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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.  )

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Preliminary Proxy Statement

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Definitive Proxy Statement

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Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12


TriMas Corporation

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Itsin its Charter)

 

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

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TriMas Corporation
NOTICE OF 20112014 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To be held May 10, 20118, 2014

To the Shareholders of TriMas Corporation:

The 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of TriMas Corporation (the "Company"“Company”) will be held on Tuesday,Thursday, May 10, 20118, 2014 at the Radisson Kingsley Hotel, 39475TriMas Corporation headquarters, 39400 Woodward Avenue, Suite 130 Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304, at 11:8:00 a.m., Eastern Time, for the following purposes:

1.To elect two directors to serve until the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2017;
2.To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014;
3.To approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation paid to the Company’s Named Executive Officers; and
4.To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 14, 20112014 as the record date for determining the shareholders that are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting.

By Order of the Board of Directors

 

/s/ JOSHUAJoshua A. SHERBIN

Sherbin
Joshua A. Sherbin
Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

This notice of Annual Meeting, and proxy statement and form of proxy are being distributed and made available on or about April 5, 2011.

2, 2014.

Even if you intend to be present at the Annual Meeting in person, please sign and date the enclosed proxy card or voting instruction card and return it in the accompanying envelope, or vote via telephone or Internet (as indicated on your proxy card or voting instruction card), to ensure the presence of a quorum. Any proxy may be revoked in the manner described in the accompanying proxy statement at any time before it has been voted at the Annual Meeting.



IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 10, 20118, 2014

The Proxy Statement and 20102013 Annual Report of TriMas Corporation are available at:
http://www.trimascorp.com/2011proxy

ir.trimascorp.com/2014proxy














Dear Fellow Shareholders,

As stewards of your Company, we focus on achieving long-term performance objectives and creating value for our shareholders through the execution of our focused business strategies, risk management, talent and succession planning, and oversight.

2013 was a year of major progress as we continued to attain our strategic aspirations and advanced the transformation of our company for long-term sustainable growth and value creation. Through both organic and acquisitive means, we continue to expand our product portfolio and geographic reach to better serve our customers. We believe we are well-positioned for a successful future.

Together with this proxy, we encourage you to view our company online at www.trimascorp.com and read our 2013 Annual Report. There you will find a more complete picture of our performance and how we are working to increase shareholder value.

Finally, we want to encourage you to vote - regardless of the size of your holdings. Every vote is important and your participation helps us do a better job of listening and acting on what matters to you as a shareholder. You can cast your vote online, by telephone, or by using a printed proxy card as outlined in this document.

On behalf of all of us at TriMas, we want to thank you for your continued support and ownership of TriMas.



/s/ Samuel Valenti/s/ David Wathen
Samuel Valenti III                    David Wathen
Chairman of the Board                President and Chief Executive Officer




2


TriMas Corporation

39400 Woodward Avenue, Suite 130
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304

PROXY STATEMENT FOR 20112014 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

This proxy statement contains information regarding the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Annual Meeting"“Annual Meeting”) of TriMas Corporation (the "Company"“Company”) to be held at 11:8:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on Tuesday,Thursday, May 10, 20118, 2014 at the Radisson Kingsley Hotel, 39475TriMas headquarters, 39400 Woodward Avenue, Suite 130, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304. The Company'sCompany’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) is soliciting proxies for use at such meeting and at any adjournment or postponement of such meeting. The Company first mailed this proxy statement to its shareholders on or about April 5, 2011.2, 2014. The Company will bear the cost of soliciting proxies.

Proxy Summary
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. This summary does not contain all of the information you should consider. You should read the entire Proxy Statement carefully before voting.
General InformationItems to be Voted On
Meeting:  Annual Meeting of Shareholders
Meeting Location:  TriMas Corporation Headquarters,
39400 Woodward Avenue, Ste. 130, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Date:  8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, May 8, 2014
Record Date:  March 14, 2014
Common Shares Outstanding as of Record Date:  45,224,854
Stock Symbol:  TRS
Stock Exchange:  NASDAQ
Registrar & Transfer Agent:  Registrar and Transfer Company
State and Year of Incorporation:  Delaware (1986)
Corporate Headquarters:  39400 Woodward Avenue, Ste. 130 Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304
Corporate website:  www.trimascorp.com
Investor Relations website:  investor.trimascorp.com
Proposal
Board   Recommendation  
No. 1: Election of two directors
FOR
No. 2: Ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2014
FOR
No. 3: Approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the compensation paid to our named executive officers
FOR
Executive Compensation
CEO:  David M. Wathen (age 61; tenure as CEO: five years)
Corporate Governance
Fiscal 2013 CEO Total Direct Compensation:
Board Meetings in fiscal 2013:5
Standing Board Committees (Meetings in fiscal 2013):  Audit 7; Compensation 6; Governance and Nominating 4; and Executive 0
Separate Chair and CEO:  Yes
Board Independence:  7 of 8 directors
Independent Directors Meet without Management:  Yes
Staggered Board:  Yes
Shareholder Rights Plan:  No
Simple Majority to Amend Charter and Bylaws: Yes
Director and Officer Share Ownership Guidelines:  Yes
Hedging, Pledging and Short Sale Policy:  Yes
Base Salary:  $710,500
Short-Term Incentive: $546,400
Long-Term Incentives:  $2,227,600

Discretionary Cash Bonus: $165,000
Key Elements of our Executive Compensation Program:
ŸCompetitive Base Salary: represented 20% of our CEO’s and, on average, 36% of our other NEO’s target compensation for 2013.
ŸShort-Term Incentive:  represented 22% of our CEO’s and, on average, 23% of our other NEOs’ target compensation for 2013.
ŸLong-Term Equity Incentives comprised of:
50% performance share units (three-year cliff vesting; shares earned, if any, vary based on Company performance over a three fiscal year period); and

50% service-based restricted stock (vests in three equal installments on the first three anniversaries of the grant date of the award).

These long-term equity incentives represented 58% of our CEO’s and, on average, 41% of our other NEOs’ target compensation for 2013.

Recoupment Policy:  Yes


Fiscal 2013 Highlights
Reported record net sales of $1.395 billion, an increase of 9.6%, with sales growth in five of six segments.
•Completed 10 bolt-on acquisitions during 2013 to expand our geographic presence, product portfolio and customer base.
•Issued 5,175,000 shares of common stock with net proceeds of $174.7 million to support future revenue and earnings growth.
•Refinanced debt structure to further reduce future interest rates, extend maturities and increase available liquidity.
•Reduced total debt to $305.7 million as of December 31, 2013, ending year with $387.3 million of cash and aggregate availability.
•Invested in a flexible manufacturing footprint to optimize manufacturing costs long-term.
•Generated increased levels of Cash Flow from Operating Activities for 2013 of $87.6 million.

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ABOUT THE MEETING


What is the purpose of the Annual Meeting?

At the Annual Meeting, holders of the Company'sCompany’s common stock (the "Voting Stock"“Common Stock”) will act upon the matters outlined in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting, including: to elect two directors to serve until the Annual Meeting in 2017; to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014; to approve, the Company's 2011 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan; to approve, byon a non-binding advisory vote,basis, the compensation paid byto the Company to itsCompany’s Named Executive Officers ("Say on Pay Vote"(“Say-on-Pay Vote”); to select, by a non-binding advisory vote, the frequency at which the shareholders of the Company will be asked to approve, by a non-binding advisory vote, the compensation paid by the Company to its Named Executive Officers; and to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

In addition, management will report on the performance of the Company and will respond to appropriate questions from shareholders. The Company expects that representatives of KPMG, the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for 2010, will be present at the Annual Meeting and will be available to respond to appropriate questions and if they desire, to make a statement.

Who is entitled to vote?

Only record holders of VotingCommon Stock at the close of business on the record date of March 14, 20112014 (the "Record Date"“Record Date”) are entitled to receive notice of the Annual Meeting and to vote those shares of VotingCommon Stock that they held on the Record Date. Each outstanding share of VotingCommon Stock is entitled toone vote on each matter to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting.

What counts as Voting Stock?

The Company's common stockCompany’s Common Stock constitutes the Voting Stock of the Company. As of March 14, 2011,2014, there were no outstanding shares of preferred stock of the Company.

Company.

What constitutes a quorum?

For business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting, a quorum must be present. The presence at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the shares of VotingCommon Stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote on the Record Date will constitute a quorum for all purposes. As of the Record Date, 34,258,16745,224,854 shares of VotingCommon Stock were outstanding.issued and outstanding and entitled to vote. Broker non-votes (defined below), and proxies marked with abstentions or instructions to withhold votes, will be counted as present in determining whether there is a quorum.

What is the difference between holding shares as a shareholder of record and being a beneficial owner?

Shareholders of Record.    If, at the close of business on the Record Date, your shares are registered directly in your name with the Company'sCompany’s transfer agent, The Registrar and Transfer Company, you are considered the shareholder of record with respect to those shares, and these proxy materials (including



a proxy card) are being sent directly to you by the Company. As a shareholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy directly to the Company through the enclosed proxy card or to vote in person at the Annual Meeting.

Beneficial Owners.    If, at the close of business on the Record Date, your shares were not issued directly in your name, but were held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank, trustee or other nominee, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares, and these proxy materials (including a voting instruction card) are being forwarded to you by your broker, trustee, bank or nominee who is considered the shareholder of record with respect to those shares. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, trustee, bank or nominee on how to vote the shares in your account and are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting. However, since you are not the shareholder of record, you may
not vote these shares in person at the Annual Meeting unless you request and obtain a proxy from your broker, trustee, bank or nominee. Your broker, trustee, bank or nominee has enclosed a voting instruction card for you to use in directing the broker, trustee, bank or nominee on how to vote your shares.

How do I vote?

Shareholders of Record.    If you complete and properly sign the accompanying proxy card and return it to the Company, it will be voted as you direct. You may also vote via telephone or Internet (as indicated on your proxy card). If you attend the Annual Meeting, you may deliver your completed proxy card in person or vote by ballot.

Beneficial Owners.    If you complete and properly sign the accompanying voting instruction card and return it to your broker, trustee, bank or other nominee, it will be voted as you direct. You may also vote via telephone or Internet (as indicated on your voting instruction card). If you want to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting, you must request and obtain a proxy from such broker, trustee, bank or other nominee confirming that you beneficially own such shares and giving you the power to vote such shares.

Can I change my vote after I return my proxy card or voting instruction card?

Shareholders of Record.    You may change your vote at any time before the proxy is exercised by filing with the Corporate Secretary of the Company, at 39400 Woodward Avenue, Suite 130, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304, either written notice revoking the proxy or a properly signed proxy that is dated later than the proxy card. If you attend the Annual Meeting, the individuals named as proxy holders in the enclosed proxy card will nevertheless have authority to vote your shares in accordance with your instructions on the proxy card unless you properly file such notice or new proxy.

Beneficial Owners.    If you hold your shares through a bank, trustee, broker or other nominee, you should contact such person to submit new voting instructions prior to the time such voting instructions are exercised.

How will my shares be voted?

Shareholders of Record.All shares represented by the proxies mailed to shareholders will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with instructions given by the shareholders. Where no instructions are given, the shares will be voted: (1) in favor offor the election of the Board of Directors'Directors’ nominees for two directors; (2) for approvalthe ratification of the 2011 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan;appointment of Deloitte as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2014; and (3) for the approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the compensation paid to the Company’s Named Executive Officers pursuant to the Say on Pay Vote; and (4) in the discretion of the proxy holders upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting. If you do not provide voting instructions as to the desired frequency of a Say on Pay Vote by the shareholders, the Company will treat your shares as though you abstained from voting on that proposal.Say-on-Pay Vote.


Beneficial Owners.   The brokers, banks, or nominees holding shares for beneficial owners must vote those shares as instructed, and if no instructions from the beneficial owner are received on a matter deemed to be non-routine, they may not vote the shares on that matter (referred to as a "broker non-vote"“broker non-vote”). AUnder applicable law, a broker, bank, or nominee has the discretion to vote on routine matters, such as the ratification of the appointment of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, but does not have discretion to vote for or against the election of directors to approveor the 2011 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan, to approveapproval of the compensation of the Company’s



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ABOUT THE MEETING


Named Executive Officers pursuantOfficers. Common Stock subject to broker non-votes will be considered present at the Say on Pay Vote, ormeeting for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum but the broker non-votes will not be considered votes cast with respect to select the preferred frequency for a Say on Pay Vote.that proposal. In order to avoid a broker non-vote of your shares on these proposals,this proposal, you must send voting instructions to your bank, broker, or nominee.

How may I obtain an additional copy of the proxy materials?

If you share an address with another shareholder, you may receive only one set of proxy materials unless you have provided contrary instructions. If you wish to receive a separate set of proxy materials now, please request the additional copy by contacting TriMas Corporation, Attention: Investor Relations, 39400 Woodward Avenue, Suite 130, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304, Telephone 248-631-5506.248-631-5506, or by email to generalcounsel@trimascorp.com. A separate set of proxy materials will be sent promptly following receipt of your request.

If you are a shareholder of record and wish to receive a separate set of proxy materials in the future, please contact TriMas Corporation, Attention: Investor Relations, 39400 Woodward Avenue, Suite 130, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304, Telephone 248-631-5506.

248-631-5506, or by email to generalcounsel@trimascorp.com. Additionally, if you have been receiving muliple sets of proxy materials and wish to receive only one set of proxy materials, please contact the Company’s Investor Relations in the manner provided above. If you are the beneficial owner of shares held through a broker, trustee or other nominee and you wish to receive a separate set of proxy materials in the future, please contact TriMas Corporation, Attention: Investor Relations, 39400 Woodward Avenue, Suite 130, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304, Telephone 248-631-5506.

248-631-5506, or by email to generalcounsel@trimascorp.com.

What does it mean if I receive more than one proxy card or voting instruction card?

If you receive more than one proxy card or voting instruction card, it means that you have multiple accounts with banks, trustees, brokers, other nominees and/or the Company'sCompany’s transfer agent. Please sign and deliver each proxy card and voting instruction card that you receive to ensure that all of your shares will be voted. We recommend that you contact your nominee and/or the Company'sCompany’s transfer agent, as appropriate, to consolidate as many accounts as possible under the same name and address.

What are the Board'sBoard’s recommendations?

The Board recommends a vote:

Proposal 1FORFOR the election of the nominated slate of directors.


Proposal 2FORFOR the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014.

Proposal 3FOR the approval, of the 2011 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan.

Proposal 3FOR theon a non-binding resolution approvingadvisory basis, of the compensation paid byto the Company to itsCompany’s Named Executive Officers.

Proposal 4FOR the non-binding selection of three years as the frequency in which a say-on-pay vote on the compensation paid by the Company to its Named Executive Officers will be presented to the shareholders.



What vote is required to approve each item?


Proposal 1—1 - Election of Directors.

The two nominees who receive the most votes cast at the Annual Meeting will be elected as directors. Accordingly, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect in determining the outcome of the vote on the election of directors. The slate of directors discussed in this proxy statement consists of two directors whose terms are expiring and who have consented to stand for re-election. A properly signed proxy with instructions



to withhold authority with respect to the election of one or more directors will not be voted for the director(s) so indicated.


Proposal 2—Approval2 - Ratification of the 2011 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan.

Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of VotingCommon Stock outstanding on the Record Date that is present or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the matter will be necessary to approveratify the Company's 2011 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan.

Audit Committee’s appointment of Deloitte as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014, provided that a quorum is present. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against the matter. Although shareholder ratification of the appointment is not required by law and is not binding on the Company, the Audit Committee will take the appointment under advisement if such appointment is not so ratified.


Proposal 3—3 - Approval, on a Non-binding Advisory Basis, of the Compensation Paid to the Company'sCompany’s Named Executive Officers.

The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of VotingCommon Stock outstanding on the Record Date that is present or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the matter will be necessary to approve, theon a non-binding advisory resolution approvingbasis, the compensation paid to the Company'sCompany’s Named Executive Officers. While the Board of Directors intends to carefully consider the shareholder vote resulting from this proposal, the final vote will not be binding, and is advisory in nature.

Proposal 4—Advisory Vote Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against the matter and broker non-votes will have no effect on the Frequencyoutcome of Say-on Pay Votes.

        The advisory vote on the frequency of say-on pay votes (every one, two, or three years) is a plurality vote. The Company will consider shareholders to have expressed a non-binding preference for the frequency option that receives the most favorable votes. While the Board of Directors intends to carefully consider the shareholder vote resulting from this proposal, the final vote will not be binding, and is advisory in nature.

matter.

Who pays for the solicitation of proxies?

The accompanying proxy is being solicited by the Company'sCompany’s Board of Directors. The Company will bear the cost of soliciting the proxies. Officers and other management employees of the Company will receive no additional compensation for the solicitation of proxies and may use mail, e-mail, personal interview and/or telephone.

What will happen if other matters are raised at the meeting?

If any other matter is properly submitted to the shareholders at the Annual Meeting, its adoption will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of VotingCommon Stock outstanding on the Record Date that is present or represented at the Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors does not propose to conduct any business at the Annual Meeting other than as stated above.





5

ABOUT THE MEETING


How can I access the Company'sCompany’s proxy materials and annual report on Form 10-K?

The Financial Information subsection under "Investors"“Investors” on the Company'sCompany’s website,http://www.trimascorp.com, provides access, free of charge, to Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"(“SEC”) reports as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files such reports with, or furnishes such reports to, the SEC, including proxy materials, Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports.


The Company has posted printable and searchable 20112014 proxy materials to the Company'sCompany’s website at
http://www.trimascorp.com/2011proxy. ir.trimascorp.com/2014proxy.

A copy of the Company'sCompany’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010,2013, as filed with the SEC, will be sent to any shareholder, without charge, upon written request sent to the Company'sCompany’s executive offices:

TriMas Corporation, Attention: Investor Relations
39400 Woodward Avenue, Suite 130
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304.

48304

or by email to generalcounsel@trimascorp.com.

You may also read and copy any materials that the Company files with the SEC at the SEC'sSEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. You may obtain information on



the operations of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including the Company, athttp://www.sec.gov.


The references to the website address of the Company and SEC in this proxy statement are not intended to function as a hyperlink and, except as specified herein, the information contained on such websites is not part of this proxy statement.

Is a registered list of shareholders available?

The names of shareholders of record entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available to shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting on Tuesday,Thursday, May 10, 20118, 2014 at the Radisson Kingsley Hotel.

Company’s headquarters.

How do I find out the voting results?

Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting, and final voting results will be published by the Company in a Current Report on Form 8-K.

Who will serve as the inspector of elections?

        The inspector of elections will be a representative from an independent firm, Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc.









How and when may I submit a shareholder proposal or director nomination for the 20122015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders?

Requirements for shareholder proposal or director nomination to be considered at the 20122015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “2015 Annual Meeting”) by inclusion in the Company'sCompany’s proxy statement.
You may submit proposals and director nominations for consideration at future shareholder meetings. For a shareholder proposal or director nominations to be considered for inclusion in the Company'sCompany’s proxy statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting, next year, the Corporate Secretary must receive the written proposal at the Company'sCompany’s principal executive offices no later than December 7, 2011.3, 2014. Such proposals and nominations also must comply with SEC regulations under Rule 14a-8 regarding the inclusion of shareholder proposals in company-sponsored proxy materials.
Proposals should be addressed to:

TriMas Corporation
Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary
39400 Woodward Avenue, Suite 130
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304
Fax: (248) 631-5413


Requirements for shareholder proposal to be considered at the 20122015 Annual Meeting, but not included in the Company'sCompany’s proxy statement.
For a shareholder proposal that is intended to be considered at the 20122015 Annual Meeting, but not included in the Company'sCompany’s proxy statement, the shareholder must give timely notice to the Corporate Secretary, which, in general, requires that the notice be received by the Corporate Secretary not earlier than January 8, 2015 and not later than the close of business on February 10, 2012.

7, 2015.
In addition to the timing requirements stated above, any shareholder proposal to be brought before the 20122015 Annual Meeting must set forth (a) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the 20122015 Annual Meeting and the reasons for conducting such business, (b) the name and address, as they appear on the Company'sCompany’s books, of the shareholder proposing such business, (c) the number of shares of the Company's VotingCommon Stock that are beneficially owned by the shareholder, (d) any material interest of the shareholder in such business, and (e) any additional information that is required to be provided by the shareholder pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

amended (the “Exchange Act”):

        If the date of the 2012 Annual Meeting is moved moreŸNot earlier than 30120 days before or 60 days after the anniversary of the 2011 Annual Meeting, then notice of a shareholder proposal that is not intended to be included in the Company's proxy statement under Rule 14a-8 must be receivedand not later than the close of business on the later of the following two dates:

    4590 days prior to the 20122015 Annual Meeting; and


Ÿ
10 days after public announcement of the 20122015 Annual Meeting date.


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PROPOSAL 1—1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

        The Board of Directors currently consists of six members serving three-year staggered terms.


The Board of Directors is divided into three classes, each class consisting of one-third of the Company'sCompany’s directors. Class II directors'directors’ terms will expire at the 2011 Annual Meeting. Messrs. Gabrys and Miller have consented to stand for re-election to serve until the 20142017 Annual Meeting.Meeting of Shareholders. If either of them should become unavailable, the Board may designate a substitute nominee. In that case, the proxy holders named as proxies in the accompanying proxy card will vote for the Board'sBoard’s substitute nominee.

THE COMPANY'SCOMPANY’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE"FOR"FOREACH OF THE TWO DIRECTORS LISTED BELOW WHO STANDS FOR RE-ELECTION, TO SERVE UNTIL THE 20142017 ANNUAL MEETING.


Vote Required

The two individuals who receive the most votes cast at the Annual Meeting will be elected as directors, provided a quorum of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of common stockCommon Stock is represented at the meeting. If you abstain from voting on this matter, your abstention will have no effect on the vote. If you hold your shares through a broker and you do not instruct the broker on how to vote on this "non-routine"“non-routine” proposal, your broker does not have authority to vote your shares. Abstentions and broker non-votes will each be counted as present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum but will not have any other effect on the outcome of the election of directors.

Additional information regarding the directors and director nominees of the Company is set forth below.

Directors and Director Nominees

The Board of Directors currently consists of sixeight members divided into three classes serving staggered terms.

Name
 Age Title Term
Ending
  Age Title Term
Ending

Richard M. Gabrys(1)

 69 Director 2011  72 Director 2014

Eugene A. Miller(1)

 73 Director 2011  76 Director 2014
Nick L. Stanage (2)
 55 Director 2015

Daniel P. Tredwell

 52 Director 2012  55 Director 2015

Samuel Valenti III

 65 Chairman of the Board of Directors 2012  68 Chair of the Board of Directors 2015
Marshall A. Cohen 79 Director 2016
Nancy S. Gougarty (3)
 58 Director 2016

David M. Wathen

 58 Director, President and Chief Executive Officer 2013  61 Director, President and Chief Executive Officer 2016

Marshall A. Cohen

 76 Director 2013 


(1)
Standing for re-election at the Annual Meeting.
(2)
Appointed November 1, 2013 with initial term expiring 2015.
(3)
Appointed November 1, 2013 with initial term expiring 2016.


(1)
Standing for re-election at the 2011 Annual Meeting.

Director Background and Qualifications.Qualifications

The following sets forth the business experience during at least the past five years of each Director nominee and each of the directors whose term of office will continue after the Annual Meeting.

In addition, the following includes a brief discussion of the specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that led to the conclusion that the Directors and nominees should serve on the Board at this time. The NominatingCorporate Governance and Corporate GovernanceNominating Committee considers the experience, mix of skills and other qualities of the existing Board to ensure appropriate Board composition. The NominatingCorporate Governance and Corporate GovernanceNominating Committee believes that Directors must have demonstrated excellence in their chosen field, high ethical standards and integrity, and sound business judgment. In addition, it seeks to ensure the Board includes members with diverse backgrounds, skills and experience, including appropriate financial and other expertise relevant to the Company'sCompany’s business.


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The Board believes that the Directors and nominees have an appropriate balance of knowledge, experience, attributes, skills and expertise as a whole to ensure the Board appropriately fulfills its oversight responsibilities and acts in the best interests of shareholders. The Board believes that each director satisfies its criteria for demonstrating excellence in his or her chosen field, high ethical standards and integrity, and sound business judgment. In addition, the Board has fourseven independent directors in accordance with the applicable rules of NASDAQ, and such Directors are also independent of the influence of any particular shareholder or shareholder groups whose interests may diverge from the interests of the shareholders as a whole. Further, each director or nominee brings a strong background and set of skills to the Board, giving the Board as a whole competence and experience in a wide variety of areas.


Richard M. Gabrys.Gabrys
Director since 2006
Age 72
Professional Experience
Mr. Gabrys has served as the president and chief executive officer of Mears Investments, LLC, a private family investment company, since 2005. Mr. Gabrys retired from Deloitte & Touche LLP in 2004 after 42 years, where he served a variety of public companies, financial services institutions, public utilities and health care entities. Mr. Gabrys was vice chair of Deloitte’s United States Global Strategic Client Group and served as a member of its Global Strategic Client Council. From 2006 to 2007, Mr. Gabrys served as the interim dean of the School of Business Administration of Wayne State University.
Other Boards and Appointments
Mr. Gabrys joinedis a member of the Boardboard of directors of CMS Energy Company, an integrated energy company, and lead director at La-Z-Boy Inc, a furniture manufacturer and retailer. Mr. Gabrys is a member of the audit committee and finance committee for CMS Energy and a member of the audit committee and compensation committee for La-Z-Boy. From 2007 to 2011, he served on the board of Massey Energy Company, a coal producer. Mr. Gabrys also serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations, including The Detroit Institute of Arts, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Alliance for Safer Streets in August 2006. Detroit (Crime Stoppers), Detroit Regional Chamber and Ave Maria University. He is a member of the management board of Renaissance Venture Capital Fund, an affiliate of Business Leaders for Michigan, a non-profit executive leadership organization.
Director Qualifications
Mr. Gabrys has extensive knowledge and expertise in financial reporting, accounting and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance for publicly-held companies and accounting matters. Mr. Gabrys retired from Deloitte & Touche LLP in 2004 after 42 years, where he served a variety of publicly-held companies, financial services institutions, public utilities and health care entities. He was Vice Chairman of Deloitte's United States Global Strategic Client Group and served as a member of its Global Strategic Client Council. From January 2006 through August 2007, Mr. Gabrys served as the Interim Dean of the School of Business Administration of Wayne State University. From December 2004 through January 2008, Mr. Gabrys served on the board of Dana Corporation. He is a member of the Board of Directors of CMS Energy Company, Massey Energy Company and La-Z-Boy Inc., and is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mears Investments, L.L.C., a private family investment company. Mr. Gabrys holds a B.S. in Accounting from King's College and completed the Executive Program at Stanford University.

        In addition to his professional background and prior Company Board experience, the Board of Directors concluded that Mr. Gabrys should servecompanies. His experiences serving as a director based onof other significant corporations contributes to his leadership while serving as a partner and senior manager of a global accounting and auditing firm,skills, the breadth of his experience in auditing, finance and other areas of risk oversight while serving as a member of the Boards of Directors of other significant corporations,well as experience in mergers and his subject matter expertise in finance, accounting, and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.

acquisitions. Mr. Gabrys continues to maintain an active CPA license.


Eugene A. Miller.Miller
Director since 2005
Age 76

Professional Experience
Mr. Miller is the retired chair and chief executive officer of Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank, a financial services company, in which positions he served from 1993 to 2002, prior to which time he held various positions of increasing responsibility at Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank (formerly The Detroit Bank) beginning in 1955.
Other Boards and Appointments
Mr. Miller was elected as a director in January 2005. of Handleman Company from 2002 to 2012 and DTE Energy Company from 1989 to 2013.
Director Qualifications
Mr. Miller has extensive knowledge and expertise in management, executive compensation and governance matters related to publicly-heldpublic companies. Mr. Miller is the retired ChairmanHis experiences serving as chair and Chief Executive Officerchief executive officer of Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank, in which positions he served from 1993 to 2002. Mr. Miller held various positions of increasing responsibility at Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank (formerly The Detroit Bank) and rose to become Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Comerica Incorporated (June 1993 through June 1999). He is also a director of DTE Energy Company since 1989 and Handleman Company since 2002. Mr. Miller holds a B.B.A. from the Detroit Institute of Technology.

        In addition to his professional background and prior Company Board experience, the Board of Directors concluded that Mr. Miller should serve as a public company director based on the leadership qualities he developed from his experiences while serving as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Comerica, the scope of his experiencesalso provide him with subject matter expertise in executive compensation, risk management, finance and corporate governance while serving as a memberprofessional standards.




8



Nick L. Stanage
Director since 2013
Age 55
Professional Experience
In November 2009, Mr. Stanage joined Hexcel Corporation, a worldwide manufacturer of advanced material solutions, carbon fiber, reinforcement fabrics and tooling materials, as president. In 2012, he became chief operating officer and in 2013 he was appointed chief executive officer. Prior to joining Hexcel, Mr. Stanage served as president of the heavy vehicle products group at Dana Holding Corporation, a manufacturer of high quality automotive product solutions, from 2005 to 2009. From 1986 to 2005, Mr. Stanage held positions of increasing responsibility in engineering, operations and marketing with Honeywell Inc. (formerly AlliedSignal Inc.), a provider of energy, chemical and mechanical technology solutions.
Other Boards and Appointments
In August 2013, Mr. Stanage joined the board of directors of other significant corporations,Hexcel and hisin January 2014 he was appointed board chair.
Director Qualifications
Mr. Stanage brings extensive knowledge and experience in operational and management issues relevant to manufacturing environments and extensive leadership experience and has subject matter expertise in the areas of finance, executive management,engineering and professional standards.

production. Mr. Stanage holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Western Michigan University and an MBA from Notre Dame.


Daniel P. Tredwell.    Mr. Tredwell was elected as one of the Company's directors in June 2002. Mr. Tredwell has extensive knowledge
Director since 2002
Age 55
Professional Experience
Mr. Tredwell is one of the co-founders of Heartland Industrial Partners, L.P., an investment firm, and has served as its managing member since 2006. Mr. Tredwell has also served as the managing member of CoveView Advisors LLC, an independent financial advisory firm, since 2009 and Cove View Capital LLC, a credit opportunities investment fund, since 2009. He has more than two decades of private equity and investment banking experience. Mr. Tredwell served as a managing director at Chase Securities Inc., an investment banking, security brokerage and dealership service company (and predecessor of J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc.), until 1999 and had been with Chase Securities since 1985.
Other Boards and expertise in financial and banking matters. Appointments
Mr. Tredwell is the Managing Member,a director of Companhia de Tecidos Norte De Minas (Coteminas) and oneSprings Global Participações S.A., each of the co-founderswhich are Brazil based manufacturers of Heartland Industrial Partners, L.P. ("Heartland"). Mr. Tredwell is also the Managing Member of CoveView Advisors LLC, an independent financial advisory firm,textiles and Cove View Capital LLC, a credit opportunities investment fund. He has



more than two decades of private equity and investment banking experience.textile products. From 2001 to 2013, Mr. Tredwell served as a Managing Director at Chase Securities Inc. (a predecessor of J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc.) until 1999 and had been with Chase Securities since 1985. Mr. Tredwell is also a directoron the board of Springs Industries, Inc., and Springs Global Participações S.A. From Novemberfrom 2000 to January 2010, Mr. Tredwellhe served on the Boardboard of Metaldyne Corporation, and its successor, Asahi Tec Corporation of Japan.Japan, each designers and suppliers of metal formed components. Mr. Tredwell holds a B.A. in Economics from Miami Universitychairs the compensation committee and an M.B.A. in Finance from the Wharton School.

