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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LOGO

Notice of 2022 Annual Meeting

of Shareholders

(3)Filing Party:

(4)Date Filed:


THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY

Notice of 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

Place

Live via the internet at

www.proxydocs.com/GRC

  
600 South Airport Road
Mansfield, OH  44903

Date and Time

April 26, 2018

28, 2022

10:00 a.m. Eastern Time

 

Record Date

Close of business on

February 28, 2022

Items of Business


1.Fix the number of Directors of the Company at eight and to elect eight Directors to hold office until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their successors are elected and qualified;

2.Approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named Executive Officers;

3.Ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company during the year ending December 31, 2018; and

4.Conduct such other business as may properly come before

 

 

   

 

  Board
Recommendation
  Page  

1.

  

Fix the number of Directors of the Company at nine and to elect nine Directors to hold office until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their successors are elected and qualified;

  FOR each of

the nominees

  3

2.

  

Approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named Executive Officers;

  FOR  27

3.

  

Ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company for the year ending December 31, 2022; and

  FOR  28

4.

  

Conduct any other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

      

Important Notice Regarding the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Record Date
Close of businessShareholders to be held on March 5, 2018

April 28, 2022 — Due to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) the Company will hold the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of The Gorman-Rupp Company in a virtual meeting format only, via webcast. The Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, April 28, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT). To participate in and/or vote at the virtual Annual Meeting shareholders must pre-register at www.proxydocs.com/GRC by entering their control number found on their enclosed proxy card prior to the deadline specified thereon. Upon completing your pre-registration, you will receive further instructions via email, including your unique link that will allow you access to the Annual Meeting and will also permit you to submit questions prior to the Annual Meeting.

Important Notice Regarding the Internet Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 26, 2018 28, 2022 This Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Proxy Statement and related Proxy Card and the Company’s 20172021 Annual Report to Shareholders are available at http://www.proxyvote.comwww.proxypush.com/GRC. To access the proxy materialscast your vote, you will need to enter the 16-digit12-digit control number located on the proxy card.

Your vote is important. Even if you plan to participate in the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, please cast your vote at your earliest convenience before the Annual Meeting in case you are unable to attend. You may vote by telephone or internet by following the instructions on the enclosed proxy card, or by signing and submitting your enclosed proxy card and returning it in the enclosed envelope (which requires no postage if mailed in the United States), regardless of whether you plan to attendparticipate in the Annual Meeting.


By Order of the Board of Directors

BRIGETTE A. BURNELL

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

March 21, 2022


To Our Shareholders

LOGO

Dear Shareholders:

Letter from the Executive Chairman

It’s a pleasure to invite you to our 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. I hope you can join us virtually on the webcast Thursday, April 28, 2022, at 10:00 a.m.

During 2021, while we continued to manage the uncertainties related to the global economic recovery, our management team also remained focused on long-term growth opportunities and strategic initiatives that will enable us to continue to deliver shareholder value. During the meeting, we will provide an update on the performance of the Company in 2021 and the first quarter of 2022. It is also a good opportunity for us to hear directly from you.

Your vote is important. Even if you are unable to participate, it is important that your shares be represented and voted. Please refer to the voting instructions in the Notice of 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on the preceding page.

On behalf of the Board and all of our employees, thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

LOGO

Jeffrey S. Gorman

LOGO

Dear Shareholders:

Letter from the Lead Independent Director

It is an honor to serve on the Gorman-Rupp Board as your Lead Independent Director. In 2021, through our ongoing succession planning process, we were excited to announce the transition of the position of Chief Executive Officer from Jeffrey S. Gorman to Scott A. King effective as of January 1, 2022. The Board appreciates the many significant contributions Jeff has made over the twenty-two years he has served in the CEO role and looks forward to continuing to work with him in his new role of Executive Chairman. We are confident that Scott will continue to build on the strong foundation and culture that has allowed the Company to be successful during our nearly 90-year history.

I hope you can join us at our 2022 Annual Meeting. Thank you for your continued investment and support of Gorman-Rupp.

Sincerely,

LOGO

M. Ann Harlan

LOGO


  
BRIGETTE A. BURNELL
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
March 23, 2018  Summary of Annual Meeting Proposals  

Summary of Annual Meeting Proposals


This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. It does not contain all of the information you should consider. You should read the entire Proxy Statement before voting.

Proposal
Recommendation
of the Board
1.Election of DirectorsFOR each of the nominees
Eight Director Nominees:
James C. Gorman, Chairman

Proposal

Recommendation
of the Board

1.

Election of Directors

Nine Director Nominees:

Donald H. Bullock, Jr. (Independent)

Jeffrey S. Gorman, Executive Chairman

M. Ann Harlan (Independent)

Scott A. King, President and Chief Executive Officer

M. Ann Harlan (Independent)
Thomas E. Hoaglin (Independent)

Christopher H. Lake (Independent)

Sonja K. McClelland (Independent)

Vincent K. Petrella (Independent)

Kenneth R. Reynolds (Independent)

Rick R. Taylor (Independent)

W. Wayne Walston (Independent)

Director Term: One Year

Director Election: Plurality of votes cast

  FOR each of
the nominees

2.

  
2.

Advisory Vote on the Compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers

FOR

3.

  
Compensation Highlights:
Pay for Performance:  Yes
No Pledging and Hedging Policy:  Yes
Recoupment Policy:  Yes
Utilize Performance-Based Restricted Shares:  Yes
3.

Ratification of Appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the year ending December 31, 2022

FOR

2022 Proxy Statement    |    THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY1


    General Shareholder Information  

PROXY STATEMENT

March 23, 2018

SOLICITATION AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES
21, 2022

Solicitation and Revocation of Proxies

This Proxy Statement is being furnished to shareholders of The Gorman-Rupp Company (the “Company”) in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors” or “Board”) of proxies for use at the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders (the “Meeting”) to be held live virtually via webcast at the Company’s Corporate Headquarters, 600 South Airport Road, Mansfield, Ohio,www.proxydocs.com/GRC, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on Thursday, April 26, 2018.28, 2022. Holders of Common Shares of record at the close of business on March 5, 2018February 28, 2022 are the only shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting.

A shareholder, without affecting any vote previously taken, may revoke their proxy by the execution and delivery to the Company of a later datedlater-dated proxy with respect to the same shares, or by giving notice of revocation to the Company in writing or at the Meeting. The presenceattendance at the Meeting of the person appointing a proxy does not in and of itself revoke the appointment.

OUTSTANDING SHARES AND VOTING RIGHTS

Outstanding Shares and Voting Rights

As of March 5, 2018,February 28, 2022, the record date for the determination of persons entitled to vote at the Meeting, there were 26,106,62326,079,115 Common Shares outstanding. Each Common Share is entitled to one vote on each proposal.

The mailing address of the principal executive office of the Company is P.O. Box 1217, Mansfield, Ohio 44901-1217. This Proxy Statement and accompanying proxy card are being mailed to shareholders on or about March 23, 2018.

21, 2022.

A quorum will be present at the Meeting if there are, present,in attendance in person or by proxy, shareholders of record entitled to exercise at least 50% of the voting power of the Company with respect to at least one of the purposes for which the Meeting was called.

With respect to the election of Directors (Proposal No. 1), the eightnine nominees receiving the greatest number of votes will be elected. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be voted for or withheld from the election of directors and thus will have no effect on the election of directors.

If notice in writing is given by any shareholder to the President, a Vice President or the Secretary of the Company, not less than 48 hours before the time fixed for the holding of the Meeting, that such shareholder desires that the voting for the election of Directors be cumulative, and if announcement of the giving of such notice is made upon the convening of the Meeting by the Chairman or Secretary or by or on behalf of the shareholder giving such notice, each shareholder shall have the right to cumulate such voting power as they possessthe shareholder possesses at such election. Under cumulative voting, a shareholder controls voting power equal to the number of votes which theythe shareholder otherwise would have been entitled to cast multiplied by the number of Directors to be elected. All of such votes may be cast for a single nominee or may be distributed among any two or more nominees as theythe shareholder may desire. If cumulative voting is invoked, and unless contrary instructions are given by a shareholder who signs a proxy, all votes represented by such proxy will be divided evenly among the candidates nominated by the Board of Directors, except that if such voting should for any reason not be effective to elect all of the nominees named in this Proxy Statement, then such votes will be cast so as to maximize the number of the Board of Directors’ nominees elected to the Board.

With respect to the advisory vote to approve the compensation of the Company’s named Executive Officers (Proposal No. 2), and the ratification of the independent registered public accounting firm (Proposal No. 3), the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast is necessary to approve each such proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be voted for or against such proposals and will not be counted in the number of votes cast on such proposals.

2THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY    |    2022 Proxy Statement


  Election of Directors  

Brokerage firms have the authority to vote shares on certain “routine” matters when their customers do not provide voting instructions. However, on other matters, when the brokerage firm has not received voting instructions from its customers, the brokerage firm cannot vote the shares on that matter and a “broker non-vote” occurs. Proposal No. 3 is a routine matter, but the other proposals in this proxy statementProxy Statement are non-routine matters.

Our Board of Directors recommends that you vote

FOR the election of each of the 2022 director nominees

1

Our Board of Directors recommends that you vote
FOR the election of each of the 2018 director nominees

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

(Proposal No. 1)

All Directors will be elected to hold office until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their successors are elected and qualified. Proxies received will be voted in the manner directed therein. If no such direction is provided, proxies received are intended to be voted in favor of fixing the number of Directors at eightnine and for the election of the nominees named below.

Each of the Director nominees is presentlyhas indicated a Director of the Company. Mr. Jeffrey S. Gorman is the son of Mr. James C. Gorman.

Inwillingness to serve if elected. However, in the event that any of the nominees should become unavailable, which the Board of Directors does not anticipate, proxies are intended to be voted in favor of fixing the number of Directors at a lesser number equal to the number of available Board-designated nominees or for the election of a substitute nominee or nominees designated by the Board of Directors, in the discretion of the persons appointed as proxy holders. If cumulative voting in the election of directors is invoked at a time when any of the nominees become unavailable, unless contrary instructions are given by a shareholder who signs a proxy, all votes represented by such proxy will be divided evenly among the available candidates nominated by the Board, except that, the proxies may be voted cumulatively for less than the entire number of candidates nominated by the Board if any situation arises which, in the opinion of the proxy holders, makes such action necessary or desirable.

Director Nominees

LOGO

 

James C. GormanDonald H. Bullock, Jr.

Age:   93

62

Director of the Company since 1946

Chairman of the Board
2020

Independent

Donald H. Bullock Jr. is the retired Senior Vice President of Investor Relations of Eaton Corporation (“Eaton”), a New York Stock Exchange publicly-traded diversified industrial manufacturer that provides energy-efficient solutions to help customers manage electrical and mechanical power. Mr. Bullock worked for Eaton in various global business management, information technology and finance roles from 1998 until his retirement in 2019, previously serving as Vice President and General Manager, General Products Divisions from 2006 to 2011; Corporate Vice President, Asia Pacific from 2003 to 2006; Chief Information Officer and Vice President, Information Technology from 2000 to 2003 and Director, Finance from 1998 to 2000. Prior to joining Eaton, Mr. Bullock was employed by the Index Group, a general management consulting firm.

Mr. Bullock is a senior executive with over 20 years of experience and qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” under SEC rules. He has broad experience in international business operations, investor relations and information technology and security.

2022 Proxy Statement James C. Gorman is Chairman of the Board and son of J.C. Gorman, co-founder of the Company. Mr. Gorman has been Chairman of the Board since 1989 and served as the Company’s President from 1964 until 1989, and as Chief Executive Officer from 1964 until 1996. Mr. Gorman also served on the Board    |    THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY3


  Election of Directors  of United Telephone Company of Ohio for 20 years and was Treasurer of a multi-million dollar international not-for-profit entity for 35 years.
Mr. Gorman was instrumental in the Company’s development and growth for more than 30 years as President and Chief Executive Officer and for 11 years in sales, and therefore is highly knowledgeable about the pump industry and the Company’s products, customers and competitors.

LOGO

 

Jeffrey S. Gorman

Age:   65

69

Director of the Company since 1989

President and Chief

Executive Officer

Jeffrey S. Gorman is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. He was elected to these offices on May 1, 1998, after having served as Senior Vice President since 1996. He also served as General Manager of Gorman-Rupp Pumps USA from 1989 through 2005 after service as Assistant General Manager from 1986 to 1988. Additionally, he held the office of Corporate Secretary from 1982 to 1990. Mr. Gorman is a member of the Board of Directors of Mechanics Bank, Mansfield, Ohio and former Chairman of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.

