The 2014 Plan also contains provisions providing for the substitution of shares stock rights offering, liquidation, separation, spinoff, disaffiliationin the event of a subsidiary,reorganization, recapitalization, merger or similar event. The 2014 Plan provides for adjustments to stock options and stock appreciation rights and restrictions on distributions with respect to, or exchanges for restricted shares in the case of, any spin-off, split-off, dividend in partial liquidation or in property other than cash, or extraordinary dividend, stock dividend, stock split, revenue stock split, reorganization, share combination or recapitalization.distribution to holders of the Common Stock.

Awards toIf a participant may,director who has been granted stock options or stock appreciation rights or awarded restricted shares under the 2014 Plan engages in the Committee’s sole discretion at any time between the dateoperation or management of granta business, whether as owner, partner, officer, director, employee or otherwise and the third anniversary of any exercise, paymentwhether during or vesting of such awards, be cancelled, suspended or required to be repaid to the Company if the participant (i) competesafter Board service, which is in competition with the Company or its subsidiaries, (ii) induces or attempts to induce any customer, supplier, licensee or certain others to cease doing business with the Company or its subsidiaries, or
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interferes with the Company’s or any of its subsidiaries’ relationships withsubsidiaries, the Governance Committee may in its discretion immediately terminate all stock options and stock appreciation rights held by such customer, supplier, licenseeperson (except when the exercise period of a stock option or other person, (iii) solicits employees to leave the employment of the Company or its subsidiaries or interferes with their employment relationship, or (iv) defames or disparages the Company, its subsidiaries or certain related persons.  Unless the agreement related to an award or an amendment otherwise provides, these provisions do not apply following the occurrence ofstock appreciation right has been extended because one or more of the events described under “Additional Rights in Certain Events” above.above has occurred) and declare forfeited all restricted shares held by such person as to which the restrictions have not yet lapsed.

All awards under the Plan constitute a special incentive payment to the participant and are not taken into account in computing the amount of salary or compensation of the participant for the purpose of determining benefits under any other benefit plan or under any agreement between the Company and the participant, unless such plan or agreement specifically provides otherwise.

The Plan has indemnification provisions providing indemnity for actions taken under the Plan by members of the Company’s Board and the Company’s officers.

The Plan contains provisions intended to comply with both Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (related to deferred compensation) and, as discussed above under Performance Goals, Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (related to performance-based awards).  The Committee may establish procedures allowing payment of an award to be deferred, provided any deferral is consistent with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.  In such cases of deferral, the participant may be entitled to receive interest or dividends, or dividend equivalents, with respect to shares covered by the award, but in no event will any of the same be paid on any unearned performance units or performance share units until such units vest.

Possible Anti-takeover Effect

The provisions of the 2014 Plan providing for the acceleration of the exercise date of outstanding stock options and SARsstock appreciation rights upon the occurrence of a Section 1113 Event, the extension of the period during which outstanding stock options and SARsstock appreciation rights may be exercised upon termination of employmentBoard service following a Section 1113 Event and the lapse of restrictions applicable to restricted stock and other awards and accelerated vesting of restricted stock units and performance units upon the occurrence of a Section 1113 Event may be considered as having an anti-takeover effect.

Awards to Named Officers and Other EmployeesNew Plan Benefits

The Plan is new and no awards have been made under it.  TheGovernance Committee has not yet established guidelines or standards ondetermined that commencing in 2014 the typesannual Retainer will be paid in cash and grants of awards it may grant under the Planrestricted shares to the named officers or other participants or the numbereach independent director with a value of shares that the awards$100,000 will cover.

Share Repurchases May Prevent Dilutionbe made.

For a number of years, the Company has had and the Company currently has in place an active share repurchase program.  The Company has no specific policy or practice with respect to the repurchase of shares under such program in order to offset grants of shares under its equity plans.  However, the effect of any such share repurchase program will be to prevent or minimize the dilutive effect of stock-based compensation plans.


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Federal Income Tax Consequences

The rules governing the federal tax treatment of an award are very technical.  Consequently, the following is a brief summarydiscussion of certain of the Federalfederal income tax consequences of awards under the Plan.  It is intended for the information of shareholders considering how to vote at the meetingnecessarily general in nature and does not as tax guidance to participants in the Plan.  This summary is not intendedpurport to be exhaustive is based on U.S. federal income tax law currently in effect, does not constitute tax adviceor complete, and among other things, does not address possibledescribe state, local or foreign tax consequencesconsequences.  Moreover, statutory provisions are subject to change, as are their interpretations, and their applications may vary in individual circumstances.

Although the Company may endeavor to (i) qualify the payment of fees or a grant or award for favorable United States tax treatment or avoid adverse tax treatment (e.g., under present law nor does it describe consequences basedSection 409A of the Code), the Company has made no representation to that effect and expressly disavows any covenant to maintain favorable or avoid unfavorable tax treatment.  Section 409A is a provision of the Code that imposes a number of strict and complex requirements that deferred compensation plans and arrangements must satisfy in order for participants of such compensation plans or arrangements to avoid immediate taxation, plus a 20% penalty tax, on particular circumstances.the deferred compensation provided by such plan or arrangement.


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The Retainer

Incentive Stock OptionsCurrent Payment. A participant does not recognize any taxable income upon receiptDirectors who receive current payment of an incentive stock option or generally, at the time of exercise of an incentive stock option, whetherRetainer in cash or in shares are used to pay the exercise price.  The exercise of an incentive stock option, however,Common Stock generally does result in an increase in a participant’s taxablerecognize compensation income for alternative minimum tax purposes.
If a participant exercises an incentive stock option and does not dispose of the shares received in a subsequent “disqualifying disposition” (generally, a sale, gift or other transfer within two years afteron the date on which they receive payment equal to the amount of grant of the incentive stock optioncash received or within one year after the shares are transferred to a participant), upon disposition of the shares any amount realized in excess of the participant’s tax basis in the shares disposed of is treated as a long-term capital gain, and any loss is treated as a long-term capital loss.  In the event of a “disqualifying disposition”, the difference between the fair market value of the shares received on the payment date.

Deferred Stock Payment. Directors who properly elect to defer receipt of the Retainer in shares of Common Stock generally should recognize compensation income only on the date of exercise andon which the option price (limited, in the case of a taxable sale or exchange,Retainer is payable to the excess ofdirector from the amount realized upon disposition over the participant’s tax basisdirector’s deferred stock compensation account in the shares) is treated as compensation income received by the participant in the year of disposition.  Any additional gain is taxable as a capital gain and any loss as a capital loss, which is long-term or short-term depending on whether the shares were held for more than one year.  Special rules apply in determining the compensation income recognized upon a disqualifying disposition if the option price of the incentive stock option is paid with shares of Common Stock. IfIn general, the compensation income to be recognized by a director upon distribution of Common Stock from a deferred stock compensation account is equal to the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock received uponon the prior exercise of an incentive stock optiondate on which the shares are transferredpayable to the Companydirector from such account, plus the amount of cash, if any, received in paymentlieu of a fractional share.

Meeting Fees (Including Committee Chairperson Retainer Fees)

Current Cash Payment. Meeting fees paid in cash constitute compensation and must be recognized as compensation income by the option pricedirectors for the taxable year in which they are received.

Deferred Stock Payment. Directors who properly elect to defer receipt of an incentivemeeting fees otherwise payable in cash and receive a credit to a deferred stock option within eithercompensation account should recognize compensation income only on the date on which meeting fees are payable to the director from the director’s deferred stock compensation account in shares of Common Stock. In general, the periods referredcompensation income to above,be recognized by a director upon distribution of Common Stock from a deferred stock compensation account is equal to the transfer is considered a “disqualifying disposition”fair market value of the shares transferred, but only compensation income determined as stated above, and no capital gain or loss, is recognized.of Common Stock on the date on which the shares are payable to the director from such account, plus the amount of cash, if any, received in lieu of a fractional share.

Nonstatutory Stock Options
 
Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is entitled to a deduction with respect to shares received by a participant upon exercise of an incentive stock option and not disposed of in a “disqualifying disposition.”  If an amount is treated as compensation received by a participant because of a “disqualifying disposition,” the Company or one of its subsidiaries generally is entitled to a deduction in the same amount for compensation paid, subject to the “Limits on Deductions/Other Tax Matters” below.
Nonstatutory Stock Options.  A participant generallydirector does not recognize any taxable income for Federal income tax purposes upon receipt of a nonstatutory stock option. Upon the exercise of a nonstatutory stock option with cash, the amount by which the fair market value of the shares received, determined as of the date of exercise, exceeds the option price is generally treated as compensation income received by the participant in the year of exercise. If the option price of a nonstatutory stock option is paid in whole or in part in shares of Common Stock, no income, gain or loss is recognized by a participant on the receipt of shares equal in value on the date of exercise to the shares delivered in payment of the option price. The fair market value of the remainder of the shares received upon exercise of the nonstatutory stock option, determined as of the dateday of exercise, less the amount of cash, if any, paid upon exercise is generally treated as compensation income received by the participant on the date of exercise of the stock option.exercise.

21

The Company or one of its subsidiaries generally is entitled to a deduction for compensation paid in the same amount that is treated as compensation received by the participant upon exercise of a nonstatutory stock option, subject to the “Limits on Deductions/Other Tax Matters” below.
Stock Appreciation Rights.  A participant generally does

Generally a director would not recognize any taxable income upon receipt of a SAR (whether as a stand-alone award orstock appreciation right. If the stock appreciation right is payable in tandem with a related option award).  Uponshares of the exercise of a SARCommon Stock, the director would recognize compensation income in the year in which the stock appreciation right is exercised, in an amount by whichequal to the fair market value of the Common Stock subjectpaid to the SAR ondirector at the time of exercise. If the Company pays cash to a director upon the exercise date exceedsof a stock appreciation right, the SAR grant price is treated asdirector likely would recognize compensation income received by the participant in the year of exercise, whether received in cash, shares of Common Stock or both.  The Company or one of its subsidiaries generallywhich the stock appreciation right is entitled to a deduction for compensation paidexercised in the samean amount that is treated as compensation received by the participant upon exercise of the SAR, subjectequal to the “Limits on Deductions/Other Tax Matters” below.cash paid to the director at the time of exercise.
 
19

Restricted Stock.  

A participant doesdirector would not recognize any taxable income uponfor Federal income tax purposes in the grantyear of the award, provided the shares are subject to restrictions (that is, they arewere nontransferable and subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture).forfeiture. However, the participant maydirector could elect under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code to recognize compensation income in the year of the award in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares on the date of the award, determined without regard to thethese restrictions. If this 83(b) election is made, the participantdirector will recognize compensation income at the time of the award of the restricted stock even though such shares may remain subject to restrictions on transfer and risks of forfeiture.  When the vesting and forfeiture restrictions lapse, no compensation will be includable in gross income.  Rather, subsequent appreciation in the value of the stock will be taxed as capital gain or loss upon the sale of such stock.  If, however, the stock is forfeited prior to becoming vested, the tax paid in connection with making an 83(b) election is not directly recoverable.

If the director does not make a Section 83(b) election, the fair market value of the shares on the date thethese restrictions lapse generally is treated as compensation income to the participantdirector and is taxable in the year the restrictions lapse.

Disposition of Shares Received

If a director sells shares of Common Stock acquired under the participant does not make2014 Plan, the difference between the amount realized on the sale and the director’s tax basis in the shares sold generally is taxed as a Section 83(b) election, dividends paidcapital gain or a capital loss, which is long-term or short-term depending on whether the more-than one-year holding period has been satisfied with respect to the participant on the shares prior to the date the restrictions lapse will besold.

The Company

In each instance that an amount is treated as compensation income.  Thereceived by a director, the Company or one of its subsidiaries generally is entitled to a corresponding deduction for compensation paid in the same amount that is treated asfor compensation incomepaid.

Other Considerations Related to the participant, subject2014 Plan

By adopting the 2014 Plan, the Company is increasing the number of shares available for equity incentives under all of the Company’s equity incentive plans by one hundred fifty thousand (150,000) shares, which comprises only 0.55% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock as of December 31, 2013.  In order to determine the “Limits on Deductions/Other Tax Matters” below.
Restricted Stock Units.  A participant generally does not recognize any taxable income upon receiptnumber of restricted stock units.  Any cash and the fair market value of any shares of Common Stock received by a participant uponto be authorized under the vesting of restricted stock units are treated as compensation income received2014 Plan, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board considered the needs by the participant inCompany for the year of receipt.  The Company or one of its subsidiaries generally is entitled to a deduction for compensation paid in the same amount that is treated as compensation income received by the participant upon vesting of the restricted stock units, subject to the “Limits on Deductions/Other Tax Matters” below.
Performance Units.  A participant generally does not recognize any taxable income upon receipt of performance units.  Any cashshares and the fair market valuepotential dilution that awarding the requested shares may have on the existing shareholders.  As set forth above in this proxy statement, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consulted Pay Governance LLC as an independent compensation advisor to assist in this regard.  The compensation advisor examined a number of anyfactors, including the Company’s burn rate and an overhang analysis, which the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considered.

As of December 31, 2013, approximately 77,913 shares of Common Stock remained available for future grant under the current 1994 Director Fee Plan (the “1994 Plan”).  The Nominating and other property received by a participant when performance units are earned are treated as compensation income received by the participant in the year of receipt.  The Company or one of its subsidiaries generally is entitled to a deduction for compensation paid in the same amount that is treated as compensation income received by the participant upon the earning of performance units, subjectCorporate Governance Committee recommended to the “Limits on Deductions/Other Tax Matters” below.
Other Awards.  The tax consequences to the participant and the Company of awards of Common Stock and other awardsBoard that are valued by reference to or otherwise based upon Common Stock will150,000 shares be dependent upon the nature and structure of the award.
Deferred Compensation.  While the Committee may establish procedures allowing payment of an award to be deferred, any deferralauthorized under the Plan is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code so as to avoid additional taxes under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code being imposed on the participant.
Limits on Deductions/Other Tax Matters.  Certain events described above under “Additional Rights in Certain Events” may result in (i) a 20% Federal excise tax (in addition to Federal2014 Plan.  
 
 
 
2220

 
 
income tax) to a participant on certain compensation resulting from awards previously receivedIf the Plan is approved, no further grants will be made under the 1994 Plan, so the 77,913 shares referred to above would no longer be available for future awards.  The Board is seeking shareholder approval for the 2014 Plan and (ii) the losspool of a compensation deductionshares available under the 2014 Plan, which would otherwise be allowableit expects is sufficient for up to approximately five years of awards based upon the historic rates of awards by the Compensation Committee under the predecessor plans, and if directors choose to defer cash fees into Company or one of its subsidiaries as explained above.stock.

The Compensation Committee and the Board also considered the burn rate with respect to Company or one of its subsidiaries generallyequity awards.  The burn rate is entitled to a deduction for compensation paid provided the compensation is reasonable.  However, Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code disallows a compensation deduction for compensation paid to the principal executive officer and any of the other three highest compensated officers (other than the principal financial officer) oftotal equity awards granted by the Company in excess of $1 million each in any taxablea fiscal year divided by the total Common Stock outstanding at the beginning of the year.  In fiscal 2011, 2012 and 2013, the Company exceptmade equity awards representing a total of 217,245 shares, 182,210 shares, and 258,542 shares, respectively.  Using the ISS Proxy Advisory Services methodology for calculating burn rate as applied to our 2012 Omnibus Stock Plan, ISS applied a multiplier of 2.5 to any full value awards (like the restricted shares and performance restricted shares for which the participant does not pay for the shares) awarded by the Company.  Under this methodology, the Company’s three-year average (ISS adjusted) burn rate for equity grants made in fiscal 2011, 2012, and 2013 was 1.97%, which was less than half of the allowable burn rate of 4.16% under ISS policy, based on the Company’s industry group and volatility.  If the burn rate was not adjusted in accordance with ISS policy, the burn rate would decrease to 0.79%, which is below the median of 1.72% at S&P 1500 companies.  The Compensation Committee and the Board were satisfied that compensationthe Company’s burn rate over the past three years was an acceptable level and well below limits established by ISS and the median of S&P 1500 companies.

An additional metric that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board used to measure the cumulative dilutive impact of the 2014 Plan is performance-based mayoverhang.  Overhang is defined as:
·  outstanding stock options, plus
·  outstanding full value awards, plus
·  the number of shares available for future grant under the Company’s 2012 Equity Incentive Plan and the proposed 2014 Plan (disregarding the remaining 1994 Plan shares because no future grants would be made if the 2014 Plan is approved),
·  collectively divided by the total outstanding shares of Common Stock as of the record date.

As of September 30, 2013, the Company had 773,087 outstanding stock options, 679,626 outstanding full value restricted and performance restricted shares, and 2,500,000 shares available for future grant under the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, plus 150,000 shares available for future grant under the proposed Plan.  As of that date, the Company had 27,249,902 outstanding shares of Common Stock.  This results in an overhang of 13.07%, which is below our overhang of 14.88% at this time last year.

Because the Committee or the Board has discretion in granting awards under the 2014 Plan, and the number of shares to be excluded from this deduction limitation.  (The $1 million deduction limitawarded will vary with the stock price, Proposal 2 does not contemplate the amount or timing of specific equity awards in the future as it is reduced bynot possible to calculate with certainty the number of years of awards that will be available and the amount of any compensation deduction disallowedsubsequent dilution that may ultimately result from such awards.  However, because the number of shares reserved under the immediately preceding paragraph.)  The2014 Plan has been structured sois relatively small in relation to the total of number of shares outstanding it does not change the overhang or in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee view cause dilution in any material way.
21


In adopting the 2014 Plan, the Board also considered the compensation of non-employee directors of the Company’s peer group, the Company’s proxy advisor’s recommendation, the total shareholder return, the fair value transfer and shareholder value transfer, and the burn rate that compensation arisingwould result from the exercise2014 Plan.  The Board discussed these additional concepts with its independent compensation consultant prior to approving the 2014 Plan.

The inclusion of nonstatutory stock options, SARs orthis information in this Proxy Statement should not be regarded as an indication that the disqualifying dispositionassumptions used to determine the number of additional shares acquired upon exercisewill be predictive of incentive stock options should be performance-basedactual future equity grants.  These assumptions are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 162(m)27A of the Internal Revenue Code.  As indicated above, the Plan also permits the Committee to designate awards other than optionsSecurities Act of 1933, as amended, and SARs as Qualified Performance-Based Awards with the objective of qualifying such awards as performance-based within the meaning of Section 162(m)21E of the Internal Revenue Code.  Nevertheless, it is possibleSecurities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including the Company’s ability to attract and retain talent, achievement of performance metrics with respective to certain equity-based awards, may be made which may be subject to the limitsextent of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
In addition to the Plan, the Company also has a Director Fee Plan.  The Director Fee Plan is more fullyoption exercise activity, and others described in the “Compensation of Directors” section of this Proxy Statement.
Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2013.


23


Equity Plan Information

The following table provides information about grants under the Company'sCompany’s equity compensation plans as of September 30, 2012:2013:

 Equity Compensation Plan Information 
   Number of securities
   remaining available
   for future issuance
 Number of securitiesWeighted-averageunder equity
 to be issued uponexercise pricecompensation plans
 exercise ofof outstanding(excluding
 outstanding options,options, warrantssecurities reflected
Plan categorywarrants and rightsand rightsin column (a))
 (a)(b)(c)
Equity compensation plans   
approved by security holders:   
1992 Stock Incentive Plan840,282$37.15-  (1)
2007 Equity Incentive Plan--790,652 (2)
Employee Stock Purchase Plan--1,628,508 (3)
Director Fee Plan26,86735.3999,955 (4)
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holdersNoneNoneNone          
Total867,149$37.132,519,115           
 
Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
    
   Number of securities
   remaining available
    
 Number of securitiesWeighted-average
for future issuance
under equity
 to be issued uponexercise pricecompensation plans
 exercise ofof outstanding(excluding
 outstanding options,options, warrantssecurities reflected
Plan categorywarrants and rightsand rightsin column (a))
 (a)(b)(c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders   
  1992 Stock Incentive Plan744,824$ 37.76- (1)
  2007 Equity Incentive Plan-$ -- (2)
  2012 Equity Incentive Plan-$ -2,500,000 (3)
  Employee Stock Purchase   Plan-$ -1,609,270 (4)
  1994 Director Fee Plan28,805$35.3977,913 (5)
    
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders(6)NoneNoneNone
Total773,629$ 37.724,187,183


 (1)As a result of the shareholder approval of the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, no further grants or awards will be made under the 1992 Incentive Stock Plan.

 (2)As a result of the approval of the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, no further grants or awards will be made under the 2007 Incentive Stock Plan.
22


(3)The 20072012 Equity Incentive Plan was approved in February 2008.2013.  The Plan provides for the grant or award of stock options, restricted shares, stock-based performance units and certain other types of stock based awards, with a maximum of 2,200,0002,500,000 shares available for grants or awards. Upon shareholder approval of the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, no further grants or awards will be made under the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan.

 (3)(4)Shares under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”“Plan”) are purchased in the open market by employees at the fair market value of the Company’s stock.  The Company provides a matching contribution of 10% of such purchases subject to certain limitations under the ESPP.Plan.  As the ESPPPlan is an open market purchase plan, it does not have a dilutive effect.

 (4)(5)Shares of restricted stock may be issued under the Director Fee Plan.  The maximum number of shares authorized to be issued under the Director Fee Plan is 300,000 shares.
(6)The 2014 Director Fee Plan is subject to a shareholder vote in Proposal 2 herein and the key provisions of the 2014 Director Fee Plan are outlined in the proposal.


Vote Required for Approval of Proposal 2

The vote required for approval2014 Plan becomes effective as of Proposal 2 isNovember 14, 2013, provided that the shareholders of the Common Stock of the Company, by affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by allshares represented at the shareholdersmeeting and entitled to vote, thereon.  a quorum being present, approve the Plan. Broker non-votes are not votes cast “for” or “against” the 2014 Plan and are therefore not counted in determining whether the required vote has been obtained.  Abstentions will have the effect of a vote “against” the 2014 Plan.

The Board of Directors recommends that youa vote FOR approval of Proposal 2.  The proxy holdersthe 2014 Plan, and unless otherwise directed therein, the proxies solicited by the Board of Directors will vote your proxybe voted FOR this item unless you give instructions toapproval of the contrary on the proxy.

2014 Plan.
24



PROPOSAL 3

SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee of the Company's Board of Directors has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the records of the Company for the year ending September 30, 2013.2014.

The Audit Committee has determined that it would be desirable to request an expression of opinion from the shareholders on the appointment.  Ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP requires the affirmative vote of a majority of all the votes cast by shareholders of Common Stockshares represented at the meeting and entitled to vote, at the meeting.a quorum being present.  If the shareholders do not ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the selection of an alternative independent registered public accounting firm will be considered by the Audit Committee.

It is not expected that any representative of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR Proposal 3.


23


PROPOSAL 4
 
ADVISORY (NON-BINDING) VOTE ON THE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
As described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis in this Proxy Statement, and summarized in the “Executive Summary” thereto, the Compensation Committee of the Board has developed an executive compensation program designed to pay for performance and to align the long-term interests of our named executive officers with the long-term interests of our shareholders.  The Company presents a proposal for an advisory (non-binding) vote on the executive compensation of the Company’s named executive officers on an annual basis.  Accordingly, the Company is presenting the following proposal, which gives you as a shareholder the opportunity to endorse or not endorse our pay program for named executive officers by voting for or against the following resolution.  This resolution is required pursuant to Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act.  Approval of the compensation paid to our named executive officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement, will be approved (on a non-binding basis) if the proposal receives the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the shares represented, in person or by proxy, at the meeting and entitled to vote, a quorum being present.  Abstentions will have the effect of a vote cast “against” the proposal.  Broker no-votes will not be counted as votes cast either “for” or “against” the proposal.  Because the vote is advisory, it will not be binding on the Board.  However, the Board and the Compensation Committee will review the voting results and take into account the outcome when considering future executive compensation arrangements.  The Board and management are committed to our stockholdersshareholders and understand that it is useful and appropriate to obtain the views of our stockholdersshareholders when considering the design and initiation of executive compensation programs.

 
RESOLVED, that the shareholders approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables, and the related disclosure contained in the proxy statement set forth under the caption “Executive Compensation and Retirement Benefits.”
 
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR approval of the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables, and the related disclosure contained in the proxy statement set forth under the caption “Executive Compensation and Retirement Benefits” of this proxy statement.Proxy Statement.  Proxies will be voted FOR approval of the proposal unless otherwise specified.
 
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR Proposal 4.



 
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STOCK OWNERSHIP

The Company's Articles of Incorporation divide its voting stock into three classes:  Preferred Stock, and Class A and Class B Common Stock.  At the present time, none of the Preferred Stock or Class B Common Stock is issued or outstanding.  The following information is furnished with respect to persons who the Company believes, based on its records, beneficially own more than five percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company, and with respect to directors, officers and executive management.  Those individuals with more than five percent of such shares could be deemed to be "control persons" of the Company.

This information presented is as of November 30, 2012,2013, except as otherwise noted.
Name of
Beneficial Owner (1)
 
Number of
Class A Shares
Beneficially
Owned (2)
     
 
 
 
Percent
of Class
  
Deferred
Stock
Compen-sation Shares (8)
  
Number of
Class A Shares
Beneficially
Owned (2)
     
 
 
 
Percent
of Class
  
Deferred
Stock
Compen-sation Shares (7)
 
Directors, Officers and Executive Management:
                        
                        
J.C. Bartolacci  420,339   (3) (4)  1.5   -   402,785   (3) (4)  1.5   - 
G.S. Babe  4,822   (5)  *   3,860   7,694   (5)  *   5,798 
K.E. Dietze  10,397   (5)  *   -   13,269   (5)  *   - 
B.J. Dunn  99,569   (3) (4)  0.4   -   98,398   (3) (4)  0.4   - 
S.D. Gackenbach  23,305   (4)  0.1       32,811   (4)  0.1   - 
A. Garcia-Tunon  9,367   (5)  *   -   12,239   (5)  *   - 
S.F. Nicola  212,021   (3) (4)  0.8   -   207,264   (3) (4)  0.8   - 
M.K. O’Brien  2,589   (5)  *   -   5,461   (5)  *   - 
J.P. O’Leary, Jr.  41,606   (3) (5) (6)  0.2   6,900   34,583   (3) (5)  0.1   6,900 
J.D. Turner  20,397   (3) (5)  0.1   4,307   23,269   (3) (5)  0.1   4,307 
B.D. Walters  44,348   (3) (4)  0.2   -   43,466   (3) (4)  0.2   - 
J.R. Whitaker  3,439   (5)  *   -   6,311   (5)  *   - 
All directors, officers and executive management as a group (17 persons)  1,082,225   (3) (7)  3.9   15,067   1,080,427   (3) (6)  3.9   17,005 
                                
Others:
                                
Artisan Partners LP
875 E. Wisconsin Avenue #800
Milwaukee, WI 53202-5408
  2,148,029   **   7.8     
BlackRock Fund Advisors
525 Washington Boulevard
Suite 1405
Jersey, NJ 07310
  1,920,385   **   7.0       2,058,514   **   7.5     
Wellington Management Co. LLP
280 Congress Street, 31st Floor
Boston, MA 02210
  1,863,999   **   6.8     
Franklin Advisory Services LLC
One Parker Plaza, 9th Floor
400 Kelby Street
Fort Lee, NJ 07024
  1,806,279   **   6.6     
The Vanguard Group, Inc.
100 Vanguard Boulevard
Malvern, PA 19355-2331
  1,717,954   **   6.3       1,624,020   **   5.9     
Franklin Advisory Services LLC
One Parker Plaza, 9th Floor
400 Kelby Street
Fort Lee, NJ 07024
  1,583,700   **   5.8     
Wellington Management Co. LLP
280 Congress Street, 31st Floor
Boston, MA 02210
  1,566,528   **   5.7     
                                
* Less than 0.1%                                
** Information as of September 30, 2012                
** Information as of September 30, 2013                

 
2625

 

(1)Any shares that can be obtained within 60 days are included in beneficial ownership.  Unless otherwise noted, the mailing address of each beneficial owner is the same as that of the Registrant.
 (2)  To the best of the Company’s knowledge, the nature of the beneficial ownership for all shares is sole voting and investment power, except as follows:
·  Artisan Partners is an investment advisor registered under section 203 of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940.  Shares of Matthews International Corporation that Artisan Partners holds have been acquired on behalf of discretionary clients of Artisan Partners, including Artisan Funds.  Persons other than Artisan Partners are entitled to receive all dividends from, and proceeds from the sale of, those shares.  As of September 30, 2012, of the shares set forth above, Artisan Partners had shared voting authority with respect to 2,037,600 shares.
·  The Vanguard Group, Inc. reported that it does not have sole voting power or sole investing power with respect to all of the shares set forth above.
(3)Includes options exercisable within 60 days of November 30, 20122013 as follows:  Mr. Bartolacci, 104,168 shares; Mr. Dunn, 29,00124,001 shares; Mr. Nicola, 79,334 shares; Mr. O’Leary, 8,300 shares; Mr. Turner, 3,500 shares; Mr. Walters, 11,000 shares and all directors, officers and executive management as a group, 272,969263,969 shares.
(4)Includes restricted shares with performance and time vesting provisions as follows: Mr. Bartolacci, 226,867175,917 shares; Mr. Dunn, 40,50034,150 shares; Mr. Gackenbach, 23,03328,383 shares; Mr. Nicola, 70,89057,730 shares; and Mr. Walters, 27,00021,650 shares.
(5)Includes 5,461 restricted shares with time vesting provisions as follows:  Mr. Babe, 4,822 shares; Ms. Dietze, 4,822 shares; Mr. Garcia-Tunon, 4,822 shares; Mr. O’Brien, 2,589 shares; Mr. O’Leary, 4,822 shares; Mr. Turner, 4,822 shares; and Mr. Whitaker, 2,589 shares.provisions.
(6)Includes 3,598 shares that are pledged as collateral for a loan.
(7)Includes 29,28838,227 restricted shares with time vesting provisions and 462,973384,446 restricted shares with performance and time vesting provisions.
 (8)(7)  Represents shares of Class A Common Stock held in a deferred stock compensation account for the benefit of the director under the Company’s Director Fee Plan.  See “General Information Regarding Corporate Governance--Compensation of Directors.”Directors” of this Proxy Statement.


