A certified list of shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting will be available for examination by any shareholder during the meeting at the corporate offices at 47827 Halyard Drive, Plymouth, Michigan 48170-2461.

A copy of the 20172019 Annual Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 20172019 and Proxy Statement accompanies this notice.

By the Order of the Board of Directors

Thomas S. Vaughn

Secretary

September 26, 201727, 2019

The vote of every shareholder is important, and your cooperation in promptly voting by returning your marked, dated and signed proxy is greatly appreciated.  The proxy is revocable and will not affect your right to vote in person if you attend the meeting.  Your proxy will, however, help to assure a quorum and to avoid added proxy solicitation costs.

Director Compensation for Fiscal 2017

2019

The following table provides information as to compensation paid by the Company for services rendered in all capacities to the Company and its subsidiaries during the fiscal year ended June 30, 20172019 (“fiscal 2017”2019”) by the members of our Board of Directors, other than Mr. Marz,Watza, whose compensation is described under “Compensation of Executive Officers.” All payments to members of the Board of Directors set forth in the table are made pursuant to the standard director compensation arrangements described under “Standard Director Compensation Arrangements.”

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL 20172019

(1)On March 3, 2016, as part of the announced financial improvement plan, the Board of Directors suspended payment of retainer and meeting fees payable to the non-management directors from March 2, 2016 through December 1, 2016. Payment of retainers and meeting fees payable to non-management directors were reinstated as of December 2, 2016. Each non-management director elected to use their cash retainer and meeting fees for calendar year 2017 to purchase shares of Common Stock at the fair market value of Common Stock on the date of purchase pursuant to the Directors Stock Purchase Rights Option described under “Matters To Come Before the Meeting – Proposal 1 – Election of Directors – Standard Director Compensation Arrangements” with Messrs. Bryant, Neely, Oswald, Ratigan, Smith and Taylor purchasing 3,606, 4,121, 3,735, 3,606, 3,928 and 6,633 shares of Common Stock, respectively.

(2)Represents the full grant date fair value associated with stock option awards awarded prior to the end of fiscal 2017 calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding any forfeiture reserves recorded for these awards. There can be no assurance that the stock option award amounts shown above will ever be realized.  The assumptions we used to calculate these amounts are included in Note 15 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2017. See “Standard Director Compensation Arrangements” below for a description of these stock option awards.

(3)On August 9, 2016, the Management Development Committee awarded Messrs. Bryant, Ratigan and Taylor a non-qualified option to purchase 8,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock under the Company’s 2004 Stock Plan with a grant date effective September 1, 2016 due to them joining the Company’s Board of Directors. The options were issued on the current form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for Directors. The options are exercisable in three equal annual installments beginning September 1, 2017 at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock as of September 1, 2016.

(4)On August 9, 2016, Messrs. Dabrowski and DeCocco resigned from the Board of Directors. The Management Development Committee accelerated the vesting of 2,000 stock options and 1,579 stock awards held by each of Messrs. Dabrowski and DeCocco at the time of their resignation.

(5)At June 30, 2017, the members of our Board of Directors, other than Mr. Marz, held the following aggregate number of stock options and restricted stock awards:

Standard Director Compensation Arrangements

Our standard compensation arrangements for our Board of Directors who are not our employees (the “Eligible Directors”) include the following retainers:

In November 2015, the Board increased the non-executive Chairman’s annual retainer to $150,000, but reduced it back to the historic level of $100,000 in March 2016 as part of the financial improvement plan.  Mr. Marz continued to receive the Chairman’s annual retainer, as well as an additional quarterly retainer, while he served as interim President and Chief Executive Officer from January 2016 through November 2016.  In addition, Messrs. Marz and Taylor each received additional retainer fees of $25,000 during the last half of fiscal 2017.  Additional retainer fees of $25,000$35,000 and $5,000$2,500 for each of Messrs. Marz and Taylor, respectively, have been approvedwere paid in fiscal 2019.  Additionally, each non-management director received an additional retainer fee of $11,500 for the first half of fiscal 2018.June 1, 2019 payment.  The annual retainers identified above are typically paid quarterly on September 1, December 1, March 1 and June 1.1 (and in the case of Ms. Kumar, October 1, 2019).  All Eligible Directors, other than a non-executive Board Chair, also receive $1,250 for each Board meeting attended.  On March 3, 2016, as part of the announced financial improvement plan, the Board of Directors suspended payment of retainer and meeting fees payable to the non-management directors from March 2, 2016 through December 1, 2016.  Payment of retainers and meeting fees payable to non-management directors were reinstated effective December 2, 2016.  Each non-management director elected to be paid via shares of Perceptron’s stock in lieu of cash for their retainers and meeting fees for the calendar year of 2017.  Directors are reimbursed for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending Board and committee meetings.

Eligible Directors are also eligible to participate in the First Amended and Restated 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (“2004 Stock Plan”).  The Management Development, Compensation and Stock Option Committee (the “Management Development Committee”) or, if there is no such committee or similar committee, the Board, administers the 2004 Stock Plan.  Unless otherwise specified in the 2004 Stock Plan, the Management Development Committee has the power to select the recipients of awards under the 2004 Stock Plan, including Eligible Directors, and has broad power to determine the terms of awards and to change such terms in various ways subsequent to grant.  The 2004 Stock Plan permits grants to Eligible Directors of non-qualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance share awards, including cash, and deferred stock units at any time prior to August 27, 2023.  Except for a single incentive stock option grant of 10,000 options, the Management Development Committee has only awarded non-qualified stock options and restricted stock grants under the 2004 Stock Plan.

The exercise price for a non-qualified stock option will be not less than 100% of the fair market value of Common Stock on the date of grant.  Fair market value means, for purposes of determining the value of Common Stock on the grant date, the closing sale price of the Common Stock on The NASDAQ Stock Market’s Global Market (“NASDAQ Global Market”) on the grant date.  Such options have typically vested one fourth or one third on each of the first four or three, respectively, anniversaries of the date of grant.  Such options generally will vest one-third on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date and become immediately exercisable in the event that the Eligible Director is re-nominated for election to the Board, but is not re-elected or, following a Change in Control, the Eligible Director’s service on the Board is terminated by the Company, he is not re-nominated by the Company to serve on the Board, or voluntarily resigns from the Board at the request of the Company.  All options granted under the 2004 Stock Plan are exercisable for a period of ten years from the date of grant, unless earlier terminated due to the termination of the Eligible Director’s service as a director of the Company.  During fiscal 2017, no Eligible Directors2019, in conjunction with his appointment as a member of the Board, Mr. Freeland received a grant of 8,000 stock options underat an exercise price equal to the 2004fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock Plan. as of January 2, 2019. In September 2019, in conjunction with her appointment as a member of the Board, Ms. Kumar received a grant of 8,000 stock options at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock as of October 1, 2019.  

During fiscal 2017,2019, no Eligible Directors received a restricted stock award under the 2004 Stock Plan.  In the event of a failure of the Eligible Director to be reelected to the Board after being re-nominated for election by the Board, or following a Change in Control of the Company, a termination by the Company of the Eligible Director’s membership on the Board, or failure to re-nominate the Eligible Director for election to the Board, or voluntary resignation by the Eligible Director from the Board at the request of the Board, the shares of restricted stock that an Eligible Director holds shall become fully vested and non-forfeitable and all restrictions shall lapse.

The exercisability of options and the vesting of restricted stock awards under the 2004 Stock Plan is accelerated in the event of the occurrence of certain changesChanges in controlControl of the Company.  See “Compensation of Executive Officers - Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”Control” for the definition of Change in Control of the Company.

The 2004 Stock Plan also permits Eligible Directors to purchase shares of Common Stock through the 2004 Stock Plan in exchange for all or a portion of the cash fees payable to them for serving as a director of the Company (“Directors Stock Purchase Rights Option”).  By December 31 of each year, a director must make his or her election to purchase shares of Common Stock in exchange for all or a portion of a director’s fees payable from December 1 of that year to November 30 of the next year.  All Eligible Directors made this election under the Directors Stock Purchase Rights Option for calendar year 2017.

Directors’ fees are typically payable in cash on September 1, December 1, March 1 and June 1 of each year, however, each director can elect to receive the Company’s stock in lieu of cash onfor all or a calendar year election. Eachportion of our Directors has elected stock for the calendar year 2017.earned retainer. On each of these dates, we determine the number of shares of Common Stock each Eligible Director who has elected to participate in the Directors Stock Purchase Rights Option has earned on that date.  This determination is made by dividing all director’s fees payable on each of those dates that the Eligible Director has elected to exchange for Common Stock, by the fair market value of the Common Stock on that date.  Any portion of the director’s fees payable on each of those dates that the Eligible Director has not elected to receive in Common Stock will be paid to the Eligible Director in cash.  The fair market value of the Common Stock will be determined by using the closing price of the Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Market on the grant date (the first day of the month in which the quarterly payment date for directors’ fees falls).  We will issue share certificates for all shares of Common Stock purchased in a calendar year within 5 business days of the above payment dates, unless an Eligible Director requests to receive his or her share certificate at another time by sending written notice to the Company.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Board Leadership Structure and Board and Committee Information

The Company’s Board consists of sevensix independent directors.directors and one management director, Mr. Watza.  The Board is responsible for direction of the overall affairs of the Company.  The Board has established three standing committees, being 1) the Audit Committee, 2) the Management Development, Compensation and Stock Option Committee (the “Management Development Committee”), and 3) the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “Nominating Committee”), as further detailed below.  Each of the committees is comprised solely of independent directors and each committee has a different chair.  The Company believes that it is beneficial to have a non-executive Chairman who is responsible for leading the Board, however, in connection with the departure of our prior President and Chief Executive Officer on January 26, 2016, our Chairman agreed to become our interim President and Chief Executive Officer until the Board appointed a new President and Chief Executive Officer on November 17, 2016.  As a result, during this interim period, the Company did not have a non-executive Chairman.  The Board determined not to appoint a lead independent director during this interim period because it was expected that Mr. Marz would resume his role as non-executive Chairman following the appointment of a new President and Chief Executive Officer, which he did on November 17, 2016.Board.  The Company also believes that a predominantly independent Board, mixed with the experience of its management director, constitutes a leadership structure that is most appropriate for the Company and its shareholders at this time because it supports strategy development.development and execution and facilitates information flow between senior management and the Board.  The Board retains the authority to modify this structure to best address the Company’s unique circumstances as and when appropriate.  Pursuant to the terms of the Standstill Agreement and the Voting Agreement, the Company has agreed that by December 31, 2017, the Board will appoint Mr. Watza to the Board and either Mr. Oswald or Smith will resign from the Board.

Our directors are elected to serve until their successors are elected.  The Board, and each committee thereof, meets formally from time to time and also takes action by consent resolutions.  During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017,2019, the Board met a total of tenforty-two times.  All of the current directors who are standing for re-election attended at least 75% of the total meetings of the Board, and of any committee on which they served, held during the period in fiscal 20172019 in which they served as directors or members of any such committees.  Our policy is that each director is strongly encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders if reasonably possible.  All of the directors attended the 20162018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders in person.Shareholders.

Chairman.  Mr. MarzFreeland has been elected by the directors to serve as Chairman of the Board.  The Chairman provides leadership to enhance the Board’s effectiveness, presides over meetings of the directors, and serves as liaison between the Board and management.  The Chairman is responsible for determining when to hold executive sessions held by the independent directors.

The Board has delegated certain authority to an Audit Committee, a Management Development Committee and a Nominating Committee to assist it in executing its duties.  The Board has adopted charters for each of these Committees.  The charters are available on our website at www.perceptron.com.  The Board determined that all of the directors, other than Mr. Watza, are “independent directors” as defined in Marketplace Rule 4200(a)(15) of The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”).

The composition and principal functions of each Committee are as follows:

Audit Committee.  The Audit Committee is comprised of three outside members of the Board. Members of the Audit Committee are:prior to December 7, 2018 were: Messrs. Neely, who served as Chairman, Oswald and Ratigan.  Subsequent to December 7, 2018, members of the Audit Committee were Messrs. Neely, who serves as Chairman, OswaldRatigan and Ratigan.Taylor.  The Board determined that all of the members of the Audit Committee are independent as required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and NASDAQ listing standards for audit committee members.  In addition, the Board determined that both Messrs. Neely and Ratigan qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by applicable SEC rules and that each of the Audit Committee members satisfies all other qualifications for Audit Committee members set forth in the applicable NASDAQ rules.  The Audit Committee held sixeight meetings in fiscal 2017.2019.

On November 3, 2014 the Board approved and adopted the Audit Committee’s revised charter.  The Audit Committee’s primary responsibilities include the following:

Management Development, Compensation and Stock Option Committee.  The Management Development Committee is comprised of three outside members of the Board. Members of the Management Development, Committee are:prior to December 7, 2018 were: Messrs. Smith,Taylor who serves as Chairman, Neely and Taylor.Neely.  Subsequent to December 7, 2018, members of the Management Development Committee are Messrs. Taylor who serves as Chairman, Bryant and Freeland.  The Board determined that all members of the Management Development Committee are independent as required by the NASDAQ listing standards for compensation committees responsible for determining compensation of executive officers.  The committee held sixnine meetings in fiscal 2017.2019.

On November 11, 2014, the Board approved and adopted the Management Development Committee’s revised charter.  The Management Development Committee’s primary responsibilities include the following:

SixSeven employees are currently under the purview of the Management Development Committee, including all of the current executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table included herein.  Mr. Watza participates in meetings of the Management Development Committee and makes recommendations with respect to the annual compensation of employees under the Committee’s purview.  The Management Development Committee separately determines the compensation of Mr. Watza in executive session.  Pursuant to its charter, the Management Development Committee is authorized to retain its own compensation consultants and outside legal, accounting, and other advisers at the Company’s expense.  Such consultants and advisers report directly to the Management Development Committee and the Committee has the sole authority to hire and fire any compensation consultants or advisers.  The Management Development Committee does not delegate its authority to such consultants or advisers.  In fiscal 2017,2019, the Management Development Committee engaged the services of Rahmberg, Stover and Associates, LLC (“Rahmberg”), a compensation consulting firm, and has considered such firm’s input in evaluating compensation trends and best practices, identifying peer group companies and benchmarking compensation data, developing its short and long term executive incentive plans and other aspects of administering the Company’s executive compensation program and equity compensation programs.  Rahmberg serves at the discretion of the Management Development Committee.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.  The Nominating Committee is comprised of three outside members of the Board. Members of the Nominating Committee are:prior to December 7, 2018 were: Messrs. Oswald, who serves as the Chairman, and Bryant.  Subsequent to December 7, 2018, members of the Nominating Committee are: Messrs. Bryant, who serves as the Chairman, Freeland and Smith.Neely.  The Board determined that all members of the Nominating Committee are independent as required by the NASDAQ listing standards for nominating committee members.  The committee held sixfive meetings in fiscal 2017.2019.

On November 12, 2007, the Board approved and adopted the Nominating Committee’s revised charter.  The Nominating Committee’s primary responsibilities include the following:

The Nominating Committee may use various methods to identify director candidates, including recommendations from existing Board members, management, shareholders, professionals and other sources outside the Company, which could include third-party search firms.  The Nominating Committee will evaluate and screen the list of potential nominees and narrow the list to individuals they believe best satisfy the needs of the Company.  The Nominating Committee will conduct interviews and gather additional information concerning the individuals, as they deem appropriate.  Based on the foregoing, the Nominating Committee will recommend to the Board the number of members of the Board to be elected at the next annual meeting of shareholders of the Company and the persons to be nominated for election to the Board.  Director candidates need not possess any specific minimum qualifications.  Rather, a candidate’s suitability for nomination and election to the Board will be evaluated in light of the portfolio of skills, experience, perspective and background required for the effective functioning of the Board.  While the Company does not have a formal written diversity policy, the Nominating Committee considersbelieves it is important to consider diversity of director nomineesrace, ethnicity, gender, age, education, cultural background and professional experience in terms of background, experience, skill set and expertise in mattersevaluating candidates relating to the Company’s business in an effort to promote balanced deliberation and consideration of matters presented to the Board.  Among the desired qualities that the Nominating Committee will consider are: (i) high ethical character; (ii) practical intelligence and judgment, an inquiring mind and a good range of problem solving skills; (iii) independence; (iv) ability to work in a collaborative culture; (v) high-level leadership experience and personal achievement; (vi) sufficient personal commitment and time to devote to responsibilities as a director; and (vii) capacity and desire to represent the balanced best interests of the shareholders as a whole.  In addition, while not a requirement,making its recommendations, the Nominating Committee will take into consideration a director’s age after he or she reaches 75 andthe tenure of any director who has served on the Board for more thanover ten years. Generally, the Nominating Committee will not recommend candidates who have reached age 75.

The Nominating Committee will consider candidates recommended by shareholders using the same procedures and standards utilized for evaluating candidates recommended by other sources except that the Nominating Committee will not consider a director nominee proposed by a shareholder if (i) the shareholder does not submit the required information timely; (ii) the shareholder or group of shareholders proposing the director nominee do not beneficially own, in the aggregate, more than 5% of the Common Stock, with the Common Stock used to satisfy this requirement owned for at least one year prior to the date of the recommendation, or (iii) the shareholder proposes as the nominee himself or herself, or an affiliate or affiliated party.  See “Shareholder Proposals and Nominees for 20182020 Annual Meeting – Shareholder Nominees” for a description of the procedures to be used by shareholders to submit recommendations of possible director nominees to the Nominating Committee.