Jeffrey S. Gorman is Executive Chairman of the Company, having served as Chairman of the Board since 2019. Mr. Gorman previously served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company from 1998 to 2021. He also served as President from 1998 to 2020 after having served as Senior Vice President since 1996. He also served as General Manager of Gorman-Rupp Pumps USA from 1989 through 2005 after service as Assistant General Manager from 1986 to 1988. Additionally, he held the office of Corporate Secretary from 1982 to 1990. Mr. Gorman is a member of the Board of Directors of Mechanics Bank, Mansfield, Ohio and former Chairman of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Gorman has been instrumental in continuing the Company’s development and growth for more than 30 years, especially with respect to its acquisitions and its international growth. He also is highly knowledgeable about the pump industry and the Company’s products, customers and competitors.

2

LOGO

 

M. Ann Harlan

Age:   58

62

Director of the Company since 2009

Independent

M. Ann Harlan is the retired Vice President and General Counsel of the J.M. Smucker Company (“Smucker”), a New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) publicly-traded food manufacturer. From January 1998 to January 2011, Ms. Harlan was a member of the Smucker executive management team responsible for setting and implementing corporate strategy and has broad experience with corporate governance issues and requirements of the NYSE, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. In addition, Ms. Harlan is a founder and Co-CEO of Harlan Peterson Partners.  She is also a member of the Advisory Board of Gates Group Capital Partners and serves on the Board of Trustees of University Hospitals Health System, Inc., the Board of Directors of FlavorX and is the immediate past chair of the Board of The First Tee of Cleveland. From 2010 until its sale to Archer Daniels Midland in 2015, Ms. Harlan was also a Director of Eatem Foods Company.

M. Ann Harlan is the retired Vice President and General Counsel of The J.M. Smucker Company (“Smucker”), a New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) publicly-traded food manufacturer. From January 1998 to January 2011, Ms. Harlan was a member of the Smucker executive management team responsible for setting and implementing corporate strategy and has broad experience with corporate governance issues and requirements of the NYSE, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. In addition, Ms. Harlan serves on the Board of University Hospitals Health System, Inc. From 2012 until 2019, she was a member of the Advisory Board of Gates Group Capital Partners. From 2010 until its sale to Archer Daniels Midland in 2015, Ms. Harlan was also a Director of Eatem Foods Company. Ms. Harlan also previously served on the Board of Directors of Cleveland Cliffs Inc., a NYSE listed mining company (CLR).

Ms. Harlan has 13 years of experience as senior legal counsel at Smucker, which has significant family ownership and family senior management generally comparable to the ownership structure of the Company. She has extensive mergers and acquisition experience with Smucker and 15 years prior related experience with a major law firm. She also has broad experience with public company governance issues, audit matters, executive compensation and equity compensation plan development and administration as well as human resources issues.


LOGO

 
Thomas E. Hoaglin

Scott A. King

Age:   68

47

Director of the Company since 1993 and previously served as a Director from 1986 - 1989

Independent
Thomas E. Hoaglin served as Chairman, 2021

President and Chief Executive Officer of Huntington Bancshares, Inc., a publicly-traded financial institution, from 2001 to his retirement in February 2009. Mr. Hoaglin is currently a Director of American Electric Power Company, Inc., a NYSE publicly traded electric utility holding company, where he is the Lead Independent Director, Chair of the Committee on Directors and Corporate Governance and also serves on the Human Resources (Compensation) Committee, Executive Committee and Policy Committee. Mr. Hoaglin is a Director of The Jeffrey Company and serves as member of the National Association of Corporate Directors Nominating and Governance Committee Chair Advisory Council.

Scott A. King is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. In 2004, he joined Gorman-Rupp Pumps USA as Manufacturing Manager and progressed through multiple positions including Director of Manufacturing, Vice President of Operations, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. King served in various capacities with Fortune 500 diversified industrial manufacturers. He is the past President of the Regional Manufacturing Coalition and a member of the Board of Directors for the Hydraulic Institute.

Mr. King has been instrumental in the operational leadership of the Company for more than 15 years. He is highly knowledgeable about the pump industry and the Company’s products, customers and competitors.

4THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY    |    2022 Proxy Statement
Mr. Hoaglin qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” under SEC rules, in connection with his service as Chair of the Audit Committee. He has extensive major-corporation executive management experience and extensive board of directors’ experience in governance and executive compensation matters of publicly-held companies.


 
  Election of Directors  

LOGO

Christopher H. Lake

Age:   53

57

Director of the Company since 2000

Independent

Christopher H. Lake has been President and Chief Operating Officer of SRI Quality System Registrar, an international third party ISO registrar and certification audit firm, since December 2005, after having served as Vice President from July to December 2005. The firm has operations in the United States, Asia and the European Union. Mr. Lake served as President of Dean & Lake Consulting, Inc., a regional consulting group that focused on operations and product development from 2001 to July 2005. Previously, Mr. Lake was Principal and Industry Executive for a Fortune 500 global consulting company.

Christopher H. Lake has been President and Chief Operating Officer of SRI Quality System Registrar, an international third party ISO registrar and certification audit firm, since December 2005, after having served as Vice President from July to December 2005. The firm has operations in the United States, Asia and the European Union. Mr. Lake served as President of Dean & Lake Consulting, Inc., a regional consulting group that focused on operations and product development from 2001 to July 2005. Previously, Mr. Lake was Principal and Industry Executive for a Fortune 500 global consulting company.

Mr. Lake has major corporate service and operations experience with large service, banking and telecommunications clients. He also has extensive experience providing information technology services to large domestic and international companies.

LOGO

Sonja K. McClelland

Age:   50

Director of the Company since 2019

Independent

Sonja K. McClelland is the Executive Vice President, Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer of Hurco Companies, Inc. (“Hurco”), a NASDAQ publicly-traded international industrial technology company that designs, manufactures and sells computerized machine tools. Ms. McClelland has worked for Hurco in various finance and accounting roles since September 1996 most recently serving as Executive Vice President since 2017; Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer since March 2014, Corporate Secretary from March 2014 to March 2021, and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer since her appointment as Corporate Controller and Assistant Secretary in November 2004. Prior to joining Hurco, Ms. McClelland was employed by Arthur Anderson LLP following her graduation from college.

Ms. McClelland is a senior financial executive with nearly 30 years of experience in public accounting and financial reporting responsibilities and qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” under SEC rules for service on the Audit Committee. She is a versatile business professional with a diverse background in corporate accounting and finance, manufacturing operations, investor relations, strategic planning, acquisitions and divestitures, complex international organizational structures, transfer-pricing and international tax strategies, foreign currency risk management, SEC reporting, compliance risk management, systems implementations, and corporate governance matters.

LOGO

Vincent K. Petrella

Age:   61

Director of the Company since 2020

Independent

Vincent K. Petrella is the retired Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:LECO) — a role he held from 2004 to 2020. He held prior roles within the finance and internal audit functions at Lincoln Electric from 1995 through 2003 and began his career at an international public accounting firm. Lincoln Electric engages in the design, manufacture, and sale of welding, cutting, and brazing products worldwide. Mr. Petrella is currently a Director of Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:AIT), a publicly-traded value-added distributor of industrial supplies, and Sotera Health Company (NASDAQ:SHC), a publicly-traded healthcare supplier.

Mr. Petrella qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” under SEC rules with his extensive experience in public accounting and financial reporting responsibilities. He also has broad experience with international acquisitions, business strategy and manufacturing operations.

2022 Proxy Statement    |    THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY5
3


  Election of Directors  

LOGO

Kenneth R. Reynolds

Age:   59

63

Director of the Company since 2014

Independent

Kenneth R. Reynolds serves on the Board of Directors of Ariel Corporation in addition to being the company’s Executive Vice President and Treasurer.  He previously served as its Chief Financial Officer from 1997 to 2016.  Ariel has been a major designer and manufacturer of a wide variety of compressors for diverse global petroleum markets for over 50 years. Its compressors are in service worldwide in refineries, gas fields, pipeline service and gas gathering, making it a world leader in gas compression. Previously, Mr. Reynolds, a Certified Public Accountant, was a partner with a regional public accounting firm which he joined following his college graduation.

Kenneth R. Reynolds serves on the Board of Directors of Ariel Corporation and, in 2020 retired from being the company’s Executive Vice President and Treasurer. He previously served as its Chief Financial Officer from 1997 to 2016. Ariel has been a major designer and manufacturer of a wide variety of compressors for diverse global petroleum markets for over 50 years. Its compressors are in service worldwide in refineries, gas fields, pipeline service and gas gathering, making it a world leader in gas compression. Previously, Mr. Reynolds, a Certified Public Accountant, was a partner with a regional public accounting firm which he joined following his college graduation.

Mr. Reynolds has over 30 years of financial systems management and reporting experience and qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” under SEC rules for service on the Audit Committee. Additionally, Mr. Reynolds has extensive international Fortune 500 customer experience with major petroleum producers and capital goods manufacturers.

LOGO

 

Rick R. Taylor

Age:   70

74

Director of the Company since 2003

Independent

Rick R. Taylor has been President of Jay Industries, Inc., a Tier 1 automotive parts manufacturer, since 1985, and Chief Executive Officer of Nanogate Jay Systems, the U.S. subsidiary of Nanogate A.G., a German company, since 2017.  Jay Industries also is a Tier 2 parts manufacturer for several other industrial companies. In addition, Mr. Taylor has been President of Longview Steel Corporation, a steel wholesaler, since 1999. Mr. Taylor has been a Director of Park National Corporation, a NYSE publicly traded regional bank holding company, since 1995, where he serves on the Investment Committee and the Risk Committee.

Rick R. Taylor has been President of Jay Industries since 1985. Jay Industries is a Tier 2 automotive supplier and a tier 1 supplier to several large agricultural OEMs. In 2020, Mr. Taylor retired as Chief Executive Officer of Nanogate North America, a German company that was a tier 1 supplier to several German OEMs and a developer of high-tech surface finishes, a position he held since 2017. In addition, Mr. Taylor has been President of Longview Steel Corporation, a steel wholesaler, since 1999. Mr. Taylor previously served as a Director of Park National Corporation, a NYSE publicly traded bank holding company, from 1995 through 2020.

Mr. Taylor’s major company manufacturing experience spans over 40 years. He has extensive international supply chain experience, and board of directors’ experience, including investment, management and risk management.

Director Qualifications

As reflected in the chart below, the Board believes the seven independent director nominees offer a diverse range of key skills and experience to provide effective oversight of the Company and create long-term sustainable growth through successful execution of the Company’s strategic initiatives.

W. Wayne Walston
Age:  75
Director of the Company since 1999
Independent

 
W. Wayne Walston is the retired Senior Counsel in the Warsaw, Indiana office of Beers Mallers Backs & Salin, LLP (attorneys) (“Beers Mallers”).  From January 2013 to November 2016, Mr. Walston served as Senior Counsel of Beers Mallers, after having served as Partner since January 2008.  Prior to that, Mr. Walston was a partner in Miner Lemon & Walston, LLP from January 2007, and owner of the Walston Elder Law Office from July 2003 through December 2006. Mr. Walston previously was an officer of Sprint Corporation for 14 years as Legal and External Affairs officer; he also served as Secretary to the Donald H.
Bullock, Jr.
M. Ann
Harlan
Christopher
H. Lake
Sonja K.
McClelland
Vincent K.
Petrella
Kenneth R.
Reynolds
Rick R.  
Taylor  

Board of Directors of five separate state operating entities.

Experience

(other current or prior public company Boards)

X

X

X

Manufacturing

XXXXXXX

International

XXXXXXX

Operational

X

XXXXX

Business Development and Strategy

XXXXXXX

Sales and Marketing

X

XX

Audit Committee Financial Expert

X

XXX

Information Technology

X

XXXX

6THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY    |    2022 Proxy Statement


Mr. Walston has extensive experience with labor and employment relations, antitrust compliance, SEC compliance, state regulatory compliance for public utilities, legislative and regulatory advocacy, real estate contracts and transactions, product marketing, corporate communications and corporate litigation. He also has extensive major publicly-held company board of directors’ experience, including corporate governance.
  Election of Directors  

4Board Composition


NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Donald H.
Bullock, Jr.
Jeffrey S.
Gorman
M. Ann
Harlan
Scott A.
King
Christopher
H. Lake
Sonja K.
McClelland
Vincent K.
Petrella
Kenneth R.
Reynolds
Rick R.  
Taylor  

Gender

Male

XX

XX

XXX

Female

X

X

Race/Ethnicity

African American

Asian, Pacific Islander

X

White/ Caucasian

XXXXX

XXX

Hispanic/Latino

Native American

Non-Employee Director Compensation

The Compensation Committee is charged with oversight and periodic review of Non-Employee Director compensation and with recommending any changes to the entire Board of Directors. Directors who are employees of the Company (Messrs. J. C.(Mr. Jeffrey S. Gorman and J. S. Gorman)Scott A. King) do not receive any compensation for service as Directors. Non-Employee Directors are compensated by the Company for their services as Directors through a combination of annual cash retainers and stock awards.