Stock Ownership Guidelines

The Company has established guidelines for stock ownership by management.  These guidelines are intended to promote the alignment of the interests of management with the Company’s shareholders.  As more fully described under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,”Analysis” of this Proxy Statement, the guidelines provide for ownership by management of shares of the Company’s Common Stock with a minimum market value ranging up to five times base salary depending upon position with the Company.  Individuals are expected to achieve compliance with these guidelines within a reasonable period of time after appointment to their respective positions.

For purposes of these guidelines, stock ownership includes all shares directly owned (including shares held under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and time-vesting restricted shares), but does not include outstanding stock options or unvested performance-based restricted shares.  Immediate compliance with these guidelines is not mandatory; however, individuals are expected to undertake a program to achieve compliance within five years of their hire date or promotion to their respective position.  The ownership policy mandates that at least 50% of the after-tax shares realized upon an option exercise or vesting of restricted stock must be retained until the ownership guideline is met.  Compliance with these ownership guidelines is one of the factors considered by the Compensation Committee in determining eligibility for participation in the Company’s equity compensation programs.  As of November 30, 2012,2013, Mr. Bartolacci, Mr. Nicola, Mr. Dunn and Mr. DunnWalters exceeded the Company’s stock ownership guidelines.  Mr. Gackenbach was at 30%67% of the ownership guidelines, althoughguidelines; however, he is still within five years of promotion to his current position (October 2011).  Mr. Walters was at 70% of the ownership guidelines, although he is still within five years of promotion to his current position (February 2009).

The Company has also adopted guidelines for stock ownership by non-employee directors.  The guidelines provide that each director maintain ownership of shares of the Company’s Common Stock (either directly, through restricted shares issued under the Company’s Director Fee Plan or through shares held in a deferred stock compensation account for the benefit of the director under the Company’s Director Fee Plan) with a market value approximating five times the
27

annual retainer (the annual retainer is $60,000).  Directors are expected to achieve compliance with these guidelines within a reasonable period of time after becoming a director.  As of November 30, 2012,2013, Ms. Dietze, Mr. Babe, Mr. Garcia-Tunon, Mr. O’Leary and Mr. Turner had met or exceeded the Company’s stock ownership guidelines.  The remaining directors are considered to be on track to meet the stock ownership guidelines within a reasonable period of time after becoming a director, as follows:  Mr. Garcia-Tunon (elected November 2009), 94%; Mr. Babe (elected November 2010), 88%; Mr. O’Brien (elected July 2011), 26%77%; and Mr. Whitaker (elected July 2011), 35%89%.

 
2826

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the following Compensation Discussion and Analysis with the Company’s management.  Based upon such review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommends to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Company’s 20132014 Proxy Statement, and incorporated by reference in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2012.2013.

Submitted by:

The Compensation Committee of the Board ofDirectors of Matthews International Corporation


G.S. Babe, Chairperson
A. Garcia-Tunon
M.K. O’Brien


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Executive Summary

Continuous improvement in operating results and the creation of shareholder value are key elements of the compensation philosophy of Matthews International Corporation.  This philosophy serves as the framework for the Company’s executive compensation program.  Our program is designed to provide incentive arrangements that reward executives for improvement in the Company’s operating results and appreciation in our stock value.

As a result of the Company’s operating performance in fiscal 2012, only one of our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”) earned a cash bonus award for fiscal 2012 under our incentive compensation plan.  In addition, none of the NEO’s performance-based restricted stock grants achieved price-vesting thresholds during fiscal 2012.

To underscore the importance of “pay-for-performance” in our compensation philosophy and our Company’s culture, the Committee has developed incentive arrangements based on rigorous performance standards.  The incentive compensation plan component of compensation rewards executives for improvements in operating profit and economic value added which are generally greater than the respective targets set by the Committee at the beginning of the fiscal year.  These targets are based upon the Company’s business plan.  Accordingly, the incentive compensation plan is designed to motivate management to maintain and, more importantly, achieve higher levels of profits and economic value added for the Company.  “Economic value added” is the measure of operating profit compared to the cost of the capital utilized to generate this profit.

Our long-term incentive program provides for grants of shares of restricted stock, with one-half of the shares vesting based on the achievement of performance targets and the remaining half of the shares being based on the continued employment of an NEO over a three-year periodperiod.  For the fiscal 2013 grant, the Company established two criteria for the performance-vesting shares:  one-half of the performance-vesting shares vest upon the attainment of non-GAAP annual earnings per share of $2.57, $2.83 and $3.12, with the remaining half of the performance-vesting shares being performance-based and vesting upon continued employment plus the attainment of stock price goals.  For the fiscal 2012 grant, the performance vesting sharesto vest upon the attainment of 5%, 15% and 25% appreciation in the Company’s stock price.  Failure to achieve the earnings per share targets within three years of the date of grant or the stock price hurdles within five years of the date of grant will result in
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forfeiture of the award.respective awards.  Vested shares are subject to the Company’s stock ownership guidelines which require each executive to own shares the value of which equals a multiple of the executive’s base salary.
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Other notable highlights of our executive compensation program include:
·  Both the incentive compensation plan and long-term incentive program provide the Committee with discretion to adjust for the recovery of previously paid awards if financial results are restated or adjusted, or to cancel, suspend, or require repayment to the Company of outstanding awards for violation of non-compete, non-solicitation or disparagement provisions.
·  The Company offers no employment, severance or change in control agreement to any executive, except as customary in certain foreign countries and in certain cases in connection with acquired companies.
·  The Company de-emphasizes the use of perquisites but does provide certain market competitive perquisites to executives.
·  Both the incentive compensation plan and long-term incentive programs are designed and administered to attempt to preserve the deductibility of NEO compensation under IRC Section 162(m) and have been approved by the Company’s shareholders.

At the annual shareholders’ meeting in February 2012,2013, the fiscal 20112012 executive compensation of the Company’s NEO’s was approved by our shareholders, with approximately 95%89% of the votes cast voting in favor of the proposal.

In addition, during calendar 2013, the Company directly solicited feedback regarding its current executive compensation amounts, philosophy and program design from shareholders representing approximately 55% of the outstanding shares.  In their feedback, shareholders expressed a favorable view and/or general satisfaction with the Company’s executive compensation amounts, philosophy and programs.  There were no issues or concerns identified.  Several shareholders specifically expressed a favorable view on the performance elements of the Company’s annual and long-term incentive programs.

The Committee considered thisthe favorable shareholder vote in February 2013 and the results of the direct shareholder feedback in connection with its determination of compensation policies and decisions and concluded that the Company would maintain its existing compensation philosophy for fiscal 2012.in determining current year compensation.


CEO Compensation Determination

In its determination of the specific elements of fiscal 20122013 executive compensation for the Company’s CEO, the Committee considered the following:

Base Salary – CEO base salary for 20122013 was established at the Committee’s meeting in November 2011.2012.  Based on the competitive market assessment prepared by our independent executive compensation consultant, the Company’s CEO base salary was determined to be approximately 90%92% of the market median.  As Mr. Bartolacci has held the CEO position since 2006 and his individual performance has been rated Commendable (above average), the Committee agreed that his annual base salary adjustments over the next several years should be determined with a goal of attaining market median, provided his individual performance remains at or above the current level.  As a result, the base salary for Mr. Bartolacci was increased 5.9%4.0% for 2012.2013.  After this adjustment, Mr. Bartolacci’s base salary remained below the “mid-point” for his position at approximately 95% of market median.
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Incentive Compensation – Mr. Bartolacci’s incentive compensation target as a percent of base pay for fiscal 20122013 was determined based on the competitive market assessment prepared by our independent consultant.  Actual CEO incentive compensation for fiscal 20122013 was determined based on the operating results and economic value added performance of the Company in comparison to targets established by the Committee.  The Company’s consolidated operating results and economic value added performance did not meetwere within the minimum performance thresholdsspecified ranges for fiscal 2012.2013.  As a result, Mr. Bartolacci did not receivereceived incentive compensation for fiscal 2012.
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equivalent to 78% of target as described later in this report.

Stock Awards – CEO equity compensation awards for fiscal 20122013 were granted in November 2011.2012.  In determining theseequity compensation grants, the Committee consideredconsiders total shareholder return (“TSR”) as an important factor in the alignment of CEO performance-based compensation with the interests of the Company’s shareholders.  Despite a significant decline in the casketed burial rate (a key demographic affecting sales volume for the Memorialization group), the Company’s stock price remained relatively stable during fiscal 2012 as the Company launched several significant strategic initiatives designed to improve the performance of the Company.  In fiscal 2013, the Company’s earnings (excluding unusual costs primarily related to these initiatives) increased over fiscal 2012 and the Company’s stock price appreciated 28% from September 30, 2012 to September 30, 2013.

The Committee also considers the individual performance evaluation of Mr. Bartolacci, and the performance of the Company.  Mr. Bartolacci’s performancewhich was rated as Commendable for fiscal 2011.  In addition,2012.  As a result, the Company achieved growth inCommittee determined an equity compensation award of 75,000 shares to Mr. Bartolacci for fiscal 2011 earnings over fiscal 2010.  2013.

In its evaluation of executive compensation, the Committee also considers the total shareholder return (“TSR”) performance of the Company.  In its November 2011 meeting, the Committee reviewed the Company’s TSR for the past one and three year periods relative to the Company’s industry group.  Based on this analysis, the Company’s TSR was determined to be below median.  As a result, in determining stock awards for fiscal 2012, the Committee reduced the equity compensation award to Mr. Bartolacci by 44% (from 70,000 shares in November 2010 to 39,000 shares in November 2011).

Additionally, TSR is a significant factor in determining the total compensation that can be earned by the Company’s CEO.  Specifically, one of the performance natureelements of our equity compensation program requires the attainment of pre-defined stock appreciation thresholds to achieve vesting.  Failure to achieve the stock price hurdles within five years of the date of grant will result in forfeiture of the shares.  The other performance element of our equity compensation program requires the attainment of pre-defined earnings per share growth thresholds to achieve vesting.  Failure to achieve these thresholds within three years of the date of grant will also result in forfeiture of the shares.

For awards granted during the past foursix fiscal years, an average of only 22.5%32.4% of the performance-based stock awards as included in the Summary Compensation Table have actually been earned by our CEO (see table under “Pay-For-Performance Alignment”).

Retirement Benefits – There were no changes in the Company’s executive retirement benefit formulas and, as such, Mr. Bartolacci did not receivehave a significant increasechange in his defined benefits under the plans.  The change in the present value of Mr. Bartolacci’s retirement benefits for fiscal 2012 as shown in the Summary Compensation Table resulted primarily from a reduction in the actuarial discount rate.  The discount rate (which declined from 4.75% at September 30, 2011 to 4.00% at September 30, 2012) is a significant factor in the determination of the present value of the retirement benefit obligation.  The discount rate reduction reflected the recent market decline in long-term interest rates.


Compensation Committee Administration

The Company's executive compensation policies are administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The Committee consists of three independent directors:  Mr. Babe (Chairperson), Mr. Garcia-Tunon and Mr. O’Brien.  Compensation for the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and the three other most highly compensated executives is presented in the Summary Compensation Table.
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The principal function of the Compensation Committee is to review the Company’s compensation and benefit programs, including executive compensation and benefits, to ensure that total compensation is appropriate, competitive and consistent with the Company’s compensation philosophy.  In performing its duties, the Committee consults with the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, the Company’s Vice President, Human Resources and various independent external advisors.  In fiscal 2012,2013, the Committee consulted principally with Pay Governance, an independent executive compensation consulting firm.  Pay Governance does no other work for the Company and reports directly to the Compensation Committee. The Committee has full authority to retain external advisors, consultants and agents, as necessary, in the fulfillment of its responsibilities.  The Committee reviews the performance and the fees of the Consultantindependent consultant each year and determines whether to retain the Consultantsuch consultant for the upcoming year.

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Among its other duties, the Committee has responsibility for setting executive base salary levels and administering the terms and policies of the following key executive benefit plans:
·  2010 Incentive Compensation Plan
·  2007 Equity Incentive Plan (replaced by the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan)
·  2012 Equity Incentive Plan
·  Supplemental Retirement Plan

 
Compensation Philosophy

The principal objectives of the Company’s executive compensation program, including compensation provided to the NEOs, are to:
·  Attract, retain and motivate highly-qualified executives
·  Reward continuous improvement in operating results and the creation of shareholder value
·  Align the interests of Company executives with shareholders

The Company seeks to accomplish these objectives by maintaining a compensation philosophy that emphasizes rigorous performance-based programs.  The foundation of its philosophy is as follows:to:
·  Emphasize performance-based compensation elements while providing fixed compensation (base salary) commensurate with the market
·  Provide retirement and other benefits that are competitive with the market
·  Provide no employment contracts or other guarantees of employment except as customary in certain foreign countries or in connection with the negotiation of acquisitions
·  De-emphasize the use of perquisites except for business purposes

The Company believes that executive compensation should be designed to provide management with incentives for the achievement of annual and long-term strategic objectives, with the ultimate objective of delivering improvement in shareholder value.  The Committee believes that an effective compensation structure should focus executives on the achievement of the Company’s business objectives and reward executives for achieving those objectives.  As such, the Committee’s philosophy is to provide performance-based compensation that targets levels modestly above the market median while targeting fixed base salaries at the median of the market.  The Committee has designed this approach in light of the rigorous performance standards of the Company’s incentive plans and because the Company does not in general provide any type of employment contracts or severance programs to executives.  The Committee believes it has structured its annual and long-term performance-based compensation to encourage and reward high performance and achievement of Company objectives.


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In pursuit of this philosophy, the Company’s executive compensation program includes the following key components:
·  Base salaries
·  Annual cash incentive payments under the Company’s 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan
·  Long-term incentive compensation under the Company’s 20072012 Equity Incentive Plan
·  Retirement benefits
·  Other benefits (i.e., health & welfare benefits, insurance, certain perquisites)

In general, the Committee’s desire to align the executive compensation program with the market drives the allocation between short-term and long-term compensation as well as cash and equity components.  The Committee believes that the level of compensation provided to an executive should be based on success against performance goals that indicate the creation of shareholder value.  To achieve this objective, the Company has built its current short-term cash incentive plan based on growth in operating profit and economic value added.  Over the long-term, the
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Committee believes that stock price growth is one of the best indicators of the creation of shareholder value.  Therefore, the Committee provides equity awards with a level of value and rate of vesting that are dependent on time and the achievement of earnings per share and stock price hurdles.  The Company has no formal policy regarding the allocation of variable and fixed compensation for its NEOs.

The Committee has considered whether the executive compensation program promotes risk taking at levels that are unacceptable to the Company.  The Committee considered the following factors related to risk:
·  Compensation philosophy that targets salaries at the market median and incentives modestly above median
·  Short-term incentive design that caps maximum awards for the achievement of operating profit and economic value added targets reflective of the Company’s business plan
·  Long-term incentives allocated to two separate vehicles
·  Stock ownership guidelines
·  Incentive compensation recoupment policy

The Committee believes that the above factors as well as the overall executive compensation design, policies and mix of compensation serve to manage risk in a manner that is acceptable to the Company and its shareholders.

The Committee makes decisions regarding executive compensation with input from its independent consultant.  When making decisions regarding compensation for the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), the Committee has a process in which it considers comparative market data provided by its independent consultant and the CEO’s performance assessment prepared by the Company’s Board of Directors.  When making decisions regarding compensation for executives other than the CEO, the Committee considers comparative market data and seeks input and evaluates recommendations from the CEO.  In order to obtain comparative market data for evaluating executive compensation, the Company, through its independent consultant, utilizes compensation data published by Towers Watson.  This survey contains hundreds of company participants, although the number of participants and the names of the companies that provided data for each position varies by position and is not provided by the survey publisher. The Company targets industrial / manufacturing companies of similar size, complexity, employment region and performance in developing this data.  Because data sample sizes for these types of companies may not be sufficient, the Company supplements such data with broader and more general industry data to develop its market data.
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In evaluating compensation for calendar 2012,2013, the Committee’s independent consultant developed a group of peer companies to make assessments of market compensation and to determine the alignment of compensation earned relative to company and peer performance.  The peer group targeted industrial/manufacturing companies of similar size, complexity, employment region and performance.  The peer group of companies used in evaluating compensation for calendar 20122013 were:


CLARCOR Inc.                                              Consolidated Graphics, Inc.                                                   ESCO Technologies Inc.
Graco Inc.                                              Hillenbrand, Inc.                                              
CLARCOR Inc.Consolidated Graphics, Inc.ESCO Technologies Inc.
Graco Inc.Hillenbrand, Inc.John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Kaman  CorporationMiddleby Corp.Minerals Technologies Inc.
Mine Safety Appliances Co.RTI International Metals, Inc.Schweitzer-Mauduit International Inc.
Service Corp. InternationalStandex International Corp.Stewart Enterprises Inc.
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
Kaman  Corporation                                              Middleby Corp.                                              Minerals Technologies Inc.
Mine Safety Appliances Co.                                                                                           RTI International Metals, Inc.Schweitzer-Mauduit International Inc.
Service Corp. International                                                                                           Standex International Corp.Stewart Enterprises Inc.
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation

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The Committee does not consider amounts from prior performance-based compensation, such as prior bonus awards or realized or unrealized stock optionequity compensation gains, in its decisions to increase or decrease compensation in the current year.  The Committee believes that this would not be in the best interest of retaining and motivating the executive.


Pay-for-Performance Alignment

The Committee believes there are different ways of assessing whether compensation paid to executives aligns with the performance of the Company.  For the Committee’s consideration in understanding the Company’s pay-for-performance alignment, the Committee’s compensation consultant examined the relationship of our CEO’s realizable compensation and the Company’s performance relative to the CEO compensation and performance of our peer group of 16 peer companies.  Performance was defined as the relative ranking of the following four performance metrics:
·  Net sales growth
·  Return on invested capital
·  Growth in earnings before interest and taxes
·  Total shareholder return (stock price appreciation plus dividends)

The consultant evaluated each performance metric independently relative to the peer companies for the year 2011,2012, the three-year period 20092010 through 2011,2012, and the five-year period 20072008 through 2011.2012.  The relative ranking of each performance metric was averaged to form a composite ranking.  The Company’s relative composite performance ranking was aligned with the peer companies as follows:
·  
2011: 272012: 18th  percentile
·  
20092010 through 2011: 342012: 21thst percentile
·  
20072008 through 2011: 432012: 30rdth percentile

The consultant compared the performance for 20112012 to the CEO’s bonus for fiscal year 2011.2012.  For this time frame, the CEO receiveddid not receive a bonus payment under our incentive compensation plan of $948,800, which was equal to 148% of his target bonus opportunity.plan.  This bonus amount ($948,800) ranked atas the 44th percentile (secondlowest (first quartile) of the peer group CEO’s, respectively, while the Company’s relative performance composite ranked at the 2718th percentile (second quartile) of the peers and the Company’s return on invested capital ranked at the 40th percentile (second(first quartile) of the peers. The Committee is satisfied with the alignment of the relative ranking of the CEO’s bonus with the relative ranking of Company performance.

For the three-year period 20092010 through 2011,2012, the CEO’s three-year realizable compensation relative to peers ranked at the 1715th percentile (first quartile) while the Company’s performance composite ranked at the 3421thst percentile (second(first quartile) of the peers.  Realizable compensation includes base salary, actual bonuses paid, the intrinsic value of stock options and stock awards at the year-end 20092012 stock price and performance shares earned or expected to be earned.
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For the five-year period 20072008 through 2011,2012, the CEO’s five-year realizable compensation relative to peers ranked at the 1615th percentile (first quartile) while the Company’s performance composite ranked at the 4330rdth percentile (second quartile) of the peers.
Proxy Graph
The Committee evaluated this information and concluded that the Company’s relative performance was higher than the relative realizable value of compensation paid to the CEO on both a three-year and five-year basis.  The Committee concluded that while

As further emphasis on the Committee’s philosophy to align long-term incentive compensation with the Company’s return on invested capital has outperformedperformance, below is a table which reflects the peer groupactual realized portion of long-term incentive compensation awards over the one,  three- and five-yearpast six years for our CEO:

GrantPerformance Measure Grant Value  Grant Date Stock Price  Vesting Thresholds  Percent of Shares Earned  Forfeiture Date 
2008Stock Price  $575,244   $43.94   $48.34   $54.93   $61.52   33.3%   2013 
2009Stock Price  $811,710   $41.24   $45.37   $51.55   $57.74   0.0%   2014 
2010Stock Price  $829,635   $37.31   $41.05   $46.64   $52.24   0.0%   2015 
2011Stock Price  $985,250   $33.39   $35.06   $38.40   $41.74   66.7%   2016 
2012Stock Price  $570,700   $34.89   $36.63   $40.12   $43.61   33.3%   2017 
2013Non-GAAP EPS  $354,875   $28.39   $2.57   $2.83   $3.11   0.0%   2016 
2013Stock Price  $439,875   $28.39   $29.81   $32.65   $35.49   100.0%   2018 
Totals   4,567,289                   32.4%     
 
 
 
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periods, stock price returns have fallen short
The unvested portion (66.7%) of the peer group median.  Since the Company’s long-term incentive awards are based on achievingfiscal 2008 stock price appreciation hurdles, the majority of our performance-based stock awards over the past five years have not vested as shownaward was forfeited upon expiration in the table below for our CEO:

  Grant Date           Percent of  Forfeiture 
Grant Grant Value  Stock Price  Stock Price Vesting Hurdles  Shares Earned  Date 
2008  $575,244   $43.94   $48.34   $54.93   $61.52   33.3%   2013 
2009  $811,710   $41.24   $45.37   $51.55   $57.74   0.0%   2014 
2010  $829,635   $37.31   $41.05   $46.64   $52.24   0.0%   2015 
2011  $985,250   $33.39   $35.06   $38.40   $41.74   66.7%   2016 
2012  $570,700   $34.89   $36.63   $40.12   $43.61   0.0%   2017 
Totals  3,772,539                   22.5%     

This further emphasizes the alignment of our performance-based long-term incentive arrangements with Company stock price returns.November 2013.


Base Salaries

The Committee determines and approves the base salaries of the Company’s executives, including the CEO, and considers recommendations from the CEO with respect to the other executives.  The Committee employs the same principles that are applied in developing the base salaries of all employees.  Base salary ranges are determined for each executive position based on their level, responsibilities and complexity using the 50th percentile survey data for similar positions at comparable companies.  A base salary “mid-point” is determined for each position based on this competitive market median data and ranges are established to provide that the Company’s salary levels are managed between 80% and 120% of such “mid-point.”

In determining base salary adjustments for each executive, the Committee considers the individual’s performance evaluation, the level of responsibility for the position, an individual’s current base salary in relation to “mid-point” and industry competition for executive talent.  As discussed earlier, the Committee’s philosophy is to target fixed base salaries at the median of the market.  On this basis, calendar 20122013 base salaries were increased in the range of 4% to 7% for each of the NEO’s, except Mr. Gackenbach.  as follows:

NEOPercent Increase
Mr. Bartolacci4.0%
Mr. Nicola5.0%
Mr. Gackenbach15.0%
Mr. Dunn10.4%
Mr. Walters4.6%

The base salary ofincreases for Mr. Gackenbach was increased 11%and Mr. Dunn were determined based on their previous salary relative to approximately 86% of mid-point (Mr. Gackenbach was promoted to his current position in October 2011).mid-point.  As a result of these adjustments, when compared to the market median base salary data developed for each position by our consultant, each named executive officer’s fiscal 20122013 base salary was positioned as follows:  Mr. Bartolacci – 95%, Mr. Nicola – 98%101%, Mr. Gackenbach – 86%91%, Mr. Dunn – 93%92% and Mr. Walters – 94%93%.

The Company has a process under which executives are subject to an annual individual performance evaluation.  The evaluations are designed to rate each executive on various criteria, both objective and subjective, including the areas of leadership, technical expertise, initiative, judgment and personal development.   An overall rating is assessed to each individual from these evaluations and is an important element in determining annual adjustments to base salaries.  The rating levels include:  Distinguished (highest rating), Commendable, Competent, Adequate and Provisional (lowest rating). The Committee conducts an evaluation of the CEO’s performance and the CEO conducts an evaluation of each executive officer’s performance.  Each of the named executives, including Mr. Bartolacci, was rated at either the Commendable or Distinguished levels.



 
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Annual Incentive Compensation

The Company’s 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan covers the annual incentive compensation to be paid to key managers of the Company, including the NEOs.  The plan provides an incentive arrangement based on the establishment and achievement of annual goals reflective of the Company’s business plan.  The objective of the program is to promote the Company’s goal of increasing shareholder value.  The Company believes that two of the key elements in the creation of shareholder value are growth in operating profit and improvement in operating profit greater than the cost of the capital utilized to generate this profit.  are:
·  growth in operating profit and
·  improvement in operating profit greater than the cost of the capital utilized to generate this profit.

Operating profit less the associated capital cost is referred to as “economic value added”.  Accordingly, the current incentive compensation plan is designed to motivate management to achieve levels of operating profit and economic value added reflective of the Company’s business plan.

Designated managers within each of the Company’s business segments participate in the incentive program for their respective business unit.  Incentive compensation for these participants is calculated based on the achievement of operating profit and economic value added targets established for their individual business unit.  Economic value added for business units is defined as the unit’s operating profit less its cost of capital (cost of capital is determined based on a pre-tax rate of 12% times net controllable assets, which is estimated to be the Company’s weighted average pre-tax cost of capital).

Incentive compensation for corporate executives is calculated based on the achievement of pre-established targets for net income and economic value added performance of the Company on a consolidated basis.  Corporate economic value added is defined as the Company’s net income less its after-tax cost of capital (with cost of capital based on an after-tax rate of 8%, which is estimated to be the Company’s weighted average after-tax cost of capital).

Operating profit, net income and economic value added targets are established at the beginning of the fiscal year by the Compensation Committee.  In determining these targets for fiscal 2012,2013, the Committee considered the long-term growth objectives of the Company; fiscal 20122013 operating budgets approved by the Company’s Board of Directors; and current economic, industry and competitive market conditions.  Fiscal 20122013 performance targets established for the business units of the NEO’s were as follows:

Corporate (Mr. Bartolacci, Mr. Nicola and Mr. Walters)
 Net Income  Economic Value Added  Relative Incentive %  Net Income  Economic Value Added  Relative Incentive % 
Target $73,000  $20,600   100% $64,901  $12,150   100%
Minimum $65,700  $18,540   50% $58,411  $9,720   50%
Maximum $80,300  $22,660   200% $71,391  $14,580   200%

Memorialization (Mr. Gackenbach)
Operating ProfitEconomic Value AddedRelative Incentive % Operating Profit  Economic Value Added  Relative Incentive % 
Target$81,500$23,800100% $71,085  $13,145   125%
Minimum$73,350$21,42050% $63,977  $10,516   50%
Maximum$89,650$26,180200% $78,194  $15,774   200%
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Brand Solutions (Mr. Dunn)
Operating ProfitEconomic Value AddedRelative Incentive % Operating Profit  Economic Value Added  Relative Incentive % 
Target$38,300$(10,900)100% $34,732  $(13,928)  100%
Minimum$32,775$(13,325)50% $29,741  $(18,103)  50%
Maximum$43,825$(  8,475)209% $39,723  $(9,752)  200%

Note:  All targets exclude unusual items as approved by the Committee.

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The Corporate amounts reflect theare based on consolidated net income and economic value added of the Company.  The  Memorialization amounts include the combined results of the Cemetery Products and Funeral Home Products segments.  The  Brand Solutions amounts include the combined results of the Graphics Imaging, Marking and Fulfillment Systems and Merchandising Solutions segments.

The attainment of target performance levels result in an earned incentive equivalent to the participant’s target incentive amount (discussed below).  No incentive amounts are earned for operating results that do not achieve the defined minimum performance levels.  Incentive amounts cannot exceed the defined maximum percentage of the participant’s target incentive amount.  Earned incentive percentages are interpolated within the ranges.

For fiscal 2012,2013, one-half of the participant’s incentive compensation opportunity was based on the achievement of the operating profit targets (net income in the case of Corporate participants), with the remaining portion based on the achievement of the economic value added targets.