Board Role in Risk Oversight

The Company’s management team is responsible for identifying and monitoring the material risks facing the Company, while the Board is responsible for oversight of management’s efforts with respect to risk, which oversight occurs at both the Board and the committee level.  For example, the Audit Committee focuses on financial and accounting exposures and compliance; the Management Development Committee monitors risks arising from compensation policies and practices; and the Nominating Committee oversees risks associated with the Company’s fiduciary responsibilities, which include board membership, board structure and corporate governance.  Management provides regular updates throughout the year regarding the management of the risks they oversee.

The Company’s risk structure allows the Company’s independent directors to exercise effective oversight of the actions of management, led by Mr. Watza as President and Chief Executive Officer, in identifying the risks and implementing effective risk management policies and controls.

Shareholder Communications with the Board of Directors

Shareholders desiring to communicate with the Board or any individual director may send communications to the Board in writing by mail addressed to the Board of Directors or an individual director, c/o Assistant Secretary, Perceptron, Inc., 47827 Halyard Drive, Plymouth, MI 48170-2461 or by e-mail addressed to boardofdirectors@perceptron.com.boardofdirectors@perceptron.com.

Code of Ethics and Corporate Governance Guidelines

We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (“Code of Ethics”) that applies to the Company’s directors, executive officers and other employees. We have also adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines which, together with our articles of incorporation, bylaws, and charters for the Audit Committee, Management Development Committee and Nominating Committee, form the framework for the effective governance of the Company. The Code of Ethics isand Corporate Governance Guidelines are available on our website at www.perceptron.com.  Shareholders may also obtain a written copy of the Code of Ethics and Corporate Governance Guidelines, without charge, by sending a written request to the Investor Relations Department, Perceptron, Inc., 47827 Halyard Drive, Plymouth, Michigan 48170-2461.  We will disclose any amendments to, or waivers from, the provisions of the Code of Ethics or the Corporate Governance Guidelines applicable to the directors or executive officers on the Company’s website.

Certain information relating to corporate governance matters can be viewed at www.perceptron.com, free of charge, including our (i) charters for the Audit Committee, Management Development Committee and Nominating Committee, and (ii) Code of Ethics.Ethics and (iii) Corporate Governance Guidelines.  We intend to post additional information on this website from time to time as the Board adopts or revises policies and procedures.  The information found on our website is not part of this or any report we file with, or furnish to, the SEC.

Audit Committee Report

In accordance with its revised charter, which was approved and adopted by the Board on November 3, 2014, the Audit Committee provides assistance to the Board in fulfilling its responsibility to the shareholders, potential shareholders and investment community relating to corporate accounting, reporting practices of the Company and the quality and integrity of the accounting policies, internal controls and financial reports of the Company.  In doing so, it is the responsibility of the Audit Committee to maintain free and open communication between the Board, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and the financial management of the Company.

The Company’s management is primarily responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of the Company’s financial statements.  The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, BDO USA, LLP, is responsible for performing an independent audit of the Company’s financial statements and expressing an opinion as to the conformity of the financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles.

The Audit Committee received from the independent registered public accounting firm and reviewed a formal written statement describing all relationships between the firm and the Company that might bear on the firm’s independence consistent with the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the auditors any relationships that may impact their objectivity and independence and satisfied itself as to the auditors’ independence.

The Audit Committee discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 16, Communications with Audit Committees, issued byapplicable requirements of the PCAOB and Securities and Exchange Commission, and, with and without management present, discussed and reviewed the results of the independent registered public accounting firm’s examination of the financial statements, their evaluation of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting, and the overall quality of the Company’s accounting and financial reporting.

The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with management and the independent registered public accounting firm the audited financial statements of the Company as of and for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017,2019, including the quality of accounting principles and significant judgments affecting the financial statements and the results of BDO’s independent audit described above.

The members of the Audit Committee are not engaged in the practice of auditing or accounting.  In performing its functions, the Audit Committee necessarily relies on the work and assurances of the Company’s management and the independent registered public accounting firm.

Based on the above-mentioned reviews and discussions with management and the independent registered public accounting firm and in light of its role and responsibilities, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the Company’s audited financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended June 30, 20172019 be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 20172019 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Further, the Audit Committee approved the engagement of BDO USA, LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018.2020.

Management Development, Compensation and Stock Option Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

During fiscal 2017, the Management Development Committee consisted of Messrs. Neely, Smith and Taylor.  During fiscal 2017, no member of the Management Development Committee served as an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries nor had any member of the Management Development Committee formerly served as an officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.  See “Proposal 1 – Election of Directors.”  During fiscal 2017, none of our executive officers served on the board of directors or on the compensation committee of any other entity, any of whose executive officers served either on our Board or on our Management Development Committee.

PROPOSAL 2 – AMENDMENT TO THE 2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN AND RE-APPROVAL OF— ADVISORY VOTE
SECTION 162(m) PERFORMANCE MEASURES UNDER 2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” PROPOSAL 2

Proposed Amendment to the 2004 Stock Plan

The Company proposes to amend the First AmendedDodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Restated 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2004 Stock Plan”) to (i) increase the total numberConsumer Protection Act of shares of Common Stock available for grant under such plan by 500,000 shares, from 2,100,000 to 2,600,000, which also results in a corresponding increase in the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be granted as incentive stock options under the 2004 Stock Plan; (ii) eliminate  the liberal recycling provision, (iii) provide that no dividends or dividend equivalents will be paid on stock options or stock appreciation rights and (iv) provide that cash dividends on restricted stock grants and performance share awards payable in restricted stock will be paid in cash2010, or the amount or value thereof willDodd-Frank Act, provides shareholders with the opportunity to vote to approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.  This advisory vote is commonly known as “Say-on-Pay.”  Accordingly, the Board is asking our shareholders to indicate their support for the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement.

At the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, our shareholders expressed a preference that advisory votes on executive compensation be automatically reinvested in additional restricted stock, asheld on an annual basis.  Consistent with this preference, the Board determined byto implement an advisory vote on executive compensation on an annual basis until the Management Development Committee,next required vote on the frequency of shareholder votes on the compensation of executive officers, to be held at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

This proposal is not intended to address the specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and may vestthe Company’s executive compensation program and be paid only if and topractices.  Please read the extent that“Compensation of Executive Officers,” together with the related restricted stock award becomes payable, as is currentlycompensation tables and narrative disclosure, below, for a detailed explanation of the case for other awards granted under the 2004 Stock Plan. We are also asking that  shareholder re-approve the performance goals included in the 2004 Stock Plan pursuant to Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Section 162(m) (“Code Section 162(m)”).Company’s executive compensation program and practices.

The Board of Directors believesis asking our shareholders to vote “FOR” the following non-binding resolution:

“Resolved, that this proposal (the “2004 Plan Proposal”) will assist the Company in its efforts to attract new and retain highly-qualified executives, team members, consultants and non-employee directors and provide incentivecompensation paid to the Company’s existing key executives, team membersnamed executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Narrative Disclosure Regarding Compensation and non-employee directors.

The 2004 Plan Proposal, if approved by the shareholders of the Company, will permit the continued use of stock-basedrelated compensation to attract new team members, consultantstables and non-employee directors and to retain and provide incentive to the Company’s existing team members, consultants and non-employee directors.  The 2004 Stock Plan was originally approved by shareholders on December 6, 2004 with 600,000 shares available for grant.  Three amendments, which added a total of 1,500,000 shares to the 2004 Stock Plan, were approved by shareholders on November 18, 2008, November 15, 2011 and November 12, 2013.

The Company’s team member compensation program reflects the Company’s philosophy that executive and team member compensation should be linked to performance.  As a result, the Company’s Management Development Committee has historically favored stock-based compensation incentives for the Company’s executives and team members.  These grants have primarily beennarrative disclosure, in the form of stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units.  Stock options permit the executives and team members to buy a specified number of shares of Common Stock at the fair market valueProxy Statement is hereby approved on the date an option is granted.  Such stock options gain value only if the price of the Common Stock increases above the exercise price.  More recently, restricted stock and restricted stock units have been granted to executives and team members upon achievement of performance goals.  Once granted, the restricted stock and restricted stock unit is subject to a risk of forfeiture by the executive or team member if the special conditions of the grant are not met.advisory basis.”

Further, the Company has a continuing need to attract highly qualified executive and team member candidates to meet the Company’s personnel requirements. The Company utilizes stock grants as part of a standard compensation package developed to attract such candidates.

If the 2004 Stock Plan is amended as proposed, the Company intends to continue to use stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other stock-based compensation as a key component of its team member compensation program as described above.

For calendar year 2017, in connection with the Company’s financial improvement program, all the members of the Board of Directors of the Company elected to take all of their compensation in the form of Common Stock under the Directors Stock Purchase Rights Option under the 2004 Stock Plan.  As a result, 52,756 shares have been issued to the members of the Board of Directors under this option during calendar 2017.  In the past, when there have been a limited number of shares of Common Stock available for grant under the 2004 Stock Plan, the members of the Board of Directors have been discouraged from electing to take Common Stock in lieu of cash under this option for their director fees in order to preserve shares in the 2004 Stock Plan for grant to executives and team members.  The Company believes it is in the best interest of shareholders that members of the Board of Directors acquire and hold Common Stock of the Company to further align their interests with those of the Company’s shareholders.  By increasing the shares of Common Stock available for grant under the 2004 Stock Plan, as proposed in the 2004 Plan Proposal, the Company believes it will have sufficient shares of Common Stock available under the 2004 Stock Plan to permit it to encourage

the members of the Board of Directors to continue to take payment of some or all of their director fees in Common Stock.

The 2004 Plan Proposal also proposes an amendment to the 2004 Stock Plan that would revise the manner in which the Company recycles shares granted under the Plan.  Currently, the 2004 Stock Plan provides that (i) shares subject to any unexercised portion of a terminated, cancelled or expired award may again be subjected to grants and awards, (ii) in the event that an option is exercised by delivering shares of Common Stock that previously were acquired by exercising options, such shares of previously-acquired Common Stock so delivered to the Company may again be subject to grants under the 2004 Stock Plan, (iii) shares of Common Stock are not be deemed to have been granted with respect to any portion of an award that is settled in cash or to the extent such shares are withheld in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations and (iv) upon payment in shares of Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of a stock appreciation right, the number of shares available for grant under the 2004 Stock Plan are reduced only by the number of shares actually issued in such payment. If the 2004 Plan Proposal is approved by shareholders, none of the following shares may be added back to the share limit for future awards under the 2004 Stock Plan: (i) the full number of shares not issued or delivered as a result of the net settlement of an outstanding option or stock appreciation right, regardless of the number of shares actually used to make such settlement; (ii) shares used to pay the exercise price or for settlement of any award; (iii) shares used to satisfy withholding taxes related to the exercise, vesting or settlement of any award; (iv) shares repurchased on the open market with the proceeds of the option exercise price; and (v) shares granted pursuant to a settled stock appreciation right if such stock appreciation right may be settled in shares of Common Stock, whether settler in cash or shares.  The Company believes that this change in the 2004 Stock Plan is in the best interests of the shareholders of the Company because it [treats each share of Common Stock in a stock award for which a participant receives a full benefit upon exercise or vesting as using one full share of Common Stock under the 2004 Stock Plan.  Under the current provision of the 2004 Stock Plan, upon the exercise of a stock option through the use of shares covered by the option or the withholding of shares covered by a stock option or restricted stock or restricted stock unit award, the stock award is only treated as using the net number of shares of Common Stock issued to the participant under the 2004 Stock Plan.  In recent years, the Company has been voluntarily treating the restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards as using the full number of shares of Common Stock covered by the award, not the net number as permitted by the Plan.  The approval of the 2004 Plan Proposal would formalize and expand the Company’s current practice and require shareholders to approve any changes in the practice. 

The 2004 Plan Proposal includes provisions to amend the 2004 Stock Plan to provide that (i) no dividends or dividend equivalents will be paid on stock options or stock appreciation rights and (ii) cash dividends on restricted stock grants and performance share awards payable in restricted stock will be paid in cash or the amount or value thereof will be automatically reinvested in additional restricted stock, as determined by the Management Development Committee, and may vest and be paid only if and to the extent that the related restricted stock award becomes payable, as is currently the case for other awards granted under the 2004 Stock Plan. Currently, the 2004 Stock Plan provides that a holder of restricted stock is entitled to receive all dividends paid with respect to Common Stock subject to a restricted stock grant, unless otherwise provided in the participant’s award agreement. The Company believes that these changes in the 2004 Stock Plan are in the best interests of the shareholders because participants will no longer be permitted to receive dividends on restricted stock awards that do not become payable and it treats restricted stock in a fashion consistent with the treatment of restricted stock units. Further, it clarifies the Company’s current practice of not paying dividends or dividend equivalents on stock options and stock appreciation rights. 

Shareholders are being requested to re-approve the Code Section 162(m) performance measures under the 2004 Stock Plan described under “Summary of the 2004 Stock Plan — Types of Awards — Code Section 162(m) Awards and Performance Measures”. If these performance measures are re-approved, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares and performance share awards granted under the 2004 Stock Plan to certain executive officers of the Company using these performance measures will qualify as exempt performance-based compensation under Code Section 162(m).

Code Section 162(m) generally disallows the corporate tax deduction for certain compensation paid in excess of $1,000,000 annually to each of the chief executive officer and the four other most highly paid executive officers of publicly traded companies. However, awards that are payable only upon attainment of performance measures approved by shareholders are exempt from Code Section 162(m). Code Section 162(m) generally requires such performance measures to be approved by shareholders every five years. Code Section 162(m) does not require shareholders to re-approve the stock option and stock appreciation right requirements under Code Section 162(m) described under “Summary of the 2004 Stock Plan — Types of Awards — Stock Options” and “Summary of the 2004 Stock Plan Types of Awards — Stock Appreciation Rights”.

The performance measures being presented to shareholders for re-approval are the same performance measures originally approved by shareholders in connection with their approval of the 2004 Stock Plan on December 6, 2004. If the performance measures are approved by shareholders, the Management Development Committee will continue to have the ability to grant to the chief executive officer and four other most highly paid executive officers restricted stock, restricted stock awards, performance shares and performance shares awards under the 2004 Stock Plan that are exempt from Code Section 162(m). To date, the Management Development Committee has not granted restricted stock, restricted stock awards, performance shares or performance share awards that are exempt from Code Section 162(m), although they may do so in the future. If the 2004 Plan Proposal is not approved by shareholders, the Management Development Committee will still be able to grant these types of awards, but they will not be exempt from Code Section 162(m). As a result, there will be a disincentive to the Management Development Committee in considering these types of awards because of the less favorable tax treatment for the Company for these awards as compared to stock options and stock appreciation rights.

Because all of the shares of Common Stock included in the requested increase in the number of shares available for grant under the 2004 Stock Plan can be granted as incentive stock options, Code Section 422 requires shareholder approval of the 2004 Plan Proposal in order for these additional shares to be issued as incentive stock options.

Of the 2,100,000 shares reserved under the 2004 Stock Plan, as of September 15, 2017, 575,524 shares are available for future grants, 598,636 shares are reserved for outstanding stock option grants under the 2004 Stock Plan, 577,416 shares have been issued upon exercise of stock options previously granted under the 2004 Stock Plan, 133,468 shares have been issued in restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards and 214,956 shares have been issued to non-employee directors in exchange for all or a portion of the cash fees payable to them for serving as a director of the Company pursuant to the Directors Stock Purchase Rights Option.

Required Vote

Approval of the 2004 Plan Proposal requires the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the shares properly cast on the matter.  For purposes of determining the number of votes cast with respect to the approval of the 2004 Plan Proposal, only those cast “for” or “against” are included and abstentions and broker non-votes are not counted for this purpose.

PROXIES WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE 2004 PLAN PROPOSAL UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED ON THE PROXY.

The 2004 Stock Incentive Plan

The 2004 Stock Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors on October 22, 2004 and approved by the shareholders on December 6, 2004.  The 2004 Stock Plan expires on August 27, 2023.  On October 2, 2008, the 2004 Stock Plan was amended and restated by the Board for certain updates, including increasing the total number of shares of Common Stock available for grant under such plan from 600,000 to 1,000,000.  On November 18, 2008, the shareholders approved the amended and restated 2004 Stock Plan, and approved the increase of the total number of shares of Common Stock available for grant under such plan from 600,000 to 1,000,000.  On August 23, 2011, the 2004 Stock Plan was amended by the Board to increase the total number of shares of Common Stock available for grant under such plan from 1,000,000 to 1,400,000.  On November 15, 2011, the shareholders approved the increase of the total number of shares of Common Stock available for grant under such plan from 1,000,000 to 1,400,000.  On November 12, 2013, the shareholders approved the extension of the expiration date from October 22, 2014 until August 27, 2023 and increased the total number of shares of Common Stock available for grant under such plan from 1,400,000 to 2,100,000.

On September 25, 2017, the 2004 Stock Plan was amended by the Board, subject to approval of the Company’s shareholders, to (i) increase the total number of shares of Common Stock available for grant under such plan from 2,100,000 to 2,600,000, (ii) eliminate the liberal recycling provision, (iii) provide that no dividends or dividend equivalents will be paid on stock options or stock appreciation rights and (iv) provide that cash dividends on restricted stock grants and performance share awards payable in restricted stock will be paid in cash or the amount or value thereof will be automatically reinvested in additional restricted stock and may vest and be paid only if and to the extent that the related restricted stock award becomes payable, as is currently the case for other awards granted under the 2004 Stock Plan. Such amendment is being submitted to the shareholders for approval at the Annual Meeting.