        In addition to his professional background and prior Company Board experience, the Board of Directors concluded that audit committee for Springs Global Participações S.A.

Director Qualifications
Mr. Tredwell should serve as a director based on his leadership qualities developed from his service as a Managing Director of Chase Securitieshas extensive knowledge and the Managing Member of Heartland, the scope of his knowledge of the Company's global operations, the breadth of his experiencesubject matter expertise in auditing, riskfinance, banking, acquisitions and divestitures, economics, asset management and corporate oversight while serving as a member ofbusiness development. Through his membership on the boardsboard of directors of other global corporations (including service as the chair of audit and compensation committees), and his subject matterMr. Tredwell also brings expertise in finance, acquisitionsrisk management, corporate oversight and divestitures, economics, asset management, and business development.

audit.



9



Samuel Valenti III.III
Chair & director since 2002
Age 68
Professional Experience
Mr. Valenti is currently chair of Valenti Capital LLC. Mr. Valenti was employed by Masco Corporation, a home improvement and building products manufacturer, from 1968 through 2008. From 1988 through 2008, Mr. Valenti was president and a member of the board of Masco Capital Corporation, and was vice president-investments of Masco Corporation from 1974 to 1998.
Other Boards and Appointments
Mr. Valenti was electednamed a director of American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (“AAM”), a manufacturer of automotive driveline and drivetrain components and systems, in October 2013. He also serves as Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors in June 2002 and served as Executive Chairman of the Company's Board from November 2005 through November 2008. Mr. Valenti remains Chairman of the Company's Board. Mr. Valenti has extensive knowledge and expertise in management of diversified manufacturing businesses and financial matters. He was employed by Masco Corporation from 1968 through March 2008. From 1988 through March 2008, Mr. Valenti was President and a member of the board of Masco Capital Corporation,audit committee and was Vice President-Investments of Masco Corporation from May 1974 to October 1998. Until November 2005, Mr. Valenti also served as a special advisor to Heartland Industrial Partners, L.P., and until July 2006, Mr. Valenti served as a director of Metaldyne Corporation. Mr. Valenti is currently Chairman of Valenti Capital LLC. Mr. Valenti holds a B.A. and Masters in Economics from Western Michigan University.the strategy committee for AAM. Mr. Valenti is the former Chairmanchair of the Investment Advisory Committeeinvestment advisory committee of the $50 billion State of Michigan retirement system and servesserved on the Harvard Business School Advisory Council. He alsocurrently serves on the Advisory Counciladvisory council at the University of Notre Dame and the Advisory Boardadvisory board at the University of Michigan Business School Zell-Lurie Institute. Mr. Valenti is a member of Business Leaders for Michigan and serves as Chairmanchair of the Renaissance Venture Capital Fund.

        In addition to his professional background and prior Company Board experience, the Board of Directors concluded that Mr. Valenti should serve as a director based on his leadership experience as the Chairman

Director Qualifications
As chair of the Company's BoardCompany’s board since 2002 and as an executive atof Masco for forty40 years, Mr. Valenti has extensive knowledge and expertise in the breadthmanagement of his experiences in finance, corporate governance,diversified manufacturing businesses and other areas of oversight while serving as a member of the board of directors of other corporations and his subject matter expertise in the areas of finance, economics, corporate governance and asset management.

        David M. Wathen.


Marshall A. Cohen
Director since 2005
Age 79
Professional Experience
Mr. Cohen was counsel (retired) at Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, a law firm based in Toronto, Canada, which he joined 1996. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Cohen served as president and chief executive officer of the Molson Companies Limited, a leading global brewer, from 1988 to 1996.
Other Boards and Appointments
Mr. Wathen was appointed as the Company's PresidentCohen is a director of Gleacher Securities, Inc., an investment building and Chief Executive Officercapital markets firm, and asTD Ameritrade, an on-line securities broker. Mr. Cohen is a member of the Board on January 13,compensation committee and corporate governance committee for Gleacher Securities and a member of the audit committee and governance committee for TD Ameritrade. From 1988 to 2011 he was a director of Barrick Gold Corporation, a gold mining company.
Director Qualifications
Mr. Cohen has broad experience as a public company director, particularly with regard to governance, compliance, legal matters and other areas of risk oversight. He has extensive knowledge and experience in management with subject matter expertise in government affairs, corporate governance and corporate responsibility.


10



Nancy S. Gougarty
Director since 2013
Age 58
Professional Experience
In July 2013, Ms. Gougarty became president and chief operating officer at Westport Innovations, a global leader in alternative fuel, low-emissions transportation technologies. Ms. Gougarty served as the vice president for TRW Automotive Corporation, a worldwide automotive supplier, operations in the Asia-Pacific region from 2008 to 2012. Joining TRW in 2005, her previous positions included vice president of product planning, business planning and business development, and vice president of braking, electronics and modules for Asia Pacific. Ms. Gougarty has held additional leadership positions in the automotive sector, including managing director for General Motors’ joint venture in Shanghai, director
for Delphi Packard, Asia Pacific, global account director for General Motors, and vice president for Delphi Automotive Systems, Japan and Korea.
Other Boards and Appointments
Ms. Gougarty joined the Westport board of directors in February 2013 and resigned in July 2013 upon her appointment as Westport’s president and chief operating officer.
Director Qualifications
Ms. Gougarty has extensive operational leadership experience and expertise directing the development and implementation of strategic and operational plans and international operations. She is a certified Six Sigma Green Belt, holds an MBA degree from Case Western Reserve University and a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial management from University of Cincinnati.

David M. Wathen
President, CEO and Director since 2009
Age 61
Professional Experience
Mr. Wathen has served as president and chief executive officer of the Company since 2009. He served as president and chief executive officer of Balfour Beatty, Inc. (U.S. operations), an engineering, construction and building management services company, from 2003 until 2007. Prior to his Balfour Beatty appointment, he was a principal member of Questor, a private equity firm, from 2000 to 2002. Mr. Wathen held management positions from 1977 to 2000 with General Electric, a diversified technology and financial services company, Emerson Electric, a global manufacturing and technology company, Allied Signal, an
automotive parts manufacturer, and Eaton Corporation, a diversified power management company.
Other Boards and Appointments
Mr. Wathen is currently a director and member of the audit committee and chair of the corporate governance committee of Franklin Electric Co., Inc., a global provider of complete water and fueling systems.
Director Qualifications
Mr. Wathen has extensive knowledge and experience in operational and management issues relevant to diversified manufacturing environments. He is currently a director and member of the Audit Committee and Corporate Governance Committee of Franklin Electric Co., Inc. From 2003 until 2007, Mr. Wathen was President and Chief Executive Officer of Balfour Beatty, Inc. (U.S. Operations), an engineering, construction and building management services company. Prior to his Balfour Beatty appointment in 2003, he served as a Principal Member of Questor, a private equity firm from 2000 to 2002. From 1977 to 2000, Mr. Wathen held management positions with General Electric, Emerson Electric, Allied Signal and Eaton Corporation. Mr. Wathen holds a B.S.M.E. in Engineering and an M.B.A. from Purdue University and an M.S.B.A. in Business Administration from St. Francis University.


        In addition to his professional background and prior Company Board experience, the Board of Directors concluded that Mr. Wathen should serve as a director based on his years of operational and management experience in diversified manufacturing environments, his experience as a public-company director, his executive leadership experience, including with respect to the Company, and hishas subject matter expertise in the areas of engineering, production and business development.

        Marshall A. Cohen.    Mr. Cohen was elected as one of the Company's directors in January 2005. Mr. Cohen has extensive knowledge and experience in management, governance and legal matters involving publicly-held companies. He is counsel to Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, a law firm based in Toronto, Canada, which he joined in 1996. Prior to joining that firm, Mr. Cohen served as president and chief executive officer of the Molson Companies Limited from 1988 to 1996. Mr. Cohen is a director of Barrick Gold Corporation, Broadpoint Gleacher Securities Group, Inc. and TD Ameritrade. From 1993 to 2008, Mr. Cohen was a director of AIG, Inc. Mr. Cohen holds a B.A. from the University of Toronto, a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School and a Masters Degree in Law from York University.

        In addition to his professional background and prior Company Board experience, the Board or Directors concluded that Mr. Cohen should serve as a director based on the breadth of his experience as a public company director, particularly with regard to governance, compliance and other areas of oversight, his legal experience and his subject matter expertise in areas of government affairs, corporate governance and corporate responsibility.



11



The Board of Directors and Committees

Since June 2002, the Company has separated the roles of the Board ChairmanChair and Chief Executive Officer. The Board believes that separating these roles offers distinct benefits to the Company, including curtailing the potential for conflict of interest and facilitating objective Board evaluation of the Company'sCompany’s management. Mr. Valenti has served as Board ChairmanChair since 2002 and has been an independent director since November 2008.

Board of Directors Risk Management Functions
As part of its oversight function, the Board monitors how management operates the Company, in part via its committee structure. When granting authority to management, approving strategies and receiving management reports, the Board considers, among other things, the risks and vulnerabilities the Company faces. The Audit Committee considers risk issues associated with the Company’s overall financial reporting, disclosure process and legal compliance, as well as reviewing policies on risk control assessment and accounting risk exposure. In addition to its regularly scheduled meetings, the Audit Committee meets with the Corporate Audit team, and the independent registered public accounting firm in executive sessions at least quarterly, and with the General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer as determined from time to time by the Audit Committee. Each of the Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee considers risk issues associated with the substantive matters addressed by the committee.
During 2010,2013, the Board consisted of six directors until Nancy S. Gougarty and Nick L. Stanage joined the Board on November 1, 2013, at which time there were eight directors. The Board held 9five meetings and acted 2 times by unanimous written consent.during 2013. The table below sets forth the meeting information for the four standing committees of the Board for 2010:

2013:
Name
 Audit Compensation Governance &
Nominating
 Executive

David M. Wathen

    Chairman

Marshall A. Cohen

 X X Chairman 

Richard M. Gabrys

 Chairman X X 

Eugene A. Miller

 X Chairman X 

Daniel P. Tredwell

    X

Samuel Valenti III

 X X X X
 

Meetings

 7 4 3 
 

Action by Unanimous Written Consent

 1 2  
Corporate Governance

        The Company's

As noted above, the Company’s Board of Directors currently consists of sixeight directors, divided into three classes so that, each class will consist of one-third of the Company's directors.as equal in number as possible. The members of each class serve for staggered, three year terms. Upon the expiration of the term of a class of directors, directors in that class may be asked to stand for re-election for a three year term at the Annual Meeting in the year in which their term expires. The table below sets forth
As in the class in which director serves:

Board of Directors
Class

Richard M. Gabrys

Class II(1)

Eugene A. Miller

Class II(1)

Daniel P. Tredwell

Class III(2)

Samuel Valenti III

Class III(2)

David M. Wathen

Class I(3)

Marshall A. Cohen

Class I(3)

(1)
Term expires at 2011 annual stockholder meeting.

(2)
Term expires at 2012 annual stockholder meeting.

(3)
Term expires at 2013 annual stockholder meeting.

        Anycase of the appointment of Ms. Gougarty and Mr. Stanage, any additional directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors will be distributed among the three classes so that, as nearly as possible, each class will consist of one thirdone-third of the Company'sCompany’s directors.


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The Company'sCompany’s Board has determined, after considering all of the relevant facts and circumstances, that Messrs. Cohen, Gabrys, Miller, Stanage, Tredwell and Valenti and Ms. Gougarty are "independent"“independent” from management in accordance with the NASDAQ listing standards and the Company'sCompany’s Corporate Governance Guidelines. To be considered independent, the Board must determine that a director does not have any direct or indirect material relationships with the Company and must meet the criteria for independence set forth in the Company'sCompany’s Corporate Governance Guidelines.

During 2010,2013, all current directors attended at least 75%, in aggregate, of the meetings of the Board of Directors and all committees of the Board on which they served. All of the current directors attended the Company's 2010Company’s 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, with the exception of Ms. Gougarty and allMr. Stanage who had not yet joined the Board. All Directors are expected to attend all meetings, including the Annual Meeting. In addition to attending Board and committee meetings, directors fulfill their responsibilities by consulting with the President and Chief Executive Officer and other members of management on matters that affect the Company.

Independent and non-managementnon-employee directors hold regularly scheduled executive sessions in which independent and non-managementnon-employee directors meet without the presence of management. These executive sessions generally occur around regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Directors. For more information regarding the Company'sCompany’s Board of Directors and other corporate governance procedures, see "Corporate“Corporate Governance." For information on how you can communicate with the Company'sCompany’s non-management directors, see "Communicating“Communicating with the Board."

Audit Committee.    The Audit Committee is responsible for providing independent, objective oversight and review of the Company'sCompany’s auditing, accounting and financial reporting processes, including reviewing the audit results and monitoring the effectiveness of the Company'sCompany’s internal audit function. In addition, the Audit Committee is responsible for (1) selecting the Company'sCompany’s independent registered public accounting firm, (2) approving the overall scope of the audit, (3) assisting the Board in monitoring the integrity of the Company'sCompany’s financial statements, our independent registered public accounting firm'sfirm’s qualifications and independence, the performance of the company'sCompany’s independent registered public accounting firm, and the Company'sCompany’s internal audit function and compliance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements, (4) annually reviewing the Company'sCompany’s independent



registered pubicpublic accounting firm'sfirm’s report describing the auditing firm'sfirm’s internal quality control procedures and any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality control review, or peer review, of the auditing firm, (5) discussing the annual audited financial and quarterly statements with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, (6) discussing earnings press releases and any financial information or earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies, (7) discussing policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management, (8) meeting separately and periodically, with management, internal auditors and the independent registered public accounting firm, (9) reviewing with the independent auditor any audit problems or difficulties and management'smanagement’s response, (10) setting clear hiring policies for employees or former employees of the independent registered public accounting firm, (11) handling such other matters that are specifically delegated to the Audit Committee by applicable law or regulation or by the Board of Directors from time to time, and (12) reporting regularly to the full Board of Directors. See "Report“Report of the Audit Committee." The Audit Committee'sCommittee’s charter is available on the Company'sCompany’s website,www.trimascorp.com, in the Corporate Governance subsection of the Investor page. The Audit Committee last updated its charter on November 8, 2012.

Each of the directors on the Audit Committee is financially literate. The Board of Directors has determined that each of Messrs. Miller, Gabrys and GabrysTredwell qualifies as an "audit“audit committee financial expert"expert” within the meaning of SEC regulations and that each member on the Audit Committee has the accounting and related financial management expertise required by the NASDAQ listing standards and that each is "independent"“independent” from management in accordance with NASDAQ listing standards and the Company'sCompany’s Corporate Governance Guidelines.

Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is responsible for developing and maintaining the Company'sCompany’s compensation strategies and policies including, (1) reviewing and approving the Company'sCompany’s overall executive and director compensation philosophy and the executive and director compensation programs to support the Company'sCompany’s overall business strategy and objectives, (2) overseeing the management continuity and succession planning process (except as otherwise within the scope of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee) with respect to the Company'sCompany’s officers, and (3) preparing any report on executive compensation required by the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and other regulatory bodies.

The Compensation Committee is responsible for monitoring and administering the Company'sCompany’s compensation and employee benefit plans and reviewing, among other things, base salary levels, incentive awards and bonus awards for officers and key executives, and such other matters that are specifically delegated to the Compensation Committee by applicable law or regulation, or by the Board of Directors from time to time.

        See "Compensation Discussion The Committee’s charter reflects such responsibilities and Analysis." The Compensation Committee's charter is available on the Company'sCompany’s website,www.trimascorp.com, in the Corporate Governance subsectionsection of the Investors page.

        Executive Committee. The ExecutiveCompensation Committee has the authority to exercise manylast updated its charter on February 25, 2013. Each of the functionsdirectors on the Compensation Committee is “independent” from management in accordance with NASDAQ listing standards


13



(including those standards particular to Compensation Committee membership) and the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines. See also “Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Role of the full Board of Directors between meetings of the Board, however it excludes those matters which Delaware law or NASDAQ or SEC rules require to be within the purview of the Company's independent directors or which is otherwise in conflict with such laws or rules.Compensation Committee.”

Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for identifying and nominating individuals qualified to serve as Board members and recommending directors for each Board committee. Generally, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will re-nominate incumbent directors who continue to satisfy its criteria for membership on the Board, who it believes will continue to make important contributions to the Board and who consent to continue their service on the Board.


In recommending candidates to the Board, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee reviews the experience, mix of skills and other qualities of a nominee to assure appropriate Board composition after taking into account the current Board members and the specific needs of the Company and the Board. The Board looks for individuals who have demonstrated excellence in their chosen field, high ethical standards and integrity, and sound business judgment. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee does not have a formal policy with respect to diversity; however, the Board and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee believe that it is essential that the Board members represent diverse viewpoints. As required by the NASDAQ, SEC or such other applicable regulatory requirements, a majority of the Board will be comprised of independent directors.

The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee generally relies on multiple sources for identifying and evaluating nominees, including referrals from the Company'sCompany’s current directors and management. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee also works with a third-party search firm to identify potential candidates to serve on the Board. Nancy S. Gougarty and Nick L. Stanage were appointed as directors in 2013 following a process that was facilitated by a third party search firm. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee does not solicit director nominations, but will consider recommendations by shareholders with respect to elections to be held at an Annual Meeting, so long as such recommendations are sent on a timely basis to the Corporate Secretary of the Company and are in accordance with the Company'sCompany’s by-laws. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will evaluate nominees recommended by shareholders against the same criteria. The Company did not receive any nominations of directors by shareholders for the 2011 Annual Meeting.

See “How and when may I submit a shareholder proposal or director nomination for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders?” for more information.

The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is also responsible for recommending to the Board appropriate Corporate Governance Guidelines applicable to the Company and overseeing governance issues.

The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee'sCommittee’s charter is available on the Company'sCompany’s website,www.trimascorp.com, in the Corporate Governance subsection of the Investors page. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee last updated its charter on February 25, 2013.

Executive Committee. Prior to being disbanded by the Board on March 6, 2014, the Executive Committee had the authority to exercise many of the functions of the full Board of Directors between meetings of the Board, excluding those matters which Delaware law or NASDAQ or SEC rules were required to be within the purview of the Company’s independent directors or which were otherwise in conflict with such laws or rules.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation. No member of the Compensation Committee is an employee of the Company. Ms. Gougarty and Messrs. Cohen, Gabrys, Miller, Stanage, Tredwell and Valenti are the current members of the Company'sCompany’s Compensation Committee. See "Transactions
Retirement Age; Term Limits. The Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that a director (excluding directors serving on the Board as of February 25, 2013) is expected to submit his or her resignation from the Board at the first annual meeting of stockholders following the director’s 75th birthday. The Board may accept or reject such resignation in its discretion after consultation with Related Persons" for a summary of related person transactions involving Heartland.

        Terms of Office.the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. The Board has not established term limits for the directors. The Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that a thoughtful evaluation of director performance is the appropriate method of balancing the Board's needs for continuity, insight, new perspectives, fresh ideas, and other factors.

Assessment of Board and Committee Performance. The Board evaluates its performance annually. In addition, each Board committee performs an annual self-assessment to determine its effectiveness. The results of the Board and committee self-assessments are discussed with the Board and each Committee, respectively.


BOARD OF DIRECTORS RISK MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS

        As part of its oversight function, the Board monitors how management operates the Company, in part via its committee structure. When granting authority to management, approving strategies and receiving management reports, the Board considers, among other things, the risks and vulnerabilities the Company faces. The Audit Committee considers risk issues associated with the Company's overall financial reporting, disclosure process and legal compliance, as well as reviewing policies on risk control assessment and accounting risk exposure. In addition to its regularly scheduled meetings, the Audit Committee meets with the Vice President, Corporate Audit, and the independent registered public accounting firm in executive sessions at least quarterly, and with the General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer as determined from time to time by the Audit Committee. Each of the



Compensation Committee and the Governance and Nominating Committee considers risk issues associated with the substantive matters addressed by the committee.

Director Compensation

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing director compensation and making recommendations to the Board with respect to that compensation, as appropriate. The Compensation Committee and Board believe that directors should receive a mix of cash and equity over their tenure. The combination of cash and equity compensation is intended to provide

14



incentives for directors to continue to serve on the Board of Directors and to attract new directors with outstanding qualifications. Directors who are not independent do not receive any compensation for serving on the Board or any committees thereof. Directors may make an annual election to defer receipt of Board compensation, provided the election is made prior to the fiscal year in which the deferral is effective.

Annual Cash Retainer and Meeting Fees. In 2010,2013, each independentnon-employee director received an annual cash retainer of $75,000,$100,000 (prorated for the period beginning November 1, 2013 for Ms. Gougarty and Mr. Stanage) and a meeting fee of $1,000 for each Board or committee meeting attended. The Chairmanchair of the Board received $200,000 in 2010 for his services in that capacity and did not receive attendance fees. The chairman of each of the Audit, Compensation and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees received an additional annual cash retainer in the amounts of $125,000, $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000, respectively.

        Two

For 2013, two of the four independent directors elected to defer receipt of Board compensation in 2010. For 2011, two of four independentfive non-employee directors elected to defer receipt of all or part of their Board compensation.

In 2013, the Company adopted a director retainer share election program effective January 1, 2014, to permit directors to make an annual election to receive unrestricted stock for deferred or non-deferred compensation for board service in lieu of cash at the time payment is made each quarter. For 2014, three of the seven non-employee directors elected to defer receipt of all or part of their Board compensation.
Equity Compensation. On March 9, 2009,As part of the non-employee directors’ annual compensation package, the Board also approved, in 2011, the issuance of options to purchase 24,000 shares of common stockannual grants on each March 1st, commencing in 2012, to each independent Board member (other thanof the Chairman),non-employee directors of restricted shares with an exercise price equala grant date fair market value of $100,000, with each grant subject to the closing pricedirector’s continued service on the Board for a one-year vesting period. In March 2013, the Company issued the annual grant to each of the Company's stocknon-employee directors on the grant date. The options vest in equal annual increments over the three years following the grant date and are subject to a ten (10) year exercise term, subject to earlier termination if the recipient dies, becomes disabled or is no longer a director.same terms.

Director Stock Ownership. We have established stock ownership guidelines for our independent directors to more closely tie their interests to those of shareholders. Under these guidelines, all such directors are required to own, within five years after initial election to the Board (but not tolling prior to the Company's May 2007 initial public offering, and thus not applicable to any of theas an independent directors until May 2012)director, shares of Company stock having a value equal to three times their annual cash retainer. Commonretainer (excluding any additional retainers for Board and committee chair service. Unrestricted stock, time-based restricted stock and vested in the moneyin-the-money options held by an independent director are counted toward fulfillment of this ownership requirement. As of December 31, 2013, each independent director was in compliance. If an independent director does not meet the stock ownership guidelines, the Compensation Committee may consider such fact in determining the award of future equity awards to such director.

Indemnification. The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors. These agreements require the Company to indemnify such individuals for certain liabilities to which they may become subject as a result of their affiliation with the Company.

Other. The Company reimburses all directors for expenses incurred in attending Board and committee meetings. The Company does not provide any perquisites to directors.



Director Compensation Table

Name
 2010 Fees Earned
or Paid in Cash
($)
 2010 Stock
Awards
($)
 Total
($)
  Fees Earned
or Paid in Cash
($)
 
Stock
Awards
($) (2)
 Total
($)

Samuel Valenti III

 200,000  200,000  245,000
 100,000
 345,000

David M. Wathen(1)

    

Marshall A. Cohen(2)(1)

 103,000  103,000  125,000
 100,000
 225,000

Richard M. Gabrys

 112,000  112,000  135,000
 100,000
 235,000

Eugene A. Miller(2)

 108,000  108,000 

Daniel P. Tredwell(1)

    
Nancy S. Gougarty 21,700
 
 21,700
Eugene A. Miller (1)
 131,000
 100,000
 231,000
Nick L. Stanage 21,700
 
 21,700
Daniel P. Tredwell 121,000
 100,000
 221,000

(1)
Messrs. Cohen and Miller elected to defer 100% and 50%, respectively, of their 2013 fees earned as permitted under the Company’s 2006 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan.
(2)
The amounts in this column reflects the grant date fair value (computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification, or FASB ASC, Topic 718) of the restricted stock awards made to our non-employee directors during 2013. Messrs. Valenti, Cohen, Gabrys, Miller and Tredwell each received 3,448 shares of restricted stock effective on March 1, 2013. These awards were granted under the Company’s 2011 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan and vest one year from the date of grant if the director does not terminate service on the Board prior to the vesting date.

15

(1)
Messrs. Tredwell


The table below sets forth as to each non-employee director the aggregate number of stock options and Wathen did not receive any compensation for their servicesrestricted stock awards outstanding as directors.

(2)
Messrs. Cohen and Miller elected to defer 100% and 50%, respectively, of their 2010 fees earned as permitted underDecember 31, 2013. All of the 2006 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan.

stock options set forth in the table are fully vested.


Name Stock Options Stock Awards
Samuel Valenti III 50,000
 3,448
Marshall A. Cohen 26,000
 3,448
Richard M. Gabrys 25,000
 3,448
Nancy S. Gougarty 
 
Eugene A. Miller 26,000
 3,448
Nick L. Stanage 
 
Daniel P. Tredwell 
 3,448

Corporate Governance

The Board of Directors has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines, a copy of which can be found at the Company'sCompany’s website,www.trimascorp.com, in the Corporate Governance subsection of the Investors page. These guidelines address, among other things, director responsibilities, qualifications (including independence), compensation and access to management and advisors. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for overseeing and reviewing these guidelines and recommending any changes to the Board.

Code of Ethics.Conduct. TheEffective January 1, 2012, the Board has adopted a revised Code of Ethics and Business Conduct that applies to all directors and all employees, including the Company'sCompany’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and other persons performing similar executive management functions. The Code of Ethics and Business Conduct is posted on the Company'sCompany’s website in the Corporate Governance section. All amendments to the Company's codeCompany’s Code of ethics,Conduct, if any, will be also posted on the Company'sCompany’s internet website, along with all waivers, if any, of the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct involving senior officers.

        The Company has filed with the SEC, as exhibits to its Quarterly Reports on Form10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, June 30 and September 30, 2010, respectively, and its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted Pursuant to Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


A copy of the Company'sCompany’s committee charters, Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Ethics and Business Conduct will be sent to any shareholder, without charge, upon written request sent to the Company'sCompany’s executive offices: TriMas Corporation, Attention: Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary, 39400 Woodward Avenue, Suite 130, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304.

Communicating with the Board

Any shareholder or interested party who desires to communicate with the Board or any specific director, including the Chairman,Chair, non-management directors, or committee members, may write to: TriMas Corporation, Attention: Board of Directors, 39400 Woodward Avenue, Suite 130, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304.


Depending on the subject matter of the communication, management will:

    forward the communication to the director or directors to whom it is addressed (matters addressed to the ChairmanChair of the Audit Committee will be forwarded unopened directly to the Chairman)Chair);

    attempt to handle the inquiry directly where the communication does not appear to require direct attention by the Board or an individual member, e.g., the communication is a request for information about the Company or is a stock-related matter; or

    not forward the communication if it is primarily commercial in nature or if it relates to an improper or irrelevant topic.

To submit concerns regarding accounting matters, shareholders and other interested persons may also call the Company'sCompany’s toll free, confidential hotline number published atwww.trimascorp.com in the Corporate Governance subsection of the Investors page, in the document entitled Code of Ethics and Business Conduct. Employees may express such concerns on a confidential and anonymous basis.

Communications made through the confidential hotline number are reviewed by the Audit Committee at each regularly scheduled meeting; other communications will be made available to directors at any time upon their request.


16





REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORSDIRECTORS


The Audit Committee represents and assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities for general oversight of the integrity of the Company'sCompany’s financial statements. The Company'sCompany’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the independent registered public accounting firm'sfirm’s qualifications and independence, the performance of the Company'sCompany’s internal audit function and independent registered public accounting firm, and risk assessment and risk management. The Audit Committee manages the Company'sCompany’s relationship with the independent registered public accounting firm (which reports directly to the Audit Committee). The Audit Committee has the authority to obtain advice and assistance from outside legal, accounting or other advisors as the Audit Committee deems necessary to carry out its duties and receives appropriate funding as determined by the Audit Committee from the Company for such advice and assistance.

The Company'sCompany’s management is primarily responsible for the Company'sCompany’s internal control and financial reporting process. The Company'sCompany’s independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG,Deloitte, is responsible for performing an independent audit of the Company'sCompany’s consolidated financial statements and issuing opinions on the conformity of reporting those audited financial statements with United States generally accepted accounting principles and the effectiveness of the Company'sCompany’s internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee monitors the Company'sCompany’s financial reporting process and reports to the Board on its findings.

In this context, the Audit Committee hereby reports as follows:

        1.     The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20102013 with the Company'sCompany’s management;

        2.     The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by the Statement on Auditing Standards ("SAS"(“SAS”) No. 114 (formerly SAS 61),16, Communications with Audit Committees, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ("PCAOB"(“PCAOB”) in Rule 3200T;

;

        3.     The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, "Independence Discussions with Audit Committees"), as adopted byapplicable requirements of the PCAOB in rule 3600T, and has discussedregarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the independent registered public accounting firm its independence; and

        4.     Based on the review and discussions referred to in paragraphs 1 through 3 above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board, and the Board has approved, that the audited financial statements be included in the Company'sCompany’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010,2013, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


The undersigned members of the Audit Committee have submitted this Report to the Board of Directors.


  
The Audit Committee
Richard M. Gabrys, Chairman
Chair
Marshall A. Cohen
Nancy S. Gougarty
Eugene A. Miller
Marshall Cohen
Nick L. Stanage
Daniel P. Tredwell
Samuel Valenti III


17



PROPOSAL 2—APPROVAL2 — RATIFICATION OF 2011 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLANAPPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


THE COMPANY'SCOMPANY’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE"FOR"FOR THE APPROVALRATIFICATION OF THE 2011 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN.APPOINTMENT OF DELOITTE AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2014.