The target incentive amount is expressed as a percentage of the participant’s base salary and based upon the executive’s position and the industry recommended percentage target for the position as provided to the Company by the plan’s independent consultant.  Target, minimum and maximum incentive award opportunities for the Chief Executive Officer and other named executives are included in the table below.

Named Executive Officer Target Incentive Award as a Percent of Base Salary  Minimum Incentive Award as a Percent of Base Salary  Maximum Incentive Award as a Percent of Base Salary  Target Incentive Award as a Percent of Base Salary  Minimum Incentive Award as a Percent of Base Salary  Maximum Incentive Award as a Percent of Base Salary 
J.C. Bartolacci  100%  50%  200%  100%  50%  200%
S.F. Nicola  70%  35%  140%  70%  35%  140%
S.D. Gackenbach  45%  22.5%  90%  50%  25%  100%
B.J. Dunn  55%  27.5%  115%  55%  27.5%  110%
B.D. Walters  40%  20%  80%  40%  20%  80%

Actual results for fiscal 20122013 compared to target levels were as follows:follows.  Actual amounts have been adjusted to exclude unusual items as approved by the Compensation Committee.

Corporate
  Actual  Target  Relative Incentive %  Allocation  Incentive Earned 
Net income $55,843  $74,500   0%  50%  0%
Economic value added $5,873  $22,100   0%  50%  0%
   Total                  0%
                                                                      ��                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Memorialization
 Actual  Target  Relative Incentive %  Allocation  Incentive Earned  Actual  Target  Relative Incentive %  Allocation  Incentive Earned 
Operating profit $59,335  $82,700   0%  50%  0%
Net income $63,270  $64,901   87%  50%  44%
Economic value added $2,397  $25,000   0%  50%  0% $10,656  $12,150   69%  50%  34%
Total                  0%                  78%


 
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Memorialization                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

  Actual  Target  Relative Incentive %  Allocation  Incentive Earned 
Operating profit $72,709  $71,085   142%  50%  71%
Economic value added $15,434  $13,145   190%  50%  95%
   Total                  166%


Brand Solutions
 Actual  Target  Relative Incentive %  Allocation  Incentive Earned  Actual  Target  Relative Incentive %  Allocation  Incentive Earned 
Operating profit $30,029  $39,500   68%  50%  34% $29,026  $34,732   54%  50%  27%
Economic value added $(18,326) $(9,700)  45%  50%  23% $(27,012) $(13,928)  0%  50%  0%
Total                  57%                  27%


Based on actual results, Mr. Bartolacci, Mr. Nicola, Mr. Gackenbach and Mr. Walters did not earn an incentive amount for fiscal 2012.  Thethe calculation of the earned incentive amount for Mr. Dunn wasamounts were as follows:

Named Executive Officer
 
 
Base Salary
  Target Incentive  Target Incentive Amount  Earned Incentive  
Earned
Incentive Amount
  
 
Base Salary
  Target Incentive  Target Incentive Amount  Earned Incentive  
Earned
Incentive Amount
 
J.C. Bartolacci $705,000   100% $705,000   78% $552,368 
S.F. Nicola $425,250   70% $297,675   78% $233,228 
S.D. Gackenbach $345,000   50% $172,500   166% $286,730 
B.J. Dunn $308,000   55% $169,400   57% $96,253  $340,000   55% $187,000   27% $50,687 
B.D. Walters $294,000   40% $117,600   78% $92,140 


Incentive amounts may be subject to reduction at the discretion of the Committee based on the performance of the NEO relative to personal goals.  Relative performance is generally determined by the executive’s achievement of quantifiable goals established at the beginning of each fiscal year.  Each incentive compensation plan participant develops personal goals, which are subject to review and approval by the Division President or Chief Executive Officer, as appropriate.  The personal goals of the Chief Executive Officer are reviewed and approved by the Committee.  The Committee may use discretion to decrease calculated awards based on the participant’s performance relative to the quantifiable individual goals, however, no adjustments were made in fiscal 2012.2013.

 
Long-Term Incentive Compensation

Long-Term Incentive Compensation isfor fiscal 2013 was provided to key managers and executives under the Company’s 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended.  Prior to fiscal 2009,Effective upon shareholder approval in February 2013, long-term incentive compensation wasis administered under the 1992 Stock2012 Equity Incentive Plan.

The equity incentive plan is an equity compensation plan designed to directly align the interests of employees with the Company’s shareholders.  The equity incentive plan is intended to encourage eligible employees to increase their efforts to make the Company more successful, to provide an additional inducement for such employees to remain with the Company, to reward such employees by providing an opportunity to acquire shares of the Company’s common stock on favorable terms and to provide a means through which the Company may attract able persons to enter the employ of the Company.  The eligible employees are those employees of the Company or any subsidiary who share responsibility for the management, growth or protection of the business of the Company.
37


Under the equity incentive plan, equity grants can be made in the form of:
·  Stock options,
·  Restricted share awards,
·  Restricted stock units,
·  Performance units,
·  Stock appreciation rights, and
·  Other stock-based awards.

38

Prior to fiscal 2008, equity grants were predominantly in the form of performance-vesting stock options.  Since fiscal 2008, the Company has issued restricted shares with time and performance-vesting provisions.
 
 
The Committee considers growth in stock price as the best means of measuring shareholder value creation over the long-term.  For this reason, the Committee believes that the use of stock-based compensation has provided a strong link to meeting this objective.  In keeping with the Committee’s philosophy of providing performance-based incentives, the restricted shares awarded in fiscal 20122013 generally contained performance-vesting provisions for one-half of the shares granted, such that vesting occurs in one-third increments upon the later to occur of the attainment of 5%, 15% and 25% appreciation, respectively, in the market value of the Company’s common stock or one year from the grant date.  Failure to achieve the stock price hurdles within five years from the date of grant will result in forfeiture of the shares.granted.  Further, in order to enhance the Company’s retention objectives, the remaining one-half of the shares granted contain a time-vesting feature in which such shares vest three years from the grant date subject to continued employment of the executive by the Company.

For the fiscal 2013 grant, the Company established two criteria for the performance-vesting shares:  one-half of the performance-vesting shares vest upon the attainment of non-GAAP annual earnings per share of $2.57, $2.83 and $3.12, with the remaining half of the performance-vesting shares to vest upon the attainment of 5%, 15% and 25% appreciation in the Company’s stock price.  Failure to achieve the earnings per share targets within three years of the date of grant or the stock price hurdles within five years of the date of grant will result in forfeiture of the respective awards.

Every year, the Committee determines individual grant levels through consultation with ourthe independent compensation advisor.  The Committee is provided grant guidelines, which provide recommended grant award ranges based on current market thresholds.  The recommended ranges provide a minimum, maximum and target grant award for each position / salary level. The grant ranges are developed such that the minimum of the range aligns with the market 50th percentile, the maximum of the range aligns with the market 75th percentile and the target level in the range represents the average of the market 50th and 75th percentile opportunity.  The Committee has chosen this approach since a portion of the grants contain performance-vesting criteria and to align with its philosophy of providing modestly above market variable compensation opportunities.  Actual grants within this range are determined based on the individual performance assessments of each executive during the past fiscal year.  Grants made to the NEOs in November 20112012 were generally within the above range.

Grant recommendations are developed using a valuation model consistent with accounting policies for stock-based compensation and is based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the dates of grant.  Grants to executive officers are generally made only once a year in the Company’s first fiscal quarter (usually at the November meeting of the Committee), except for new hires and promotions.  The Company does not time the release of material non-public information around the granting of equity compensation awards.
38


Stock options and restricted shares may also vest under certain change in control circumstances.  Performance-based restricted shares cannot vest earlier than one year from the date of grant and expire on the earlier of three or five years (depending on the vesting criteria) from the date of grant, upon employment termination, or within specified time limits following voluntary employment termination (with consent of the Company), retirement or death.  Stock options are not exercisable within six months from the date of grant and expire on the earlier of ten years from the date of grant, upon employment termination, or within specified time limits following voluntary employment termination (with consent of the Company), retirement or death.

The minimum holding periods for vested stock options and restricted share awards are governed by the Company’s stock ownership guidelines.  The ownership policy mandates that at least 50% of the after-tax shares realized upon an option exercise or vesting of restricted stock must be retained until the ownership guideline is met.

Beginning with the November 2011 restricted share grant, dividends on unvested shares are no longer paid.  Dividends will be accrued and only payable upon the vesting of the restricted shares.  
39

Accordingly, dividends will not be paid if the restricted shares do not become vested and are forfeited.

For grants made in November 2012 for fiscal 2013, the Committee approved the use of non-GAAP earnings per share as a second performance metric to be used in addition to stock price appreciation under the performance-vesting restricted stock program.


Adjustments or Recovery of Prior Compensation

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to reimburse the Company for any awards received following the release of financial results that subsequently require an accounting restatement due to noncompliance with a material financial reporting requirement as a result of misconduct.  Additionally, under theour incentive compensation plan has a recoupment provision under which the Committee has the discretion to adjust for the recovery of previously paid awards from any participant, where appropriate, if financial results are restated or adjusted in future periods.  No such adjustments have been necessary under these provisions.

The incentive compensation plan and the equity incentive plan provide the Committee the discretion over the three-year period following the grant of awards to cancel, suspend or require repayment to the Company of outstanding awards if the participant (i) competes with the Company or its subsidiaries, (ii) violates solicitation provisions with customers or employees, (iii) defames or disparages the Company, its subsidiaries or certain related persons.



 
39


Stock Ownership Guidelines

The Company has established stock ownership guidelines for executive officers and business unit management in order to support a culture of ownership among the management team.  The Committee believes significant ownership levels will provide additional motivation to executives to perform in accordance with the interests of the Company’s shareholders. The ownership guidelines are expressed as a multiple of base salary and are as follows:


 
Position
Minimum Equivalent Stock Value
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
5 times base salary
 
Chief Financial Officer; Group Presidents
 
4 times base salary
 
Division Presidents; Vice President, Human Resources; Vice President and General Counsel; Vice President and Controller
 
3 times base salary
 
Managers directly reporting to Division Presidents
 
2 times base salary
 
Other managers eligible for equity compensation and other incentive compensation plan participants
 
1 time base salary

40

For purposes of these guidelines, stock ownership includes all shares directly owned (including shares held under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and time-vesting restricted shares), but does not include outstanding stock options or unvested performance-based restricted shares.  Immediate compliance with these guidelines is not mandatory; however, individuals are expected to undertake a program to achieve compliance within five years of their hire date or promotion to their respective position.  The ownership policy mandates that at least 50% of the after-tax shares realized upon an option exercise or vesting of restricted stock must be retained until the ownership guideline is met.  Compliance with these ownership guidelines is one of the factors considered by the Compensation Committee in determining eligibility for participation in the Company’s equity compensation programs.

As of November 30, 2012,2013, Mr. Bartolacci, Mr. Nicola, Mr. Dunn and Mr. DunnWalters exceeded the Company’s stock ownership guidelines.  Mr. Gackenbach was at 30%67% of the ownership guidelines, althoughguidelines; however, he is still within five years of promotion to his current position (October 2011).  Mr. Walters was at 70% of the ownership guidelines, although he is still within five years of promotion to his current position (February 2009).


Retirement Benefits

Retirement benefits are generally provided to executives under the Company’s principal retirement plan and in some cases, a supplemental retirement plan.  The purpose of both these plans is to provide post-retirement compensation and stability to executives.  The Committee’s goal is to provide a benefit that is competitive with plans which would be available to executives of similar companies. The Committee believes this philosophy will allow the Company to effectively attract and retain talented executives.

Executive officers may become eligible to participate in the Company’s supplemental retirement plan.  To be eligible for participation, the individual must be an executive officer of the Company as designated by the Board of Directors annually and meet certain length of service requirements as a designated executive officer and in total with the Company.  
40

Of the named executives, Mr. Bartolacci, Mr. Nicola and Mr. Dunn are participants in the supplemental retirement plan.  Unlike the principal retirement plan, the supplemental plan is an unsecured obligation of the company and is not a tax-qualified plan.  Funding for the supplemental retirement plan is provided through a non-revocable trust arrangement.  The supplemental retirement plan is intended to make-up the tax-related limitation of benefits under the principal retirement plan and to provide retirement benefits at competitive market rates.  In addition, the supplemental retirement plan serves as a retention vehicle as benefits generally do not fully vest until the completion of a minimum of 15 years of service.

In 2009, the Committee modified the supplemental plan for any new executive going forward, including Mr. Gackenbach and Mr. Walters, limiting the benefit to restoring amounts lost to tax-related limitations.



41


Other Compensation

The Company generally provides all domestic employees with the following:
·  401(k) plan,
·  Employee stock purchase plan,
·  Health and dental coverage,
·  Company-paid term life insurance,
·  Disability insurance,
·  Educational assistance, and
·  Paid time off (vacations and holidays).

These benefits are designed to be competitive with overall market practices.  Educational assistance for dependent children is also provided to any employee of the Company whose child meets the scholastic eligibility criteria and is attending an eligible college or university.  Educational assistance is limited to $1,200 for each semester and $2,400 annually.

The Company provides executives with other benefits, reflected in the “All Other Compensation” column in the Summary Compensation Table, which the Committee considers reasonable, competitive and consistent with the Company’s compensation philosophy.  These benefits include supplemental life insurance coverage, costs associated with personal use of a vehicle leased by the Company and, in certain circumstances, club dues and financial counseling and tax preparation services.


Employment and Severance Agreements

None of the named executives have employment, severance or change-of-control agreements.


Tax Policy

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, disallows federal income tax deductions for compensation paid to the Chief Executive Officer and any of the other four highest compensated executives in excess of $1 million in any taxable year, subject to certain exceptions. One exception involves compensation paid pursuant to shareholder-approved compensation plans that are performance-based.  Certain of the provisions in the 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan are intended to cause awards earned under such plan to be eligible for this exception (so that compensation related to such awards should be deductible under the Internal Revenue Code).  
41

In addition, certain of the provisions in the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan and 2012 Equity Incentive Plan are intended to cause grants of performance-based stock compensation under such plan to be eligible for this exception (so that compensation related to the vesting or exercise of such shares should be deductible under the Internal Revenue Code).  Payments of cash compensation to executives (except annual incentive compensation awards earned under the 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan) and outstandingtime-based grants of restricted shares under the 1992 Stock2007 Equity Incentive Plan and 2012 Equity Incentive Plan are not at present eligible for this performance-based exception.  The Committee has taken and intends to continue to take actions, as appropriate, to attempt to minimize, if not eliminate, the Company's non-deductible compensation expense within the context of maintaining the flexibility which the Committee believes to be an important element of the Company's executive compensation program.



 
 


 
42

 

Annual Compensation of the Named Executive Officers

The table below summarizes the compensation for fiscal 2013, 2012 2011 and 20102011 earned by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and each of the three other most highly paid executive officers who were serving as executive officers at September 30, 2012.2013.  These individuals are sometimes referred to in this Proxy Statement as the “named executive officers”, or the “NEOs”.

Summary Compensation Table

Name and
Principal Position
Year (1)
 
Salary
 
Bonus
Stock
Awards (2)
Option
Awards
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compen-sation (3)
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Plan Compen-sation (4)
All
Other Compen-sation (5)
 
 
 
Total
Joseph C. Bartolacci
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
2012
2011
2010
$669,231
630,769
595,385
$            -
-
-
$1,251,055
 2,153,783
1,893,065
$            -
-
-
$            -
948,800
851,049
$684,505
566,212
-
$  93,069
90,753
112,080
$2,697,860
4,390,317
3,451,579
Steven F. Nicola
Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer
2012
2011
2010
399,231
371,231
339,369
-
-
-
481,175
692,288
585,854
   -
-
-
-
394,345
342,937
378,756
370,816
-
43,143
40,313
25,912
1,302,305
1,868,993
1,294,072
Brian J. Dunn
Group President,
Brand Solutions
2012
2011
2010
305,231
293,116
278,744
-
-
-
288,705
276,915
398,540
   -
-
-
96,253
225,751
101,437
149,902
177,697
133,397
30,264
29,243
21,267
870,355
1,002,722
933,385
Steven D. Gackenbach
Group President,
Memorialization (6)
2012
2011
 
293,077
202,500
 
-
-
 
192,470
39,978
 
-
-
 
-
16,281
7,629
-
 
53,283
183,996
 
546,459
442,755
 
Brian D. Walters
Vice President and General Counsel
2012
2011
2010
278,462
259,616
206,308
-
-
-
259,835
276,915
139,489
-
-
-
-
140,096
89,349
28,752
23,425
13,566
18,113
18,233
14,918
585,162
718,285
463,630
Name and
Principal Position
Year (1)
Salary
Bonus
Stock
Awards (2)
Option
Awards
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compen-sation (3)
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Plan Compen-sation (4)
All
Other Compen-sation (5)
Total
Joseph C. Bartolacci
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
2013
2012
2011
$698,769
669,231
630,769
$         -
-
-
$2,036,813
 1,251,055
2,153,783
$           -
-
-
$ 552,368
-
948,800
$            -
684,505
566,212
$  77,107
93,069
90,753
$3,365,057
2,697,860
4,390,317
Steven F. Nicola
Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer
2013
2012
2011
420,577
399,231
371,231
-
-
-
651,780
481,175
692,288
   -
-
-
233,228
-
394,345
-
378,756
370,816
36,033
43,143
40,313
1,341,618
1,302,305
1,868,993
Brian J. Dunn
Group President,
Brand Solutions
2013
2012
2011
332,615
305,231
293,116
-
-
-
407,363
288,705
276,915
   -
-
-
50,687
96,253
225,751
-
149,902
177,697
25,646
30,264
29,243
816,311
870,355
1,002,722
Steven D. Gackenbach
Group President,
Memorialization (6)
2013
2012
2011
334,615
293,077
202,500
-
-
-
439,952
192,470
39,978
-
-
-
286,730
-
16,281
8,319
7,629
-
22,783
53,283
183,996
1,092,399
546,459
442,755
Brian D. Walters
Vice President and General Counsel
2013
2012
2011
291,000
278,462
259,616
-
-
-
244,418
259,835
276,915
-
-
-
92,140
-
140,096
-
28,752
23,425
18,158
18,113
18,233
645,716
585,162
718,285

 (1)For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 2011 and 2010.2011.
 (2)Amounts in this column reflect the grant date fair value of awards of restricted shares of the Company’s Common Stock granted during fiscal 2013, 2012 2011 and 20102011 computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ASC Topic 718; however, the estimate of forfeiture related to service-based vesting conditions is disregarded for purposes of this valuation.  For details of individual grants of restricted shares during fiscal 2012,2013, see the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table below.  During fiscal 2013, restricted shares were forfeited by the named executive officers, as follows:  Mr. Bartolacci, 11,600 shares; Mr. Nicola, 4,833 shares; Mr. Dunn, 1,800 shares; and Mr. Walters, 1,100 shares.  There were no forfeitures of restricted shares by any of the named executive officers during fiscal 2012 2011 or 2010.2011.  The assumptions on which this valuation is based are set forth in Note 9 to the audited financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 27, 2012.2013.
 (3)The amounts shown in this column reflect amounts earned and paid under the 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan (“Incentive Compensation Plan”) in fiscal 2012 and 2011, and the Company’s 2008 Management Incentive Plan in fiscal 2010..  For a full explanation of the operation of the Incentive Compensation Plan, refer to the narrative disclosure above and the Annual Incentive Compensation section of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 3635 of this Proxy Statement.  The amounts included in the Summary Compensation Table above include the following:

 
 
 
 
 
Name
 
 
 
 
 
Year
 
 
 
Amount Paid Under Current Year’s Award
Deferred Credits Under Awards made in Prior Years, Earned in the Current Year’s Award
 
 
 
 
Earnings on Deferred Credits
 
 
 
 
 
Total
J.C. Bartolacci
 
2012
2011
2010
$            -
948,800
749,795
N/A
N/A
$100,249
N/A
N/A
$1,005
$            -
948,800
851,049
S.F. Nicola
2012
2011
2010
-
394,345
299,168
N/A
N/A
43,335
N/A
N/A
434
-
394,345
342,937
B.J. Dunn
2012
2011
2010
96,253
225,751
101,437
N/A
N/A
-
N/A
N/A
-
96,253
225,751
101,437
S.D. Gackenbach
2012
2011
 
-
16,281
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
-
16,281
B.D. Walters
2012
2011
2010
-
140,096
79,291
N/A
N/A
9,958
N/A
N/A
100
-
140,096
89,349
43

 (4)The amount shown in this column for each of the named executive officers is the increase, if any, in the actuarial present value of the accumulated benefits under all defined benefit plans for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 2011 and 2010.2011.  A significant portion of the amounts listed for fiscal 2012 and 2011 resulted from a reduction in the discount rate, due to the decline in market interest rates.  For additional information regarding defined benefit pension plans, see the Pension Benefits table below.
 (5)Amounts represent one or more of the following:  premiums for officer’s life insurance, incremental premiums for long-term disability insurance, club dues, dividends on unvested restricted shares, the value for personal use of Company leased vehicles, matching contributions to the Company’s 401(k) Plan, educational assistance and, for Mr. Gackenbach, relocation reimbursement of $33,064 and $127,662 in fiscal 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The fiscal 2011 amount for Mr. Gackenbach also includes an employment bonus of $42,500.  The fiscal 2013, 2012 2011 and 20102011 amounts for Mr. Bartolacci include dividends on unvested restricted shares of $41,667, $58,851 and $56,848, and $34,706, respectively.  The fiscal 2010 amount for Mr. Bartolacci also includes club dues (including a club initiation fee) of $59,476.
 (6)Mr. Gackenbach joined the Company in FebruaryJanuary 2011.



43


The following table provides information on grants of plan-based awards held by the named executive officers during fiscal 2012.2013.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
 
 
NameGrant Date (1)Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan AwardsEstimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards
All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units
(#) (4)
All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options
(#)
Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards
($/Share)
Grant Date
Fair Value
($) (5)
Grant Date (1)Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan AwardsEstimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards
All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units
(#) (4)
All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options
(#)
Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards
($/Share)
Grant Date
Fair Value
($) (5)
Threshold
($)
Target
($) ( 2)
Maximum
($)
Threshold
(#)
Target
(# ) (3)
Maximum
(#)
Threshold
($)
Target
($) ( 2)
Maximum
($)
Threshold
(#)
Target
(# ) (3)
Maximum
(#)
J.C. Bartolacci11/9/11   6,500    $207,67511/14/12   6,250   $  177,438
11/14/12   6,250   177,438
11/14/12   6,250   177,438
11/14/12   6,250   160,937
11/9/11   6,500    189,67011/14/12   6,250   146,437
11/9/11   6,500    173,35511/14/12   6,250   132,500
11/9/11     19,500  680,35511/14/12     37,500  1,064,625
11/9/11$339,000$678,000$1,356,000      11/14/12$352,500$705,000$1,410,000     
S.F. Nicola11/9/11   2,500    79,87511/14/12   2,000   56,780
11/9/11   2,500    72,95011/14/12   2,000   56,780
11/9/11   2,500    66,67511/14/12   2,000   56,780
11/9/11     7,500  261,67511/14/12   2,000   51,500
11/9/11141,750283,500567,000      11/14/12   2,000   46,860
11/14/12   2,000   42,400
11/14/12     12,000  340,680
11/14/12148,838297,675595,350     
B.J.
Dunn
11/9/11   1,500    47,92511/14/12   1,250   35,488
11/14/12   1,250   35,488
11/14/12   1,250   35,488
11/14/12   1,250   32,187
11/9/11   1,500    43,77011/14/12   1,250   29,287
11/9/11   1,500    40,00511/14/12   1,250   26,500
11/9/11     4,500  157,00511/14/12     7,500  212,925
11/9/1184,700169,400354,200      11/14/1293,500187,000374,000     
S.D.
Gackenbach
11/9/11   1,000    31,95011/14/12   1,350   38,327
11/9/11   1,000    29,18011/14/12   1,350   38,327
11/9/11   1,000    26,67011/14/12   1,350   38,327
11/9/11     3,000  104,6701/14/12   1,350   34,762
11/9/1167,500135,000270,000      11/14/12   1,350   31,630
11/14/12   1,350   28,620
11/14/12     8,100  229,959
11/14/1286,250172,500345,000     
B.D. Walters11/9/11   1,350    43,13211/14/12   750   21,293
11/9/11   1,350    39,39311/14/12   750   21,293
11/9/11   1,350    36,00511/14/12   750   21,293
11/9/11     4,050  141,30511/14/12   750   19,312
11/9/1156,200112,400224,800      11/14/12   750   17,572
11/14/12   750   15,900
11/14/12     4,500  127,755
11/14/1258,800117,600235,200     

(1)  All grants were effective as of the date on which the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors met to approve them.
(2)  Amounts represent target payouts under the Company’s Incentive Compensation Plan.  The target represents the named executive officer’s annual salary multiplied by his respective target incentive award percentage.  The target incentive award percentages, expressed as a percentage of annual base salary are 100% for Mr. Bartolacci, 70% for Mr. Nicola, 55% for Mr. Dunn, 45%50% for Mr. Gackenbach and 40% for Mr. Walters.  For a full explanation of the operation of the Incentive Compensation Plan, refer to the Annual Incentive Compensation section of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 3635 of this Proxy Statement.
(3)Amounts represent the number of shares of restricted stock granted pursuant to the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (“Equity Incentive Plan”) that vest upon certain performance criteria.  Performance-based restricted shares were granted such that for 50% of such shares vesting occurs in one-third increments upon the attainment of annual adjusted earnings per share of $2.57, $2.83 and $3.11, respectively; and for 50% of such shares vesting occurs upon the attainment of 5%, 15% and 25% appreciation, respectively, in the market value of the Company’s Common Stock, but in no event prior to the expiration of one year from the date of the grant.  Restricted shares may also vest under certain change in control circumstances.  The restricted shares are forfeited if the adjusted earnings per share and stock price appreciation performance vesting criteria have not been met on the earlier of three and five years from the date of grant, respectively, upon employment termination, or within specified time limits following voluntary employment termination (with consent of the Company), retirement or death. For a full explanation of the operation of the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, (“Equity Incentive Plan”), refer to the Long-Term Incentive Compensation section of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 3837 of this Proxy Statement.
 
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(4)Amounts represent the number of shares of restricted stock granted pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan that fully vest on the third anniversary of the grant date.  Restricted shares may also vest under certain change in control circumstances.  The restricted shares are forfeited upon employment termination, or within specified time limits following voluntary employment termination (with consent of the Company), retirement or death. For a full explanation of the operation of the Equity Incentive Plan, refer to the Long-Term Incentive Compensation section of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 3837 of this Proxy Statement.
(5)
Grant date fair values are developed using a Binomial pricing model based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the dates of grant. The assumptions on which this valuation is based are set forth in Note 9 to the audited financial statements included in Matthews International Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 27, 2012.2013.


The following table sets forth information concerning the fiscal 20122013 year-end value of unexercised options and unearned restricted shares for each of the named executive officers.

 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table

 Option AwardsStock Awards Option AwardsStock Awards
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) ExercisableNumber of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable (1)Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) (2)Option Exercise PriceOption Expiration DateNo. of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested     ($) (9)Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($) (9)Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) ExercisableNumber of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable (1)Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) (2)Option Exercise PriceOption Expiration DateNo. of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested     ($) (9)Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($) (9)
J.C. Bartolacci16,667016,666(3)$36.0311/16/2014    16,667016,666(3)$36.0311/16/2014    
53,334026,666(3)$37.2911/16/2015    53,334026,666(3)$37.2911/16/2015    
34,167068,333(4)$40.5611/15/2016    34,167068,333(4)$40.5611/15/2016    
        11,600  (10)$   345,912        26,100  (10)$   993,888
        26,100  (11)778,302        28,500  (11)1,085,280
      28,500  (5)$   849,87028,500  (12)849,870      35,000  (5)1,332,80011,667  (12)442,279
      35,000  (6)1,043,70011,667  (13)347,910      19,500  (7)742,56013,000  (13)495,040
      19,500  (8)581,49019,500  (14)581,490      37,500  (8)1,428,00037,500  (14)1,428,000
S.F. Nicola28,000014,000(3)$36.0311/16/2014    28,000014,000(3)$36.0311/16/2014    
36,667018,333(3)$37.2911/16/2015    36,667018,333(3)$37.2911/16/2015    
14,667029,333(4)$40.5611/15/2016    14,667029,333(4)$40.5611/15/2016    
        4,833  (10)   144,120        8,070  (10)307,306
        8,070  (11)240,647        8,820  (11)335,866
      8,820  (5)263,0128,820  (12)263,012      11,250  (5)428,4003,750  (12)142,800
      11,250  (6)335,4753,750  (13)111,825      7,500  (7)285,6005,000  (13)190,400
      7,500  (8)223,6507,500  (14)223,650      12,000  (8)456,96012,000  (14)456,960
B.J. Dunn5,00000 $28.5812/15/2013    5,00000 $28.5812/15/2013    
8,00004,000(3)$36.0311/16/2014    8,00004,000(3)$36.0311/16/2014    
10,66705,333(3)$37.2911/16/2015    10,66705,333(3)$37.2911/16/2015    
5,334010,666(4)$40.5611/15/2016    5,334010,666(4)$40.5611/15/2016    
        1,800  (10)53,676        4,500  (10)171,360
        4,500  (11)134,190        6,000  (11)228,480
      6,000  (5)178,9206,000  (12)178,920      4,500  (5)171,3601,500  (12)57,120
      4,500  (6)134,1901,500  (13)44,730      4,500  (7)171,3603,000  (13)114,240
      4,500  (8)134,1904,500  (14)134,190      7,500  (8)285,6007,500  (14)285,600
S.D. Gackenbach      625  (7)18,638208  (15)6,203      625  (6)23,800208  (15)7,921
      3,000  (8)89,4603,000  (14)89,460      3,000  (7)114,2402,000  (13)76,160
      8,100  (8)308,4488,100  (14)308,448
B.D. Walters8,33304,167(3)$37.2911/16/2015    8,33304,167(3)$37.2911/16/2015    
2,66705,333(4)$40.5611/15/2016    2,66705,333(4)$40.5611/15/2016    
        1,100  (10)32,802        1,800  (10)68,544
        1,800  (11)53,676        2,100  (11)79,968
      2,100  (5)62,6222,100  (12)62,622        4,500  (5)171,3601,500  (12)57,120
      4,500  (6)134,1901,500  (13)44,730      4,050  (7)154,224                  2,700  (13)102,816
      4,050 (8)120,771              4,050  (14)120,771      4,500  (8)171,3604,500  (14)171,360


(1)  Represents options that have met performance vesting thresholds, but have not met time vesting thresholds as of September 30, 20122013 (unvested options).
(2)  Represents options that have not met performance vesting thresholds as of September 30, 20122013 (unearned options).
(3)  The unearned portion of this option grant will be earned and vested upon the stock price of the Company’s common stock reaching 160% of the exercise price for ten consecutive trading days.