As of September 15, 2017, an aggregate of 598,636 shares of Common Stock are reserved for issuance upon the exercise of options granted under the 2004 Stock Plan, 12,928 shares are reserved for settlement of restricted stock units granted under the 2004 Stock Plan and 575,524 shares are available for future awards.  An additional 500,000 shares will be available for future awards upon approval of the proposed amendment to the 2004 Stock Plan.  If, for any reason, an option, restricted stock or restricted stock unit or performance share award lapses, expires or terminates without having been exercised in full or vested, the unpurchased or unvested shares covered thereby are again available for grants of options under the 2004 Stock Plan.

The purpose of the 2004 Stock Plan is to (i) promote the best interests of the Company and its shareholders by encouraging team members, consultants, and non-employee directors of the Company and its subsidiaries to acquire an ownership interest in the Company, and (ii) enhance the ability of the Company to attract, motivate and retain highly competent, effective and loyal team members, consultants and non-employee directors in order to create intrinsic value for shareholders.

The Company believes that equity is a key element of the Company’s compensation package because equity awards encourage loyalty to the Company and align the interests of team members, consultants and non-employee directors directly with those of the Company’s shareholders.  The amendment to the 2004 Stock Plan will allow the Company to continue to provide these individuals with equity incentives that are competitive with those companies with which the Company competes for talent.

The 2004 Stock Plan currently is the Company’s only stock incentive plan.  Without the approval of the amendment to the 2004 Stock Plan, the Company will not, without shareholder approval, be able to meet its future anticipated needs for stock incentive awards.

The 2004 Stock Plan allows for awards of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance share awards, performance share award units and deferred stock units and permits non-employee directors to purchase shares of Common Stock through the 2004 Stock Plan in exchange for all or a portion of the cash fees payable to them for serving as a director of the Company.  To date, the Company only has granted stock options, awarded restricted stock and restricted stock units as well as permitted non-employee directors to purchase Common Stock under the 2004 Stock Plan.  In connection with the Company’s Fiscal 2018 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan, the Company plans to issue performance share award units.  The 2004 Stock Plan enables the Company to design and grant different types of stock awards that it determines from time to time to be most effective in attracting, motivating and retaining key individuals essential for the Company’s success.  A broader plan, such as the 2004 Stock Plan, gives the Company greater flexibility to design and manage equity-based compensation to meet the changing needs of its business over an extended period of time.

Moreover, if the amendment to the 2004 Stock Plan is not approved by shareholders, further stock incentive awards available for non-employee directors may be limited and non-employee directors may no longer be able to elect to receive Common Stock in lieu of their cash directors fees once rights to the remaining shares under the 2004 Stock Plan have been granted.  The Company believes these stock incentives are important elements of the Company’s compensation package for non-employee directors and assist the Company in its efforts to attract and retain highly qualified outside directors.  Further, the Company believes that director stock awards and stock purchase rights align non-employee directors’ interests and interests of the Company’s shareholders by encouraging non-employee directors to acquire shares of Common Stock.

The closing price of a share of Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Market on September 15, 2017 was $7.99.  The proceeds received by the Company upon exercise of the awards of participants in the 2004 Stock Plan will be used for the general corporate purposes of the Company.

The 2004 Stock Plan and the proposed amendment are available on the Company’s website at www.perceptron.com.  A copy of the 2004 Stock Plan along with the proposed amendment will be furnished to any shareholder upon written request to the Company’s Secretary at the Company’s executive offices in Plymouth, Michigan.

Eligible Participants

Participants in the 2004 Stock Plan shall be such employees (including employees who are directors), non-employee directors or consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries as the Management Development Committee in its sole discretion may select from time to time. 

Summary of the 2004 Stock Plan

The following is a summary of key provisions of the 2004 Stock Plan.  This summary does not purport to be a complete description of all the provisions of the 2004 Stock Plan, and it is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the 2004 Stock Plan.

General. The 2004 Stock Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance share awards, including cash, director stock purchase rights and deferred stock units at any time prior to August 27, 2023.  A total of 2,100,000 shares of Common Stock have been set aside for issuance under the 2004 Stock Plan, all of which may be granted as incentive stock options. If, for any reason, an option, restricted stock, restricted stock unit, performance share award or performance share award unit lapses, expires or terminates without having been exercised in full or vested, the unpurchased or unvested shares covered thereby are again available for grants of options under the 2004 Stock Plan. If the 2004 Plan Proposal is approved by the shareholder, a total of 2,600,000 shares of Common Stock will be set aside for issuance under the 2004 Stock Plan. Also, subject to approval of the 2004 Plan Proposal, the 2004 Stock Plan will include a provision that none of the following may be added back to the plan share limit for future awards: (i) the full number of shares not issued or delivered as a result of the net settlement of an outstanding option or stock appreciation right, regardless of the number of shares actually used to make such settlement; (ii) shares used to pay the exercise price or for settlement of any award; (iii) shares used to satisfy withholding taxes related to the exercise, vesting or settlement of any award; (iv) shares repurchased on the open market with the proceeds of the option exercise price; and (v) shares granted pursuant to a settled stock appreciation right if such stock appreciation right may be settled in shares of Common Stock, whether settled in cash or shares. This amount is subject to adjustment for stock splits and certain other corporate events. Approximately 320 full time employees and seven (7) non-employee directors of the Company are eligible to receive grants under the 2004 Stock Plan.

Administration. The Management Development Committee or, if there is no such committee or similar committee, the Board of Directors, will administer the 2004 Stock Plan.  Unless otherwise specified in the 2004 Stock Plan, the Management Development Committee has the power to select the recipients of awards and, subject to Code Section 409A and the regulations thereunder (“Code Section 409A”) and Code Section 162(m), has broad power to determine the terms of awards and to change such terms in various ways subsequent to grant, including among others, accelerating the exercisability or vesting of awards or lapse of transfer restrictions, waiving or modifying performance conditions and transfer restrictions, and extending the post-termination exercise period of awards. Subject to applicable laws, the Management Development Committee may delegate to one or more officers or a committee of such officers the authority to grant awards and to otherwise act with respect to awards made to participants who are not officers or directors of the Company. 

Repricing Prohibition

The 2004 Stock Plan does not permit the cancellation of outstanding options or stock appreciation rights and the grant in substitution therefore of any new awards under the plan having a lower exercise price or the amendment of outstanding options or stock appreciation rights to reduce their exercise price without shareholder approval and compliance with the requirements of Code Section 409A.

Types of Awards

Awards under the 2004 Stock Plan may be in the form of stock options (either incentive stock options or non-qualified options), stock appreciation rights, restricted stock or restricted stock units, performance share awards, director stock purchase rights and deferred stock units; or any combination thereof.  The terms of awards under the 2004 Stock Plan will generally be set forth in an agreement between the Company and the recipient and will be determined by the Management Development Committee, unless specified in the 2004 Stock Plan.

•Stock Options.  Stock options represent the right to purchase shares of Common Stock within a specified period of time at a specified price.  Options granted under the 2004 Stock Plan may be (i) incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code, or (ii) non-qualified stock options.  The exercise price for a stock option will be not less than 100% (110% for an incentive stock option granted to a 10% or more shareholder) of the fair market value of Common Stock on the date of grant.  The fair market value per share of the Common Stock on September 15, 2017 was $7.99.  Fair market value means the final reported sales price (or, if there is no reported sale on such date, the final reported sales price on the last preceding date for which such reported sales price exists) of the Common Stock on the principal United States securities exchange on which the Common Stock may at the time be listed on the grant date.  The aggregate fair market value of the stock for which any person may be granted incentive stock options which become exercisable for the first time by such person in any calendar year cannot exceed the sum of $100,000 (determined on the date such option is granted).  No incentive stock option will be granted to a person who is not an “employee” as defined in the applicable provisions of the Code and regulations issued thereunder.  An incentive stock option shall expire in ten years (five years in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a 10% or more shareholder) after the date of grant.  No incentive stock options can be granted under the 2004 Stock Plan after August 27, 2023, but options granted before that date may be exercised thereafter.  Options granted under the 2004 Stock Plan become exercisable and will expire at such times as the Management Development Committee may determine; provided that options will expire not later than ten years after grant.  The maximum number of shares that may be subject to option grants under the 2004 Stock Plan to any participant during any one fiscal year of the Company is 200,000 shares of Common Stock (subject to adjustment for stock splits and other corporate events).  Payment for shares to be acquired upon exercise of options granted under the 2004 Stock Plan may be made (i) in cash, (ii) by check, (iii) at the discretion of the Management Development Committee, through a cashless exercise procedure whereby the holder provides an option exercise notice to the Company and simultaneously irrevocably instructs a broker to sell a sufficient number of shares from the option exercise to pay the option exercise price and accompanying taxes, (iv) at the Management Development Committee’s discretion, shares held by the holder may be tendered to the Company to pay the exercise price and tax withholding obligations, if any, (v) any combination of the foregoing or (vi) other means determined by the Management Development Committee. If the 2004 Plan Proposal is approved, no dividends or dividend equivalents will be permitted to be paid on stock options.

•Stock Appreciation Rights.  A stock appreciation right is an award which provides the holder with the ability to profit from the appreciation in value of a set number of shares of the Common Stock over a set period of time.  The 2004 Stock Plan provides for the grant of two types of stock appreciation rights: tandem stock appreciation rights, which are granted in conjunction with a stock option, and stand-alone stock appreciation rights, which are granted as independent instruments and are not necessarily issued in conjunction with any options.  The exercise price for a stock appreciation right shall not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock covered by the stock appreciation right on the grant date and the per share exercise price subject to a tandem stock appreciation right will be the same per share exercise price as the related option.  Stock appreciation rights granted under the 2004 Stock Plan become exercisable at such times as the Management Development Committee may determine or as set forth in the related option and shall not have a term of more than ten years.  If a tandem stock appreciation right, a stock appreciation right shall be exercisable only at such times and in such amounts as the related option may be exercised.  A tandem stock appreciation right shall terminate and cease to be exercisable no later than the date on which the related option expires or is terminated or canceled.  Upon the exercise of a tandem stock appreciation right with respect to some or all of the shares subject to such stock appreciation right, the related option shall be canceled automatically as to the number of shares with respect to which the tandem stock appreciation right was exercised.  Upon the exercise of an option related to a tandem stock appreciation right as to some or all of the shares subject to such Option, the related tandem stock appreciation right shall be canceled automatically as to the number of shares with respect to which the related option was exercised.  The maximum number of shares that may be subject to stock appreciation rights under the 2004 Stock Plan granted to any participant during any one fiscal year of the Company is 200,000 shares of Common Stock (subject to adjustment for stock splits and other corporate events).  Upon exercise of a stock appreciation right, a participant will be entitled to payment from the Company, in cash, shares of Common Stock, or partly in each, as determined by the Management Development Committee in accordance with any applicable terms of the agreement. If the 2004 Plan Proposal is approved, no dividends or dividend equivalents will be permitted to be paid on stock appreciation rights.

•Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units.  Restricted stock is Common Stock that is subject to risk of forfeiture or other restrictions that will lapse upon satisfaction of specified conditions.  Restricted stock units represent the right to receive shares of Common Stock, or an equivalent value in cash, in the future, with the right to future delivery of the shares or cash subject to a risk of forfeiture or other restrictions that will lapse upon satisfaction of specified conditions.  Restricted shares and restricted stock units will initially be non-transferable but will become transferable upon fulfillment of conditions established by the Management Development Committee at the time of grant.  An award of restricted stock or restricted stock units may also be subject to vesting or other restrictions, which may include performance measures.  All of the terms relating to vesting or other restrictions, including performance measures, the length of any performance period, and the termination of the restriction period relating to a restricted stock award or restricted stock unit, will be determined by the Management Development Committee and set forth in the agreement relating to such restricted stock award or restricted stock unit.  The holder of restricted shares will have rights as a shareholder of the Company, including the right to vote and receive dividends with respect to such shares.  If the 2004 Plan Proposal is approved, cash dividends paid on restricted stock shall be either paid in cash or the amount or value thereof automatically reinvested in additional restricted stock, and may vest and be paid only if and to the extent the underlying shares of restricted stock vest and are paid. The holder of shares subject to a restricted stock unit will have no rights as a shareholder of the Company until share certificates are issued by the Company, but, at the discretion of the Management Development Committee, will have the right to receive a “Dividend Equivalent” (generally, a credit equal to the cash dividends paid on the number of shares subject to the award).  However, any such Dividend Equivalents shall vest and be paid only to the extent the underlying shares vest and are paid. If dividends are paid in shares of Common Stock, then (i) If the 2004 Plan Proposal is approved, the shares paid in connection with restricted stock shall vest and be paid only if and to the extent the underlying shares of restricted stock vest and are paid and (ii) restricted stock units would be adjusted so that they include the right to receive the share dividend upon vesting and settlement of the restricted stock unit.

•Performance Share Awards.  The 2004 Stock Plan also provides for the grant of performance share awards.  A performance share award is a right, contingent upon the attainment of performance measures within a specified performance period, to receive cash, shares of Common Stock, which may be restricted stock, or a combination of both.  All of the terms relating to the satisfaction of performance measures, the length of any performance period, the amount of any performance share award granted, the amount of any payment or transfer to be made pursuant to any performance share award, and any other terms and conditions of any performance share award, will be determined by the Management Development Committee and included in an agreement between the recipient and the Company.  Awards must be paid within 30 days after the Management Development Committee certifies satisfaction of the performance measures. The holder of performance share awards who receives the award in the form of restricted stock will have the right to vote the shares, but will be prohibited from transferring the stock until the satisfaction of the performance measures. If the 2004 Plan Proposal is approved, cash dividends paid on performance share awards in the form of restricted stock shall either be paid in cash or the amount or value thereof automatically reinvested in additional restricted stock and may vest and be paid only if and to the extent the underlying shares of restricted stock vest and are paid. Performance share awards may also be granted in the form of units providing the right to receive shares of Common Stock, or an equivalent in cash, in the future.  The holder of a performance share award unit and, subject to shareholder approval of the 2004 Plan Proposal, the holder of a performance share award who receives the award in the form of restricted stock, will have no right as a shareholder of the Company until share certificates are issued by the Company and, at the discretion of the Management Development Committee, will have Dividend Equivalent rights. However, any such Dividend Equivalents shall vest and be paid only to the extent the underlying shares vest and are paid. If dividends are paid in shares of Common stock then (i) the shares paid in connection with performance share awards in the form of restricted stock shall vest and be paid only if and to the extent the underlying shares of restricted stock vest and are paid and (ii), if the 2004 Plan Proposal is approved,  performance share awards in the form of restricted stock units would be adjusted so that they include the right to receive the share dividend upon vesting and settlement of the restricted stock unit.

•Directors Stock Purchase Rights.  The 2004 Stock Plan also permits directors to purchase shares of Common Stock through the 2004 Stock Plan in exchange for all or a portion of the cash fees payable to them for serving as a director of the Company (“Directors Stock Purchase Rights Option”).  Only non-employee directors currently receive cash fees for serving as a director of the Company.  Under the terms of the 2004 Stock Plan, eligible non-employee directors are also eligible for awards under the 2004 Stock Plan in addition to their meeting fees.  See “Further Information – Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers – Directors.”

Under the Directors Stock Purchase Rights Option, directors may elect to use all or a portion of their annual directors fees payable in cash to purchase Common Stock in exchange for all or a portion of director fees payable from December 1 of that year to December 1 of the next year. 

Directors fees are payable in cash on March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1 of each year.  On each of these dates, the Company will determine the number of shares of the Common Stock each Director who has elected to participate in the Directors Stock Purchase Rights Option has earned on that date.  This determination will be made by dividing all director’s fees payable on each of those dates that the Director has elected to exchange for Common Stock, by the fair market value of the Common Stock on that date.  Any portion of the director’s fees payable on each of those dates that the Director has not elected to receive in Common Stock will be paid to the Director in cash.  The fair market value of the Common Stock will be determined by the final reported sales price (or, if there is no reported sale on such date, the final reported sales price on the last preceding date for which such reported sales price exists) of the Common Stock on the principal United States securities exchange on which the Common Stock may at the time be listed on the first day of the month in which the quarterly payment date for directors fees falls.  The Company will issue share certificates for all shares of Common Stock purchased in a calendar year by December 15th of such year unless a director requests to receive his or her share certificate at any time during the year by sending written notice to the Company.

•Deferred Stock Units.  The 2004 Stock Plan permits participants designated by the Management Development Committee who are among a select group of management or highly compensated team member of the Company to elect to reduce compensation otherwise payable in cash in exchange for a grant of deferred stock units (subject to minimums and maximums imposed by the Management Development Committee and the requirements of Code Section 409A).  Participants have no voting rights with respect to deferred stock units until the issuance of shares under the plan.  Participants are entitled to Dividend Equivalents with respect to cash dividends having a record date prior to the date on which deferred stock units are settled (paid by crediting such participant with additional deferred stock units).  However, any such Dividend Equivalents shall be paid only to the extent the underlying shares are paid. Settlement of deferred stock units is made by issuance of fully vested Common Stock.