The Company currently maintains the TriMas Corporation 2006 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan (the "2006 Plan") and the TriMas Corporation 2002 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan (the "2002 Plan"). EachAudit Committee of the 2006 Plan andBoard (the “Audit Committee”) has appointed Deloitte as the 2002 Plan providesindependent registered public accounting firm to audit the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the issuancefiscal year ending December 31, 2014.Deloitte was engaged as our independent registered public accounting firm on March 27, 2013. KPMG previously served as our independent registered public accounting firm. Representatives of equity based awards in various forms.

        GrantsDeloitte are expected to attend the Annual Meeting, where they will be available to respond to appropriate questions and, if they desire, make a statement.


The appointment of options to purchase shares and awards of restricted shares to employees and to non-employee directors are an important part ofDeloitte as the Company's compensation program, providing a basisindependent registered public accounting firm for long-term incentive compensation and helping to tie together the interests of the Company's shareholders and the Company's directors, officers and employees. The Board has adopted the TriMas Corporation 2011 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan, and in accordance with the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market and the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"), the Company is seekingbeing presented to the approvalshareholders for ratification. The ratification of the shareholdersappointment of the adoptionindependent registered public accounting firm requires the affirmative vote of the 2011 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan. In this discussion, the 2011 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan is referred to as the 2011 Plan.

        The 2011 Plan provides for the award to directors, officers, employees and other service providers of the Company of restricted stock, restricted stock units, options to purchase stock, stock appreciation rights, unrestricted stock, and other awards to acquire up to an aggregate of 850,000 shares of common stock. For purposes of the 850,000 share limit, each option to purchase a share of common stock and each stock appreciation right will be counted as one share, and each share of restricted stock, restricted stock unit or share of unrestricted stock will be counted as 1.75 shares of common stock. Rights to receive dividends on common stock (except for rights to receive dividends in cash and which are related to other awards which are counted as 1.75 shares of common stock) will also themselves be counted as 1.75 shares of common stock. This method of counting recognizes the greater value inherent in a share of stock than in an option to purchase a share of common stock at a price equal to its fair market value on the date of grant. If an award under the 2011 Plan of restricted stock or restricted stock units is forfeited or an award of options or other rights granted under the 2011 Plan expires without being exercised, the shares covered by any such award would again become available for issuance under new 2011 Plan awards. Shares of stock that are delivered to or withheld by the Company to pay the exercise price or withholding taxes in connection with any award will not, however, be available for future awards.

        The 2011 Plan prohibits the repricing of options without the approval of the shareholders. This provision relates to both direct repricings—lowering the exercise price of an option—and indirect repricings—canceling an outstanding option and granting a replacement or substitute option with a lower exercise price, or exchanging options for cash, other options or other awards. The repricing prohibition also applies to stock appreciation rights.

        As of the Record Date, there were options to purchase 484,168 shares of common stock and 188,919 restricted shares of common stock outstanding under the 2006 Plan, and an additional 980,505 shares were available for the issuance of future awards under the 2006 Plan. In addition, as of the Record Date there were options to purchase 1,176,123 shares of common stock and 165,480 restricted shares of common stock outstanding under the 2002 Plan, and an additional 202,626 shares were available for future awards under the 2002 Plan. The weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options under the 2006 Plan and 2002 Plan as of the Record Date was $1.16 and $14.87, respectively. The average remaining contractual term of outstanding options under the 2006 Plan and 2002 Plan as of the Record Date was 7.8 years and 5.1 years, respectively. Neither the 2006 Plan nor the 2002 Plan



nor any options or restricted shares outstanding under either such Plan will be affected by the adoption of the 2011 Plan.

        As of the Record Date, the Company had 34,258,167 shares of common stock outstanding.

Description of 2011 Plan

        Overview.    The purpose of the 2011 Plan is to enhance the ability of the Company to attract and retain highly qualified directors, officers, key employees and other persons and to motivate such persons to serve the Company and to improve the business results and earnings of the Company by providing to such persons an opportunity to acquire or increase a direct proprietary interest in the operations and future success of the Company.

        There are 850,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the 2011 Plan, and no awards have been granted under the 2011 Plan. The maximum number of shares subject to options or stock appreciation rights that can be awarded under the 2011 Plan to any person is 350,000 per year. The maximum number of shares of common stock that can be awarded under the 2011 Plan to any person, other than pursuant to options or stock appreciation rights, is 200,000 per year.

        Administration.    The 2011 Plan is administered by the Company's Compensation Committee. Subject to the terms of the 2011 Plan, the Compensation Committee may select participants to receive awards, determine the types of awards and terms and conditions of awards and interpret provisions of the 2011 Plan. The Compensation Committee may delegate to a subcommittee of directors and/or officers the authority to grant or administer awards to persons who are not then reporting persons under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Options and stock appreciation rights may not be amended to lower their exercise prices without shareholder approval.

        Stock Reserved for Issuance Under the 2011 Plan.    The stock issued or to be issued under the 2011 Plan consists of authorized but unissued shares of common stock. Stock issued under the 2011 Plan pursuant to awards assumed in connection with mergers and acquisitions by us will not reduce the number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2011 Plan. The closing price of the Company's stock on the Record Date was $18.68.

        Eligibility.    Awards may be made under the 2011 Plan to our directors, officers, employees or consultants and to any other individual whose participation in the 2011 Plan is determined to be in the Company's best interests by the Compensation Committee. The Company estimates that currently approximately 80 persons are eligible to receive awards under the 2011 Plan.

        Amendment or Termination of the Plan.    The Board of Directors may terminate or amend the 2011 Plan at any time and for any reason. However, no amendment may adversely impair the rights of participants with respect to outstanding awards, except in order to comply with Section 409A of the Code. Further, unless terminated earlier, the 2011 Plan will terminate 10 years after its effective date. Amendments will be submitted for shareholder approval to the extent required by the Code or other applicable laws, rules or regulations.

Types of Awards Available for Grant under the 2011 Plan

        Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units.    The 2011 Plan permits the granting of restricted stock and restricted stock units. Restricted stock is stock granted subject to forfeiture if specified holding periods and/or performance targets are not met. Restricted stock units are substantially similar to restricted stock but result in the issuance of stock upon meeting specified holding periods and/or


performance targets, rather than the issuance of the stock in advance. Restricted stock and restricted stock units granted under the 2011 Plan may not be sold, transferred, pledged or assigned prior to meeting the specified holding periods and/or performance targets. The Compensation Committee determines the holding periods and/or performance targets and the circumstances under which the holding periods and/or performance targets may be waived, such as upon death, disability, retirement, termination of employment or change in control.

        Options.    The 2011 Plan permits the granting of options to purchase stock intended to qualify as incentive options under the Code and also options to purchase stock that do not qualify as incentive stock options ("non-qualified options"). The options we have granted have historically been principally non-qualified options. The exercise price of each option may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant. In the case of certain 10% shareholders who receive incentive options, the exercise price may not be less than 110% of the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant. An exception to these requirements is made for any options that the Company grants in substitution for options held by directors, officers, employees and consultants of a company that we acquire. In such a case, the exercise price would be adjusted to preserve the economic value of such holder's option from his or her former employer.

        The term of each option is fixed by the Compensation Committee and may not exceed 10 years from the date of grant. The Compensation Committee determines at what time or times each option may be exercised and the period of time, if any, after death, disability, retirement, termination of employment or change in control during which options may be exercised.

        Options may be made exercisable in installments. The exercisability of options may be accelerated by the Compensation Committee, such as upon death, disability, retirement, termination of employment or change in control. In general, an optionee may pay the exercise price of an option by cash, certified check, by tendering stock (which, if acquired from us, has been held by the optionee for at least six months) or by means of a broker-assisted cashless exercise.

        Options granted under the 2011 Plan may not be sold, transferred, pledged or assigned other than by will or under applicable laws of descent and distribution. However, the Compensation Committee may permit limited transfers of non-qualified options for the benefit of immediate family members of grantees to address estate planning concerns.

        Other Awards.    The Compensation Committee may also award under the 2011 Plan:

    dividend equivalent rights, which are rights entitling the recipient to receive amounts equal to the dividends that would have been paid if the recipient had held a specified number of shares of common stock; provided, that dividend equivalent rights may not be granted relating to stock subject to an option or stock appreciation right;

    stock appreciation rights, which are rights to receive a number of shares of common stock or, in the discretion of the Compensation Committee, an amount in cash or a combination of stock and cash, based on the increase in the fair market value of the stock underlying the right over the market value of such stock on the date of grant (or over an amount greater than the grant date fair market value, if the Compensation Committee so determines) during a stated period specified by the Compensation Committee not to exceed 10 years from the date of grant;

    unrestricted stock, which is stock granted without restrictions; and

    cash awards.

        Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code Compliance.    Section 162(m) of the Code limits publicly-held companies to an annual deduction for U.S. federal income tax purposes of $1,000,000 for compensation paid to their Chief Executive Officer and the three highest compensated executive



officers (other than the Chief Executive Officer) determined at the end of each year (the "covered employees"). However, performance-based compensation may be excluded from this limitation. The 2011 Plan is designed to permit the Compensation Committee to grant awards that qualify for purposes of satisfying the conditions of Section 162(m).

        Business Criteria.    The Compensation Committee would exclusively use one or more of the following business criteria, on a consolidated basis, and/or with respect to specified subsidiaries or business units (except with respect to the total shareholder return and earnings per common share criteria), in establishing performance goals for awards to "covered employees" if the award is to be intended to satisfy the conditions of Section 162(m):

    basic earnings per common share for the Corporation on a consolidated basis;
    diluted earnings per common share for the Corporation on a consolidated basis;
    total shareholder return;
    net sales;
    cost of sales;
    gross profit;
    selling, general and administrative expenses;
    operating profit, alone or as a percentage of sales;
    income before interest and/or the provision for income taxes;
    net income;
    productivity;
    inventory turnover;
    return on equity;
    return on assets;
    sales of new products;
    economic value added, or another measure of profitability that considers the cost of capital employed;
    net cash provided by operating activities;
    net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents;
    customer satisfaction;
    market share; or
    product quality.

        Dividends or Dividend Equivalents for Performance Awards.    Notwithstanding anything contrary to the foregoing herein, the right to receive dividends, dividend equivalents or distributions with respect to a performance award will only be granted to a participant if and to the extent that the underlying award is earned.

        Effect of Certain Corporate Transactions.    The Compensation Committee may cause awards granted under the 2011 Plan to vest in the event of a transaction resulting in a change in control of the Company.

        Adjustments for Stock Dividends and Similar Events.    The Compensation Committee will make appropriate adjustments in outstanding awards and the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2011 Plan, including the individual limitations on awards, to reflect dividends, splits, extraordinary cash dividends and other similar events.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

        Restricted Stock.    A grantee who is awarded restricted stock will not recognize any taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes in the year of the award, provided that the stock is subject to restrictions (that is, the restricted stock is nontransferable and subject to a substantial risk of


forfeiture). However, the grantee may elect under Section 83(b) of the Code to recognize compensation income (which is ordinary income) in the year of the award in an amount equal to the fair market value of the stock on the date of the award (less the purchase price, if any), determined without regard to the restrictions. If the grantee does not make such a Section 83(b) election, the fair market value of the stock on the date the restrictions lapse (less the purchase price, if any) will be treated as compensation income to the grantee and will be taxable in the year the restrictions lapse and dividends or distributions that are paid while the stock is subject to restrictions will be subject to withholding taxes. The Company will generally be entitled to a compensation expense deduction in the same amount and generally at the same time as the grantee recognizes ordinary income.

        Restricted Stock Units.    There are no immediate tax consequences of receiving an award of restricted stock units under the 2011 Plan. A grantee who is awarded restricted stock units will be required to recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the fair market value of the stock issued to such grantee at the end of the restriction period. The Company will generally be entitled to a compensation expense deduction in the same amount and generally at the same time as the grantee recognizes ordinary income.

        Incentive Stock Options.    The grant of an incentive stock option will not be a taxable event for the grantee or for the employer. A grantee will not recognize taxable income upon exercise of an incentive option (except that the alternative minimum tax may apply), and any gain realized upon a disposition of stock received pursuant to the exercise of an incentive option will be taxed as long-term capital gain if the grantee holds the stock for at least two years after the date of grant and for one year after the date of exercise (the "holding period requirement"). The employer will not be entitled to any compensation expense deduction with respect to the exercise of an incentive option, except as discussed below.

        For the exercise of an option to qualify for the foregoing tax treatment, the grant must be made by the employee's employer or a parent or subsidiary of the employer. The employee must remain employed from the date the option is granted through a date within three months before the date of exercise of the option. If all of the foregoing requirements are met except the holding period requirement mentioned above, the grantee will recognize ordinary income upon the disposition of the stock in an amount generally equal to the excess of the fair market value of the stock at the time the option was exercised over the option exercise price (but not in excess of the gain realized on the sale). The balance of the realized gain, if any, will be capital gain. The employer will be allowed a compensation expense deduction to the extent that the grantee recognizes ordinary income.

        Non-Qualified Options.    The grant of an option will not be a taxable event for the grantee or for the Company. Upon exercising a non-qualified option, a grantee will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of the stock on the date of exercise. Upon a subsequent sale or exchange of stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of a non-qualified option, the grantee will have taxable capital gain or loss, measured by the difference between the amount realized on the disposition and the tax basis of the stock (generally, the amount paid for the stock plus the amount treated as ordinary income at the time the option was exercised). The Company will generally be entitled to a compensation expense deduction in the same amount and generally at the same time as the grantee recognizes ordinary income.

        Dividend Equivalent Rights.    Participants who receive dividend equivalent rights will be required to recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the amount paid to the grantee pursuant to the award. The Company will generally be entitled to a compensation expense deduction in the same amount and generally at the same time as the grantee recognizes ordinary income.

        Stock Appreciation Rights.    There are no immediate tax consequences of receiving an award of stock appreciation rights under the 2011 Plan. Upon exercising a stock appreciation right, a grantee will



recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of the stock on the date of exercise. The Company will generally be entitled to a compensation expense deduction in the same amount and generally at the same time as the grantee recognizes ordinary income.

        Unrestricted Stock.    Participants who are awarded unrestricted stock will be required to recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the fair market value of the stock on the date of the award, reduced by the amount, if any, paid for such stock. The Company will generally be entitled to a compensation expense deduction in the same amount and generally at the same time as the grantee recognizes ordinary income.

New Plan Benefits

        Awards under the 2011 Plan will be made at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. Accordingly, the Company cannot currently determine the amount of awards that will be made under the 2011 Plan. The Company anticipates that the Compensation Committee will utilize the 2011 Plan to continue to grant long-term equity incentive compensation to employees and directors similar to the awards described in this proxy statement.

Registration with SEC

        The Company intends to file a registration statement with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, covering the offering of the stock under the 2011 Plan.

Vote Required for Approval

        Approval of the 2011 Plan requires the vote of holders of a majority of the votes casttotal shares of Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter, provided that a quorum of at least a majority of the outstanding shares are present or represented at the Annual Meeting.

meeting. If you abstain from voting on this matter, your abstention will have the same effect as a vote against the matter. If you hold your shares through a broker and you do not instruct the broker on how to vote on this “routine” proposal, your broker will nevertheless have authority to vote your shares on this “routine” proposal in your broker’s discretion. Proxies submitted pursuant to this solicitation will be voted “FOR” the ratification of Deloitte as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014, unless specified otherwise.

Fees Paid to Independent Auditor
The following table presents fees billed by Deloitte and KPMG for professional audit services rendered related to the audits of the Company’s annual financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and fees for other services rendered during those periods.
  2013 2012
Audit Fees $1,473,800
 $1,581,000
Audit-related Fees 243,200
 405,000
Tax Fees 22,000
 21,000
All Other Fees 
 
Total $1,739,000
 $2,007,000
Audit and Audit-Related Fees
Integrated audit fees billed for services rendered in connection with the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements and the effectiveness of the Company’s financial controls over financial reporting were $1.5 million for 2013 and $1.6 million for 2012. In 2013, audit-related fees of $0.2 million were incurred primarily related to comfort letter procedures performed in connection with the Company’s registration statements. In 2012, audit-related fees of $0.4 million were incurred primarily related to comfort letter procedures performed in connection with the Company’s registration statements and related to due diligence procedures performed on potential Company acquisition targets.
Tax Fees
Except for the amounts disclosed above, there were no tax fees billed by Deloitte during 2013 or KPMG during 2012, as the Company has retained another firm to provide tax advice.
The Audit Committee has determined that the rendering of all non-audit services by Deloitte in 2013 and KPMG in 2012 is compatible with maintaining such auditor independence.
We have been advised by Deloitte and KPMG that neither of the firms, nor any member of either firm, has any financial interest, direct or indirect, in any capacity in the Company or its subsidiaries.

18



Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Services of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Audit Committee is responsible for appointing, setting compensation and overseeing the work of the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee has established a policy regarding pre-approval of all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm.
On an ongoing basis, management communicates specific projects and categories of service for which the advance approval of the Audit Committee is requested. The Audit Committee reviews these requests and advises management if the committee approves the engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm. No services are undertaken which are not pre-approved. On a periodic basis, management reports to the Audit Committee regarding the actual spending for such projects and services compared to the approved amounts. All of the services provided by Deloitte our independent auditor in 2013 and KPMG, our independent auditor in 2012, including services related to audit, audit-related fees, tax fees and all other fees described above, were approved by the Audit Committee under its pre-approval policies.
The Audit Committee’s policies permit the Company’s independent accountants, Deloitte, to provide audit-related services, tax services and non-audit services to the Company, subject to the following conditions:
(1) Deloitte will not be engaged to provide any services that may compromise its independence under applicable laws and regulations, including rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board;
(2) Deloitte and the Company will enter into engagement letters authorizing the specific audit-related services or non-audit services and setting forth the cost of such services;
(3) The Company is authorized, without additional Audit Committee approval, to engage Deloitte to provide (a) audit-related and tax services, including due diligence and tax planning related to acquisitions where Deloitte does not audit the target company, to the extent that the cost of such engagement does not exceed $250,000, (b) due diligence and tax planning related to acquisitions where Deloitte audits the target company, to the extent the cost of such engagement does not exceed $20,000, and (c) services not otherwise covered by (a) or (b) above to the extent the cost of such engagements does not exceed $150,000; provided, however, that the aggregate amount of all such engagements under (a), (b) and (c) may not exceed $350,000 in any calendar quarter; and
(4) The Chair of the Audit Committee will be promptly notified of each engagement, and the Audit Committee will be updated quarterly on all engagements, including fees.
Changes in Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
On February 28, 2013, the Company notified KPMG that the Audit Committee had approved the dismissal of KPMG as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm upon completion of both (i) KPMG’s review of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the three-months ending March 31, 2013, and (ii) the engagement of a new independent registered public accounting firm. Subsequently, the Company conducted a competitive process to select a firm to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013. As a result of this process, on March 27, 2013, the Company engaged Deloitte as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013.
KPMG’s audit reports on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. Except as disclosed herein, the audit reports of KPMG on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. The audit report of KPMG on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012 contained an explanatory paragraph stating that the Company acquired Arminak & Associates, LLC (“Arminak”) during 2012 and management excluded from its assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, Arminak’s internal control over financial reporting associated with total assets of $102.2 million, which represented 9.0% of the Company’s consolidated assets at December 31, 2012, and net sales of $65.9 million, which represented 5.2% of the Company’s consolidated total net sales for 2012. KPMG’s audit of internal control over financial reporting of the Company also excluded an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of Arminak.

19



During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, and in the subsequent interim period through February 28, 2013 (the date of the dismissal of KPMG), there were (i) no “disagreements” as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K, between the Company and KPMG on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of KPMG, would have caused KPMG to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in their reports on the financial statements for such years, and (ii) no “reportable events” as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
The Company provided KPMG with a copy of the disclosures made in a Current Report on Form 8-K (the “Report”) prior to the time the Report was filed with the SEC. The Company requested that KPMG furnish a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether or not it agrees with the statements made in the Report. A copy of KPMG’s letter dated March 6, 2013 was attached as Exhibit 16.1 to the Report. On March 14, 2013, the Company filed an amendment to the Report on Form 8-K/A (the “Amended Report”) to include disclosure regarding the subsequent interim period through February 28, 2013. The Company provided KPMG with a copy of the disclosures made in the Amended Report prior to the time the Amended Report was filed with the SEC. The Company requested that KPMG furnish a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether or not it agrees with the statements made in the Amended Report. A copy of KPMG’s letter dated March 14, 2013 was attached as Exhibit 16.1 to the Amended Report.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the subsequent interim period through March 27, 2013 (the date of the engagement of Deloitte), neither the Company nor anyone acting on its behalf has consulted with Deloitte with respect to (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s financial statements, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided to the Company that Deloitte concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing, or financial reporting issue or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a “disagreement” as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K or “reportable event” as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
PROPOSAL 3—3 — APPROVAL, ON A NON-BINDING ADVISORY VOTE ONBASIS, OF THE COMPENSATION PAID TO THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS


The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer ProtectionBoard recommends a vote “FOR” this proposal.

Pursuant to Section 14A of the Exchange Act, requires that the Company seek a non-bindingis providing shareholders with an advisory (non-binding) vote from its shareholders to approve the compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”) as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to Section 14A of the Company'sExchange Act. This advisory vote is commonly known as a “Say-on-Pay” vote. At the 2011 Annual Meeting, a majority of the votes cast on a proposal regarding the frequency for future Say-on-Pay votes approved the Board’s recommendation to hold future Say-on-Pay votes on a triennial basis. As the Company adopted a triennial Say-on-Pay Vote in 2011, after considering these voting results, the last Say-on-Pay vote took place at the 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders during which over 99% of the votes cast in the Say-on-Pay vote were in favor of our Say-on-Pay resolution.

At its first meeting held after our 2011 Say-on-Pay vote, the Compensation Committee reviewed the voting results described above. After taking into consideration the strong level of support expressed by our shareholders for the executive compensation program for our then-NEOs, the Compensation Committee decided to continue to apply the same guiding philosophy and principles to subsequent decisions and when adopting subsequent policies regarding NEO compensation. The Compensation Committee also has continued to monitor voting policy changes adopted by our institutional shareholders and their advisors since 2011, and will continue to take those voting policies into account when considering changes to our executive compensation program.

20



2013 Compensation Program Highlights


As described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis within this proxy statement, our NEOs are rewarded when defined financial and operational performance results are achieved and when value is created for our shareholders. Our Compensation Committee believes that our compensation program is effective in implementing our executive compensation philosophy and establishing a link between compensation and shareholder interests.
Highlights of our compensation program include the following:

A substantial percentage of each NEO’s target total direct compensation is variable, and consists of incentives that can be earned for achieving annual and long-term performance goals. Our program is weighted toward pay-for-performance and variable compensation to reinforce our philosophy of compensating our executives when they and the Company are successful in ways that support shareholder interests.

Each year, the Compensation Committee establishes performance measures intended to focus executives on the most important Company objectives.

In determining the compensation components for each NEO for 2013, the Compensation Committee generally focused on market values at the size-adjusted median of our peer group. The market information is considered a reference point rather than policy for reviewing competitiveness.

Our expectations for stock ownership align executives’ interests with those of our shareholders and all of the NEOs have exceeded their targets.

The Company’s clawback policy permits the Committee to recoup or rescind variable compensation to executives, including NEOs, under certain situations, including restatement of financial results.

Our Compensation Committee has retained an independent compensation consultant to advise it with respect to executive and non-employee director compensation matters.

We do not have employment agreements with our executives.

We do not permit underwater stock options or stock appreciation rights to be repriced without stockholder approval.

The Company’s anti-hedging policy prohibits the Board of Directors, and the Company’s executives, including NEOs, from purchasing any financial instrument that is designed to hedge or offset any decrease in the market value of the Common Stock, including prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars and exchange funds.

Shareholder Support
We are asking our shareholders to indicate their support for our NEOs’ compensation as described in this Proxy Statement. This proposal gives our shareholders the opportunity to express their views on the compensation of our NEOs. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our NEOs and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this Proxy Statement. Accordingly, we will ask our shareholders to vote “FOR” the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:
“RESOLVED, that the Company’s shareholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation paid to the Company’s Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion &and Analysis, ("CD&A")the compensation tables and tabular disclosures ofthe related narrative disclosure in this Proxy Statement. Since the

As an advisory vote, is advisory, the result of the votethis proposal is not binding uponon the Board.

        The Company's compensation philosophy is to pay for performance, support the Company's business strategies, and offer competitive compensation arrangements. The CD&A provides shareholders with a description of the Company's compensation programs, including the philosophy and strategy supporting the programs, the individual components of the compensation programs and how the Company's compensation programs are administered.

        The Company's compensation programs consist of elements designed to work together to reward achievement of short-term and long term objectives tied to the Company's performance through association with operating metrics. During 2010, the Company employed operating metrics to align employee compensation, including compensation for the executives named in the Summary Compensation Table of this Proxy Statement (the "Named Executive Officers," or "NEOs"), with the Company's business strategy.


        TheCompany. However, our Compensation Committee regularly reviews best practices related to executive compensation to ensure alignment with the Company's business strategy and compensation philosophy. Recent examples of actions taken related to NEO compensation are:

    For the Incentive Compensation Plan:

    Approved re-alignment of metrics to reflect the Company's business strategy and business conditions (fiscal years 2009 and 2010) and the Company's strategy (2011); and

    Required participants at or above a certain payout opportunity, including all of the NEOs, to receive 20% of the actual Incentive Compensation Plan pay-out in restricted shares of the Company's stock subject to a one-year vesting requirement (2010).

    For the Long Term Equity Incentive Plan:

    Awarded stock options that vest as to one-third of the number of options on each of the first of three anniversaries of the grant date with the objectives of placing greater emphasis on equity compensation tied solely to achievement of shareholderBoard value encouraging stock ownership and offering a long term incentive geared toward retaining key employees (2009).

    Eliminated perquisites and put in place a flexible cash allowance (2009).

    Modified the Change in Control and Executive Severance program to eliminate excise tax gross-ups (2009).

    Adopted share ownership guidelines to emphasize the alignment between long-term corporate performance and executive compensation (2009).

    Adopted a compensation claw-back policy to recoup incentive compensation and equity grants awarded to certain of the Company's leaders, including its NEOs, in the event of certain financial restatements or financial misconduct.

        As noted above, the Compensation Committee has and will continue to employ compensation practices that are performance based and emphasize long-term shareholder value and sound corporate governance principles. The Board believes that the executive compensation as disclosed in the CD&A, tabular disclosure and other narrative compensation disclosures in this Proxy Statement aligns with other peer group pay practices and reflects the Company's compensation philosophy.

FOR THE REASONS STATED, THE COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A 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, compensation tables and narrative discussion, is hereby APPROVED.

Effect of Proposal

        The say-on-pay resolution is non-binding. The approval or disapproval of this proposal by shareholders will not require the Board or the Compensation Committee to take any action regarding the Company's executive compensation practices. The final decision on the compensation and benefits of the Company's NEOs and on whether, and if so, how, to address shareholder disapproval remains with the Board and the Compensation Committee.

        The Board believes that the Compensation Committee is in the best position to consider the extensive information and factors necessary to make independent, objective, and competitive compensation recommendations and decisions that are in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders.


        The Board values the opinions of the Company'sour shareholders as expressed through their votes and other communications. Although the resolution is non-binding, the Board will carefullyexpect to consider the outcome of the advisory vote on executive compensation and those opinions when making future compensation decisions.


PROPOSAL 4—ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF SAY-ON-PAY VOTES

        Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, at least once every six years the Company is required to submit for shareholder vote a non-binding resolution to determine whether the advisory stockholder vote on executive compensation shall occur every one, two, or three years.

        After careful consideration of the various arguments supporting each frequency level, the Board believes that submitting the advisory vote on executive compensation to shareholders on a triennial basis is appropriate for the Company and its shareholders at this time.

        The Board believes that a triennial vote complements the Company's goal of creating a compensation program that enhances long-term shareholder value. As discussed in the CD&A, the Company's executive compensation program is designed to motivate executives to achieve short-term and long term corporate goals that promote shareholder value. A triennial vote will provide shareholders the ability to evaluate our compensation programs over a time period similar to the periods associated with the Company's compensation awards, allowing them to compare the Company's compensation program to the long-term performance of the Company. The Compensation Committee would also benefit from a three year period between advisory votes. Three years will give the Compensation Committee adequate time to fully analyze the Company's compensation program (as compared to the Company's performance over that same period) and to implement appropriate changes. In addition, this period will provide the time necessary for implemented changes to take effect and for such changes to be properly assessed. The three year period between votes will also allow the Compensation Committee to consider various factors that impact the Company's financial performance, shareholder sentiments and executive pay on a long-term basis. The Board believes that a vote more frequent than triennially will encourage a short-term compensation mindset and detract from the long term interests of the Company and its shareholders.

THE COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR A FREQUENCY OF"THREE YEARS."

        The proxy card provides stockholders with four choices (every one, two, or three years, or abstain). Shareholders are not voting to approve or disapprove the Board's recommendation.

Effect of Proposal

        The frequency vote is non-binding. Shareholder approval of a one, two, or three-year frequency vote will not require the Company to implement an advisory vote on executive compensation every one, two, or three years. The final decision on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation remains with the Board and/or its committees.

        The Board values the opinions of the Company's shareholders as expressed through their votes and other communications. Although the resolution is non-binding, the Board and its committees will carefully consider the outcome of the frequency vote and other communications from shareholders when making future decisions regarding the frequencyCompany’s NEOs. The next Say-on-Pay vote is expected to be held at our 2017 Annual Meeting of say-on-pay votes.

Shareholders.

21



Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

and Related Shareholder Matters

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of the Company's common stockCommon Stock as of the Record Date by:

each person known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of the Company's common stock;

Common Stock;
each of the Company'sCompany’s Directors and Director nominees;

each of the Named Executive Officers;NEOs; and

all of the Company'sCompany’s Directors and Named Executive Officersexecutive officers as a group.