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(4)  One-half of the unearned portion of this option grant will be earned and vested upon the stock price of the Company’s common stock reaching 133% of the exercise price for ten consecutive trading days; with the remainder to be earned and vested upon the stock price of the Company’s common stock reaching 160% of the exercise price for ten consecutive trading days.
(5)  Represents restricted shares that were fully vested on November 11, 2012.2013.
(6)Represents restricted shares that will be earned and fully vested on November 10, 2013.
(7)  Represents restricted shares that will be earned and fully vested on January 20, 2014.
(8)(7)  Represents restricted shares that will be earned and fully vested on November 9, 2014.
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(8)  Represents restricted shares that will be earned and fully vested on November 14, 2015.
(9)  Represents the value of all unvested restricted shares as of September 30, 2012.2013.  The value is computed by multiplying all unvested restricted shares by the $29.82,$38.08, the closing price of the Company’s common stock on September 30, 2012.2013.
(10)Represents restricted shares that will be earned and vested as follows: one-half upon the stock price of the Company’s common stock reaching 125% of the grant date fair value of the Company’s common stock ($43.94 for Mr. Bartolacci and $43.72 for Messrs. Nicola, Dunn and Walters) for ten consecutive trading days and one-half upon the price of the Company’s common stock reaching 140% of the grant date fair value of the Company’s common stock for ten consecutive trading days.  Neither of the requisite vesting thresholds was met within five years of the date of the grant, and the shares were forfeited on December 5, 2012 for Mr. Bartolacci and November 12, 2012 for Messrs. Nicola, Dunn and Walters.
(11)  Represents restricted shares that will be earned and vested as follows: one-third upon the stock price of the Company’s common stock reaching 110% of the grant date fair value of the Company’s common stock ($41.24) for ten consecutive trading days, one-third upon the stock price of the Company’s common stock reaching 125% of the grant date fair value of the Company’s common stock for ten consecutive trading days, and one-third upon the price of the Company’s common stock reaching 140% of the grant date fair value of the Company’s common stock for ten consecutive trading days.  All of these restricted shares were forfeited on November 12, 2013.
(12)(11)  Represents restricted shares that will be earned and vested as follows: one-third upon the stock price of the Company’s common stock reaching 110% of the grant date fair value of the Company’s common stock ($37.31) for ten consecutive trading days, one-third upon the stock price of the Company’s common stock reaching 125% of the grant date fair value of the Company’s common stock for ten consecutive trading days, and one-third upon the price of the Company’s common stock reaching 140% of the grant date fair value of the Company’s common stock for ten consecutive trading days.  One-third of these shares vested on November 25, 2013.
(13)(12)  Represents restricted shares that will be earned and vested upon the stock price of the Company’s common stock reaching 125% of the grant date fair value of the Company’s common stock ($33.39) for ten consecutive trading days.  These shares vested on December 31, 2013.
(13)  Represents restricted shares that will be earned and vested as follows: one-half upon the stock price of the Company’s common stock reaching 115% of the grant date fair value of the Company’s common stock ($34.89) for ten consecutive trading days, and one-half upon the price of the Company’s common stock reaching 125% of the grant date fair value of the Company’s common stock for ten consecutive trading days.  One-half of these shares vested on November 20, 2013.
(14)  Represents restricted shares that will be earned and vested as follows: one-thirdone-sixth upon the stock price of the Company’s common stock reaching 105% of the grant date fair value of the Company’s common stock ($34.89)28.39) for ten consecutive trading days, one-thirdone-sixth upon the stock price of the Company’s common stock reaching 115% of the grant date fair value of the Company’s common stock for ten consecutive trading days, and one-thirdone-sixth upon the price of the Company’s common stock reaching 125% of the grant date fair value of the Company’s common stock for ten consecutive trading days.days, one-sixth upon the adjusted earnings per share of the Company reaching $2.57, one-sixth upon the adjusted earnings per share of the Company reaching $2.83, and one-sixth upon the adjusted earnings per share of the Company reaching $3.11.
(15)  Represents restricted shares that will be earned and vested upon the stock price of the Company’s common stock reaching 125% of the grant date fair value of the Company’s common stock ($34.69) for ten consecutive trading days.


The following table provides information on the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted shares for each of the named executive officers during fiscal 2012.2013.

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

 Option Awards  Stock Awards  Option Awards  Stock Awards 
Name Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise  Value Realized on Exercise  Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting  Value Realized on Vesting  Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise  Value Realized on Exercise  Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting  Value Realized on Vesting 
J.C. Bartolacci  -   -   49,433  $1,688,134   -   -   51,833  $1,077,260 
S.F. Nicola  -   -   15,570   531,928   -   -   11,320   352,290 
B.J. Dunn  -   -   7,500   255,345   -   -   7,500   231,885 
S.D. Gackenbach  -   -   417   13,227   -   -   1,000   38,710 
B.D. Walters  -   -   4,800   164,976   -   -   3,450   113,096 
 
 

Retirement Benefits

The Company's domestic retirement plan is noncontributory and provides benefits based upon length of service and final average earnings. Generally, employees age 21 with one year of continuous service are eligible to participate in the retirement plan. The benefit formula is 3/4 of 1% of the first $550 of final average monthly earnings plus 1-1/4% of the excess times years of credited service (maximum 35 years).  The plan is a defined benefit plan and covered
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compensation is limited generally to base salary or wages. Benefits are not subject to any deduction or offset for Social Security.
46


In addition to benefits provided by the Company's retirement plan, the Company has a Supplemental Retirement Plan, which provides for supplemental pension benefits to executive officers of the Company designated by the Board of Directors.  Upon normal retirement under this plan, such individuals who meet stipulated age and service requirements are entitled to receive monthly supplemental retirement payments which, when added to their pension under the Company's retirement plan and their maximum anticipated Social Security primary insurance amount, equal, in total, 1.85% of final average monthly earnings (including incentive compensation) times the individual's years of continuous service (subject to a maximum of 35 years).  Upon early retirement under this plan, reduced benefits will be provided, depending upon age and years of service. Benefits under this plan vest based upon the attainment of certain levels of qualified and total continuous service.  The Company has established a non-revocable trust to fund the Supplemental Retirement Plan, and a provision has been made on the Company's books for the actuarially computed obligation.

In 2009, the Committee closed the supplemental plan to new participants and created a separate plan for any new designated executive going forward, limiting its benefit to restoring amounts lost to tax-related limitations under the Company’s regular retirement and 401(k) plans.

The table below sets forth the number of years of credited service and the present value at September 30, 20122013 of the accumulated benefits under the each of the retirement plans for each of the named executive officers.

Pension Benefits Table

NamePlan Name 
Number of Years Credited Service
(#) (1)
  
Present Value of Accumulated Benefit
($) (2)
  
Payments During Last Fiscal Year
($)
 Plan Name 
Number of Years Credited Service
(#) (1)
  
Present Value of Accumulated Benefit
($) (2)
  
Payments During Last Fiscal Year
($)
 
J.C. BartolacciMatthews International Corporation Employees Retirement Plan  14  $321,740   - Matthews International Corporation Employees Retirement Plan  15  $294,464   - 
Matthews International Corporation Supplemental Retirement Plan  15   2,039,094   - Matthews International Corporation Supplemental Retirement Plan  16   1,965,599   - 
S.F. NicolaMatthews International Corporation Employees Retirement Plan  18   417,911   - Matthews International Corporation Employees Retirement Plan  19   376,801   - 
Matthews International Corporation Supplemental Retirement Plan  19   1,041,518   - Matthews International Corporation Supplemental Retirement Plan  20   969,948   - 
B.J. DunnMatthews International Corporation Employees Retirement Plan  12   329,284   - Matthews International Corporation Employees Retirement Plan  13   319,393   - 
Matthews International Corporation Supplemental Retirement Plan  13   299,961   - Matthews International Corporation Supplemental Retirement Plan  14   202,234   - 
S.D. GackenbachMatthews International Corporation Employees Retirement Plan  -   7,629   - Matthews International Corporation Employees Retirement Plan  1   15,948   - 
B.D. WaltersMatthews International Corporation Employees Retirement Plan  6   82,749   - Matthews International Corporation Employees Retirement Plan  7   70,710   - 
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 (1)As of September 30, 2012.2013. Years of credited service for the Matthews International Corporation Employees Retirement Plan begin on the first of the month following the completion of one year of service.  Years of credited service for the Matthews International Corporation Supplemental Retirement Plan begin on the initial date of service.
 (2)The assumptions on which this valuation is based are set forth in Note 11 to the audited financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 27, 2012.2013.



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The Company provides a 401(k) Plan covering substantially all domestic employees of the Company.  Participants may make pre-tax contributions to their account of 1% up to 60% of their annual compensation.  For employees covered under the Matthews International Corporation Employees Retirement Plan, which includes the named executive officers, the Company makes matching contributions to each participant at a rate of 50% of participants’ deferrals up to 1% their annual compensation.  Participants are fully vested immediately in the value of their contributions and fully vested in the value of Company matching contributions after three years of service, provided they are a participant of the plan.


Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

The following discussion describes and quantifies the payments that would be made to each of the named executive officers under a variety of circumstances, assuming that each had taken place on September 30, 2012:2013: (1) the executive resigns voluntarily without the consent of the Company; (2) the executive resigns voluntarily with the consent of the Company; (3) the executive is involuntarily terminated without cause; (4) the executive is involuntarily terminated with cause; (5) the executive dies or becomes permanently disabled while employed; (6) the executive retires; and (7) a change in control of the Company takes place.

Stock Options.  Under the terms of the existing stock option grants, in the event of voluntary termination of employment without the Company’s consent or any involuntary terminations, any unexercised stock options are cancelled at the time of termination.  In the event of retirement or voluntary termination with the Company’s consent, unvested options granted prior to November 2005 continue to time and performance vest for a period of two years following termination and options granted in fiscal 2006 and 2007 continue to performance vest only for a period of two years following termination.  In the event of death or termination due to permanent disability, all outstanding options are exercisable in full.  In the event of a change in control of the Company, as defined in the Company’s 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, all outstanding stock options become immediately exercisable.

Restricted Stock.  Under the terms of the existing restricted stock grants, in the event of voluntary termination of employment without the Company’s consent or any involuntary terminations, any unvested restricted shares are cancelled at the time of termination.  In the event of death or termination due to permanent disability, retirement or voluntary termination with the Company’s consent, unvested performance-based restricted shares continue to performance vest for a period of two years following termination.  In the event of death or termination due to permanent disability, retirement or voluntary termination with the Company’s consent, unvested time-based restricted shares become immediately vested.  In the event of a change in control of the Company, as defined in the Company’s 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, all unvested restricted shares become immediately exercisable.

Supplemental Retirement Plan.  Upon a change in control of the Company, as defined in the Supplemental Retirement Plan, participants accrue five additional years of credited service under the Supplemental Retirement Plan.


 
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The following table provides information on the potential incremental value of executive benefits upon termination of employment prior to and after a change of control, assuming termination would have occurred as of September 30, 2012.2013.

Named ExecutiveExecutive Benefit and Payment upon Separation Voluntary Termination Without Consent  
Voluntary Termination With
Consent (1) (3) (4)
  Involuntary Termination Without Cause  Involuntary Termination With Cause  Death or Disability (2) (3) (4)  Retirement (1) (3) (4)  
Change in Control
 (2) (5) (6)
 Executive Benefit and Payment upon Separation Voluntary Termination Without Consent  
Voluntary Termination With
Consent (1) (3) (4)
  Involuntary Termination Without Cause  Involuntary Termination With Cause  Death or Disability (2) (3) (4)  Retirement (1) (3) (4)  
Change in Control
 (2) (5) (6)
 
J.C. BartolacciStock Options $0  $0  $0  $0  $0  $0  $0 Stock Options $0  $0  $0  $0  $55,448  $0  $55,448 
Performance-based Restricted Shares  0   0   0   0   0   0   2,903,484 Performance-based Restricted Shares  0   714,000   0   0   714,000   714,000   4,446,487 
Time-based
 Restricted Shares
  0   2,475,060   0   0   2,475,060   2,475,060   2,475,060 
Time-based
 Restricted Shares
  0   3,503,360   0   0   3,503,360   3,503,360   3,503,360 
Supplemental Retirement Plan  0   0   0   0   0   0   2,940,388 Supplemental Retirement Plan  0   0   0   0   0   0   5,227,591 
Total  0   2,475,060   0   0   2,475,060   2,475,060   8,318,932 Total  0   4,217,360   0   0   4,272,808   4,217,360   13,232,886 
                                                          
S.F. NicolaStock Options  0   0   0   0   0   0   0 Stock Options  0   0   0   0   43,345   0   43,345 
Performance-based Restricted Shares  0   0   0   0   0   0   983,255 Performance-based Restricted Shares  0   228,480   0   0   228,480   228,480   1,617,372 
Time-based
 Restricted Shares
  0   822,137   0   0   822,137   822,167   822,167 
Time-based
 Restricted Shares
  0   1,170,960   0   0   1,170,960   1,170,960   1,170,960 
Supplemental Retirement Plan  0   0   0   0   0   0   1,496,058 Supplemental Retirement Plan  0   0   0   0   0   0   2,856,882 
Total  0   822,167   0   0   822,167   822,167   3,301,480 Total  0   1,399,440   0   0   1,442,785   1,399,440   5,688,559 
                                                          
B.J. DunnStock Options  0   0   0   0   0   0   0 Stock Options  0   0   0   0   12,460   0   12,460 
Performance-based Restricted Shares  0   0   0   0   0   0   545,706 Performance-based Restricted Shares  0   142,800   0   0   142,800   142,800   856,800 
Time-based
 Restricted Shares
  0   447,300   0   0   447,300   447,300   447,300 
Time-based
 Restricted Shares
  0   628,320   0   0   628,320   628,320   628,320 
Supplemental Retirement Plan  0   0   0   0   0   0   649,086 Supplemental Retirement Plan  0   0   0   0   0   0   1,100,241 
Total  0   447,300   0   0   447,300   447,300   1,642,092 Total  0   771,120   0   0   783,580   771,120   2,597,821 
                                                          
S.D .GackenbachStock Options  0   0   0   0   0   0   0 Performance-based Restricted Shares  0   154,224   0   0   154,224   154,224   392,529 
Performance-based Restricted Shares  0   0   0   0   0   0   95,663 
Time-based
 Restricted Shares
  0   446,488   0   0   446,488   446,488   446,488 
Time-based
 Restricted Shares
  0   108,098   0   0   108,098   108,098   108,098 Total  0   600,712   0   0   600,712   600,712   839,017 
Total  0   108,098   0   0   108,098   108,098   203,761                              
                             
B.D. WaltersStock Options  0   0   0   0   0   0   0 Stock Options  0   0   0   0   3,313   0   3,313 
Performance-based Restricted Shares  0   0   0   0   0   0   314,601 Performance-based Restricted Shares  0   85,680   0   0   85,680   85,680   479,808 
Time-based
 Restricted Shares
  0   317,583   0   0   317,583   317,583   317,583 
Time-based
 Restricted Shares
  0   496,944   0   0   496,944   496,944   496,944 
Total  0   317,583   0   0   317,583   317,583   632,184 Total  0   582,624   0   0   585,937   582,624   980,065 

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(1)  The stock option value represents the value of unvested stock options as of September 30, 20122013 that had met performance vesting criteria as of that date and would meet time vesting criteria or before September 30, 20142015 (two-year anniversary of assumed termination date of September 30, 2012)2013) (the “assumed vested options”).  For this purpose, if the performance vesting threshold was less than $29.82,$38.08, the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the last trading day of fiscal 2012,2013, the option was considered to be performance vested. TheSince the performance vesting thresholds for all unvested stock options exceeded $38.08, the incremental value of the options is computed by multiplying the number of assumed vested options by the difference between the option exercise price and $29.82.  The option exercise prices for all assumed vested options exceed $29.82, and the value of the options is therefore $0 as of September 30, 2012.2013.
(2)  The stock option value represents the value of all unvested stock options as of September 30, 2012.2013.  The value is computed by multiplying all unvested options by the difference between the optionwith an exercise price and $29.82,less than $38.08, the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the last trading day of fiscal 2012.  The2013, by the difference between the option exercise prices for all unvested stock options exceed $29.82,price and the value of the options is therefore $0 as of September 30, 2012.$38.08.
(3)  The performance-based restricted share value represents the value of unvested restricted shares as of September 30, 20122013 that had not met performance vesting criteria as of that date, but for which the performance vesting threshold was less than $29.82,$38.08, the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the last trading day of fiscal 2012.  At September 30, 2012, no performance-based restricted shares had a2013 (the “assumed performance vesting threshold less than $29.82, and thevested shares”).  The value of the performance-based restricted shares is therefore $0 ascomputed by multiplying the number of September 30, 2012.assumed performance vested shares by $38.08.
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(4)  The time-based restricted share value represents the value of unvested restricted shares as of September 30, 20122013 that would vest upon termination as of September 30, 20122013 (the “assumed time vested shares”).  The value of the restricted shares is computed by multiplying the number of assumed time vested shares by $29.82,$38.08, the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the last trading day of fiscal 2012.2013.
(5)  The performance-based and time-based restricted share value represents the value of all unvested restricted shares as of September 30, 2012.2013. The value is computed by multiplying all unvested restricted shares by $29.82,$38.08, the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the last trading day of fiscal 2012.2013.
(6)  The incremental value of the Supplemental Retirement Plan represents the increase in the accumulated benefit obligation resulting from an additional five years of vested service for eligible participants.




 
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AUDIT COMMITTEE MATTERS

Report of the Audit Committee

The Audit Committee of Matthews International Corporation is composed of three Directors who the Board has determined to be independent Directors.under the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regulations related to audit committee independence, the NASDAQ listing requirements and the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines.  The Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors.

Management of the Company has the primary responsibility for preparing the financial statements, establishing the system of internal controls, and assessing the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing the Company’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors.

In this context, the Audit Committee has met and held discussions with management, internal audit and the independent registered public accounting firm.  Management represented to the Committee that the Company’s consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the Committee has discussed the consolidated financial statements with management, internal audit and the independent registered public accounting firm.  The Committee discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards ("SAS"(“SAS”)  No. 114, "The Auditor’s Communication With Those Charged With Governance", and such other matters as are required to be discussed under the standards of the Public Company Accounting and Oversight Board.Board (“PCAOB”) including by SAS No. 61, as amended (AICPA Professional Standards, Vol. 1 AU Section 380), as adopted by the PCAOB in Rule 3200T which includes, among other items, matters related to the conduct of the audit of the Company’s financial statements.

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm also provided to the Committee the written disclosures required by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Rule 3526, “Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence”, and the Committee discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm that firm’s independence.

The Committee discussed with the Company's independent registered public accounting firm and internal auditors the overall scope and plan for their respective audits.  The Committee meets with the independent registered public accounting firm and internal auditors to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of the Company's internal controls, and the overall quality of the Company's financial reporting.

Based on the Committee’s discussions referred to above and the Committee’s review of the report of the independent registered public accounting firm on the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended September 30, 2012,2013, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 20122013 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


SEC.
Audit Committee:

A. Garcia-Tunon, Chairman
K.E. Dietze
M.K. O’Brien

December 14, 20124, 2013

 
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Relationship with Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ("PwC") has been the independent registered public accounting firm performing the audits of the consolidated financial statements of the Company since 1983.   PwC periodically changes the personnel assigned to the annual audit engagements.  In addition to performing the audit of the Company's consolidated financial statements, PwC provided fees for services related to the Company’s compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and various other services during fiscal 20122013 and 2011.2012.  The aggregate fees (including out-of-pocket expenses) billed for fiscal 20122013 and 20112012 for each of the following categories of services are set forth below.

 2012  2011  2013  2012 
            
Audit fees (includes audits and reviews of the Company’s fiscal 2012 and 2011 financial statements) $1,048,311  $1,025,272  $730,664  $1,048,311 
                
Audit-related fees (primarily due diligence and regulatory compliance work)  236,171   129,694   18,100   236,171 
                
Tax fees (primarily tax planning and advisory work)  456,990   270,829   325,891   456,990 
                
All other fees  -   -   -   - 

All services provided by PwC for significant audit, audit-related, tax and other services are approved in advance by the Audit Committee. Fees for the annual audit, including quarterly reviews, are approved by the Audit Committee upon appointment of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Other services are approved in advance on a specific project basis during the year. Examples of such projects include acquisition due diligence and tax assistance engagements.  Where approval in advance by the Audit Committee is not practical due to time constraints, management provides a written description of the engagement to the Chairman of the Audit Committee and obtains the Chairman’s approval prior to proceeding with the engagement.  Ratification of such services by the full Audit Committee is obtained at the next scheduled Audit Committee meeting. The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm provides a summary of audit and other services and related fees to the Audit Committee at each of its regularly scheduled Committee meetings. The summary includes total estimated fees for each individual project.  The Audit Committee also considered whether the provision of non-audit services by PwC is compatible with maintaining the independence of PwC.


CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

Transactions with related persons are subject to review and approval by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors.  Written policies and procedures relative to the identification of related party transactions are contained in the Company’s Code of Conduct, and the Committee reviews and evaluates each such transaction based on the specific facts and circumstances involved.






 
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COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT

Based solely upon a review of Forms 3 and 4 and amendments thereto, if any, furnished to the Company during its most recent year and representations from reporting persons that no Forms 5 were required, all forms were timely filed.filed under Section 16(a).


SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 20142015 ANNUAL MEETING

Shareholders may make proposals for inclusion in the proxy statement and proxy form for the 20142015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.  To be considered for inclusion, any such proposal should be written and mailed to the Secretary of the Company at the corporate office for receipt by September 24, 2013.23, 2014.

Section 2.09 of the By-laws of the Company requires that any shareholder intending to present a proposal for action at an Annual Meeting must give written notice of the proposal, containing the information specified in such Section 2.09, so that it is received by the Company not later than the notice deadline determined under such Section 2.09.  This notice deadline will generally be 75 days prior to the anniversary of the Company's Annual Meeting for the previous year, or December 7, 20135, 2014 for the Company's Annual Meeting in 2014.2015.  Any shareholder proposal received by the Secretary of the Company after December 7, 20135, 2014 will be considered untimely under Rule 14a-4(c)(1) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.


OTHER MATTERS

The cost of soliciting proxies in the accompanying form will be paid by the Company.   Shareholder votes at the Annual Meeting will be tabulated by the Company's transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A.  A copy of the Company's Annual Report for 20122013 has previously been mailed to each shareholder of record, or will be mailed with this Proxy Statement.


                                                                                     By Order of The Board of Directors
 
 


                                  ��                                                   Steven F. Nicola
                                                                                     Corporate Secretary

 






 
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Exhibit A

MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

2012 EQUITY INCENTIVE2014 DIRECTOR FEE PLAN


SECTION 1

Purpose; Definitions
Purposes; Reservation of Shares

1.1(a)           PurposePurposes.  The purposes of the 2012 Equity Incentive2014 Director Fee Plan (the "Plan"“Plan”) are to encourage eligible employees of Matthews International Corporation (the "Corporation") and its Subsidiaries to increase their efforts to make the Corporation and each Subsidiary more successful, to provide an additional inducement for such employees to remain with the Corporation or a Subsidiary, to reward such employees by providing an opportunity to acquire shares of Common Stock on favorable terms and to provide a means through which the Corporation may attract able persons to enter the employ of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries.are:
 
1.2Certain Definitions.  In addition to terms defined herein in the first place where they are used, the following terms are defined as set forth below:
(1)to provide for each Director of Matthews International Corporation (the “Corporation”) who is not also an employee of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries (“Director”) the payment of retainer fees and, in the case of a Director who is Chairperson (the “NE Chairperson”), an additional retainer fee for future services to be performed by such Director (“Director Fees”) as a member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) in cash or in shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Corporation (“Common Stock”) and, in the case of payment to the Directors of the Director Fees in shares of Common Stock, to increase the identification of interests between such Directors and the shareholders of the Corporation;
 
(a)           “Award” means a stock option, a stock appreciation right, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance units or other stock-based award granted under the Plan.
(2)to provide current payment in cash (or if a Director shall elect to defer receipt, future payment in shares of Common Stock) to each Director (except the NE Chairperson shall only be entitled to the fees, if any, in (a) and (e)) for:
 
(b)           “Base Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.3.
(a)  fees, if any, paid for attendance at meetings of the Board (“Board Meeting Fees”);
 
(c)           "Common Stock" shall mean the Class A Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Corporation.
(b)  fees, if any, paid to Directors for attendance at meetings of Committees of the Board (“Committee Meeting Fees”);
 
(d)           “Fair Market Value” with respect to a share of the Common Stock shall mean the mean between the following prices, as applicable, for the date as of which Fair Market Value is to be determined as quoted in such reliable publication as the Committee, in its sole discretion, may  determine to rely upon:  (i) if the Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the highest and lowest sales prices per share of the Common Stock as quoted in the NYSE-Composite Transactions listing for such date, (ii) if the Common Stock is not listed on such exchange, the highest and lowest sales prices per share of Common Stock for such date on (or on any composite index including) the NASDAQ Exchange or the principal United States of America securities exchange registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”) on which the Common Stock is listed.  If there are no such sale price quotations for the date as of which Fair Market Value is to be determined but there are such sale price quotations within a reasonable period both before and after such date, then Fair Market Value shall be determined by taking a weighted average of the means between the highest and lowest sales prices per share of the Common Stock as so quoted on the nearest date before and the nearest date after the date as of which Fair Market Value is to be determined.  The average should be weighted inversely by the respective numbers of trading days between the selling dates and the date as of which Fair Market Value is to be determined.  If there are no such sale price quotations on or within a reasonable period both before and after the date as of which Fair Market Value is to be determined, then Fair Market Value of the Common Stock shall be the weighted average of the means between such bona fide bid and asked prices on the nearest trading date before and the nearest trading date after the date as of which Fair Market Value is to be determined, if both such dates are within a reasonable period.  The average is to be determined in the manner described above in this definition.  If the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock cannot be determined on the basis previously set forth in this definition on the date as of which Fair Market Value is to be determined, the Committee shall in good faith and in conformance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, to the extent applicable to an Award, determine the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on such date.  Fair Market Value shall be determined without regard to any restriction other than a restriction which, by its terms, will never lapse.
(c)  annual retainer fees paid to the Chairperson of a Committee (“Committee Chairperson Retainer Fees”);
(d)  annual retainer fees paid to any Lead Director of the Board of Directors (“Lead Director Fees”); and
(e)  fees, if any, paid to a Director for attendance at the annual shareholders’ meeting of the Corporation (“Shareholders’ Meeting Fees”) (subsections (a)-(e)); and
(3)
to increase the identification of interests between the Directors and the shareholders of the Corporation by permitting the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board or a Stock Compensation Subcommittee of the Committee (the “Subcommittee”) to award restricted stock, nonstatutory stock options and/or stock appreciation rights to each Director on the fifteenth (15th) business day after the annual shareholders’ meeting of the Corporation.
 