•Code Section 162(m) Awards and Performance Measures.  In its discretion, the Management Development Committee may designate any grant of restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance share award or performance share award units to any key employee as intended to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 162(m).  Such grants will be subject to certain additional requirements intended to satisfy the exemption for performance-based compensation under Code Section 162(m).  The performance criteria will be one or more of the following objective performance measures, either individually, or in any combination, based on performance of the Company as a whole or any division, business segment or unit selected by the Management Development Committee and measured over a designated performance period, in each case as specified by the Management Development Committee: (i) revenue; (ii) gross margin; (iii) operating margin; (iv) operating income; (v) pre-tax profit; (vi) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and/or depreciation, (vii) net income; (viii) cash flow; (ix) expenses; (x) stock market price of the Common Stock; (xi) earnings per share; (xii) operating income per share; (xiii) return on stockholder equity; (xiv) return on capital; (xv) return on net assets; (xvi) economic value added; (xvii) market share; (xviii) return on investment; (xix) profit after tax; (xx) product approval; (xxi) market capitalization; (xxii) new products; and (xxiii) research and development activity.  The restriction or performance period may be a one, two, three, four or five fiscal year period, determined by the Management Development Committee.  A performance-based restricted stock award, restricted stock unit, performance share award or performance share award unit shall not be paid until the Management Development Committee has certified in writing that the applicable performance measures have been attained.  The performance measures criteria stated above shall have the same meanings as used in the Company’s financial statements or, if such terms are not used in the Company’s financial statements, the meaning applied pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles, or as used generally in the Company’s industry.  The performance measures criteria stated above were originally approved by shareholders in connection with their approval of the 2004 Stock Plan on December 6, 2004 and periodically re-approved by shareholders thereafter and are required to be reapproved by shareholders of the Company, to the extent required by Code Section 162(m), which currently requires such re-approval at the first shareholders meeting that occurs in the fifth year following the year in which shareholders previously approved the performance measures. Dividends paid on Code Section 162(m) restricted stock or performance share awards shall be automatically reinvested in additional shares of restricted stock and such additional shares shall be subject to the same performance goals and restrictions as the other shares under the Code Section 162(m) restricted stock award or performance share award.

No participant may be granted Code Section 162(m) restricted stock, and restricted stock units during any one fiscal year of the Company for more than 200,000 shares of Common Stock (subject to adjustment for stock splits and other corporate events).  No participant may be granted Code Section 162(m) performance shares and performance share award units during any one fiscal year of the Company for more than 200,000 shares of Common Stock (subjected to adjustment for stock splits and other corporate events) or, if the performance share award unit is not based upon a set number of shares of Common Stock, then no participant may receive a performance share award unit that could result in such participant receiving more than $500,000 for each fiscal year of the Company covered by the performance period for the award.

Change in Control or Termination of Employment

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable agreement, any portion of an option or stock appreciation right which is not yet exercisable, any portion of a restricted stock grant or restricted stock unit which is not yet transferable and any portion of a performance share award with respect to which performance measures have not yet been achieved will be forfeited if the participant terminates employment or services for any reason.

Participants shall have the right within the period specified in the applicable agreement to exercise an option or stock appreciation right to the extent it was exercisable and unexercised on the date of the participant’s termination of employment or services, death, or disability, subject to any other limitation on exercise in effect on the date of exercise; provided, however, that the beneficial tax treatment of an incentive stock option may be forfeited if the option is exercised more than (i) three months after a participant’s termination of employment, or (ii) one year after the participant’s date of death or participant’s termination of employment due to disability.

Subject to the requirements of Code Sections 162(m) and 409A, the Management Development Committee has discretion under the 2004 Stock Plan to accelerate the exercisability of options and stock appreciation rights, extend the exercise period of an option or stock appreciation right and waive, change or add restrictions or conditions applicable to restricted stock, restricted stock units or performance share awards, in the event of a participant’s termination of employment or services, death or disability. 

The Management Development Committee in its discretion may provide in the applicable agreements with participants or otherwise that in the event of the consummation of a change in control of the Company, as defined in the 2004 Stock Plan, or the occurrence of a change in control as determined by the Management Development Committee, any or all of the following will occur: (i) any outstanding option or stock appreciation right granted to participants immediately shall become fully vested and exercisable in full, regardless of any installment provision applicable to such option or stock appreciation right; (ii) the remaining restriction period on any shares of Common Stock subject to a restricted stock grant or restricted stock unit immediately shall lapse and the shares shall become fully transferable, subject to any applicable federal or state securities laws; (iii) all performance measures and conditions shall be deemed to have been satisfied and all restrictions shall lapse on any outstanding performance share awards granted to participants, and such awards shall become payable in full; (iv), for purposes of any deferred stock unit granted to participants, payments due under the deferred stock unit shall become immediately payable if the change in control satisfies the requirements under Code Section 409A; or (v) such other treatment as the Management Development Committee may determine.  The Management Development Committee may, in its sole discretion and without the consent of any participant, determine that, upon the consummation of a change in control, each or any option or stock appreciation right outstanding immediately prior to the change in control shall be canceled in exchange for a payment with respect to each vested share of Common Stock subject to such canceled option or stock appreciation right in (i) cash, (ii) stock of the Company or of a corporation or other business entity a party to the change in control, or (iii) other property which, in any such case, shall be in an amount having a fair market value equal to the excess of the fair market value of the consideration to be paid per share of Common Stock in the change in control transaction over the exercise price per share under such option or stock appreciation right (the “Spread”).  In the event such determination is made by the Management Development Committee, the Spread (reduced by applicable withholding taxes, if any) shall be paid to participants in respect of their canceled options and stock appreciation rights as soon as practicable following the date of the change in control. See “Compensation of Executive Officers – Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”

Withholding Taxes

The Company has the right to withhold from a participant's compensation or require a participant to remit sufficient funds to satisfy applicable withholding for income and employment taxes upon the exercise of an option or stock appreciation right, the lapse of the restriction period on a restricted stock award or restricted stock unit award, or the payment of a performance award or incentive award. The Management Development Committee may permit a participant to tender previously-acquired shares of Common Stock or have shares of stock withheld from the shares to be received by the participant upon exercise or vesting, in order to fulfill the withholding taxes; provided that the shares have an aggregate fair market value sufficient to satisfy in whole or in part the applicable withholding taxes.The Management Development Committee also may permit a participant to use the cashless exercise procedure to satisfy the withholding requirements related to the exercise of an option.  At no point shall the Company withhold from the exercise of an option more shares than are necessary to meet the established tax withholding requirements of federal, state and local obligations.

Assignments

Except as otherwise determined by the Management Development Committee, no award under the 2004 Stock Plan shall be assignable except by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

Adjustments

The shares of Common Stock under the 2004 Stock Plan and subject to any award under the Plan shall be adjusted pro rata for stock dividends, stock splits, reverse stock splits and other similar transactions.

In the event of a liquidation of the Company, the Management Development Committee may provide for outstanding awards to become exercisable in full and all restrictions on such awards to lapse and for such awards to terminate on the effective date of the liquidation.

In the event of a merger of the Company in which the Company is not the survivor, a reverse triangular merger in which the Company becomes a subsidiary of another company, a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or other similar transaction (a “Corporate Transaction”), it is intended that the awards will be assumed by the acquirer, subject to the requirements of Code Section 409A.  If the awards are not assumed, subject to the requirements of Section 409A, the awards shall become fully exercisable and all restrictions on such awards shall lapse and the Management Development Committee may provide for such awards to terminate on a date established by the committee.

Termination or Amendment

The 2004 Stock Plan shall continue in effect until the earlier of August 27, 2023, its termination by the Board or the issuance of all shares under the plan.  The Management Development Committee may at any time discontinue granting awards under the 2004 Stock Plan.

The Management Development Committee may amend the 2004 Stock Plan, except that no amendment may adversely affect the rights of any participant without his or her consent and no amendment will, without the approval of the shareholders of the Company, and without complying with Code Section 409A, materially increase the benefits accruing to participants under the 2004 Stock Plan, increase the number of shares of Common Stock available under the 2004 Stock Plan, change the group of persons eligible to receive awards, permit the repricing of options or stock appreciation rights in a fashion prohibited as described under “Repricing Prohibition” above, or permit the granting of options with exercise prices below fair market value.  The 2004 Stock Plan and agreements issued under the plan are subject to amendment, with or without notice to participants, on a prospective or retroactive basis, including amendments that adversely affect the rights of participants, to the extent necessary to comply with Code Section 409A.

So long as the Common Stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market, the Company will also be subject to NASDAQ requirements that prohibit the Company from materially amending the 2004 Stock Plan without the approval of shareholders.

Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following discussion outlines the current U.S. federal income tax consequences of the 2004 Stock Plan but does not purport to be a complete analysis of all of the potential tax effects of the 2004 Stock Plan.  Applicable tax laws and their interpretations are subject to change at any time and application of such laws may vary in individual circumstances.  No information is provided with respect to persons who are not citizens or residents of the United States, or foreign, state

or local tax laws, or estate and gift tax considerations.  Each participant should rely on his or her own tax counsel for advice regarding U.S. federal income tax treatment under the 2004 Stock Plan.

Incentive Stock Options.  A participant who is granted an incentive stock option does not recognize taxable income upon the grant or exercise of the option.  However, the difference between the fair market value of the Common Stock received on the date of exercise and the option exercise price is a tax preference item that may subject the participant to alternative minimum tax.  A participant generally will receive long-term capital gain or loss treatment on the disposition of shares acquired upon exercise of the option, provided that the disposition occurs more than two years from the date the option is granted, and the participant holds the stock acquired for more than one year.  A participant who disposes of shares acquired by exercise prior to the expiration of the forgoing holding periods recognizes ordinary income upon the disposition equal to the difference between the option price and the lesser of the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise and the disposition price.  Any appreciation between the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise and the disposition price is taxed to the participant as long or short-term capital gain, depending on the length of the holding period.  To the extent that the participant recognizes ordinary income, the Company will receive a corresponding tax compensation deduction.

Non-qualified Stock Options.  A participant will not recognize income upon the grant of a non-qualified stock option.  Upon exercise, the participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the excess of the fair market value of the Common Stock received on the date of exercise over the price paid for the stock.  The Company is entitled to a tax compensation deduction equal to the ordinary income recognized by the participant.  Any taxable income recognized by an employee participant in connection with an option exercise is subject to income and employment tax withholding.  When the participant disposes of shares acquired by the exercise of an option, any amount received in excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise will be treated as long or short-term capital, depending upon the length of the holding period.

Stock Appreciation Rights.  A participant will not recognize income upon the grant of a stock appreciation right.  Upon exercise, the participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the cash or fair market value of the shares of Common Stock received from the exercise, which will be subject to income and employment tax withholding for an employee participant.  The Company will receive a tax compensation deduction equal to the ordinary income recognized by the participant.  When the participant disposes of shares acquired by the exercise of a stock appreciation right, any amount received in excess of the  fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise will be treated as long or short-term capital gain, depending upon the length of the holding period.

Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. Generally, a participant who is granted restricted stock or restricted stock units will not be taxed on the grant.  However, the participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock or cash received when the restrictions lapse, at which time an employee participant also will be subject to income and employment taxes.  The Company will receive a compensation tax deduction equal to the ordinary income recognized by the participant.  If a participant receives a restricted stock or restricted stock unit award that is subject to  “substantial risk of forfeiture,” as defined in Section 83(b) of the Code, the participant may elect to accelerate his or her tax obligation by submitting a Code Section 83(b) election within 30 days after the grant date, pursuant to which the participant will be taxed on the fair market value of the award as of the grant date, and the Company will receive a tax compensation deduction as of the grant date equal to the ordinary income recognized by the participant. Upon disposition of any shares received from a restricted stock or restricted stock unit award, any excess over the fair market value of the shares when the restrictions lapsed (or the fair market value of the shares when a Code Section 83(b) election was filed) will be subject to long or short-term capital gain, depending upon the length of the holding period.

Performance Share Awards.  Generally, a participant will not be taxed upon the grant of a performance share award that is subject to restrictions or performance measures.  However, the participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the cash or fair market value of the Common Stock, or combination thereof, received when the restrictions or other performance measures have been satisfied, at which time an employee participant also will be subject to income and employment tax withholding.  The Company will receive a tax compensation deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant.  A participant who receives a performance share award that is subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture,” as defined in Section 83 of the Code, may elect to accelerate his or her tax obligation by submitting a Code Section 83(b) election within 30 days after the grant date, pursuant to which the participant will be taxed on the fair market value of the award as of the date of grant, and the Company will receive a tax compensation deduction as of the grant date equal to the ordinary income recognized by the participant.

Deferred Stock Units.  Generally, a participant will not be taxed on the grant of a deferred stock unit.  When a deferred stock unit ultimately is settled in shares or cash and distributed from the 2004 Stock Plan, a participant will recognize ordinary income in the year of settlement equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock or cash received, and an employee participant will be subject to income and employment tax withholding on such amount at the time of settlement.  The Company will receive a tax compensation deduction equal to the ordinary income recognized by the participant.  Upon the sale of any shares received, any excess over the fair market value of the shares on the settlement date will taxed to the participant as long or short-term capital gain, depending upon the length of the holding period.

Directors Stock Purchase Rights.  A Director who elects to purchase shares of Common Stock under the 2004 Stock Plan using all or a part of his or her cash directors’ fees will recognize ordinary income at each quarterly payment date equal to the fair market value of the shares received, which generally will equal the cash directors’ fees used to purchase the shares.  The Company will receive a tax compensation deduction equal to the ordinary income recognized by the Director.  Upon the sale of shares received, any excess over the fair market value of the shares recognized on the original quarterly payment date will be taxed to the Director as long or short-term capital gain, depending upon the length of the holding period.

Code Section 162(m). Code Section 162(m) denies a federal income tax deduction for certain compensation in excess of $1,000,000 per year paid to the chief executive officer and the three other most highly-paid executive officers of a publicly traded corporation (other than the chief financial officer).  Certain types of compensation, including compensation based on performance targets that are approved in advance by shareholders, are excluded from the deduction limit.  Awards of options and stock appreciation rights under the 2004 Stock Plan are intended to be exempt from the deduction limits under Code Section 162(m).  At the discretion of the Management Development Committee, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance share award and performance share award units may be granted under the 2004 Stock Plan in a manner that exempts them from Code Section 162(m).

Code Section 409A.  We have also structured the 2004 Stock Plan with the intention that it comply with or be exempt from Section 409A of the Code which may impose additional taxes on our executives and other team members for certain types of deferred compensation that are not in compliance with Section 409A.  However, the Company does not generally assume responsibility for any additional tax, interest or penalties under Code Section 409A arising out of payments under the 2004 Stock Plan.

New Incentive Plan Benefits

The future benefits or amounts that would be received under the 2004 Stock Plan by executive officers and other team members are discretionary and are therefore not determinable at this time.  In addition, the benefits or amounts which would have been received by or allocated to such persons for the last completed fiscal year if the 2004 Stock Plan had been in effect cannot be determined.

Aggregate Awards Granted Under the 2004 Stock Plan from Plan Inception

The following table lists each person named in the Summary Compensation Table under “Further Information – Executive Compensation – Summary Compensation Table”, all director nominees, all current executive officers as a group, all current directors (other than executive officers) as a group, each associate of the foregoing persons, each other person currently providing services to the Company who received or is to receive at least five percent of the shares granted or issued under the 2004 Stock Plan, and all current team members of the Company (other than executive officers) as a group, indicating, as of September 15, 2017, the aggregate number and weighted average exercise price of options granted under the 2004 Stock Plan and restricted stock and restricted stock units awarded under the 2004 Stock Plan to each of the foregoing since the inception of the plan in 2004.  The table also does not include the following shares purchased by non-employee Directors under the Directors Stock Purchase Rights Option: Mr. Marz 49,165 shares, Mr. Bryant 5,521 shares, Mr. Neely 6,300 shares, Mr. Oswald 54,548 shares, Mr. Ratigan 5,521 shares, Mr. Smith 6,107 shares, and Mr. Taylor 8,878 shares.    

The table also does not include restricted stock units which will be issued to Messrs. Watza and Van Valkenburg and other current team members on October 2, 2017 under the Fiscal 2018 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan and an option to purchase 100,000 shares granted to Mr. Watza as described under “Compensation of Executive Officers – Employment Agreements.”

(1)All options are non-qualified stock options.  The exercise price of all options is equal to 100% of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant.

(2)Options for 30,000 and 100,000 shares granted to Mr. Watza became or become exercisable in cumulative annual installments of 33 1/3% beginning on November 2, 2016 and December 1, 2017, respectively and expire on the earlier of November 2, 2026 and December 1, 2027, respectively, or if earlier, one year after Mr. Watza’s death or permanent disability or three months after Mr. Watza’s termination of employment.  As of September 15, 2017, Mr. Watza held unexercised options for 130,000 shares of Common Stock under the 2004 Stock Plan, of which 10,000 options are exercisable. 

(3)Grant of restricted stock made on September 7, 2017 under the Fiscal 2017 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan.  Restrictions expire in cumulative annual installments of 25% beginning September 7, 2017.

(4)Options for 8,000, 8,000, 50,000, 8,000, 8,000 and 8,000 shares granted to Mr. Marz, became or become exercisable in cumulative annual installments of 25% beginning September 1, 2007, September 4, 2008, February 1, 2009, January 2, 2010, September 1, 2012 and December 3, 2013, respectively and expire or have expired on the earlier of August 31, 2016, September 3, 2017, January 31, 2018, January 1, 2019, August 31, 2021 and December 2, 2022, respectively, or if earlier, one year after Mr. Marz’s death or permanent disability or three months after Mr. Marz’s termination of services.  Options for 9,570 shares granted to Mr. Marz became exercisable in cumulative annual installment of 33 1/3% beginning December 1, 2016 and expire on the earlier of November 30, 2025, or if earlier, one year after Mr. Marz’s death or permanent disability or three months after Mr. Marz’s termination of services.  Options for 100,000 shares granted to Mr. Marz on February 2, 2016 became exercisable 75% on August 31, 2016 and 25% on August 31, 2017 and expire on the earlier of February 1, 2026, or if earlier, one year after Mr. Marz’s death or permanent disability or three months after Mr. Marz’s termination of services.  As of September 15, 2017, Mr. Marz holds unexercised options for 175,570 shares of Common Stock under the 2004 Stock Plan, of which 169,190 are exercisable.