The Company’s Non-Employee Directors compensation for 20172021 consisted of annual cash retainers of $53,000$55,000 each and stock awards of 1,2501,500 shares each effective as of July 3, 2017.1, 2021. To reflect their additional responsibilities, Chairs of the Compensation Committee and Governance and Nominating Committee received an additional retainer fee of $4,000,$5,000, and the Chair of the Audit Committee received an additional retainer fee of $8,000.$10,000. The lead independentLead Independent Director received an additional retainer fee of $5,000.

$15,000.

The Company has a stock ownership guidelines policy for its Non-Employee Directors to encourage meaningful stock ownership in the Company. The policy requires each Non-Employee Director to own shares of stock equal in value to five times his or her annual cash retainer, and prohibits most sales of shares unless the applicable minimum stock ownership requirement is met.


Non-Employee Director Compensation Table


The table below summarizes the total compensation paid for service by each of the Non-Employee Directors of the Company for the year 2017.2021.

Name

 

  

Fees Earned
or Paid in
Cash

($)

 

  

Stock 
Awards
($) (1) 

 

   

Total

($)

 

 

Donald H. Bullock, Jr.(2)

  58,448   51,840    110,288 

M. Ann Harlan(3)

  70,000   51,840    121,840 

Christopher H. Lake(4)

  56,552   51,840    108,392 

Sonja K. McClelland(5)

  65,000   51,840    116,840 

Vincent K. Petrella(6)

  58,448   51,840    110,288 

Kenneth R. Reynolds

  55,000   51,840    106,840 

Rick R. Taylor(7)

  56,552   51,840    108,392 

2022 Proxy Statement    |    THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY7

Name 
Fees
Earned or
Paid in
Cash
  
Stock
Awards
(1)
  
Option
Awards
  
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
  
Change in
Pension Value
and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
  
All Other
Compensation
  Total 
M. Ann Harlan $62,000(2) $31,981  $-  $-  $-  $-  $93,981 
Thomas E. Hoaglin  61,000(3)  31,981   -   -   -   -   92,981 
Christopher H. Lake  57,000(4)  31,981   -   -   -   -   88,981 
Kenneth R. Reynolds  53,000   31,981   -   -   -   -   84,981 
Rick R. Taylor  53,000   31,981   -   -   -   -   84,981 
W. Wayne Walston  53,000   31,981   -   -   -   -   84,981 


1)
  Election of Directors  

(1)

Each Non-Employee Director received an award of 1,2501,500 Common Shares (from the Company’s treasury shares) under The Gorman-Rupp Company 2016 Non-Employee Directors’ Compensation Plan. Each award of 1,2501,500 Common Shares was made effective as of July 3, 20171, 2021 and had a market value of $31,981,$51,840 as of the grant date, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.


2)(2)Includes

Mr. Bullock’s “Fees Earned or Paid in Cash” includes additional retainer fees of $4,000$3,448 for Ms. Harlan’sthe partial year of service as Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee and $5,000 for her service as lead independent Director.Committee.


3)(3)Includes

Ms. Harlan’s “Fees Earned or Paid in Cash” includes additional retainer fees of $8,000$15,000 for service as Lead Independent Director.

(4)

Mr. Hoaglin’sLake’s “Fees Earned or Paid in Cash” includes additional retainer fees of $1,552 for the partial year of service as Chair of the Compensation Committee.

(5)

Ms. McClelland’s “Fees Earned or Paid in Cash” includes additional retainer fees of $10,000 for service as Chair of the Audit Committee.


4)(6)Includes

Mr. Petrella’s “Fees Earned or Paid in Cash” includes additional retainer fees of $4,000$3,448 for Mr. Lake’sthe partial year of service as Chair of the Compensation Committee.

(7)

Mr. Taylor’s “Fees Earned or Paid in Cash” includes additional retainer fees of $1,552 for the partial year of service as Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee.

5


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Board Composition and Practices

Annual Election of Directors

    ✓Executive Sessions of the Board✓  

Lead Independent Director

    ✓Over Boarding Policy✓  

Non-Employee Director Independence

100%Mandatory Board Retirement Age✓  

Committee Independence

100%Board and Committee Self-Evaluations✓  

Independent Director Gender Diversity

29%Board Member Candidate Guidelines✓  

New Directors Since 2018

  4Stock Ownership Guidelines for Directors✓  

Number of Financial Experts

  4Strategy, Environmental and Risk Management Oversight✓  

Board of Directors and Board Committees

The Company requires that a majority of its Directors must be “independent” as required by the listing standards of the NYSE and SEC rules, or by other regulatory or legislative bodies as may be applicable to the Company. The Board, on an annual basis, makes a determination as to the independence of each Director in accordance with applicable listing standards, rules and regulations. In general, “independent” means that a Director has no “material relationship” with the Company or any of its subsidiaries, other than through his or her service as a Director. The existence of a material relationship must be determined based upon a review of all relevant facts and circumstances, and generally is a relationship that might reasonably be expected to compromise the Director’s ability to maintain his or her independence from management in connection with the Director’s duties.

The Board has approved Corporate Governance Guidelines and a Code of Ethics to provide guidance for the governance of the Company. The Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for monitoring these guidelines and code of ethics and reviews these guidelinesthem on an annual basis and, subject to Board approval, makes such revisions as may be necessary or appropriate to reflect new regulatory requirements and evolving corporate governance practices.

The Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Ethics are available in their entirety on the Company’s website at http://www.gormanrupp.com.

Based on an annual review by the Governance and Nominating Committee, the Committee affirmatively determined, after considering all relevant facts and circumstances known to it, that no Non-Employee Director has a material relationship with the Company and that all Non-Employee Directors meet the independence standards of the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, as well as the current independence standards of the NYSE and SEC corporate governance requirements for listed companies, and have no relationships or transactions required to be reported by Item 404 of Regulation S-K.

8THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY    |    2022 Proxy Statement


  Corporate Governance  

During 2017,2021, a total of five6 regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Directors (at least one each quarter) and a total of 16 meetings of all standing Directors’ Committees were held. All Directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings held by the Board of Directors and the respective Committees on which they served. In 2017,2021, the “independent” Directors met at every regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors in executive session without the presence of the non-independent Directors and any members of the Company’s management. The Lead Independent Director, who is currently M. Ann Harlan, generally presides at these non-management executive sessions. Members of the Board of Directors are expected to attend the Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and all Directors were in attendance at the Annual Meeting in 2017.

2021 annual meeting.

At the April 27, 201722, 2021 annual reorganizational meeting of the Board of Directors, M. Ann Harlan was re-elected by the independent Directors as lead independentLead Independent Director, to serve for an additional one year term. The lead independentLead Independent Director is responsible for coordinating the activities of the other independent Directors and has the authority to preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors at which the Chairman of the Board is not present. The lead independentLead Independent Director serves as principal liaison on Board-wide issues between the independent Directors and the Chairman of the Board, approves meeting schedules and agendas and monitors the quality of information sent to the Board. The lead independentLead Independent Director also may recommend the retention of outside advisors and consultants who report directly to the Board of Directors. If requested by shareholders, when appropriate, the lead independentLead Independent Director also will be available for consultation and direct communication.

The Board completes annual performance evaluations of the Board, as well as the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Governance and Nominating Committee, to assist in determining whether the Board and its Committees are functioning effectively. Annually, the Board and each of its Committees complete self-evaluations and review and discuss the results. The Governance and Nominating Committee oversees this process.

The Board of Directors has three separately designated standing Committees: (1) Audit Committee; (2) Compensation Committee; and (3) Governance and Nominating Committee. All members of each Committee are independent Directors. Each Committee is governed by a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors detailing its authority and responsibilities. These charters are reviewed and updated periodically as legislative and regulatory developments and business circumstances warrant. The Board Committees’ chartersComplete copies of each Committee charter are available in their entirety on the Company’s website at http://www.gormanrupp.com.

6

The table below shows current members of each of the Committees and the number of meetings held by each standing Committee in 2017.2021.

Name    Audit
Committee
    Compensation
Committee
    Governance and
Nominating
Committee
  

Donald H. Bullock, Jr.

         

 

    Chair
  

M. Ann Harlan

     

 

         

 

  

Christopher H. Lake

     

 

        
  

Sonja K. McClelland

    Chair         

 

  

Vincent K. Petrella

        Chair     

 

  

Kenneth R. Reynolds

         

 

    
  

Rick R. Taylor

     

 

     

 

    
  

Number of Meetings

            

2022 Proxy Statement    |    THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY9



 Name
Audit
Committee
Compensation
Committee
Governance and
Nominating Committee
 M. Ann Harlan Chair
 Thomas E. HoaglinChair 
 Christopher H. LakeChair 
 Kenneth R. Reynolds 
 Rick R. Taylor 
 W. Wayne Walston 
 Number of Meetings655

  Corporate Governance  

Audit Committee

The principal functions of the Audit Committee include the authority and responsibility to:

Oversee the integrity of the financial statements of the Company;

Engage the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and review the scope of the audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements;

·Engage the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and review the scope of the audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements;

Evaluate auditor qualification, performance, and independence;

·Approve fees to be paid to the independent registered accounting firm for the agreed-upon-services;

Approve fees to be paid to the independent registered accounting firm for the agreed-upon-services;

·Consider comments made by the independent registered public accountants with respect to internal controls and financial reporting and related actions taken by management;

Consider comments made by the independent registered public accountants with respect to internal controls and financial reporting and related actions taken by management;

·Review internal accounting systems, procedures and controls with the Company’s internal auditor and financial staff;

Review internal accounting systems, procedures and controls with the Company’s internal auditor and financial staff;

·Review any non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm;

Review and pre-approve any non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm;

·Provide organizational oversight of the Company’s enterprise risk management plan;

Provide organizational oversight of the Company’s enterprise risk management plan including cyber security and disaster recovery;

·Oversee the Company’s internal audit function, including approving the annual internal audit plan.

Oversee the Company’s internal audit function, including approving the annual internal audit plan: and

Oversee compliance with legal and regulatory requirements that may have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Compensation Committee

The principal functions of the Compensation Committee include the authority and responsibility to:

Evaluate, develop and monitor compensation policies and programs for the Company’s officers and Non-Employee Directors;

Recommend the salaries, profit sharing and long-term incentive compensation for the officers; and

·Evaluate, develop and monitor compensation policies and programs for the Company’s officers and Non-Employee Directors;

Oversee the administration, funding and investment performance of the defined benefit pension plan and the defined contribution retirement plans of the Company.

·Recommend the salaries, profit sharing and long-term incentive compensation for the officers;
·Oversee the administration, funding and investment performance of the defined benefit pension plan and the defined contribution retirement plans of the Company.

A more comprehensive description of the Compensation Committee’s functions regarding the consideration and determination of officer compensation is set forth under the caption “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”

Governance and Nominating Committee

The principal functions of the Governance and Nominating Committee include the authority and responsibility to:

Identify, evaluate and recommend individuals for nomination as members of the Board of Directors;

Develop a succession plan for the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and other Executive Officers;

Develop a succession plan for other corporate officers and operating executives;

Oversee the annual evaluation of the performance of the Board and its Committees;

Periodically review the Board Committees’ charters and the Corporate Governance Guidelines for compliance with evolving regulations and Board-desired corporate goals;

Monitor the availability of training and professional education programs suitable for Directors for enhancement of their Board and Committee responsibilities;

At least annually, review potential conflicts of interest of Directors and Officers of the Company; and

Periodically review the Company’s environmental, social and sustainability programs and activities.

10THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY    |    2022 Proxy Statement


·Identify, evaluate and recommend individuals for nomination as members of the Board of Directors;
·
Develop a succession plan for the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and other Executive Officers;
·Develop a succession plan for other corporate officers and operating executives;
·Oversee the annual evaluation of the performance of the Board and its Committees;
·Periodically review the Board Committees’ charters and the  Corporate Governance  Guidelines for compliance with evolving regulations and Board-desired corporate goals;
·Monitor the availability of training and professional education programs suitable for Directors for enhancement of their Board and Committee responsibilities.
7

The Governance and Nominating Committee charter incorporates the Company’s policies and procedures by which to consider recommendations from shareholders for Director nominees. Any shareholder wishing to propose a candidate may do so by delivering a typewritten or legible hand-written communication to the Company’s Corporate Secretary. The submission should provide detailed business and personal biographical data about the candidate, and include a brief analysis explaining why the individual is well-qualified to become a Director nominee. All recommendations will be acknowledged by the Corporate Secretary and promptly referred to the Governance and Nominating Committee for evaluation.