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(e)           “Free-Standing SARs” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.2.
(f)           “Participant” means an eligible employee selected by the Committee who has received an Award underFor purposes of the Plan, and any transferee or transferees of such employee to the extent the transfer is permitted under the Plan.
(g)           “Performance Goals” means the performance goals, if any, established by the Committee in connection with the grant of restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance units or other Awards.  In the case of Qualified Performance-Based Awards, the “Performance Goals” means such performance goals based on one or more of the following:
(i)The following criteria for the Corporation on a consolidated basis, one or more of its direct or indirect Subsidiaries, and/or one or more divisions of the foregoing, either in absolute terms or relative to the performance of (x) the Corporation, its Subsidiaries or divisions (for a different period), (y) one or more other companies or (z) an index covering multiple companies:
1.
net income
2.
net income growth
3.
economic value added (earnings less a capital charge)
4.
EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) or adjusted EBITDA
5.
sales
6.
revenue growth
7.
costs
8.
expenses
9.
gross margin
10.
operating margin
11.
pre-tax profit or income
12.
market share
13.
return on net assets
14.
return on assets
15.
return on capital
16.
return on invested capital
17.
cash flow
18.
free cash flow
19.
operating cash flow
20.
operating income
21.
EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes)
22.
debt to earnings (including EBITDA and EBIT)
23.
working capital
24.
working capital as a percent of sales
25.
performance versus budgeted amounts
26.
innovation as measured by a percentage of sales from new products
27.
environmental emissions improvement
28.
workforce diversity
29.
safety performance
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(ii)The following criteria for the Corporation, either in absolute terms or relative to the performance of the Corporation (for a different period), one or more other companies or an index covering multiple companies:

1.stock price
2.return on shareholders’ equity
3.earnings per share (basic, diluted, GAAP or non-GAAP)
4.cash flow per share
5.total shareholder return (stock price appreciation plus dividends)

(h)           “Qualified Performance-Based Award” means an Award intended to qualify for the Section 162(m) Exemption, as provided in Section 12.
(i)           "Subsidiary"term “Subsidiary means any corporation partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity in an unbroken chain of entitiescorporations beginning with the Corporation, if each of the entitiescorporations other than the last entitycorporation in the unbroken chain owns an equity intereststock possessing at least fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other entitiescorporations in the chain.
(j)           “Tandem SARs”  As used hereinafter, the term “Committee shall havemean either the meaning set forth in Section 5.2.

SECTION 2

Administration

2.1.           Committee.  The Plan shall be administered by aNominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the "Committee") appointedor the Subcommittee, if the Subcommittee is authorized by the Board of Directors ofto act under this Plan provided, however, that the Corporation (the "Board") and consisting of not less than two members of the Board, who, at the time of their appointment to the Committee and at all times during their service as members of the Committee are (a) "Non-Employee Directors" as then defined undermust be composed solely of two or more “non-employee directors” in accordance with Rule 16b-316b-3(d) under the 1934 Act, or any successor rule, (b) "outside directors" under Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the “Code”) or any successor provision, and (c) independent directors under the applicable rules of any applicable stock exchange, if the Common Stock is subject to such rules.  The Committee shall have plenary authority to interpret the Plan and prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures in connection with the operations of the Plan as it shall deem to be necessary and advisable for the administration of the Plan consistent with the purposes of the Plan.  Without limitation of the foregoing, the Committee shall have the authority, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan:
(a)to select the employees to whom Awards may be made;Act.
 
(b)           to determine whether and to what extent incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance units, other AwardsReservation of or based upon Common Stock, or any combination thereof, are to be granted hereunder;Shares
(c)to determine.  Except as otherwise provided in this Section 1(b), the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock towhich may be covered by each Award made hereunder;
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(d)to determine the terms and conditions of each Award made hereunder, based on such factors as the Committee shall determine;
(e)subject to Section 2.5, to modify, amend or adjust the terms and conditions of any Award;
(f)to adopt, alter and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan as it shall from time to time deem advisable;
(g)to interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Awardissued under the Plan (and any agreement under Section 2.5 relating thereto);
(h)subjector credited to Section 2.5, to accelerate the vesting or lapse of restrictions on any outstanding Award, other than a Qualified Performance-Based Award, based in each case on such considerations as the Committee in its sole discretion determines;
(i)to decide all other matters that must be determined in connection with an Award;
(j)to determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances cash, shares of CommonDeferred Stock and other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award under this Plan shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the employee;
(k)to establish any “blackout” period that the Committee in its sole discretion deems necessary or advisable; and
(l)to otherwise administer the Plan.
In determining any Award to be made to any eligible employee, the Committee shall consider the position and the responsibilities of the employee being considered, the nature and value to the Corporation or a Subsidiary of his or her services, his or her present and/or potential contribution to the success of the Corporation or a Subsidiary and such other factors as the Committee may deem relevant.  The Committee may, except to the extent prohibited by applicable law or the listing standards of the stock exchange which is the principal marketCompensation Accounts for the Common Stock, allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one or more of its members and may delegate all or any part of its responsibilities and powers to any officers of the Corporation or committee of officers of the Corporation selected by it, except with respect to Awards (including Qualified Performance-Based Awards) to any covered employees as defined in Section 162(m)(3) of the Code (“Covered Employees”) or persons subject to Section 16 of the 1934 Act.
2.2.           Committee Action.  The Committee shall keep records of action taken at its meetings.  A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum at any meeting and the acts of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, or acts approved in writing by all members of the Committee, shall be the acts of the Committee.
2.3           Committee Discretion.  Any determination made by the Committee or by an appropriately delegated officer pursuant to delegated authority under the provisions of the Plan with respect to any Award shall be made in the sole discretion of the Committee or such officer at the time of the Award or, unless in contravention of any express term of the Plan, at any time thereafter. All decisions made by the Committee or any appropriately delegated officer pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final and binding on all persons, including the Corporation and the employees eligible under the Plan.
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2.4           Cancellation; Suspension; Clawback.  Any or all outstanding Awards to a Participant may, at any time between the date of grant and the third anniversary of any exercise, payment or vesting of such Awards, in the Committee’s sole discretion and subject to such terms and conditions established by the Committee, be cancelled, suspended, or required to be repaid to the Corporation if the Participant (whether during or after termination of employment with the Corporation and its Subsidiaries) (i) engages in the operation or management of a business (whether as owner, partner, officer, director, employee or otherwise) which is in competition with the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) induces or attempts to induce any customer, supplier, licensee or other individual, corporation or other business organization having a business relationship with the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries to cease doing business with the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries or in any way interferes with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee or other person and the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) solicits any employee of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries to leave the employment thereof or in any way interferes with the relationship of such employee with the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) makes any statements or comments, orally or in writing, of a defamatory or disparaging nature regarding the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries (including but not limited to regarding any of their respective businesses, officers, directors, personnel, products or policies), provided, however, that this sentence shall not apply following the occurrence of a Section 11 Event (as defined in Section 11) unless the agreement under Section 2.5 specifically so provides.  Whether a Participant has engaged in any such activities shall also be determined, in its sole discretion, by the Committee, and any such determination by the Committee shall be final and binding.
2.5           Agreements.  The terms and conditions of each Award shall be set forth in a written (or electronic) agreement, which shall be delivered to the Participant receiving such Award upon, or as promptly as is reasonably practicable following, the making of such Award.  The effectiveness of an Award shall be subject to the agreement being signed by the Corporation and the Participant receiving the Award unless otherwise provided in the agreement.  Unless otherwise provided in the agreement, each agreement or amendment thereto shall be executed on behalf of the Corporation by the Chief Executive Officer (if other than the President), the President or any Vice President and by the Participant.  The agreement confirming a stock option shall specify whether the stock option is an incentive stock option or a nonstatutory stock option.  The provisions of such agreements need not be identical.  Without the consent of the Participant, upon notice to the Participant thereof, the Committee may amend any Award to the Participant and the corresponding agreement in any respect not materially adverse to the Participant.  All other amendments to the agreement shall be in writing (including electronic amendments) and executed on behalf of the Corporation and by the Participant.  Any reference in the Plan to the agreement under Section 2.5 shall include any amendment to such agreement.

SECTION 3

Eligibility

Those employees of the Corporation or any Subsidiary (including, but not limited to, Covered Employees) who share responsibility for the management, growth or protection of the business of the Corporation or any Subsidiary shall be eligible to receive Awards as described herein, provided however, that incentive stock options may be granted only to employees of the Corporation and Subsidiaries which are its subsidiaries within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code.
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SECTION 4

Shares Subject to the Plan

4.1           Number of Shares.  Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.5, the maximum aggregate number of shares of the Common Stock for which Awards may be madesubsequent issuance under the Plan shall be 2,500,000 shares.  The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be granted pursuantis limited to options intended to be incentive stock options shall be 1,000,000 shares.
4.2           Individual Limit.  The maximum number of shares of Common Stock as to which Awards other than performance units under Section 8 or Awards under Section 9 may be made under the Plan to any one Participant in any one calendar year is 250,000hundred fifty thousand (150,000) shares, subject to adjustment and substitution as set forth in Section 4.5.  For12 hereof.  Shares issued under the purposes of this limitation,Plan may be authorized but unissued shares or shares previously issued and thereafter acquired by the Corporation or partly each, as shall be determined from time to time by the Board.  If any adjustmentstock option or substitution made pursuant to Section 4.5 in a calendar year with respect to the maximum number of shares set forth in the preceding sentence shall also be made with respect to any shares subject to Awards previouslystock appreciation right granted under the Plan to such Participantis cancelled by mutual consent, forfeited, or terminates or expires for any reason without having been exercised in the same calendar year.
4.3  
Share Counting.
(a)           For purposes of the limit set forth in the first sentence of Section 4.1 (but not for purposes of Section 4.2), each share of Common Stock which is subject to an Award other than a stock optionfull, or a stock appreciation right shall be counted as two (2) shares rather than one (1) share, provided, however, that in case of performance units, shares of Common Stock shall be counted as two (2) shares rather than one (1) share for each actual share issued only at the time, if any ofrestricted shares awarded under the actual issuancePlan are forfeited, the number of shares pursuant to the performance unit Award.
(b)           Exceptsubject thereto, in the case of performance unit Awards (wherestock options or stock appreciation rights, or the number of shares forfeited, in the case of Common Stock are counted only upon actual issuance of therestricted shares, pursuant to Section 4.3(a)) to the extent that any Award is forfeited, or any option and the Tandem SAR (if any) or any Free-Standing SAR terminates, expires or lapses without being exercised, or any Award is settled for cash, the shares of Common Stock subject to such Awards shall again be available for Awards underall purposes of the Plan under Section 4.1.  However,Plan.  In addition to the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such Awards shall continue to be countedauthorized for purposesissuance or crediting by the first sentence of this Section 4.2 or Section 9, as applicable.
(c)           If1(b), the exercise price of any option and/or the tax withholding obligations relating to any Awards are satisfied by delivering shares (either actually or through attestation) or withholding shares relating to such Award, the gross number of shares subject to the Award shall nonetheless be deemed to have been granted for purposes of Sections 4.1 and 4.2 and any shares which are delivered will not be added to the aggregate number of shares under Section 4.1 for which Awards may be made under the Plan.
(d)           If a Tandem SAR is granted, each share of Common Stock subjectwhich are surrendered (or to bothwhich ownership has been certified) in full or partial payment to the Tandem SAR and related stockCorporation of the option shall be counted as only one shareprice of Common Stock for purposes of Sections 4.1 and 4.2.
(e)           Each share of Common Stock subject to a stock option (with or without a Tandem SAR) or a Free-Standing SARgranted under the Plan shall be counted as one share of Common Stockavailable for all purposes of Sections 4.1 and 4.2.
(f)the Plan.  All shares of Common Stock covered by a stock appreciation right, to the extent it is exercised and shares of Common Stock are actually issued upon exercise of the right, shall be counted, for purposes of Sections 4.1 and 4.2, regardless of the number of shares used to settle the stock appreciation right upon exercise.
 
SECTION 2
Eligibility
Any non-employee Director of the Corporation who is separately compensated in the form of Director Fees or Meeting Fees for services on the Board shall be eligible to participate in the Plan.
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SECTION 3
Payment of Director Fees in Cash or Common Stock
(a)           Current Payment.  Subject to the provisions of Section 3(b) hereof, on the fifteenth (15th) business day following the annual meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation (each such date of payment referred to as a “Payment Date”), each Director as of that date shall receive payment of Director Fees by:
(i)the payment to the Director of cash of sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) and, in the case of the NE Chairperson, an additional seventy thousand dollars ($70,000) (or such other amounts determined by the Board or by any committee of the Board which the Board authorizes to determine such amounts) (the “Retainer Fee Amount”); or
(ii)the issuance to the Director of a number of whole shares of Common Stock equal to the Retainer Fee Amount divided by the Fair Market Value of one share of the Common Stock, as defined in Section 15 hereof, on such Payment Date (rounded upward to the next whole share).
Subject to the provisions of Section 3(b) hereof, each Director who first becomes a Director after a Payment Date and before the next annual meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation after such Payment Date shall, on the fifteenth (15th) business day following such Director’s election as a Director (the “Interim Payment Date”), receive payment of Director Fees by payment to the Director of a Pro-Rata Portion (as defined below) of the Retainer Fee Amount paid to non-NE Chairperson Directors on the immediately preceding Payment Date (in cash or in shares of Common Stock, as the case may be).  The Pro-Rata Portion of such Retainer Fee Amount to be paid to such new Director shall equal such Retainer Fee Amount times a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of meetings of the Directors scheduled between the date of such Director’s election and the date of the next annual meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation (excluding any Directors’ meeting on the date of such annual meeting), and the denominator of which shall be the total number of meetings of the Directors (actual and scheduled) between the date of the last annual meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation (including any Director’s meeting on the date of such annual meeting) and the date of the next annual meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation (excluding any Directors’ meeting on the date of such annual meeting).  The Committee shall determine by November 30 of each year whether Director Fees will be paid in cash or in shares of Common Stock to the Directors in the following calendar year.  Unless the Committee otherwise determines and communicates such determination to the Directors by November 30 of the year immediately preceding the year of payment, the Directors Fees shall be paid in shares of Common Stock.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Director Fees are to be paid in cash, a Director may elect to receive payment of the Director Fees in shares and shall receive a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Retainer Fee Amount (or a Pro-Rata Portion of the Retainer Fee Amount, as the case may be) divided by the Fair Market Value of one share of the Common Stock, as defined in Section 15 hereof, on the Payment Date (or the Interim Payment Date, as the case may be) (rounded upward to the next whole share) (a “Current Stock Election”).  Such election shall be made by filing a Notice of Election with the Secretary of the Corporation in the form prescribed by the Corporation.
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(b)           Stock Deferral Election.  Regardless of whether Director Fees are to be paid in either cash or shares of Common Stock, each Director may elect to defer the receipt of Director Fees in shares of Common Stock for a calendar year (a “Stock Deferral Election”) by filing a Notice of Election with the Secretary of the Corporation in the form prescribed by the Corporation.
(c)           Election Procedures.  Except as provided in the next succeeding sentence, both a Current Stock Election and a Stock Deferral Election (collectively, “Director Fee Elections”) shall be effective on January 1 of the year following the date on which the Notice of Election is filed.  Director Fee Elections shall be effective on the date on which the Notice of Election is filed with respect to Director Fees payable after the time of a person’s initial election to the office of Director, or any subsequent re-election if immediately prior thereto such person was not serving as a Director, provided (i) the Director files such Notice of Election within ten (10) business days subsequent to being elected or re-elected as a Director and (ii) a Stock Deferral Election shall only be effective for Director Fees payable for services performed after the Notice of Election is filed.  Director Fee Elections shall apply to all Director Fees otherwise payable while such Director Fee Election is effective.  Each Director may terminate a Current Stock Election and receive current payment of Director Fees in cash (where the Committee has elected to pay Director Fees in cash) and may terminate a Stock Deferral Election and receive current shares of Common Stock or cash (where the Committee has elected to pay Director Fees in cash) by filing a Notice of Termination with the Secretary of the Corporation in the form prescribed by the Corporation, which shall be effective on January 1 of the year following the date on which a Notice of Termination is filed.  A Director Fee Election shall continue in effect until the effective date of any Notice of Termination.  Director Fee Elections may be made by a Director even if such Director has not made a Meeting Fee Deferral Election (as defined below).
(d)           Evidence of Shares.  As of the date on which the Director Fees are payable in shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 3(a) hereof or, if a Stock Deferral Election was made, pursuant to Sections 5 and 6 hereof, (i) the Corporation, at its sole discretion, shall either issue share certificates to the Director for the shares of Common Stock received under the Plan or cause such shares to be registered in the name of the Director on any book-entry registration maintained by the Corporation or its transfer agent, and (ii) the Director shall be a shareholder of the Corporation with respect to any such shares.

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SECTION 4
Payment of Meeting Fees
(a)           Current Cash Payment.  Subject to the provisions of Sections 4(b) and 4(c) hereof, each Director shall receive payment of Meeting Fees in cash in the following amounts (or such other amounts determined by the Board or by any committee of the Board which the Board authorizes to determine such amounts), except that the NE Chairperson shall only be entitled to Board Meeting Fees and Shareholder’s Meeting Fees, if any:
Board Meeting Fees:None
Committee Meeting Fees:None
Committee Chairperson Retainer Fees:$7,500 (or $12,000 in the case of the Audit Committee Chairperson) for a year of service as a Committee Chairperson
Lead Director Fees, if a Lead Director is elected:$5,000 for a year of service as the Lead Director.
Shareholders’ Meeting Fees:None
Except as set forth in Sections 4(b) and 4(c) hereof, each Director shall receive payment of Meeting Fees, if any, (other than Committee Chairperson Retainer Fees and Lead Director Fees) to which the Director is entitled within ten (10) business days following the meeting with respect to which such fees are payable.  Except as set forth in Sections 4(b) and 4(c) hereof, each Committee Chairperson shall receive payment of Committee Chairperson Retainer Fees and the Lead Director, if any, shall receive payment of the Lead Director Fees on the fifteenth (15th) business day following the person’s annual election or re-election to such position.  The amount and time of payment of Meeting Fees may be changed from time to time by the Board in its sole discretion through a duly adopted Board resolution.
(b)           Deferred Payment of Meeting Fees.  Each Director may elect to receive all Meeting Fees for a calendar year in shares of Common Stock rather than cash, as set forth in Section 4(c) hereof, provided the Director elects to defer the receipt of such shares of Common Stock (a “Meeting Fee Deferral Election”).  A Meeting Fee Deferral Election may be made only by filing a Notice of Election with the Secretary of the Corporation in the form prescribed by the Corporation, and shall be effective for meetings, and, if applicable, Committee Chairperson Retainer Fees or Lead Director Fees payable, on and after January 1 of the year following the date on which the Notice of Election is filed; provided, however, that a Meeting Fee Deferral Election shall be effective on the date on which the Notice of Election is filed after the time of a person’s initial election, or any subsequent re-election, to the office of Director with respect to Meeting Fees and, if applicable, Committee Chairperson Retainer Fees or Lead Director Fees, payable for services performed after the Meeting Fee Deferral Election is filed if (A) immediately prior thereto such person was not serving as a Director, and (B) such Notice of Election is filed within ten (10) business days subsequent to such person being elected or re-elected as a Director.  A Meeting Fee Deferral Election shall apply to all Meeting Fees which would otherwise be payable for meetings held while such Meeting Fee Deferral Election is effective. 
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 A Director may terminate a Meeting Fee Deferral Election only by filing a Notice of Termination with the Secretary of the Corporation in the form prescribed by the Corporation, which Notice of Termination shall be effective for meetings and, if applicable, Committee Chairperson Retainer Fees or Lead Director Fees payable on and after January 1 of the year following the date on which a Notice of Termination is filed.  A Meeting Fee Deferral Election shall continue in effect until the effective date of any Notice of Termination, after which the Meeting Fees shall be payable in accordance with Section 4(a) hereof.  A Meeting Fee Deferral Election may be made by a Director even if such Director has not made a Current Stock Election or a Stock Deferral Election.  A Meeting Fee Deferral Election shall apply to all but not less than all Meeting Fees.
(c)           Deferred Meeting Fees Credited in Shares of Common Stock.  Each Director who has made a Meeting Fee Deferral Election effective for Meeting Fees otherwise payable in cash for a calendar year shall receive a credit to a Deferred Stock Compensation Account (as defined in Section 5(a) hereof) in the name of such Director on the first Payment Date following such calendar year.  Such credit shall be a number of shares of Common Stock (including fractional shares to at least two decimal places) equal to (i) the aggregate amount of all Meeting Fees subject to such Meeting Fee Deferral Election otherwise payable during such calendar year to such Director in cash under Section 4(a) hereof if no Meeting Fee Deferral Election had been made, divided by (ii) the Fair Market Value of one share of the Common Stock, as defined in Section 15 hereof, on such Payment Date.  No interest or other amount shall be paid or credited to a Director notwithstanding that Meeting Fees which otherwise would have been payable under Section 4(a) hereof in cash are not reflected as a credit to such Deferred Stock Compensation Account until the Payment Date.
(d)           Evidence of Shares.  If a Meeting Fee Deferral Election was made, then as of the date on which the Meeting Fees are payable in shares of Common Stock pursuant to Sections 5 and 6 hereof, (i) the Corporation, at its sole discretion, shall either issue share certificates to the Director for the shares of Common Stock received under the Plan or cause such shares to be registered in the name of the Director on any book-entry registration maintained by the Corporation or its transfer agent, and (ii) the Director shall be a shareholder of the Corporation with respect to any such shares.
SECTION 5
Deferred Stock Compensation Account
(a)           General.  The amount of any Director Fees or Meeting Fees deferred in accordance with a Stock Deferral Election or a Meeting Fee Deferral Election shall be credited to a deferred stock compensation account maintained by the Corporation in the name of the Director (a “Deferred Stock Compensation Account”).  A separate Deferred Stock Compensation Account shall be maintained for each amount of deferred Director Fees or Meeting Fees for which a Director has elected a different payment option or as otherwise determined by the Committee.  Separate Deferred Stock Compensation Accounts shall be maintained for deferred Director Fees or Meeting Fees under the Plan as opposed to those under the 1994 Director Fee Plan, as amended.  On each Payment Date or Interim Payment Date that a Stock Deferral Election is effective for a Director or on which a credit to a Deferred Stock Compensation Account is to be made under Section 4(c) hereof pursuant to a Meeting Fee Deferral Election, the Director’s Deferred Stock Compensation Account(s) shall be credited on the Payment Date or Interim Payment Date with the number of shares of Common Stock (including fractional shares to at least two decimal places) which (i) otherwise would have been payable to the Director under Section 3(a) hereof on such Payment Date or Interim Payment Date if the Director Fees had been payable to the Director in shares of Common Stock, whether the Director Fees were payable in cash or in shares of Common Stock, and/or (ii) are to be so credited in accordance with Section 4(c) hereof.  
 