(5)Grant of restricted stock of 2,369 made on November 11, 2014.  Restrictions expire in cumulative annual installments of 33 1/3% beginning November 11, 2015.  Grant of restricted stock of 25,000 made on February 2, 2016.  Restrictions expire 75% on August 31, 2016 and 25% on August 31, 2016.

(6)Options for 8,000 and 8,000 shares granted to Mr. Bryant and Mr. Taylor on September 1, 2016 became exercisable in cumulative annual installments of 33 1/3% beginning September 1, 2017 and expire the earlier of August 31, 2026, or if earlier, one year after the their death or permanent disability or three months after their termination of services.  As of September 15, 2017, Messrs. Bryant and Taylor each hold unexercised options for 8,000 shares of Common Stock under the 2004 Stock Plan, of which 2,667 are exercisable.

(7) Options for 8,000 granted to Mr. Neely on February 3, 2014 became exercisable in cumulative annual installments of 25% beginning February 3, 2015 and expire the earlier of February 2, 2025, or if earlier, one year after the Mr. Neely’s death or permanent disability or three months after Mr. Neely’s termination of services.  Options for 9,570 granted to Mr. Neely on December 1, 2015 became exercisable in cumulative annual installments of 33 1/3% beginning December 1, 2016 and expire the earlier of November 30, 2026, or if earlier, one year after the Mr. Neely’s death or permanent disability or three months after Mr. Neely’s termination of services.  As of September 15, 2017, Mr. Neely holds unexercised options for 17,570 shares of Common Stock under the 2004 Stock Plan, of which 9,190 are exercisable.

(8)Grant of restricted stock of 2,369 made on November 11, 2014.  Restrictions expire in cumulative annual installments of 33 1/3% beginning November 11, 2015. 

(9)Options for 8,000, 8,000, 8,000, 8,000 and 8,000 granted to Messrs. Oswald and Smith became or become exercisable in cumulative annual installments of 25% beginning September 1, 2007, September 4, 2008, January 2, 2010, September 1, 2012 and December 3, 2013, respectively and expire or have expired on the earlier of August 31, 2016, September 3, 2017, January 1, 2019, August 31, 2021 and December 2, 2022, respectively, or if earlier, one year after their death or permanent disability or three months after their termination of services.  Options for 9,570 shares granted to Messrs. Oswald and Smith became exercisable in cumulative annual installment of 33 1/3% beginning December 1, 2016 and expire on the earlier of November 30, 2025, or if earlier, one year after their death or permanent disability or three months after their termination of services.  As of September 15, 2017, Messrs. Oswald and Smith hold unexercised options for 33,570 shares of Common Stock under the 2004 Stock Plan, of which 27,190 are exercisable.

(10)Options for 8,000, 8,000, 8,000, 8,000 and 8,000 granted to Mr. Ratigan became or become exercisable in cumulative annual installments of 25% beginning September 1, 2007, September 4, 2008, January 2, 2010, September 1, 2012 and December 3, 2013, respectively and expired three months after October 2, 2013 due to the termination of his services.  Options for 8,000 shares granted to Mr. Ratigan on September 1, 2016 became exercisable in cumulative annual installments of 33 1/3% beginning September 1, 2017 and expire the earlier of August 31, 2026, or if earlier, one year after the their death or permanent disability or three months after their termination of services.  As of September 15, 2017, Mr. Ratigan holds unexercised options for 8,000 shares of Common Stock under the 2004 Stock Plan, of which 2,667 are exercisable.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table gives information about the Company’s Common Stock that may be issued upon the exercise of options, warrants and rights under all of the Company’s existing equity compensation plans as of June 30, 2017, including the 2004 Stock Plan and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (together, the “Plans”):

(1)Awards under the 2004 Stock Plan may be in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock or restricted stock units, performance share awards, director stock purchase rights and deferred stock units; or any combination thereof.

(2)Does not include an undeterminable number of shares subject to a payroll deduction election under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan for the period from July 1, 2017 until December 31, 2017, which will not be issued until January 2018.

PROPOSAL 3 — ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” PROPOSAL 2

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, or the Dodd-Frank Act, provides shareholders with the opportunity to vote to approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.  This advisory vote is commonly known as “Say-on-Pay.”  Accordingly, the Board is asking our shareholders to indicate their support for the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement.

At the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, our shareholders expressed a preference that advisory votes on executive compensation be held on an annual basis.  Consistent with this preference, the Board determined to implement an advisory vote on executive compensation on an annual basis until the next required vote on the frequency of shareholder votes on the compensation of executive officers.

This proposal is not intended to address the specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and the Company’s executive compensation program and practices.  Please read the “Compensation of Executive Officers,” together with the related compensation tables and narrative disclosure, below, for a detailed explanation of the Company’s executive compensation program and practices.

The Board is asking our shareholders to vote “FOR” the following non-binding resolution:

“Resolved, that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and the related compensation tables and narrative disclosure, in the Proxy Statement is hereby approved on an advisory basis.”

Required Vote

The approval of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter.  As an advisory vote, the result will not be binding on the Board; however, the Management Development Committee, which is comprised solely of independent directors, will consider the outcome of the vote when evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s compensation policies and practices.

PROXIES WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED ON THE PROXY.PROXY.

PROPOSAL 3 – ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY

OF THE APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” AN ANNUAL ADVISORY VOTE

The Dodd-Frank Act also provides shareholders with an opportunity to indicate, on a non-binding advisory basis, how frequently the Company should seek an advisory “Say-on-Pay” vote.  Accordingly, the Board is asking our shareholders to express their preference as to the frequency with which the Company should present the “Say-on-Pay” vote to shareholders.  Shareholders may select a frequency of one, two or three years, or they may abstain from voting.

After careful consideration, the Board has determined that a “Say-on-Pay” vote that occurs every year is the most appropriate alternative for the Company. In reaching this conclusion, the Board believes that an annual “Say-on-Pay” vote will allow shareholders to provide the Board and the Management Development Committee with more meaningful and direct input into the Company’s executive compensation philosophy, policies and programs.  The Board believes an annual advisory vote will also foster more useful communication with shareholders by providing shareholders with a clear and timely means to express any concerns and questions.  Nonetheless, shareholders are not being asked to approve or disapprove of the Board’s recommendation, but rather to indicate their own choice as among the frequency alternatives.

Required Vote

The Board will view as the selection of shareholders the frequency alternative that receives the greatest number of votes.  As an advisory vote, the result will not be binding on the Board; however, the Board will consider the outcome of this proposal when determining the frequency of future “Say-on-Pay” votes.

PROXIES WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF AN ANNUAL ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED ON THE PROXY.

PROPOSAL 4 — RATIFICATION OF COMPANY’S INDEPENDENTINDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” PROPOSAL 3

As provided in its charter, the Audit Committee selects our independent registered public accounting firm, reviews the scope of the annual audit and approves all audit and non-audit services permitted under applicable law to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm.  The Audit Committee has evaluated the performance of BDO USA, LLP (“BDO”) and has selected them as our independent registered public accounting firm to audit our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018.2020.  BDO has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since January 7, 2013. You are requested to ratify the Audit Committee’s appointment of BDO.  Representatives of BDO are expected to be present at the annual meeting and will be given the opportunity to make a statement, if they desire to do so, and to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders present at the meeting.

A majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting is required for ratification.  However, by NASDAQ and SEC rules, selection of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is the direct responsibility of the Audit Committee. Therefore, if shareholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will seek to understand the reasons for such failure and will take those views into account in this and future appointments.  Even if the current selection is ratified by shareholders, the Audit Committee reserves the right to appoint a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the fiscal year if the Audit Committee determines that such change would be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

Additional information regarding the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm can be found under “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm”.

Required Vote

Ratification of the Company’s independent auditors requires a majority of the votes cast on the matter.

PROXIES WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT AUDITORS UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED ON THE PROXY.

SHARE OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN SHAREHOLDERS

Principal Shareholders

The following table sets forth information with respect to beneficial ownership of the Common Stock by each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of our outstanding Common Stock.  The number of shares reported is as of the dates indicated in the footnotes below.  The percentage of class is based on 9,484,3449,666,841 shares of Common Stock outstanding on September 15, 2017.20, 2019.  The information has been furnished by each such person.

(5)Based upon a Holding Report on Schedule 13F-HR, filed with the SEC on August 11, 2017 by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (“Dimensional”), which disclosed that Dimensional owned 684,901 shares as of June 30, 2017.  In its statement on Schedule 13G with the SEC on February 9, 2017, by Dimensional reported that it had sole power to dispose of 656,254 shares and sole power to vote 644,653 shares of Common Stock.  Further, based upon its statement on Schedule 13G, the shares of Common Stock are beneficially owned by investment companies, trusts and accounts which are advised by Dimensional and none of which own more than 5% of the shares of Common Stock.  Dimensional disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock.

(6)Based upon a Holding Report on Schedule 13F-HR, filed with the SEC on August 12, 2017 by Renaissance Technologies LLC (“Renaissance”), which stated that Renaissance owned 525,600 shares as of June 30, 2017.  In their statement on Schedule 13G, filed with the SEC on February 14, 2017, Renaissance and its majority owner, Renaissance Technologies Holdings Corporation, had the sole power to dispose of, and to vote 497,500 shares of Common Stock.  Further, based upon its statement on Schedule 13G, the shares of Common Stock are beneficially owned by accounts which are advised by Renaissance and none of which own more than 5% of the shares of Common Stock.

(7)Based upon a Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on August 11, 2017 jointly by (i) Harbert Discovery Fund, LP (“Harbert LP”), (ii) Harbert Discovery Fund GP, LLC (“Harbert GP”), (iii) Harbert Fund Advisors, Inc. (“HFA”), (iv) Harbert Management Corporation (“HMC”), (v) Jack Bryant, (vi) Kenan Lucas and (vii) Raymond Harbert, which disclosed that each of Harbert LP, Harbert GP, Jack Bryant and Kenan Lucas has shared power to dispose of and to vote 504,100 shares of Common Stock and that each of HFA, HMC and Raymond Harbert has shared power to dispose of and to vote 507,706 shares of Common Stock.

Beneficial Ownership by Directors and Executive Officers

The following table sets forth information with respect to beneficial ownership of the Common Stock by each of our directors and director nominees, the persons named in the Summary Compensation Table and by all our directors and executive officers as a group as of September 15, 2017,20, 2019, unless otherwise indicated.  The information as to each person has been furnished by such person and, except as where otherwise indicated, each person has sole voting power and sole investment power with respect to all shares beneficially owned by such person.

* Less than 1% of class

(1)To the best of the Company’s knowledge, based on information reported by such directors and officers or contained in the Company’s shareholder records.

(2)Serves as a member of the Board of the Company.

(3)Each of Harbert LP, Harbert GP, HFA, HMC, Mr. Bryant, Kenan Lucas and Raymond Harbert has shared power to dispose of and vote 507,706 shares of Common Stock.  Includes options to purchase 2,667 shares of Common Stock, which are presently exercisable or which are exercisable within 60 days of September 15, 2017.

(4)Includes options to purchase 177,190 shares of Common Stock, which are presently exercisable or which are exercisable within 60 days of September 15, 2017.

(5)Includes options to purchase 9,190 shares of Common Stock, which are presently exercisable or which are exercisable within 60 days of September 15, 2017.

(6)Includes options to purchase 35,190 shares of Common Stock, which are presently exercisable or which are exercisable within 60 days of September 15, 2017.

(7)Includes options to purchase 2,667 shares of Common Stock, which are presently exercisable or which are exercisable within 60 days of September 15, 2017.

(8)Includes options to purchase 27,190 shares of Common Stock, which are presently exercisable or which are exercisable within 60 days of September 15, 2017.

(9)Includes options to purchase 2,667 shares of Common Stock, which are presently exercisable or which are exercisable within 60 days of September 15, 2017.

(10)Includes options to purchase 20,000 shares of Common Stock, which are presently exercisable or which are exercisable within 60 days of September 15, 2017.

(11)Includes options to purchase 278,136 shares of Common Stock, which are presently exercisable or which are exercisable within 60 days of September 15, 2017.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Under the securities laws of the United States, our directors, executive (and certain other) officers and any persons holding more than ten percent of the Common Stock are required to report their ownership of the Common Stock and any changes in that ownership to the SEC.  Directors, officers and greater than ten percent shareholders are required by the SEC to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.  Specific due dates for these reports have been established and we are required to report in this proxy statement any failure to file by these dates during our last fiscal year.  To our knowledge, all of these filing requirements were satisfied during our last fiscal year by our officers, directors and ten percent shareholders.shareholders, except that Mr. Watza failed to timely file a Form 4 reporting the surrender of 741 shares of Common Stock to the Company in order to satisfy withholding tax obligations. and Mr. Freeland failed to timely file a Form 4 reporting the grant of options to purchase 8,000 shares of Common Stock due to administrative errors.  In making this statement, we have relied solely on the representations of our directors, officers and ten percent shareholders and copies of the reports that have been filed with the SEC.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The executive officers listed below were appointed by the Board and serve in the capacities indicated.  Executive officers are normally appointed annually by the Board and serve at the pleasure of the Board.

COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVEEXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Narrative Disclosure Regarding Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Executive Summary.  This Narrative Disclosure Regarding Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”NDC”) is intended to provide information about our compensation objectives and policies for our principal executive officer, our principal financial officer and our other named executive officers ( the(the “NEOs”) included in the Summary Compensation Table that follows this discussion.  This CD&ANDC is intended to place in perspective the compensation information contained in the tables that follow this discussion.

During fiscal 2017,2019, the Management Development Committee, after reviewing the Company’s executive compensation programs, determined to not change the principal components of our programs as discussed below.  This approach was supported by the results of the advisory vote by shareholders of the Company at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on November 10, 2016December 7, 2018 at which the “Say on Pay” Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation was approved by 80.0%88.1% of the shareholders voting on the proposal.

General Philosophy.  Our objective is to provide a superior return to shareholders. To support this objective, we believe that we must attract, retain and motivate top quality executive talent.  Our executive compensation program is a critical tool in this process.

Our executive compensation program consists of five components:

Our compensation philosophy at all levels of the organization emphasizes performance-based compensation.  This is particularly true of our executive compensation program, which has been designed to link executive compensation to Company performance through at-risk compensation opportunities, providing significant reward to executives who contribute to our success.  A significant portion of our NEOs and other executives’ potential annual cash compensation is tied to our revenue and profitability goals.  We provide long-term incentives to our team through periodic stock awards.  Through stock awards to our NEOs and other executives, we have tied a significant portion of their future compensation potential to the creation of long-term shareholder value.  Further, we believe that stock-based incentives for team members, in addition to providing an incentive for their continued employment, more closely align their interests with those of the Company and its shareholders.  

Our approach to NEO base salaries is to ensure that they are competitive so that they are effective in attracting and retaining a high qualityhigh-quality executive team.  Similarly, in designing our employee benefit programs and severance and change in control benefits, we strive to offer benefits consistent with the general practice of comparable companies.

We believe that compensation should be simple, straightforward and easily understood by the recipients.  As a result, our incentive compensation programs have generally been tied to a limited number of key Company-wide performance metrics that can be objectively measured.  

We continue to implement a corporate strategy designed to leverage our leading technologies and market position to accelerate the next evolution of growth of the Company as well as increase diversification across industries.  The main components of our strategy are: to continue to invest in engineering capabilities, focus on our core automotive technologies and customers, tenaciously pursue cost efficiencies and prudently manage our working capital. 

In the coming years, we will continue to revise and refine our executive and non-executive compensation programs to properly motivate our executives and team to implement this strategy.  We will directly reward them for growth on a Company-wide basis.

Equity Ownership Guidelines.  The Management Development Committee determined to implement equity ownership guidelines for our executive team. In August 2017, the Board determined that the Chief Executive Officer and other NEOs should hold shares equal to one-times and one-half-times their base salaries, respectively.  This will be accomplished by requiring these executives to retain at least 25% of the net shares of Common Stock acquired upon the vesting or exercise of any equity incentive awards, after deducting the number of shares of Common Stock that were

withheld or sold to pay applicable taxes and/or exercise price, until the executive has met the ownership guidelines.  This requirement will be measured each year at June 30^th.  At June 30, 2019, all members of the executive team had complied with this requirement.

The Role of the Management Development Committee and Chief Executive Officer in the Compensation Process.  The Management Development Committee is responsible for the planning, review and administration of our executive compensation program and stock-based executive compensation programs.  During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017,2019, all members of this Committee were non-employee directors of the Company.  The Management Development Committee generally meets in conjunction with regularly scheduled Board meetings and between Board meetings at the request of the Chief Executive Officer or the Management Development Committee.

The Management Development Committee generally reviews the components of executive compensation on an annual basis to determine whether there should be any adjustments in base salary, to establish the annual cash incentive plan, to establish a long term equity incentive plan, to determine if other stock-based incentives should be granted and to review the terms of our other executive compensation programs.  Each year the Chief Executive Officer presents an evaluation of the performance of the NEOs and other executive team members to the Management Development Committee.  Based upon this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations to the Management Development Committee regarding compensation for the NEOs and other executives, other than himself.  The Chief Executive Officer may make recommendations regarding changes in a particular NEO or other executive’s compensation more frequently than annually as a result of changes in circumstances, such as the assumption of increased executive level responsibilities.  The Management Development Committee considers the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer, as well as the other information provided to them by the Company, and then establishes compensation for the NEOs and other executives, either annually or periodically as the need arises.

The Management Development Committee independently assesses the performance of the Chief Executive Officer.  Based upon that assessment, the performance of the Company and the Management Development Committee’s decisions regarding the compensation of the other NEOs and executives, the Management Development Committee independently establishes the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, without any recommendations from or participation by the Chief Executive Officer in that process.