The Governance and Nominating Committee has not specified any particular set of skills, qualities or diversities that is required for a Director candidate. All Director candidates, including any recommended by shareholders, are first evaluated based upon their (i) integrity, strength of character, practical wisdom and mature judgment; (ii) business and financial expertise and experience; (iii) intellect to comprehend the issues confronting the Company; and (iv) availability of adequate time to devote to the affairs of the Company and attend Board and Committee meetings. The Governance and Nominating Committee also focuses on issues of diversity, such as diversity of gender, race and national origin, education, professional experience and differences in viewpoints and skills. New Director candidates are subject to a background check performed by the Governance and Nominating Committee. In addition, the candidate will be personally interviewed by one or more Governance and Nominating Committee members before he or she is nominated for election to the Board of Directors. In considering candidates for the Board, the Governance and Nominating Committee considers the entirety of each candidate’s credentials in the context of their skills, qualities or diversities. With respect to the nomination of continuing Directors for re-election, the individual’s historical contributions to the Board are also considered.

Third-party search firms may be retained by the Board to identify individuals that meet the director candidate criteria established by the Governance and Nominating Committee.

Risk Oversight

The Board of Directors believes that control and management of risk are primary responsibilities of senior management of the Company. As a general matter, the entire Board of Directors is responsible for oversight of this important senior management function. The Audit Committee is responsible to the Board for the organizational oversight of the Company’s comprehensive enterprise risk management plan. Additional oversight of some functional risks is performed by specific Board Committees, e.g., financial reporting risks and cyber risks are overseen by the Audit Committee; personnel selection, evaluation, retention and compensation risks and benefit plan investment risks are overseen by the Compensation Committee; and Chief Executive Officer, Executive Officer, other corporate officer, key operating executive and Director succession planning risks are overseen by the Governance and Nominating Committee. The results of each Committee’s oversight are reported regularly to the entire Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors and the Company’s management are committed to operating in a manner that upholds the reputation of the Company. The Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for periodically reviewing the Company’s environmental, social and sustainability programs and activities, in addition to assuring compliance with the governance principles applicable to the Company.

With regard to environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) issues, the Board of Directors receives regular updates on such issues from management, recognizing a range of stakeholders that includes employees and the communities where the Company’s facilities are located. Among other things, management regularly discusses with the Board legal, compliance and ethical issues related to ESG matters and the specific ways that the Company acts upon its commitment to ESG principles, including the following:

Company policies regarding human rights, compliance with conflict minerals requirements and employee code of conduct;

On-the-job training and tuition reimbursement opportunities for our employees;

Upfront and ongoing safety training to ensure that safety policies and procedures are effectively communicated and implemented;

2022 Proxy Statement    |    THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY11


  Corporate Governance  

Profit sharing programs available to all of our employees;

Support of non-profit and charitable organizations in our communities through both financial donations and volunteer hours;

Re-purposing former factory land into an urban farm;

Certifying Environmental Management Systems to the ISO 14000 standard;

Ongoing product development efforts and testing to improve efficiency; and

Supplier Code of Conduct.

Company Leadership Organization

With respect to the roles of Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, the Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that the roles may be separated or combined, and the Board exercises its discretion in combining or separating these positions as it deems appropriate in light of prevailing circumstances. For 2021, the roles were combined. The Board believes this leadership structure together with the separate, independent role of our Lead Independent Director was appropriate for many reasons. In particular, the Board believes the combined role was appropriate because of Mr. Jeffrey S. Gorman’s leadership skills combined with his extensive knowledge about the pump industry and the Company’s products, customers and competitors.

Upon election of Mr. J.S. GormanScott A. King as Chief Executive Officer of the Company on MayJanuary 1, 1998,2022, the Company separated the offices of Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer because it believedbelieves this division more clearly delineateddelineates their respective responsibilities.responsibilities and capitalizes on the respective skills, expertise and experience of each of Mr. Gorman and Mr. King. This separation currently provides for the Chairman to focus on Board of DirectorDirectors responsibilities, while continuing to contribute to the Company in areas where he is particularly qualified, and for the Chief Executive Officer to focus on the Company’s executive, administrative and operating responsibilities. Given theirMr. Gorman’s and Mr. King’s respective years of service years with the Company, the Company believes this structure is most appropriate currently for conducting its business and its responsibilities to its employees, customers, and suppliers, to its shareholders, and Directors, and to its communitycommunities, and regulatory agencies.

Pursuant to the Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Board believes that the combination or separation of these offices should continue to be considered periodically as necessary or advisable.

Related Party Transactions

The Company has no relationships or transactions required to be reported by Item 404 of Regulation S-K. Although the Company does not have a specific written policy regarding review, approval or ratification of related party transactions, the Company has a formal annual review process for such transactions at all locations, and the Board of Directors has the authority to review and approve all related party transactions defined as those transactions required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K. Review and approval of related party transactions also would be evidenced through the Company’s Code of Ethics compliance, annual completion of the Company’s Directors & Officers Questionnaires and discussion at Board meetings, or addressed in unanimous written actions in lieu of a Board meeting, if applicable.

12THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY    |    2022 Proxy Statement


  Audit Committee Report  

8

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The Audit Committee has submitted the following report to the Board of Directors:


(i)

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20172021 and the assessment of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting with the Company’s management and the Company’s independent registered public accountants, Ernst & Young LLP;

(ii)

The Audit Committee has discussed with the Company’s independent registered public accountants the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 1301, Communications with Audit Committees, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”);

(iii)

The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the Company’s independent registered public accountants required by PCAOB Rule 3526 (Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence), and has discussed the issue of independence, including the provision of non-audit services to the Company, with the independent registered public accountants;

(iv)

With respect to the provision of non-audit services to the Company, the Audit Committee has obtained a written statement from the Company’s independent registered public accountants that they have not rendered any non-audit services prohibited by SEC and PCAOB rules relating to auditor independence, and that the delivery of any permitted non-audit services has not and will not impair their independence;

(v)

Based upon the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017,2021, to be filed with the SEC; and

(vi)

In general, the Audit Committee has fulfilled its commitments in accordance with its charter.

Members of the Audit Committee are also “independent” in accordance with the additional listingcorporate governance standards of the NYSE, and twoall of the members (including the Chair) qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” in accordance with SEC rules.

The foregoing report has been furnished by members of the Audit Committee:


Thomas E. Hoaglin,

     Sonja K. McClelland, Chair

M. Ann Harlan
Christopher

     Donald H. Lake

Bullock, Jr.

     Vincent K. Petrella

Kenneth R. Reynolds

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

Each of the following Directors served as a member of the Compensation Committee during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017:2021: M. Ann Harlan, Christopher H. Lake, Kenneth R. Reynolds,Sonja K. McClelland, Vincent K. Petrella and Rick R. Taylor and W. Wayne Walston.Taylor. During 2017,2021, no Company Executive Officer or Director was a member of the board of directors of any other company where the relationship would be construed to constitute a committee interlock within the meaning of the rules of the SEC.

2022 Proxy Statement    |    THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY13


  Compensation Committee Report  

9

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Compensation Committee has submitted the following report to the Board of Directors:


(i)

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the following Compensation Discussion and Analysis with the Company’s management; and

(ii)

Based on the review and discussions referred to in the preceding paragraph, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Company’s Proxy Statement in connection with the 20182022 Annual Meeting of the Company’s Shareholders.

The foregoing report has been furnished by members of the Compensation Committee:


Vincent K. Petrella, Chair

M. Ann Harlan

Christopher H. Lake Chair

Sonja K. McClelland

14THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY    |    2022 Proxy Statement


Kenneth R. Reynolds
Rick R. Taylor
W. Wayne Walston
10

  Executive Compensation  

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes the Company’s officer compensation program and how it applies to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and its other officers (collectively, the “Officers”), including its four named executive officers (“Executive Officers”) identified in ourthe Summary Compensation Table.Table included in this Proxy Statement.

Compensation Highlights

Annual Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

Annual Peer Group Compensation Market Assessments

Pay for Performance

Utilize Performance Based Restricted Shares

Stock Ownership Guidelines

Prohibit Pledging and Hedging of Company Shares

Recoupment Policy

No Excessive Perquisites

No Employment Contracts

Overview

The Gorman-Rupp Company has a long and continuing focus on building profitability and consistently delivering increased value to our shareholders. To accomplish this goal, the Company’s Officer compensation program is designed to encourage and reward leadership, initiative, teamwork and top-quality performances among the Officers.

The Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors is authorized to:

Review and evaluate the compensation policies and programs for the Officers;

Review, at least annually, the Chief Executive Officer’s progress assessments of the other Officers and to evaluate the Chief Executive Officer’s progress assessment;

·Review and evaluate the compensation policies and programs for the Officers;

Review and recommend the annual salaries, annual profit sharing and long-term incentive compensation determinations for the Executive Officers to the Board of Directors; and

·Review, at least annually, the Chief Executive Officer’s progress assessments of the other Officers and to evaluate the Chief Executive Officer’s progress assessment;

Review the compensation of Non-Employee Directors (“Directors”) and submit any suggested recommendations for changes to the Directors for review.

·Review and recommend the annual salaries, profit sharing and long-term incentive compensation determinations for the Executive Officers to the Board of Directors; and
·Review the compensation of Non-Employee Directors (“Directors”) and submit any suggested recommendations for changes to the Directors for review.

Four independent Directors comprise the Committee. Their responsibilities are carried out pursuant to authority delegated by the Board of Directors and in accordance with the federal securities laws and other applicable laws and regulations and the Committee’s charter.

2022 Proxy Statement    |    THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY15


  Executive Compensation  

Philosophy and Objectives

Under the Committee’s oversight, the Company has formulated a compensation philosophy that is intended to assure the provision of fair, competitive and performance-based compensation to the Officers. This philosophy reflects the belief that compensation of the Officers should be consistent with the Company’s historical compensation practices, its culture, its profitability and its long-term shareholder value.

The implementation of the Company’s Officer compensation philosophy seeks (i) to attract and retain a group of talented individuals with the education, experience, skill sets and professional presence deemed best suited for the respective Officer positions; and (ii) to continually motivate those individuals to help the Company achieve its strategic goals and enhance profitability by offering them incentive compensation in the form of profit sharing and equity-based compensation awards driven by the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

Elements of Compensation

The Company’s Officer compensation program consists of four elements: base salary, profit sharing, performance-based sharelong-term incentive equity awards and a component of modest miscellaneous benefits. The Company has not entered into employment contracts with any of the Officers.

Ownership of the Company’s Common Shares by the Officers has continually been considered a worthy goal within the Company to further align Officers’ interests with those of Shareholders. Toward that end, the Company sponsors opportunities to purchase Common Shares, including a partial Company match, aimed at encouraging the Officers, and substantially all other employees, to voluntarily invest in the Common Shares.

The Company has a stock ownership guidelines policy which establishes minimum stock ownership requirements for its Officers, group presidents and other corporate and operating officers to encourage meaningful stock ownership in the Company. The policy requires each executive, operating president and designated key employees to own shares of stock equal in value ranging from multiples of one times to three times his or her base salary, and prohibits most sales of shares unless the applicable minimum stock ownership requirement is met.

11

Base Salary and Profit Sharing Base salaries are premised upon the relative responsibilities of the given Officers and industry surveys and related data. Initial salaries generally are set below competitive levels paid to comparable officers at other entities engaged in the same or similar businesses as the Company based upon Equilar peer data, discussed below under “Annual Review”, and Company philosophy. Subsequently, actual salaries are adjusted periodically based on judgments of each person’s performance, qualifications, accomplishments and expected future contributions in his or her Officer role.

Profit Sharing — The Company intentionally relies to a significant degree on annual incentive compensation in the form of profit sharing to attract and retain the Officers. This profit sharing opportunity, which is based on annual operating income, provides motivation for them to perform to the full extent of their individual abilities and as a team to build total Company profitability and shareholder value on a continuing, long-term basis.

Performance-Based Share

Long-term Incentive Equity Awards — Pursuant to The Gorman-Rupp Company 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”), long-term incentive equity incentive compensation is an element of compensation used to enhance the Company’s compensation program in combination with its succession planning for key personnel and to further align the interests of award recipients with shareholders. Equity incentive compensation has also been selected to facilitate the accumulation of additional Company shares of stock by those most accountable for the Company’s operating results and shareholder value. Equity awards are typically conditioned upon achievement of appropriate performance metrics, however the Compensation Committee may from time to time grant service-based awards or unrestricted shares to certain employees. Recipients of grants of performance-based shares receive a target award of performance-based shares that vest at the end of a three year performancespecified multi-year period, based on the levels of achievement of the performance goals established by the Compensation Committee, which may range from 0% to 150% of the target number of performance-based shares. The performance goals for these performance-based shares are

16THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY    |    2022 Proxy Statement


  Executive Compensation  

based on targeted adjusted operating income growth and adjusted shareholders’ equity growth, weighted 50% each. The Committee believes the combination of these performance goals selected for the Incentive Plan provides an appropriate balance between earnings-related and growth goals while also focusing on shareholder value growth. Each vested performance-based share represents the right to receive one Common Share of the Company.