 
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4.4           CommonThe Deferred Stock.  To Compensation Account of a Director shall be charged on the extent that the Corporation has suchdate of distribution with any distribution of shares of Common Stock availablemade to it and can issuethe Director from such Account pursuant to Section 5(b) hereof.  If a dividend or distribution is paid on the Common Stock in cash or property other than Common Stock, on the date of payment of the dividend or distribution to holders of the Common Stock the Corporation shall pay to a Director a) an amount (in cash or property other than Common Stock, as the case may be) equal to the dividend or distribution which would have been paid on the number of shares, if any, of the Common Stock (including fractional shares) credited to such Director’s Deferred Stock Compensation Account as of the date fixed for determining the shareholders entitled to receive such distribution, as if such shares without violating any law or regulation,of the Corporation will reserve Common Stock for issuance with respecthad been issued and outstanding on such date less b) any taxes required to an Award payablebe withheld on such amount, including but not limited to any taxes required to be withheld due to the characterization of such amount as wages or compensation.
(b)Manner of Payment.  The balance of a Director’s Deferred Stock Compensation Account will be paid in Common Stock.  The shares of Common Stock to the Director or, in the event of the Director’s death, to the Director’s Beneficiary as defined in Section 5(c) hereof.
(i)  
Elections.  For Stock Deferral Elections and Meeting Fee Deferral Elections, a Director may elect at the time of filing the Notice of Election for a Stock Deferral Election or a Meeting Fee Deferral Election to receive payment of the shares of Common Stock credited to the Director’s Deferred Stock Compensation Account, in whole or in part, as follows (except as otherwise provided in Sections 6(b) and 6(c) hereof, if applicable):
(A)  In a lump sum on April 1 (or if April 1 is not a business day, on the immediately preceding business day) of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Director first separates from service with the Corporation under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or any successor section, upon or after ceasing to be a member of the Board for any reason, including by reason of death or disability (the “Separation from Service Payment Commencement Date”);
(B)  In two to five annual installments commencing on the Separation From Service Payment Commencement Date and continuing on the same date (or if such date is not a business day, on the immediately preceding business day) in the calendar year(s) thereafter;
(C)  In a lump sum on April 1 (or if April 1 is not a business day, on the immediately preceding business day) of the calendar year specified by the Director at the time of filing of such Notice of Election (the “Designated Payment Commencement Date”);
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(D)  In two to five annual installments commencing on the Designated Payment Commencement Date and continuing on the same date (or if such date is not a business day, on the immediately preceding business day) in the calendar year(s) thereafter; or
(E)  
If earlier than the date on which payment would be received under (A)-(D) of this Section 5(b)(i), in a lump sum or in two to five annual installments, with payment commencing on the sixtieth (60th) day (or if such date is not a business day, on the immediately preceding business day) following the death of the Director or following the date on which the Director becomes disabled (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) and continuing on the same date (or if such date is not a business day, on the immediately preceding business day) in the calendar year(s) thereafter.
(ii)  
Installment Payments.  In any case where payments are made in installments, the number of shares of Common Stock distributed in each installment shall be determined by multiplying (A) the number of shares of Common Stock in the Deferred Stock Compensation Account on the date of payment of such installment, by (B) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is the number of remaining unpaid installments, and by rounding such result down to the nearest whole number of shares.  The balance of the number of shares of Common Stock in the Deferred Stock Compensation Account shall be appropriately reduced in accordance with Section 5(a) hereof to reflect the installment payments made hereunder.  Shares of Common Stock remaining in a Deferred Stock Compensation Account pending distribution pursuant to this Section 5(b) shall be subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 12 hereof.
(iii)  
General.  If a lump sum payment or the final installment payment hereunder would result in the issuance of a fractional share of Common Stock, such fractional share shall not be issued and cash in lieu of such fractional share shall be paid to the Director based on the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock, as defined in Section 15 hereof, on the date immediately preceding the date of such payment.  The Corporation, at its sole discretion, shall either issue share certificates to the Director, or the Director’s Beneficiary, for the shares of Common Stock distributed hereunder or cause such shares to be registered in the name of the Director, or the Director’s Beneficiary, on any book-entry registration maintained by the Corporation or its transfer agent.  As of the date on which the Director is entitled to receive payment of shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Section 5(b) hereof, a Director or the Director’s Beneficiary shall be a shareholder of the Corporation with respect to such shares.
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(c)           Director’s Beneficiary.  The Director’s Beneficiary means any beneficiary or beneficiaries (who may be named contingently or successively) named by a Director under the Plan to whom any benefit under the Plan is to be paid in the case of his or her death before he or she receives any or all of such benefit.  Each such designation shall revoke all prior designations by the same Director, shall be in a form prescribed by the Committee, and will be effective only when filed by the Director in writing with the Secretary of the Corporation during the Director’s lifetime.  In the absence of such a designation, Director’s Beneficiary means the person designated by the Director in the Director’s Will, or, if the Director fails to make a testamentary disposition of the shares or dies intestate, to the person entitled to receive the shares pursuant to the laws of descent and distribution of the state of domicile of the Director at the time of death.
SECTION 6
Other Payment Commencement Dates
(a)           General.  If, in the case of a Meeting Fee Deferral Election, the first amount credited to a particular Deferred Stock Compensation Account with respect to such Director is credited after the relevant payment commencement date specified in Section 5(b) hereof or any amount is credited to such a Deferred Stock Compensation Account after a lump sum payment has been made pursuant to Section 5(b) hereof from such Deferred Stock Compensation Account, payment of shares credited to such Deferred Stock Compensation Account shall be made or commence on the April 1 (or if April 1 is not a business day, on the immediately preceding business day) following the date on which the shares are so credited.
(b)           Delay in Payment.  Notwithstanding Section 5(b) hereof and except as otherwise provided in Section 6(c) hereof, a Director may irrevocably elect, by filing a Notice of Election with the Secretary of the Corporation in the form prescribed by the Corporation, to commence payment on a date later than the date specified under Section 5(b) hereof provided that:
(i)  Such election must be made at least twelve (12) months prior to the date on which payments otherwise would have commenced pursuant to the election under Section 5(b) hereof; and
(ii)  The payment commencement date specified in such election under this Section 6(b) must be not less than five (5) years from the date on which payments otherwise would have commenced pursuant to the election under Section 5(b) hereof.
The provisions of this Section 6(b) are intended to comply with Section 409A(4)(C) of the Code, or any successor section, and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
(c)           Section 6(c) Event.  Notwithstanding Sections 5(b) and 6(b) hereof, effective for Director Fees and Meeting Fees payable (but for any deferral elections) on and after January 1 of the year following the date on which the Notice of Election is filed, a Director may irrevocably elect, by filing a Notice of Election with the Secretary of the Corporation in a form prescribed by the Corporation, to receive payment of all shares of Common Stock credited to the Director’s Deferred Stock Compensation Account with respect to such Director Fees and Meeting Fees, upon the earlier of when payment would be made pursuant to the election under Section 5(b) or 6(b) hereof or in a lump sum immediately following the occurrence of any Section 6(c) Event, as defined below (a “Section 6(c) Event Election”).  
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A Section 6(c) Event Election shall be effective on the date on which it is filed with respect to Director Fees and Meeting Fees payable (but for any deferral elections) after the time of a person’s initial election to the office of Director, or any subsequent re-election if immediately prior thereto such person was not serving as a Director, provided (i) the Director files such Section 6(c) Event Election within ten (10) business days subsequent to being elected or re-elected as a Director and (ii) a Section 6(c) Event Election shall only be effective for Director Fees and Meeting Fees payable for services performed after the Section 6(c) Event Election is filed.  A Director may terminate a Section 6(c) Event Election only by filing a Notice of Termination of Section 6(c) Event Election with the Secretary of the Corporation in the form prescribed by the Corporation, which shall be effective for Director Fees and Meeting Fees payable (but for any deferral elections) on and after January 1 of the year following the date on which such Notice of Termination of Section 6(c) Event Election is filed.  If payments from a Director’s Deferred Stock Compensation Account have previously commenced at the time of a Section 6(c) Event which results in a permissible lump sum payment pursuant to this Section 6(c), for purposes of applying this Section 6(c) shares previously paid from the Director’s Deferred Stock Compensation Account shall be deemed to be from Director Fees and Meeting Fees not subject to a Section 6(c) Event Election, to the extent thereof.  A Section 6(c) Event shall mean the date upon which any event occurs which constitutes a change in the ownership or effective control of the Corporation or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Corporation under Section 409A of the Code or any successor section and Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5)(v)-(vii) thereunder or any successor section, provided that:
(i)The percentage specified in Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5)(v) (addressing the percentage change in the ownership of the total fair market value or voting power of the Corporation’s stock) shall be 50 percent and not a higher percentage;
(ii)The percentage specified in Treasury Regulation §1.409-3(i)(5)(vi)(A)(1) (addressing the percentage change in the ownership of the voting power of the Corporation’s stock) shall be 30 percent and not a higher percentage;
(iii)For purposes of Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5)(vi)(A)(2) (addressing a change in the effective control of the Corporation by virtue of a change in the composition of the Board), the words “a majority of the members of the corporation’s board of directors” shall not be replaced by a higher portion; and
(iv)The percentage specified in Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5)(vii)(A) (addressing the percentage change in the ownership of the Corporation’s assets) shall be 40 percent and not a higher percentage.
SECTION 7
Non-Alienability of Benefits
Except as may be required by law, neither the Director nor the Director’s Beneficiary shall have the right to, directly or indirectly, alienate, assign, transfer, pledge, anticipate or encumber (except by reason of death) any amounts or shares of Common Stock that are or may be payable hereunder, including but not limited to in respect of any liability of a Director or the Director’s Beneficiary for alimony or other payments for the support of a spouse, former spouse, child or other dependent, prior to such amount actually being received by the Director or the Director’s Beneficiary hereunder, nor shall any such amounts or shares be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment or garnishment by creditors of the Director or the Director’s Beneficiary or to the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements, or torts of any Director or Director’s Beneficiary, or transfer by operation of law in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency of the Director or the Director’s Beneficiary, or any legal process.
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SECTION 8
Nature of Deferred Stock Compensation Accounts
Any Deferred Stock Compensation Account shall be established and maintained only on the books and records of the Corporation.  No assets or funds of the Corporation, a Subsidiary or the Plan shall be removed from the claims of the Corporation’s or a Subsidiary’s general or judgment creditors or otherwise made available, and no shares of Common Stock of the Corporation to be issued pursuant to a Deferred Stock Compensation Account shall be issued or outstanding, until such amounts and shares are actually payable to a Director or a Director’s Beneficiary as provided herein.  The Plan constitutes a mere promise by the Corporation to make payments in the future.  Each Director and Director’s Beneficiary shall have the status of, and their rights to receive a payment of shares of Common Stock under the Plan shall be no greater than the rights of, general unsecured creditors of the Corporation.  No person shall be entitled to any voting rights with respect to shares credited to a Deferred Stock Compensation Account and not yet payable to a Director or the Director’s Beneficiary.  The Corporation shall not be obligated under any circumstances to fund any financial obligations under the Plan and the Plan is intended to constitute an unfunded plan for tax purposes.  However, the Corporation may, in its sole discretion, set aside funds in a trust or other vehicle, subject to the claims of its creditors, in order to assist it in meeting its obligations under the Plan, if:
(a)such arrangement will not cause the Plan to be considered a funded deferred compensation plan under the Code;
(b)any trust created by the Corporation, and any assets held by such trust to assist the Corporation in meeting its obligations under the Plan, will conform to the terms of the model trust, as described in Rev. Proc. 92-64, 1992-2 C.B. 422 or any successor; and
(c)such set aside of funds is not described in Section 409A(b) of the Code, or any successor provision.
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SECTION 9
Grant of Stock Options and Stock
Appreciation Rights And Award of Restricted Shares
The Committee shall have authority, in its sole discretion, (a) to grant “nonstatutory stock options” (i.e., stock options which do not qualify under Sections 422 and 423 of the Code), (b) to grant stock appreciation rights, and (c) to award restricted shares.  All grants and awards pursuant to this Section 9 shall be made on or to be effective on a Payment Date.  On or as of each Payment Date, the Committee shall grant or award to each Director on such Payment Date nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights and/or restricted shares with a total value of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) (or such other amount determined by the Board or by any committee of the Board which the Board authorizes to determine such amount).  The Committee shall determine in its sole discretion the portion of each grant and/or award to be comprised of nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted shares and the value of each.
SECTION 10
Terms and Conditions of
Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights
Stock options and stock appreciation rights granted under the Plan shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:
(A)  The purchase price at which each stock option may be exercised (the “option price”) and the base price at which each stock appreciation right may be granted (the “Base Price”) shall be such price as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine but shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per share of the Common Stock covered by the stock option or stock appreciation right on the date of grant.  For purposes of this Section 10, the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock shall be determined as provided in Section 15 hereof.  In no event may any stock option or stock appreciation right granted under this Plan, other than pursuant to Section 12, be amended to decrease the exercise price or Base Price thereof, be cancelled in conjunction with the grant of any new stock option or stock appreciation right with a lower exercise price or Base Price, be cancelled or repurchased for cash, property, or another award at a time when the exercise price or Base Price is greater than the Fair Market Value of the underlying Common Stock, or otherwise be subject to any action that would be treated, for accounting purposes, as a “repricing” of such stock option or stock appreciation right, unless such amendment, cancellation, or action is approved by the Corporation’s shareholders.
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(B)  The option price for each stock option shall be paid in full upon exercise and shall be payable in cash in United States dollars (including check, bank draft or money order), which may include cash forwarded through a broker or other agent-sponsored exercise or financing program;  provided, however, that in lieu of such cash the person exercising the stock option may if authorized by the Committee pay the option price in whole or in part by delivering to the Corporation shares of the Common Stock (by delivery of such shares or by attestation) not restricted under Section 11 and having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the stock option, determined as provided in Section 15 hereof, equal to the option price for the shares being purchased, except that any portion of the option price representing a fraction of a share shall in any event be paid in cash.  If the person exercising a stock option participates in a broker or other agent-sponsored exercise or financing program, the Corporation will cooperate with all reasonable procedures of the broker or other agent to permit participation by the person exercising the stock option in the exercise or financing program.  Notwithstanding any procedure of the broker or other agent-sponsored exercise or financing program, if the option price is paid in cash, the exercise of the stock option shall not be deemed to occur and no shares of the Common Stock will be issued until the Corporation has received full payment in cash (including check, bank draft or money order) for the option price from the broker or other agent.  To facilitate the foregoing, the Corporation may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, enter into agreements for coordinated procedures with one or more brokerage firms.  In the event the broker sells any shares on behalf of a Director, the broker shall be acting solely as the agent of the Director, and the Corporation disclaims any responsibility for the actions of the broker in making any such sales.  The date of exercise of a stock option shall be determined under procedures established by the Committee, and as of the date of exercise the person exercising the stock option shall be considered for all purposes to be the owner of the shares with respect to which the stock option has been exercised.
(C)  
Upon the exercise of stock appreciation rights the Corporation shall pay to the person exercising the stock appreciation rights a number of shares of the Common Stock with a Fair Market Value, as defined in Section 15 hereof, equal to the difference between the aggregate Fair Market Value, as defined in Section 15 hereof, of the Common Stock on the date of exercise of the stock appreciation rights and the aggregate Base Prices for the stock appreciation rights which are exercised (the “Spread”) (rounded down to the next whole number of shares).  No fractional shares of the Common Stock shall be issued nor shall cash in lieu of a fraction of a share of Common Stock be paid.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the sole discretion of the Committee, the Corporation may pay to the person exercising the stock appreciation rights an amount of cash, rather than shares of the Common Stock, equal to the Spread if and only if the payment of cash upon exercise of the stock appreciation rights would not cause the stock appreciation rights to provide for a deferral of compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.  The date of exercise of a stock appreciation right shall be determined under procedures established by the Committee.
(D)  Unless the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall otherwise determine and subject to the terms of Sections 10(G) and 10(H) hereof, stock options and stock appreciation rights shall be exercisable by a Director commencing on the second anniversary of the date of grant.  Subject to the terms of Sections 10(G) and 10(H) hereof providing for earlier termination of a stock option or stock appreciation right, no stock option or stock appreciation right shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten years from the date of grant.  Unless the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall otherwise determine, a stock option or stock appreciation right to the extent exercisable at any time may be exercised in whole or in part.
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(E)  Unless the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall otherwise determine:
(i)no stock option or stock appreciation right shall be transferable or assignable by the grantee otherwise than:
(a)  by Will; or
(b)if the grantee dies intestate, by the laws of descent and distribution of the state of domicile of the grantee at the time of death; or
(c)to the trustee of a trust that is revocable by the grantee alone, both at the time of the transfer or assignment and at all times thereafter prior to such grantee’s death; and
(ii)all stock options and stock appreciation rights shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the grantee only by the grantee (or the grantee’s guardian or legal representative) or by the trustee of a trust described in Section 10(E)(i)(c) hereof.
A transfer or assignment of a stock option or a stock appreciation right by a trustee of a trust described in Section 10(E)(i)(c) to any person other than the grantee shall be permitted only to the extent approved in advance by the Committee in writing, in its sole discretion and subject to applicable law.  Stock options or stock appreciation rights held by such trustee also shall be subject to all of the conditions and restrictions set forth in the Plan and in the applicable agreement with the grantee as if such trustee were a party to such agreement as the grantee.  In the event the grantee ceases to be a Director of the Corporation, the provisions set forth in the Plan and in the applicable agreement with the grantee shall continue to be applicable to the stock option or stock appreciation right and shall limit the ability of such trustee to exercise any such transferred stock options or stock appreciation rights to the same extent they would have limited the grantee.  The Corporation shall not have any obligation to notify such trustee of any termination of a stock option or stock appreciation right due to the termination of service of the grantee as a Director of the Corporation.
(F)  Unless otherwise specified by the Committee, the applicable Director shall have all of the rights of a shareholder of the Corporation holding Common Stock with respect to the shares of Common Stock to be issued upon the exercise of a stock option or stock appreciation right (including the right to vote the applicable shares and the right to receive dividends), when the Director (i) has given written notice of exercise in accordance with the procedures established by the Committee, (ii) if requested, has given the representation described in Section 16, and (iii) in the case of a stock option, has paid in full the option price for such shares.
(G)  Unless the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall otherwise determine, if a grantee ceases to be a Director of the Corporation, any outstanding stock options and stock appreciation rights held by the grantee shall vest and be exercisable and shall terminate, according to the following provisions:
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(i)Notwithstanding Section 10(D) hereof, if a grantee ceases to be a Director of the Corporation for any reason other than those set forth in Section 10(G)(ii) or (iii) hereof, any then outstanding stock option and stock appreciation right held by such grantee (whether or not vested and exercisable by the grantee immediately prior to such time) shall vest and be exercisable by the grantee (or, in the event of the grantee’s death, by the person entitled to do so under the Will of the grantee, or, if the grantee shall fail to make testamentary disposition of the stock option or stock appreciation right or shall die intestate, by the legal representative of the grantee (the “Grantee’s Heir or Representative”)), at any time prior to the second anniversary of the date on which the grantee ceases to be a Director of the Corporation or the expiration date of the stock option or stock appreciation right, whichever is the shorter period;
(ii)Unless the exercise period of a stock option or stock appreciation right following termination of service as Director has been extended as provided in Section 13(c) hereof, if during his or her term of office as a non-employee Director a grantee is removed from office for cause or resigns without the consent of the Board, any then outstanding stock option and stock appreciation right held by such grantee shall terminate as of the close of business on the last day on which the grantee is a Director of the Corporation; and
(iii)Notwithstanding Section 10(D) hereof, following the death of a grantee during service as a Director of the Corporation, or upon the disability of a Director which requires his or her termination as a Director of the Corporation, any outstanding stock option and stock appreciation right held by the grantee at the time of death or termination as a Director due to disability (whether or not vested and exercisable by the grantee immediately prior to such time) shall vest and be exercisable, in the case of death of the grantee, by the Grantee’s Heir or Representative, or, in the case of disability of the grantee, by the grantee at any time prior to the second anniversary of the date on which the grantee ceases to be a Director of the Corporation or the expiration date of the stock option or stock appreciation right, whichever is the shorter period.
Whether a resignation of a Director is with or without the consent of the Board and whether a grantee is disabled shall be determined in each case, in its sole discretion, by the Committee and such determination by the Committee shall be final and binding.
(H)  If a grantee of a stock option or stock appreciation right engages in the operation or management of a business (whether as owner, partner, officer, director, employee or otherwise and whether during or after service as a Director of the Corporation) which is in competition with the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, or solicits any of the Corporation’s customers or employees other than for the benefit of the Corporation, the Committee may immediately terminate all outstanding stock options and stock appreciation rights held by the grantee; provided, however, that this sentence shall not apply if the exercise period of a stock option or stock appreciation right following termination of service as a Director of the Corporation has been extended as provided in Section 13(c) hereof.  Whether a grantee has engaged in the operation or management of a business which is in competition with the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, or solicits any of the Corporation’s customers or employees other than for the benefit of the Corporation, shall be determined, in its sole discretion, by the Committee, and any such determination by the Committee shall be final and binding.
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(I)  All stock options and stock appreciation rights shall be confirmed by a written agreement or an amendment thereto in a form prescribed by the Committee, in its sole discretion.  Each agreement or amendment thereto shall be executed on behalf of the Corporation by the Chief Executive Officer (if other than the President), the President or any Vice President and by the grantee.  The provisions of such agreements need not be identical.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 10 and the other provisions of the Plan, any stock option or stock appreciation right granted under the Plan may be either authorized but unissued shares or shares previously issuedexercised at such times and thereafter acquired by the Corporation or partly each,in such amounts and be subject to such restrictions and other terms and conditions, if any, as shall be determined, from time to timein its sole discretion, by the Board.Committee and set forth in the agreement referred to in Section 10(I) hereof or an amendment thereto.
SECTION 11
Terms and Conditions of Restricted Share Awards
(a)           Restricted Share Awards.  Restricted share awards shall be evidenced by a written agreement in a form prescribed by the Committee, in its sole discretion, which shall set forth the number of shares of the Common Stock awarded, the restrictions imposed thereon (including, without limitation, restrictions on the right of the awardee to sell, assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise encumber such shares while such shares are subject to the other restrictions imposed under this Section 11), the duration of such restrictions, events (which may, in the sole discretion of the Committee, include performance-based events) the occurrence of which would cause a forfeiture of the restricted shares and such other terms and conditions as the Committee in its sole discretion deems appropriate.  Restricted share awards shall be effective only upon execution of the applicable restricted share agreement on behalf of the Corporation by the Chief Executive Officer (if other than the President), the President or any Vice President, and by the awardee.  The provisions of such agreements need not be identical.
 
4.5(b)           Transfers to Trusts.  Neither this Section 11 nor any other provision of the Plan shall preclude an awardee from transferring or assigning restricted shares to (i) the trustee of a trust that is revocable by such awardee alone, both at the time of the transfer or assignment and at all times thereafter prior to such awardee’s death or (ii) the trustee of any other trust to the extent approved in advance by the Committee in writing.  A transfer or assignment of restricted shares from such trustee to any person other than such awardee shall be permitted only to the extent approved in advance by the Committee in writing, and restricted shares held by such trustee shall be subject to all of the conditions and restrictions set forth in the Plan and in the applicable agreement as if such trustee were a party to such agreement.
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(c)           Default Vesting Restrictions.  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, restricted shares awarded to a Director shall be forfeited if the awardee terminates as a Director of the Corporation within two (2) years following the grant of such restricted shares due to the voluntary resignation of the Director without the consent of the Board or the removal of the Director with cause.  Any restricted shares which have not previously vested shall vest and the restrictions related to service as a Director shall lapse upon the death of a Director or the disability of a Director which requires his or her termination as a Director of the Corporation.
(d)           Evidence of Shares; Dividends.  Following a restricted share award and prior to the lapse or termination of the applicable restrictions, the Corporation, at its sole discretion, shall (i) issue share certificates in the name of the awardee and hold them in escrow together with related stock powers in blank signed by the awardee, (ii) issue such share certificates and deliver them to the awardee with an appropriate conspicuous legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such award, substantially in the following form:
“The transferability of this certificate and the shares of stock represented hereby are subject to the terms and conditions (including forfeiture) of the Matthews International Corporation 2014 Director Fee Plan and a corresponding agreement. Copies of such Plan and agreement are on file at the offices of Matthews International Corporation, Two NorthShore Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15212-5851.”; or
(iii) issue the shares in book-entry form in the name of the awardee.  If share certificates are issued in the name of the awardee, the awardee shall execute and deliver to the Corporation a blank stock power in form acceptable to the Corporation with respect to each of the certificates subject to the restricted share award.  In the case of forfeiture of the shares, the Corporation shall use the stock power(s) to transfer ownership of the shares to the Corporation.  Upon the lapse or termination of the applicable restrictions, certificate(s) without the legend referenced in (ii) above and the blank stock power(s) shall be delivered to the awardee (or the awardee’s personal representative) upon the surrender by such person of the legended certificates if they were previously provided to such person.  If shares are issued in book-entry form, the Corporation shall instruct its transfer agent that the shares are to be designated as restricted on the transfer agent’s book-entry records of the owners of the Common Stock, and may not be transferred from the name of the awardee until the earlier of (i) in the case of forfeiture of the shares, when the Corporation instructs its transfer agent in writing to record the shares as owned by the Corporation (rather than by the awardee), or (ii) when requested in writing by the awardee (or the awardee’s personal representative) after the Corporation has instructed its transfer agent in writing that such shares are no longer to be designated as restricted on the transfer agent’s book-entry records due to the lapse or termination of the applicable restrictions.  Except as provided in Section 12 hereof, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine that dividends and other distributions on the shares shall not be paid to the awardee until the lapse or termination of the applicable restrictions.  Unless otherwise provided, in its sole discretion, by the Committee, any such dividends or other distributions shall not bear interest.  Upon the lapse or termination of the applicable restrictions (and not before such time), the unpaid dividends, if any, shall be delivered to the awardee.  From the date a restricted share award is effective, the awardee shall be a shareholder with respect to all of the restricted shares and shall have all the rights of a shareholder with respect to the restricted shares, including the right to vote the restricted shares and to receive all dividends, and other distributions paid with respect to the restricted shares, subject only to the preceding provisions of this Section 11(d) and the other restrictions imposed by the Committee.
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(e)           Competition.  If an awardee of restricted shares engages in the operation of management of a business (whether as owner, partner, officer, director, employee or otherwise) which is in competition with the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries or solicits any of the Corporation’s customers or employees other than for the benefit of the Corporation, the Committee may immediately declare forfeited all restricted shares held by the awardee as to which the restrictions have not yet lapsed.  Whether an awardee has engaged in the operation or management of a business which is in competition with the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries or has solicited any of the Corporation’s customers or employees other than for the benefit of Corporation, shall also be determined, in its sole discretion, by the Committee, and any such determination by the Committee shall be final and binding.
SECTION 12
Adjustment and Substitution of Shares.  
In the event of a merger, consolidation, acquisition of shares, stock rights offering, liquidation, separation, spinoff, disaffiliation of a Subsidiary from the Corporation, extraordinary dividend of cash or other property,, or similar event affecting the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, including but not limited to a Section 13 Event (each, a “Corporate Transaction”), the Committee or the Board shall make such substitutions or adjustments as it deems appropriate and equitable, to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the rights of ParticipantsDirectors, to (A) the aggregate number and kind of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance and delivery under the Plan, (B) the various maximum limitations set forth in Sections 4.1number and 4.2 upon certain typeskind of Awards and upon the Awardsshares of Common Stock credited to individuals,any Deferred Stock Compensation Account, (C) the number and kind of shares of Common Stock subject to outstanding Awards;grants and awards; and (D) the exerciseoption price and Base Price of outstanding Awards.stock options and stock appreciation rights, respectively, carried to at least three decimal places with the last decimal place being rounded up to the nearest whole number.  In the event of a stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, share combination, or recapitalization or similar event affecting the capital structure of the Corporation (each, a “Share Change”), the Committee or the Board shall make such substitutions or adjustments as it deems appropriate and equitable, to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the rights of ParticipantsDirectors, to (A) the aggregate number and kind of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance and delivery under the Plan, (B) the various maximum limitations set forth in Sections 4.1number and 4.2 upon certain typeskind of Awards and upon the Awardsshares of Common Stock credited to individuals,any Deferred Stock Compensation Account, (C) the number and kind of shares of Common Stock subject to outstanding Awards;grants and awards; and (D) the exerciseoption price and Base Price of outstanding Awards. stock options and stock appreciation rights, respectively, carried to at least three decimal places with the last decimal place being rounded up to the nearest whole number.  
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In the case of Corporate Transactions, such adjustments may include, without limitation, (1) the cancellation of outstanding Awardsstock options and stock appreciation rights in exchange for payments of cash, property or a combination thereof having an aggregate value equal to the value of such Awards,grants and awards, as determined by the Committee or the Board in its sole discretion (it being understood that in the case of a Corporate Transaction with respect to which shareholders of Common Stock receive consideration other than publicly-traded equity securities of the ultimate surviving entity, any such determination by the Committee that the value of an option or stock appreciation right shall for this purpose be deemed to equal the excess, if any, of the value of the consideration being paid for each share pursuant to such Corporate Transaction over the exerciseoption price of such option or the Base Price of such stock appreciation right shall conclusively be deemed valid); (2) the substitution of other property (including, without limitation, cash or other securities of the Corporation and securities of entities other than the Corporation) for the shares subject to outstanding Awards;grants and awards; and (3) in connection with any disaffiliation of a Subsidiary, arranging for the assumption of Awards,grants and awards, or replacement of Awardsgrants and awards with new Awardsgrants and awards based on other property or other securities (including, without limitation, other securities of the Corporation and securities of entities other than the Corporation), by the affected Subsidiary, or by the entity that controls such Subsidiary following such disaffiliation (as well as any corresponding adjustments to Awardsgrants and awards that remain based upon Corporation securities). The Committee shall adjust the Performance Goals applicable to any Awards to reflect any unusual or non-recurring events and other extraordinary items, impact of charges for restructurings, discontinued operations, and the cumulative effects of accounting or tax changes, each as defined by generally accepted accounting principles or as identified in the Corporation’s financial statements, notes to the financial statements, management’s discussion and analysis or other of the Corporation’s SEC filings, provided that in the case of Performance Goals applicable to any Qualified Performance-Based Awards, such adjustment does not violate Section 162(m) of the Code or cause such Awards not to qualify for the Section 162(m) Exemption, as defined in Section 12.1.  No adjustment or substitution provided in this Section 4.512 shall require the Corporation or any other entity to issue or sell a fraction of a share or other security.  Except as provided in this Section 4.5,12, a ParticipantDirector shall not have any rights with respect to any Corporate Transaction or Share Change.
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4.6           Section 409A; Section 162(m); Incentive Stock Options. Notwithstanding the foregoing: (i) any adjustments made pursuant to this Section 4.512 to Awards that are considered “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the CodeDeferred Stock Compensation Accounts shall be made in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code; (ii) any adjustments made pursuant to this Section 4.512 to Awardsgrants and awards that are not considered “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be made in such a manner as to ensure that after such adjustment, the Awardsgrants and awards either (A) continue not to be subject to Section 409A of the Code or (B) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code; and (iii) in any event, neither the Committee nor the Board shall have the authority to make any adjustments pursuant to this Section 4.512 to the extent the existence of such authority would cause an Awarda grant or award that is not intended to be subject to Section 409A of the Code at the grant or award date of the Award to be subject thereto.  If any such adjustment or substitution provided for in Section 4.5 requires the approval of shareholders in order to enable the Corporation to grant incentive stock options or to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code, then no such adjustment or substitution shall be made without the required shareholder approval.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of incentive stock options, if the effect of any such adjustment or substitution would be to cause the option to fail to continue to qualify as an incentive stock option or to cause a modification, extension or renewal of such option within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code, the Committee may determine that such adjustment or substitution not be made but rather shall use reasonable efforts to effect such other adjustment of each then outstanding incentive stock option as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall deem equitable and which will not result in any disqualification, modification, extension or renewal (within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code) of such incentive stock option.