The Management Development Committee has not established a set percentage relationship between the size of the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation package as compared to the other NEOs.  However, historically one of the factors considered by the Management Development Committee in setting the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation is the level of compensation awarded to the other NEOs for each element of compensation.

The base salary, annual cash incentive opportunity, stock-based incentives and other compensation terms for new executive officers are established by the Management Development Committee based upon the executive’s qualifications, position and level of responsibility as compared with our other executives, our profitability and other factors, such as assessments of individual performance and market practices, and, in the case of executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer, upon the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer.

The Chief Executive Officer typically proposes the terms of an annual cash incentive plan and equity incentive plan to the Management Development Committee for consideration.  The Committee revises the plans as it deems appropriate and approves the final plans, usually in the first quarter of the fiscal year.

The Management Development Committee generally reviews all elements of compensation as a whole in establishing executive compensation.  It does not have a pre-set formula for the proper mix of the elements, other than the annual cash incentive and equity incentive plans.  In the case of our annual cash incentive and equity incentive plans, each of our NEOs and other executives has a set target percentage of his or her base salary that can be earned as an annual cash incentive and an equity incentive for achievement of Company-wide performance metrics.

The Role of Risk Assessment in Compensation Planning.  As part of its process of developing and implementing the Company’s compensation programs for both executive and non-executive team members, the Management Development Committee considers whether the programs being proposed have the potential to create risks that could have a material adverse effect on the Company.  The Management Development Committee believes that the Company’s compensation programs have been structured with an appropriate balance between providing strong compensation-related incentives to the team to drive revenue and profit growth, without encouraging them to take excessive risks to achieve growth.  For instance, while the Company uses performance-based compensation at all levels of its compensation program, base salary still represents the largest single portion of all team members’ cash compensation.  This encourages team members to take appropriate risks to achieve established goals but tempered by the need to maintain the Company’s long-term established business assets and value.  Further, Company revenue and operating income targets used in incentive plans are based upon the Company’s operating budget for the fiscal year generally developed by the executives and the team and approved by the Company’s Board of Directors.  By setting targets in this fashion, the Management Development Committee strives to set realistic targets to drive reasonably achievable growth.  

In addition, the amount that can be earned by the executives and the team under this plan are capped at a percentage of the team member’s base salary, discouraging risk taking to achieve performance levels significantly above the expected levels of performance.

Key Elements of Compensation for Fiscal 20172019

Base Salary.  The Management Development Committee recognizes the importance of a competitive compensation structure in retaining and attracting valuable senior executives.  Executive salary levels are reviewed and established annually.  The salaries received by our executives generally reflect their levels of responsibility, our profitability and other factors, such as assessments of individual performance and market practices.

In connection with the appointment of Mr. Marz as interim President and Chief Executive Officer in January 2016,April 2018, the Management and Development Committee approved a 4% merit increase for Mr. Watza, which coincided with merit increases for all U.S.-based employees and set Mr. Marz’ basehis salary at $217,500. This amount was determined in order to provide Mr. Marz with a base salary level for his full time services that, when taken together with his $150,000 annual retainer as Chairman of the Board, was commensurate with that of the former President and Chief Executive Officer. In March 2016, in conjunction with the implementation of the financial improvement plan, the Board reduced the annual retainer for the Chairman of the Board to $100,000.  Following the appointment of Mr. Watza as President and Chief Executive Officer in November 2016, Mr. Marz ceased services as an employee of the Company and so no longer received payments of his base salary.  He did continue to receive his annual retainer as Chairman of the Board for periods thereafter.  In addition, he was paid a six month $25,000 additional retainer fee starting with the appointment of Mr. Watza as the new President and Chief Executive Officer, for his activities during the transition in management.  In May 2017, this additional retainer fee of $25,000 was extended through the end of calendar year 2017.

In connection with the appointment of Mr. Watza as President and Chief Executive Officer, his base salary was set at $325,000.  Prior to this appointment, as our Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, his base salary was $260,000.$338,000.  The Management Development Committee set his base salary at a level they viewed as commensurate with amounts paid to his predecessors.  The Management Development Committee did not approve any increases in Mr. Watza alsoWatza’s base salary since then.

In connection with the appointment of Mr. Van Valkenburg as Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing in December 2016, his base salary was awardedset at $215,000.  In March 2017, the Management Development Committee approved a non-qualified option to purchase 100,000 shares ofmerit increase for Mr. Van Valkenburg and set his salary at $220,000, which coincided with merit increases for all U.S.-based employees.  In April 2018, the Company’s Common Stock, under the Company’s 2004 Stock Incentive Plan,Management Development Committee approved a 4.5% merit increase for Mr. Van Valkenburg, which coincided with a grant date effective December 1, 2016.merit increases for all U.S.-based employees and set his salary at $230,000. The options will become exercisableManagement Development Committee did not approve any increases in three equal annual installments beginning December 1, 2017 at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock on December 1, 2016. Mr. Van Valkenburg’s base salary since then.

Annual Non-Equity Incentive Plan.  Our executives and director-level team members are eligible for annual cash incentive opportunities.  Generally, at the beginning of each fiscal year, the Management Development Committee develops a cash incentive plan applicable to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, the other NEOs and our other executives and director-level team members.

In the case of our annual cash incentive, each of our executives and director-level team members, including the NEOs, typically has a set target percentage of their base salary that can be earned as an annual cash profit sharing incentive for achievement of Company-wide performance metrics and individual strategic goals.

For fiscal 2017,2019, the Management Development Committee adopted the Fiscal 20172019 Executive Short Term Incentive Plan, which applied to Mr. Watza, the other NEOs, excluding Mr. Marz, our other executives and director-level team members.  Under the Fiscal 20172019 Executive Short Term Incentive Plan, participants could earn annual incentive cash compensation based upon performance against pre-established Company financial targets and individual strategic objectives.

When Mr. Marz was named asat the Company’s interim President and Chief Executive Officer, it was determined that Mr. Marz would not participate indirection of the Company’s Executive Short Term Incentive Plan, dueManagement Development Committee, to be paid from a bonus pool funded under the fact thatterms of the Company was searching for a permanent Chief Executive Officer.

plan. The amount of the award of any cash incentives underbonus pool available for payment to the Fiscal 2017 Executive Short Term Incentive Plan for fiscal 2017 performanceCompany’s key executives was to be determined based onupon the Company’s achievement of specifiedspecific results with respect to Companycorporate revenue and operating income targets for fiscal 2017, as well as the achievement of individual strategic objectives.2019.  The weightings of these targets for fiscal 20172019 were as follows:

The financial targets include progressive threshold (90% of target for Company Revenue and 75% for Company Operating Income)Income Before Incentive Compensation), target and maximum (110% of target for Company Revenue and 125%150% of target for Company Operating Income)Income Before Incentive Compensation) performance level incentive performance objectives.  The Management Development Committee could adjust the calculation of the Company Revenue target and the Company Operating Income Before Incentive Compensation target to account for unforeseen, unanticipated, unusual and/or non-ordinary course events and issues. Furthermore, the Company’s Operating Income Before Incentive Compensation musthad to be at least 75% of the target level under the Company’s Fiscal 20172019 Operating Budget for any annual incentive cash compensation payablebonus pool to be madefunded under the Executive Short Term Incentive Plan.

An annual incentive cash compensation payout can be madeIf the threshold objectives were met, the Company would fund a bonus pool under the Fiscal 20172019 Executive Short Term Incentive Plan if Company revenue equals or exceeds 90%Plan. The bonus pool amount would be calculated as follows: the aggregate predetermined participation levels of all participants, which is a percentage of base salary of each participant (55% for Mr. Watza and 35% for the other executive officers), multiplied by the Percentage of the Bonus Target Earned.  The Percentage of the Bonus Target Earned is calculated as follows:  (i) Percentage of Company Revenue target or theBonus Target Earned multiplied by 0.50 plus (ii)

Percentage of Company Operating Income Before Incentive Compensation equals or exceeds 75% of the Company Operating Income Before Incentive Compensation target.Bonus Target multiplied by 0.50. The specificbonus pool amount that such participant receives is dependent on company financial performance, the participant’s base salary and his or her predetermined participation level stated as a percentage of base salary (60% for Mr. Watza and 40% for other executives).

The amount that could have been received by Mr. Watza under the Fiscal 2017 Executive Short Term Incentive Plan ranged frombetween 0% (assuming the threshold objectives wereobjective was not met) to 90%and 175% (assuming the maximum objectives were met) of base salary,the aggregate predetermined participation levels of all participants, with a cash incentivebonus pool amount of 60% of base salary if both100% of the aggregate predetermined participation levels of all participants if the target financial performance objectives arewere met.  For each of the other executives, the amount such executives could have received

The aggregate payouts under the Fiscal 20172019 Executive Short Term Incentive Plan ranged from 0% (assumingpayable to all participants could not exceed the threshold objectives were not met)bonus pool amount. The amount of the bonus pool to 60% (assumingbe received by Mr. Watza and the maximum objectives were met)other executives was to be determined at the discretion of the Management Development Committee based upon the Company’s financial performance, the participant’s base salary, with a threshold cash incentive amounthis or her predetermined participation level and his or her achievement of 40% of base salary if both of the target financialindividual performance objectives are met.

objectives. Participating team members under the Fiscal 20172019 Executive Short Term Incentive Plan had to be employed on or before December 31, 20162018 in order to be eligible. Participating team members hired between July 1, 20162018 and December 31, 2016,2018, were eligible for a pro-rata portion of their individual participation level. Participating team members had to be employed by the Company at the date of the payouts, in fiscal 2017, except as otherwise provided under any severance agreement applicable to the participant.  See “Compensation of Executive Officers – Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”  The Management Development Committee reserved the right to increase, decrease or eliminate any payout under the Fiscal 20172019 Executive Short Term Incentive Plan for any participant, including to provide for no payout even if the financial performance targets or strategic objectives were achieved by the participant.

After completion of fiscal 2017,2019, the Management Development Committee determined the extent to which the specified goals relating to the financial targets were achieved.  In July 2017, the Company settled a previously disclosed lawsuit and recorded a pre-tax charge of $1.0 million in fiscal 2017 relating to the settlement.  Because the lawsuit involved the activities of a business unit that was sold in 2012 and for which the current top management team had no responsibility, the Management Development Committee determined it appropriate that the Company’s Operating Income for fiscal 2017 be adjusted for purposes of the calculation of the payout under the Fiscal 2017 Executive Short-Term Incentive Plan, by eliminating approximately 55% of the impact of such charge on Operating Income.  Our fiscal 20172019 Revenue and adjusted Operating Income Before Incentive Compensation for purposes of the Fiscal 20172018 Executive Short Term Incentive Plan were approximately 113%0% and 86%0%, respectively, of the target thresholds.  Accordingly, a cash incentiveno bonus pool was earned for bothfunded under the revenue targetFiscal 2019 Executive Short Term Incentive Plan and so no bonus was payable to Mr. Watza or the operating income target, for a payout of 99.5% of the target level cash incentive amount.  other executives under that plan.

Long Term Equity Incentive Plan.  Our executives and director-level team members are eligible for equity incentive opportunities.  Generally, at the beginning of each fiscal year, the Management Development Committee develops an equity incentive plan applicable to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, the other NEOs and our other executives and director-level team members.

For fiscal 2017, the Management Development Committee adoptedUnder the Fiscal 20172019 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan which applied to Mr. Watza,(the “Executive Long Term Incentive Plan”), the other NEOs excluding Mr. Marz,Company’s key executives, including the named executive officers, can earn incentive restricted stock units and our other executives.  Underperformance share award units under the Fiscal 20172004 Stock Incentive Plan. The equity awards granted under the Executive Long Term Incentive Plan each of our executives, including the NEOs, had a set target percentage of their base salary that couldwere targeted to be earned50% in the form of a restricted stock units and 50% in the form of performance share award units.

The equity awards were granted on December 20, 2018. The specific number of Common Stock asshares of restricted stock units and the specific target number of performance share award units that each participant receives was determined by the Management Development Committee, based upondividing an earned award amount denominated in dollars for performance against pre-established Company-wide financial targets.

When Mr. Marz was named asby the closing price of the Company’s interimCommon Stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market’s Global Market on the date the restricted stock units and performance share award units were awarded.  The award amount is equal to a predetermined percentage of the participant’s base salary (40% for our President and Chief Executive Officer it was determined thatand 30% for the other executives, with Mr. Marz would not participateWatza and the other NEO receiving a grant of 9,400 and 4,800 of restricted stock units, respectively, and 9,400 and 4,800 of performance share award units, respectively).

The restricted stock units vest on October 1, 2019, October 1, 2020 and October 1, 2021, provided the participant remains employed with the Company on each of the relevant vesting dates. The restricted stock units will become fully vested in the Company’s Executive Long Term Incentive Plan, dueevent a successor corporation refuses to assume the fact thatrestricted stock units or the participant’s employment is terminated without Cause (as defined in the award agreement) in connection with or within three years following a Change in Control of the Company was searching for a permanent Chief Executive Officer

The number of shares to be awarded under(as defined in the Fiscal 2017 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan for fiscal 2017 performance was based onaward agreement).

Subject to the Company’s achievement of specified results with respect to Companycorporate revenue and operating income targets for fiscal 2017.plan years 2019, 2020 and 2021 (the “Performance Measures”), 33-1/3% of the performance share award units vest based upon the achievement of Performance Measures for plan year 2019 (the “Fiscal 2019 Tranche”), 33-1/3% based upon the achievement of Performance Measures for plan year 2020 and 33-1/3% based upon the achievement of Performance Measures for plan year 2021, provided the participant remains employed with the Company on each of the relevant vesting dates. Plan year 2019 is from October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019, plan year 2020 is from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 and plan year 2021 is from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.  The Performance Measures were set at the date of grant based upon the Company’s 3 Year Long Range Plan. The weightings of these targetsthe Performance Measures for fiscal 2017determining the number of performance share award units that will vest for each participant in plan years 2019, 2020 and 2021 were as follows:

The financial targets included in the Performance Measures include progressive threshold (90% of target for Company Revenue and 75% for Company Operating Income)Income Before Incentive Compensation), target and maximum (110% of target for Company Revenue and 125%150% of target for Company Operating Income)Income Before Incentive Compensation) performance level incentive performance objectives.  Furthermore, the Company’s Operating Income Before Incentive Compensation must be at least 75% of the performance target level under the Company’s Fiscal 2017 Operating Budget for any annual incentive cash compensation payableperformance share award units to be madevest under the Executive Long Term Incentive Plan.

An incentive equity compensation payout can be made underUnder the Fiscal 20172019 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan, if either Company Revenue equals or exceeds 90%the value of the Company Revenue target or at least 75% ofperformance share award units that could be earned by Mr. Watza ranged from 0% (assuming the Company Operating Income Before Incentive Compensation equals or exceedsthreshold objectives were not met) to 65% (assuming the Company Operating Income Before Incentive Compensation target.  The specific number of shares of restricted stock that such participant receives is determined by dividing a dollar amount dependent on Company financial performance, the participant’s base salary and his or her predetermined participation level stated as a percentagemaximum objectives were met) of base salary, (30% for Mr. Watza and 20% for the other NEOs), by (i) the closing pricewith a grant date value of 40% of base salary if both of the Common Stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market’s Global Market on the equity award date in fiscal 2018, in the case of restricted stock awards.

target financial performance objectives are met.  Under the Fiscal 20172019 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan, the grant date value of the equity award that could be receivedearned by Mr. Watzathe Company’s other executives ranged from 0% (assuming the threshold objectives were not met) to 45%48.8% (assuming the maximum objectives were met) of base salary, with a grant date value of 30% of base salary if both of the target financial performance objectives are met.  Under the Fiscal 2017 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan, the grant date value of the equity award that could be received by the Company’s other executives ranged from 0% (assuming the threshold objectives were not met) to 30% (assuming the maximum objectives were met) of base salary, with a grant date value of 20% of base salary if both of the target financial performance objectives are met.

Participating team members under the Fiscal 20172019 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan had to be employed on or before December 31, 20162018 in order to be eligible. Participating team members hired between July 1, 20162018 and December 31, 20162018 were eligible for a pro-rata portion of their individual participation level.  Participating team members hadhave to be employed by the Company at theeach vesting date, of the payout in fiscal 2018, except as otherwise provided under any severance agreement applicable to the participant.  See “Compensation of Executive Officers – Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”  The Management Development Committee reserved the right to increase, decrease or eliminate any payoutperformance share award units under the Fiscal 20172019 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan for any participant, even if the financial performance targets were achieved.

After completion of fiscal 2017, theThe Management Development Committee determinedwill determine the extent to which the specified goals relating to the financial targets were achieved.  In July 2017,achieved for the Company settled a previously disclosed lawsuit and recorded a pre-tax charge of $1.0 million in fiscal 2017 relating to the settlement.  Because the lawsuit involved the activities of a business unit that was sold in 2012 and for which the current top management team had no responsibility, the Management Development Committee determined it appropriate that the Company’s Operating Income for fiscal 2017 be adjusted for purposes of the calculation of the payout under the Fiscal 2017 Executive Short-Term Incentive Plan Year 2019 Tranche by eliminating approximately 55% of the impact of such charge on Operating Income.  Our fiscal 2017 Revenue and adjusted Operating Income Before Incentive Compensation for purposes of the Fiscal 2016 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan were approximately 113% and 86% respectively, of the target thresholds.  Accordingly, an equity award was earned for both the revenue target and the operating income target, for a payout of 99.5% of the target level equity incentive amount.December 1, 2019.  