In determining the size of thetarget amount of performance-based shares to be granted to our Executive Officers, the Compensation Committee takes into account several factors, including our Chief Executive Officer’s recommendation for the other Executive Officers, our short-term and long-term financial and strategic objectives, the Executive Officer’s relative job scope, individual performance history and prior and anticipated future contributions to the Company. After considering these factors, the Compensation Committee determines the amount of performance-based shares to be granted at levels it considers appropriate to create a meaningful opportunity for reward predicated on the creation of long-term stockholder value.

Under certain circumstances, including a restatement of financial results by the Company, the grantee may be required to return to the Company performance shares and/or pretax income derived from any disposition of shares previously received if the performance shares would not have been earned based upon the restated financial results.

The three-year performance period for performance-based shares granted to the Officers in 20152019 concluded on December 31, 2017.2021. The performance goals for the 2015-20172019-2021 performance period were based on targets for compound annual growth for adjusted operating income and adjusted shareholders’ equity, weighted 50% each. At the end of the performance period, both adjusted operating income growth was below the minimum threshold and shareholders’shareholder equity growth wasfell below the minimum threshold. Accordingly, no performance-based shares were awarded to the Officers under the 2015 grants and the shares were forfeited by the grantees.

2019 grants.

Other Compensation — The Officers receive a variety of miscellaneous benefits, the value of which is represented for the named Executive Officers under the caption “All Other Compensation” in the Summary Compensation Table. These benefits include taxable life insurance, and Company contributions to the Christmas Savings Plan, the 401(k) Plan, and certain partial matching contribution opportunities under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The Company also sponsors a defined benefit pension plan in which two of the Company’s Executive Officers participate as explained under the caption “Pension Benefits.”

Stock Ownership — The Company has long encouraged the Officers to voluntarily invest in the Company’s Common Shares. As a consequence, the Company makes the purchase of its Common Shares convenient, in some cases with partial cash matching contributions from the Company, and in all cases without brokers’ fees or commissions, under an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, a 401(k) Plan and a Dividend Reinvestment Plan. Although the purchase opportunities available through these plans do not constitute elements of Officer compensation, all of the current Officers are shareholders and participate in one or more of the foregoing plans.

12

Directors, Officers and certain other employees may not engage in hedging transactions related to the Company’s securities, may not engage in short sales, may not purchase or sell put options, call options or other such derivative securities, and may not hold Company securities in a margin account or pledge Company securities as collateral for a loan.


Annual Reviews

In devising and maintaining the Company’s Executive Officer compensation program, the Committee requests management to periodically provide data relevant to the compensation paid to officers holding equivalent positions or having similar responsibilities in a group of industrial peers. Such information is obtained from Equilar, a leading independent third-party provider of financial, executive and director compensation data, for their review. Equilar was used by the Company to obtain competitive compensation information from public proxy data for management and the Committee as a general reference to low, mean, median and high compensation ranges and for correlation to similar measures of operating profitability and total shareholder return.

The Committee’s current objective is for the Company’s Executive Officers to be compensated at a total level of compensation commensurate with at least the 25th percentile of compensation of comparable capital goods manufacturing companies.

The Committee additionally evaluates the Executive Officers’ progress assessments and the Company’s financial performance in performing its compensation review responsibilities. The Committee also takes into account the outcome of prior shareholders’ advisory votes on executive compensation.

2022 Proxy Statement    |    THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY17


  Executive Compensation  

The Committee regularly consults with executive management and has the authority if needed to consult with outside accounting, legal and compensation advisors as appropriate in arriving at compensation recommendations, subject to approval by the Board of Directors.

The compensation advisors report directly to the Compensation Committee, and the Compensation Committee may replace the advisor or hire additional advisors if needed. The advisors attend meetings of the Compensation Committee, as requested, and communicate with the Compensation Committee between meetings; however, the Compensation Committee makes all decisions regarding the compensation of the Company’s Executive Officers.

In 2021, the Compensation Committee retained independent compensation advisor Semler Brossy Consulting Group (“Semler Brossy”). Semler Brossy provided market compensation information from public proxy data, and analysis regarding the Company’s compensation of Executive Officers relative to peers, including low, mean, median and high compensation ranges.

The Compensation Committee reviews the services provided by its third-party advisor and believes that Semler Brossy is independent in providing executive compensation consulting services. The Compensation Committee conducted a specific review of its relationship with Semler Brossy, and determined that Semler Brossy’s work for the Committee in 2021 did not raise any conflicts of interest, consistent with the guidance provided under the Dodd-Frank Act, or under applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and NYSE.

Prior to the Company’s July Board meeting, the Committee reviews with the Chief Executive Officer the recommended annual base salary for each of the Executive Officers (other than the Chief Executive Officer). The Committee independently reviews the base salary for the Chief Executive Officer and develops a recommendation therefor. These salary reviews include consideration of the fact that a significant component of total compensation is variable, performance-based profit sharing. The Committee then reports the results of its Executive Officer compensation reviews and recommendations to the Board of Directors.

During July 2017,2021, the Committee reviewed updated Equilar-provided peer information compensation details fromprovided by Semler Brossy for 15 other capital goods manufacturing companies listed below, whichbelow. For 2021, the peer group isremained unchanged from that used in 2016.


2020.

Alamo Group Inc.

Circor International, Inc.Lydall, Inc.

  

Lawson Products, Inc.

Altra Industrial Motion Corporation

DMC Global Inc.NN, Inc.

  

Lindsay Corporation

Ampco-Pittsburgh Corporation

  

Lydall, Inc.

Badger Meter, Inc.

Ampco-Pittsburgh CorporationKadant

NN, Inc.

Broadwind Energy, Inc.

Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc.

Circor International, Inc.

  

Tennant Company

DMC Global Inc.

  

Twin Disc, Incorporated

Badger Meter,

Kadant Inc.

Lawson Products, Inc.Tennant Company

  
Broadwind Energy, Inc.Lindsay CorporationTwin Disc, Incorporated

These peer companies reflect similar size, with median revenue of approximately $414$438 million and annual revenue ranging from approximately $100$86 million to $845 million,$1.8 billion, with The Gorman-Rupp Company ranking in the 4033thrd percentile in annual revenue. The Committee also took into account the favorable outcome of the shareholders’ advisory vote on executive compensation at the Company’s 20172021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Board, based on the Committee’s recommendations,recommendation, approved base salary increases for Executive Officers reflecting the Board’s assessment of all the factors described above.

Following the end of each year and the final preparation of the Company’s audited financial statements, management calculates the total amount of profit sharing available for awarding to the Executive Officers based on the Company’s achieved operating income and the award percentage determined at the beginning of the year. The Chief Executive Officer then determines a recommended allocation of the available profit sharing award pool among the Executive Officers based on the respective Executive Officer’s prior profit sharing award history and their current year progress assessment.

18THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY    |    2022 Proxy Statement


13

  Executive Compensation  

The Committee reviews with the Chief Executive Officer the recommended profit sharing award for each of the Executive Officers (other than the Chief Executive Officer). The Committee independently reviews the profit sharing award for the Chief Executive Officer and develops a recommendation therefor. These profit sharing reviews include consideration of the Chief Executive Officer’s progress assessments of the other Officers, and the Committee’s independent progress assessment of the Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s prior profit sharing award history. The Committee then reports the results of its profit sharing reviews and recommendations for the Executive Officers to the Board of Directors for its consideration and approval.


During 2017,2021, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approved grants of performance-based shares for the Company’s Executive Officers with target amounts as follows: Jeffrey S. Gorman —6,435— 7,741 performance-based Common Shares; Scott A. King — 6,724 performance-based Common Shares; James C. Kerr — 4,8265,977 performance-based Common Shares; and Brigette A. Burnell — 3,2174,482 performance-based Common Shares. At the time of the 20172021 grant, the Compensation Committee recognized that achievement of the three-yeartwo-year performance goals based on compound annual growth for adjusted operating income and adjusted shareholders’ equity, weighted 50% each, were expected to be very challenging, requiring significant growth from 20162020 levels. The granted shares also may vest to a certain extent in the event of a Change of Control (as defined in the Incentive Plan) of the Company or the death, disability or retirement of the grantee.

On January 26, 2021 the Compensation Committee approved unrestricted share awards to Scott A. King — 5,000 Common Shares in connection with his promotion to President, James C. Kerr — 3,000 Common Shares in connection with his promotion to Executive Vice President, and Brigette A. Burnell — 3,000 Common Shares in connection with her promotion to Senior Vice President.

2022 Proxy Statement    |    THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY19



  Executive Compensation  

Summary Compensation Table

The table below contains information pertaining to the annual compensation of the Company’s principal executive officer, its principal financial officer, and its two other named Executive Officers for calendar years 2017, 2016,2021, 2020, and 2015.


Name and Principal Position Year Salary  Bonus (1)  
Stock
Awards
(2)
  
Option
Awards
(2)
  
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation (2)
  
Change in
Pension Value
and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings (3)
  
All Other
Compensation
(4)
  Total 
                           
Jeffrey S. Gorman(5) 2017 $432,500  $202,000  $200,000   -   -  $119,093  $8,232  $961,825 
President and Chief 2016  408,333   166,000   -   -   -   120,721   7,168   702,222 
Executive Officer 2015  391,000   166,000   -   -   -   111,293   9,080   677,373 
                                   
James C. Kerr(6) 2017  254,167   140,000   150,000   -   -   -   21,395   565,562 
Chief Financial Officer                                  
                                   
Brigette A. Burnell(7) 2017  189,167   88,000   100,000   -   -       16,237   393,404 
General Counsel and 2016  179,167   70,000   -   -   -   -   14,429   263,596 
Corporate Secretary 2015  160,417   65,000   -   -   -   -   12,335   237,752 
                                   
James C. Gorman 2017  125,000   13,000   -   -   -       1,881   139,881 
Chairman 2016  125,000   11,000   -   -   -   -   1,863   137,863 
  2015  125,000   11,000   -   -   -   -   5,671   141,671 
2019.

Name and Principal Position

 Year  

Salary

($)

  Bonus
($) (1)
  Stock
Awards
($) (2)
  Change in
Pension Value
and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($) (3)
  All Other
Compensation
($) (4)
  

Total

($)

 

Jeffrey S. Gorman(5)

Executive Chairman

 

 

2021

 

 

 

450,000

 

 

 

220,000

 

 

 

250,000

 

 

 

125,068

 

 

 

33,042

 

 

 

1,078,110

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

500,000

 

 

 

195,000

 

 

 

200,000

 

 

 

257,121

 

 

 

18,693

 

 

 

1,170,814

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

485,417

 

 

 

225,000

 

 

 

200,000

 

 

 

216,221

 

 

 

17,693

 

 

 

1,144,331

 

Scott A. King

President and

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

2021

 

 

 

370,833

 

 

 

192,000

 

 

 

385,150

 

 

 

33,242

 

 

 

6,870

 

 

 

988,095

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

292,708

 

 

 

152,000

 

 

 

150,000

 

 

 

105,621

 

 

 

9,663

 

 

 

709,992

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

252,083

 

 

 

133,000

 

 

 

186,130

 

 

 

107,609

 

 

 

9,710

 

 

 

688,432

 

James C. Kerr(6)

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

2021

 

 

 

332,083

 

 

 

169,000

 

 

 

296,090

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

22,406

 

 

 

819,579

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

300,000

 

 

 

152,000

 

 

 

150,000

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

25,734

 

 

 

627,734

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

291,250

 

 

 

160,000

 

 

 

150,000

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

27,486

 

 

 

628,736

 

Brigette A. Burnell(7)

Executive Vice President, General

Counsel and Corporate Secretary

 

 

2021

 

 

 

285,417

 

 

 

145,000

 

 

 

246,090

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

21,443

 

 

 

697,950

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

250,000

 

 

 

130,000

 

 

 

100,000

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

20,198

 

 

 

500,198

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

235,417

 

 

 

115,000

 

 

 

100,000

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

21,791

 

 

 

472,208

 

(1)

The amounts in this column reflect the Executive Officer’s portion of theannual profit sharing compensation available to substantially all of the Company’s employees, including its Executive Officers.based on operating income.