The percentages of common stockCommon Stock beneficially owned are reported on the basis of regulations of the SEC governing the determination of beneficial ownership of securities. Under the rules of the SEC, a person is deemed to be a beneficial owner of a security if that person has or shares, (i) voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting of the security, (ii) investment power, which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of the security, or (iii) rights to acquire voting stockCommon Stock that are currently exercisable or convertible, or will become exercisable or convertible within 60 days of the Record Date. Except as indicated in the footnotes to this table, each beneficial owner named in the table below has sole voting and sole investment power with respect to all shares beneficially owned. As of the Record Date, the Company had 34,258,16745,224,854 shares outstandingoutstanding.
  Shares Beneficially
Owned
Name and Beneficial Owner Number Percentage
FMR LLC(1)
 3,632,658
 8.0%
245 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210    
William Blair & Company, L.L.C.(2)
 3,247,425
 7.2%
222 West Adams Street, Chicago, IL 60606    
BlackRock, Inc.(3)
 2,667,934
 5.9%
     40 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022    
The Vanguard Group(4)
 2,488,057
 5.5%
100 Vanguard Blvd, Malvern, PA 19355    
Champlain Investment Partners, LLC(5)
 2,334,280
 5.2%
     180 Battery St., Burlington, Vermont 05401  
  
Thomas M. Benson(6)(7)
 42,690
 %
Lynn A. Brooks(6)(7)
 60,116
 %
Marshall A. Cohen(6)(7)
 65,218
 %
Richard M. Gabrys(6)(7)
 42,382
 %
Nancy S. Gougarty(6)(7)
 2,976
 %
Eugene A. Miller(6)(7)
 68,854
 %
Joshua A. Sherbin(6)(7)
 62,110
 %
Nick L. Stanage(6)(7)
 2,976
 %
Daniel P. Tredwell(6)(7)
 6,424
 %
Samuel Valenti III(6)(7)
 63,382
 %
David M. Wathen(6)(7)
 518,958
 1.1%
A. Mark Zeffiro(6)(7)
 71,779
 %
All executive officers and directors as a group (13 persons)(6)(7)
 1,079,963
 2.4%


(1)
Information contained in the columns above and this footnote is based on a report on Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2014 by FMR LLC. As of December 31, 2013, Fidelity Management & Research Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of

22



FMR LLC and 1,224,182 shares that are deemed "beneficially owned"an investment adviser registered under Section 203 of the SEC rules described above.

 
 Shares Beneficially
Owned
 
Name and Beneficial Owner
 Number Percentage 

Heartland Industrial Associates, L.L.C.(1)(2)

  
11,904,972
  
33.6

%
 

177 Broad Street, Stamford, CT 06901

       

William Blair & Company, L.L.C

  
3,587,207
  
10.1

%
 

222 West Adams Street, Chicago, IL 60606

       

First Manhattan Co

  
1,772,845
  
5.0

%
 

437 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022

       

Thomas M. Benson(3)(5)

  
63,762
  

%

Lynn A. Brooks(3)(5)

  
295,773
  

%

Marshall A. Cohen(3)(5)

  
18,000
  

%

Richard M. Gabrys(3)(5)

  
19,000
  

%

Eugene A. Miller(3)(5)

  
33,000
  

%

Joshua A. Sherbin(3)(5)

  
112,392
  

%

Daniel P. Tredwell(2)

  
11,904,972
  
33.6

%

Samuel Valenti III(3)(4)(5)

  
240,000
  

%

David M. Wathen(3)(5)

  
428,744
  
1.2

%

A. Mark Zeffiro(3)(5)

  
97,323
  

%

All named executive officers and directors as a group (10 persons)(2)(3)(5)

  
13,212,966
  
37.2

%

(1)
TheseInvestment Advisers Act of 1940, had sole voting power with respect to 459,634 shares of common stock are beneficially owned indirectly by Heartland Industrial Associates, L.L.C.Common Stock and sole dispositive power with respect to 3,632,658 shares of Common Stock as the general partnera result of eachacting as investment adviser to various investment companies registered under Section 8 of the limited partnerships, which holdInvestment Company Act of 1940. Fidelity SelectCo, LLC, awholly-owned subsidiary of FMR LLC, is the beneficial owner of 324,934 shares of common stock directly. These limited liabilityCommon Stock, as a result of acting as investment adviser to various investment companies registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940. Pyramis Global Advisors Trust Company, is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of FMR LLC and limited partnership hold common stocka bank as follows: 8,820,936defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, is the beneficial owner of 459,439 shares are held by TriMas Investment Fund I, L.L.C. ("TIF I"); 2,243,827 shares are held by Metaldyne Investment Fund I, L.L.C. ("MIF I"); 673,065 shares are held by HIP
of Common Stock, as a result of its serving as investment manager of institutional accounts owning such shares.

(2)
Information contained in the columns above is as of December 31, 2013 and based on a report on Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 6, 2014 by William Blair & Company, LLC.
(3)
Information contained in the columns above and this footnote is based on a report on Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 30, 2014 by BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”). As of December 31, 2013 BlackRock had sole voting power with respect to 2,532,425 shares of Common Stock and sole dispositive power with respect to 2,667,934 shares of Common Stock.
(4)
Information contained in the columns above and this footnote is based on a report on Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 12, 2014 by The Vanguard Group, Inc. (“Vanguard Group”). As of December 31, 2013 Vanguard Group had sole voting power with respect to 62,880 shares of Common Stock, sole dispositive power with respect to 2,428,477 shares of Common Stock and shared dispositive power with respect to 59,580 shares of Common Stock. Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vanguard Group, is the beneficial owner of 59,580 shares of Common Stock as a result of its serving as investment manager of collective trust accounts. Vanguard Investments Australia, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vanguard Group, is the beneficial owner of 3,300 shares of Common Stock as a result of its serving as investment manager of Australia investment offerings.
(5)
Information contained in the columns above and this footnote is based on a report on Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 26, 2014 by Champlain Investment Partners, LLC (“Champlain Investment”). As of December 31, 2013 Champlain Investment had sole voting power with respect to 1,654,505 shares of Common Stock and sole dispositive power with respect to 2,334,280 shares of Common Stock.
(6)
For Messrs. Benson, Brooks, Cohen, Gabrys, Miller, Valenti and Wathen, the number set forth in the table includes options to purchase 12,500, 22,333, 26,000, 25,000, 26,000, 50,000 and 66,667 shares, respectively, granted under the Company’s 2002 and 2006 Long Term Equity Incentive Plans, that are currently exercisable; and for Messrs. Benson, Brooks, Cohen, Gabrys, Miller, Sherbin, Stanage, Tredwell, Valenti, Wathen, Zeffiro and Ms. Gougarty, the number set forth in the table includes 10,002, 12,539, 2,976, 2,976, 2,976, 17,533, 2,976, 2,976, 2,976, 73,443, 27,235 and 2,976 restricted shares of Common Stock, respectively, awarded under the 2006 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan and/or 2011 Omnibus Equity Incentive Compensation Plan.
(7)
Except for Mr. Wathen, each director and NEO owns less than one percent of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock and securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans.

Side-by-Side Partners, L.P.; 134,192 shares are held by TriMas Investment Fund II, L.L.C.; and 32,952 shares are held by Metaldyne Investment Fund II, L.L.C. In addition, by reason of the Shareholders Agreement summarized under "Transactions with Related Persons-Shareholders Agreement," Heartland Industrial Associates, L.L.C., and Heartland Industrial Partners, L.P., as the managing member of TIF I, MIF I, may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of shares of common stock held by other shareholders party to the Shareholders Agreement and may be considered to be a member of a "group," as such term is used under Section 13(d) under the Exchange Act.

(2)
All shares are beneficially owned as disclosed in footnote (1). Mr. Tredwell is the Managing Member of Heartland Industrial Associates, L.L.C., but disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares. The business address for Mr. Tredwell is 177 Broad Street, Stamford, CT 06901.


(3)
For Messrs. Benson, Brooks, Cohen, Gabrys, Miller, Sherbin, Valenti, Wathen, and Zeffiro, the number set forth in the table includes options to purchase 44,164, 241,401, 18,000, 17,000, 18,000, 73,167, 200,000, 133,333 and 30,000 shares, respectively, granted under the Company's 2002 and 2006 Long Term
Equity Incentive Plans, that are currently exercisable or will be per the SEC's beneficial ownership rules; and for Messrs. Benson, Brooks, Sherbin, Wathen and Zeffiro, the number set forth in the table includes 9,799, 17,637, 9,720, 51,240 and 15,953 restricted shares of common stock, respectively, awarded under the 2006 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan.Compensation Plan Information

Plan category Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
(a)
 Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
(b)
 Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
(c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders 342,448
 $9.92
 2,501,406
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders 
 
 


(4)
Entities affiliated with Mr. Valenti are members of Heartland Additional Commitment Fund, LLC which is a limited partner of Heartland.
(1)
As of December 31, 2013, includes 344,620 shares available for future issuance under the 2006 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan and 2,156,786 shares available for future issuance under the 2011 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan. Number of shares available for future issuance assumes target achievement for all existing performance-based awards.


(5)
Except for Mr. Wathen, each director, nominee director and named executive officer, owns less than one percent of the outstanding shares of the Company's common stock and securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans.


23



SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, officers and 10% shareholders (if any) to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with respect to our securities with the SEC and to furnish copies of these reports to us. We reviewed the filed reports and written representations from our directors, executive officers and greater than 10% shareholders regarding the necessity of filing reports. With the exception of the late filing related to the deferral of 2010 Board compensation earned by Messrs. Cohen and Miller, the Company believesWe believe that all of itsour officers, directors and greater than 10% shareholders complied with all applicable Section 16(a) applicable filing requirements for 20102013 with respect to the Company.

Executive Officers

Officers of the Company serve at the pleasure of the Board.

NameAgeTitle

David M. Wathen

5861Director, President and Chief Executive Officer

A. Mark Zeffiro

4845Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Thomas M. Benson

5855President—President - Cequent Performance Products

Lynn A. Brooks

6057President—President - Packaging Systems

Joshua A. Sherbin

4850Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary

Robert J. Zalupski

5255Vice President Finance, Corporate Development and Treasurer

David M Wathen. Business experience provided under "Director“Director and Director Nominees."


A. Mark Zeffiro. Mr. Zeffiro was appointed Chief Financial Officerchief financial officer of the Company in June 2008.2008, and executive vice president in May 2013. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Zeffiro held various financial management and business positions with General Electric Company, ("GE"a diversified technology and financial services company (“GE”), and Black and Decker Corporation, ("a global manufacturer of quality power tools and accessories, hardware, home improvement products and fastening systems (“Black & Decker"Decker”). From 2004, during Mr. Zeffiro'sZeffiro’s four-year tenure with Black & Decker, he was Vice Presidentvice president of Financefinance for the Global Consumer Product Groupglobal consumer product group and Latin America. In addition, Mr. Zeffiro was directly responsible for and functioned as general manager of theBlack and Decker’s factory store business unit, a $50 million business comprising 38 factory stores and 500 personnel.unit. From 2003 to 2004, Mr. Zeffiro was Chief Financial Officerchief financial officer of First Quality Enterprises, a private company producing consumer products for the health care market globally, where he led all financial activities, including funding, banking and audit.market. From 1988 through 2002 he held a series of operational and financial leadership positions with GE, the most recent of which was Chief Financial Officerchief financial officer of their medical imaging manufacturing division.


Thomas M. Benson.Mr. Benson has been Presidentpresident of the Company'sCompany’s Cequent Performance Products, Inc. subsidiary since 2008. Prior to his appointment in 2005 as Presidentpresident of Cequent Towing Products, Inc., Mr. Benson held various management positions within the Cequent business, including Presidentpresident of Draw-Tite, Inc. Before joining the Company in 1984, Mr. Benson held the position of Manager Warranty Systemsmanager warranty systems at Ford Motor Company, an automotive manufacturer and financial vehicle services company, from 1978 to 1984.


Lynn A. Brooks. Mr. Brooks has been Presidentpresident of the Packaging Systems business since July 1996. He joined Rieke Corporation, today part of the Packaging Systems business, in May 1978. Prior to his current position, his responsibilities at Rieke included Assistant Controller, Corporate Controller,assistant controller, corporate controller, and Vice President—General Manager.vice president-general manager. Before joining Rieke, he served with Ernst & Young, a global leader in assurance, tax, transactions and advisory services, in the Toledo, Ohio and Fort Wayne, Indiana offices.


Joshua A. Sherbin. Mr. Sherbin was appointed the Company's General CounselCompany’s general counsel and Corporate Secretarycorporate secretary in March 2005, and Vice Presidentvice president and Chief Compliance Officerchief compliance officer in May 2008, prior to which he was employed as the North American Corporate Counselcorporate counsel and Corporate Secretarycorporate secretary for Valeo, a diversified Tier 1 international automotive supplier headquartered in Europe. Prior to joining Valeo in 1997, Mr. Sherbin was Senior Counsel, Assistant Corporate Secretarysenior counsel, assistant corporate secretary for Kelly Services, Inc., an employment staffing company, from 1995 to 1997. From 1988 until 1995, he was an associate with the law firm Butzel Long in its general business practice.


Robert J. Zalupski. Mr. Zalupski was appointed the Company's Vice President, FinanceCompany’s vice president, finance and Treasurertreasurer in January 2003.2003 and assumed responsibility for corporate development in March 2010. He joined the Company as Directordirector of Financefinance and Treasurytreasury in July 2002, prior to which he worked in the Detroit office of Arthur Andersen. From August 1996 through November 2001, Mr. Zalupski was a partner in the audit and business advisory services practice of Arthur Andersen providing audit, business consulting, and risk management services to both public and privately held companies in the manufacturing, defense and automotive industries. Prior to August 1996,

24



Mr. Zalupski held various positions of increasing responsibility within the audit practice of Arthur Andersen serving public and privately held clients in a variety of industries.


TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS

Policy for Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Parties

Pursuant to its written charter, the Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing reports and disclosures of insider and affiliated party transactions and monitoring compliance with the Company'sCompany’s written Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, which requires employees to disclose in writing any outside activities, financial interests, relationships or other situations that do or may involve a conflict of interest or that present the appearance of impropriety.

Pursuant to the written charter of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and the written Corporate Governance Guidelines, members of the Board of Directors must properly notify the



President and Chief Executive Officer and the ChairmanChair of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee if any actual or potential conflict of interest arises between the Company and such member. After notification, the Board of Directors will evaluate and resolve the matter in the best interest of the Company upon recommendation of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee.

It is also the Company'sCompany’s unwritten policy, which policy is not otherwise evidenced, that the Audit Committee review and approve all transactions (other than those that are de minimis in nature) in which the Company participates and in which any related person has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. In reviewing and approving such transactions, the Audit Committee obtains all information it believes to be relevant to a review and approval of the transaction. After consideration of the relevant information, the Audit Committee approves only those related person transactions that are determined not to be inconsistent with the best interests of the Company.

In addition, the Company'sCompany’s credit facility and the indenture governing the Company's senior subordinated notes containcontains covenants that restrict the Company'sCompany’s ability to engage in transactions that are at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Company than could be obtained at an arm's-lengtharm’s-length basis from unrelated parties. Such covenants influence the Company'sCompany’s policy for review, approval and ratification of transactions with related parties.

Heartland Industrial Partners

Initial Public Offering

        On May 17, 2007, the Company completed an initial public offering which benefited all of the Company's pre-offering shareholders, and its officers and directors due principally to the creation of a public market for the Company's common stock. Upon the consummation of the offering, Heartland retained control of approximately 45.2% of the Company's voting stock. Disclosure of Heartland's ownership is described under "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters."

Shareholders Agreement

        Heartland, Masco Capital Corporation, and other investors are parties to a shareholders agreement regarding their ownership of the Company's common stock (the "Shareholders Agreement"). The Shareholders Agreement provides that the parties will vote their shares of common stock in order to cause the election to the Board of Directors of such number of Directors as shall constitute a majority of the Board of Directors as designated by Heartland. There are no arrangements or understandings between any of the Company's directors on the one hand and Heartland on the other hand pursuant to which a director was selected. The Shareholders Agreement also provides Heartland and the other parties to it with certain registration rights under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Advisory Services Agreement

        The Company and Heartland are party to an advisory services agreement, pursuant to which Heartland is reimbursed for certain of its expenses and may continue to earn a fee not to exceed 1.0% of the transaction value for services provided in connection with certain future financings, acquisitions and divestitures by the Company, in each case subject to the approval by the disinterested members of the Company's Board of Directors. Heartland did not charge the Company any fees related to transaction services in 2010. During 2009, the independent directors approved fees of approximately $2.9 million for services rendered in connection with the Company's debt refinancing activities and $0.1 million for reimbursement of normal-course operating expenses.


Management Rights Agreement

        The Company has entered into an agreement with Heartland granting certain rights to consult with management and receive information about the Company and to consult with the Company on significant matters so long as Heartland continues to own any of the Company's securities. Heartland has the right to attend Board meetings as an observer if they no longer have the right to designate one or more members of the Board. Heartland must maintain the confidentiality of any material non-public information it receives in connection with the foregoing rights. Heartland will not be paid any fees or receive any compensation or expense reimbursement pursuant to this agreement.

Relationships with Heartland

        The managing general partner of Heartland is Heartland Industrial Associates, L.L.C. One of the Company's directors, Mr. Tredwell, is the managing member of Heartland Industrial Partners, L.L.C. Mr. Valenti, the Company's Chairman, is a former advisor to Heartland and is affiliated with entities that are members of a limited liability company that owns a limited partnership interest in Heartland. Heartland has informed the Company that its limited partners include many financial institutions, private and government employee pension funds and corporations. The Company may, in the ordinary course of business, have on a normal, customary and arm's length basis, relationships with certain of Heartland's limited partners, including banking, insurance and other relations.


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis Overview

Introduction and Overview

This Compensation Discussion & Analysis ("(“CD&A"&A”) describes the executive compensation programsprogram in place at the Company for 2010our NEOs for 2013 and key elements ofchanges to the program for 2011.2014. Your understanding of our executive compensation program is important to the Company. The goal of this CD&A is to explain:

Our compensation philosophy and objectives for executives of the Company including our Named Executive Officers;

NEOs;
The respective roles of our Compensation Committee (the “Committee”), the Committee’s external executive compensation consultant and management in the 2013 executive compensation process;

The key components of our 2013 executive compensation program;program and

the successes and achievements our program is designed to reward; and
How the decisions we make in the executive compensation process align with our compensation philosophy.

2010 Business Conditions and Performance Results Achieved

        The Compensation Committee and management evaluated and set 2010 executive compensation in the context of the Company's performancephilosophy and plan, the current global economic outlook and the widespread concern over executive pay. During 2010, the management team continued to make significant progress on the Company's strategic initiatives.

objectives.

Throughout this Proxy Statement, TriMas'CD&A, TriMas’ Named Executive Officers or NEOs means:

(4)Lynn A. Brooks, president - Packaging Systems - (“President - Packaging Systems”); and
(5)Thomas M. Benson, president - Cequent Performance Products - (“President - Cequent Performance Products”).

2013 Executive Summary
Philosophy and Objectives and Overview of KeyExecutive Compensation Program Elements

Our executive compensation philosophy is to employ programs that help attract and retain key leaders, deliver pay that varies appropriately with the performance results achieved, and motivate executives to continuously strive to improve both our short-term and long-term financial and operating positions.positions, and reward financial and operating achievement by delivering pay that varies appropriately with the actual performance results achieved. Our goal isobjectives are to align our executives'executives’ compensation interests with thosethe investment interests of our shareholders, and encourage our executives to make decisions that will increase shareholder value over the longer-term.

The Company attempts to achieve its philosophy and objectives by establishing performance criteria for its executive officers and by linking compensation to financial performance goals.

2013 Financial Highlights
Over the past several years, we have made significant progress toward our strategic aspirations which include high single digit sales growth, earnings per share (“EPS”) growth at a higher rate than sales growth and continued optimization of our capital structure. With these aspirations in mind, we achieved a five-year sales compound annual growth rate (“CAGR”) (fiscal year 2009 - fiscal year 2013) of more than 15%, and a five-year EPS CAGR of approximately 50%. Over that same time period, we lowered our total debt from $630 million as of December 31, 2008 to $306 million as of December 31, 2013.
In 2013, we reported record net sales of $1.395 billion, an increase of 9.6%, with sales growth in five of our six segments. During 2013, the management team continued to make progress on our strategic initiatives, as highlighted in the specific accomplishments detailed below:

Increased sales due to new product introductions, market share gains and geographic expansion, as well as acquisitions;

Continued to refine the business portfolio to support our strategic initiatives, including completing 10 bolt-on acquisitions during 2013 to expand our geographic presence, product portfolio and customer base, for approximately $105.8 million, net of cash acquired, and divesting the non-core assets of the European rings and levers business for approximately $10.3 million;

Issued 5,175,000 shares of common stock with net proceeds of $174.7 million in September 2013 to support future revenue and earnings growth including bolt-on acquisitions and capital expenditures in support of growth and productivity initiatives;

Continued to optimize the debt structure in October 2013 to further reduce future interest rates, extend maturities and increase available liquidity. In 2013, reduced total indebtedness from $422.4 million as of December 31, 2012 to $305.7 million as of December 31, 2013, while reducing interest expense by almost 50% as compared to 2012. TriMas ended 2013 with the lowest leverage ratio since going public in 2007 and with $387.3 million of cash and aggregate availability under its revolving credit and accounts receivable facilities;

Continued to invest in a flexible manufacturing footprint to optimize manufacturing costs long-term, add necessary capacity, enhance customer service and support future growth;

Expanded geographic reach and related sales into China, Thailand, Singapore, Brazil and several European countries;

Generated increased levels of Cash Flows from Operating Activities for 2013 of $87.6 million, and continued to invest in capital expenditures, working capital in acquisitions, and future growth and productivity programs; and

The management team also continued to drive productivity and lean initiatives across the organization. The savings realized from these actions enabled us to fund our growth initiatives and to offset inflationary cost increases.

These accomplishments during 2013 led to another successful year and we believe will drive future long-term growth and earnings expansion.


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Best Practices
Below we highlight certain executive compensation practices that support the needs of our business, drive performance and align with our shareholders’ long-term interests. A summary of what we do and do not do in that regard follows.


Effective Corporate Governance Reinforces Our Compensation Program

WHAT WE DOWHAT WE DON’T DO
ü
Pay for Performance - We tie pay to performance. The majority of NEO pay is not guaranteed. We set financial goals for corporate and business unit performance.

û
No Employment Contracts- We do not have employment contracts for NEOs.

ü
Mitigate Undue Risk- Our compensation practices are designed to discourage excessive risk-taking as related to performance and payout under our compensation programs.

û
No Excise Tax Gross-Ups Upon Change-of- Control- We do not provide for excise tax gross-ups on change-of-control payments.

ü
Reasonable Executive Severance/Change-of-Control Policy - We believe we have reasonable post-employment and change-of-control provisions.
û
No Repricing Underwater Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights Without Stockholder Approval - We do not permit underwater stock options or stock appreciation rights to be repriced without stockholder approval.

ü
Share Ownership Guidelines- Our expectations for stock ownership align executives’ interests with those of our shareholders and all of the NEOs have exceeded their targets.

û
No Pledging or Hedging Transactions or Short Sales Permitted - Our policies prohibit executives, including the NEOs, and directors from pledging or engaging in hedging or short sales with respect to the Company’s Common Stock.

ü
Regular Review of Share Utilization - We evaluate share utilization by reviewing the dilutive impact of equity compensation on our shareholders and the aggregate shares awarded annually as a percentage of total outstanding shares.

ü
Review Tally Sheets - The Committee reviews tally sheets for our NEOs to ensure they have a clear understanding of the impact of various decisions, including possible payments under various termination scenarios prior to making annual executive compensation decisions.

ü
Double Trigger Change-of-Control Severance Benefits - Our Executive Severance/Change-of-Control Policy calls for payment of cash severance and vesting of equity awards after a change-of-control only if an executive experiences a qualifying termination of employment within a limited period following the change-of-control and is involuntarily terminated.
ü
Independent Compensation Consulting Firm - The Committee benefits from its utilization of an independent compensation consulting firm which provides no other services to the Company.



27



Summary of Key Compensation Decisions and Outcomes for 2013
The key decisions the Committee made during 2013 are summarized below and discussed in greater detail in the remainder of this CD&A:
Base Salary Adjustments
The Committee approved base salary adjustments for three of our NEOs, ranging from 3% to 7%, to recognize individual performance and general market movement.

Short-Term Incentive Program
Company-Wide:
The Committee changed the weighting of the metrics used in the Company-wide short-term incentive program for 2013 in which the CEO, CFO, and General Counsel participated.
Each of the respective weightings for our Sales/Profitability and Earnings Per Share metrics increased from 35% to 40% to align with our strategic imperatives.The weighting for our Cash Flow metric was reduced to 20%.
The Committee increased the 2013 target award for Mr. Sherbin (from 50% to 60% of his base salary) to further emphasize performance-based pay. The target incentive award percentages for the CEO and CFO remained the same as in 2012.
Based on Company-wide 2013 performance, the short-term incentive program attainment was 84.2% of target, and payouts of these incentives occurred in early 2014. Amounts earned varied by metric, from a low of 65% of target for Sales/Profitability to a maximum of 99% of target for EPS, based on actual performance results.
Packaging Systems:
No changes were made from 2012 to the metrics and weightings used in the Packaging Systems’ 2013 short- term incentive program.
The target incentive award for the President - Packaging Systems remained the same as in 2012.
Based on Packaging Systems’ 2013 performance, the short-term incentive plan attainment was 160% of target, and payout of this incentive occurred in early 2014. Amounts earned varied by metric, from a low of 80% of target for % New Products/Product Growth to a maximum of 200% of target for Cash Flow and Productivity based on actual performance results.
Cequent Performance Products:
No changes were made from 2012 to the metrics and weightings used in the Cequent Performance Products’ 2013 short-term incentive program.
The target incentive award for the President - Cequent Performance Products remained the same as in 2012.
Based on Cequent Performance Products’ 2013 performance, the short term incentive plan attainment was 166.4% of target, and payout of this incentive occurred in early 2014. Amounts earned varied by metric, from a low of 125% of target for Cash Flow to a maximum of 200% of target for Productivity and % New Products/Product Growth, based on actual performance results.
Short-Term Incentive Compensation to Equity
Amounts earned by the NEOs were paid 80% in cash, with the remaining 20% paid in shares of restricted stock that vest on the one-year anniversary of the grant date. This program feature promotes retention as well as the alignment of executives’ interests with those of our shareholders.

Long-Term Incentive Program
Consistent with 2012, the Committee granted performance stock units (“PSUs”) and service-based restricted stock units to each of the NEOs. Each NEO’s total long-term incentive target award value was allocated equally between these vehicles, and all awards earned will be settled in shares.

Executive Severance/Change-of-Control Policy
In 2013, the Committee approved, and the Company adopted a revised Executive Severance/Change-of-Control Policy (“Severance Policy”) for the Company's executives. The updated Severance Policy reflects market practices, improved readability, and consistency across the Company's compensation arrangements. Several shareholder-friendly provisions include a reduction in the post-change-of-control protection period, a continuation of existing provisions that address non-compete and non-solicitation covenants, and an excise tax “cap” provision.

Compensation Peer Group
The Committee approved changes to the compensation benchmarking peer group based on an assessment conducted in 2013. The revised peer group is viewed as being better aligned with the Company's business segments.

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Results and Consideration of 2011 Shareholder Say-on-Pay Vote
At the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 10, 2011, approximately 99.2% of the shareholders who voted on the triennial “Say-on-Pay” proposal approved the compensation of our then-NEOs.
As described further above under proposal 3, in light of this vote outcome, as well as the Committee’s ongoing program evaluation, the Committee views its 2013 decisions regarding various aspects of the compensation program as consistent with the overall philosophy and structure of the program that has been supported by our shareholders.
In addition, a majority of the shareholders who voted on the frequency for future “Say-on-Pay” votes at the 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders approved a triennial advisory vote. In alignment with the shareholder vote, an advisory vote on the Company’s NEO compensation is being submitted to shareholders for vote at the Annual Meeting and is expected to be presented to shareholders again in 2017, at which time we also expect to hold the next required vote on the frequency of Say-on-Pay votes.
Detailed 2013 Program Descriptions
Overview of Key 2013 Program Elements
Our Committee works closely with the Company'sCompany’s leadership team to refine our compensation programs,program, to clearly articulate its objectives to our executives and to emphasize our focus on performance-based compensation wherebyso that executives are rewarded for results that create long-term shareholder value.

The main elementspercentage of ourtotal compensation structure and how each supports our compensation philosophy are summarized below:

        Compensation that is performance-based (as opposed to fixed) increases as an executive'sexecutive’s responsibility increases. The Committee believes that the proportionportion of an officer'sofficer’s total compensation that is dependent on performance results achieved should increase commensurate with position level and accountability.

The main elements of our compensation structure and how each supports our compensation philosophy and objectives are summarized below: 
Principal 2013 Compensation Elements
ElementDescriptionPerformance ConsiderationPrimary Objective
FixedBase SalaryFixed compensation component payable in cash. Reviewed annually and adjusted when appropriate.Based on level of responsibility, experience, knowledge, and individual performanceAttract and retain
VariableShort-Term Incentive PlanShort-term incentive paid in cash and equity (20% of award paid in restricted stock, subject to one-year vesting). Payable based on performance against annually established goals.Measured by corporate and business unit performance oriented towards short-term financial goalsPromote achievement of short-term financial goals aligned with shareholder interests, as well as retention due to the one-year vesting requirement on the equity award
VariableLong-Term Incentive PlanEquity based awards include restricted stock and performance share unitsCreation of shareholder value and realization of medium and long-term financial and strategic goalsCreate alignment with shareholder interests, and promote achievement of longer-term financial and strategic objectives
FixedRetirement and Welfare BenefitsRetirement plans, healthcare and insurance benefitsIndirect - executive must remain employed to be eligible for retirement and welfare benefitsAttract and retain
FixedPerquisites - Flexible Cash Allowance and Executive PhysicalsFixed cash payment and executive physicalsIndirect - executive must remain employed to be eligibleAttract and retain

29



Role of the Compensation Committee

The Board designedBoard-designed governance process expressly delegates to the Compensation Committee the responsibility to determine and approve the President and CEO'sCEO’s compensation, as well as to make all decisions regarding compensation for the other NEOs.

The Compensation Committee is composed entirely of independent directors, none of whom derives a personal benefit from the compensation decisions the Compensation Committee makes. Although the Compensation Committee does have responsibility for Board compensation matters, all such decisions are subject to full Board approval.Theapproval. The Board and Committee recognize the importance of executive compensation decisions to the management and shareholders of the Company.

The role of the Committee is to oversee compensation and benefit plans and policies, review and approve equity grants and administer share-based plans, and review and approve annually all compensation decisions relating to the Company'sCompany’s directors (which decisions are subject to Board approval) and executive officers, including the PresidentCEO and Chief Executive Officer and the CFO and the other NEOs. The Committee's charter reflects such responsibilitiesSee “Summary of Key Compensation Decisions and is available on the Company's website, www.trimascorp.com, in the Corporate Governance sectionOutcomes for 2013” for a summary of the Investors page. The Committee last revieweddecisions and updated its charter on October 29, 2009.

outcomes.

Input from Management

Certain senior executives provide information used by the Compensation Committee in the compensation decision-making process. Specifically, our President and CEO provides input to the Committee regarding corporate and business unit performance goals and results. He also reviews with the Committee the performance of the executive officers who report directly to him, and makes recommendations to the Committee regarding their compensation. Our Chief Financial OfficerCFO also provides input and analysis regarding financial and operating results. Our Vice President, Human Resourcesvice president, human resources regularly works with the Committee Chairchair to prepare materials for Committee discussions and presents management'smanagement’s recommendations regarding program changes.

The Committee carefully considers management'smanagement’s input, but is not bound by their recommendations in making its final pay program decisions.

Independent Compensation Committee Consultant

The Compensation Committee has retained an outsideCommittee’s external executive compensation consulting firm, to advise the Compensation Committee on various executive and director compensation matters. At the outset of 2010, the Committee retained Hewitt Associates to provide this assistance. This consulting relationship was transitioned as of October 1, 2010, when Hewitt spun-off a significant portion of its executive compensation practice into Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC ("Meridian"(“Meridian”), a completely separate entity that is independent from Hewitt.

        Hewitt,retained by, and now Meridian, reportedreports directly to the Compensation Committee.

Use of an outside consultant is an important component of the TriMasour compensation setting process, as it enables the Compensation Committee to make informed decisions based on market data and best practices. Representatives from Meridian attend Compensation Committee meetings, meet with Compensation Committee members in executive session and consult with the members as required to provide input with regard to the CEO'sCEO’s compensation based on the Committee'sCommittee’s assessment of his performance.

Meridian has no affiliations with any of the Named Executive OfficersNEOs or members of the Board other than in its role as an outside consultant. We have been advised that Meridian has in place policies and procedures designed to prevent conflicts of interest and after applying such policies and procedures, determined that no conflict of interest existed in performing consulting services for the Company. Meridian does not provide any other services to the Company. All work performed by Meridian, whether with the Committee directly or with management at the direction of the Committee, requires pre-approval by the Chair of the Compensation Committee.

The Committee has assessed the independence of Meridian, as required under NASDAQ listing rules.

During 2010, Meridian's2013, Meridian’s consulting related primarily to the Company'sCompany’s compensation analysis for the NEOs and Board,Board. Meridian provided information on market trends and strategy regarding long term equity compensation.developments in executive compensation practices, conducted a detailed review of our severance program, reviewed and commented on our benchmarking peer group, conducted a market analysis of peer group compensation levels to enable the Committee to confirm the Company’s executive compensation structure is commensurate with the executive officers’ responsibilities as well as appropriately competitive, prepared a pay and performance comparison for our CEO, provided input on our proxy and CD&A, assisted with the development of the 2013 share authorization proposal, provided an analysis of the historical performance of our peers, and provided input on topics to be included in the Committee’s annual calendar. Meridian also conduced a benchmark analysis of compensation for our non-employee directors. During 2010, we2013, the Company paid Hewitt and Meridian approximately $60,034 and $35,699, respectively,$284,800 for advising the Compensation Committee on executive and director compensation matters.

these services.

The Role of Compensation Benchmarking and Peer Group Assessment

The Committee believes that reviewing market benchmark pay data is an important element in ensuring that the overall executive compensation program remains competitive. However, theThe Committee views market data as a starting point for making pay decisions, and does not rigidly rely only on market data in making pay decisions;it rigidly; rather, it considers such other factors as overall Company performance, general business conditions and the goals of retaining and motivating leadership talent.

        In 2009, the Committee reviewed and approved a benchmarking peer group that included companies in the same or similar Global Industry Classification Standard categories as TriMas, and that were roughly comparable to the Company in size (generally, their 2008 revenues ranged from one third of to three times TriMas' 2008 revenues). This group also included companies with which TriMas competes for customers, market share, or talent.

        This Committee used the peer group in December 2009 to benchmark pay for the Company's top five executives. Data from this analysis was used to make pay decisions for 2010 and to support pay decisions made for 2011.

        The Committee did delete one entity from the benchmarking peer group in 2010 (BWAY Holding Company) because it is no longer a publicly-traded company. The following 24 companies remain in the Committee's comparator group:

talent when determining pay.

30

Actuant CorporationGardner DenverRobbins & Meyers

Ametek, Inc.


GenCorp. Inc.


Roper Industries Inc.

Aptar


Graco, Inc.


Silgan Holdings

Carlisle Companies


Greif, Inc.


Stoneridge Inc.

Crane Co.


IDEX


Teleflex Inc.

Donaldson Company


Kaydon Corporation


Thor

Drew Industries


Kennametal


Transdigm Group

EnPro


Lufkin Industries


Winnebago Industries

        The Compensation Committee plans to review the peer group periodically to ensure it remains suitable for benchmarking purposes. The Committee anticipates that changes in the group will occur from time to time based on the evolution of its own business strategy, the business mix of the peer companies, and the availability of comparative data.


In general, the Compensation Committee'sCommittee’s objective is to initially set target compensation levels at market median with an opportunity to earn above market awards when shareholders have received above market returns. However, the Compensation Committee recognizes that it may occasionally need to set and pay target compensation above this range depending on the circumstances (for example, to address specific individual hiring or retention issues). In determining the compensation components for each NEO for 2010,2013, the Compensation Committee generally focused on market values at the size adjustedsize-adjusted median. It also subjectively considered other factors in its decision process including individual performance, Company performance, tenure and experience and incremental cost.cost, as described below. Specific positioning against the market is described in the following paragraphs in greater detail for each component of pay.

Each year, the Committee reviews the appropriateness of our peer group. In 2012, the Committee reviewed and revised the benchmarking peer group utilized in the previous year to support pay decisions made for 2013. In view of the Company’s divestiture of Precision Tool Company in December 2011, which had most closely resembled Kennametal’s business activities, Kennametal, which had been included for the 2012 review, was excluded from the peer group for 2013 pay decisions. Similarly, due to its impending acquisition, Robbins & Meyers, which had been included for 2012, was also excluded from the 2013 pay analysis.
In August 2013, the Committee reviewed and revised the benchmarking peer group utilized in 2013 to support pay decisions to be made in early 2014. Due to being acquired, Gardner Denver, Kaydon Corporation, and Lufkin Industries were removed from the peer group. The Committee also removed Teleflex Inc., Winnebago Industries, and Thor from the peer group due to differences in industry segments and or pay practices. New companies added for the 2014 pay analysis include Barnes Group, Chart Industries, Colfax, Ducommun, Flowserve, SPX, Wabash National, and Woodward. The Company believes these changes more closely align the composition of the peer group to provide an appropriate point of comparison for pay decisions over the next year.
The peer group includes companies in the same or similar Global Industry Classification Standard categories as TriMas (Industrial Machinery), and that are roughly comparable to the Company in size (generally, their 2012 revenue ranged from one third of to three times TriMas’ 2012 revenue) which was $1,272.9 million. This group also includes companies against which TriMas competes for customers, market share and talent.
The following table identifies the companies in the Company’s peer group for 2012, 2013 and 2014:
COMPANY PEER201220132014 COMPANY PEER201220132014
Actuant CorporationŸŸŸ Greif, Inc.ŸŸŸ
AMETEK, Inc.ŸŸŸ IDEX CorporationŸŸŸ
Aptar Group Inc.ŸŸŸ Kaydon CorporationŸŸ 
Barnes Group Inc.  Ÿ Kennametal Inc.Ÿ  
Carlisle Companies IncorporatedŸŸŸ Lufkin Industries, Inc.ŸŸ 
Chart Industries, Inc.  Ÿ Robbins & Myers, Inc.Ÿ  
Colfax Coporation  Ÿ Roper Industries, Inc.ŸŸŸ
Crane Co.ŸŸŸ Silgan Holdings Inc.ŸŸŸ
Donaldson Company, Inc.ŸŸŸ SPX Corporation  Ÿ
Drew Industries IncorporatedŸŸŸ Stoneridge, Inc.ŸŸŸ
Ducommun Incorporated  Ÿ Teleflex IncorporatedŸŸ 
EnPro Industries, Inc.ŸŸŸ Thor Industries, Inc.ŸŸ 
Flowserve Corporation  Ÿ TransDigm Group IncorporatedŸŸŸ
Gardner Denver, Inc.ŸŸ  Wabash National Corporation  Ÿ
GenCorp Inc.ŸŸŸ Woodward, Inc.  Ÿ
Graco Inc.ŸŸŸ  Winnebago Industries, Inc.ŸŸ 

31



Pay for Performance
A large percentage of each NEO’s target total direct compensation is variable, consisting of short-term incentive awards and long-term equity incentive awards. The actual amounts realized from the incentive awards depend on performance results, consistent with our belief that a substantial percentage of each NEO’s compensation should be tied to the performance of the Company. The mix of target compensation for 2013 for our CEO and the average for the other NEOs are as follows:
Analysis of Key 2013 Compensation Components

        The and Decisions

Description of the material elements of the Company'sCompany’s 2013 executive compensation program, and the purpose for each and decisions made regarding each element are as follows:

        Each program element is further describedprovided in the following paragraphs.

Base Salary.Salary
Base salaries for the Company's Named Executive OfficersCompany’s NEOs are established based on the scope of their responsibilities, and their prior relevant background, training, and experience and take into accountskills, and competitive market pay levels. The Committee believes that executive base salaries should generally be competitive with the size-adjusted median salaries for executives in comparable positions at the benchmark peer group. The Company believescompanies. We believe that providing competitive salaries is key to itsour ability to successfully attract and retain talented executives.

Each year, the Committee considers whether to grant merit increases and/or market-based adjustments to TriMas'TriMas’ NEOs. In so doing, it considers several factors such as individual responsibilities, Company and individual performance, experience and alignment with market levels.

Based on continued operational improvement and individual performance, the Compensationforegoing considerations, the Committee approved the following salary adjustments in 2010:

for 2013 for our NEOs:

NEO
 1/1/2010
Base Salary
 Salary Rate
effective 7/1/2010
 % Increase
in 2010
 TRS vs.
Market Median
  Base Salary as of January 1, 2013  Base Salary Rate
effective July 1, 2013
 % Increase

President & CEO

 
$

675,000
 
$

691,875
 
2.5

%
 
2.9

%
CEO $700,000
 $721,000
 3.0%

CFO

 
$

360,000
 
$

400,000
 
11.1

%
 
7.6

%
 430,500
 460,700
 7.0%

President, Cequent Performance Products

 
$

300,000
 
$

307,500
 
2.5

%
 
(9.8

)%

President, Packaging Systems

 
$

419,000
 
$

430,500
 
3

%
 
16.5

%

General Counsel

 
$

350,000
 
$

370,000
 
5.7

%
 
11.9

%
 392,500
 392,500
 %
President - Packaging Systems(1)
 454,800
 454,800
 %
President - Cequent Performance Products 326,000
 335,800
 3.0%

Additional detail regarding the increase and resulting salary level for each executive is described below:

The CEO, CFO and President - Cequent Performance Products each received increases in base pay to acknowledge their performance, and to improve the market competitiveness of their base salaries.


32



The Committee has also approved the following base salary levelsadjustments to become effective July 1, 2011:

June 30, 2014:

NEO
 Salary as of
July 1, 2011
  Base Salary as of June 30, 2014 % Increase

President and CEO

 
$

700,000
 
CEO $742,700
 3.0%

CFO

 
$

410,000
  474,600
 3.0%

President, Cequent Performance Products

 
$

316,800
 

President, Packaging Systems

 
$

442,500
 

General Counsel

 
$

381,100
  400,400
 2.0%
President - Packaging Systems(1)
 454,800
 %
President - Cequent Performance Products 345,900
 3.0%


(1) Salary level includes a supplemental allowance of $33,000 paid in lieu of life insurance formerly provided. The 2011 increases represent$33,000 supplemental allowance is not included when comparing base salary to market median, nor is it included when calculating base salary increases.

With respect to 2014, the CEO, CFO, General Counsel and President - Cequent Performance Products each received increases in linebase pay consistent with merit assessments and general market movement for the respective positions.

2010 TriMas


2013 Short-Term Incentive Compensation Plan

The goal of the TriMas CorporationShort-Term Incentive Compensation Plan ("ICP"(“STI”) is to support our overall business objectives by aligning corporate and business unit and individual performance with the goals of shareholders and focusing attention on the key measures of success. The PlanSTI is designed to accomplish this goal by providing the opportunity for additional cash orand stock-based rewards when pre-established performance goals are achieved. The ICPSTI also plays a key role in ensuring that our annual cash compensation opportunities remain competitive.

Target awards.Each of our NEOs has a target bonusSTI opportunity for the plan year that is expressed as a percentage of base salary. Target awards for 20102013 are shown in the following chart:

NEO
 Target
Bonus Amount
 Target Award as
Percent of Salary
  Target STI Amount Target Award as Percent of Salary

President & CEO(1)

 $761,000 110%
CEO $811,200
 112.5%

CFO

 $280,000 70% 345,500
 75.0%

President, Cequent Performance Products

 $155,000 50%

President, Packaging Systems

 $279,000 70%

General Counsel

 $185,000 50% 235,500
 60.0%
President - Packaging Systems 295,300
 70.0%
President - Cequent Performance Products 167,900
 50.0%

(1)
Disclosure in the Company's proxy statement filed in 2010 referenced the President & CEO's target bonus amount as $742,500. As adjusted in the Company's third quarter Form 10-Q, the amount originally approved by the Compensation Committee is $761,000.

        Based

Depending on the performance results achieved, actual awards generally can vary as a percent of target from a threshold of 0% to a maximum of 212.5%220% for participants at the Company-wide level, and from 0% to 200% for business unit participants.

Consistent with the ICP program design, all ICPSTI participants, including the NEOs, whose target awards exceededexceed $20,000 receive 80% of the awardsany earned award in cash and 20% of the award valueremaining 20% in the form of a restricted stock award in March 2011.that vests one year from the grant date, generally subject to continued employment. The number of shares awarded is based on the 20% award value divided by the closing share price on the date of the restricted stock will vest on the first anniversary of the grant date.grant. This program feature permits the ICPSTI to reward shorter-term performance and encouragesat the same time to encourage longer-term employee retention.

Performance measures.Measures. The ICPSTI measures Company-wide financial performance indicators to determine bonusesshort-term incentives earned by participants with corporate-wideCompany-wide responsibilities. Messrs. Wathen, ZeffiroThe CEO, CFO and SherbinGeneral Counsel can earn bonusesSTI awards based on achieving Company-wide performance goals. ParticipantsAs each participant with



business unit level responsibility areis assessed based on performance metrics that evaluate solely the performance of the participant'srelevant business unit. Messrs. Bensonunit, the President - Packaging Systems and Brooks can earn bonusesthe President - Cequent Performance Products STI awards are based on the performance results achieved by each of their respective business units.

Packaging Systems and Cequent Performance Products, respectively.


33



Each year, the Compensation Committee approves the specific performance metrics for that year'syear’s program, and their relative weightings based on the importance of that measure to the Company for the fiscal year. TheIf the designated target level for each performance metric is attained, the center of the plan and if attainedSTI award will pay out at 100% offor the metric. The threshold is the lowest level of payout below which no payment is made for that specific component. If performance underfor a metric is between the identified threshold and the maximum, the actual payout is determined based on the achievement of milestones within thea matrix, with the distance between the milestones determined on a facts and circumstances basispre-determined depending on the business unit and respective metric.

        Company-wideCompany-Wide Performance Measures. The following Company-wide performance metrics were selected for the 2010 ICP2013 STI for employees with Company-wide responsibility:responsibility (our CEO, CFO and General Counsel):

Sales/Profitability—35%Profitability-40%.This metric provides for rewards based on our performance in two areas: (1) the Company'sCompany’s consolidated recurring operating profit as a percent of net sales (operating margin), and (2) the level of net sales volume achieved. Recurring operating profit means earnings before interest, taxes and other income/expense, and excludes certain non-recurring charges (cash and non-cash) associated with business restructuring, cost savings projects and asset impairments. For purposes of this computation, net sales means net trade sales excluding all intercompany activity. This measure of profitability was selected because it is viewed as a leading indicator of our ability to effectively manage both our revenues and costs throughout the business cycle.

Return on Average Invested Capital—15%. ROAIC measures how effectively the Company, on a consolidated basis, utilizes the capital (borrowed or owned) invested in our operations, and was included because of the importance of ensuring that we realize an appropriate return on such investment. ROAIC is calculated by dividing the after-tax sum of recurring operating profit (as defined above) and other income/expense by the most recent five quarter average net assets (total assets less cash minus current liabilities).

Earnings Per Share—25%Share-40%.Earnings Per Share ("EPS"(“EPS”) is the diluted earnings per share, from continuing operations, as reported in the Company'sCompany’s publicly filed reports, on Form 10-Q and 10-K filed with the SEC, adjusted to exclude the after-tax impact of non-recurring charges (cash and non-cash) associated with items such as business restructuring, cost savings projects and asset impairments. EPS is widely viewed by our shareholders as a key measure of overall profitability.

Cash Flow—15%Flow-20%.Cash flow is the sum of recurring operating profit (defined above), adjusted (i)(1) up or down for other income/expense, (ii)(2) up or down for changes in working capital, (iii)(3) upward for depreciation and amortization, and (iv)(4) downward for capital expenditures, cash interest and cash taxes. Managing our cash generation capabilities and use of cash is an important measure of our ongoing liquidity and stability.

Non-Financial Objectives—10%. Each ICP participant also is assessed based on achievement
The Committee changed the weighting of non-financial objectives relative to the participant's area of responsibility.metrics used in the Company-wide STI for 2013. The specific objectives that apply toweightings for each of the NEOs are listed inSales/Profitability and EPS metrics increased from 35% to 40%. To emphasize these other metrics, weighting for the following table:Cash Flow metric was reduced to 20%. This change reflects a stronger focus on long-term growth and earnings expansion.

Category
Specific Areas of Focus

Structured planning process

Implement and use QRF process
Improve forecast accuracy

Great place to work

Upgrade communication plan and implement
Improve employee engagement survey results
Training goals

"Best cost" producer

Implement new sourcing initiative
Grow "backroom" migration to low cost sources

Governance

Regulatory Compliance

Management team credibility

Deliver on key objectives
Continuing confidence of Board
Build confidence among investors

For 2010,2013, the specific Company-wide performance goals were as follows:

Metric
ThresholdTargetMaximumWeighting

Sales/Profitability

At $808.2 million in sales and 7.5% operating profit, the participant would receive 50% award of this metric

At $854.8 million in Sales and 9.5% operating profit, the participant would receive 100% award of this metric

At $900.8 million in Sales and 11.5% operating profit, the participant would receive 200% award of this metric


35

%

Return on Average Invested Capital

At 5.6% of ROAIC, the participant would receive 60% award of this metric

At 7.5% of ROAIC, the participant would receive 100% award of this metric

At 9.5% of ROAIC, the participant would receive 200% award of this metric


15

%

EPS

At $0.49 earnings per share, the participant would receive 50% award of this metric

At $0.61 earnings per share, the participant would receive 100% award of this metric

At $0.91 earnings per share, the participant would receive 250% award of this metric


25

%

Cash Flow

At $15.23 million cash flow the participant would receive 70% award of this metric

At $30.0 million cash flow the participant would receive 100% award of this metric

At $43.50 million cash flow the participant would receive 200% award of this metric


15

%

Non Financial Objectives

This metric is awarded based on the individual executive's achievement of individual goal and objectives.


10

%
Metric   Threshold Target Maximum Weighting
Sales/Profitability Performance Goal $1,303.6 million in sales and 9.9% operating profit $1,392.8 million in Sales and 10.9% operating profit $1,490.3 million in Sales and 11.4% operating profit 40%
 Payout as % of Target 50% 100% 200% 
EPS Performance Goal $1.95 earnings per share $2.16 earnings per share $2.37 earnings per share 40%
 Payout as % of Target 50% 100% 250% 
Cash Flow Performance Goal $37.9 million cash flow $50.5 million cash flow $63.1 million cash flow 20%
 Payout as % of Target 70% 100% 200% 

        Business-unit performance measures.Packaging Systems Performance Measures. For 2010, ICP bonuses2013, the STI for the President - Packaging Systems and President, Cequent Performance Products werewas based on the following performance measures at the business unitPackaging Systems level. This approach focuses business unit leadersthe President - Packaging Systems on optimizing the performance of their respective business unitPackaging Systems rather than on overall Company-wide performance.



For 2010,2013, the specific performance goals for Packaging SystemsCequent Performance Products were as follows:

Metric   Threshold Target Maximum Weighting
Sales/Profitability Performance Goal $242.8 million in sales and 7.2% operating profit 
$269.8 million in sales and 8.2% operating profit

 $288.7 million in sales and 9.2% operating profit 40%
 Payout as % of Target 50% 100% 200% 
Cash Flow Performance Goal 
$5.6 million cash flow

 
$6.9 million cash flow

 
$10.4 million cash flow

 30%
 Payout as % of Target 70% 100% 200% 
Productivity Performance Goal $4.6 million in productivity gains $5.7 million in productivity gains $9.1 million in productivity gains 15%
 Payout as % of Target 60% 100% 200% 
% New Product/Product Growth(1)
 Payout as % of Target 60% 100% 200% 15%


Metric
ThresholdTargetMaximumWeighting

Sales/Profitability(1)

At $139.5 million inThe Committee set the target for this metric at a level that requires Cequent Performance Products to successfully expand its product portfolio and geographic market base to contribute both to 2013 sales and 22.3% operating profit, the participant would receive 50% award of this metric

At $155.0 million in Salesprofitability and 24.3% operating profit, the participant would receive 100% award of this metric

At $186.0 million in Salesprovide a foundation for 2014 activity. Achievement at each milestone requires innovation and 27.3% operating profit, the participant would receive 200% award of this metric


40

%

Cash Flow

At $38.82 million cash flow the participant would receive 70% award of this metric

At $43.16 million cash flow the participant would receive 100% award of this metric

At $51.84 million cash flow the participant would receive 200% award of this metric


15

%

Productivity

At $3.36 million in Productivity gains the participant would receive 60% award of this metric

At $4.19 million in Productivity gains the participant would receive 100% award of this metric

At $6.29 million in Productivity gains the participant would receive 200% award of this metric


15

%

Inventory Turns

At 6.73 inventory turns the participant would receive 60% award of this metric

At 7.47 inventory turns the participant would receive 100% award of this metric

At 8.47 inventory turns the participant would receive 200% award of this metric


10

%

%New Product/Market Sales

See note below.(1)


10

%

Non Financial Objectives

This metric is awarded based on the individual executive's achievement of individual goal and objectives.


10

%commercialization.


(1)
The Compensation Committee set the target for this metric at a level that requires Packaging Systems to successfully expand its product portfolio and geographic market base to contribute both to 2010 sales and profitability and provide a foundation for 2011 activity. Achievement at each milestone requires innovation and commercialization.

        As Cequent Performance Products is an operating segment that is part of the broader Cequent North American reportable segment, we do not provide information regarding the threshold, target and maximum for its 2010 ICP metrics. The Compensation Committee designated targets that for each metric requires disciplined financial and operations management. On a year over year basis, the targets reflect the Committee's expectation of improved growth and earnings over the prior year. The Cequent Performance Products targets are also designed to incent and require the business unit leadership to deliver new cost savings initiatives and contributions from new markets and products.

Award Determination and Payouts. In February of each year, the Compensation Committee determines the degree to which ICPthe STI goals for the prior year were achieved. For 2010,2013, the results achieved for each Company-wide performance measure are indicated below, including results achieved for the non-financial objectives, and the resulting aggregate awards for each of the NEOs whose bonuses are based on Company-wide performance.below.


Metric
 Weight Result Achieved Payout Earned as a
Percent of Total Target
Award
 

Sales/Profitability

  
35%
 

Sales: $942.6 million
Oper Margin: 12.1%

  

70%

 

ROAIC

  
15%
 

10.8%

  

30%

 

Earnings per share

  
25%
 

$1.21

  

62.5%

 

Cash flow

  
15%
 

$83.4 million

  

30%

 
 

Subtotal before Non-financial objectives

       

192.5%

 

Nonfinancial objectives

  
10%
      

Total awards earned by each executive

    

Non-Financial Objective

    
 

President and CEO

    

20%

  

212.5%

 
 

Chief Financial Officer

    

20%

  

212.5%

 
 

General Counsel

    

17.5%

  

210%

 
 MetricWeight Result Achieved Payout Earned as a
Percent of Total Target Award
 Sales/Profitability40% below target 65%
 
 Earnings per share40% below target 99%
 Cash flow20% below target 93%
      Total Target Award Payout    84.2%

        Based on the performance of the Company in 2010 and the individual contributions of each of Messrs. Wathen, Zeffiro and Sherbin toward that performance, each received the following weighting for the non-financial objectives component.

Explanation of the 2010 Non-Financial Objectives Achieved-Company-Wide Performance

        President & CEO—Mr. Wathen received 200% of the non-financial objective of his bonus for his role in leading the Company to a successful 2010 and continuing to improve the Company's strategic planning and execution. Under his leadership, the Company increased its 2010 sales by 17% compared to 2009, improved the strategic execution of its growth initiatives, and successfully implemented a Global Sourcing Organization and many productivity initiatives. Mr. Wathen's leadership and focus on strategic planning and execution significantly impacted shareholder value in 2010 as evidenced by the increase in earnings per share of over 150% compared to 2009 levels.

        CFO—Mr. Zeffiro received 200% of the non-financial objective of his bonus for playing a significant role in the Company's overall success. He played a key leadership role in improving the closing and reporting process, improving our overall quarterly forecasting and simplifying the budget process. Mr. Zeffiro continued to develop and hire key team members to assist with the improvement of these processes. He also led the Company's Global Sourcing Organization initiative that facilitated the Company's low cost sourcing and productivity initiatives.

        General Counsel—Mr. Sherbin received 175% of the non-financial objective of his bonus for playing a significant role in supporting the Company's initiatives. He played a key role in the Company's two acquisitions in 2010 and the disposition of a significant real estate asset. He strengthened and developed the legal team, supported strategic planning and provided pragmatic legal advice and counsel to the executive leadership and senior management regarding day-to-day initiatives.



36



Results for the NEOsPresident - Packaging Systems, whose bonuses areSTI award payout is determined at the business unitPackaging Systems level, are detailed below:

 
  
 Packaging Systems Cequent Performance Products 
Metric
 Weight Result Payout as
% of Target
 Result Payout as
% of Target
 

Sales/Profitability

  
40

%

Above Target

  
67

%

Above Target

  
72

%

Cash Flow

  
15

%

Maximum

  
30

%

Maximum

  
30

%

Productivity

  
15

%

Maximum

  
30

%

Above Target

  
23

%

Inventory Turns

  
10

%

Above Target

  
12

%

Below Target

  
8

%

% New Products/Market Sales

  
10

%

Maximum

  
20

%

Above Target

  
15

%

Nonfinancial objectives:

  
10

%

Above Target

  
17.5

%

Maximum

  
20

%
 

Total

       
177

%
   
168

%

Explanation ofand results for the 2010 Non-Financial Objective Achieved-Messrs. Benson and Brooks

President Cequent Performance Products—Mr. Benson received 200% of the non-financial objective of his bonus for his strong strategic leadership of the continued integration of the legacy towing, trailer, and electrical business. Under Mr. Benson's leadership and direction,- Cequent Performance Products, effectively leveraged its broad product portfolio to gain market share, drove top line growth, and implemented productivity improvements to create margin expansion. Mr. Benson also provided leadership inwhose STI award payout is determined at the Cequent Performance Products' improved financial forecasting which facilitated financial visibility and strategic planning for the business.

        President, Packaging Systems—Mr. Brooks received 175% of the non-financial objective of his bonus for his leadership of the Packaging Systems team. Under Mr. Brooks' direction, Packaging Systems identified and implemented top-line growth initiatives involving new products and new geographic markets. Mr. Brooks also maintained focus on the Packaging Systems' core business of industrial closures which experienced improvement year over year. In 2010, Packaging Systems effectively implemented the Company's quarterly rolling forecast (QRF) planning process and continued to produce employee engagement results in excess of manufacturing industry benchmarks.

Products level, are as follows:

MetricWeight Packaging Systems Cequent Performance Products
 Result Achieved Payout as
% of Target
 Result Achieved
Payout as
% of Target
Sales/Profitability40% above target 145% above target
172%
Cash Flow30% above target 200% above target
125%
Productivity15% above target 200% above target
200%
% New Products/Product Growth15% below target 80% above target
200%
     Total    160%   166.4%

The target and actual awards earned by our NEOs are listed in the following chart:

NEO
 Target
Award as
Percent of
Salary
 Target Bonus
Amounts
 Actual ICP
Award Earned
 ICP Earned
and Paid in
Cash
 ICP Earned and
Paid in
Restricted Stock
in March 2011
 Target Award as Percent of Salary Target STI Amounts Actual Short-Term Incentive Award Earned Short-Term Incentive Earned and Paid in Cash(1) Short-Term Incentive Earned and Paid in Restricted Stock in March 2014 (1)

President & CEO

 
110

%

$

761,000
 
$

1,617,201
 
$

1,293,761
 
$

323,440
 
CEO112.5% $811,200
 $683,030
 $546,400
 $136,606

CFO

 
70

%

$

280,000
 
$

595,028
 
$

476,022
 
$

119,006
 75.0% 345,500
 290,911
 232,729
 58,182

President, Cequent Performance Products

 
50

%

$

155,000
 
$

260,338
 
$

208,270
 
$

52,068
 

President, Packaging Systems

 
70

%

$

279,000
 
$

492,770
 
$

394,216
 
$

98,554
 

General Counsel

 
50

%

$

185,000
 
$

388,519
 
$

310,815
 
$

77,704
 60.0% 235,500
 198,291
 158,633
 39,658
President - Packaging Systems70.0% 295,300
 472,480
 377,984
 94,496
President - Cequent Performance Products50.0% 167,900
 279,385
 223,508
 55,877


2011 TriMas Incentive Compensation Plan—Program Highlights.(1)

        For fiscal year 2011, Amounts earned by the Committee approved several changes toNEOs are paid 80% in cash, with the ICP at the Company-wide level:


For fiscal year 2011, the Committee also approved several changes to the ICP at the Cequent Performance Products and Packaging Systems level:

Key plan features that will remain constant for 2011 include target awards, the requirement that 20% of ICP bonuses earned for those whose target awards exceed $20,000, be paid in restricted stock and performance measures atthat vests on the one-year anniversary of the grant date.


2014 Short Term Incentive Compensation Plan - Program Highlights
For fiscal year 2014, the Committee did not make any changes from the previous year to the Corporate metrics or associated weightings.

For fiscal year 2014, the Committee approved changes to the business unit level. AsSTI measures and weightings to increase focus on margin expansion. Specifically, the Committee added gross margin as an additional factor to the productivity metric and established the weighting for the new margin/profitability measure at 25%. The Committee reduced the cash flow and sales/profitability weightings to 25% and 35%, respectively.