Stock-Based Incentives.  The 2004 Stock Plan permits the Management Development Committee to grant stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance share awards and deferred stock units, in addition to incentive and non-qualified stock options.  

In November 2016, in connection with Mr. Watza being named as President and Chief Executive Officer, he was awarded a non-qualified option to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, under the Company’s 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, with a grant date effective December 1, 2016.  On October 2, 2017, if Mr. Watza continues to be employed by the Company as President and Chief Executive Officer at that date, he will receive areceived another grant of non-qualified stock options to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock.Stock that the Company had committed to grant in connection with Mr. Watza’s appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer.  These grants are at levels commensurate with those made to his predecessors.

The options granted to Mr. Watza in 2016 become exercisable in three equal annual installments, beginning one year from their date of initial grant, at an exercise price equal to 100% of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant.  The options expire ten years from the date of grant, or if earlier, one year after the executive’s death or permanent disability or three months after the executive’s termination of employment.  In addition, any portion of these options that is not exercisable becomes exercisable immediately upon a Change in Control of the Company as described under “Compensation of Executive Officers – Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”  All of the options granted were non-qualified stock options.

Under the terms of the Fiscal 2017Plan Year 2019 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan, Mr. Watza and the other NEOs, other than Mr. Marz,received an award of restricted stock units and had the opportunity to earn anperformance share award of restricted stockunits under the 2004 Stock Plan in fiscal 2017 as described above under “Compensation of Executive Officers – Narrative Disclosure Regarding Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Key Elements of Compensation for Fiscal 20172019 – Long Term Equity Incentive Plan.”

The Management Development Committee does not have a set time of the year in which it makes discretionary equity awards under the 2004 Stock Plan, nor does it make such awards every year.  

The Management Development Committee periodically reviews the various stock-based incentive alternatives available to the Company under the 2004 Stock Plan as part of its development of a program to provide appropriate long-term incentives to the executive team and more closely align their interests with the Company and its shareholders.  Historically, the Management Development Committee used grants of non-qualified stock options as the Company’s principal long-term stock incentive program for the executive team. More recently, the Management Development Committee also has used restricted stock awards, and restricted stock unit awards and performance share unit awards to the executive team, members of the Board of Directors and other team members.  We have increased our use of restricted stock awards and restricted stock unitthese other forms of awards in order to reduce the number of shares being issued by the Company as equity incentive awards.  Because recipients of restricted stock awards and restricted stock unitthese types of awards are not required to pay an exercise price to realize the benefits of the award, as compared to stock option grants where they are required to do so, we are able to award fewer shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units to participants than if we granted stock options, yet provide participants with equivalent value to a stock option grant.  In the future, the Management Development Committee plans to use a combination of stock option grants, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards and performance share units.

The Management Development Committee has generally provided for stock options grants, restricted stock awards and restricted stock unit awards to become exercisable immediately upon a Change in Control of the Company. ThePrior to the adoption of the Fiscal 2018 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan, the Management Development Committee to date has used a single trigger structure for acceleration of vesting of stock option grants, restricted stock awards and restricted stock unit awards upon a Change in Control of the Company so that vesting occurs upon the occurrence of the Change of Control. They believe this provided executives with the appropriate incentives to act in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, without concern for their own personal interests, and to provide for continuity of management during the pendency of a transaction that could result in a Change in Control of the Company.

The Management Development Committee has designed the restricted stock unit awards understarting with the Fiscal 2018 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan to use a double trigger structure for acceleration of vesting of the awards upon a Change in Control of the Company.  Under the double trigger structure, accelerated vesting of awards requires both a Change in Control and qualified termination of employment or non-assumptions of awards. Similarly, the Management Development Committee has designed the performance share unit awards understarting with the Fiscal 2018 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan to provide that, upon a Change in Control of the Company, the performance requirements will be eliminated and any unvested portion of the award will vest, at the target number of shares subject to the original grant, in annual tranches at the anniversary date of the date of grant, based upon the year in which the tranche would have vested based upon achievement of the performance targets, if the holder of the award is employed as of such date or, if earlier, a qualified termination of employment or non-assumption of the award. The Committee used these provisions for the Fiscal 2019 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan and currently intends to use these provisions for all future grants under the 2004 Stock Plan.

Employee Benefits.  We believe it is important to the retention of our team members that we maintain a competitive benefit package at all levels within the Company.  Further, we believe a well-designed employee benefit program further promotes the creation of value for our shareholders by enhancing job productivity by encouraging our team members to maintain a healthy lifestyle and providing a reasonable level of financial support in the event of an illness, injury or death.

All of our team members, including the NEOs and our other executives, receive customary benefits such as medical, dental and vision plans, short and long-term disability and group life insurance.  However, Mr. Marz was not eligible to participate in the Company’s executive life or disability insurance program.  In addition, the NEOs and certain other executives receive enhanced life insurance (in lieu of group life) and supplemental long-term executive disability benefits, commensurate with their higher compensation levels.

We also maintain a 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan (the “401(k) Plan”) in which all team members employed in the United States, including the NEOs and our other executives, are eligible to participate on the same basis.  All team members are eligible to contribute up to 75% of their salaries on a pre-tax basis to the 401(k) Plan.  For calendar year 2017,2019, the annual maximum contribution limit is $18,000$19,000 for employees under 50 years of age and $24,000$25,000 for employees 50 years of age or older.  In addition, the Board of Directors may authorize the Company, from time to time, to match a portion of the team members’ contributions to the 401(k) Plan.  During a portion ofIn fiscal 2016, until early March 2016,year 2019, the Company matched 50% of each team member’s voluntary contributions to the 401(k) Plan up to the annual maximum contribution limit set forth above, including those made by the NEOs and our other executives.  In March 2016, as part of our financial improvement plan, the Company suspended the Company match for all employees, including our NEOs and other executives.  However, in December 2016, the Company reinstatedcontributed a match of 25% of each team member’s voluntary contribution to the 401(k) Plan up to the first 8% of a team member’s compensation.  Furthermore, based on the performance of the Company in fiscal year 2017, the Board approved an additional match for fiscal 2017 of each team member’s voluntary contributions to the 401(k) Plan up to 2% of their compensation for the period January 1 to June 30, 2017.  

To facilitate the performance of their management responsibilities, we provide certain key employees selected perquisites and other personal benefits, such as an automobile expense allowance and, when key employees join us, relocation benefits, such as temporary housing and reimbursements of travel costs prior to relocation.

Severance Agreements.  The Board, upon recommendation of the Management Development Committee, authorized the implementation of formal severance agreements for the Company’s executive officers beginning in fiscal 2005.  The terms of the severance agreements are described under “Compensation of Executive Officers – Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.”  The Board determined it appropriate to formalize the Company’s general severance policies and practices for its executive team and at the same time institute enhanced severance arrangements payable in the event of a termination of the executive’s employment following a change in control of the Company.  The Board and Management Development Committee believe that the enhanced severance arrangements are necessary in order to provide executives with the appropriate incentives to act in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, without concern for their own personal interests, and to provide for continuity of management during the pendency of a transaction that could result in a change in control of the Company. The Management Development Committee, in developing its recommendations to the Board, consulted with an outside compensation consultant hired by the Committee and the Company’s outside legal counsel.  Based upon the foregoing, the Management Development Committee believes that the severance agreements contain terms and conditions which are comparable to those used by other companies that are similar in size to the Company.

Because Mr. Marz’ appointment as interim President and Chief Executive Officer was intended to be temporary while the Company was searching for a permanent Chief Executive Officer, it was determined that it was not necessary for the Company to enter into a severance agreement with him.

The NEOs other than Mr. Marz, have all entered into our standard executive agreement not to compete, restricting the executive’s right to compete with us for the longer of twelve months following the termination of employment or the period post-termination during which we are required to make payments to the executive, and standard employee proprietary information and inventions agreement, containing confidentiality provisions and a two-year post-termination restriction on soliciting our employees.  We have the right to cease all further payments under the NEO’s severance agreement in the event that the NEO violates the executive non-competition agreement.  The NEOs must sign a standard release to receive payments under the severance agreements, including standard non-disparagement provisions.

Payments under the severance agreements, when aggregated with any other “parachute payments” (defined under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) as compensation that becomes payable or accelerated due to a Change in Control) payable under any of our other plans, agreements or policies, are capped so as to not be treated as “excess parachute payments” under Code Sections 280G and 4999.  See “Compensation of Executive Officers – Narrative Disclosure Regarding Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Golden Parachute Excise Tax” below for a further discussion of our policy with respect to golden parachute amounts.

Deductibility of Executive Compensation.  Code Section 162(m) restricts the deductibility of executive compensation paid to the chief executive officer, chief financial officer and any of the three most highly compensated executive officers (other than the chief executive officer and chief financial officer) at the end of the fiscal year to the extent such compensation (including gains from the exercise of certain stock options) exceeds $1,000,000 in any year.  There are exceptions to the limitation for performance-based compensation that was granted pursuant to a written binding contract in effect on November 2, 2017 that has not been materially modified since and is based on nondiscretionary, pre-established performance measures.  The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “TCJA”) eliminated the Code Section 162(m) performance exceptions for any compensation awarded or materially modified after November 2, 2017.

OurPrior to the TCJA, our Board established certain restrictions on the granting of options under the 2004 Stock Plan so that compensation realized in connection with the stock-based grants under the 2004 Stock Plan could be structured to be exempt from the restrictions on deductibility under Section 162(m).  Therefore, certain stock option grants in effect on November 2, 2017 are still exempt under Code Section 162(m).  For instance, the 2004 Stock Plan restricts stock grants to any participant in any fiscal year as follows: (i) up to 200,000 shares of Common Stock may be subject to stock option grants, (ii) up to 200,000 shares of Common Stock may be subject to stock appreciation right grants, (iii) up to 200,000 shares of Common Stock may be subject to restricted stock awards, (iv) up to 200,000 shares of Common Stock may be

subject to restricted stock units and (v) up to 200,000 shares of Common Stock may be subject to performance share awards.  It is important to note that while these restrictions allow the Management Development Committee continuing discretion in establishing executive officer compensation, they do limit such discretion by restricting the size of stock awards which the Management Development Committee may grant to any single individual.  The permitted size of the stock awards to a single individual was established based on the determination of the maximum number of shares which would be required to be granted in any fiscal year to retain or attract a chief executive officer of the Company.  The stock option grants under the 2004 Stock Plan have been designed to be exempt from the restrictions on deductibility under Section 162(m).  While the restricted stock awards under the 2004 Stock Plan to date, havewere not been designed to be exempt from the restrictions on deductibility under Section 162(m), they have been small enough in number to not likely result in payments to any executive officer in any year which would be subject to such restrictions.

We do not believe that other components of our current compensation program are likely to result in payments to any executive officer in any year which would be subject to the restriction on deductibility under Section 162(m).  Accordingly, we believe that we have taken appropriate actions to preserve the deductibility of most of the annual performance bonuses and long-term performance incentive awards the Management Development Committee is likely to award in any given year.  We will continue to evaluate the advisability of qualifying future executive compensation programs for deductibility under the Code.

The Management Development Committee recognizes the need to retain flexibility to make compensation decisions that may not meetbe deductible under Section 162(m) standards to enable us to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified executives.  It has the authority to approve non-deductible compensation in appropriate circumstances.  Also, because of ambiguities and uncertainties as to the application and interpretation of Section 162(m) and the related regulations and guidance, no assurance can be given that compensation intended by us to satisfy the requirements for deductibility under Section 162(m) will in fact do so.

Stock Awards Expense.  We are required under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718 “Compensation – Stock Compensation” to record compensation expense associated with stock awards to our employees, including the NEOs, as more fully discussed in Note 1519 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017.2019.  As discussed above, the Management Development Committee does consider the impact of FASB ASC Topic 718 in determining to use grants of non-qualified stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock unitsawards as our principal long-term incentive program for the executive team.  Further, the Management Development Committee does consider the amount of compensation expense required to be recorded in determining the size of stock option grants, restricted stock awards and restricted stock unit awards to the Chief Executive Officer and the aggregate grants and awards made to the remainder of the executive team and team members generally.

Golden Parachute Excise Tax.  Code Section 280G imposes tax penalties on golden parachute payments associated with a Change in Control of the Company if they exceed a specified level.  These penalties include a 20% excise tax on part of the income received by executives with excess payments, and the elimination of a portion of our tax deduction when these excess payments are triggered.  Payments under our severance agreements and from the acceleration of the exercisability of our stock options and vesting of our restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance share units  in the event of a Change in Control of the Company are potentially subject to these tax penalties.  Currently, payments under our severance agreements are capped at an amount that will not trigger the excise tax.  There is no similar limitation on the acceleration of the exercisability of stock options and vesting of restrictedother stock awards since we believe it is unlikely that the acceleration of options and vesting of restrictedother stock awards alone would cause an executive to exceed the specified level.  The Management Development Committee recognizes the need to retain flexibility to make compensation decisions that may cause payments to executives to exceed the levels specified in Code Section 280G to enable us to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified executives.  It therefore has the authority to approve compensation that would exceed the specified level or to remove the cap contained in the severance agreements in appropriate circumstances.  However, in the event that any payment by the Company to any executive officer is subject to excise taxes pursuant to Code Section 280G, the Company’s policy is that it will not reimburse the executive officer for any such excise taxes.

Deferred Compensation.  We have also structured our executive compensation program with the intention that it complies with or be exempt from Code Section 409A which may impose additional taxes on our executives for certain types of deferred compensation that are not in compliance with or exempt from Code Section 409A.

Because the Company’s policy is to either comply with or exempt payments from Code Section 409A, it does not generally assume responsibility for any additional tax, interest, or penalties under Code Section 409A. Also, because of ambiguities and uncertainties as to the application and interpretation of Code Section 409A and the related regulations and guidance, no assurance can be given that compensation intended by us to comply with or be exempt from Code Section 409A will in fact do so.

Report of the Management Development, Compensation and Stock Option Committee

The Management Development, Compensation and Stock Option Committee has reviewed and discussed the foregoing Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management. Based on the review and discussion with management, we have recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

Consideration of Last Year’s Advisory ShareholderShareholder Vote on Executive Compensation

At the 20162018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, approximately 80.0%88.1% of the votes cast by the shareholders were voted to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as discussed and disclosed in the 20162018 Proxy Statement.  The Board and the Management Development Committee appreciate and value the views of our shareholders.  In considering the results of this advisory vote on executive compensation, the Management Development Committee concluded that the compensation paid to our named executive officers and the Company’s overall pay practices enjoy shareholder support and did not make any material changes to the executive compensation program in response to the shareholder vote.

Going forward, future advisory votes on executive compensation will serve as an additional tool to guide the Board and the Management Development Committee in evaluating the alignment of the Company’s executive compensation program with the interests of the Company and its shareholders.  Shareholders may communicate with the Board, the Management Development Committee or individual directors regarding the Company’s executive compensation program by submitting such communications in writing to Perceptron, Inc., Attention: Board of Directors (or the Management Development Committee or the individual director(s)), 47827 Halyard Drive, Plymouth, Michigan 48170-2461.  CommunicationsSuch communications should be sent by overnight or certified mail, return receipt requested.  Alternatively, such communications may be sent by email to boardofdirectors@perceptron.com. Such communications will be delivered directly to the Board, the Management Development Committee or the individual director(s), as designated on such communication.

At the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, our shareholders expressed a preference that advisory votes on executive compensation be held on an annual basis.  Consistent with this preference, the Board determined to implement an advisory vote on executive compensation on an annual basis until the next required vote on the frequency of shareholder votes on the compensation of executive officers.officers, to be held at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth certain information as to compensation paid by us for services rendered in all capacities to the Company and its subsidiaries during fiscal 2017, 20162019 and 2015 (except as otherwise noted)2018 to (i) persons serving as our Chief Executive Officer at any time during fiscal 2017,2019, (ii) persons serving as our Chief Financial Officer at any time during fiscal 2017,2019, and (iii) persons serving as our executive officers at any time during fiscal 2017, who were not serving as our executive officers as of June 30, 2017, whose total compensation exceeded $100,000 in fiscal 20172019, (collectively, the “named executive officers” or “NEOs”).  Please see the Narrative Disclosure Regarding Compensation Discussion and Analysis for additional detail regarding the Company’s compensation philosophy, practices and fiscal 20172019 compensation decisions.

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

(1)Represents the full grant date fair value associated with restricted stock awards, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding any forfeiture reserves recorded for these awards.  There can be no assurance that the FASB ASC Topic 718 restricted stock award amounts shown above will ever be realized.  The assumptions we used to calculate these amounts are included in Note 15 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2017.  The restricted stock awards become immediately vested and risk of forfeiture and other restrictions lapse in the event of a change in control as described under “Compensation of Executive Officers – Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.” 

(2)Represents the full grant date fair value associated with stock option awards, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding any forfeiture reserves recorded for these awards.  There can be no assurance that the FASB ASC Topic 718 option award amounts shown above will ever be realized.  The assumptions we used to calculate these amounts are included in Note 15 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2017.  Except as otherwise set forth in the footnotes below, one-third of the option awards generally become exercisable on each anniversary of the date of grant if the executive’s services or employment has not terminated on or prior to such date. The options become immediately exercisable in the event of a change in control as described under “Compensation of Executive Officers – Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”  These options expire ten years from their date of grant or, if earlier, one year after the optionee’s death or permanent disability or three months after the optionee’s termination of employment or, in the case of Mr. Marz, service as a member of the Board of Directors if later. All of the options granted were non-qualified stock options.

(3)Represents cash incentive payments earned under our Fiscal 2017 Executive Short Term Incentive Plan.  The plan provides for annual cash incentive payments based on annual Company revenue and operating income performance goals for fiscal 2017.