SECTION 5

Grant of Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights

5.1           Types of Options; Limit on Incentive Stock Options.  The Committee shall have authority, in its sole discretion, to grant "incentive stock options" pursuant to Section 422 of the Code, to grant "nonstatutory stock options" (i.e., stock options which do not qualify under Sections 422 or 423 of the Code) or to grant both types of stock options (but not in tandem).  Notwithstanding any other provision contained in the Plan or in any agreement under Section 2.5, but subject to the possible exercise of the Committee's discretion contemplated in the last sentence of this Section 5.1, the aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of grant of the shares with respect to which such incentive stock options are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year under all plans of the corporation employing such Participant, any parent or subsidiary corporation of such corporation and any predecessor corporation of any such corporation shall not exceed $100,000.  If the date on which one or more incentive stock options could first be exercised would be accelerated pursuant to any provision of the Plan or any agreement under Section 2.5 and the acceleration of such exercise date would result in a violation of the $100,000 restriction set forth in the preceding sentence, then, notwithstanding any such provision, but subject to the provisions of the next succeeding sentence, the exercise dates of such incentive stock options shall be accelerated only to the extent, if any, that does not result in a violation of such restriction and, in such event, the exercise dates of the incentive stock options with the lowest option prices shall be accelerated to the earliest such dates.  The Committee may, in its sole discretion, authorize the acceleration of the exercise date of one or more incentive stock options even if such acceleration would violate the $100,000 restriction set forth in the second sentence of this Section 5.1 and even if one or more such incentive stock options are thereby converted in whole or in part to nonstatutory stock options.
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5.2           Types and Nature of Stock Appreciation Rights.  Stock appreciation rights may be tandem stock appreciation rights which are granted in conjunction with incentive stock options or nonstatutory stock options (“Tandem SARs”), or stock appreciation rights which are not granted in conjunction with options (“Free-Standing SARs”).  Upon the exercise of a stock appreciation right, the Participant shall be entitled to receive an amount in cash, shares of Common Stock, or both, in value equal to the product of (i) the excess of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the date of exercise of the stock appreciation right over, in the case of a Tandem SAR, the exercise price of the related option, or in the case of a Free-Standing SAR, the Base Price per share (the “Spread”), multiplied by (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock in respect of which the stock appreciation right has been exercised.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee at the time it grants a stock appreciation right may provide that the Spread covered by such stock appreciation right may not exceed a lower specified amount.  The applicable agreement under Section 2.5 governing the stock appreciation rights shall specify whether such payment is to be made in cash or Common Stock or both, or shall reserve to the Committee or the Participant the right to make that determination prior to or upon the exercise of the stock appreciation right.  Tandem SARs may be granted at the grant date of the related stock options or, in the case of a related nonstatutory stock option, also at a later date.  At the time a Tandem SAR is granted, the Committee may limit the exercise period for such Tandem SAR, before and after which period no Tandem SAR shall attach to the underlying stock option.  In no event shall the exercise period for a Tandem SAR exceed the exercise period for the related stock option.  A Tandem SAR shall be exercisable only at such time or times and to the extent that the related option is exercisable in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.  A Tandem SAR shall terminate or be forfeited upon the exercise or forfeiture of the related stock option, and the related stock option shall terminate or be forfeited upon the exercise or forfeiture of the Tandem SAR.  Any Tandem SAR granted with a related incentive stock option shall be exercisable only when the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock exceeds the exercise price for a share of Common Stock under the related incentive stock option.
5.3           Exercise Price and Base Price.  The exercise price per share of Common Stock subject to an option and any Tandem SAR, and the base price per share for any Free-Standing SAR (the “Base Price”), shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable agreement under Section 2.5, and shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a share of the Common Stock on the applicable grant date, except that in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a Participant who, immediately prior to such grant, owns stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation or any Subsidiary which is a corporation (a "Ten Percent Employee"), the exercise price shall not be less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant.  For purposes of this Section 5.3, an individual (i) shall be considered as owning not only shares of stock owned individually but also all shares of stock that are at the time owned, directly or indirectly, by or for the spouse, ancestors, lineal descendants and brothers and sisters (whether by the whole or half blood) of such individual and (ii) shall be considered as owning proportionately any shares owned, directly or indirectly, by or for any corporation, partnership, estate or trust in which such individual is a shareholder, partner or beneficiary.  In no event may any option or stock appreciation right granted under this Plan, other than pursuant to Section 4.5, be amended to decrease the exercise price or Base Price thereof, be cancelled in conjunction with the grant of any new option or stock appreciation right with a lower exercise price or Base Price, be cancelled or repurchased for cash, property, or another Award at a time when the exercise price or Base Price is greater than the Fair Market Value of the underlying Common Stock, or otherwise be subject to any action that would be treated, for accounting purposes, as a “repricing” of such option or stock appreciation right, unless such amendment, cancellation, or action is approved by the Corporation’s shareholders.
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5.4           Term; Vesting and Exercisability.  The term of each option and each stock appreciation right shall be fixed by the Committee, but shall not exceed ten years from the date of grant (five years in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a Ten Percent Employee).  Except as otherwise provided herein, options and stock appreciation rights shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee and may be exercisable commencing with the grant date.
5.5           Method of Exercise.  Subject to the provisions of this Section 5, options and stock appreciation rights may be exercised, in whole or in part (unless otherwise specified by the Committee in its sole discretion), at any time during the applicable term by giving written notice of exercise to the Corporation specifying the number of shares of Common Stock as to which the option or stock appreciation rights is being exercised.  In the case of the exercise of an option, such notice shall be accompanied by payment in full of the exercise price in United States of America dollars by certified or bank check or wire of immediately available funds. If approved by the Committee (at the time of grant in the case of an incentive stock option or at any time in the case of a nonstatutory stock option), payment, in full or in part, may also be made as follows:
(a)           Payment may be made in the form of unrestricted shares of Common Stock (by delivery of such shares or by attestation) of the same class as the Common Stock subject to the option already owned by the Participant (based on the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date the option is exercised) provided however, that any portion of the exercise price representing a fraction of a share shall be paid in cash;
(b)           To the extent permitted by applicable law, payment may be made by delivering a properly executed exercise notice to the Corporation, together with a copy of irrevocable instructions to a broker to deliver promptly to the Corporation the amount of sale or loan proceeds necessary to pay the exercise price, and, if requested, the amount of any federal, state, local or foreign withholding taxes. To facilitate the foregoing, the Corporation may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, enter into agreements for coordinated procedures with one or more brokerage firms.  In the event the broker sells any shares on behalf of a Participant, the broker shall be acting solely as the agent of the Participant, and the Corporation disclaims any responsibility for the actions of the broker in making any such sales; and/or
(c)           With such other instrument as approved by the Committee, including Corporation loans, to the extent permitted by applicable law.
5.6           Delivery; Rights of Shareholders.  No shares shall be delivered pursuant to the exercise of an option until the exercise price for the option has been fully paid and applicable taxes have been withheld.  Unless otherwise specified by the Committee, the applicable Participant shall have all of the rights of a shareholder of the Corporation holding Common Stock with respect to the shares of Common Stock to be issued upon the exercise of the option or stock appreciation right (including the right to vote the applicable shares and the right to receive dividends), when the Participant (i) has given written notice of exercise in accordance with the procedures established by the Committee, (ii) if requested, has given the representation described in Section 10, and (iii) in the case of an option, has paid in full the exercise price for such shares.
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5.7           Nontransferability of Options and Stock AppreciationRights.  Unless the Committee shall otherwise determine in the case of nonstatutory stock options and stock appreciation rights and limited to a transfer without the payment of value or consideration to the Participant, (i) no option or stock appreciation right shall be transferable by a Participant other than by will, or if the Participant dies intestate, by the laws of descent and distribution of the state of domicile of the Participant at the time of death, and (ii) all stock options and stock appreciation rights shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant (or the Participant’s guardian or legal representative).  Any Tandem SAR shall be transferable only when the related stock option is transferable and with the related stock option.
5.8           Termination of Employment.  Unless the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall otherwise determine at the time of grant of the Award or, other than in the case of incentive stock options, thereafter, but subject to the provisions of Section 5.1 in the case of incentive stock options:
(a)           If the employment of a Participant who is not disabled within the meaning of Section 422(c)(6) of the Code (a "Disabled Participant") is voluntarily terminated with the consent of the Corporation or a Subsidiary or a Participant retires under any retirement plan of the Corporation or a Subsidiary, any then outstanding incentive stock option held by such Participant shall be exercisable by the Participant (but only to the extent exercisable by the Participant immediately prior to the termination of employment) at any time prior to the expiration date of such incentive stock option or within three months after the date of termination of employment, whichever is the shorter period;
(b)           If the employment of a Participant who is not a Disabled Participant is voluntarily terminated with the consent of the Corporation or a Subsidiary or a Participant retires under any retirement plan of the Corporation or a Subsidiary, any then outstanding nonstatutory stock option or stock appreciation right held by such Participant shall be exercisable by the Participant (but only to the extent exercisable by the Participant immediately prior to the termination of employment) at any time prior to the expiration date of such nonstatutory stock option or stock appreciation right or within one year after the date of termination of employment, whichever is the shorter period;
(c)           If the employment of a Participant who is a Disabled Participant is voluntarily terminated with the consent of the Corporation or a Subsidiary, any then outstanding stock option or stock appreciation right held by such Participant shall be exercisable in full (whether or not so exercisable by the Participant immediately prior to the termination of employment) by the Participant at any time prior to the expiration date of such stock option or stock appreciation right or within one year after the date of termination of employment, whichever is the shorter period;
(d)           Following the death of a Participant during employment, any outstanding stock option or stock appreciation right held by the Participant at the time of death shall be exercisable in full (whether or not so exercisable by the Participant immediately prior to the death of the Participant) by the person entitled to do so under the will of the Participant, or, if the Participant shall fail to make testamentary disposition of the stock option or stock appreciation right or shall die intestate, by the legal representative of the Participant at any time prior to the expiration date of such stock option or stock appreciation right or within one year after the date of death, whichever is the shorter period;
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(e)           Following the death of a Participant after termination of employment during a period when a stock option or stock appreciation right is exercisable, any outstanding stock option or stock appreciation right held by the Participant at the time of death shall be exercisable by such person entitled to do so under the will of the Participant or by such legal representative (but only to the extent the stock option or stock appreciation right was exercisable by the Participant immediately prior to the death of the Participant) at any time prior to the expiration date of such stock option or stock appreciation right or within one year after the date of death, whichever is the shorter period; and
(f)           Unless the exercise period of a stock option or stock appreciation right following termination of employment has been extended as provided in Section 11.3, if the employment of a Participant terminates for any reason other than voluntary termination with the consent of the Corporation or a Subsidiary, retirement under any retirement plan of the Corporation or a Subsidiary or death, all outstanding stock options and stock appreciation rights held by the Participant at the time of such termination of employment shall automatically terminate.
Whether termination of employment is a voluntary termination with the consent of the Corporation or a Subsidiary and whether a Participant is a Disabled Participant shall be determined in each case, in its sole discretion, by the Committee (or, in the case of Participants who are not (i) Covered Employees as of the end of the Corporation’s immediately preceding fiscal year or (ii) the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, by such Chief Executive Officer, in his sole discretion) and any such determination by the Committee or such Chief Executive Officer shall be final and binding.  Without limitation of the foregoing, a termination of employment by the Participant shall not be a voluntary termination with the consent of the Corporation unless the Committee or, if applicable, such Chief Executive Officer, in its or his sole discretion, specifically consents to the termination of employment in writing.  Termination of employment under the Plan shall occur only if the Participant is no longer employed by the Corporation or any Subsidiary.  An approved leave of absence by the Participant from the Corporation or any Subsidiary shall not constitute a termination of employment under the Plan.
5.9           Other Terms and Conditions.  Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 5 and the other provisions of the Plan, any stock option or stock appreciation right granted under the Plan may be exercised at such times and in such amounts and be subject to such restrictions and other terms and conditions, if any, as shall be determined, in its sole discretion, by the Committee and set forth in the agreement under Section 2.5.

SECTION 6

Restricted Stock

6.1           Restricted Stock Awards; Certificates.  Shares of restricted stock are actual shares of Common Stock issued to a Participant, and shall be evidenced in such manner as the Committee may deem appropriate, including book-entry registration or issuance of one or more stock certificates.  Any certificate issued in respect of shares of restricted stock shall be registered in the name of the applicable Participant and, unless held by or on behalf of the Corporation in escrow or custody until the restrictions lapse or the shares are forfeited, shall bear an appropriate conspicuous legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Award, substantially in the following form:
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“The transferability of this certificate and the shares of stock represented hereby are subject to the terms and conditions (including forfeiture) of the Matthews International Corporation 2012 Equity Incentive Plan and a corresponding agreement. Copies of such Plan and agreement are on file at the offices of Matthews International Corporation, Two NorthShore Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15212-5851.”

The Committee may require that the certificates evidencing such shares be held in escrow or custody by or on behalf of the Corporation until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed or the shares are forfeited and that, as a condition of any Award of restricted stock, the applicable Participant deliver to the Corporation a stock power, endorsed in blank, relating to the Common Stock covered by such Award.
6.2           Terms and Conditions.  Shares of restricted stock shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 15.11 and the following terms and conditions:
(a)           The Committee shall, prior to or at the time of grant, condition the vesting of an Award of restricted stock upon (i) the continued service of the applicable Participant, (ii) the attainment of Performance Goals, or (iii) the attainment of Performance Goals and the continued service of the applicable Participant.  The Committee shall establish at the time the restricted stock is granted the performance periods during which any Performance Goals specified by the Committee with respect to the restricted stock Award are to be measured.  In the event that the Committee conditions the vesting of an Award of restricted stock upon the attainment of Performance Goals or the attainment of Performance Goals and the continued service of the applicable Participant, the Committee may, prior to or at the time of grant, designate an Award of restricted stock as a Qualified Performance-Based Award.  The conditions for vesting and the other provisions of restricted stock Awards (including without limitation any applicable Performance Goals) need not be the same with respect to each recipient, and shall be established by the Committee in its sole discretion.  Except in the case of a Qualified Performance-Based Award and subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 15.11, the Committee at any time after the date of grant, in its sole discretion, may modify or waive any of the conditions applicable to an Award of restricted stock.
(b)           Subject to the provisions of the Plan (including Section 6.3) and the applicable agreement under Section 2.5, during the period, if any, set by the Committee, commencing with the date of such restricted stock Award for which such vesting restrictions apply (the “Restriction Period”), and until the expiration of the Restriction Period, the Participant shall not be permitted to sell, assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise encumber shares of such restricted stock.  A restricted stock Award may vest in part on a pro rata basis prior to the expiration of any Restriction Period.
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(c)           Except as provided in this Section 6 and in the applicable agreement under Section 2.5, the applicable Participant shall have, with respect to the shares of restricted stock, all of the rights of a shareholder of the Corporation holding the Common Stock that is the subject of the restricted stock, including, if applicable, the right to vote the shares and the right to receive any cash dividends.  If so determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable agreement under Section 2.5 and subject to Section 15.4, cash dividends on the Common Stock that is the subject of the restricted stock Award may be (i) automatically deferred and reinvested in additional restricted stock, and held subject to the same vesting and forfeiture conditions of the underlying restricted stock, or (ii) held by the Corporation in cash (without any payment of interest thereon) subject to the same vesting and forfeiture conditions of the restricted stock with respect to which the dividends are payable.  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable agreement under Section 2.5, any Common Stock or other securities payable with respect to any restricted stock as a result of or pursuant to Section 4.5, shall be held subject to the same vesting and forfeiture conditions of the underlying restricted stock.
(d)           As soon as practicable after the applicable Restriction Period has ended, the Committee shall determine and certify (in writing in the case of Qualified Performance-Based Awards) whether and the extent to which the service period and/or the Performance Goals were met for the applicable restricted stock.  If the vesting condition or conditions applicable to the restricted stock are not satisfied by the time the Restriction Period has expired, such restricted stock shall be forfeited.  If and when the Restriction Period expires without a prior forfeiture of the shares of restricted stock (i) if legended certificates have been issued, unlegended certificates for such shares shall be delivered to the Participant upon surrender of the legended certificates, (ii) if legended certificates have not yet been issued, unlegended certificates (and any related blank stock powers previously executed by the Participant) shall be delivered to the Participant, and (iii) any cash dividends held by the Corporation pursuant to Section 6.2(c) shall be delivered to the Participant.
6.3           Permitted Transfers.  Neither this Section 6 nor any other provision of the Plan shall preclude a Participant from transferring or assigning restricted stock, without the payment of value or consideration to the Participant, to (i) the trustee of a trust that is revocable by such Participant alone, both at the time of the transfer or assignment and at all times thereafter prior to such Participant's death or (ii) the trustee of any other trust to the extent approved in advance by the Committee, in its sole discretion, in writing.  A transfer or assignment of restricted stock from such trustee to any person other than such Participant shall be permitted only to the extent approved in advance by the Committee, in its sole discretion, in writing, and restricted stock held by such trustee shall be subject to all of the conditions and restrictions set forth in the Plan and in the applicable agreement under Section 2.5 as if such trustee were a party to such agreement.

SECTION 7

Restricted Stock Units

7.1           Restricted Stock Unit Awards.  Restricted stock units are Awards denominated in shares of Common Stock that will be settled, subject to the terms and conditions of the restricted stock units and at the sole discretion of the Committee, in an amount in cash, shares of Common Stock, or both, based upon the Fair Market Value of a specified number of shares of Common Stock.
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7.2Terms and Conditions.  Restricted stock units shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 15.11 and the following terms and conditions:
(a)           The Committee shall, prior to or at the time of grant, condition the vesting of restricted stock units upon (i) the continued service of the applicable Participant, (ii) the attainment of Performance Goals or (iii) the attainment of Performance Goals and the continued service of the applicable Participant. In the event that the Committee conditions the vesting of restricted stock units upon the attainment of Performance Goals or the attainment of Performance Goals and the continued service of the applicable Participant, the Committee may, prior to or at the time of grant, designate the restricted stock units as a Qualified Performance-Based Award.  The Committee shall determine the performance period(s) during which any Performance Goals are to be achieved.  The conditions for grant or vesting and the other provisions of restricted stock units (including without limitation any applicable Performance Goals) need not be the same with respect to each recipient. An Award of restricted stock units shall be settled as and when the restricted stock units vest, as determined and certified (in writing in the case of Qualified Performance-Based Awards) by the Committee, or at a later time specified by the Committee or in accordance with an election of the Participant, if the Committee so permits.  Except in the case of a Qualified Performance-Based Award and subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 15.11, the Committee at any time after the date of grant, in its sole discretion, may modify or waive any of the conditions applicable to an Award of restricted stock units.
(b)           Subject to the provisions of the Plan and the applicable agreement under Section 2.5, during the period, if any, set by the Committee, commencing with the date of grant of such restricted stock units for which such vesting restrictions apply (the “Units Restriction Period”), and until the expiration of the Units Restriction Period, the Participant shall not be permitted to sell, assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise encumber restricted stock units.  A restricted stock unit may vest in part prior to the expiration of any Units Restriction Period.
(c)           Participants granted restricted stock units shall not be entitled to any dividends payable on the Common Stock unless the agreement under Section 2.5 for restricted stock units specifies to what extent and on what terms and conditions the applicable Participant shall be entitled to receive current or deferred payments of cash, Common Stock or other property corresponding to the dividends payable on the Common Stock (subject to Section 15.4 below).  Restricted stock units shall not have any voting rights, and holders of restricted stock units shall not be shareholders of the Corporation unless and until shares of Common Stock are issued by the Corporation (in book-entry form or otherwise).

SECTION 8

Performance Units

Performance units may be granted hereunder to eligible employees, for no cash consideration or for such minimum consideration as may be required by applicable law, either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan.  The Committee shall establish at the time the performance unit is granted the performance period(s) during which any Performance Goals specified by the Committee with respect to the Award are to be measured, provided, however, that performance units shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 15.11.  The Performance Goals to be achieved during any performance period(s) and the length of the performance period(s) shall be determined by the Committee upon the grant of each performance unit.  The Committee may, in connection with the grant of performance units, designate them as Qualified Performance-Based Awards.  
 
 
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SECTION 13
 
The conditions for grant or vesting and the other provisions of performance units (including without limitation any applicable Performance Goals) need not be the same with respect to each Participant.  Performance units may be paid in cash, shares of Common Stock, other property or any combination thereof, in the sole discretion of the Committee as set forth in the applicable agreement under Section 2.5.  Performance units shall not have any voting rights, and holders of performance units shall not be shareholders of the Corporation unless and until shares of Common Stock are issued by the Corporation (in book-entry form or otherwise).  The Performance Goals to be achieved for each performance period, whether the Performance Goals have been achieved, and the amount of the Award to be distributed shall be conclusively determined and certified (in writing in the case of Qualified Performance-Based Awards) by the Committee.  Performance units may be paid in a lump sum or in installments following the close of the performance period(s).  The Participant shall not be permitted to sell, assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise encumber performance units.  The maximum value of the property, including cash, that may be paid or distributed to any Participant pursuant to a grant of performance units made in any one calendar year shall be five million United States of America dollars ($5,000,000).  Except in the case of a Qualified Performance-Based Award and subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 15.11, the Committee at any time after the grant of performance units, in its sole discretion, may modify or waive any of the conditions applicable to an Award of performance units.

SECTION 9

Other Stock-Based Awards

The Committee may award Common Stock and other Awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based upon, Common Stock, including but not limited to, unrestricted stock or dividend equivalents.  Any such Award shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 15.11 and such other terms and conditions as established by the Committee, and may include Qualified Performance-Based Awards.  The maximum value of Common Stock and other property, including cash, that may be paid or distributed to any Participant pursuant to this Section 9 (and not pursuant to other sections of the Plan) in any one calendar year shall be five million United States of America dollars ($5,000,000).
SECTION 10

Issuance of Shares

The Committee may require each person purchasing or receiving shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Award to represent to and agree with the Corporation in writing that such person is acquiring the shares only for investment and without a present view to the sale or distribution thereof.  The certificates for such shares may include any legend which the Committee deems appropriate to reflect any restrictions on transfer.  The obligation of the Corporation to issue shares of Common Stock under the Plan shall be subject to (i) the effectiveness of a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to such shares, if deemed necessary or appropriate by counsel for the Corporation, (ii) the condition that the shares shall have been listed (or authorized for listing upon official notice of issuance) upon each stock exchange, if any, on which the shares of Common Stock may then be listed, (iii) all other applicable laws, regulations, rules and orders which may then be in effect and (iv) obtaining any other consent, approval, or permit from any state or federal governmental agency which the Committee shall, in its sole discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable. 
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The inability or impracticability of the Corporation to obtain or maintain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Corporation’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance, sale or delivery of any shares of Common Stock hereunder, shall relieve the Corporation of any liability in respect of the failure to issue, sell or deliver such shares of Common Stock as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
SECTION 11

Additional Rights in Certain Events

11.1           (a)Definitions.
For purposes of this Section 11,13, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
 
(1)           The term "Person"
(1)  The term “Person” shall be used as that term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the 1934 Act as in effect on the effective date of the Plan.
 
(2)           "Beneficial Ownership"
(2)  “Beneficial Ownership” shall be determined as provided in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act as in effect on the effective date of the Plan.
 
(3)           "Voting Shares"
(3)  “Voting Shares” shall mean all securities of a corporation entitling the holders thereof to vote in an annual election of Directors (without consideration of the rights of any class of stock other than the common stock of the corporation to elect directors by a separate class vote); and a specified percentage of "Voting Power" of a corporation shall mean such number of the Voting Shares as shall enable the holders thereof to cast such percentage of all the votes which could be cast in an annual election of directors (without consideration of the rights of any class of stock other than the common stock of a corporation entitling the holders thereof to vote in an annual election of directors (without consideration of the rights of any class of stock other than the Common Stock to elect directors by a separate class vote); and a specified percentage of “Voting Power” of a corporation shall mean such number of the Voting Shares as shall enable the holders thereof to cast such percentage of all the votes which could be cast in an annual election of directors (without consideration of the rights of any class of stock other than the Common Stock to elect Directors by a separate class vote).
 
(4)           "Section 11 Event" shall mean the date upon which any of the following events occurs:
(a)           The Corporation acquires actual knowledge that any Person other than the Corporation, a Subsidiary or any employee benefit plan(s) sponsored by the Corporation has acquired the Beneficial Ownership, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Corporation entitling such Person to 20% or more of the Voting Power of the Corporation;
(b)           At any time less than 60% of the members of the Board of Directors (excluding vacant seats) shall be individuals who were either (i) Directors on the effective date of the Plan or (ii) individuals whose election, or nomination for election, was approved by a vote (including a vote approving a merger or other agreement providing the membership of such individuals on the Board of Directors) of at least two-thirds of the Directors then still in office who were Directors on the effective date of the Plan or who were so approved (other than an individual whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board of Directors relating to the election of Directors which would be subject to Rule 14a-11 under the 1934 Act, or any successor rule, including by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any such election contest or proxy contest);
 
 
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(c)           The consummation of a merger, consolidation, share exchange, division or sale or other disposition of assets of the Corporation as a result of which the shareholders of the Corporation immediately prior to such transaction shall not hold, directly or indirectly, immediately following such transaction, a majority of the Voting Power of (i) in the case of a merger or consolidation, the surviving or resulting corporation, (ii) in the case of a share exchange, the acquiring corporation or (iii) in the case of a division or a sale or other disposition of assets, each surviving, resulting or acquiring corporation which, immediately following the transaction, holds more than 30% of the consolidated assets of the Corporation immediately prior to the transaction; or
(4)  “Section 13 Event” shall mean the date upon which any of the following events occurs:
 
(d)           
(i)  The Corporation acquires actual knowledge that any Person other than the Corporation, a Subsidiary or any employee benefit plan(s) sponsored by the Corporation has acquired the Beneficial Ownership, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Corporation entitling such Person to 20% or more of the Voting Power of the Corporation;
(ii)  At any time less than 60% of the members of the Board (excluding vacant rents) shall be individuals who were either (a) directors on the effective date of the Plan or (b) individuals whose election, or nomination for election, was approved by a vote (including a vote approving a merger or other agreement providing the membership of such individuals on the Board) of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors on the effective date of the Plan or who were so approved (other than an individual whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board relating to the election of Directors which would be subject to Rule 14a-11 under the 1934 Act, or any successor rule, including by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any such election contest or proxy contest);
(iii)  The consummation of a merger, consolidation, share exchange, division or sale or other disposition of assets of the Corporation as a result of which the shareholders of the Corporation immediately prior to such transaction shall not hold, directly or indirectly, immediately following such transaction, a majority of the Voting Power of (i) in the case of a merger or consolidation, the surviving or resulting corporation, (ii) in the case of a share exchange, the acquiring corporation or (iii) in the case of a division or a sale or other disposition of assets, each surviving, resulting or acquiring corporation which, immediately following the transaction, holds more than 30% of the consolidated assets of the Corporation immediately prior to the transaction; or
(iv)  The commencement of any liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation (other than pursuant to any transfer of 70% or more of the consolidated assets of the Corporation to an entity or entities controlled by the Corporation and/or its shareholders following such liquidation or dissolution);
 
provided, however, that if securities beneficially owned by a ParticipantDirector are included in determining the Beneficial Ownership of a Person referred to in paragraph 4(a) above, then no Section 1113 Event with respect to such ParticipantDirector shall be deemed to have occurred by reason of such event.
 
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11.2           (b)Acceleration of the Exercise Date of Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.  Subject to the provisions of Section 5 in the case of incentive stock options and Section 11.6,13(e), unless the agreement underreferred to in Section 2.510(I) hereof, or an amendment thereto, shall otherwise provide, notwithstanding any other provision contained in the Plan, in case any Section 1113 Event occurs all outstanding stock options and stock appreciation rights (other than those held by a ParticipantDirector referred to in the proviso to Section 11.1(4)13(a)) shall become immediately and fully exercisable whether or not otherwise exercisable by their terms.
 
11.3           (c)Extension of the Expiration Date of Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.  Subject to the provisions of Section 5 in the case of incentive stock options and Section 11.6,13(e), unless the agreement underreferred to in Section 2.510(I) hereof, or an amendment thereto, shall otherwise provide, notwithstanding any other provision contained in the Plan, all outstanding stock options and stock appreciation rights held by a Participantgrantee whose service with the Corporation as a Director terminates within one year of any Section 13 Event (other than those held by a ParticipantDirector referred to in the proviso to Section 11.1(4)13(a)) whose employment with the Corporation or a Subsidiary terminates within one year of any Section 11 Event for any reason other than voluntary termination with the consent of the Corporation or a Subsidiary, retirement under any retirement plan of the Corporation or a Subsidiary or death shall be exercisable for the longer of (i) a period of three months from the date of such termination of employment,service or (ii) the period specified in Section 10(G) hereof, but in no event after the expiration date of the stock option or stock appreciation right.
 
11.4           (d)Lapse of Restrictions on Restricted StockShare Awards.  Unless the agreement underreferred to in Section 2.511 hereof, or an amendment thereto, shall otherwise provide, notwithstanding any other provision contained in the Plan, other than Section 11.6, if any Section 1113 Event occurs prior to the scheduled lapse of all restrictions applicable to restricted stock Awardsshare awards under the Plan, (including but not limited to Qualified Performance-Based Awards), all such restrictions (other than those applicable to a ParticipantDirector referred to in the proviso to Section 11.1(4)13(a)) shall lapse upon the occurrence of any such Section 1113 Event regardless of the scheduled lapse of such restrictions.
 
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11.5(e) Vesting of Restricted Stock Units and Performance Units.  Unless the agreement under Section 2.5 shall otherwise provide, notwithstanding any other provision contained in the Plan other than Section 11.6, if any Section 11 Event occurs, all restricted stock units and performance units (including but not limited to Qualified Performance-Based Awards) (other than those held by a Participant referred to in the proviso to Section 11.1(4)) shall be considered to be earned and payable in full, any vesting conditions shall be considered to have been satisfied, and such restricted stock units and performance units shall be settled in cash as promptly as is practicable after the Section 11 Event.
11.6           Code Section 409A.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Awardgrant or award is subject to Section 409A of the Code, this Section 1113 shall be applicable only to the extent specifically provided in the agreement under Section 2.5Sections 10(I) or 11 applicable to the Awardgrant or award and permitted pursuant to Section 12.2.409A.
 
SECTION 12

Qualified Performance-Based Awards; Section 409A

12.1           Qualified Performance-Based Awards.14
 
(a)           The provisionsAdministration of thisPlan; Hardship Withdrawal
(a)Administration of Plan are intended to ensure that all options and stock appreciation rights granted hereunder to any Participant who is or may be a Covered Employee in the tax year in which any amount attributable to such option or stock appreciation right is expected to be deductible to the Corporation qualify for the exemption from the limitation on deductions imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code (the “Section 162(m) Exemption”), and all such Awards shall therefore be considered Qualified Performance-Based Awards and this Plan shall be interpreted and operated consistent with that intention.  When granting any Award other than an option or stock appreciation right, the Committee may designate such Award as a Qualified Performance-Based Award, based upon a determination that (i) the recipient is or may be a Covered Employee with respect to such Award, and (ii) the Committee wishes such Award to qualify for the Section 162(m) Exemption, and.  Except where the terms of any such Award (and of the Plan specifically grant thereof) shall be consistent with such designation.  With respectauthority to Qualified Performance-Based Awards, within 90 days after the commencement of a performance period or, if earlier, by the expiration of 25% of a performance period, the Committee will designate one or more performance periods, determine the Participants for the performance periods and establish the Performance Goals for the performance periods.
(b)           Each Qualified Performance-Based Award (other than an option or stock appreciation right) shall be earned, vested and/or payable (as applicable) upon certification in writing by the Committee of the achievement of oneBoard or more Performance Goals, togetherwhere the Board delegates authority to the Committee, full power and authority to construe, interpret, and administer the Plan shall be vested in the Board and it and the Committee shall have plenary authority to interpret the Plan and prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures in connection with the satisfactionoperations of any other conditions, such as continued employment, as previously established by the Committee with respect to such Award.
(c)           Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan or in any agreement under Section 2.5,as it shall deem to be necessary and advisable for the extent that any such provision or actionadministration of the Plan consistent with the purposes of the Plan.  Decisions of the Committee would cause any Qualified Performance-Based Award not to qualify forand the Section 162(m) Exemption, such provision or actionBoard shall be nullfinal, conclusive, and void as it relates to Covered Employees, to the extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by the Committee.
12.2           Code Section 409A.  It is the intentionbinding upon all parties.  Without limitation of the Corporation that no Award shall be “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code, unless and to the extent thatforegoing, the Committee specifically determines otherwise as provided inshall have the immediately following sentence, and the Plan andauthority, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan:
(i)  To determine the grants or awards to be made to the Directors pursuant to Sections 9-11 and all of the relevant terms thereof;
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(ii)  Subject to Sections 10(I) and 11(a), to modify, amend or adjust the terms and conditions of any such grant or award;
(iii)  To adopt, alter and repeal such administrative rules, regulations, procedures, guidelines and practices governing the Plan as it shall from time to time deem advisable;
(iv)  To interpret the terms, provisions and conditions of the Plan and any such grant or award (and any agreement under Sections 10(I) and 11(a) relating thereto);
(v)  Subject to Sections 10(I) and 11(a), to accelerate the vesting or lapse of restrictions on any outstanding award, based in each case on such considerations as the Committee in its sole discretion determines;
(vi)  To decide all other matters that must be determined in connection with such grants and awards;
(vii)  To establish any “blackout” period that the Committee in its sole discretion deems necessary or advisable; and
(viii)  To otherwise administer the Plan in connection with such grants and awards.
The Committee may, except to the extent prohibited by applicable law or the listing standards of the stock exchange which is the principal market for the Common Stock, allocate all Awardsor any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one or more of its members and may delegate all or any part of its responsibilities and powers to any officers of the Corporation or committee of officers of the Corporation selected by it.  The Committee shall keep records of action taken at its meetings.  A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum at any meeting and the acts of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, or acts approved in writing by all members of the Committee, shall be interpreted accordingly.  Thethe acts of the Committee.  Any determination made by the Committee or by an appropriately delegated officer pursuant to delegated authority under the provisions of the Plan with respect to any grant or award pursuant to Section 9 shall be made in the sole discretion of the Committee or such officer at the time of such grant or award or, unless in contravention of any express term of the Plan, at any time thereafter.  All decisions made by the Committee or any appropriately delegated officer pursuant to the provisions of the Plan and shall be final and binding on all persons, including the Corporation, its Subsidiaries, and the Directors eligible under the Plan.
(b)Hardship Withdrawal.  Notwithstanding the terms and conditions governing any Awardsof a Stock Deferral Election or a Meeting Fee Deferral Election made by a Director hereunder, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit the withdrawal of shares credited to a Deferred Stock Compensation Account with respect to Director Fees or Meeting Fees previously payable upon the request of a Director or the Director’s representative, or following the death of a Director upon the request of a Director’s Beneficiary or such beneficiary’s representative, if the Board determines that the Committee determines willDirector or the Director’s Beneficiary, as the case may be, subject to Section 409A of the Code, including any rules for elective or mandatory deferral of the delivery of cash or shares of Common Stock pursuant thereto and any rules regarding treatment of such Awards in the event of a Section 11 Event, shall be set forth in the applicable agreement under Section 2.5, and shall comply in all respectsis confronted with Section 409A of the Code.an unforeseeable emergency.  
 