All other key design features of the STI for 2014 remain unchanged. The NEO target awards for 2014, as a percent of base salary, the NEOs' target awards for 2011 are as follows:

NEO
 Target Bonus Amount Target Bonus
as a
percentage of
salary
  Target STI Amount Target STI as a percentage of salary

President & CEO

 
$

788,000
 
112.5

%
CEO $835,600
 112.5%

CFO

 
$

298,000
 
72.5

%
 356,000
 75.0%

President, Cequent Performance Products

 
$

159,000
 
50

%

President, Packaging

 
$

287,000
 
70

%

General Counsel

 
$

191,000
 
50

%
 240,300
 60.0%
President - Packaging Systems 295,300
 70.0%
President - Cequent Performance Products 173,000
 50.0%


37



The 2011 increasesCommittee concluded that the NEOs’ STI target award percentages were appropriately aligned with market award levels and no adjustments were necessary for the President & CEO and CFO represent increases in line with merit assessment and additional allocation to performance based pay.

Long-term2014.


Long-Term Incentive Program

Overview. The Company has twohistorically maintained three operational equity incentive plans, referred to as the Company’s 2002 Long TermLong-Term Equity Incentive Plan, the Company’s 2006 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan and the 2006 Long TermCompany’s 2011 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (these last two plans, collectively, the “Equity Plans”). The 2002 plan expired in June 2012; although equity awards remain outstanding, no future equity awards will be granted under the 2002 plan. The Equity Incentive Plan (together, the "Equity Plans"). Each providesPlans allow for grants to employees, directors and consultants of incentive and nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalent rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units or performance-based awards. The Company historically has issued equity compensation under each of the Equity Plans.

Purpose. Our long-term equity program ishas been designed to reward the achievement of long-term business objectives that benefit our shareholders through stock price increases, thereby aligning the interests of our executives with those of our shareholders. We make periodic grantsThe Company’s historical approach (prior to 2012) to granting long-term equity was to grant stock option awards that covered a three year period. Since the last award of options in 2009, the Company periodically has granted equity awards to select participants after considering such factors as overall business climate, stock price performance, share availability,to recognize leadership and retention considerations,concerns.
Based on the Committee’s evaluation of the objectives to namebe achieved with a few.


        Grants. In 2009, we made grantslong-term incentive strategy, which included input from the Committee’s independent consultant and management, the Committee adopted a new long-term incentive program starting in 2012 that incorporates annual (rather than periodic) grants. The annual grant program includes both PSUs and service-based restricted stock awards (rather than being focused on stock options). These changes more closely align TriMas’ program with market trends and provide a more effective means of stock optionslinking pay with achievement of our ongoing business strategy of maximizing Company performance to deliver value to our Company leadership group. shareholders.


2013 Long-Term Incentive Awards. Awards made in 2013 are referred to here as the 2013 Long-Term Incentive (“2013 LTI”). Under the 2013 LTI, equity awards are granted to the Company’s NEOs and certain other eligible participants in order to promote the achievement of the Company’s strategic goals. The 2013 LTI award sizes as a percentage of each NEO’s base salary are as follows:
NEO2013 LTI Award as a % of 2013 Base Salary
CEO290
%
CFO175
%
General Counsel125
%
President - Packaging Systems75
%
President - Cequent Performance Products75
%

In February 2010, grants were more limited, as our strategy to date is to make grants to alldetermining the total value of the long-term incentive award opportunity for each executive, the Committee reviewed market data, historical award values, share constraints, overall cost of the 2013 LTI award program and assessed the distribution of equity awards among the NEOs and other participants on a periodic basis rather than annually.in the 2013 LTI program.
Awards under the 2013 LTI consist of PSUs and service-based restricted stock awards, which will be settled in shares, with each vehicle accounting for 50% of the overall long-term incentive target award value. The Committee believes that providing long-term incentive awards in the form of equity awards best achieves the long-term compensation objectives of the Company and aligns the executives’ interests with the interests of the Company’s shareholders. The balance between performance-based and time-based grants is in alignment with the development of the Company’s growth strategy, motivates management to strike the appropriate balance between short-term and long-term decision-making and aligns management’s long-term compensation closely with shareholder interests.

38



The approved restricted stock unittarget 2013 LTI grants for the CFO2013-2015 cycle for our NEOs are as follows:
NameService-Based
Restricted Stock ($ Value)
 PSUs ($ Value)
CEO$1,045,450
 $1,045,450
CFO403,113
 403,113
General Counsel245,313
 245,313
President - Packaging Systems158,175
 158,175
President - Cequent Performance Products125,925
 125,925

The dollar values listed in the above chart were converted into a number of units and General Counsel with grant date values of $200,000 and $150,000, respectively. A key purpose of these grants was to better alignshares based on the recipients' long term incentive compensation withclosing stock price on March 1, 2013.
The service-based restricted stock award vests in three equal installments on the market. These grants also have a retention purpose, since they will not vest until the third anniversaryfirst three anniversaries of the grant date of the award.
The PSU award can be earned based on the achievement of specific performance measures over a period of three calendar years, with the three-year cycle beginning on January 1, 2013 and require thatending on December 31, 2015. For the recipient be employed2013-2015 cycle, the two performance measures are described below:
75% based on EPS cumulative average growth rate (“EPS CAGR”): Measured by EPS compounded annual growth rate for the three fiscal years in the cycle; and

25% based on cash generation: Cash generation refers to the Company’s cash flow for the three fiscal years in the cycle from operating activities less capital expenditures, as publicly reported by the Company, plus or minus special items that may occur from time-to-time, divided by the Company’s three-year income from continuing operations as publicly reported by the Company, plus or minus special items that may occur from time-to-time.
The actual number of PSUs earned will be determined based on performance achieved, with amounts that can vary from 30% of the vesting date.

        Pursuanttarget PSU award (assuming threshold performance) to his offer letter dated January 12, 2009,a maximum of 250% of the target PSU award with respect to the EPS CAGR and discussedfrom 30% of the target PSU award (assuming threshold performance) to a maximum of 200% of the target PSU award with respect to cash generation. If the threshold performance target is not achieved for the EPS CAGR or cash generation metric, respectively, no award is earned. The performance goals for the PSU awards were established at the beginning of the three-year cycle. The PSU award vests on a “cliff” basis after the end of the three-year performance period. For example, based on the degree to which the performance goals are met, any PSUs earned for the 2013-2015 cycle will vest in more detail later, Mr. Wathen has2016.


Transitional LTI: The Committee recognized in 2012 that changes in timing and format of the opportunitylong-term incentive program both impact the competitiveness of participants’ pay, and also expose the Company to receive restricted stockretention concerns. To address these competitiveness and retention concerns, the 2012 long-term incentive equity grants included both an annual grant as well as a one-time transition grant to assist with the LTI program transition from periodic to annual grants.
The Transitional LTI awards made to the NEOs and other eligible participants consisted of performance-based grants and were allocated 60% to 2012 performance with the remaining 40% to be earned based on cumulative performance for 2012 and 2013. Any awards earned were to be settled in shares.

39



The target Transitional LTI grants and performance measures based on cumulative 2012 and 2013 performance for our NEOs were as follows:
  Transitional LTI Target Award in Grant Date $ Value
Name 2012-2013 EPS CAGR
CEO $467,600
CFO 191,700
General Counsel 146,400
President - Packaging Systems 68,400
President - Cequent Performance Products 52,900

The amounts listed in the above chart were converted to a number of units when specific performance hurdles are met. Specifically, he will be granted restricted stock units ifbased on the Company's closing stock price exceeds various price hurdleson March 1, 2012.
For both portions of the Transitional LTI awards, any PSUs earned were based solely on the degree to which the predetermined performance goals were met, with amounts that varied from 30% of the target PSU award (assuming threshold performance) to a maximum of 250% of the target PSU award. If the threshold performance target for any successive 75 trading dayeach period was not met, no awards would be earned.
For the TransitionaL LTI based on 2012 EPS growth, EPS performance against the target resulted in an award of 175% of the target PSU award for the NEOs and other eligible participants.
For the Transitional LTI based on 2012-2013 EPS CAGR, performance against the target resulted in an award of 125% of the target PSU award for the NEOs and other eligible participants.

2014 Long-Term Incentive Awards
Under the 2014 Long-Term Incentive Award Program (“2014 LTI”), equity awards are granted to the Company’s NEOs and certain other eligible participants in order to promote the achievement of the Company’s strategic goals. The 2014 LTI award sizes as a percentage of each NEO’s base salary are as follows:
NEO2014 LTI Award as a % of June 30, 2014 Base Salary
CEO325
%
CFO175
%
General Counsel130
%
President - Packaging Systems75
%
President - Cequent Performance Products85
%

In determining the total value of the 2014 LTI award opportunity for each executive, the Committee reviewed survey data provided by Meridian regarding competitive award levels and considered each participant’s total compensation targets and level of responsibility within the first 36 monthsorganization.
Awards under the 2014 LTI consist of employment. During 2010, the first two price hurdles of $5PSUs and $10 were met, and he was granted 25,000service-based restricted stock, which will be settled in shares, with each vehicle accounting for 50% of the overall 2014 LTI target award value.

40



The approved target 2014 LTI grants for the 2014-2016 cycle for our NEOs are as follows:
NameService-Based
Restricted Stock ($ Value)
 PSUs ($ Value)
CEO$1,206,900
 $1,206,900
CFO415,300
 415,300
General Counsel260,300
 260,300
President - Packaging Systems158,200
 158,200
President - Cequent Performance Products147,100
 147,100

The dollar values listed in the above chart were converted into a number of units based on each ofthe closing stock price on March 24, 2010 and October 21, 2010. Vesting5, 2014.
As with the 2013 LTI, the 2014 service-based restricted stock award will occurvest in increments of one-thirdthree equal installments on the first second and thirdthree anniversaries of eachthe grant date provided Mr. Wathen remains employed byof the Companyaward.
The 2014 PSU award can be earned based on those dates. The third stock pricethe achievement of specific performance hurdlemeasures over a period of $15 was achieved in 2011 and Mr. Wathen was granted a 25,000 restricted stock unitsthree calendar years.  For the 2014-2016 cycle (began on January 21, 2011.

        In summary, the grants to NEOs in 2010 consisted1, 2014 and ends on December 31, 2016), 75% of the following numberaward is allocated to EPS CAGR rate and 25% of restricted stock units:

2010 Special Cash Awards.

the award is allocated to a three year average return on invested capital.  Based on the degree to which the performance goals are met, any PSUs earned for the 2014-2016 cycle will vest in 2017.

Discretionary Bonuses
On February 26, 2010, the Compensation Committee granted special one-time cash awards to the President & CEO and Chief Financial Officer of $150,000 and $50,000, respectively,20, 2013, in recognition of their leadership and performance. The terms ofroles within the Company, the Committee awarded a discretionary cash awards required each recipientbonus to use the after-taxCEO, CFO and General Counsel in the amount of his award to buy shares of Company stock.

2011 Special Awards of Restricted Stock.

        On February 24, 2011, the Compensation Committee awarded restricted stock units to Messrs. Wathen, Zeffiro,$165,000, $ 70,000 and Sherbin, in recognition of their leadership and role within the Company. The award consists of three components each to be settled in shares of the Company's common stock. Upon the Company achieving at least $2.00 of cumulative earnings per share for any consecutive four financial quarters beginning April 1, 2011 through September 30, 2013, 50% of the restricted stock units will vest on the business day immediately following the release of earnings for the quarter in which the EPS performance measure is met (the "EPS Vesting Date") and the remaining 50% will vest in two equal parts on the first and second anniversary of the EPS Vesting Date. Upon the Company's stock price closing at or above $30 and $35 per share for 30 consecutive trading days with the last such trading day occurring on or prior to September 30, 2013, 50% of the restricted stock units will be granted and immediately vested on the close of the business day on which such trading threshold is satisfied and the remaining 50% will vest in two equal parts on the first and second anniversary of the date on which the respective trading threshold is met, and require that the recipient be employed by



the Company as of each vesting date. The awards consisted of the following number of restricted stock units:

$45,000, respectively.
 
 $2.00 EPS
Target
 $30 Stock
Price Target
 $35 Stock
Price Target
 

President & CEO

  21,000  10,500  10,500 

Chief Financial Officer

  10,500  5,250  5,250 

General Counsel

  5,840  2,920  2,920 

        In connection with the approval by the Compensation Committee of the 2010 ICP payments, each NEO receives 80% of the payment in cash and 20% of the ICP award in restricted stock. The number of restricted stock units is based on the close of business stock price on March 1, 2011. As described earlier, these shares will vest on the first anniversary of the grant, provided the participant is employed by the Company at the time of vest. The value to be delivered to each NEO in restricted stock is as follow:

NEO
 ICP Earned
and to be Paid in
Restricted Stock
in March 2011
 

President & CEO

 
$

323,440
 

CFO

 
$

119,006
 

President, Cequent Performance Products

 
$

52,068
 

President, Packaging System

 
$

98,554
 

General Counsel

 
$

77,704
 

        Program Changes for 2011. The Committee and management are considering the design of an ongoing long-term incentive program that is expected to include annual grants of performance-based equity and stock options. The new program design is expected to be finalized and implemented beginning in 2012.

Benefits and Retirement Programs

Consistent with our overall philosophy, the NEOs are eligible to participate in benefit plans that are available to substantially all the Company'sCompany’s U.S. employees. These programs include participation in the Company'sCompany’s retirement program (comprised of a 401(k) savings component and a quarterly contribution component), and in our medical, dental, vision, group life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance programs.

These retirement benefits are designed to reward continued employment with the Company and assist participants with financial preparation for retirement.

The Company makes matching contributions for active participants in the 401(k) savings component equal to 25% of the participants'participants’ permitted contributions, up to a maximum of 5% of the participant'sparticipant’s eligible compensation. In addition, for most employees the Company may contribute up to an additional 25% of matching contributions based on the Company'sCompany’s annual financial performance.

Under the terms of the Company’s quarterly contribution component of its retirement program, the Company contributes to the employee'semployee’s plan account an amount determined as a percentage of the employee'semployee’s base pay upon an employee'semployee’s eligibility following one year of employment. The percentage is based on the employee'semployee’s age and for salaried employees ranges from 1.0% for employees under the age of 30 to 4.5% for employees age 50 and over. For 2010,2013, Mr. Wathen received 4.5%, Mr. Zeffiro received 3.0%4.0%, Mr. Sherbin received 4.0%4.5%, Mr. Benson received 4.5%, Mr. Wathen received 4.5% beginning February 2010 and Mr. Brooks received 7.0% due to a supplemental legacy benefit.


Executive Retirement Program

The Company'sCompany’s executive retirement program provides senior managers with retirement benefits in addition to those provided under the Company'sCompany’s qualified retirement plans. The Company offers these additional programs to enhance the competitiveness of total executive pay.

pay so that it remains competitive in the market. Effective January 9, 2013 the Company began funding a Rabbi Trust for our obligations under this program. Trust assets are subject to the claims of the Company’s creditors in the event of bankruptcy.


41



Under the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP"(“SERP”), the Company makes a contribution to each participant'sparticipant’s account at the end of each quarter with the amount determined as a fixed percentage of the employee'semployee’s eligible compensation. The percentage is based on the employee'semployee’s age on the date of original participation in the plan (6.0% for Messrs. Brooks and Wathen, 4.0% for Messrs. Sherbin, and Zeffiro, and Mr. Benson does not participate)Zeffiro). Contributions vest 100% after five years of eligible employment. Immediate vesting in the Company'sCompany’s contributions occurs upon attainment of retirement age or death.

The Compensation Limit Restoration Plan ("CLRP"(“CLRP”) provides benefits to senior managers in the form of Company contributions which would have been payable under the quarterly contribution component of the Company'sCompany’s tax-qualified retirement plan, but for tax code limits on the amount of pay that can be considered in a qualified plan. There are no employee contributions permitted under this plan. Company contributions under the CLRP vary as a percent of eligible compensation based on the employee'semployee’s age.

        Effective January 1, 2007, the qualified

The executive retirement plans vesting provisions were modified to accommodate requirements under the Pension Protection Act of 2006. The vesting scheduleprogram also provides for the Plans changed from 100% vesting upon completion of five-years of service for all contributions, to 100% vesting upon completion of three years for contributions made after January 1, 2007. In 2010, the Committee harmonized the vesting schedule for the Compensation Limit Restoration Plan to the three-year period reflected in the qualified plan. For this reason, contributions made before 2010 vest 100% after five years of eligible employment. Contributions made in or after 2010 vest 100% after three years of eligible employment. Immediate vesting in the Company's contributions occurs upon attainment of retirement age or death.

        In 2010, the Company implemented an elective deferral compensation feature to supplement the existing executive retirement program. For fiscal years beginning in 2011, an employeeEmployees eligible to receive SERP contributions may elect to defer up to 25% of his or her base pay and up to 100% of his or her bonus. This plan design component is intended to encourage the continued employment and diligent service of plan participants.

TriMas Corporation Benefit Restoration Pension Plan

Mr. Brooks participates in the TriMas Corporation Benefit Restoration Plan ("(“Benefit Restoration Plan"Plan”), which is an unfunded non-qualified retirement plan. The Benefit Restoration Plan provides for benefits that were not able to be provided to certain executives in the Metaldyne Pension Plan (a plan adopted by the Company'sCompany’s predecessor) because of tax code limits on compensation that may be considered in a qualified plan. The TriMas Corporation Benefit Restoration Plan was frozen as of December 31, 2002.

Under the frozen Benefit Restoration Plan, which consists of a pension and a profit sharing component, Mr. Brooks is eligible to receive a retirement benefit in addition to those provided under the Company'sCompany’s other plans. Upon termination on or after age 55, Mr. Brooks is entitled to receive a specified pension benefit annually, the age 65 present value of which is reflected in the "Executive“Executive Retirement Program"Program” table.


Perquisites

Perquisites

        Effective January 1, 2010, the Compensation Committee implemented

The Company maintains a Flexible Cash Allowance Policy. Under this program, certain executives receive a quarterly cash allowance in lieu of other Company provided perquisites.Company-provided perquisites including supplemental universal life insurance, automobile allowance, private club membership, and tax reimbursements. Eligibility and amounts offor the cash allowanceallowances, and the amounts, are periodically reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee, and adjusted as it considers necessary.

Committee.

For the fiscal year 2010,2013, the NEOs received the following cash allowances:

CEO; CFO; General Counsel; President, Packaging Systems; General Counsel—$55,000Systems - $55,000


President - Cequent Performance Products—$25,000

Products - $25,000

The same cash allowance levels will remain in place in 20112014 for participating executives, including the NEOs.

The Company continues to make executive physical examinations available to its officers. The Compensation Committee considers this practice to be a direct benefitFinally, under certain circumstances, NEOs may utilize our corporate owned or leased aircraft for personal use (including spousal use). See footnote six to the Company.

Change2013 Summary Compensation table below for more information about our NEOs who utilized this perquisite in Control2013.

Change-of-Control and Severance BasedSeverance-Based Compensation

        Certain of the Company's

The NEOs are covered by the Company's Executive Severance/ChangeCompany’s Severance Policy, the operation of which is described in Control Policy. Thefurther detail below under “Post-Employment Compensation.” In general, the Severance Policy requiresprovides that the Company towill make severance payments to a covered executive if his or her employment is terminated under certain circumstances, as described below under "Post-Employment Compensation."

        Althoughqualifying circumstances. It is important to note that not only does the Severance Policy not provide for any excise tax gross-ups, but it provides for payments otherwise due upon a significant part of compensation forChange-of-Control to be reduced to ensure that none are subject to the Company's executives is performance-based and largely contingent upon achievement of aggressive financial goals, the Executive Severance/Change in Controlexcise tax. The Severance Policy provides important financial protection to certainthe Company’s executive officers in exchange for non-compete and non-solicit covenants for the duration of an executive’s employment and a period following termination, and a requirement than an executive execute a release of claims in favor of the Company's executive officers.Company in order to receive any benefits under the Severance Policy. The Committee believes that offering this program is consistent with market practices, assures the


42



Company can both attract and retain executive talent, and will assist with management stability and continuity in the face of a possible business combination.

The Compensation Committee periodically reviews the Severance Policy to evaluate both its effectiveness and competitiveness and to determine the value of potential payments. In August 2013, the Compensation Committee approved, and the Company adopted, a revised Severance Policy for the Company’s executives. The updated Severance Policy reflects market practices, improved readability, consistency across the Company’s compensation arrangements, and a formalized severance policy for a broader group of the Company’s executives.
Risk Mitigation in our Compensation Practices
The Committee focuses on risk mitigation in the design and implementation of the Company’s compensation practices. The Committee seeks to properly balance pay for performance as driving executive compensation, as maximizing shareholder value and mitigation of business risks. A number of the risk mitigation strategies are detailed below:
COMPENSATION PRACTICERISK MITIGATION FACTORS
Short-Term Incentive Compensation

Multiple Performance Metrics.The short-term incentive plan uses multiple performance measures that encourage NEOs to focus on the overall strength of the business rather than a single financial measure.

Award Cap.Short-term incentive awards payable to any individual are capped.

Clawback Provision.The Company’s clawback policy allows the Company to recapture short-term incentive awards from current and former employees in certain situations, including restatement of financial results.

Management Processes.Board and management processes are in place to oversee risk associated with the short-term incentive plan, including, but not limited to, monthly and quarterly business performance reviews by management and regular business performance reviews by the Board, Audit Committee and the Company’s internal management disclosure committee.

Long-Term Incentive Compensation

Stock Ownership Guidelines. The Company has stock ownership requirements consistent with market norms for certain executives, including NEOs.

Multiple Performance Metrics. The long-term incentive plan uses multiple performance measures that encourage NEOs to focus on the overall strength of the business rather than a single financial measure.

Award Cap. Long-term incentive awards payable to any individual are capped.

Retention of Shares. With respect to any certain executive, including NEOs, who has not met the ownership guidelines within the required period, the Committee may require the executive to retain all shares necessary to satisfy the guidelines, less an amount that may be relinquished for the exercise price and taxes.

Anti-Hedging/Anti-Pledging Policy. The Company’s anti-hedging policy prohibits the Board of Directors, and the Company’s executives, including NEOs, from purchasing any financial instrument that is designed to hedge or offset any decrease in the market value of the Common Stock, including prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars and exchange funds. The policy also prohibits pledging Common Stock as collateral and engaging in short sales related to the Common Stock.

Clawback Provision. The Company’s clawback policy permits the Committee to recoup or rescind equity awards to executives, including NEOs, under the long-term incentive plan under certain situations, including restatement of financial results.


43



Accounting and Tax Effects

The impact of accounting treatment is considered in developing and implementing the Company'sCompany’s compensation programs generally, including the accounting treatment as it applies to amounts awarded or paid to the Company'sCompany’s executives.

The impact of federal tax laws on the Company'sCompany’s compensation programs is also considered, including the deductibility of compensation paid to the NEOs, as regulated by Section 162(m) of the Code. Most of the Company'sCompany’s compensation programs aremay be designed to qualify for deductibility under Section 162(m), but to preserve flexibility in administering compensation programs, not all amounts paid under all of the Company'sCompany’s compensation programs may be intended to qualify for deductibility.

The Committee’s award of short- and long-term incentives may require achievement of threshold performance metrics. When included, such metrics are based on a performance goal that was approved by our shareholders under the 2011 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan, which governs the incentive awards, and is designed to allow us to comply with the “performance-based compensation” exception contained in Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. The actual amount to be paid to an NEO in respect to such an incentive award would be determined in accordance with the negative discretion of the Committee, based on its assessment of overall performance results. Although the Compensation Committee plans to continue taking actions intended to limit the impact of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee also believes that the tax deduction is only one of several relevant considerations in setting compensation. The Compensation Committee believes that the tax deduction limitation should not be permitted to compromise the Company’s ability to design and maintain executive compensation arrangements that will attract and retain the executive talent to compete successfully. Accordingly, achieving the desired flexibility in the design and delivery of compensation may result in compensation that in certain cases is not deductible for federal income tax purposes.
Likewise, the impact of Section 409A of the Code is taken into account, and the Company'sCompany’s executive plans and programs are in general, designed to comply with, or be exempt from, the requirements of that section so as to avoid possible adverse tax consequences that may result from noncompliance with Section 409A.


Stock Ownership Guidelines for Executives

To further align the interests of executives with those of shareholders, the Compensation Committee adopted stock ownership guidelines for certain executives, including the NEOs. The guidelines are expressed as a multiple of base salary, as set forth below:

President and Chief Executive Officer

CEO 5x

CFO; General Counsel

 3x

Other executives, as determined by the Compensation Committee (including the President - Packaging Systems and President - Cequent Performance Products)

 2x


As executives have five years to meet these ownership guidelines from the time of adoption by the Compensation Committee, the Compensation Committee will not evaluate compliance until December 31, 2014. New executives designated as participants will have five years from the time they are named to a qualifying position to meet the ownership guidelines. Adherence to these guidelines will be measuredevaluated each year on January 1,the last trading day of the year, using the executive'sexecutive’s base salary and the value of the executive'sexecutive’s holdings and stock price on such day. Once an executive attains the required ownership level, the executive will not be considered to fall out of compliancenoncompliant solely due to subsequent stock price declines.


The following equity holdings count towards satisfaction of the guidelines:


Shares owned (or beneficially owned) by the executive, including shares acquired upon exercise of stock options or acquired through any Company employee benefit plans;

Time-vesting restricted stock or restricted stock units, whether vested or not; and

Vested, in the moneyin-the-money stock options.

Prior to attaining sufficient shares to satisfy the guidelines, executivesan executive must retain shares having a value equal tohold at least 50% of the after-tax gain recognizedshares acquired by him or her upon the:
Vesting of restricted stock;

44



Exercise of a stock option;
Exercise of a stock appreciation right;
Payout of a restricted stock unit in shares; and
Payout (in shares) of any other equity award.
in each case reduced first by:
any shares of Common Stock retained by the Company to satisfy any portion of tax withholding requirements attributable to such events;
any shares of Common Stock tendered by the executive to pay any portion of the exercise price of a stock option; and
if any portion of the taxes due in connection with respectsuch events or the exercise price of options are satisfied by the executive remitting cash to the Company or applicable taxing authority or by the Company withholding amounts from the executive’s compensation or payments otherwise due, the number of shares of Common Stock having a fair market value equal to the amount so remitted or withheld based on the closing price of the Common Stock on the vesting or exercise of stock options, sale of vested restricted stock or other disposition with respect to any equity awards granted under the Company's equity incentive plans.

date, as applicable.

The Compensation Committee has the discretion to consider non-compliance with the guidelines in determining whether or the extent to which future equity awards should be granted and may require all stock attained through Company grants be retained until the guidelines are satisfied.

Anti-Hedging/Anti-Pledging and Short Sale Policies
The Company’s anti-hedging policy prohibits directors and certain of the Company’s executives, including the NEOs, from purchasing any financial instrument that is designed to hedge or offset any decrease in the market value of the Common Stock, including prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars and exchange funds. The policy also prohibits pledging Common Stock as collateral and engaging in short sales related to the Common Stock.
Recoupment Policy

In 2009, the Compensation Committee implemented a recoupment (or clawback) policy subjecting incentive compensation and grants under the Company's equity plansEquity Plans to executive officers and business unit presidents to potential recoupment. The Board has the authority to trigger recoupment in the event of a material financial restatement or manipulation of a financial measure on which compensation is based where the employee'semployee’s intentional misconduct contributed to the restatement or manipulation and, but for such misconduct, a lesser amount of compensation would have been paid. The Compensation Committee will reevaluate and, if necessary, revise the Company'sCompany’s recoupment policy to comply with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act once the rules implementing the recoupment requirements have been finalized by the SEC.

Employment Arrangements

        The terms of Mr. Wathen's employment with the Company are contained in a letter agreement dated January 12, 2009, a copy of which the Company timely filed with the SEC on a Current Report on Form 8-K. In addition to providing for base salary and bonus compensation as discussed elsewhere in this Proxy Statement, the letter agreement provided for the grant to Mr. Wathen of 200,000 stock options upon his initial date of employment with pro-rata vesting over three years, consideration for an



additional equity grant in 2009, and a one-time bonus of $100,000 to be used by Mr. Wathen for the purchase on the open market, on an after tax basis, of Company common stock (which bonus was payable after Mr. Wathen confirmed his purchase of an additional $100,000 of Company stock during the first available open trading window).

        The letter agreement also provides for the following restricted stock unit grants to Mr. Wathen if the Company's closing stock price exceeds the thresholds listed below for any successive 75 day trading period within the first 36 months of Mr. Wathen's employment:

Threshold
 Number of
Restricted
Stock Units
 

$5.00

  25,000 

$10.00

  25,000 

$15.00

  25,000 

$20.00

  25,000 

$25.00

  25,000 

        All units earned under this program vest in increments of one-third over the three year period following each grant and require that he be employed by the Company on each respective vesting date.

Annual and Long Term Compensation

        The following table summarizes the annual and long-term compensation paid to the NEOs in 2010.

Name and Principal Position
 Year Salary
($)(1)
 Stock
Awards
($)(2)(3)(4)
 Option
Awards
($)(5)
 Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
($)(6)(7)(8)
 Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)(9)
 All Other
Compensation
($)
 Total
($)
 

David M. Wathen, President

  2010  683,400  886,400    1,443,800    130,400  3,144,000 
 

(principal executive officer)

  2009  656,800  138,400  106,500  775,000    110,400  1,787,100 

A. Mark Zeffiro,

  
2010
  
380,000
  
319,100
  
  
526,000
  
  
87,700
  
1,312,800
 
 

Chief Financial Officer

  2009  373,800  31,000  35,800  252,000    79,000  771,600 
 

(principal financial officer)

  2008  200,800  95,900    250,000    306,000  852,700 

Thomas M. Benson, President,

  
2010
  
303,800
  
52,100
  
  
208,300
  
  
45,700
  
609,900
 
 

Cequent Performance Products

  2009  311,500  31,800  14,900  260,700    25,600  644,500 

Lynn A. Brooks,

  
2010
  
424,800
  
98,600
  
  
394,200
  
33,900
  
118,900
  
1,070,400
 
 

President, Packaging Systems

  2009  400,800  56,400  28,800  420,300  14,800  150,900  1,072,000 

  2008  380,500  33,700    190,000  16,300  150,200  770,700 

Joshua A. Sherbin,

  
2010
  
360,000
  
227,800
  
  
310,800
  
  
89,800
  
988,400
 
 

Vice President,

  2009  363,500  21,500  34,800  175,000     94,100  688,900 
 

General Counsel

  2008  342,200  30,600    105,000    94,200  572,000 

(1)
During 2010 and 2008, there were 26 bi-weekly pay periods for Company employees paid on a bi-weekly basis, including the NEOs. There were 27 bi-weekly pay periods for such employees in 2009.

(2)
All awards in this column relate to restricted stock granted under the 2002 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan and the 2006 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan and are calculated in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 718, "Stock Compensation." The award earned reflects the grants of restricted stock awards or units, as approved by the Compensation Committee, on April 2, 2008, June 2, 2008, December 4, 2009, February 26, 2010, March 24, 2010 and October 21, 2010. The award does not include performance units not earned. For 2010, also includes the full value of the 20% of Incentive Compensation Plan 2010 amounts earned required to be paid in restricted stock, with the number of shares determined based on the Company's closing stock price as of March 1, 2011. See "Grants of Plan-Based Awards."

(3)
In connection with his joining the Company on January 13, 2009, Mr. Wathen was given the opportunity to earn restricted stock units in the event that the Company's closing stock price for any successive 75 trading day period within 36 months of his start date, exceeds five thresholds: $5.00; $10.00; $15.00; $20.00; and $25.00. For each threshold met, Mr. Wathen would earn 25,000 restricted stock units, up to a maximum of 125,000 should all five thresholds be met within the 36 month period. If earned, the restricted stock units would vest ratably over a three year period from the date of the grant. Mr. Wathen earned 50,000 restricted stock units during 2010, 25,000 on each of March 24, 2010 and October 21, 2010, respectively, as the Company's closing stock price met the requirements for the $5.00 and $10.00 thresholds as of those dates.

(4)
On February 26, 2010, Messrs. Sherbin and Zeffiro were granted restricted stock units under the Company's 2006 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan valued at $200,100 and $150,100, respectively, based on the Company's common stock closing price on the grant date, to better align the recipients' long term incentive compensation with the market. The restricted stock units vest three years following the date of grant and will be settled in cash based on the closing price as of the vest date.

(5)
All awards in this column relate to stock options granted under the 2002 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan and the 2006 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan. This amount represents the full grant date fair value as calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 718, "Stock Compensation."

(6)
Incentive Compensation Plan payments are made in the year subsequent to which they were earned. Amounts earned under the 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan were approved by the Compensation Committee on February 24, 2011 and paid out shortly thereafter. For 2010, amount includes the cash-paid portion of the award. For 2009, amount includes both the cash-paid portion of the award and the amount the NEO elected to receive in restricted stock. For 2008, amounts awarded under the ICP were payable only in cash and are included herein.

(7)
For Mr. Wathen, includes a one-time cash bonus of $100,000 in 2009 pursuant to his offer letter on January 12, 2009, which was to be used for the purchase on the open market, on an after-tax basis, of Company common stock. For Mr. Zeffiro, includes a one-time cash bonus of $100,000 in 2008 upon employment with the Company.

(8)
For Messrs. Wathen and Zeffiro, 2010 includes a special one-time cash award of $150,000 and $50,000, respectively, granted by the Compensation Commitee on February 26, 2010 in recognition of their leadership and performance, which was to be used for the purchase on the open market, on an after-tax basis, of Company common stock.

(9)
The benefits of the TriMas Benefit Restoration Plan were frozen as of December 31, 2002. Therefore, the above amounts represent only the change in actuarial present value of that frozen benefit.

        Following is further detail on the NEOs' other compensation:

Name
 Year Perquisite
Allowance
($)
 Auto
Allowance
($)
 Club
Membership
($)
 Life and
Disability
Insurance
Premiums
($)
 Non-Business
Owned and
Leased
Aircraft
Useage
($)(1)
 Tax
Reimbursements
($)
 Relocation
Benefit
($)(2)
 Company
Contributions
in Retirement
and 401(k)
Plans
($)(3)
 Total
($)
 

David M. Wathen

  2010  55,000              75,400  130,400 

  2009        24,500    27,600  15,800  42,500  110,400 

A. Mark Zeffiro

  
2010
  
55,000
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
32,700
  
87,700
 

  2009    15,000  8,300  8,000    22,300    25,400  79,000 

  2008    8,800  47,500  4,000  6,800  119,300  113,200  6,400  306,000 

Thomas M. Benson

  
2010
  
25,000
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
20,700
  
45,700
 

  2009                25,600  25,600 

Lynn A. Brooks

  
2010
  
55,000
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
63,900
  
118,900
 

  2009    16,900    36,000    37,600    60,400  150,900 

  2008    16,250    36,000    43,350    54,600  150,200 

Joshua A. Sherbin

  
2010
  
55,000
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
34,800
  
89,800
 

  2009    15,000  11,900  8,500    25,100    33,600  94,100 

  2008    12,500  15,000  8,500    29,800    28,400  94,200 

(1)
For Mr. Zeffiro, reflects the actual value attributable to the use of the Company's aircraft, inclusive of fuel, pilot time and all fees and expenses incurred.

(2)
In connection with Mr. Wathen joining the Company in 2009, his responsibilities required the cancellation of non-refundable personal travel for which the Company reimbursed him.

(3)
For Mr. Wathen, amounts comprised of $58,400 in 2010 and $39,400 in 2009 under the TriMas Executive Retirement Program and $17,000 in 2010 and $3,100 in 2009 under the TriMas Corporation Salaried Retirement Program; for Mr. Zeffiro, $19,300 in 2010, $14,400 in 2009 and $4,700 in 2008 under the TriMas Executive Retirement Program and $13,400 in 2010, $10,400 in 2009 and

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

 
  
  
 Estimated Future Payouts
Under Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards
 All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units (#)
  
 Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and Unit
Awards
($)
 
 
  
  
 Closing
Price on
Grant Date
($/share)
 
Name
 Grant
Type
 Grant
Date
 Threshold
($)
 Target
($)
 Maximum
($)
 

David M. Wathen

 Incentive Compensation Plan(1)     38,100  761,000  1,617,200          

 Restricted Stock Unit(2)  3/24/2010           25,000  6.95  173,800 

 Restricted Stock Unit(2)  10/21/2010           25,000  15.57  389,300 

 Restricted Stock Unit(2)  N/A           75,000     

A. Mark Zeffiro

 

Incentive Compensation Plan(1)

     
14,000
  
280,000
  
595,000
          

 Restricted Stock Unit(3)  2/26/2010           32,850  6.09  200,100 

Thomas M. Benson

 

Incentive Compensation Plan(1)

     
7,800
  
155,000
  
310,000
          

Lynn A. Brooks

 

Incentive Compensation Plan(1)

     
14,000
  
279,000
  
558,000
          

Joshua A. Sherbin

 

Incentive Compensation Plan(1)

     
9,300
  
185,000
  
393,200
          

 Restricted Stock Unit(3)  2/26/2010           24,640  6.09  150,100 

(1)
The amounts above in the Estimated Future Payouts under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards are based on awards pursuant to the Incentive Compensation Plan for each NEO as of December 31, 2010. While each NEO is required to receive 20% of their award in restricted stock, which vests on the first anniversary of the payment of the cash portion, the above figures include 100% of the threshold, target and maximum awards pursuant to the plan. Upon approval of the total ICP award by the Compensation Committee, 80% of the award value would be paid in cash while 20% would be awarded in restricted stock based on the Company's then current stock price. The threshold payout is based on the largest percentage payout of the smallest metric is the NEO's composite target bonus and the target award is a specified dollar figure for each NEO. The maximum estimated possible payout for each participant is equal to maximum attainment for each metric.

(2)
In connection with his joining the Company on January 13, 2009, Mr. Wathen was given the opportunity to earn restricted stock units in the event that the Company's closing stock price for any successive 75 trading day period within 36 months of his start date, exceeds five thresholds: $5.00; $10.00; $15.00; $20.00; and $25.00. For each threshold met, Mr. Wathen would earn 25,000 restricted stock units, up to a maximum of 125,000 should all five thresholds be met within the 36 month period. If earned, the restricted stock units would vest ratably over a three year period from the date of the grant. Mr. Wathen earned 50,000 restricted stock units during 2010, 25,000 on each of March 24, 2010 and October 21, 2010, respectively, as the Company's closing stock price met the requirements for the $5.00 and $10.00 thresholds as of those dates.

(3)
On February 26, 2010, Messrs. Zeffiro and Sherbin were granted 32,850 and 24,640, respectively, restricted stock units under the Company's 2006 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan based on the Company's common stock closing price on the grant date, to better align the recipients' long term incentive compensation with the market. The restricted stock units vest three years following the date of grant and will be settled in cash based on the closing price as of the vest date.

Outstanding Equity Awards

        The following table summarizes the outstanding equity awards to the named executive officers as of December 31, 2010:

 
 Option Awards Share Awards 
Name
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable(1)
 Option
Exercise
Price
($)
 Option
Expiration
Date
 Number
of Shares or
Units of Stock
that have not
Vested
(#)(2)
 Market Value
of Shares or
Units of Stock
that have not
Vested
$(3)
 Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares,
Units
or Other
Rights
that have not
Vested
(#)(4)
 Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market Value
or Payout
of Shares,
Units
or Other
Rights
that have not
Vested
$(3)
 

David M. Wathen

  66,666  133,334  1.38  1/12/2019  76,620  1,567,650  75,000  1,534,500 

A. Mark Zeffiro

  
30,000
  
60,000
  
1.01
  
3/8/2019
  
42,810
  
875,890
  
  
 

Thomas M. Benson

  
26,664
  
6,666
  
23.00
  
9/30/2015
  
7,177
  
146,840
  
  
 

  5,000  25,000  1.01  3/8/2019         

Lynn A. Brooks

  
193,068
  
  
20.00
  
6/5/2012
  
12,674
  
259,310
  
  
 

  24,166  48,334  1.01  3/8/2019         

Joshua A. Sherbin

  
44,000
  
11,000
  
23.00
  
3/31/2015
  
30,447
  
622,950
  
  
 

  29,166  58,334  1.01  3/8/2019         

(1)
Stock options that have been granted under the 2006 and 2002 Long Term Equity Incentive Plans vest over a period of three to seven years.

(2)
All awards in this column relate to restricted stock and performance unit grants awarded under the 2006 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan. All restricted stock granted in 2008 vests over the three-year period beginning on the date of the respective grant with one-third of the grant being vested on a pro-rata basis over each of the three years following the respective grant date. The performance units granted in 2009 vest over the period from grant date (December 4, 2009) to March 15, 2011. The restricted stock units granted on February 26, 2010 vest after three years from grant date. The restricted stock units granted on March 24, 2010 and October 21, 2010 vest ratably over the period from grant date.

(3)
The market value is based on the stock price as of December 31, 2010 ($20.46) multiplied by the number of share or unit awards.

(4)
In connection with his joining the Company on January 13, 2009, Mr. Wathen was given the opportunity to earn restricted stock units in the event that the Company's closing stock price for any successive 75 trading day period within 36 months of his start date, exceeds five thresholds: $5.00; $10.00; $15.00; $20.00; and $25.00. For each threshold met, Mr. Wathen would earn 25,000 restricted stock units, up to a maximum of 125,000 should all five thresholds be met within the 36 month period. If earned, the restricted stock units would vest ratably over a three year period from the date of the grant. Mr. Wathen earned 50,000 restricted stock units during 2010, 25,000 on each of March 24, 2010 and October 21, 2010, respectively, as the Company's closing stock price met the requirements for the $5.00 and $10.00 thresholds as of those dates.

Restricted Share Vesting in 2010

        The following table sets forth information concerning the number of shares of restricted stock awarded in prior years to NEOs with restrictions that lapsed in 2010 and the value of such shares at the time the restrictions lapsed.

Name
 Vesting Date Number of
Shares Acquired
on Vesting
(#)
 Value Realized
on Vesting
($)(1)
 

David M. Wathen

  3/15/2010  79,840  562,070 

A. Mark Zeffiro

  
3/15/2010
  
9,940
  
69,980
 

  6/2/2010  4,000  40,400 

Thomas M. Benson

  
3/15/2010
  
10,170
  
71,600
 

  4/2/2010  1,067  7,450 

  9/1/2010  1,334  18,690 

Lynn A. Brooks

  
3/15/2010
  
18,060
  
127,140
 

  4/2/2010  1,833  12,790 

  9/1/2010  2,834  39,700 

Joshua A. Sherbin

  
3/15/2010
  
6,900
  
48,580
 

  4/2/2010  1,667  11,640 

  9/1/2010  2,334  32,700 

(1)
Based on closing stock prices of $7.04 on March 15, 2010, $6.98 on April 1, 2010, $10.10 on June 2, 2010 and $14.01 on September 1, 2010.

Post-Employment Compensation

        The Company maintains an Executive Severance/Change of Control Policy, or the Policy. The Policy applies to certain of the Company's executives. The Policy states that each executive shall devote his or her full business time to the performance of his or her duties and responsibilities for the Company. The Policy requires the Company to make severance payments to an executive if his or her employment is terminated under certain circumstances.

        If the Company terminates the employment of the President and Chief Executive Officer for any reason other than for cause, disability, or death, or if the President and Chief Executive Officer terminates his or her employment for good reason, the Company will provide the President and Chief Executive Officer with two years' annual base salary, Incentive Compensation Plan bonus payments equal to one year's bonus at his or her target bonus level in effect on the date of termination (paid in equal installments over two years), any Incentive Compensation Plan bonus payment that has been declared for the President and Chief Executive Officer but not paid, his or her pro-rated Incentive Compensation Plan bonus for the year of termination through the date of termination based on his or her target bonus level, immediate vesting upon the termination date of any equity awards under the 2002 Long Term Equity Plan and a pro rata portion of equity awards under all subsequent plans through the termination date, executive level outplacement services for up to 12 months, and continued medical benefits for up to 24 months following the termination date. The President and Chief Executive Officer's termination based compensation is higher than that of other executive officers in the interest of keeping with the Company policy of compensating executive officers at levels that correspond with their levels of responsibility.

        If the Company terminates the employment of any covered executive (excluding the President and Chief Executive Officer) for any reason other than cause, disability, or death, or if the executive



terminates his or her employment for good reason, the Company will provide the executive with one year's annual base salary, Incentive Compensation Plan bonus payments equal to one year's bonus at his or her target bonus level in effect on the date of termination (paid in equal installments over one year), any Incentive Compensation Plan bonus payment that has been declared for the executive but not paid, his or her pro-rated Incentive Compensation Plan bonus for the year of termination through the date of termination based on his or her target bonus level, immediate vesting upon the termination date of any equity awards under the 2002 Long Term Equity Plan and a pro rata portion of equity awards under all subsequent plans through the termination date, executive level outplacement services for up to 12 months, and continued medical benefits for up to 12 months following the termination date.

        In the case of any covered executive's voluntary termination or termination for cause, the Company pays the executive the accrued base salary through termination plus earned, but unused vacation compensation. All other benefits cease as of the termination date. If an executive's employment is terminated due to death, the Company pays the unpaid base salary as of the date of death, accrued but unpaid Incentive Compensation Plan compensation and vests in their entirety all of the executive's outstanding equity awards. Other than continued participation in the Company's medical benefit plan for the executive's dependents for up to 36 months, all other benefits cease as of the date of the executive's death. If an executive is terminated due to becoming disabled, the Company pays the executive earned but unpaid base salary and Incentive Compensation Plan payments and vests in their entirety all of the executive's outstanding equity awards. All other benefits cease as of the date of such termination in accordance with the terms of such benefit plans.

        In the case of a qualifying termination of any covered executive's (including the President and Chief Executive Officer) employment within three years of a change of control, then, in place of any other severance payment, the Company will provide the executive with a payment equal to 36 months of his or her base salary rate in effect at the date of termination, an Incentive Compensation Plan bonus payment equal to three years' bonus at his or her target bonus level in effect at the date of termination, any Incentive Compensation Plan bonus payment that has been declared for the executive but not paid, his or her pro-rated Incentive Compensation Plan bonus for the year of termination through the date of termination based on his or her target bonus level, immediate vesting upon the termination date of all unvested equity awards, executive level outplacement services for up to 12 months, and continued medical benefits for up to 36 months following the termination date provided that the timing of the foregoing payments will be made in compliance with Code Section 409A.

        For purposes of the policy, "Change of Control" is defined as follows:


        Change of Control is defined in a manner consistent with the definition in the indenture governing the Company's 93/4% senior subordinated notes due 2017, filed as an exhibit to the Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 15, 2010.

        In addition, the Executive Severance/Change of Control Policy states that in return for these benefits, each executive covered under the Policy must refrain from competing against the Company for a period following termination that corresponds to the duration of any severance payments the executive would be entitled to receive or 24 months if no severance payments are payable.


        The tables below summarize the executive benefits and payments due to the President and Chief Executive Officer and other NEOs upon termination, both in connection with a termination (i) for any reason other than cause, disability, or death, or if the executive terminates his or her employment for good reason ("Involuntary, not for cause") and (ii) in connection with a change of control. The tables assume that termination occurred on December 31, 2010.

 
 Termination
involuntary, not for
cause or Executive
terminates for good
reason
$
 Termination
for cause
$
 Termination in
connection with a
change of control
$
 Death
$(4)
 Disability
$(5)
 

David M. Wathen

                

Cash payments(1)

  2,144,800    4,358,600  691,900  691,900 

Value of restricted stock(2)

  631,000  631,000  1,567,600  1,567,600  1,567,600 

Value of stock options(3)

  2,491,000  2,491,000  3,816,000  3,816,000  3,816,000 

Outplacement services

  50,000    50,000     

Medical benefits

  33,400    50,000  50,000   
            

Total

  5,350,200  3,122,000  9,842,200  6,125,500  6,075,500 
            

A. Mark Zeffiro

                

Cash payments(1)

  680,000    2,040,000  280,000  280,000 

Value of restricted stock(2)

  339,400  339,400  875,900  875,900  875,900 

Value of stock options(3)

  1,053,700  1,053,700  1,750,500  1,750,500  1,750,500 

Outplacement services

  30,000    30,000     

Medical benefits

  16,700    50,000  50,000   
            

Total

  2,119,800  1,393,100  4,746,400  2,956,400  2,906,400 
            

Thomas M. Benson

                

Cash payments(1)

           

Value of restricted stock(2)

  121,500  121,500  146,800  146,800  146,800 

Value of stock options(3)

  351,200  351,200  583,500  583,500  583,500 

Outplacement services

           

Medical benefits

           
            

Total

  472,700  472,700  730,300  730,300  730,300 
            

Lynn A. Brooks

                

Cash payments(1)

  709,500    2,128,500  279,000  279,000 

Value of restricted stock(2)

  214,700  214,700  259,300  259,300  259,300 

Value of stock options(3)

  937,600  937,600  1,498,900  1,498,900  1,498,900 

Outplacement services

  30,000    30,000     

Medical benefits

  16,700    50,000  50,000   
            

Total

  1,908,500  1,152,300  3,966,700  2,087,200  2,037,200 
            

Joshua A. Sherbin

                

Cash payments(1)

  555,000    1,665,000  185,000  185,000 

Value of restricted stock(2)

  238,600  238,600  622,900  622,900  622,900 

Value of stock options(3)

  1,024,400  1,024,400  1,701,900  1,701,900  1,701,900 

Outplacement services

  30,000    30,000     

Medical benefits

  16,700    50,000  50,000   
            

Total

  1,864,700  1,263,000  4,069,800  2,559,800  2,509,800 
            

(1)
Comprised of base salary as of December 31, 2010 and Incentive Compensation Plan payments.

(2)
Restricted stock valued at the market price of the Company's common stock of $20.46 at December 31, 2010. Messrs. Wathen, Zeffiro, Benson, Brooks and Sherbin had 30,840, 16,587, 5,940, 10,494 and 11,664 shares, respectively, that would have been vested upon termination as of December 31, 2010, and

(3)
Stock options valued at the market price of the Company's common stock of $20.46 at December 31, 2010, less the respective exercise prices. Messrs. Wathen, Zeffiro, Benson, Brooks, and Sherbin had 130,556, 54,175, 44,722, 236,709 and 96,670 stock options, respectively, that were exercisable as of December 31, 2010, and 200,000, 90,000, 63,330, 265,568 and 142,500 stock options, respectively, that would be vested upon a change of control.

(4)
With respect to death, the Policy provides that all obligations of the Company to make any further payments, except for accrued but unpaid salary and accrued but unpaid Incentive Compensation Plan awards, terminate as of the date of the Executive's death. Equity awards become 100% vested upon death. Executive's dependents are eligible to receive reimbursement for the employee portion of COBRA premiums for a period not to exceed thirty-six (36) months after the Executive's date of death.

(5)
With respect to disability, the Policy provides that all obligations of the Company to make any further payments, except for accrued but unpaid salary and accrued but unpaid annual incentive compensation plan awards, terminate on the earlier of (a) six (6) months after the disability related termination or (b) the date Executive receives benefits under the Company's long term disability program. Equity awards become 100% vested upon the disability termination.

        In addition, the Policy states that in return for these benefits, each executive covered under the Policy is required to refrain from competing against us for a period following termination that corresponds to the duration of any severance payments the executive would be entitled to receive or 24 months if no severance payments are payable.

        This employment policy may be modified by the Compensation Committee at any time, provided that the prior written consent of the executive is required if the modification adversely impacts the executive. Further, the Compensation Committee may amend or terminate the Policy at any time upon 12 months' written notice to any adversely affected executive.

Retirement Benefits

        The following table summarizes the Company's Benefit Restoration Plan actuarial present value for the participating NEO.

Name
 Plan Name Number of Years of
Credited
Service
 Present Value of
Accumulated
Benefit(1)

Lynn A. Brooks

 TriMas Benefit Restoration Plan 31 $183,800

(1)
The Benefits of the TriMas Benefits Restoration Pension Plan were frozen as of December 31, 2002. Any changes in the present value of the accumulated benefits represent only changes in actuarial assumptions used in calculating the present value of those benefits.

Executive Retirement Program

        The following table summarizes the activity in the nonqualified retirement plans for the Company's NEOs:

Name
 Year Executive
Contributions in
Last Fiscal Year
($)
 Registrant
Contributions in
Last Fiscal Year
($)(1)
 Aggregate
Earnings in Last
Fiscal Year
($)(2)
 Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
($)
 Aggregate
Balance at Last
Fiscal Year-End
($)
 

David M. Wathen

  2010    49,800  7,500    88,300 

  2009    28,500  2,500    31,000 

A. Mark Zeffiro

  
2010
  
  
15,600
  
5,100
  
  
44,000
 

  2009    14,400  4,300    23,300 

  2008    4,700  (100)   4,600 

Thomas M. Benson

  
2010
  
  
8,200
  
1,000
  
  
17,600
 

  2009    3,900  1,000    8,400 

Lynn A. Brooks

  
2010
  
  
36,500
  
35,000
  
  
302,300
 

  2009    33,000  47,500    230,800 

  2008    32,100  (41,600)   150,300 

Joshua A. Sherbin

  
2010
  
  
18,600
  
15,200
  
  
102,400
 

  2009    18,200  17,000    68,600 

  2008    14,400  (21,400)   33,400 

(1)
Represents the Company's contributions to the TriMas Executive Retirement Program. These contributions are included in the column titled "All Other Compensation" in the summary executive compensation table and under "Company Contributions in Retirement and 401K Plans" in the supplemental table.

(2)
In addition to earnings on the TriMas Executive Retirement Program, the amount for Mr. Brooks includes earnings attributable to his participation in the Benefit Restoration Plan. Any changes in the value of the accumulated benefits represent only changes in average performance of the Fidelity Freedom Funds.

        Contributions to the Executive Retirement Program are invested in accordance with each NEO's directive based on the investment options in the Company's retirement program. Investment directives can be amended by the participant at any time.



COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of TriMas Corporation has reviewed and discussed with management this Compensation Discussion and Analysis. Based on this review and discussion, it has recommended to the Board of Directors that this Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in thisthe 2014 Proxy Statement and in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of TriMas Corporation filed for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.

2013.

 
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
Eugene A. Miller, Chairman
Chair
Marshall A. Cohen
Richard M. Gabrys
Marshall A. Cohen
Nancy S. Gougarty
Nick L. Stanage
Daniel P. Tredwell
Samuel Valenti III

Fees Paid to Independent Auditor


45



2013 Summary Compensation Table

The following table presents fees billedsummarizes the total compensation paid to or earned by KPMG for professional audit services rendered relatedthe NEOs in 2013, 2012 and 2011.
Name and Principal Position Year Salary
($)
 
Bonus
($)
(1)
 
Stock Awards
($)(2)(3)
 
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(4)
 
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings
($)(5)
 
All Other Compensation ($) (6)
 Total
($)
David M. Wathen, CEO 2013 710,500
 165,000
 2,227,600
 546,400
 
 151,900
 3,801,400
(principal executive officer) 2012 700,000
 
 2,710,800
 567,400
 
 113,600
 4,091,800
  2011 695,900
 
 1,353,500
 1,166,200
 
 134,000
 3,349,600
                 
A. Mark Zeffiro, CFO 2013 445,600
 70,000
 864,400
 232,700
 
 105,900
 1,718,600
(principal financial officer) 2012 420,400
 
 1,111,400
 232,500
 
 86,000
 1,850,300
  2011 405,000
 
 491,700
 441,000
 
 92,200
 1,429,900
                 
Thomas M. Benson, President, 2013 330,900
 
 307,700
 223,500
 
 45,800
 907,900
  Cequent Performance Products 2012 321,400
 
 347,300
 226,400
 
 45,600
 940,700
  2011 312,200
 
 32,500
 129,900
 
 45,000
 519,600
                 
Lynn A. Brooks, President, 2013 454,800
 
 410,900
 378,000
 (12,900) 178,700
 1,409,500
  Packaging Systems 2012 448,800
 
 456,400
 322,500
 28,100
 121,500
 1,377,300
  2011 436,500
 
 43,100
 172,200
 31,500
 119,900
 803,200
                 
Joshua A. Sherbin 2013 392,500
 45,000
 530,300
 158,600
 
 93,400
 1,219,800
  General Counsel 2012 386,800
 
 839,400
 141,300
 
 91,900
 1,459,400
  2011 375,600
 
 282,800
 282,700
 
 90,900
 1,032,000


(1)
On February 20, 2013, in recognition of their leadership and roles within the Company, the Committee awarded a discretionary cash bonus to the CEO, CFO and General Counsel in the amount of $165,000, $70,000 and $45,000, respectively.
(2)
All awards in this column relate to restricted stock granted under the 2002 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan, the 2006 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan and the 2011 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan that are calculated in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718, “Stock Compensation.” This column includes compensation for performance share units based on the targeted attainment levels, which represents the probable outcome of the performance condition on the date of grant. Included in this amount is the full value of the 20% of 2013 STI amounts earned and required to be paid in restricted stock 2013, with the number of shares determined based on the Company’s closing stock price as of March 1 of the following year. See the “Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2013” table.
(3)
On March 1, 2013, each NEO received time-based restricted stock awards which vest ratably over a three year period. In addition, each NEO received performance-based awards which cliff-vest after three years and are subject to a targeted earnings per share growth rate and cumulative cash flow generated over the performance period. Target fair values for each of the time-based and performance-based awards was $1,045,500 for Mr. Wathen, $403,100 for Mr. Zeffiro, $125,900 for Mr. Benson, $158,200 for Mr. Brooks and $245,300 for Mr. Sherbin. Attainment of the performance-based awards can vary from zero percent if the lowest milestone is not attained to a maximum of 237.5% of target award.
(4)
STI payments are made in the year subsequent to which they were earned. Amounts earned under the 2013 STI were approved by the Committee on February 14, 2014. Amount consists of the portion of the award paid in cash. For additional information about STI awards, please refer to the “Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2013” table.
(5)
The benefits of the TriMas Benefit Restoration Plan were frozen as of December 31, 2002. Therefore, the above amounts represent only the change in actuarial present value of that frozen benefit.
(6)
In 2013, includes perquisite allowance, Company contributions to retirement and 401(k) plans, personal use of corporate aircraft and value conveyed for Company awards. Specifically, in 2013, Messrs. Wathen, Zeffiro, Brooks and Sherbin, each received a perquisite allowance of $55,000, and Mr. Benson received a perquisite allowance of $25,000. Company contributions during 2013 into the retirement and 401(k) plans were $80,000 for Mr. Wathen, $41,000 for Mr. Zeffiro, $20,800 for Mr. Benson, $67,400 for Mr. Brooks and $38,400 for Mr. Sherbin. See “-Compensation Components-Benefit and Retirement Programs.” In addition, under certain circumstances, NEOs may utilize our corporate owned or leased aircraft for personal use (including spousal use). In those instances, the value of the benefit is based on the aggregate incremental cost to the Company. Incremental cost is estimated based on the variable costs to the Company, including fuel costs, mileage, certain maintenance, on-board catering, landing/ramp fees and certain other miscellaneous costs. Fixed costs that do not change based on usage, such as pilot salaries and depreciation of aircraft, are excluded. For income tax purposes, the amounts included in NEO income are calculated based on the standard industry fare level valuation method. No tax gross-ups are provided for this imputed income. Mr. Brooks incurred approximately $55,300 of personal use of Company aircraft during 2013. Where such use is included in the NEO’s spouse accompanying him, the Company has determined that there was no incremental cost for the spouse’s presence on such flights.

46



Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2013
The following table provides information about the awards granted to the auditsNEOs in 2013.
    
Estimated Future Payouts
Under Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards
 
Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity
Incentive Plan Awards
 
All Other
Stock Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units (#)
   
Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and Option
Awards
($)
NameGrant TypeGrant Date 
Threshold
($)
 
Target
($)
 
Maximum
($)
 
Threshold
(#)
 
Target
(#)
 
Maximum
(#)
 
Closing Price on Grant Date
($/share)
 
David M. Wathen
STI(1)
  113,600
 811,200
 1,784,600
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted Stock(2)
3/1/2013 
 
 
 
 
 
 4,890
 29.01
 141,900
 
Restricted Stock(3)
3/1/2013 
 
 
 
 
 
 36,040
 29.01
 1,045,500
 
Performance Stock Unit(4)
3/1/2013 
 
 
 2,703
 36,040
 85,595
 
 29.01
 1,045,500
                     
A. Mark Zeffiro
STI(1)
  48,400
 345,500
 760,100
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted Stock(2)
3/1/2013 
 
 
 
 
 
 2,004
 29.01
 58,100
 
Restricted Stock(3)
3/1/2013 
 
 
 
 
 
 13,896
 29.01
 403,100
 
Performance Stock Unit(4)
3/1/2013 
 
 
 1,043
 13,896
 33,003
 
 29.01
 403,100
                     
Thomas M. Benson
STI(1)
  15,100
 167,900
 335,800
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted Stock(2)
3/1/2013 
 
 
 
 
 
 1,951
 29.01
 56,600
 
Restricted Stock(3)
3/1/2013 
 
 
 
 
 
 4,340
 29.01
 125,900
 
Performance Stock Unit(4)
3/1/2013 
 
 
 326
 4,340
 10,308
 
 29.01
 125,900
                     
Lynn A. Brooks
STI(1)
  26,600
 295,300
 590,600
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted Stock(2)
3/1/2013 
 
 
 
 
 
 2,779
 29.01
 80,600
 
Restricted Stock(3)
3/1/2013 
 
 
 
 
 
 5,454
 29.01
 158,200
 
Performance Stock Unit(4)
3/1/2013 
 
 
 410
 5,454
 12,954
 
 29.01
 158,200
                     
Joshua A. Sherbin
STI(1)
  33,000
 235,500
 518,100
 
 
 
      
 
Restricted Stock(2)
3/1/2013 
 
 
 
 
 
 1,218
 29.01
 35,300
 
Restricted Stock(3)
3/1/2013 
 
 
 
 
 
 8,456
 29.01
 245,300
 
Performance Stock Unit(4)
3/1/2013 
 
 
 635
 8,456
 20,083
 
 29.01
 245,300


(1)
The amounts above in the Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards column are based on awards pursuant to the STI for each NEO with respect to 2013. While each NEO is required to receive 20% of his award in restricted stock, which vests on the first anniversary of the payment of the cash portion, the above figures include 100% of the threshold, target and maximum awards pursuant to the STI. Upon approval of the total STI award by the Committee, 80% of the award value would be paid in cash while 20% would be awarded in restricted stock based on the Company’s then current stock price. The threshold payout is based on the smallest percentage payout of the smallest metric in the NEO’s composite target incentive and the target award is a specified dollar figure for each NEO. The maximum estimated possible payout for each participant is equal to maximum attainment for each metric.
(2)
On March 1, 2013, each NEO received a restricted stock award under the 2011 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan related to the 20% of their 2012 STI award that was required to be received in restricted stock. The number of shares was determined based on the Company’s closing stock price as of the grant date. The shares vest one year from date of grant. The grant date fair value of these shares was included in the Stock Awards column for 2012 of the 2012 Summary Compensation Table, as the value was based on 2012 Company performance.
(3)
On March 1, 2013, each NEO received time-based restricted stock awards under the 2011 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan which vest ratably over a three year period.
(4)
On March 1, 2013, each NEO received performance-based awards under the 2011 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan which cliff-vest after three years and are subject to a targeted earnings per share growth rate (75% of value) and cumulative cash flow generated (25% of value) over the performance period. Attainment of these awards can vary from 7.5% if the lowest milestone is attained to a maximum of 237.5% of the target award.

For a detailed description of the Company's annual financial statementsprograms underlying the awards detailed in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2013 table, please refer to the “Compensation Components” section of the CD&A.

47



Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End for 2013

The following table summarizes the outstanding equity awards to the NEOs as of December 31, 2013:
    Option Awards Share Awards
Name Grant Date 
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable (1)
 
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable
 
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
 
Option
Expiration
Date
 
Number of
Shares
or Units
of Stock that
have not
Vested (#)(2)
 
Market Value
of Shares or
Units of Stock
that have not
Vested
$(3)
 
Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights
that have
not
Vested
(#)(2)
 
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market Value
or Payout
of Shares,
Units
or Other
Rights
that have not
Vested
$(3)
David M. Wathen 1/13/09 66,667
 
 1.38
 1/12/2019
 
 
 
 
  
1/21/11 (4)
 
 
 
 
 8,334
 332,400
 
 
  
2/24/11 (5)
 
 
 
 
 10,500
 418,800
 
 
  
2/24/11 (5)
 
 
 
 
 5,250
 209,400
 
 
  
2/24/11 (5)
 
 
 
 
 5,250
 209,400
 
 
  
3/1/12 (6)
 
 
 
 
 19,182
 765,200
 28,772
 1,147,700
  
3/1/12 (7)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 19,220
 766,700
  
3/1/13 (8)
 
 
 
 
 4,890
 195,100
 
 
  
3/1/13 (9)
 
 
 
 
 36,040
 1,437,600
 36,040
 1,437,600
                   
A. Mark Zeffiro 
2/24/11 (5)
 
 
 
 
 5,250
 209,400
 
 
  
2/24/11 (5)
 
 
 
 
 2,625
 104,700
 
 
  
2/24/11 (5)
 
 
 
 
 2,625
 104,700
 
 
  
3/1/12 (6)
 
 
 
 
 7,865
 313,700
 11,797
 470,600
  
3/1/12 (7)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 7,880
 314,300
  
3/1/13 (8)
 
 
 
 
 2,004
 79,900
 
 
  
3/1/13 (9)
 
 
 
 
 13,896
 554,300
 13,896
 554,300
                   
Thomas M. Benson 3/9/09 12,500
 
 1.01
 3/8/2019
 
 
 
 
  
3/1/12 (6)
 
 
 
 
 2,171
 86,600
 3,256
 129,900
  
3/1/12 (7)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2,175
 86,800
  
3/1/13 (8)
 
 
 
 
 1,951
 77,800
 
 
  
3/1/13 (9)
 
 
 
 
 4,340
 173,100
 4,340
 173,100
                   
Lynn A. Brooks 3/9/09 22,333
 
 1.01
 3/8/2019
 
 
 
 
  
3/1/12 (6)
 
 
 
 
 2,806
 111,900
 4,209
 167,900
  
3/1/12 (7)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2,812
 112,200
  
3/1/13 (8)
 
 
 
 
 2,779
 110,900
 
 
  
3/1/13 (9)
 
 
 
 
 5,454
 217,600
 5,454
 217,600
                   
Joshua A. Sherbin 
2/24/11 (5)
 
 
 
 
 2,920
 116,500
 
 
  
2/24/11 (5)
 
 
 
 
 1,460
 58,200
 
 
  
2/24/11 (5)
 
 
 
 
 1,460
 58,200
 
 
  
3/1/12 (6)
 
 
 
 
 6,004
 239,500
 9,006
 359,200
  
3/1/12 (7)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 6,018
 240,100
  
3/1/13 (8)
 
 
 
 
 1,218
 48,600
 
 
  
3/1/13 (9)
 
 
 
 
 8,456
 337,300
 8,456
 337,300


(1)
Stock options that have been granted under the 2006 and 2002 Long Term Equity Incentive Plans vested over a period of three to seven years. All stock options are currently vested.

(2)
All awards in this column relate to restricted stock and performance share unit grants awarded under the 2006 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan and the 2011 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan.
(3)
The market value is based on the stock price as of December 31, 2013 ($39.89) multiplied by the number of share or unit awards granted.
(4)
Original award vests ratably over three years from grant date.

48



(5)
Awards earned during 2013, vesting 50% upon performance criteria being attained during 2013, with remaining 50% of awards vesting half on the one and two-year anniversaries of the performance criteria attainment date.
(6)
Each NEO received a restricted stock and a performance share unit award as a part of the Company’s 2013 LTI awards. Restricted stock vests ratably over a three year period while the performance share units cliff vest after three years and are subject to a targeted earnings per share and cumulative cash flow levels being attained.
(7)
Award relates to a performance-based Transitional award, 60% of which vested on the one-year grant date anniversary and 40% vests on the second anniversary of the grant date. Attainment is based on reaching targeted levels of earnings per share.
(8)
On March 1, 2013, each NEO received a restricted stock award related to the 20% of their 2012 STI award that was required to be received in restricted stock. The number of shares was determined based on the Company's closing stock price as of the grant date. The shares vest one year from date of the grant.
(9)
On March 1, 2013, each NEO received a restricted stock and a performance share unit award as a part of the Company’s 2013 LTI awards. See the “Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2013” table for details on the grants, including vesting terms.

Option Exercises and Stock Vested in 2013
The following table provides information on stock options and restricted stock awards that vested in 2013 for our NEOs.
  Option Awards Stock Awards
Name Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise
(#)
 
Value Realized
on Exercise
($)(1)
 Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting
(#)
 
Value Realized
on Vesting
($)(2)
David M. Wathen 
 
 118,026
 3,719,500
A. Mark Zeffiro 
 
 72,501
 2,182,400
Thomas M. Benson 33,330
 274,000
 8,132
 235,900
Lynn A. Brooks 
 
 10,555
 306,200
Joshua A. Sherbin 55,000
 382,300
 52,176
 1,556,700


(1)
Calculated by multiplying the number of shares acquired times the difference between the exercise price and the market price of Common Stock at the time of exercise.
(2)
Calculated by multiplying the number of shares acquired times the closing price of Common Stock on the vesting date (or on the last trading day prior to the vesting date if the vesting date was not a trading day).

Pension Benefits for 2013
The following table summarizes the actuarial present values for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, and fees for other services rendered by KPMG during those periods.

participating NEOs under the Company’s Benefit Restoration Plan in 2013.

 
 2010
($)
 2009
($)
 2008
($)
 

Audit Fees

  1,614,500  1,857,000  2,424,300 

Audit-related Fees

  304,100  234,000   

Tax Fees

  20,200    66,900 

All Other Fees

       
        

Total

  1,938,800  2,091,000  2,491,200 
Name Plan Name Number of Years of
Credited
Service
 
Present Value of
Accumulated
Benefit(1)
David M. Wathen N/A  $—
A. Mark Zeffiro N/A  
Thomas M. Benson N/A  
Lynn A. Brooks TriMas Benefit Restoration Plan 34 230,500
Joshua A. Sherbin N/A  

Audit


(1)
The Benefits of the TriMas Benefits Restoration Pension Plan were frozen as of December 31, 2002. Any changes in the present value of the accumulated benefits represent only changes in actuarial assumptions used in calculating the present value of those benefits.

49



2013 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Table
The following table summarizes the activity in the nonqualified retirement plans for the NEOs in 2013:
Name 
Executive Contributions in Last Fiscal Year ($)(1)
 
Registrant
Contributions in
Last Fiscal Year
($)(2)
 
Aggregate
Earnings in Last
Fiscal Year
($)(3)
 Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions ($) 
Aggregate Balance at Last Fiscal Year-End ($)(4)
David M. Wathen 
 62,500
 28,700
 
 299,400
A. Mark Zeffiro 
 24,800
 18,100
 
 130,400
Thomas M. Benson 
 3,200
 3,800
 
 21,500
Lynn A. Brooks 119,100
 41,300
 123,200
 
 825,700
Joshua A. Sherbin 
 21,300
 42,100
 
 219,300


(1)
This contribution is included in the “Salary” column in the 2013 Summary Compensation Table.
(2)
Represents the Company’s contributions to the TriMas Executive Retirement Program. These contributions are included in the column titled “All Other Compensation” in the 2013 Summary Compensation Table.
(3)
None of these amounts are reported in the 2013 Summary Compensation Table.


Contributions to the Executive Retirement Program are invested in accordance with each NEO’s directive based on the investment options in the Company’s retirement program. Investment directives can be amended by the participant at any time.

Post-Employment Compensation
The Company maintains the revised Severance Policy, approved by the Committee in August 2013. The Severance Policy applies to the Company’s executives identified by the Committee, including the NEOs. Each participant is designated by the Compensation Committee as either a Tier I, Tier II, or Tier III participant upon becoming eligible for the Severance Policy. The Severance Policy provides that the Company will make severance payments to an executive if his or her employment is terminated under certain circumstances. The Severance Policy includes an excise tax “cap” provision, which reduces the total amount of payments due under the Severance Policy so as to avoid the imposition of excise taxes and Audit-Related Fees

        Integrated audit fees billedthe resulting loss of tax deductions to the Company under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code.

If the Company terminates the employment of the CEO (Tier I participant) for any reason other than for cause, disability, or death (cause and disability as defined in the Severance Policy), or if he terminates his employment for good reason (as defined in the Severance Policy), the Company will provide him with two years’ annual base salary, STI payments equal to two year’s payout at his target level in effect on the date of termination (generally paid in equal installments over two years), accrued but unpaid base salary and unused vacation, any STI payment that has been declared for him but not paid, his pro-rated STI for the year of termination through the date of termination based on his target level and actual full-year performance, immediate vesting upon the termination date of certain time-based vesting equity awards under the 2002 and 2006 Long-Term Equity Plans and a pro rata portion of time-based vesting equity awards granted on or after March 2, 2013 (and certain performance equity awards based on actual performance) under all equity plans through the termination date, executive level outplacement services renderedfor up to 12 months, and continued medical benefits for up to 24 months following the termination date. The CEO’s termination based compensation is higher than that of other executive officers in connectionthe interest of keeping with the auditCompany policy of compensating executive officers at levels that correspond with their levels of responsibility.
If the Company terminates the employment of any other participating NEO (excluding CEO) for any reason other than cause, disability, or death, or if the executive terminates his or her employment for good reason, the Company will provide the executive with one year’s annual base salary, STI payments equal to one year’s payout at his or her target level in effect on the date of termination (generally paid in equal installments over one year), any STI payment that has been declared for the executive but not paid, his or her pro-rated STI for the year of termination through the date of termination based on his or her target level and actual full-year performance, immediate vesting upon the termination date of certain time-based vesting equity awards under the 2002 and 2006 Long-Term Equity Plans and a pro rata portion of time-based vesting equity awards granted on or after March 2, 2013 (and certain performance equity awards based on actual performance) under all equity plans through the termination date, executive level outplacement services for up to 12 months, and continued medical benefits for up to 12 months following the termination date.

50



In the case of any participating executive’s voluntary termination or termination for cause, the Company pays the executive the accrued base salary through termination plus earned, but unused vacation compensation (and, in the case of voluntary termination, any STI payment that has been declared for the executive but not paid). All other benefits cease as of the Company's annual financial statements andtermination date. If an executive’s employment is terminated due to death, the effectivenessCompany pays the accrued but unpaid base salary as of the Company's financial controls over financial reporting were $1,614,500, $1,857,000,date of death, accrued but unpaid STI compensation and $2,424,300fully vests all of the executive’s outstanding equity awards including performance-based equity awards at the target performance threshold. Other than continued participation in the Company’s medical benefit plan for 2010, 2009the executive’s dependents for up to 36 months, all other benefits cease as of the date of the executive’s death. If an executive is terminated due to becoming disabled, the Company pays the executive earned but unpaid base salary and 2008, respectively. In 2010, audit-related feesSTI payments and fully vests all of $304,100 were incurred primarily related to comfort letter procedures performedthe executive’s outstanding time-based equity awards and performance-based equity awards at the end of the performance period based on actual performance. All other benefits cease as of the date of such termination in connectionaccordance with the Company's registration statement fillings. terms of such benefit plans.
In 2009, audit-related feesthe case of $234,000 were incurred primarily relateda qualifying termination of any Tier I or grandfathered Tier II participating executive’s employment within two years of a change-of-control (as defined below), then, in place of any other severance payments or benefits, the Company will provide the executive with a payment equal to 36 months of his or her base salary rate in effect at the Company's debt refinancing activities.

Tax Fees

        Exceptdate of termination, an STI payment equal to three years’ payout at his or her target level in effect at the date of termination, any STI payment that has been declared for the amounts disclosed above, there were no tax fees billed by KPMG during 2010, 2009executive but not paid, his or her pro-rated STI payout for the year of termination through the date of termination based on his or her target level and 2008, asactual full-year performance, immediate vesting upon the termination date of all unvested and outstanding time-based vesting equity awards, immediate vesting upon the termination date of all unvested and outstanding performance-based equity awards based on target performance, executive level outplacement services for up to 12 months, and continued medical benefits for up to 36 months following the termination date provided that the timing of the foregoing payments will be made in compliance with Code Section 409A.

In the case of a qualifying termination of any Tier III participating executive’s employment within two years of a change-of-control (as defined below), then, in place of any other severance payments or benefits, the Company will provide the executive with a payment equal to 12 months of his or her base salary rate in effect at the date of termination, an STI payment equal to one years’ payout at his or her target level in effect at the date of termination, any STI payment that has retained another firmbeen declared for the executive but not paid, his or her pro-rated STI payout for the year of termination through the date of termination based on his or her target level and actual full-year performance, immediate vesting upon the termination date of all unvested and outstanding time-based vesting equity awards, immediate vesting upon the termination date of all unvested and outstanding performance-based equity awards based on target performance, executive level outplacement services for up to provide tax advice.

        The Audit Committee has determined12 months, and continued medical benefits for up to 12 months following the termination date provided that the rendering of all non-audit services by KPMG is compatible with maintaining such auditor independence.

        We have been advised by KPMG that neither the firm, nor any membertiming of the firm, hasforegoing payments will be made in compliance with Code Section 409A.

For purposes of the Severance Policy, “Change-of-Control” shall be deemed to have occurred upon the first of the following events to occur:
(i) any financial interest, directPerson is or indirect,becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person any capacity insecurities acquired directly from the Company or its subsidiaries.

Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Services of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

        The Audit Committee is responsible for appointing, setting compensation and overseeing the workAffiliates) representing 35% or more of the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee has establishedcombined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities, excluding any Person who becomes such a policy regarding pre-approvalBeneficial Owner in connection with a transaction described in clause (a) of all auditparagraph (iii) below;

(ii) the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors then serving on the Company’s Board: individuals who, on the date hereof, constitute the Company’s Board and non-audit services providedany new director (other than a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating to the election of directors of the Company) whose appointment or election by the independent registered public accounting firm.


        On an ongoing basis, management communicates specific projects and categoriesCompany’s Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved or recommended by a vote of service for which the advance approvalat least two-thirds of the Audit Committee is requested. The Audit Committee reviews these requests and advises management ifdirectors then still in office who either were directors on the committee approves the engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm. No services are undertaken which are not pre-approved. On a periodic basis, management reports to the Audit Committee regarding the actual spendingdate hereof or whose appointment, election or nomination for such projects and services compared to theelection was previously so approved amounts. All of the services provided by our independent auditor in 2010, 2009 and 2008, including services related to audit, audit-related fees, tax fees and all other fees described above, were approved by the Audit Committee under its pre-approval policies.

        The Audit Committee's policies permit the Company's independent accountants, KPMG, to provide audit-related services, tax services and non-audit services to the Company, subject to the following conditions:

(iii) there is consummated a merger, consolidation, wind-up, reorganization or restructuring of the Company with or into any other entity, or a similar event or series of such events, other than (a) any such event or series of events which results in (1) the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such event or series of events continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or any parent thereof), in combination with the ownership of any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, at least 51% of the combined voting power of the securities of the

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Company or such surviving entity or any parent thereof outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and (2) the individuals who comprise the Board immediately prior thereto constituting immediately thereafter at least a majority of the board of directors of the Company, the entity surviving such merger or consolidation or, if the Company or the entity surviving such merger is then a subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof, or (b) any such event or series of events effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities Beneficially Owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or its Affiliates) representing 35% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; or
(iv) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or there is consummated an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all such engagements under (a), (b) and (c) may not exceed $350,000 in any calendar quarter; and

        (4)   The Chairmanor substantially all of the Audit Committee willCompany’s assets (it being conclusively presumed that any sale or disposition is a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of its assets if the consummation of the sale or disposition is contingent upon approval by the Company’s stockholders unless the Board expressly determines in writing that such approval is required solely by reason of any relationship between the Company and any other Person or an Affiliate of the Company and any other Person), other than a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity (a) at least 51% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale or disposition and (b) the majority of whose board of directors immediately following such sale or disposition consists of individuals who comprise the Board immediately prior thereto.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) a “Change-of-Control” shall not be promptly notifieddeemed to have occurred by virtue of each engagement,the consummation of any transaction or series of integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders of the common stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in an entity which owns all or substantially all of the assets of the Company immediately following such transaction or series of transactions and (b) if required to avoid accelerated taxation and/or tax penalties under Section 409A of the Audit Committee willCode, a “Change-of-Control” shall be updated quarterly on all engagements, including fees.

deemed to have occurred only if the transaction or event qualifies as a Section 409A Change-of-Control.

In addition, the Severance Policy states that in return for these benefits, each executive covered under the Severance Policy must refrain from competing against the Company for a period following termination that corresponds to the duration of any severance payments the executive would be entitled to receive or 24 months if no severance payments are payable.
The Severance Policy may be modified by the Committee at any time, provided that the prior written consent of the executive is required if the modification adversely impacts the executive. Further, the Committee may amend or terminate the Severance Policy at any time upon 12 months’ written notice to any adversely affected executive.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-of-Control as of December 31, 2013
The following table estimates the potential executive benefits and payments due to the CEO and other NEOs upon certain terminations of employment or a Change-of-Control, assuming such events occur on December 31, 2013. These estimates do not reflect the actual amounts that would be paid to such persons, which would only be known at the time that they become eligible for payment and would only be payable if the specified event occurs.

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  Involuntary termination by Company without cause or termination by executive for good reason
($)
 Involuntary termination by Company for cause
($)
 Qualifying termination in connection with a change of control
($)
 
Death
$(4)
 
Termination as a result of disability
$(5)
David M. Wathen          
Cash payments (1)
 3,064,400
 
 4,596,600
 811,200
 811,200
Value of restricted stock (2)
 4,508,200
 
 6,920,000
 6,920,000
 6,920,000
Value of stock options (3)
 
 
 
 
 
Outplacement services 50,000
 
 50,000
 
 
Medical benefits 33,400
 
 50,000
 50,000
 
Total 7,656,000
 
 11,616,600
 7,781,200
 7,731,200
           
A. Mark Zeffiro          
Cash payments (1)
 806,200
 
 2,418,600
 345,500
 345,500
Value of restricted stock (2)
 1,766,000
 
 2,706,100
 2,706,100
 2,706,100
Value of stock options (3)
 
 
 
 
 
Outplacement services 30,000
 
 30,000
 
 
Medical benefits 16,700
 
 50,000
 50,000
 
Total 2,618,900
 
 5,204,700
 3,101,600
 3,051,600
           
Thomas M. Benson          
Cash payments (1)
 503,700
 
 503,700
 167,900
 167,900
Value of restricted stock (2)
 430,600
 
 727,300
 727,300
 727,300
Value of stock options (3)
 
 
 
 
 
Outplacement services 30,000
 
 30,000
 
 
Medical benefits 16,700
 
 16,700
 16,700
 
Total 981,000
 
 1,277,700
 911,900
 895,200
           
Lynn A. Brooks          
Cash payments (1)
 750,100
 
 2,250,300
 295,300
 295,300
Value of restricted stock (2)
 561,400
 
 938,000
 938,000
 938,000
Value of stock options (3)
 
 
 
 
 
Outplacement services 30,000
 
 30,000
 
 
Medical benefits 16,700
 
 50,000
 50,000
 
Total 1,358,200
 
 3,268,300
 1,283,300
 1,233,300
           
Joshua A. Sherbin          
Cash payments (1)
 628,000
 
 1,884,000
 235,500
 235,500
Value of restricted stock (2)
 1,198,600
 
 1,795,000
 1,795,000
 1,795,000
Value of stock options (3)
 
 
 
 
 
Outplacement services 30,000
 
 30,000
 
 
Medical benefits 16,700
 
 50,000
 50,000
 
Total 1,873,300
 
 3,759,000
 2,080,500
 2,030,500


(1)
Comprised of base salary as of December 31, 2013 and STI payments.


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(2)
Restricted stock includes time-based shares and performance-based share units, and are either included on a pro-rata basis for the portion of the earnings period that has elapsed or on a fully-vested basis as required by the terms of the Severance Policy. In addition, the number of performance-based share units included assumes the target metric would be achieved. Restricted stock is valued at the market price of the Common Stock of $39.89 at December 31, 2013. Messrs. Wathen, Zeffiro, Benson, Brooks and Sherbin had 113,016, 44,271, 10,792, 14,072 and 30,047 shares, respectively, that would have been vested upon an involuntary termination without cause or by executive for good reason as of December 31, 2013, and 173,478, 67,838, 18,233, 23,514 and 44,998 shares, respectively, that would have been vested upon a change-of-control, death or disability.
(3)
All stock options held by the NEO's as of December 31, 2013 were exercisable, so no incremental benefit would be earned should one of the above events occur. Messrs. Wathen, Zeffiro, Benson, Brooks and Sherbin had 66,667, 0, 12,500, 22,333 and 0 stock options, respectively, as of December 31, 2013.
(4)
With respect to death, the Severance Policy provides that all obligations of the Company to make any further payments, except for accrued but unpaid salary and accrued but unpaid STI awards, terminate as of the date of the NEO’s death. Equity awards become 100% vested upon death. Each NEO’s dependents are eligible to receive reimbursement for the employee portion of COBRA premiums for a period not to exceed thirty-six (36) months after the NEO’s date of death.
(5)
With respect to disability, the Severance Policy provides that all obligations of the Company to make any further payments, except for accrued but unpaid salary and accrued but unpaid annual STI awards, terminate on the earlier of (a) six (6) months after the disability related termination or (b) the date the NEO receives benefits under the Company’s long-term disability program. Equity awards become 100% vested upon the disability termination.



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TRIMAS CORPORATION
39400 WOODWARD AVENUE SUITE 130
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI 48304
VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com
Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.

ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS
If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years.
VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903
Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.
VOTE BY MAIL
Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.

THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY

TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date TRIMAS CORPORATION M33923-P08502 TRIMAS CORPORATION ATTN: JOSHUA SHERBIN 39400 WOODWARD AVENUE SUITE 130 BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI 48304 KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS
DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY
THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTEFOR THE FOLLOWING:
ForWithholdFor All
AllAllExcept
1.   Election of Directors
ooo
Nominees
01 Richard M. Gabrys
02  Eugene A. Miller
To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below.


To vote against all nominees, mark “Withhold All” above. To vote against an individual nominee, mark “For All Except” and write the nominee’s number on the line above.
ForAgainstAbstain
2.Ratification of the nominee(s)appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014ooo
ForAgainstAbstain
3.Approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, the line below. compensation paid to the Company’s Named Executive Officersooo

NOTE: This proxy/voting instruction, when properly executed, will be voted in accordance with the directions indicated, and if no directions are given, will be voted FOR proposal 1, 2 and proposal 3. The proxies will vote in their discretion upon any and all other matters which may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.


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YesNo
Please indicate if you plan to attend this meeting. For All Withhold All For All Except 0 0 0 0 0 Yes No 01) Richard M. Gabrys 02) Eugene A. Miller 1. Election of Directors Nominees VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years. VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. NOTE: This proxy/voting instruction, when properly executed, will be voted in accordance with the directions indicated, and if no directions are given, will be voted FOR proposals 1, 2 and 3 and will be voted for the three-year frequency in proposal 4. The proxies will vote in their discretion upon any and all other matters which may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following: 2. To approve the TriMas Corporation 2011 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan. 3. To approve a non-binding, advisory vote regarding the compensation of the Company's Named Executive Officers. Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name, by authorized officer. To vote against all nominees, mark Withhold All above. To vote against an individual nominee, mark For All Except and write the nominees number on the line above. The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposals 2 and 3: The Board of Directors recommends you vote 3 YEARS on the following proposal: 4. To hold a non-binding, advisory vote regarding the frequency of voting on the compensation of the Company's Named Executive Officers. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 For Against Abstain 1 Year 2 Years 3 Years Abstain

o

Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name, by authorized officer.

FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 10, 2011 AND ANY ADJOURNMENTS OR POSTPONEMENTS THEREOF THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF TRIMAS CORPORATION Properly executed proxies received by the day before the cut-off date or the meeting date will be voted as marked and, if not marked, will be voted FOR proposals 1, 2 and 3 and for the three-year frequency in proposal 4. By casting your voting instructions on the reverse side of this proxy form, you hereby (a) acknowledge receipt of the proxy statement related to the above-referenced meeting, (b) appoint the individuals named in such proxy statement, and each of them, as proxies, with full power of substitution, to vote all shares of TriMas Corporation's common stock that you would be entitled to cast if personally present at such meeting and at any postponement or adjournment thereof, and (c) revoke any proxies previously given. This proxy will be voted as specified by you. If no choice is specified, the proxy will be voted according to the Board of Director Recommendations indicated on the reverse side of this proxy, and according to the discretion of the proxy holders for any other matters that may properly come before the meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof. Please date, sign and mail the proxy promptly in the self-addressed return envelope which requires no postage if mailed in the United States. When signing as an attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give your full title as such. If shares are held jointly, both owners should sign. Alternatively, you may vote by phone or the Internet, as described in the instructions on the reverse side of the proxy. ADMISSION TICKET Please retain and present this top portion of the proxy card as your admission ticket together with a valid picture identification to gain admittance to the Annual Meeting. IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 10, 2011 The Proxy Statement and 2010 Annual Report of TriMas Corporation are also available at: http:// www.trimascorp.com/2011proxy M33924-P08502 Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Proxy Statement and 2010 Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com. Continued and to be signed on reverse side

Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX]DateSignature (Joint Owners)Date




QuickLinks

TriMas Corporation NOTICE OF 2011 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS To be held May 10, 2011
ADMISSION TICKET
Please retain and present this top portion of the proxy card as your admission ticket together with a valid picture identification to gain admittance to the Annual Meeting.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 10, 2011
8, 2014
The Proxy Statement and 2013 Annual Report of TriMas Corporation 39400 Woodward Avenue, Suite 130 Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304 PROXY STATEMENT are also available at: http://ir.trimascorp.com/2014proxy
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Notice & Proxy Statement and 2013 Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com.
FOR 2011THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 8, 2014
AND ANY ADJOURNMENTS OR POSTPONEMENTS THEREOF
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF TRIMAS CORPORATION
Properly executed proxies received by the day before the cut-off date or the meeting date will be voted as marked and, if not marked, will be voted FOR all of the nominees for director under proposal 1 and FOR proposals 2 and 3.
By casting your voting instructions on the reverse side of this proxy form, you hereby (a) acknowledge receipt of the proxy statement related to the above-referenced meeting, (b) appoint the individuals named in such proxy statement, and each of them, as proxies, with full power of substitution, to vote all shares of TriMas Corporation’s common stock that you would be entitled to cast if personally present at such meeting and at any postponement or adjournment thereof, and (c) revoke any proxies previously given.
This proxy will be voted as specified by you. If no choice is specified, the proxy will be voted according to the Board of Director Recommendations indicated on the reverse side of this proxy, and according to the discretion of the proxy holders for any other matters that may properly come before the meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof.
Please date, sign and mail the proxy promptly in the self-addressed return envelope which requires no postage if mailed in the United States. When signing as an attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give your full title as such. If shares are held jointly, both owners should sign. Alternatively, you may vote by phone or the Internet, as described in the instructions on the reverse side of the proxy.
Continued and to be signed on reverse side


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QuickLinks
LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS
PROXY SUMMARY
ABOUT THE MEETING
PROPOSAL 1—1- ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RISK MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONSCOMPENSATION
Director Compensation TableDIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PROPOSAL 2—APPROVAL2 - RATIFICATION OF 2011 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLANINDEPENDENT AUDITOR
PROPOSAL 3—ADVISORY VOTE ON COMPENSATION PAID TO NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS3 - SAY-ON-PAY
PROPOSAL 4—ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCYSECURITY OWNERSHIP OF SAY-ON-PAY VOTESCERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION Compensation Discussion and Analysis Overview- COMPENSATION DISCUSSSION AND ANALYSIS OVERVIEW
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
PROXY CARD

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