(2)

The amounts in this column reflect compensation that is subject to performance-based vesting and may not ultimately be received by the named Executive Officer.  The amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718 of the underlying performance-based shares granted during the reported years.years, which includes both performance-based and service-based shares. For the performance-based share amounts reported in this column for 20172021 that were granted on February 23, 2017,24, 2021, such amounts are based on the probable outcome of the relevant performance conditions as of the grant date.date and may not ultimately be received by the named Executive Officer. Assuming that the highest level of performance conditions are achieved, , the aggregate grant date fair value of the performance-based share awards reported in this column would be: Jeffrey S. Gorman, $300,000;$375,000; Scott A. King, $337,500; James C. Kerr, $225,000;$300,000; and Brigette A. Burnell, $150,000.$225,000.


(3)

The amounts reflect the non-cash change in pension value recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017,2021, in accordance with SEC Release Nos. 33-8732A; 34-54302A. In computing the change in pension value, the Company applies the assumptions used for financial reporting purposes and a measurement date of December 31 for benefit plan determinations. The change in pension value is the aggregate increase in the actuarial present value of the respective Executive Officer’s accumulated benefit measured on an annual basis from the plan measurement date in 20152019 to the measurement date in 2017. Decreases of $15,414, $22,727 and $25,117 in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, are excluded from James C. Gorman’s data per the table’s guidance.2021. The Company does not offer nonqualified deferred compensation earnings to any of its employees.

14

(4)

Amounts include taxable life insurance and tax preparation fees, as well as Company contributions to the Company’s 401(k) Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Health Savings Account and Christmas Savings Plan.

(5)Mr. Jeffrey S. Gorman’s “Change in Pension Value

Mr.Gorman’s “All Other Compensation” includes $25,000 for calendar year 2021 for tax planning and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings” increased each year due to replacement of earlier lower-compensated years with his most recent salary and to additional years of service.preparation fees.

(6)Mr. James C. Kerr was elected to the position of Chief Financial Officer effective January 1, 2017. 

Mr. Kerr’s “All Other Compensation” includes $18,708$15,760, $18,875 and $20,626 for calendar year 2017years 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively for the Company’s contributions to his account in the enhanced 401(k) Plan.

(7)

Ms. Burnell’s “All Other Compensation” includes $14,962, $13,178$15,810, $14,215, and $11,114$16,018 for calendar years 2017, 20162021, 2020, and 2015,2019, respectively, for the Company’s contributions to her account in the enhanced 401(k) Plan.

20THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY    |    2022 Proxy Statement


  Executive Compensation  

Grants of Plan-Based Awards


The following table sets forth information regarding the grants of performance-based shares and other share awards during 20172021 to the Company’s named Executive Officers.


  
Estimated future payouts under equity
incentive plan awards (1)(3)
  
Grant date fair
value of stock
 
Name Grant date 
Threshold
(#)
  
Target
(#)
  
Maximum
(#)
  
 and options
awards (2)
 
Jeffrey S. Gorman 2/23/17  3,217   6,435   9,652  $200,000 
James C. Kerr 2/23/17  2,413   4,826   7,239   150,000 
Brigette A. Burnell 2/23/17  1,608   3,217   4,826   100,000 

       

Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity
Incentive Plan Awards
(1) (3)

 

         

  Name

 

  

Grant
Date

 

   

Threshold
(#)

 

   

Target (#)

 

   

Maximum
(#)

 

   

All other Stock
Awards: Number
of Shares of Stock
units  (#) (4)

 

   

Grant Date
  Fair Value of  

Stock and
Options
Awards
($) (2)

 

 

Jeffrey S. Gorman

  

 

2/24/21

 

  

 

3,735

 

  

 

7,471

 

  

 

11,206

 

  

 

-

 

  

 

250,000

 

Scott A. King

  

 

2/24/21

 

  

 

3,362

 

  

 

6,724

 

  

 

10,086

 

  

 

-

 

  

 

225,000

 

  

 

1/26/21

 

        

 

5,000

 

  

 

160,150

 

James C. Kerr

  

 

2/24/21

 

  

 

2,988

 

  

 

5,977

 

  

 

8,965

 

  

 

-

 

  

 

200,000

 

  

 

1/26/21

 

        

 

3,000

 

  

 

96,090

 

Brigette A. Burnell

  

 

2/24/21

 

  

 

2,241

 

  

 

4,482

 

  

 

5,723

 

  

 

-

 

  

 

150,000

 

   

 

1/26/21

 

                 

 

3,000

 

  

 

96,090

 

(1)

These amounts reflect the threshold, target and maximum number of performance-based shares granted on February 23, 201724, 2021 under The Gorman-Rupp Company 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan. These shares vest on December 31, 20192022 based upon the achievement of pre-determined financial performance goals for adjusted operating income growth and adjusted shareholders’ equity growth over a three-yeartwo-year performance period ending December 31, 2019.2022.

(2)

The value of performance-based shares is calculated assuming achievement of the target level of performance based on the closing market value of the Company’s Common Shares on the grant date in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.

(3)

Except for certain limited circumstances as set forth in the Incentive Plan (such as death or a Change in Control), all performance-based shares granted under the Incentive Plan vest at the end of a two year or three year performance period, and the amount vested and paid is based on the levels of achievement of performance goals established by the Compensation Committee. The two performance goals established for the January 1, 20172021 through December 31, 20192022 performance period are specific ranges of adjusted operating income growth and adjusted shareholders’ equity growth, weighted 50% each. The range of future payouts is 0% to 150% for each performance goal, with the threshold payout occurring at 50%, the target payout occurring at 100% and the maximum payout occurring at 150%. Grantees under the Incentive Plan do not have any of the rights of a shareholder with respect to any shares granted, including the right to vote or receive dividends, until determination of the achievement of the performance goals and payment of the applicable shares in accordance with the Incentive Plan.

(4)

On January 26, 2021, the Compensation committee approved unrestricted share awards to Mr. King, in connection to his promotion to President, to Mr. Kerr in connection with his promotion to Executive Vice President and to Ms. Burnell in connection with her promotion to Senior Vice President.

2022 Proxy Statement    |    THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY21


  Executive Compensation  

15


Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2017
2021

The following table sets forth information regarding the number and value of unvested performance-based shares outstanding on December 31, 20172021 of the Company’s named Executive Officers.


 Stock Awards 
Name 
Equity incentive
plan awards:
number of
unearned shares,
units or other
rights that have not
vested (#)
  
Equity incentive
plan awards:
market or payout
value of unearned
shares, units or
other rights that
have not vested (1)
 
Jeffrey S. Gorman  3,217(2) $100,403 
   3,893(3)  121,501 
   3,662(4)  114,291 
         
James C. Kerr  2,413(2)  75,310 
         
Brigette A. Burnell  1,608(2)  50,186 
   1,947(3)  60,766 
   1,831(4)  57,146 

       

 

Stock Awards

 

 

 
  Name

 

 

  

Grant Date

 

 

   

 

Equity Incentive Plan
Awards: Number of
Unearned Shares, Units
or Other Rights That
Have Not Vested
(#)

 

 

     

 

Equity Incentive Plan Awards:
Market or Payout Value of
Unearned Shares, Units or
Other Rights That Have Not
Vested
(1) ($)

 

 

 

Jeffrey S. Gorman

  

 

2/24/21

 

  

 

3,735

(2) 

    

 

166,394              

 

  

 

2/26/20

 

  

 

3,006

(3) 

    

 

133,917              

 

  

 

2/27/19

 

  

 

-

(4) 

    

 

-              

 

Scott A. King

  

 

2/24/21

 

  

 

3,362

(2) 

    

 

149,777              

 

  

 

2/26/20

 

  

 

2,254

(3) 

    

 

100,416              

 

  

 

2/27/19

 

  

 

-

(4) 

    

 

-              

 

James C. Kerr

  

 

2/24/21

 

  

 

2,988

(2) 

    

 

133,115              

 

  

 

2/26/20

 

  

 

2,254

(3) 

    

 

100,416              

 

  

 

2/27/19

 

  

 

-

(4) 

    

 

-              

 

Brigette A. Burnell

  

 

2/24/21

 

  

 

2,241

(2) 

    

 

99,837              

 

  

 

2/26/20

 

  

 

1,503

(3) 

    

 

66,959              

 

   

 

2/27/19

 

  

 

-

(4) 

    

 

-              

 

(1)

The values equal the number of performance-based shares indicated multiplied by the closing price of the Company’s Common Shares of $31.21$44.55 on December 29, 2017.31, 2021.

(2)

Represents 20172021 grants. These performance shares vest following conclusion of the relevant performance period on December 31, 20192022 based upon the achievement of pre-determined performance goals. The number and value of the shares reflected in the table are based on achievement of the minimum threshold level of performance.

(3)

Represents 20162020 grants. These performance-basedperformance shares vest following conclusion of the relevant performance period on December 31, 20182022 based upon the achievement of pre-determined performance goals. The number and value of the shares reflected in the table are based on achievement of the minimum threshold level of performance.

(4)

Represents 20152019 grants. These performance-based shares were scheduled to vest following conclusion of the relevant performance period on December 31, 20172021 based upon the achievement of pre-determined performance goals. The number and value of the shares reflected in the table are based on the actual level of performance achievement with respect to each of the minimum threshold level of performance.two performance goals. On February 21, 2018,24, 2022, the Compensation Committee reviewed the Company’s financial results for the period ended December 31, 20172021 as compared to the performance goals, and determined that none ofboth adjusted operating income and adjusted shareholders’ equity growth fell below threshold. Accordingly, no performance-based shares were awarded to the performance goals were met and, therefore, all ofOfficers under the 2015 performance shares granted did not vest and were forfeited.2019 grants.

22THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY    |    2022 Proxy Statement


  Executive Compensation  

The estimatedfollowing table sets forth estimates of the potential value of the aggregatedaggregate number of performance shares that would have become payable to each of the Company’s Executive Officers in the event of a Change of Control followed by a qualifying termination of the Executive Officer’s employment on December 31, 2017 are as follows: Jeffrey S. Gorman — $672,357; James C. Kerr — $150,619; and Brigette A. Burnell — $336,163.


The estimated value of the aggregated number of performance shares that would have become payable to each of the Company’s Executive Officers in the event of death on December 31, 2017 are as follows: Jeffrey S. Gorman — $457,476; James C. Kerr — $50,206; and Brigette A. Burnell — $228,728.

No performance shares would have become payable to the Company’s Executive Officers upon the specified termination events, assuming that each such event took place on December 31, 2017 in the event of the Executive Officer’s retirement or termination due to disability on such date, as the vesting of performance shares in those events is subject to the completion of the relevant performance period and attainment of established performance goals. The first such performance period concluded December 31, 2017.  The Company did not meet the minimum established performance goals for this performance period.
2021.

 

 

  

 

Jeffrey S.

Gorman

   Scott A.
King
   James C.
Kerr
   Brigette A.
Burnell
 

Change in control followed by a qualifying termination of the Executive Officers’ employment

  $859,548   $694,535   $661,256   $463,008 

Death

   603,838    477,799    461,159    318,533 

Retirement or termination due to disability (these estimated values are based on achievement of 0% of the performance targets under the 2019 grants)

   -    -    -    - 

16


Pension Benefits

The pension plan in which two of the Company’s Executive Officers participate is a defined benefit plan covering certain U.S. employees of the Company. New entry into this plan terminated as of December 31, 2007 and, effective January 1, 2008, an enhanced 401(k) Plan benefit was adopted for new employees hired thereafter.

The pension plan offers participants upon retirement the option to choose between monthly benefits or a single lump sum payment. The monthly pension benefits are equal to the product of 1.1% of the participant’s final average monthly earnings (based on compensation during the final ten years of service) and the number of years of credited service. A single lump sum amount is equal to the present value of the final monthly pension benefit multiplied by a single premium immediate annuity rate as defined by the plan. Historically, nearly all participants in the plan elect the single lump sum amount at retirement. The single lump sum payment option is used for financial reporting purposes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017,2021, computed as of the plan measurement date of December 31, 2017.


2021.

Actuarial assumptions used by the Company in determining the present value of the accumulated benefit amount consist of a 2.5%1.00% interest rate for 2017-20192021-2023 with a 4.5%4.0% interest rate thereafter, a 3.27%2.44% discount rate and the RP-2014Pri-2012 Total Dataset Employee Mortality Table adjusted to 2006 with Generational Projection (Scale MP-2017).Scale MP-2020 for 12/31/21 remeasurement. Base compensation in excess of $260,000$290,000 is not taken into account under the plan. Vesting occurs after five years of credited service.


Pension Benefits Table


The table below summarizes the number of years of credited service and the present value of accumulated pension benefit for the two named Executive Officers of the Company who participated in the pension plan for calendar years 2017, 2016 and 2015.


Name and Principal
Position
 Plan Name Year 
Number of
Years
Credited
Service (1)
  
Present Value
of
Accumulated
Benefit (2)
  
Payments
During Last
Fiscal Year
 
              
Jeffrey S. Gorman The Gorman-Rupp Company Retirement Plan 2017  39  $1,511,478  $- 
President and Chief  2016  38   1,392,385   - 
Executive Officer  2015  37   1,271,664   - 
                 
James C. Gorman The Gorman-Rupp Company Retirement Plan 2017  68   235,983   73,224 
Chairman  2016  67   251,398   73,224 
   2015  66   274,124   73,224 

year 2021.

Name

 

 

Plan Name            

 

  

Year

 

  

Number
of Years
Credited
Service
(1) (#)

 

   

Present Value
of
Accumulated
Benefit

($) (2)

 

   

Payments  
During  
Last  
Fiscal  
Year  

($)  

 

 

Jeffrey S. Gorman

 The Gorman-Rupp Company
Retirement Plan
  2021   43    2,289,131    -   

Scott A. King

 The Gorman-Rupp Company
Retirement Plan
  2021   17    388,019    -   

(1)

The credited years of service are determined as of a measurement date of December 31, 2017.2021.

(2)

The amount represents the actuarial present value of accumulated benefit based on a single sum payment computed as of the plan measurement date of December 31, 2017.2021. The retirement age is assumed to be the normal retirement age of 65 as defined in the plan.

2022 Proxy Statement    |    THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY23


  Executive Compensation  

CEO Pay Ratio


Below is: (i) the 2021 annual total compensation of our CEO; (ii) the 2021 annual total compensation of our median employee; (iii) the ratio of the annual total compensation of our CEO to that of our median employee; and (iv) the methodology the Company used to calculate the CEO pay ratio:

CEO Pay Ratio

  

CEO Annual Total Compensation

  $1,078,110 

Median Employee Annual Total Compensation

  $58,107 

CEO to Median Employee Pay Ratio

   18.6 to 1 

Methodology

The Company believes that its CEO pay ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with SEC rules. The Company’s methodology and process is explained below:

Determined Employee Population — The employee population included all global employees, excluding our CEO, who were employed by the Company on December 31, 2021, whether employed on a full-time, part-time, or seasonal basis.

Identified the Median Employee — The Company examined the 2021 total cash compensation of the employee population. The Company did not make any assumptions, adjustments, or estimates with respect to total cash compensation, and did not annualize the compensation for any full-time employees that were not employed by the Company for all of 2021. The Company believes the use of total cash compensation for all employees is a consistently applied compensation measure because it does not widely distribute annual equity awards to employees. Less than five percent of the Company’s employees receive annual equity awards.

Calculated CEO Pay Ratio — After identifying the median employee based on total cash compensation, the Company calculated annual total compensation for such employee using the same methodology used for the CEO as set forth in the 2021 Summary Compensation Table in this Proxy Statement.

The Company believes its executive compensation program must be consistent and internally equitable to motivate our employees to perform in ways that enhance shareholder value and demonstrate a commitment to internal pay equity. The Compensation Committee monitors the relationship between the pay of our Executive Officers and the pay of our non-executive employees. The Compensation Committee reviewed a comparison of our CEO’s annual total compensation in 2017 to the median of the annual total compensation of all other Company employees for the same period.  The annual total compensation for 2017 of the Company’s CEO was $961,825 and for the median employee was $52,864. The Company’s reasonable estimate, prepared based on applicable SEC rules, of the resulting ratio of the Company’s CEO’s pay to the pay of its median employee for 2017 was 18.2 to 1.

24THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY    |    2022 Proxy Statement


17

The Company identified the median employee by examining the 2017 total cash compensation for all individuals, excluding our CEO, who were employed by us on December 31, 2017.  The calculation included all employees, whether employed on a full-time, part-time, or seasonal basis. The Company did not make any assumptions, adjustments, or estimates with respect to total cash compensation, and did not annualize the compensation for any full-time employees that were not employed by the Company for all of 2017. The Company believes the use of total cash compensation for all employees is a consistently applied compensation measure because it does not widely distribute annual equity awards to employees. Less than two percent of the Company’s employees receive annual equity awards.

After identifying the median employee based on total cash compensation, the Company calculated annual total compensation for such employee using the same methodology used for the CEO as set forth in the 2017 Summary Compensation Table in this Proxy Statement.
18

  Beneficial Ownership of Shares  

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SHARES

The following table sets forth information pertaining to the beneficial ownership of the Company’s Common Shares as of February 1, 2018,2022, except as otherwise noted, by (i) each Director and each person nominated for election as a Director, (ii) each Officer named in the summary compensation table, (iii) nominees for DirectorDirectors and Executive Officers of the Company as a group, and (iv) any person who is known to the Company to be a beneficial owner of more than five percent of the Company’s outstanding Common Shares. The address of each of the Company’s Directors, nominees for Director and Executive Officers is in care of The Gorman-Rupp Company, P.O. Box 1217, Mansfield, Ohio 44901.


Name and Address 
Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership(1)
  
Percent of
Outstanding
Shares
 
Independent Directors and Nominees:      
M. Ann Harlan  11,053   * 
Thomas E. Hoaglin  34,582   * 
Christopher H. Lake  60,233(2)  * 
Kenneth R. Reynolds  16,000   * 
Rick R. Taylor  22,354   * 
W. Wayne Walston  27,239(3)  * 
Named Executive Officers:        
James C. Gorman  1,446,449(4)  5.5%
Jeffrey S. Gorman  1,608,355(5)  6.2%
Brigette A. Burnell  1,075   * 
James C. Kerr  2,281   * 
All Directors and Executive Officers as a group (10 persons):  3,229,621(6)  12.4%
Other Principal Beneficial Owners:        
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP(7)(12)  1,713,131   6.6%
Building One        
6300 Bee Cave Road        
Austin, TX 78746        
GAMCO Investors, Inc.(8)  1,597,625   6.1%
One Corporate Center        
Rye, NY 10580        
Pioneer Investment Management, Inc.(9)  1,458,881   5.6%
60 State Street        
Boston, MA 02109        
The Vanguard Group(10)(12)  1,541,037   5.9%
100 Vanguard Blvd.        
Malvern, PA 19355        
Gayle G. Green(11)  1,384,166   5.3%
PO Box 111        
Mansfield, OH 44901        
* Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares.
19

  Name and Address  Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership(1)
  

Percent of 

Outstanding 

Shares 

Independent Directors and Nominees:

   

Donald H. Bullock, Jr.

   5,000   *  

M. Ann Harlan

   18,607  

 

*

 

Christopher H. Lake

   49,779(2)   * 

Sonja K. McClelland

   4,670   * 

Vincent K. Petrella

   5,700   * 

Kenneth R. Reynolds

   22,000   * 

Rick R. Taylor

   28,354   * 

Named Executive Officers:

   

Jeffrey S. Gorman

   1,730,646(3)   6.6% 

Scott A. King

   12,060   * 

James C. Kerr

   13,761   * 

Brigette A. Burnell

   8,778   * 

All Directors and Executive Officers as a group
(11 persons):

   1,899,356(4)   7.2% 

Other Principal Beneficial Owners:

   

Blackrock, Inc.(5)(10)
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055

   1,742,345   6.7% 

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP(6)(10)
Building One
6300 Bee Cave Road
Austin, TX 78746

   1,399,643   5.4% 

GAMCO Investors, Inc.(7)(10)
One Corporate Center
Rye, NY 10580

   1,597,625   6.1% 

The Vanguard Group(8)(10)
100 Vanguard Blvd.
Malvern, PA 19355

   2,075,394   8.0% 

Gayle G. Green(9)
PO Box 222
Wooster, OH 44691

   1,500,426   5.7% 

*

Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares.

(1)

Reported in accordance with the beneficial ownership rules of the SEC under which a person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of a security if he or she has or shares voting power or investment power in respect of such security. Accordingly, the amounts shown in the

2022 Proxy Statement    |    THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY25


  Beneficial Ownership of Shares  

table do not purport to represent beneficial ownership for any purpose other than compliance with the SEC reporting requirements. Voting power or investment power with respect to shares reflected in the table is not shared with others except as otherwise indicated.

(2)

Includes 35,93017,890 shares owned by Mr. Lake’s minor and adult children as to which Mr. Lake considers that he shares the voting and investment power with respect thereto, but otherwise disclaims any beneficial interest therein.

(3)

Includes 24,777 shares held in a trust of which Mr. and Mrs. Walston are co-trustees.

(4)Includes 166,233 shares held in a trust of which Mr. Gorman is a co-trustee. Mr. Gorman shares voting and investment power with respect to all 166,233 of the shares held in the trust, but otherwise disclaims any beneficial ownership thereof. The amount shown in the table excludes 3,231,042 shares beneficially owned by members of Mr. Gorman’s immediate family and 704,615 shares held in trusts of which he and members of his family have beneficial interests (166,233 of the shares held in trust are the same shares described above). Mr. Gorman disclaims beneficial ownership of all of the shares referred to in this note (4).
(5)Includes 134,237298,656 shares owned by Mr. Gorman’s wife and 637,880724,857 shares owned by his adult children.children and grandchildren. Mr. Gorman considers that he shares the voting and investment power with respect to all of the foregoing shares, but otherwise disclaims any beneficial interest therein. The amount shown in the table excludes 116,821 shares held in a trust in which Mr. Gorman has a beneficial interest. Mr. Gorman disclaims beneficial ownership of all of the shares referred to in this note (5)(3).

(6)(4)

Includes 999,0571,041,403 shares as to which voting and investment power are shared.

(7)(5)

Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 9, 2018.2, 2022. The filing indicates that, as of December 31, 2017,2021, Blackrock, Inc. had beneficial ownership of shares, including sole voting power over 1,695,836 shares and sole dispositive power over 1,742,345 shares.

(6)

Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 2022. The filing indicates that, as of December 31, 2021, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP had beneficial ownership of 1,713,1311,399,643 shares, including sole voting power over 1,663,9851,368,598 shares and sole dispositive power over 1,713,131 shares of the Company’s outstanding Common Shares.1,399,643 shares.

(8)(7)

GAMCO Investors, Inc. is a diversified asset manager and financial services company. Based on a Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on September 19, 2012. The filing indicates that Gabelli Funds, LLC had beneficial ownership of 873,531 shares, including sole voting power over 873,531 shares and sole dispositive power over 873,531 shares, GAMCO Asset Management Inc. had beneficial ownership of 668,390 shares, including sole voting power over 662,140 shares and sole dispositive power over 668,390 shares, and Teton Advisors, Inc. had beneficial ownership of 55,704 shares, including sole voting power over 55,704 shares and sole dispositive power over 55,704 shares of the Company’s outstanding Common Shares.shares. The shares reported above have been adjusted to reflect the 5-for-4 stock split effective December 10, 2013.

20

(9)(8)Pioneer Investment Management, Inc., an investment advisory business, is an indirect subsidiary of UniCredit S.p.A. Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 30, 2015. The filing indicates that, as of December 31, 2014, it had beneficial ownership of 1,458,881 shares, including shared voting power over 1,458,881 shares of the Company’s outstanding Common Shares.
(10)

Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 9, 2018.10, 2022. The filing indicates that, as of December 31, 2017,2021, The Vanguard Group had beneficial ownership of 1,541,0372,075,394 shares, including sole voting power over 19,694 shares, shared voting power over 1,03222,719 shares, sole dispositive power over 1,521,6792,035,634 shares and shared dispositive power over 19,358 shares of the Company’s outstanding Common Shares.39,760 shares.

(11)(9)

Includes 3,4065,272 shares owned by Ms. Green’s husband and 507,081520,770 shares owned by her adult children. Ms. Green considers that she shares the voting and investment power with respect to all of the foregoing shares, but otherwise disclaims any beneficial interest therein. The amount shown in the table excludes 121,700116,821 shares held in trust in which Ms. Green has a beneficial interest. Ms. Green disclaims beneficial ownership of all of the shares referred to in this note (10)(9). Ms. Green is the daughter of Mr. J. C. Gorman and the sister of Mr. J.Jeffrey S. Gorman.

(12)(10)

Applicable percentage ownership is based upon 26,106,62326,103,661 of the Company’s outstanding Common Shares as of December 31, 2017.2021.

26THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY    |    2022 Proxy Statement


  Advisory Vote on the Compensation of the Company’s Named Executive  Officers  

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a)

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote

FOR Proposal No. 2 to approve the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our officers, directors, and persons who are beneficial owners of more than ten percent advisory resolution on the compensation

of the Company’s common shares to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC.  To the best of its knowledge, the Company believes that, during the past year, all applicable filing requirements for reporting persons were met, except for two inadvertent late filings by W. Wayne Walston related to a series of gifts on August 3, 2015 and August 25, 2016 to and from a trust for estate planning purposes.  These transactions should have been reported on Mr. Walston’s Annual Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership on Form 5 filings for the year ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2015, respectively, but instead were reported on a Form 5 for the year ended December 31, 2017.
named Executive Officers.

21

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote FOR Proposal No. 2 to approve the advisory resolution on the compensation of the Company’s named Executive Officers.

ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S

NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

(Proposal No. 2)

This proposal is for a non-binding, advisory vote to approve the compensation of the Company’s named Executive Officers pursuant to Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of the named Executive Officers and the compensation philosophy, policies and practices as described in the Executive Compensation — Compensation Discussion and Analysis narrative discussion, Summary Compensation Table and the other related tables and narrative disclosure included in this Proxy Statement. As detailed therein, the Directors are focused on compensating the Executive Officers fairly and in a manner that promotes the Company’s compensation philosophy that compensation of the Executive Officers should be aligned with the Company’s historical compensation, its culture, and its profitability forto promote the continued achievement of long-term shareholder value. Accordingly, the Company is asking shareholders to vote “FOR” the adoption of the following resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the shareholders of The Gorman-Rupp Company approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named Executive Officers, as disclosed in the Executive Compensation — Compensation Discussion and Analysis narrative discussion, Summary Compensation Table and the other related tables and narrative disclosure included in the Company’s 20182022 Proxy Statement.”

While not binding on the Company, the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee, the results of shareholder voting on this proposal will be considered by the Board and Compensation Committee when making future compensation decisions for the Company’s named Executive Officers.

22

The Board
2022 Proxy Statement    |    THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY27


  Ratification of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote FOR Proposal No. 3 to ratify the appointmentAppointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm  


The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote

FOR Proposal No. 3 to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the

Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

(Proposal No. 3)

This proposal is for a vote to ratify the appointment by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company during the year ending December 31, 2018.2022. Ernst & Young LLP has served as the Company’s independent external auditor continuously for over fifty years. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be present at the Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire, and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.

Fees paid to Auditors

The Company paid Ernst & Young LLP the following fees in connection with the Company’s fiscal years endingended December 31, 20172021 and 2016:

Ernst & Young 2017  2016 
Audit Fees(1) $1,389,700  $1,325,000 
Audit-Related Fees(2)  111,300   130,700 
Tax Fees(3)  3,000   10,000 
All Other Fees(4)  -   - 
Total $1,504,000  $1,465,700 
2020:

   

2021

 

   

2020

 

 

Audit Fees(1)

  $1,200,000   $1,189,900  

Audit-Related Fees(2)

   14,000    37,050  

Tax Fees(3)

   -    2,400  

All Other Fees(4)

   -     

Total

  $1,214,000   $1,229,350  

(1)

Audit fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements and the reviews of the Company’s interim financial statements included in its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, or services that are normally provided by the accounting firm in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years.


(2)

Audit-related fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements and are not reported under the caption “Audit Fees.” The audit-related fees paid were primarily for financial reporting and other advisory services.


(3)

Tax fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax consulting and tax planning.


(4)

The “all other fees” category consists of the aggregate fees billed for products and services provided not included in the other three categories.

Under its charter, the Audit Committee is directly responsible for the oversight of the work of Ernst & Young LLP and has the sole authority to (i) appoint, retain and terminate Ernst & Young LLP, (ii) pre-approve all audit engagement fees, terms and services, and (iii) pre-approve scope and fees for any non-audit engagements with Ernst & Young LLP. The Audit Committee exercises this authority in a manner consistent with applicable law and the rules of the SEC and the NYSE, and Ernst & Young LLP reports directly to the Audit Committee. In addition, the Audit Committee has determined to delegate its authority to grant any pre-approvals to its Chairman, subject to the report of any such pre-approvals to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting for ratification. Further, in conjunction with the mandated rotation of the auditing firm’s lead engagement partner, the Audit Committee is directly involved in the selection of Ernst & Young LLP’s new lead engagement partner. In accordance with its charter, the Audit Committee pre-approved all services performed by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm in 2017.2021.

28THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY    |    2022 Proxy Statement


  Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm  

Ratification by the shareholders of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP is not required by law. However, the Board of Directors believes that shareholders should be given this opportunity to express their views on the subject. While not binding on the Audit Committee, the failure of the shareholders to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accountants would be considered by the Audit Committee in determining whether to continue the engagement of Ernst & Young LLP. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee may, in its discretion, select a different firm of independent registered public accountants for the Company at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

2022 Proxy Statement    |    THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY29


23

  General Information  

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Company’s 20172021 Annual Report to Shareholders, including financial statements, is being mailed concurrently with this Proxy Statement to all shareholders of the Company.

The cost of soliciting proxies will be paid by the Company. In addition to the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited personally or by telephone, facsimileelectronically, or through other means of communication by employees of the Company. No separate compensation will be paid for the solicitation of proxies, although the Company may reimburse brokers and other persons holding Common Shares in their names or in the names of nominees for their expenses in sending proxy materials to the beneficial owners of such Common Shares.

Any proposal by a shareholder intended to be included in the proxy materials to be distributed by the Company in connection with the 20192023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by the Company on or before November 23, 2018.20, 2022. If notice of a shareholder proposal is received after February 6, 2019,5, 2023, proxies solicited by the Company in connection with the 20192023 Annual Meeting are expected to grant the proxy holders discretionary voting authority on the proposal if and when it is raised at such Annual Meeting, regardless of whether the proposal is disclosed in the Company’s proxy materials.

Any shareholder wishing

Interested parties desiring to communicate concerns regarding the Company to the Lead Independent Director or to the Non-Employee Directors as a group may direct correspondence to: Ms. M. Ann Harlan, Lead Independent Director, The Gorman-Rupp Company Board of Directors, The Gorman-Rupp Company, PO Box 1217, Mansfield, OH 44901-1217. Alternatively, interested parties who wish to communicate with the Boardan individual director or any group of Directors or a specific Director, if applicable,directors may send a written statement or inquirywrite to such director(s) at The Gorman-Rupp Company, PO Box 1217, Mansfield, OH 44901-1217, Attn: Corporate Secretary. All such letters will be forwarded promptly to the Company’s Corporate Secretary at the Company’s mailing address. All writings will be acknowledged by the Corporate Secretary and presented for consideration and response at the next scheduled Board meeting.relevant director(s).

30THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY    |    2022 Proxy Statement


  Other Business  

OTHER BUSINESS

Financial and other reports will be submitted to the Meeting, but it is not intended that any action will be taken in respect thereof. The Company did not receive notice by February 6, 20182022 of, and the Board of Directors is not aware of, any matters other than those referred to in this Proxy Statement which might be brought before the Meeting for action. Therefore, if any such other matters should arise, it is intended that the persons appointed as proxy holders will vote or act thereon in accordance with their own judgment.

You are urged to date, sign and return your proxy promptly. For your convenience, enclosed is a self-addressed return envelope requiring no postage if mailed in the United States.


By Order of the Board of Directors

BRIGETTE A. BURNELL

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

March 21, 2022

By Order of the Board of Directors
2022 Proxy Statement     
BRIGETTE A. BURNELL
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
|     
March 23, 2018
24

THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY
P.O. BOX 1217
MANSFIELD, OH 44901-1217
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.
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.
TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:
E36566-P01163KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS
THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY
THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY
For
All
Withhold
All
For All
Except
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.
      31


GRC-2022-NPS


LOGO  

  YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!  

PLEASE VOTE BY:

     

INTERNET

  

P.O. BOX 8016, CARY, NC 27512-9903

    

LOGO

  

Go To: www.proxypush.com/GRC

1.Election of Directors  

•   Cast your vote online.

  
  

•   Have your Proxy Card ready.

Nominees:
01)James C. Gorman05)Christopher H. Lake
 02)Jeffrey S. Gorman06)Kenneth R. Reynolds
 03)M. Ann Harlan07)Rick R. Taylor
 04)Thomas E. Hoaglin08)W. Wayne Walston
The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposals 2 and 3.ForAgainstAbstain
       

•   Follow the simple instructions to record your vote.

2.Approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company's named Executive Officers.  

PHONE

Call 1-866-390-5231

LOGO

•   Use any touch-tone telephone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

•   Have your Proxy Card ready.

     

•   Follow the simple recorded instructions.

  
3.Ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent registered public accountants for the Company during the year ending December 31, 2018.   ☐ ☐☐ 
NOTE: In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon and conduct such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournment or postponement thereof.
YesNo
  

MAIL

Please indicate if you plan to attend this meeting.
  
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•   Mark, sign and date your Proxy Card.

Please sign exactly as

•   Fold and return your name(s) appear(s) above. If signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such; and if signing for a corporation, please give your title. When shares areProxy Card Form in the names of more than one person, each should sign.postage-paid envelope provided.

  CONTROL NUMBER     
The Gorman-Rupp Company   

Annual Meeting of Shareholders

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

< —  Please fold here — Do not separate  — >


NOTE: If you access

For Shareholders as of February 28, 2022

TIME:     Thursday, April 28, 2022 10:00 AM, Eastern Time

PLACE:  Live via the proxy materialsinternet at www.proxyvote.com, you will need to enter the 16-digit control number located on the reverse side of this proxy card.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:
The Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com.
E36567-P01163
The Gorman-Rupp Company
Annual Meeting of Shareholders
Scheduled for April 26, 2018
www.proxydocs.com/GRC

This proxy is being solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors

The undersigned shareholder(s) hereby appoint(s) James C. Gorman, Jeffrey S. GormanScott A. King and Brigette A. Burnell as Proxies, each with the power to appoint his or her substitute, and hereby authorize(s) them to represent and to vote all of The Gorman-Rupp Company Common Shares held of record on March 5, 2018February 28, 2022 by the undersigned shareholder(s)shareholders(s) at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 26, 2018,28, 2022, or at any adjournment or postponement thereof, as designated on the reverse.

When properly executed, this proxy will be voted in the manner directed by the signed shareholder(s); if no direction is made, this proxy will be voted

THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR proposalsPROPOSALS 1, 2 andAND 3.

PLEASE MARK, DATE AND SIGN THIS PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY 401(k) PLAN:

PLAN. Bank of America Merrill Lynch, as Trustee of The Gorman-Rupp Company 401(k) Plan, has been requested to forward to you the enclosed proxy material relative to the securities held by us in your account but not registered in your name. Such securities can be voted only by us as holder of record. We shall be pleased to vote your securities in accordance with your wishes if you will execute this form and return it to us promptly in the enclosed business reply envelope. It is understood that, if you sign without otherwise marking the form, the securities will be voted as recommended by the Board of Directors on all matters to be considered at the meeting. For this meeting, the extent of our authority to vote your securities in the absence of your instructions, as directed by The Gorman-Rupp Company 401(k) Plan, is that securities for which no voting instructions have been given shall be voted in the same ratio as the ratio in which the total shares with respect to which timely directions were received were voted on such matters.
In order to ensure that your 401(k) securities are voted as you wish, this proxy must be voted and received by 10:00 A.M.a.m., Eastern Time, April 24, 2018.27, 2022.

You are encouraged to specify your choice by marking the appropriate box (SEE REVERSE SIDE) but you need not mark any box if you wish to vote in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendation. The Named Proxies cannot vote your shares unless you sign (on the reverse side) and return this card.

PLEASE BE SURE TO SIGN AND DATE THIS PROXY CARD AND MARK ON THE REVERSE SIDE

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Continued

The Gorman-Rupp Company

Annual Meeting of Shareholders

Please make your marks like this:LOGOUse dark black pencil or pen only

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR PROPOSALS 1, 2 and 3.

PROPOSAL

          YOUR VOTE        

BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
RECOMMENDS

LOGO

1.Election of Directors
        FORWITHHOLD
1.01 Donald H. Bullock, Jr.ooFOR
1.02 Jeffrey S. GormanooFOR
1.03 M. Ann HarlanooFOR
1.04 Scott A. KingooFOR
1.05 Christopher H. LakeooFOR
1.06 Sonja K. McClellandooFOR
1.07 Vincent K. PetrellaooFOR
1.08 Kenneth R. ReynoldsooFOR
1.09 Rick R. TaylorooFOR
        FORAGAINSTABSTAIN
2.Approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named Executive Officers.oooFOR
3.Ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company for the year ending December 31, 2022.oooFOR

You must pre-register to attend the annual meeting online.

Authorized Signatures - Must be completed for your instructions to be signedexecuted.

Please sign exactly as your name(s) appears on reverse sideyour account. If held in joint tenancy, all persons should sign. Trustees, administrators, etc., should include title and authority. Corporations should provide full name of corporation and title of authorized officer signing the Proxy.

Signature (and Title if applicable)DateSignature (if held jointly)Date