 
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For this purpose, an unforeseeable emergency means a severe financial hardship to the Director or the Director’s Beneficiary resulting from an illness or accident of the Director or the Director’s Beneficiary, the spouse, or a dependent (as defined in Section 152(a) of the Code) of the Director or the Director’s Beneficiary, loss of the Director or the Director’s Beneficiary’s property due to casualty, or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the Director or the Director’s Beneficiary.  The Director or the Director’s Beneficiary shall provide to the Committee evidence as the Committee, in its sole discretion, may require to demonstrate such emergency exists and financial hardship would occur if the withdrawal were not permitted.  The withdrawal shall be limited to the amount reasonably necessary to satisfy such emergency plus amounts necessary to pay taxes reasonably anticipated as a result of the distribution, after taking into account the extent to which such hardship is or may be relieved through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise, by liquidation of the Director or the Director’s Beneficiary’s assets (to the extent the liquidation of such assets would not itself cause severe financial hardship) or by the cessation of deferrals under the Plan.  Cash needs arising from foreseeable events, such as the purchase or building of a house or education expenses, will not be considered to be the result of an unforeseeable financial emergency.  Payment shall be made, as soon as practicable after the Committee approves the payment and determines the number of shares which shall be withdrawn in a single lump sum from the Deferred Stock Compensation Account(s) providing for the latest payments or series of payments.  No Director shall participate in any decision of the Committee regarding such Director’s request for a withdrawal under this Section 14.
(c)Cancellation; Suspension; Clawback.  Any or all outstanding grants and awards to a Director may, at any time between the date of grant or award and the third anniversary of any exercise, payment or vesting of such grant and award, in the Board’s or the Committee’s sole discretion and subject to such terms and conditions established by the Board or the Committee, be cancelled, suspended, or required to be repaid to the Corporation if the Director (whether during or after service as a Director of the Corporation) (i) engages in the operation or management of a business (whether as owner, partner, officer, director, employee or otherwise) which is in competition with the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) induces or attempts to induce any customer, supplier, licensee or other individual, corporation or other business organization having a business relationship with the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries to cease doing business with the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries or in any way interferes with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee or other person and the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) solicits any employee of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries to leave the employment thereof or in any way interferes with the relationship of such employee with the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) makes any statements or comments, orally or in writing, of a defamatory or disparaging nature regarding the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries (including but not limited to regarding any of their respective businesses, officers, directors, personnel, products or policies), provided, however, that this sentence shall not apply following the occurrence of a Section 13 Event (as defined in Section 13) unless the agreement under Sections 10(I) or 11(a) specifically so provides.  Whether a Director has engaged in any such activities shall also be determined, in its sole discretion, by the Board or the Committee, and any such determination by the Board or the Committee shall be final and binding.
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SECTION 1315

Fair Market Value
Fair Market Value of the Common Stock shall be the mean between the following prices, as applicable, for the date as of which Fair Market Value is to be determined as quoted in The Wall Street Journal (or in any other reliable publication (electronic or otherwise) as the Board of the Corporation or its delegate, in its sole discretion, may determine to rely upon):
(a)if the Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the highest and lowest sales prices per share of the Common Stock as quoted in the NYSE-Composite Transactions listing for such date; or
(b)if the Common Stock is not listed on such exchange, the highest and lowest sales prices per share of Common Stock for such date on (or on any composite index including) the NASDAQ Exchange or the principal United States securities exchange registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”) on which the Common Stock is listed.
If there are no such sale price quotations for the date as of which Fair Market Value is to be determined but there are such sale price quotations within a reasonable period both before and after such date, then Fair Market Value shall be determined by taking a weighted average of the means between the highest and lowest sales prices per share of the Common Stock as so quoted on the nearest date before and the nearest date after the date as of which Fair Market Value is to be determined.  The average should be weighted inversely by the respective numbers of trading days between the selling dates and the date as of which Fair Market Value is to be determined.  If there are no such sale price quotations on or within a reasonable period both before and after the date as of which Fair Market Value is to be determined, then Fair Market Value of the Common Stock shall be the weighted average of the means between such bona fide bid and asked prices on the nearest trading date before and the nearest trading date after the date as of which Fair Market Value is to be determined, if both such dates are within a reasonable period.  The average is to be determined in the manner described above in this Section 15.  If the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock cannot be determined on the basis previously set forth in this Section 15 on the date as of which Fair Market Value is to be determined, the Board or its delegate shall in good faith and in conformance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, to the extent applicable, determine the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on such date.  Fair Market Value shall be determined without regard to any restriction other than a restriction which, by its terms, will never lapse.
SECTION 16
Securities Laws; Issuance of Shares
The obligation of the Corporation to issue or credit shares of Common Stock under the Plan shall be subject to:
(i)  the effectiveness of a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to such shares, if deemed necessary or appropriate by counsel for the Corporation;
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(ii)  the condition that the shares shall have been listed (or authorized for listing upon official notice of issuance) upon each stock exchange, if any, on which the Common Stock shares may then be listed;
(iii)  if required by the Committee, the representation and agreement of the Director that the Director is acquiring the shares only for investment and without a present view of the sale or distribution of such shares, with a corresponding legend on any stock certificates;
(iv)  all other applicable laws, regulations, rules and orders which may then be in effect; and
(v)  obtaining any other consent, approval, or permit from any state or federal governmental agency which the Committee shall, in its sole discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable.
The inability or impracticability of the Corporation to obtain or maintain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Corporation’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance, sale or delivery of any shares of Common Stock hereunder, shall relieve the Corporation of any liability in respect of the failure to issue, sell or deliver such shares of Common Stock as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.  If, on the date on which any shares of Common Stock would be issued pursuant to a current stock payment under Section 3(a) hereof or credited to a Deferred Stock Compensation Account and after consideration of any shares of Common Stock subject to outstanding stock options and stock appreciation rights and awards of restricted shares, sufficient shares of Common Stock are not available under the Plan or the Corporation is not obligated to issue shares pursuant to this Section 16, then no shares of Common Stock shall be issued or credited but rather, in the case of a current stock payment under Section 3(a) hereof, cash shall be paid in payment of the Director Fees payable, and in the case of a Deferred Stock Compensation Account, Director Fees and Meeting Fees shall be credited in cash to a deferred cash compensation account in the name of the Director.  The Board shall adopt appropriate rules and regulations to carry out the intent of the immediately preceding sentence if the need for such rules and regulations arises.
SECTION 17
Governing Law; Integration
(a)Governing Law.  The provisions of this Plan shall be construed, administered and governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania including its statute of limitations provisions, but without reference to conflicts of law principals.  Titles of Sections of the Plan are for convenience of reference only and are not to be taken into account when construing and interpreting the Plan.  In case any provision of the Plan shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, such illegal or invalid provision shall not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, but the Plan shall be construed and enforced without regard to such.
(b)Integration.  The Plan contains all of the understandings and representations between the Corporation, its Subsidiaries and any of the Directors and supersedes any prior understandings and agreements entered into between them regarding the subject matter of the Plan.  There are no representations, agreements, arrangements or understandings, oral or written, between the Corporation, its Subsidiaries and any of the Directors relating to the subject matter of the Plan which are not fully expressed in the Plan.
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SECTION 18
Effect of the Plan on the Rights of EmployeesCorporation and EmployerShareholders

Neither the adoption of the Plan nor any action of the Board or the Committee pursuant to the Plan shall be deemed to give any employee any right to be granted any Award under the Plan.  Nothing in the Plan or in any Awardstock option, stock appreciation right or restricted share award under the Plan or in any agreement under Section 2.5 providing for any Award underof the Planforegoing or any amendment thereto shall confer any right to any employeeperson to continue in the employas a Director of the Corporation or any Subsidiary or interfere in any way with the rights of the shareholders of the Corporation or any Subsidiarythe Board to terminate the employment of any employee at any time or adjust the compensation of any employee at any time.elect and remove Directors.
 
SECTION 1419

Amendment orand Termination

(a)          General.  The right to amend the Plan at any time and from time to time and the right to terminate the Plan at any time are hereby specifically reserved to the Board; provided that no such amendment of the Plan shall, without shareholder approval (a) increase the maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock for which Awards may be made under Section 4.1 of the Plan, (b) increase the maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock as to which incentive stock options may be granted under Section 4.1 of the Plan, (c) make any changes in the class of employees eligible to receive Awards under the Plan, (d) change the maximum number of shares of Common Stock as to which Awards may be made to any Participant under Section 4.2 of the Plan, or the maximum amount that may be paid or distributed to any Participant pursuant to a grant of performance units or other stock-based Awards made in any one calendar year under Section 8 or 9 of the Plan, respectively, (e) change the exercise price or Base Price permitted under Section 5.3 of the Plan or the restrictions regarding repricing under Section 5.3 of the Plan,(f) be made if shareholder approval of the amendment is at the time required for Awards under the Plan to qualify for the exemption from Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act provided by Rule 16b-3 or by the rules of any stock exchange on which the Common Stock may then be listed or (g) be made to the extent such approval is needed for Qualified Performance-Based Awards to qualify for the Section 162(m) Exemption.  shall:
(i)be made without shareholder approval if shareholder approval of the amendment is at the time required by the rules of any stock exchange on which the Common Stock may then be listed; or
(ii)otherwise amend the Plan in any manner that would cause the shares of Common Stock issued or credited under the Plan not to qualify for the exemption from Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act provided by Rule 16b-3.
No amendment or termination of the Plan shall, without the written consent of the holder of an Awardshares of Common Stock issued or credited under the Plan or the holder of a stock option, stock appreciation right or restricted shares theretofore granted or awarded under the Plan, adversely affect the rights of such holder with respect thereto.
 

SECTION 15

General Provisions

15.1(b)          Additional Compensation ArrangementsRule 16b-3.  NothingNotwithstanding anything contained in the Plan shall prevent the Corporationpreceding paragraph or any Subsidiary from adopting other provision of the Plan, the Board shall have the power to amend the Plan in any manner deemed necessary or additional compensation arrangementsadvisable for its employees.
15.2           Tax Withholding.  No later than the date asshares of which an amount first becomes includible in the gross income of a Participant for federal, state, localCommon Stock issued or foreign income or employment or other tax purposes with respect to any Awardcredited under the Plan such Participant shall pay to qualify for the Corporationexemption provided by Rule 16b-3 (or if applicable, a Subsidiary), or make arrangements satisfactoryany successor rule relating to the Corporation (or, if applicable, a Subsidiary) regarding the payment of, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to such amount.  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, withholding obligations may be settled with Common Stock, including Common Stock that is partexemption from Section 16(b) of the Award that gives rise to the withholding requirement, having a Fair Market Value on the date of withholding equal to the minimum amount (and not1934 Act), and any greater amount unless otherwise determined by the Committee) required to be withheld for tax purposes, all in accordance with such procedures as the Committee establishes, and provided that any fractional share amount must be paid in cash or withheld from compensation otherwise due to the Participant.  The obligations of the Corporation under the Plan shall be conditional on such payment or arrangements, and the Corporation and its Subsidiariesamendment shall, to the extent permitteddeemed necessary or advisable by law, have the rightBoard, be applicable to deduct any such taxes fromoutstanding shares of Common Stock theretofore issued or credited under the Plan.
(c)          Termination Date.  Notwithstanding any payment otherwise due to such Participant.  The Committee may establish such procedures as it deems appropriate, including making irrevocable elections, forother provision of the settlement of withholding obligations with Common Stock.Plan:
(i)no shares of Common Stock shall be issued or credited on a Payment Date or an Interim Payment Date under the Plan after March 31, 2019;
 
 
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15.3           Limitation of Liability.  The grant of any Award shall not:
(ii)no shares of Common Stock shall be credited with respect to Meeting Fees payable under the Plan after March 31, 2019;
 
(a)           give a Participant any rights except as expressly set forth in the Plan or in the agreement under Section 2.5;
(iii)no stock option or stock appreciation right shall be granted under the Plan after March 31, 2019; and
 
(b)           create any fiduciary or other obligation of the Corporation or any Subsidiary to take any action or provide to the Participant any assistance or dedicate or permit the use of any assets of the Corporation or any Subsidiary that would permit the Participant to be able to attain any Performance Goals associated with any Award;
(iv)no restricted shares shall be awarded under the Plan after March 31, 2019;
 
(c)           create any trust, fiduciary or other duty or obligationprovided, however, that the preceding provisions of this Section 19(c) shall not preclude the Corporation or any Subsidiary to engage in any particular business, continue to engage in any particular business, engage in any particular business practices or sell any particular product or products; or
(d)           create any obligationissuance of the Corporation or any Subsidiary that shall be greater than the obligation of the Corporation or that Subsidiary to any of their general unsecured creditors.
15.4           Limitation on Dividend Reinvestment and Dividend Equivalents.  Reinvestment of dividends in additional restricted stock at the time of any dividend payment, and the payment of shares with respect to dividends to Participants holding Awards of restricted stock units, shall only be permissible if authorized by the Committee and if sufficient shares of Common Stock are available under Section 4 for such reinvestmentthe Plan in payment of the balance of a Director’s Deferred Stock Compensation Account or payment (taking into account then outstanding Awards). Inupon the event that sufficient sharesexercise after March 31, 2019 of Common Stock are not available for such reinvestmenta stock option or payment, such reinvestment or paymentstock appreciation right.
SECTION 20
Unsecured Creditor
The Plan constitutes a mere promise by the Corporation to make benefit payments in the future.  The Corporation’s obligations under the Plan shall be unfunded and unsecured promises to pay.  Any amount payable under the Plan shall be established and maintained only on the books and records of the Corporation.  The Corporation and its Subsidiaries shall not be obligated under any circumstance to fund the Corporation’s financial obligations under the Plan and no assets or funds of the Corporation, any Subsidiary, or the Plan shall be removed from the claims of the Corporation’s general or judgment creditors or otherwise made available until such amounts are actually paid to a Director as provided herein.  Any of them may, in the form ofits sole discretion, set aside funds in a grant of restricted stock units equal in numbertrust or other vehicle, subject to the sharesclaims of Common Stock that would have been obtained byits creditors, in order to assist it in meeting its obligations under the Plan, if such payment or reinvestment,arrangement will not cause the terms of which restricted stock units shall provide for settlement in cash and for dividend equivalent reinvestment in further restricted stock units on the terms contemplated by this Section 15.4.
15.5           Governing Law and Interpretation.Plan to be considered a funded deferred compensation plan.  To the extent not preempted by federal law,that any Director or Director’s Beneficiary or other person acquires a right to receive payments under the Plan, and all Awards made and actions taken thereundersuch right shall be governed byno greater than the right, and construed in accordance witheach Director and Director’s Beneficiary shall at all times have the lawsstatus, of a general unsecured creditor of the CommonwealthCorporation.
SECTION 21
Limitation of Pennsylvania, without reference to principles of conflict of laws. The captions of thisLiability
Any grant or award under the Plan are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect.not:
(a)Give a Director or Director’s Beneficiary any rights except as expressly set forth in the Plan and in any such grant or award;
(b)Create any fiduciary or other obligation of the Corporation or any Subsidiary to take any action or provide to the Director or Director’s Beneficiary any assistance or dedicate or permit the use of any assets of the Corporation or any Subsidiary in any manner;
(c)Create any trust, fiduciary or other duty or obligation of the Corporation or any Subsidiary to engage in any particular business, continue to engage in any particular business, engage in any particular business practices or sell any particular product or products; or
 
 
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15.6           
(d)Create any obligation of the Corporation that shall be greater than the obligation of the Corporation to any of its general unsecured creditors.
SECTION 22
Dispute Resolution.  
Since Awardsfees are grantedpaid and grants or awards are made under the Plan in Western Pennsylvania, records relating to the Plan and Awardsfees, grants or awards thereunder are located in Western Pennsylvania, and the Plan and Awardsfees, grants or awards are administered in Western Pennsylvania, the Corporation and the Participant to whom an Award is granted,Director participating in the Plan, for themselves and their heirs, representatives, successors and assigns (collectively, the “Parties”) irrevocably submit to the exclusive and sole jurisdiction and venue of the state courts of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania and the federal courts of the Western District of Pennsylvania with respect to any and all disputes arising out of or relating to the Plan, the subject matter of the Plan or any Awardsfees, grants or awards under the Plan, including but not limited to any disputes arising out of or relating to the interpretation and enforceability of any Awardsfees, grants or awards or the terms and conditions of the Plan.  To achieve certainty regarding the appropriate forum in which to prosecute and defend actions arising out of or relating to the Plan, and to ensure consistency in application and interpretation of the governing law under Section 15.517 of the Plan, the Parties agree that (a) sole and exclusive appropriate venue for any such action shall be the Pennsylvania courts described in the immediately preceding sentence, and no other, (b) all claims with respect to any such action shall be heard and determined exclusively in such Pennsylvania courts, and no other, (c) such Pennsylvania courts shall have sole and exclusive jurisdiction over the Parties and over the subject matter of any dispute relating hereto and (d) the Parties waive any and all objections and defenses to bringing any such action before such Pennsylvania courts, including but not limited to those relating to lack of personal jurisdiction, improper venue or forum non conveniens.
 
15.7           Non-Transferability.  Except as otherwise specifically provided in the Plan or by the Committee and limited to a transfer without the payment of value or consideration to the Participant, Awards
SECTION 23
Non-Uniform Determinations
The Committee’s determinations under the Plan are not transferable except by will or by laws of descent and distribution of the state of domicile of the Participant at the time of death.
15.8           Deferrals.  The Committee shall be authorized to establish procedures pursuant to which the payment of any Award may be deferred, provided that any such deferral is consistent with all aspects of Section 409A of the Code. Subject to the provisions of this Plan and any agreement under Section 2.5, the recipient of an Award (including without limitation any deferred Award) may, if so determined by the Committee, be entitled to receive, currently or on a deferred basis, interest or dividends, or interest or dividend equivalents, with respect to the number of shares covered by the Award, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, and the Committee may provide that such amounts (if any) shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional shares or otherwise reinvested; provided, however, that in no event shall interest, dividends or dividend equivalents be paid on any unearned performance units or performance share units until such units have vested.
15.9           Integration.  The Plan and any written agreements executed by Participants and the Corporation under Section 2.5 contain alldeterminations of the understandingsgrants and representations between the parties and supersede any prior understandings and agreements entered into between them regarding the subject matter within.  There are no representations, agreements, arrangements or understandings, oral or written, between the parties relating to the subject matter of the Plan which are not fully expressed in the Plan and the written agreements.
15.10             Foreign Employees and Foreign Law Considerations.  The Committee may grant Awards to eligible employees who are foreign nationals, who are located outside the United States of America or who are not compensated from a payroll maintained in the United States of America, or who are otherwise subject to (or could cause the Corporation to be subject to) legal or regulatory provisions of countries or jurisdictions outside the United States of America, on such terms and conditions different from those specified in the Plan as may, in the judgment of the Committee, be necessary or desirable to foster and promote achievement of the purposes of the Plan, and, in furtherance of such purposes, the Committee may make such modifications, amendments, procedures, or subplans as may be necessary or advisable to comply with such legal or regulatory provisions.
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15.11             Certain Restrictions on Certain Awards.  Subject to the terms of the Plan and more restrictive terms, if any, of the applicable agreement under Section 2.5, any Award of restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance units, or other stock-based Awardsawards under Section 9, shall be subject to vesting during a restriction periodthe form, amount and timing of at least three (3) years followingsuch grants and awards and the dateterms and provisions of grant, provided, however, that:
(i)           A restriction period of only at least one (1) year following the date of grant is permissible if vesting is conditional, in whole or in part, upon the achievement of Performance Goals, except that theresuch grants and awards) need not be any minimum restriction period for a Performance Goal based upon stock price if there is also a service-based restriction of at least one (1) year following the date of grant;
(ii)              To the extent permitted by the Committee, in its sole discretion,uniform and specified in the applicable agreement under Section 2.5, an Award with a restriction period of at least three (3) years may vest in part on a pro rata basis prior to the expiration of any such restriction period;
(iii)              To the extent permitted by the Committee, in its sole discretion, and specified in the applicable agreement under Section 2.5, an Award may vest prior to the expiration of any restriction period required under this Section 15.11 in the event of a Participant’s death or retirement, the Participant becoming a Disabled Participant, or an involuntary termination of the Participant’s employment by the Corporation or a Subsidiary;
(iv)              In the event of the occurrence of a Section 11 Event, an Award may vest prior to the expiration of any restriction period required under this Section 15.11 pursuant to Section 11.4 or 11.5 or as otherwise permitted by the Committee, in its sole discretion, and specified in the applicable agreement under Section 2.5; and
(v)              The Committee may grant Awards of restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance units and other stock-based Awards under Section 9 without regard to the foregoing requirements, and the Committee may accelerate the vesting of and lapse any restrictions with respect to, any such Awards (in addition to the potential acceleration under (ii)-(iv) of the foregoing), for up to, collectively for all such Awards, ten percent (10%) of the shares of Common Stock for which Awards may be made by it selectively among Directors who receive, or are eligible to receive, grants and awards under Section 4.1 of the Plan, as adjusted under the terms of the Plan.whether or not such persons are similarly situated.
 
15.12             Other Benefit Plans.  All Awards shall constitute a special incentive payment to the Participant and shall not be taken into account in computing the amount of salary or compensation of the Participant for the purpose of determining any benefit under any pension, retirement, profit sharing, bonus, life insurance or other benefit plan of the Corporation or any Subsidiary or under any agreement between the Corporation or any Subsidiary and the Participant, unless such plan or agreement specifically provides otherwise.
SECTION 24
 
15.13             Indemnification.  
Subject to the requirements of Pennsylvania state law, each individual who is or shall have been a member of the Board or athe Committee, appointed by the Board, or an officer of the Corporation to whom authority was delegated in accordance with Section 2.1,14, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the
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Corporation against and from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under this Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in settlement thereof, with the Corporation’s approval, or paid by him or her in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her, provided he or she shall give the Corporation an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his/her own behalf, unless such loss, cost, liability, or expense is a result of his/her own willful misconduct or except as expressly provided by statute.  The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such individuals may be entitled under the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Corporation may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.
 
SECTION 25
 
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15.14             No Representations or Covenants With Respect to Tax Qualification.  
Although the Corporation may endeavor to (i) qualify an Awardthe payment of fees or a grant or award for favorable United States or foreign tax treatment (e.g., incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code) or (ii) avoid adverse tax treatment (e.g., under Section 409A of the Code), the Corporation makes no representation to that effect and expressly disavows any covenant to maintain favorable or avoid unfavorable tax treatment.  The Corporation shall be unconstrained in its corporate activities without regard to theany potential negative tax impact on holders of Awardsto Directors under the Plan.
 
15.15             
SECTION 26
Compliance With Laws.  
Without limitation, payment of Section 10,fees or a grant or award under the granting of AwardsPlan and theany issuance of shares of Common Stock under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or stock exchanges on which the Corporation is listed as may be required.
 

 
SECTION 1627
 

Effective Date and Duration of Plan

The effective date and date of adoption of the Plan shall be November 15, 2012,14, 2013, the date of adoption of the Plan by the Board, provided that the Plan is approved by a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of shareholders duly called, convened and held on or prior to November 14, 2013, at which a quorum representing13, 2014 such adoption of the Plan by the Board is approved by the affirmative vote of holders of record of a majority of the outstanding Voting Sharesshares of voting stock of the Corporation is, eitherrepresented in person or by proxy present and voting on the Plan.entitled to vote at a duly called and convened meeting of such holders at which a quorum is present.  No stock optionshares of Common Stock shall be issued or stock appreciation right grantedcredited under the Plan on or after November 15, 2012 may be exercised until afterapproval of such approval and any restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance units or other Award awarded under the Plan shall be forfeited to the Corporation on November 14, 2013 if such approval has not been obtained on or prior to that date.  No Award under the Plan may be made subsequent to November 14, 2022, but Awards granted prior to such date may extend beyond such date.holders is obtained.
 

 
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Exhibit B

PROXY - MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATIONExhibit B

 
 
Notice of
2014 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To be held February 21, 201320, 2014

Sheraton Station SquareRenaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel
300 West Station Square Drive202 East Pratt Street
Pittsburgh, PABaltimore, MD

To Our Shareholders:

The Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of Matthews International Corporation will be held at 6:9:00 PM,AM, Thursday, February 21, 201320, 2014 at the Sheraton Station SquareRenaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel, 300 West Station Square Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,202 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland, for the purpose of considering and acting upon the proposals set forth on the reverse side of this form.

Shareholders of record at the close of business on December 31, 20122013 will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof.

I hereby appoint Joseph C. Bartolacci and Steven F. Nicola and each of them, with full power of substitution and revocation, proxies to vote all shares of Common Stock of Matthews International Corporation which I am entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders or any adjournment thereof, with the authority to vote as designated on the reverse side.

IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 1, 2, 3 and 4.

PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY
USING THE ENCLOSED PREPAID ENVELOPE

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
















 
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ANNUAL MEETING PROXY CARD

 
A.  Proposals – The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees and FOR Proposals 2, 3 and 4.

1.  Election of Directors
FOR           WITHHOLD
01 – John D. Turner (two year term)                                                    [ ]                 [ ]
02 – Gregory S. Babe (three year term)                                                [ ]                 [ ]

FOR           AGAINST                      ABSTAIN
1.Election of Directors
FORWITHHOLD
01 – Alvaro Garcia-Tunon[ ][ ]
02 – John P. O’Leary, Jr[ ][ ]
03 – Jerry R. Whitaker[ ][ ]

FORAGAINSTABSTAIN
2.  To approve the adoption of the
        2012 Equity Incentive Plan
[ ][ ][ ]
   the 2014 Director Fee Plan.

FOR           AGAINST                      ABSTAIN
3.  To ratify the appointment of                                                                           [ ]                   [ ]                                         [ ]
   PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the
   independent registered public accounting
   firm to audit the records of the Company for
   the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014.

       FORAGAINSTABSTAIN
        3.  To ratify the appointment of
        PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the
        independent registered public accounting
        firm to audit the records of the Company for
        the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013.
[ ][ ][ ]

FORAGAINSTABSTAIN
4.  To provide an advisory (non-binding) vote
       on the executive compensation of our
       named executive officers.
[ ]     [ ]                            [ ][ ]
       on the executive compensation of our
       named executive officers.

   5.  To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
5.  To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.


B.  Change of Address – Please print new address below.




       IMark box to the right if you plan to attend the meeting.Annual Meeting.  [ ]

 C.  Authorized Signatures – Sign Here – This section must be completed for your instructions to be executed. – Date and Sign Below

Please sign exactly as name appears hereon.  When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign.  When signing as an 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.

Signature 1 – Please keep signature within the box                                                                                                Signature 2 – Please keep signature within the box

----------------------------------------------------                                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------
 
Date (mm/dd/yyyy)

--/--/----



 
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