(4)“All Other Compensation” in fiscal 2017 is comprised of (i) contributions made by us to the accounts of the named executives under our 401(k) Plan with respect to fiscal 2017 as follows: Mr. Marz $0 and Mr. Watza $3,000, (ii) reimbursements for personal commuting expenses for Mr. Marz in the amount of $22,252, (iii) reimbursements for temporary housing for Mr. Marz in the amount of $14,792, (iv) the dollar value of any life insurance premiums we paid in fiscal 2017 with respect to term life insurance for the benefit of the named executives, other than Mr. Marz, (v) the dollar value of any supplemental executive disability insurance premiums we paid in fiscal 2017 for the benefit of the named executives, other than Mr. Marz, (vi) the dollar value of a monthly automobile allowance to the named executives, other than Mr. Marz, (vii) payment of a retainer fee to Mr. Marz for his services as Chairman of the Board in the amount of $125,000, of which $37,500 was used to purchase 4,681 shares of Common Stock on March 1, 2017 and $37,500 was used to purchase 4,980 on June 1, 2017 pursuant to the Directors Stock Purchase Rights Option described under “Matters To Come Before the Meeting – Proposal 1 – Election of Directors – Standard Director Compensation Arrangements”, (viii) the dollar value of payments made to Messrs. Marz for periods during which he opted out of the Company’s health plans.  The shares of Common Stock purchased by Mr. Marz pursuant to the Director Stock Purchase Rights Options are reflected in the “All Other Stock Awards” column of the Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal 2017 table.

(5)Mr. Marz was our interim President and Chief Executive Officer from January 26, 2016 until November 17, 2016.

(6)The amount reported in this column reflects the salary paid to Mr. Marz for his services as President and Chief Executive Officer.  See footnote 4 above for a discussion of the retainer fee paid to Mr. Marz for his services as Chairman of the Board.

(7)On February 2, 2016, Mr. Marz received restricted stock awards for 25,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock under the Company’s 2004 Stock Plan, in connection with his appointment as interim President and Chief Executive Officer.   Seventy-five percent of these shares vested on August 31, 2016 and the remaining twenty-five percent vested on August 31, 2017.

(8)On December 1, 2015, Mr. Marz received an option to purchase 9,570 shares of Common Stock the Company’s Common Stock under the Company’s 2004 Stock Plan for his services as Chairman of the Board.  The full grant-date fair value associated with that option is $29,843. Additionally, on February 2, 2016, Mr. Marz was awarded an option to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, under the Company’s 2004 Stock Plan in connection with his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer. The full grant-date fair value associated with that option is $253,818. Seventy-five percent of these options vested on August 31, 2016 and the remaining twenty-five percent vested on August 31, 2017.

(9)Mr. Watza was appointed as Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer on October 5, 2015 and President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer on November 17, 2016.

(10)The full grant date fair value was determined assuming achievement of the performance goals was at target levels.  If the highest level of performance conditions had been met under the Fiscal 2017 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan, the full grant date fair value associated with restricted stock awards during fiscal 2017 under such plan, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding any forfeiture reserves recorded for those awards, would have been as follows: Mr. Watza $118,371.  Pursuant to the Fiscal 2017 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan, Mr. Watza received a grant of restricted stock to purchase 10,692 shares of Common Stock under the 2004 Stock Plan, based upon the level of achievement of the corporate revenue and operating income goals established under the Fiscal 2017 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan. The full grant date fair value associated with this restricted stock grant was $78,485. Twenty five percent of the restricted stock grant become exercisable on the grant date and twenty five percent of the restricted stock grant will become exercisable on each anniversary of the grant date if Mr. Watza’s services or employment have not terminated on or prior to such date. See “Compensation of Executive Officers – Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Key Elements of Compensation for Fiscal 2017 – Long Term Equity Incentive Plan,”

(11)On December 1, 2016, Mr. Watza received an option to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, under the Company’s 2004 Stock Plan, in connection with his appointment as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

(12)The full grant date fair value was determined assuming achievement of the performance goals was at target levels, which would result in application of a 100% scaled payout multiplier, and assuming the Management Development Committee applied a 100% discretionary multiplier.  If the highest level of performance conditions had been met under the Fiscal 2016 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan, the full grant date fair value associated with restricted stock awards during fiscal 2016 under such plan, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding any forfeiture reserves recorded for those awards, would have been as follows: Mr. Watza $117,000.  Because actual performance for fiscal 2016 was below performance thresholds, no restricted stock awards were granted pursuant to the Fiscal 2016 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan.

(13)On November 2, 2015, Mr. Watza received an option to purchase 30,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, under the Company’s 2004 Stock Plan, in connection with his appointment as Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table sets forth information concerning each grant of a plan-based award made to a NEO during fiscal year 2017.

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS FOR FISCAL 2017

(1)The amount reported in these columns are the cash amounts that would have been paid under our Fiscal 2017 Executive Short Term Incentive Plan if the threshold, target and maximum financial performance objectives and individual strategic goals were met.  Pursuant to the terms of the Fiscal 2017 Executive Short Term Incentive Plan, Mr. Watza will receive a cash payment of $156,970 based upon the level of achievement of the corporate revenue and operating income goals established under the Fiscal 2017 Executive Short Term Incentive Plan. See “Compensation of Executive Officers – Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Key Elements of Compensation for Fiscal 2017 – Annual Non-Equity Incentive Plan”.

(2)The amount reported in these columns are the dollar values of the restricted stock that would have been granted under our Fiscal 2017 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan if the Company’s threshold, target and maximum performance objectives were met.  Under the Fiscal 2017 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan, the final awards to reflect actual performance are denominated in dollars and paid in shares of restricted stock determined by dividing the dollar amount of the award by the closing price of the Common Stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market’s Global Market on the award date.  Pursuant to the Fiscal 2017 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan, Mr. Watza received a grant of restricted stock to purchase 10,692 shares of Common Stock under the 2004 Stock Plan, based upon the level of achievement of the corporate revenue and operating income goals established under the Fiscal 2017 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan. The full grant date fair value associated with this restricted stock grant was $78,485. Twenty five percent of the restricted stock grant became exercisable on the grant date and twenty five percent of the restricted stock grant will became exercisable on each anniversary of the grant date if Mr. Watza’s services or employment have not terminated on or prior to such date. The restricted stock award becomes immediately exercisable in the event of a Change in Control and a qualifying termination of employment as described under “Compensation of Executive Officers – Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.” See “Compensation of Executive Officers – Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Key Elements of Compensation for Fiscal 2017 – Long Term Equity Incentive Plan.”

(3)One-third of the option becomes exercisable on each anniversary of the date of grant.  The option becomes immediately exercisable in the event of a change in control as described under “Compensation of Executive Officers – Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”  The option expires ten years from its date of grant or, if earlier, one year after the optionee’s death or permanent disability or three months after the optionee’s termination of employment.

(4)The exercise price of these stock option awards and Director Stock Purchase Rights under the 2004 Stock Plan was set at the closing sales price of the Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Market on the grant date.

(5)Mr. Marz was our interim President and Chief Executive Officer from January 26, 2016 until November 17, 2016.

(6)Pursuant to the Directors Stock Purchase Rights Option described under “Matters To Come Before the Meeting – Proposal 1 – Election of Directors - Standard Director Compensation Arrangements”, Mr. Marz elected to purchase shares of Common Stock in exchange the cash fees payable to him for serving as a director of the Company. The dollar value of these shares of Common Stock as of the grant date is reflected in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table.

(7)Mr. Watza was appointed as Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer on October 5, 2015 and President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer on November 17, 2016.

(8)On December 1, 2016, Mr. Watza received an option to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, under the Company’s 2004 Stock Plan, in connection with his appointment as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

(9)Represents the full grant date fair value associated with stock options awards, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding any forfeiture reserves recorded for these awards. There can be no assurance that the FASB ASC Topic 718 option award amounts shown above will ever be realized. The assumptions we used to calculate these amounts are included in Note 15 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2017.

(10)Represents the full grant date fair value associated with restricted stock awards under our Fiscal 2017 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding any forfeiture reserves recorded for those awards. There can be no assurance that the FASB ASC Topic 718 stock award amounts shown above will ever be realized.  The assumptions we used to calculate these amounts are included in Note 15 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2017.  As discussed under “Compensation of Executive Officers – Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Key Elements of Compensation for Fiscal 2017 – Long Term Equity Incentive Plan,” the stock awards are earned based on an individual’s achievement of performance goals during fiscal 2017.  The full grant date fair value was determined assuming achievement of the performance goals was at target levels. As described under “Compensation of Executive Officers – Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Key Elements of Compensation for Fiscal 2017 – Long Term Equity Incentive Plan,” restricted shares in the amount of 10,692 were awarded on September 7, 2017 pursuant to the Fiscal 2017 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan based on a 99.5% payout under that plan.

Employment Agreements

None of our executive officers has an employment agreement with us, other than the agreements discussed under “Compensation of Executive Officers – Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”    On October 2, 2017, if Mr. Watza continues to be employed by the Company as President and Chief Executive Office at that date, he will receive a grant of non-qualified stock options to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock.

Outstanding Equity AwardsAwards at Fiscal Year-End

The following table provides information with respect to unexercised options and unearned shares held by the NEOs as of June 30, 2017.2019.

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT 20172019 FISCAL YEAR-END

(1)The option award becomes immediately exercisable in the event of a change in control as described under “Compensation of Executive Officers – Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”

(2)The restricted stock awards become immediately vested and risk of forfeiture and other restrictions lapse in the event of a change in control as described under “Compensation of Executive Officers – Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”

(3)Except for options granted to Mr. Marz, options expire on the date indicated or, if earlier, one year after the optionee’s death or permanent disability or three months after the optionee’s termination of employment.  Options granted to Mr. Marz expire on the date indicated or, if earlier, one year after Mr. Marz’ death or permanent disability or three months after Mr. Marz’ termination of services as a member of the Board.

(4)Market value was determined by multiplying the number of shares that have not vested by the closing market price of the Common Stock on June 30, 2017.

(5)As discussed under “Compensation of Executive Officers – Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Key Elements of Compensation for Fiscal 2017 – Long Term Equity Incentive Plan,” the restricted stock awards under the Fiscal 2017 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan identified in the table above are based on the assumption that the Company would achieve at the threshold level for each of the two performance goals during fiscal 2017 and using the closing price of our Common Stock as of September 7, 2017 of $7.34.  Pursuant to the terms of the Fiscal 2017 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan, Mr. Watza, received 10,692 restricted stock awards under the 2004 Stock Plan on September 7, 2017. Twenty five percent of the restricted stock awards became exercisable on the grant date and twenty five percent of the restricted stock grant will become exercisable on each anniversary of the grant date if Mr. Watza’s services or employment have not terminated on or prior to such date.    

(6)From January 2016 until November 2016, Mr. Marz was the Company’s interim President and Chief Executive Officer. 

(7)These shares became fully vested on August 31, 2017.

(8)These shares will vest on November 11, 2017 if the executive’s services as a member of the Board have not terminated on or prior to such date.

(9)One half of these shares will vest on each of December 1, 2017 and 2018 if Mr. Marz’s services as a member of the Board have not terminated on or prior to such date.

(10)Mr. Watza was appointed as Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer on October 5, 2015 and President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer on November 17, 2016.

(11)One third of these shares will vest on each of December 1, 2017, 2018 and 2019 if the executive’s services or employment have not terminated on or prior to such date.

(12)One half of these shares will vest on each of November 2, 2017 and 2018 if the executive’s services or employment have not terminated on or prior to such date.

Option Exercises

The following table provides information with respect to options exercised by the NEOs, and restricted stock awards to the NEOs that vested, during fiscal 2017.

OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED DURING FISCAL 2017

(1)Calculated by multiplying the number of shares acquired upon exercise by the closing price of the Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Market on the day preceding the exercise date less the exercise price of the option.

(2)Calculated by multiplying the number of shares acquired upon vesting by the closing price of the Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Market on the day preceding the vesting date.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

We have entered into a severance agreement with Mr. Watza.Messrs. Watza and Van Valkenburg. Under the terms of Mr. Watza’Watza’s severance agreement, in the event that we terminate his employment without “Cause” (provided such termination constitutes a “separation from service” under Code Section 409A), he will be paid an amount of cash severance equal to one times his current annual base salary, as in effect immediately prior to his termination, a prorated portion of any bonus he would have earned for the year of termination had Mr. Watza been employed at the end of the applicable bonus period, and continuation of Company-provided health, welfare and automobile benefits for one year or, if earlier, his date of death.  Under the terms of Mr. Van Valkenburg’s severance agreement, in the event that we terminate his employment without “Cause” (provided such termination constitutes a “separation from service” under Code Section 409A), he will be paid an amount of cash severance equal to one-half his current annual base salary, as in effect immediately prior to his termination, a prorated portion of any bonus he would have earned for the year of termination had Mr. Van Valkenburg been employed at the end of the applicable bonus period, and continuation of Company-provided health, welfare and automobile benefits for six months or, if earlier, his date of death.  All severance payments and benefits will be paid or provided over the period during which we are required to provide the benefit.

Mr. Watza’The severance agreementagreements also providesprovide that, if the employment of Mr. Watzaour executive officers is terminated for any reason other than death, disability or Cause (provided such termination constitutes a “separation from service” under Code Section 409A), or he resigns for “Good Reason,” six months prior to or within two years after a “Change in Control,” in lieu of the severance described in the prior paragraph, (i) in the case of Mr. Watza, he will be entitled to an amount of severance equal to two times his current annual base salary, as in effect immediately prior to his termination, a prorated portion of his target bonus for the year of termination, based on the number of days worked in the year of termination, continuation of Company-provided health benefits for two years or, if earlier, his date of death, automobile benefits for one year or, if earlier, his date of death, other welfare benefits for two years and continued coverage under director and officer liability insurance policies for six years and (ii) in the case of Mr. Van Valkenburg, he will be entitled to an amount of severance equal to one times his current annual base salary, as in effect immediately prior to his termination, a prorated portion of his target bonus for the year of termination, based on the number of days worked in the year of termination, continuation of Company-provided health benefits for one year or, if earlier, his date of death, automobile benefits for one year or, if earlier, his date of death, other welfare benefits for one year and continued coverage under director and officer liability insurance policies for six years.  Base salary and bonus severance payments and other benefits will be provided over the period during which we are required to provide the benefit.  To the extent that any severance payments would not be exempt from Code Section 409A and Mr. Watzathe executive is determined to be a “specified employee” as defined under Code Section 409A, then such payments will be suspended for six months from the date of Mr. Watza’the executive’s termination of employment.  Suspended payments will be paid in a lump-sum, plus interest at the prime rate, plus two percent, at the end of the suspension period.  The special severance expires three years from the date of the severance agreement, except that such expiration date shall be extended for consecutive one year periods, unless, at least 180 days prior to the expiration date, we notify Mr. Watza in writing that we are not extending the term of these provisions.

Mr. Watza hasEach of our executive officers have entered into our standard executive agreement not to compete, restricting his right to compete with us for the longer of twelve months or the period in which we are required to make payments to the executive, and standard employee proprietary information and inventions agreement, containing confidentiality provisions and a two-year restriction on soliciting our employees.  We have the right to cease all further payments under Mr. Watza’the executive officer’s severance agreement in the event that hethe executive officer violates the executive non-competition agreement.  Mr. WatzaThe executive officer must sign a standard release to receive payments under the severance agreements, including standard non-disparagement provisions.

Payments under the severance agreements, when aggregated with any other “golden parachute” amounts (defined under Code Section 280G as compensation that becomes payable or accelerated due to a Change in Control) payable under this agreement or any of our other plans, agreements or policies, shall not exceed the golden parachute cap under Code Sections 280G and 4999.

Currently outstandingOutstanding agreements entered into prior to fiscal year 2018 relating to stock options granted and restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards under the 2004 Stock Plan to each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table, as well as stock options granted and restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards under the 2004 Stock Plan to our other officers entered into prior to fiscal year 2018, provide that such options become immediately exercisable and such restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards become immediately vested in the event of a Change in Control. The Management Development Committee has determined thatOutstanding agreements entered into during or after fiscal year 2018 relating to stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards grants under the Company’s Fiscal 2018 Executive Long Term Incentive2004 Stock Plan to each of the executive officers and the stock option granted to Mr. Watza described under “Compensation of Executive Officer – Employment Agreements”our other officers will be subject to a double trigger structure, whereby accelerated vesting of the award would require both a Change in Control and qualified termination of employment or non-assumption of awards. Similarly, the Management Development Committee has designed theoutstanding award agreements entered into during or after fiscal year 2018 relating to performance share unit awards under the Fiscal 2018 Executive Long Term Incentive2004 Stock Plan to provide that, upon a Change in Control of the Company, the performance requirements will be eliminated and any unvested portion of the award will vest, at the target number of shares subject to the original grant, in annual tranches at the anniversary date of the date of grant, based upon the year in which the tranche would have vested based upon achievement of the performance targets of the holder, if the holder of the award of the award is employed as of such date or, if earlier, a qualified termination of employment or non-assumption of the award. See “Compensation of Executive Officers – Narrative Disclosure Regarding Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Key Elements of Compensation for Fiscal 20172019 – Stock – Based Incentives.”

“Change in Control” for purposes of the severance agreements and the 2004 Stock Plan is generally defined as:

To the extent the agreement or award under the 2004 Stock Plan is subject to Code Section 409A, the event shall not be considered a Change in Control unless it is also a change in ownership, effective control or in the ownership of a substantial portion of assets of the Company, within the meaning of Code Section 409A.

“Cause” is generally defined as the executive’s: