UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
, DC 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant 
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant 
Check the appropriate box:
 
Preliminary Proxy Statement
 
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
 
Definitive Proxy Statement
 
Definitive Additional Materials
 
Soliciting Material Pursuant to
§ 240.14a-12
AVERY DENNISON CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
N/A
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):
 
No fee required.
 
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
 
Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act
Rules 14a-6(i)(1)
and
0-11.


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Section III 2023 Notice and Proxy Statement Avery Dennison Corporation | 2023 Proxy Statement SECTION III LOGO2024 NOTICE AND PROXY STATEMENT AVERY DENNISON


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NOTICE OF ANNUAL

MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

RECORD DATE February 27, 202326, 2024
MEETING DATE April 27, 202325, 2024
MEETING TIME 1:2:30 p.m. PacificEastern Time
MEETING FORMAT Virtual at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AVY2023AVY2024

MEETING AGENDA

 

 

ITEMS OF BUSINESS FOR STOCKHOLDER VOTE

 1 

ElectElection of the 10 directors nominated by our Board to serve for a one-year term

 2  

Approve,Approval, on an advisory basis, of our executive compensation

 3 

 

 

Determine, on an advisory basis,Approval of a Certificate of Amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to provide that stockholders holding 25% of our outstanding common stock have the frequency (whether every one, two or three years) with whichright to request that we will hold advisory votes to approve executive compensation

call special meetings of stockholders
 4 

 

RatifyRatification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLPPwC as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2023

 5 

Conduct any other business properly brought before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof

2024

Our Board recommends that you vote FOR each of our 10 director nominees in Item 1 and FOR Items 2, 3 and 4, and FOR one year in Item 3. 4.

Stockholders of record as of February 27, 202326, 2024 are entitled to notice of, and to vote in connection with, the meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof. This notice and our definitive proxy materialsstatement are being first mailed or made available to stockholders on or about March 15, 2023.[], 2024.

We want your shares to be represented and votedvoted.. We encourage you to vote promptly as this will save us the time and expense of additional proxy solicitation. As shown on the right,below, you can vote online, by telephone, by mail or, in certain circumstances, during the meeting.

On behalf of our Board of Directors, management and team members worldwide, thank you for your investmentinvesting in us and our company. We look forward to engaging with you during the virtual Annual Meeting.

 

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Vikas Arora

Vice President, Associate General Counsel and

Corporate Secretary

March 9, 2023

LOGO[], 2024

 

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Online

You can vote online at www.proxyvote.com by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 26, 2023. You will need the 16-digit control number on your Notice of Internet Availability or proxy card.

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By Telephone

In the U.S. and Canada, you can vote by calling 1.800.690.6903 by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 26, 2023. You will need the 16-digit control number on your Notice of Internet Availability or proxy card.

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By Mail

You can vote by mail by completing, dating and signing your proxy card and returning it in the postage-paid envelope or otherwise to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York 11717.

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During Meeting

Unless your shares are held through our Employee Savings Plan, registered holders can vote during the Annual Meeting. Beneficial holders must contact their broker or other nominee to be able to vote during the meeting.

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ONLINE

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BY TELEPHONE

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BY MAIL

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DURING MEETING

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You can vote online using the 16-digit control number shown on your Notice of Internet Availability, proxy card or voting instruction form.

In the U.S. and Canada, you can vote by telephone using the 16-digit control number shown on your Notice of Internet Availability, proxy card or voting instruction form.

You can vote by mail by completing, dating and signing your proxy card or voting instruction form and returning it in the accompanying postage-paid envelope.

Registered holders can vote during the meeting. Beneficial holders must contact their broker or other nominee to be able to vote during the meeting. Shares held through our Employee Savings Plan may not be voted during the meeting.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ITEM 3 – ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE FREQUENCY OF ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

51

  
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS (CD&A)  5251 
Executive Summary  5251 
Summary of 2023 Compensation Decisions for 2022  6059 
Discussion of 2023 Compensation Components and Decisions Impacting 2022 Executive Compensation 

62

61

Compensation-Setting Tools  74 
Independent Oversight and Expertise  75 
Other ConsiderationsCompensation Clawback Policies  7677 
  
TALENT AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT  78 
  
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES  79 
20222023 Summary Compensation Table  79 
20222023 Grants of Plan-Based Awards80
2022 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End  81 
20222023 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End82
2023 Option Exercises and Stock Vested  8283 
20222023 Pension Benefits  8283 
20222023 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation  8384 
Payments Upon Termination as of December 31, 202230, 2023  8485 
Equity Compensation Plan Information as of December 31, 202230, 2023  8688 
  
PAY VS. PERFORMANCE DISCLOSURE  8789 
  
CEO PAY RATIO  9092 
ITEM 3 – APPROVAL OF CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

94

  
ITEM 4 – RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 

 

 

 

9296

 

 

  
AUDIT MATTERS  9498 
  
AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT  97101 
  
SECURITY OWNERSHIP INFORMATION  100104 
Security Ownership of Management and Significant Stockholders  100104 
Related Person Transactions  101105 
  
VOTING AND MEETING Q&A  102106 
  
APPENDIX A – RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES FROM GAAP 

 

107A-1

APPENDIX B – TEXT OF CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

B-1

 

 

 

Avery Dennison Corporation |20232024 Proxy Statement | Table of Contents

 


PROXY SUMMARY

 

 

This proxy summary includes key messages related to this proxy statement and does not contain all the information you should consider before voting. We strongly encourage you to read the entire proxy statement before voting.

INFORMATION REGARDING ANNUAL MEETING

Distribution of Proxy Materials

We will mailbegin mailing our Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, which includes instructions on how to access these materials online and vote your shares, on or about March 15, 2023.[], 2024. If you previously elected to receive a paper copy of our proxy materials, on or about the same date, we will mail you a proxy card and our 20222023 integrated financial and sustainability report (our “2023 Integrated Report”), which includes a letter to stockholders from our Chairman/President/Chief Executive Officer (CEO); a description of our businesses, stakeholders and President/Chief Operating Officer (COO)values; highlights of our strategies, financial performance and sustainability progress; our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023 (our “2023 Annual Report”); our 2022 annual report; ourand the notice and proxy statement for the 2023our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”); highlights of our strategies, businesses, financial performance and continued progress as it relates to environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters; and a proxy card..

Time, Date and Format of Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting will take place at 1:2:30 p.m. PacificEastern Time on April 27, 2023. 25, 2024. To allow more stockholders to attend without the time and expense of doing so in person, the meeting will be held virtually, with attendance via the internet. To attend the virtual Annual Meeting, you will need to log in to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AVY2023AVY2024 using the 16-digit control number on your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, proxy card or proxy card.voting instruction form.

Online access to the live audio webcast of the Annual Meeting will open at 1:2:15 p.m. PacificEastern Time to allow time for you to log in and test your device’s audio system. We encourage you to access the meeting in advance of its designated start time as we plan to begin the meeting promptly. For additional instructions on how to attend the virtual Annual Meeting, please refer to the Voting and Meeting Q&A section of this proxy statement.

Items Being Voted on During Annual Meeting

You are being asked to vote on the items of business shown below during the Annual Meeting. Our Board of Directors (our “Board”) recommends that you vote FORfor each of our 10 director nominees FORand for Items 2, 3 and 4, and FOR one year in Item 3.4.

 

Item

 Board
Recommendation
  Vote
Required
  Discretionary
Broker Voting
  Page
Reference
   
 

ITEM OF BUSINESS

 BOARD
RECOMMENDATION
 

VOTE

REQUIRED

 DISCRETIONARY
BROKER VOTING
 PAGE
1
1 Election of directors LOGO FOR
each nominee
  Majority of votes cast  

 

No

  

 

39

 Election of directors LOGO FOR
each nominee
 

Majority of

votes cast

 

 

No

 

 

39

2 

Advisory vote to approve

executive compensation

 LOGO FOR  

 

Majority of shares

represented and entitled

to vote

  

 

No

  

 

50

2

 

Advisory vote to approve executive compensation

 LOGO FOR

 

 

 

Majority of shares

represented and entitled to vote

 

 

No

 

 

50

3
3 Determination, on an advisory basis, of the frequency (whether every one, two or three years) with which we will hold advisory votes to approve executive compensation LOGO FOR
1 year
  

Plurality of shares

represented and entitled

to vote

  No  51 Approval of a Certificate of Amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to provide that stockholders holding 25% of outstanding common stock have the right to request that we call special meetings of stockholders LOGO FOR 

Majority of

shares

outstanding

 No 94
4 Ratification of appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for FY 2023 LOGO FOR  

Majority of shares

represented and entitled

to vote

  Yes  92
4 Ratification of appointment of PwC as our independent registered public accounting firm for FY 2024 LOGO FOR 

Majority of shares

represented and entitled to vote

 Yes 96

Voting Prior to or During Annual Meeting

You may vote your shares by submitting a proxy in advance of the Annual Meeting online, by telephone or by mail; only in certain circumstances votingmay you vote during the meeting. YouIf you are a registered stockholder who has not previously voted or wants to change your vote, you may not vote during the meeting if your shares are held through our Employee Savings Plan.Annual Meeting. Beneficial holders may only vote during the meeting if they properly request and receive a legal proxy in their name from the broker, bank or other nominee that holds their shares. Shares held through our Employee Savings Plan may not be voted during the meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the virtual Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote and submit your proxy promptly by following the instructions on your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, proxy card or proxy card.voting instruction form.

 

Avery Dennison Corporation |20232024 Proxy Statement

 

 

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Asking Questions During Annual Meeting

We have designed the virtual Annual Meeting to ensure that you have the same rights and opportunities to participate as you would at an in-person meeting, with an easy-to-use online platform that allows you to attend, vote and ask questions. After the business portion ofwe have finished acting upon the Annual Meeting concludesitems of business and the meeting is adjourned, our Chairman/CEOExecutive Chairman will lead a Q&A session during which we intend to answer all questions submitted during the meetingtimely that are pertinent to our company andor the items being brought before stockholder vote. Answers to questions not addressed during the meeting, if any, will be posted promptly after the meeting on the investors section of our website. For information on how to submit questions during the Annual Meeting, please refer to the Voting and Meeting Q&A section of this proxy statement.

OUR COMPANY

We are a global materials science and digital identification solutions company that provides a wide range of branding and information solutions that optimize labor and supply chain efficiency, reduce waste, advance sustainability, circularity and transparency, and better connect brands and consumers. Our products and solutions include labeling solutions, including pressure-sensitiveand functional materials, radio-frequencyradio frequency identification (RFID) inlays and tags, software applications that connect the physical and digital, and a variety of converted products and solutions. We design and manufacture a wide range of labeling and functional materialssolutions that enhance branded packaging and carry or display information that connectsimproves the physical and the digital, and improve customers’ product performance.customer experience. We serve an array of industries worldwide, including home and personal care, apparel, general retail, e-commerce, logistics, food and grocery, pharmaceuticals and automotive. We employ ~36K employees in more than 50 countries.

During 2022, ourOur company was composed of the following reportable segments: Label and Graphic Materials (LGM), Retail Branding and Information Solutions (RBIS) and Industrial and Healthcare Materials (IHM).

As reflected in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022 (our “2022 Annual Report”), we reorganized our company in the fourth quarter of 2022. We are nowis composed of two reportable segments:segments, Materials Group which comprises what was formerly LGM and IHMSolutions Group. Materials Group is a leading provider to pressure-sensitive label and reflectsgraphics industries worldwide. Our innovative products include label materials, graphics and reflective materials and functional bonding materials, such as tapes. Our label materials enhance shelf appeal for brands, inform shoppers, advance circularity, increase transparency, help reduce waste and improve operational supply chain efficiency. Our graphics portfolio offers highly engineered materials that range from vehicle wraps to architectural films. Materials Group plays a key role in advancing our efforts in recent years to leverage their combined operationalfast-growing Intelligent Labels business, providing the materials science capabilities and technologiesprocess engineering expertise essential to enhance our ability to win in their respective marketplaces,developing and manufacturing intelligent labels at scale.

Solutions Group is a name changeleading global provider of information and branding products and solutions that cover a breadth of customer needs from digital identification and data management, branding and embellishment, as well as productivity, pricing and retail media. We empower customers across multiple retail and industry segments to connect the former RBIS tophysical and digital, leveraging our industry-leading RFID solutions. Our technology addresses complex customer challenges, provides transparency and visibility across supply chains, improves labor and waste efficiency, and enables better reflectconsumer experiences at the reachpoint of purchase and ambitionsbeyond. Market segments served include the global apparel, logistics, food and grocery, and general retail industries. As a large ultra-high frequency RFID solutions provider, we leverage our innovation and data management capabilities, global footprint and market access in the ongoing advancement of our solutions beyond retail.Intelligent Labels business.

STRATEGY OVERVIEW

We are committed to ensuring the long-term success of all our stakeholders – our customers, investors, employees and communities. In 2022, we focused on managing pandemic-driven challenges in China, the Russian war in Ukraine and supply chain disruptions to deliver for our customers; minimizing the impact of significant inflation and sizable currency movements for our investors by implementing pricing and productivity measures and preparing to take additional actions in a recessionary environment; engaging and increasing the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) of our workforce; and continuing to support the communities where our team members live and work.

Over the past five years, we have managedfocused on delivering to our potential by managing through macro volatility while evolving our aspirations with. In 2023, we evolved our long-term strategies as shown below, adding a focus on:vital new one that reflects our growing Materials and Solutions connected capabilities and combining two of our former strategies into one.

 

DrivingDrive outsized growth in high-value product categories to accelerate growth, increase product and solution differentiation, and upgrade our portfolio mixthrough market-driven innovation

 

Growing profitabilityGrow profitably in our base business to protect and increase our advantageous cost/scale position and drive the profitable growth of our portfoliobusinesses

 

Focusing relentlessly on productivity to enhance competitiveness in our base businessesLead at the intersection of the physical and enable greater investment in high-value product categories, particularly our Intelligent Labels platformdigital

 

Allocating capital effectively to ensure stockholder returns above our cost ofEffectively allocate capital and expand economic value added (EVA)relentlessly focus on productivity

 

LeadingLead in an environmentally and socially responsible manner

Our customers are increasingly looking for help solving some of the most complex industry challenges, including labor efficiency and supply chain effectiveness; waste reduction, circularity and transparency; and better connection between brands and consumers. We believe that physical items will need a digital identity to be a force for good insolve these challenges, and that we are well-positioned to help the world, increase the engagement and DEI of our teams, and advance the sustainability of our company

industries we serve overcome them. A key aspect of ourOur vision is to leverage the strengths of our fast-growing Intelligent Labels platformMaterials and Solutions businesses to lead at the intersection of the physical and digital worlds. digital.

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2024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation


We plan to realize this vision through segmentation and industrysegment leadership, market-driven innovation, and advancement of digitization and related solutions. These evolvedintegrated digital solutions, leveraging our Intelligent Labels business. Our areas of focus reflectaddress key megatrends that present both risks and opportunities for our company as we seek to help our customers navigate the increasingly digital world and operate more sustainability by using fewer resources to satisfy demand and become a leader in the emerging digital world in which we believe every item will have a digital identity.sustainably.

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2023 Proxy Statement  |  Avery Dennison Corporation


Our strategies prioritize using our market insights, driving long-term innovation and enhancing the digital capability of our teams, while continuing to execute well in ourthe core businesses that have been key to our success. Our five strategic pillars and 20222023 achievements are shown below.

STRATEGIC PILLARS

 

 

 

 1  

 

  
  

Drive outsized growth in high-value categories through market-driven innovation

 

We aim to increase, both organically and through acquisitions, the proportion of our portfolio in high-value products and solutionscategories that serve markets that are growing faster than GDP,gross domestic product (GDP), represent large pools of potential profit and leverage our core capabilities. These products and solutions include our Intelligent Labels that use RFID tags and inlays, specialty and durable label materials, graphics and reflective solutions, industrial tapes, external embellishments, and shelf-edge pricing, productivity and consumer engagement solutions.

 

  

In 2022,2023, we achieved organic sales growthcontinued to increase the proportion of our portfolio in high-value product categories, that outpaced that of our base businesses, with strongsignificant organic growth in Intelligent Labels, external embellishments, specialty labels and Intelligent Labels,shelf-edge pricing, productivity and expandedconsumer engagement solutions, and the acquisition of three companies that expand the external embellishment capabilities in our position in high-value product categories by acquiring two companies and making venture investments in two other companies to advance our capabilities. Solutions Group. Over the past five years, we have more than tripleddoubled the size of our Intelligent Labels platform, reachingbusiness, with net sales of $0.8 billion~$850 million in 20222023..

 

 

 

 2  

 

  
  

Grow profitably in our base businesses

 

We strive to grow profitability in our base businesses by carefully balancing volume, price and mix; reducing complexity; and tailoring our go-to-market strategies

In 2022, we continued our product reengineering efforts to drive productivity and mitigate the impact of rising input costs

We strive to grow profitably in our base businesses by carefully balancing volume, price and mix, reducing complexity and tailoring our go-to-market strategies.

 

In 2023, we protected margins in our base businesses through product reengineering and productivity actions to mitigate the impact of lower volume as the industries we serve experienced significant inventory destocking.

 

 

 3  

 

  
  

Focus relentlessly on productivityLead at the intersection of the physical and digital

 

We employ product reengineeringconnect the physical and enterprise lean sigmadigital, leveraging the core capabilities of our Materials and Solutions businesses to expandhelp our margins, enhance our competitiveness (particularly in our base businesses)customers optimize labor efficiency and provide a funding source for reinvestment to decrease our costs as a percentage of salessupply chain effectiveness, reduce waste, advance circularity and transparency, and better connect brands with consumers.

 

In 2022, we delivered ~$26 million in pre-tax savings from restructuring actions, net of transition costs

 

 

 4  

 

  
  

Effectively allocate capital and relentlessly focus on productivity

 

We balance our investmentscapital investment in organic growth, productivity, and acquisitions and venture investments, while continuing to return cash to stockholders through dividends and share repurchases and ensure that we maintain a strong balance sheet with ample capacity to investinvest. In addition, we take actions to restructure our operations from time to time and use product reengineering and enterprise lean sigma principles to expand our margins, enhance our competitiveness and provide a funding source for reinvestment.

 

  

In 2022, leveraging our strong balance sheet,2023, we invested $298.5$285.1 million in fixed and information technology (IT) capital expenditures to support futureorganic growth; completed twothree acquisitions and made twoone venture investmentsinvestment for a total of $39.5$224.9 million; increased our quarterly dividend rate by ~10%~8%; and repurchased $379.5$137.5 million in shares of our common stockstock. We also delivered ~$69 million in pre-tax savings from restructuring actions, net of transition costs.

 

Avery Dennison Corporation | 2024 Proxy Statement

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 5 

 

  
  

Lead in an environmentally and socially responsible manner

 

We aim to deliveradvance the environmental sustainability of our company and value chain by delivering innovations that advance the circular economy, reducereducing the environmental impact of our operations, and supply chain, and offeroffering value-creation opportunities.opportunities for our customers. We also seek to make a positive social sustainability impact by building a more diverse workforce and inclusive and equitable culture, maintaining operations that promote health and safety, and supporting our communities.

 

  

In 2022, 2023, we made further progress toward our 2025 sustainability goals and activated plans and began measuring our progress toward our more ambitious 2030 sustainability goals,; reducedreducing the environmental impact of our operations and investedcontinuing to invest in our sustainability strategic innovation platformsplatform focused, among other things, on digital solutions, material circularity and waste reduction/elimination; drovedriving sustainable change in DEI;diversity, equity and leveraged the $10inclusion (DEI); and providing $5.5 million we contributed toin support for our communities, primarily through the Avery Dennison Foundation (ADF) in 2020 to provide meaningful support for our communities.

 

Avery Dennison Corporation  |  2023 Proxy Statement

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With these strategies in mind, our near-term business priorities are to further accelerate the adoption of Intelligent Labels, with strong execution in new programs; deliver on our high-value growth initiatives; achieve our financial objectives evenfor the first half of the year; deepen our ecosystem engagement and expand our M&A pipeline; accelerate sustainability-related and digital innovation; and expand organizational capability in a recessionary environment; advance our sustainable innovation initiatives;both Materials and accelerate our digital journey.Solutions.

PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

Strong 20222023 Performance

In 2022,Although a lower demand environment driven primarily by significant inventory destocking downstream from our company led to a challenging 2023, we delivered impressive results in the face of an extraordinarily challenging environment, reflecting our consistent ability to deliver year-over-year earnings growth despite the concurrent and compounding challenges. Demand volatility increasedsequential improvement each quarter during the year and continued advancement in key growth areas such as Intelligent Labels. Market conditions were significantly worse than we initially anticipated, which ledresulted in our not realizing our annual performance expectations. Demonstrating strength and resiliency, we navigated the challenging environment, protecting margins; improving service for our customers; deepening our insights into the drivers of demand and inventory throughout our value chain; continuing to customer inventory stockingshift our product portfolio toward high-value categories, particularly Intelligent Labels; and generating strong cash flow. By leveraging our core strengths of productivity, cost management and capital stewardship and expanding our potential in intelligent label solutions, we mitigated the first three quarters and subsequent destocking inimpact of the fourth quarter. Our performance reflectslower volume environment on our rigorous scenario planning, which allows us to quickly implement actions to address a wide range of financial situations.bottom line.

Our fiscal year 2022 performance reflects the consistent execution of our strategies, as well as the strength of our markets, our industry-leading positions, the strategic foundations we have laid and our talented team. Our keyKey financial results for the year are shown below.

 

  

Reported netNet sales of $9.0$8.4 billion,, up down 7.5% from $8.4$9.0 billion in 20212022, reflecting lower volume primarily as a result of inventory destocking

 

Excluding the impact of currency, sales grew by 13.1%, driven by higher prices and the impact of acquisitionsdeclined 6.9%

 

  

Reported earnings per share (EPS) increased 4.3%decreased from $8.83 in 2021 to $9.21 in 2022 to $6.20 in 2023

 

Adjusted EPS increased 2.7%decreased 13.7% from $8.91$9.15 to $9.15; adjusted EPS for the year was below the low end of the $9.35 to $9.75 annual guidance range we provided to investors in February 2022,$7.90, primarily reflecting significant currency movements during the yearlower volume, partially offset by productivity and restructuring actions

 

  

With reported net cash provided by operating activities of $961.0$826.0 million, delivered adjusted free cash flow of $667.3 million, which was the second highest level in our history but lower than both the record$591.9 million; adjusted free cash flow conversion, meaning the proportion of $797.7 millionnet income we achieved in 2021 and our 2022 plan of $700+ million, reflecting the impact of supply chain disruptions on inventorywere able to convert to cash, was more than 100%

 

  

On reported net income of $757.1$503.0 million, achieved return on total capital (ROTC) of 17.4%12.4%

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2024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation


Sales change excluding the impact of currency (sales change ex. currency), organic sales change, adjusted EPS, adjusted free cash flow and ROTC – as well as organic sales change, adjusted EBITDAearnings before interest, taxes depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and adjusted EBITDA margin, which are used later in this proxy statement – are supplemental non-GAAP financial measures that we use internally and provide to assist investors in assessing our performance, operating trends and liquidity. These measures are defined, qualified and reconciled from generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP) in the last sectionAppendix A of this proxy statement. These non-GAAP financial measures are not a substitute for or superior to the comparable financial measures under GAAP.

The fundamentals of our business shown below continue to provide us with significant competitive advantage.

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We are exposed to diverse and growing end markets, with catalysts for long-term growth

2023 Proxy Statement  |  Avery Dennison Corporation


We are industry leaders in our primary businesses, with strength in scale and innovation

We have a clear set of strategies that have been key to our success over the long term across a wide range of business cycles

We are uniquely positioned to connect the physical and digital to help address some of the most complex problems facing the industries we serve

On Track to DeliverProgress Toward 2025 Financial Targets

In March 2021, we announced financial targets through 2025. As shown below, based onGiven the challenges we experienced in 2023, our results forprogress toward these long-term targets slowed during the first two yearsyear; however, we expect significant progress in 2024 as label and apparel markets rebound and growth in our Intelligent Labels business accelerates. We believe that our strategies, together with our team’s ability to execute in various environments, will allow us to continue generating long-term value creation through a balance of this five-year period,GDP+ growth and strong returns, as we are on track to deliver these commitments tounlock significant growth opportunities and our investors.core businesses rebound.

In 2021-2022,2021-2023, on a two-yearthree-year compound annual basis (with 2020 as the base period), GAAP reported net sales increased by 6.3%, while GAAP operating income, net income and EPS increaseddecreased by 13.9%1.1%, 15.2%, 16.7%3.3% and 18.0%2.1%, respectively. GAAP reported operating margin in 20222023 was 11.9%9.4%.

 

  2021-2025 Targets  2021-2022 Results(1)    
  2021-2025 Targets  2021-2023 Results(1)  

Sales Growth Ex. Currency(2)

       5%+  15.8%

Sales Change Ex. Currency(2)

Sales Change Ex. Currency(2)

   5%+   7.7%

Adjusted EBITDA Growth(2)(3)

Adjusted EBITDA Growth(2)(3)

       6.5%  13%   6.5%   5.7%

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

       16%+ in 2025  15.1% in 2022

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

  16%+ in 2025   15.1% in 2023

Adjusted EPS Growth(2)

Adjusted EPS Growth(2)

       10%  13.5%   10%   3.6%

ROTC

       18%+  17.4% in 2022
ON TRACK TO ACHIEVE 2025 FINANCIAL TARGETS

ROTC

   18%+   12.4% in 2023

 (1)

Results for non-GAAP measures are reconciled from GAAP in the last sectionAppendix A of this proxy statement.

 
 (2)

Percentages for targets reflect five-year compound annual growth rates, with 2020 as the base period. Percentages for results reflect two-yearthree-year compound annual growth rates, with 2020 as the base period.

 
 (3)

Although adjusted EBITDA growth was not one of our original financial targets, it was implied by our sales growthchange ex. currency and adjusted EBITDA margin targets. The foreign currency translation impact to EBITDA was a benefit of approximately $38 million in 2021 and a headwind of approximately $81 million and $20 million in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

 

Effective Capital Allocation

We have invested in our businesses to support organic growth and acquired companies that expand our capabilities in high-value product categories, increase our pace of innovation and advance our sustainability initiatives.priorities. Our fixed and IT capital spending in 20222023 of $285.1 million was ~10% higher than in 2021, primarilycomparable to 2022, reflecting our continued investment in high-value categories, particularly our fast-growing Intelligent Labels platform. business. During the year, we acquired TexTrace AGThermopatch, Inc. (“TexTrace”Thermopatch”), a Switzerland-based technology developerNew York-based manufacturer specializing in custom-made wovenlabeling, embellishments and knitted RFID products that can be sewn onto or inserted into garments, as well as Rietveld Serigrafie B.V.transfers for the sports, industrial laundry, workwear and Rietveld Screenprinting Serigrafi Baski Matbaa Tekstil Ithalat Ihracat Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi (collectively, “Rietveld”hospitality industries; LG Group, Inc. (“Lion Brothers”), a Netherlands-basedMaryland-based designer and manufacturer of apparel brand embellishments; and Silver Crystal Group (“Silver Crystal”), a Canada-based provider of external embellishment solutionssports apparel customizations and application solutions across in-venue,direct-to-businessand printing methods for performance brands and team sportse-commerce platforms; together, these acquisitions expand the external embellishments portfolio in Europe.our Solutions Group. We also made twoone venture investmentsinvestment in companiesa company developing technological solutions that we believe have the potential to advance our strategies.

In 2022,2023, we paid $238.9$256.7 million in dividends of $2.93$3.18 per share and repurchased 2.20.8 million shares of our common stock. We raised our quarterly dividend rate by ~10%~8% in April 2022.2023.

As shown below, over the last five years, we have deployed nearly $2 billion to acquisitions and venture investments and over $2 billion to dividends and share repurchases.

 

LOGO

LOGO

LOGO

    *Includes venture investments

Avery Dennison Corporation |20232024 Proxy Statement

 

 

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As shown below, over the last five years, we have deployed over $2 billion to acquisitions (including venture investments) and returned over $2 billion to stockholders in dividends and share repurchases.

LOGO

LOGO

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Longer-Term Total Stockholder Return (TSR) Outperformance

Our TSR in 20222023 was negative, reflectingmodestly below the broad financial market downturn and consistent with the TSR of both the S&P 500 and the median of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Industrials Index and Materials subsets, twomodestly above the Dow Jones U.S. Container & Packaging Index, three comparator groups we use to assess our relative performance. In 2023, we disaggregated our market basket comparator group used in previous years into the S&P 500 Industrials Index and the Dow Jones U.S. Container & Packaging Index, of which we are a member. We believe this presentation provides greater clarity on our relative performance, reflecting it in a manner more consistent with the methodology used by peer companies.

We believe that our longer-term TSR is a more meaningful measure than our one-year TSR, which can be significantly impacted by short-term market volatility that may be unrelated to our performance. Both our three- andOur five-year cumulative TSR significantly outperformed all three of these two comparator groups. We are a member of the Materials subset, and also share many characteristics with members of the Industrials subset; investors have indicated that they also look at both subsets in evaluating our performance relative to that of our peers.

 

5-Year Cumulative

5-YEAR CUMULATIVE TSR

 

LOGO

1-, 3- and 5-Year TSRLOGO

 

    AVY  S&P 500  S&P Indus. & Mats.*

2018

  (20)%    (4)%  (15)%

2019

    49%    32%    34%

2020

    21%    18%    17%

2021

    41%    29%    24%

2022

   (15)%    (18)%    (11)%

3-Year TSR

    45%    25%    32%

5-Year TSR

    72%    57%    64%
*

Based on median of companies in both subsets as of December 31, 2022

1-, 3- AND 5-YEAR TSR

   AVY 

S&P 500

Index

 

S&P 500

Industrials

Index

 

Dow Jones

U.S. Container &
Packaging Index

2019

   49%  31%   29%   29%

2020

   21%  18%   11%   21%

2021

   41%  29%   21%   11%

2022

 (15)% (18)%   (5)% (18)%

2023

   14%  26%   18%    8%

 3-Year TSR

   37%   33%   35%   (2)%

 5-Year TSR

 145% 107%   94%   53%

 

 

ESG ADVANCEMENTLEADERSHIP TRANSITION

EXECUTIVE CHAIRMANPRESIDENT/CEO
LOGOLOGO

Mitch Butier

Deon Stander

In May 2023, Mitch Butier announced his decision to step down as our CEO. Our Board elected Mr. Butier as Executive Chairman effective September 1, 2023 to ensure a smooth transition by providing counsel and guidance to our new CEO, noting that, during his tenure as CEO, our company delivered superior performance while creating even greater future potential, accelerated growth and expanded margins, and advanced our sustainability priorities.

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2024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation


Our Board has a well-established CEO succession planning process that is part of its broader ongoing leadership succession planning. Reflecting a thoughtful succession process, in May 2023 our Board elected Deon Stander as President/CEO, effective September 1, 2023. Mr. Stander had been our President/Chief Operating Officer (COO) since March 2022, after having served as Vice President/General Manager of our business now known as Solutions Group since June 2015. Having evaluated his attributes, experiences and strengths as a leader during multiple discussions over the preceding 18-24 months, our Board determined that Mr. Stander, who has served in a number of leadership roles across the globe with increasing responsibility and impact during his 20-year career with our company, was the right individual to lead our company into the future. Mr. Stander has a proven track record, including leading the transformation of our Solutions business and helping accelerate growth in Intelligent Labels.

In connection with their transitions to these respective roles, giving consideration to the advice of its independent compensation consultant, WTW, our Board’s Talent and Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) made the decisions described below related to the compensation of Messrs. Stander and Butier.

For Mr. Stander, increased his annual base salary from $700,000 to $1.1 million and his target Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) opportunity from 75% to 135% of base salary, in each case effective September 1, 2023. The Compensation Committee preliminarily aligned to increase his target long-term incentive (LTI) opportunity from 300% to 550% of base salary, effective with the annual LTI award on March 1, 2024, subject to its review of market pay for similar roles at that time. In addition, the Compensation Committee approved a special promotion award of stock options on September 1, 2023 with a grant date fair value of approximately $3 million, 50% of which vests on each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date, in each case subject to his continued service.

For Mr. Butier, reduced his annual base salary from $1.3 million to $1 million and his target AIP opportunity from 160% to 120% of base salary, in each case effective September 1, 2023. He received no special LTI award in connection with his role change.

2024 DIRECTOR NOMINEES (ITEM 1)

As previously disclosed, in February 2024, Julia Stewart notified our Board of her intention not to stand for reelection at the Annual Meeting. As a result, her membership on our Board will end on the date of the Annual Meeting.

Board Performance Highlights

Our Board provides strong oversight of our management team and company, with highlights of its accomplishments in recent years described below.

Supported management in navigating our response to the pandemic, including related labor, freight and inflationary challenges, in 2020 and 2021; pandemic-related challenges in China, the Russia-Ukraine war, supply chain disruptions, sizable currency movements and inflationary pressures in 2022; and lower demand driven primarily by downstream inventory destocking in 2023

Oversaw management’s consistent execution of our strategies, delivering performance that exceeded our 2021 financial targets and progressed us toward achieving our 2025 financial targets, as well as 2019-2023 TSR of 145%, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 Index, S&P 500 Industrials Index and Dow Jones U.S. Container & Packaging Index

Supported management in evaluating synergistic acquisition targets, resulting in 15 companies becoming part of our portfolio, adding new capabilities, expanding our position in high-value product categories and enhancing our opportunities in the marketplace

Implemented thoughtful Board refreshment and director succession planning to ensure we maintain a high-caliber Board; mitigate the potential impact of concentrated mandatory retirements given the closeness in age of many of our directors; and further enhance overall Board diversity, leading to the appointment of three new independent directors in the last 18 months, two of whom increased the gender and/or ethnic diversity on our Board

Conducted regular executive succession planning, resulting in experienced leaders promoted to more senior positions, including our new CEO and Solutions Group President, each appointed in 2023

Sharpened focus on advancing our sustainability agenda, with continuous progress toward achieving our 2025 sustainability goals and more ambitious 2030 goals, as well as enhanced sustainability reporting

Avery Dennison Corporation | 2024 Proxy Statement

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Matrix of Director Nominee Skills, Qualifications and Demographic Backgrounds

Our director nominees bring a balance of skills, qualifications and demographic backgrounds to their roles in providing oversight of our company, as shown by individual in the matrix below. This matrix, which has been revised and expanded from previous years to, among other things, specify key areas of industry and functional experience or expertise, reflects additional information we solicited from directors in our year-end 2023 questionnaire.

As part of its ongoing director succession planning process, the Governance Committee regularly discussed and reported to our Board during 2023 on the skills, qualifications and demographic backgrounds desirable for our Board to best serve the needs of our company. As part of this process, the Governance Committee initiated a search for new directors with retail/consumer packaged goods (CPG) or finance expertise, which led to the appointment of Maria Fernanda Mejia to our Board in February 2024. The search for an independent director with finance expertise continues and is expected to conclude in the coming months.

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2024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation


DIRECTOR NOMINEE MATRIX

LOGO

 
Initial Criteria
           

Independent(1)

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

          

Public Company Leadership Exp.(2)

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

          

Public Company Board Exp.(3)

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

Industry Experience(4)
           

Digital/Technology

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

          

Retail

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

          

Consumer Goods

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

          

Packaging

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

          

Materials Science

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

  

 

          

Industrial Goods

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

  

 

Functional Experience(4)
          

Finance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          

Marketing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          

M&A

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          

Environmental Sustainability

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

          

Cybersecurity

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

          

Science/Engineering/R&D

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Demographic Background(5)
  

Tenure (years as of YE 2023)

 

634

 

1334

 

<1

 

34

 

1612

 

 

1034

 

734

 

1834

 

114

          

Gender

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

          

Woman

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

          

Man

 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

          

Non-Binary

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

          

Age

 

61

 

67

 

55

 

52

 

71

 

60

 

67

 

52

 

68

 

57

          

Mandatory Retirement Year

 

2035

 

2029

 

2041

 

2044

 

2025

 

2036

 

2029

 

2044

 

2028

 

2039

          

Race/Ethnicity

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

          

Black or African American

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

          

Hispanic or Latino

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

          

White

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          

Asian (including South Asian)

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

          

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

          

Native American or Alaska Native

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

          

LGBTQ+

                    
          

Veteran

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

          

Works/Worked Outside U.S.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

(1)

Determined by our Board as independent under NYSE listing standards.

(2)

Service as U.S. public company CEO, COO and/or CFO.

(3)

Prior or concurrent service on another U.S. public company board excluding companies at which individual served or serves as CEO, COO and/or CFO.

(4)

Key for industry and functional experience:

Technical expertise – Direct management experience or subject matter expertise during professional career.

Supervisory experience – Supervisory management experience during professional career.

Substantial knowledge – Knowledge from serving on board of another U.S. public company and/or gained from investment banking or private equity experience.

(5)

Classifications for gender, race/ethnicity, LGBTQ+, veteran and works/worked outside the U.S. based on directors’ responses to questionnaire.

Avery Dennison Corporation | 2024 Proxy Statement

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Board Governance Highlights

Highlights of our governance program are shown below.

Stockholder Rights

   Market-standard proxy access

   If Item 3 is approved at Annual Meeting, stockholders will have the right to request that we call special meetings of stockholders at 25% ownership threshold

   No supermajority voting requirements

   No poison pill

   No exclusive forum or fee-shifting bylaws

Board Governance

   Annual election of directors

   Majority voting in director elections

   Single class of outstanding voting stock

   Director nominees 80% independent

   Robust Lead Independent Director role

   Regular director succession planning and paced Board refreshment, including four new directors appointed within last 18 months

   Continuous executive succession planning and leadership development

   Annual Board/Committee evaluations and individual director feedback process

   Mandatory director retirement policy at age 72 with no exemptions or waivers allowed or granted

   Best practice Governance Guidelines

   Strong Board and Committee governance

   Direct access to management and experts

SUSTAINABILITY

We have been consistently focused on advancing our ESG profile,sustainability agenda by establishing our priorities, setting ambitious goals and making consistent progress toward their achievement. Our sustainedsustainability progress reflects the leadership of our management team and the extensive engagement and oversight of our Board, as well as the commitment and passion of our team members worldwide.

ESGSustainability Governance

We believe that strong ESG datasustainability governance ensures consistency and accuracy of information we use to provide transparency to our stakeholders. We achieve strongOur governance using the multilayered approachstructure is shown on the following page.below.

 

SUSTAINABILITY GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE

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20232024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation

 


ESG GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE

LOGO

ESGSustainability Data and Reporting

We continue to refine and expand the sustainability data we disclose, which has provided our stakeholders with regular insight into our progress. Our ESGsustainability data is indexed to the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) frameworks to facilitate comparability of our results with those of other companies. In 2022, weWe partnered with a third-party expert to assess our current disclosures against the recommendations of the Financial Stability Board’s Task Force on Climate-RelatedClimate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) regarding the information that companies should disclose to allow their stakeholders to assess and price their climate-related risks. We are establishing ourrisks and have developed a plan to enable timelyalign with TCFD compliance.requirements.

We have also reportedreport to Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) Climate, Water and Forests since 2010, 2015 and 2016, respectively. support the growing adoption of International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) standards. We continueplan to expand the volumeassess our reporting against ISSB standards, and other disclosures that incorporate those standards, as part of ESG information we disclose, which has resulted in our scores from ESG rating agencies, including CDP, continuing to improve.ongoing sustainability reporting transparency efforts.

 

Our ESG Program Management Office assessessustainability teams assess our reporting in accordance with the external frameworks; engagesengage with ESGenvironmental, social and governance (ESG) rating agencies; managesmanage our data collection and reporting processes; createsestablish and monitor assurance guidance and controls; and approvesapprove reports, data and information prior to their publication.information. In addition, we engage an independent third party to validate our energy and GHGgreenhouse gas (GHG) emissions datadata. Having aligned with our Internalthe Audit team performing walkthroughs of key metrics and providing advisory engagement. After aligning with our Board’s Audit and Finance Committee (the “Audit Committee”) to ensure Board oversight we formalizedof sustainability governance, our reporting processes forensure data owner sign-off, ESG Sustainability Disclosure Committee review and senior management approval. prior to publication.

Our March 20232024 ESG Download, published concurrently with this proxy statementbeing made available on our ESG website at esg.averydennison.com on or before the filing of our definitive proxy statement, reflects our focus and progress on thesesustainability and governance matters. It includes ~140 metrics covering our policies, goals, strategies, risks, outcomes and certifications. Information on our website is not and should not be considered part of, nor is it incorporated by reference into, this proxy statement.

Avery Dennison Corporation  |  2023 Proxy Statement

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ESGSustainability Progress

Sustainability is one of our core values and has long been integral to our way of doing business.To create value for all our stakeholders, we are advancing our sustainability strategic innovation platformsplatform focused, among other things, on digital solutions, material circularity and waste reduction/elimination,elimination; building a more diverse workforce and inclusive and equitable culture,culture; maintaining operations that promote health and safety,safety; and supporting our communities.Integrating sustainability into our business strategies has helped us deliver continued progress by engagingengage employees at all levels.levels to deliver sustained progress.

Avery Dennison Corporation | 2024 Proxy Statement

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In the first seveneight years of the 10-year horizon for our 2025 sustainability goals, we have made substantial progress, including exceeding our goal for cumulative GHG emissions reduction, as shown in the scorecard below. You can find additional information on our ESGsustainability progress in our 2022 integrated sustainability and annual report2023 Integrated Report being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) prior to the distribution of thisour proxy statement,materials, as well as in our March 20232024 ESG Download.

 

20222023 SCORECARD OF PROGRESS TOWARD 2025 SUSTAINABILITY GOALS

Focus Area

 

Goal(s)

 

Baseline Year

 

Highlights of Progress

 

Greenhouse

Gas Emissions

 

LOGOLOGO

 

 

 

Achieve at least 3% absolute reduction year-over-year and at least 26% overallcumulative reduction by 2025

 

 

2015

 

 

Reduced absolute GHG emissions by ~6%additional ~7% in 12 months through Q3 20222023, our most recently available data, compared to same period in prior year; reduced GHG emissionsyear and by ~54%~63% cumulatively through Q3 2023 compared to baseline year

 

Paper

 

LOGOLOGO

 

 

 

Source 100% certified paper, of which at least 70% is Forest Stewardship Council®-certified

 

 

2015

 

 

Of total volume of paper procured in 2022, ~94%2023, ~96% was certified, with ~81%~79% of face stock Forest Stewardship Council®-certified

 

Films

 

LOGOLOGO

 

 

 

Ensure that 70% of films we buy conform to, or enable end products to conform to, our environmental and social guiding principles

 

 

N/A

 

 

~97% of 20222023 film volume conformed to Materials Group’s restricted substance listRestricted Substance List (RSL)

 

Chemicals

 

LOGOLOGO

 

 

 

Ensure that 70% of chemicals we buy conform to, or enable end products to conform to, our environmental and social guiding principles

 

 

N/A

 

 

~96% of 20222023 chemical volume conformed to Materials Group’s RSL

 

Products and

Solutions

 

LOGOLOGO

 

 

 

Through innovation, deliver above-average growth in salesDerive 70% of revenues from sustainability-driven products and services

Ensure that 70% of(as defined by our products and solutions conform to, or enable end products to conform to, our environmental and social guiding principlesSustainable ADvantage criteria)

 

 

2015

 

 

~63%67% of Materials Group (LGM only)(based only on Label and ~62%Graphic Materials) and ~64% of Solutions Group (Apparel Solutions only)(based only on Apparel Solutions) sales in 20222023 came from sustainability-driven products that are responsibly sourced, enable recyclability, contain recycled content or use less material

 

Waste

 

LOGOLOGO

 

 

 

Be 95% landfill-free, with at least 75% of our waste reused, repurposed or recycled

Eliminate 70% of the matrix and liner waste from our value chain

 

 

2015

 

 

Diverted ~93% of solid waste from landfills and recycled ~64% of waste as of Q3 2022,2023, our most recently available data

 

People

 

LOGOLOGO

 

 

 

Continue to cultivate diverse (40%+ female at level of manager and above), engaged, safe (recordable incident rate (RIR) of <0.25), productive and healthy workforce

 

Maintain world-class safety and employee engagement scores

 

 

2015

 

 

Increased female representation at level of manager and above by ~4% from baseline year, reaching ~36% at YE 20222023

 

Continued world-class safety record, with RIR of 0.230.22 in 2022,2023, substantially better than manufacturing industry average of 3.33.2 in 20212022 (most recently available data)

 

Employee engagement of 84.5%~80%* in 20222023

 

Transparency

 

LOGOLOGO

 

 

Commit to goals publicly and be transparent in reporting progress

 

 

N/A

 

 

Continued enhancedenhancing sustainability transparency with more frequent and comprehensive ESG disclosures,reporting, including on our ESG website and in our integrated annual financial and sustainability reports,Integrated Reports, proxy statements and ESG Downloads

*

Data reflects change in engagement survey platform and methodology.

 

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After completing our biannual materiality assessment in 2020 to prioritize the most relevantsignificant environmental and social sustainability challenges then facing our company and our stakeholders, we established newan additional set of sustainability goals and targets related to environmental and social sustainability that we are aiming to achieve by 2030. Within these goals, we have specific targets. In 2022, we completed an enhanced materiality assessment, which included an updated mapping of our sustainability priorities throughout our value chain. This process included interviews with internal and external stakeholders such as members of management, customers and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as well as industry analysis. The topics that ranked highest in the assessment also offer substantial value-creation opportunities for our company and customers. The most material topics identified in our 2022 materiality assessment – transition to a circular economy, advanced technologies and innovation, climate change, GHG emissions and reduction, supply chain, fair and inclusive marketplace, materials management and operational waste – are all reflected in our 2030 sustainability goals and targets.Our progress against these targetstoward our 2030 goals through 2023 is shown below.

2022 SCORECARD OF PROGRESS TOWARD 2030 SUSTAINABILITY GOALS

 

2023 SCORECARD OF PROGRESS TOWARD 2030 SUSTAINABILITY GOALS

GoalsGoal

 

Targets

 

Baseline Year

 

Highlights of Progress

 

LOGOLOGO

 

Deliver innovations that

advance the

circular economy

 

 

Satisfy the recycling, composting or reuse requirements of all single-use consumer packaging and apparel with our products and solutions

 

 

 

 

 

 

Solutions Group: 100% withinof our core product categories (printed fabric labels, woven labels, paper, interior heat-transfer labels, packaging and RFID) will meet our third-party verified Sustainable ADvantage Standardstandard

 

 

N/A

 

 

~69%75% (based only on

Apparel business)Solutions)

 

 

Materials Group: 100% of our standard label products will contain recycled or renewable content; all of our regions will have labels that enable circularity of plastics

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

~60%61% (based only on volume)Label and Graphic Materials)

 

LOGOLOGO

 

Reduce the environmental

impact in our operations
and supply chain

 

Reduce our scopeScope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 70% from our 2015 baseline.

Work with our supply chain to reduce our 2018 baseline scopeScope 3 GHG emissions by 30%, with an ambition of net zero by 2050

 

 

N/A

 

 

Scope 1 and 2: ~54%~63%; as of Q3 20222023, our most recently available data

 

Scope 3: TrackingPrior-year calculations publicly available in developmentour most recent CDP Climate response*

 

 

Source 100% of paper fiber from certified sources focused on a deforestation-free future

 

 

 

2015

 

 

~94%96% certified

 

 

Divert 95% of our waste away from landfills, with a minimum of 80% of our waste recycled and the remainder either reused, composted or sent to energy recovery

 

 

2015

 

 

~89% landfill-free*landfill-free

~64% recycled

 

 

Deliver a 15% increase in water efficiency at our sites that are located in highhigh- or extremely high riskhigh-risk countries as identified in the World Resources Institute Aqueduct Tool

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

~12%9% as of Q3 2023

 

LOGOLOGO

 

Make a positive social

impact by enhancing the

livelihood of our people
and communities

 

 

 

 

Foster an engaged team and an inclusive workplace.workplace

•  Inclusion Index: 85%

•  Employee Engagement: 82%

•  Females in manager level or above positions: 40%

•  Safety: 0.2 RIR of 0.20

 

 

 

2015

 

 

~85%76%** (N/A in 2015)

84.5%~80%** (from 80%)

~36% (from 32%)

0.23 RIR0.22 (from 0.31)

 

 

Support the participation of our employees in Avery Dennison FoundationADF grants and foster the well-being of the communities in which we and our supply chain operate.operate

•  85% of countries in which we operate receive ADF grants

•  50% of all ADF grants incorporate volunteerism

 

 

N/A

 

 

~68%Made ADF grants in ~72% of countries in which we operate received a grant

 

95% of grants incorporated employee volunteerism

*

Our Scope 3 GHG emissions reporting is currently spend-based and fluctuates with market trends and inflation.

**

Data reflects change in engagement survey platform and methodology.

 

*

In 2022, we began to measure our waste diverted from landfill both (i) including direct incineration and (ii) excluding direct incineration to better align our tracking with our 2025 and 2030 goals, respectively. Prior to 2022, we only reported waste including direct incineration.

Avery Dennison Corporation |20232024 Proxy Statement

 

 

913

 


PEOPLE AND CULTURE

Our team’s collective employee experience is driven bydepends on our culture, technology and work environment, whether physicalin an office, remote or digital.hybrid. To enhance this experience, we have improvedadvanced our professional-level onboarding and expanded digital access for our manufacturing and remote employees; enabled the continuous growth of our employee resource groups (ERGs);, which are open to all employees; further enhanced our flexible work arrangements; enhanced and expanded our annual pay equity review process; provided more targeted talent development programming; and matured our enterprise leader development program.

 

We have continued our practice ofannually evaluating pay equity, making adjustments where appropriate. OurIn 2023, we reviewed pay equity review considers(considering total base and bonus compensation. In 2022, we reviewed pay equityannual incentive compensation) with respect to gender for all non-manufacturing employees globally, as well as all manufacturing employees in the U.S., and certain other countries, and with respect to race/ethnicity for all U.S. employees. Our teams engaged with company leadership on our pay equity/transparency priorities and implemented several advancements, such as including employees from recently integrated acquisitions in our population data, expanding our analysis to include long-term incentives for director-level and above employees, and fine-tuning our analytic model in certain regions to reflect their unique circumstances.We also enhanced pay transparency to reflectcomply with evolving laws and regulations.

Diversity is one of our core values, reflecting our commitment to ensuring an inclusive and equitable environment for people of all backgrounds and orientations andbackgrounds. It is our belief that we gain strength from diverse ideas and teams. Our DEI efforts are intended to foster an environment where our employees can grow and be increasingly productive and innovative, enhancing our reputation as a great place to work and allowing us to attract and retain talent for the benefit of our stakeholders. We hold ourselves accountable for our DEI progress with quantitative targets for employee engagement, inclusion and global gender diversity in our 2030 sustainability goals. Over the past several years, we have made consistent progress insignificantly advanced our DEI journey, as shown below. Our 2022 2023 EEO-1 statistics,, which reflect the voluntary self-identification by our U.S. employees, can be found in our March 20232024 ESG Download.

 

HIGHLIGHTS OF DEI JOURNEY

2015

LOGO

 

•   Established goal of 40%+ female at manager level and above

•   Employees established first ERG (Northeast Ohio Chinese)

2016-2020

 

LOGOLOGO

 

•   Added Diversity as one of our company values

•   Established Regional DEI Councils

•   Launched and expanded gender pay equity review and began evaluating U.S. racial/ethnic pay equity, in each case making adjustments where appropriate

•   Began requiring gender diversegender-diverse hiring slate goalsslates globally

•   LaunchedConducted unconscious bias training for managers globally

•   Added inclusion index to annual employee engagement survey

•   Expanded flexible work arrangements

•   Began significantly increasing DEI transparency

•   Initiated Women.Empowered development program

•   Joined CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion

•   Employees established several new ERGs, including for women and Black/African American, LGBTQ+ and Latinx employees

2021

 

LOGOLOGO

 

•   Formalized DEI strategy with four global pillars and supporting regional focus areas

•   Established DEI infrastructure with global leader and dedicated regional resources

•   Further enhanced pay equity review by engagingwith third-party expert to analyzeanalysis of U.S. racial/ethnic data

•   Began annually publishing EEO-1 data

statistics

•   Reached milestone of 20+ ERGs,

which are open to all our employees

•   Implemented more equitable benefits for LGBTQ+ employees and their families

20222022-2023

 

LOGOLOGO

 

•   Made additional progress in female manager+ representation; now on track to achieve 2030 goal ofreach 40% by 2026

•   MaintainedImproved global female employee engagement and maintained rate of female departures in manager+ positions despite competitive talent market

•   Grew ERG membership globally by 30%+

•   Improved global female employee engagement score

•   Launched AD Advocate, pairing select executives to sponsor and mentor top diverse talent

•   Implemented new employee engagement survey, providing expanded set of questions more reflective of market best practices, enhanced comparability with peers, improved analytics and pulse survey capability

•   Held listening sessions withCompleted foundational work focused on DEI strategic pillars of women leaders, fairness manufacturing, inclusion and female employeesunderrepresented groups (from hiring to better understand their viewsdevelopment and career growth)

In 2024, we plan to maintain our focus on fair and transparent talent practices and standards, equitable access to opportunities for career growth and development, and manufacturing team communication and camaraderie.

 

1014

 

 

20232024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation

 


STOCKHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

In addition to our ongoing investor relations program through which our CEO, President/COO, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), business leaders and Investor Relations team engage with our investors throughout the year, for the last 10 years,over a decade, we have semiannually engaged with stockholders to discuss and solicit their feedback on our strategies, executive compensation and ESG matters.

sustainability progress, offering to include directors as participants in scheduled meetings. The objectives of this program are to maintain regular and thoughtful engagement to directly obtain investor feedback; continue to strengthen our relationships with key investors; and gather perspectives on our sustainability and governance profile to identify potential improvement opportunities. Our Board and management believe that ongoing stockholder engagement fosters a deeper understanding of our investors’ evolving investor expectations on ESG matters and helps us ensure we continue to reflect best practices.The objectives of our stockholder engagement program are to discuss our company strategies, Board, executive compensation and ESG progress; strengthen our relationships with our top investors; address any concerns raised in prior engagements; and ensure we meet evolving investor expectations.

20222023 Engagement Results

In 2022, we contacted our top 30 investors in the spring and the fall. Board members, in particular our Lead Independent Director, and management were made available to answer questions and address concerns. We engaged with every stockholder who accepted our invitation to meet, and our Lead Independent Director led the majority of our off-season engagements.

The results of our 2022 stockholder engagement, based on percentage of shares outstanding, are shown below.

 

2023 ENGAGEMENT RESULTS*
    2022 ENGAGEMENT RESULTS  Outreach  Conversations

In 2023, we contacted our top 35 investors in proxy season and the off-season. Board members, in particular our Lead Independent Director (LID), and management were made available to answer questions and discuss matters of investor interest. We engaged with every stockholder who requested a meeting or accepted our invitation to meet, and our Lead Independent Director led the majority of our off-season engagements.

  

 
LOGO
LOGO 
  LOGOLOGO
 LOGO*

Based on percentage of shares outstanding.

2022 Engagement Feedback

We discussed the results and feedback from our 20222023 engagement regarding executive compensation and social sustainability with the Talent and Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) and theregarding governance and environmental sustainability with our Board’s Governance Committee of our Board, andCommittee. We also shared highlights with the fullour Board to supplement the reports from those Committee Chairs.

In February 2024, giving consideration to the feedback we received from investors during our 2023 engagements, our Board approved, subject to stockholder approval at the Annual Meeting, a Certificate of Amendment to our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to provide that stockholders holding 25% of our outstanding common stock have the right to request that we call special meetings of stockholders.

2023 Engagement Feedback

We discussed our leadership transition in all off-season engagements, with investors interested to learn about our Board’s executive succession planning process, engagement with the CEO successor in and outside the boardroom, and strategic rationale for determining Mr. Stander to be the right individual to guide our company in the next phase of its journey. Stockholders also sought to understand the role, responsibilities and anticipated tenure of our Executive Chairman.

Governance Feedback

Our 20222023 engagements provided feedback on the governance matters described below.

 

  

Board composition, including the appropriateness of the balance of skills, qualifications, and demographic backgrounds and tenure distribution on our Board given our company’s evolving strategies including our aim to lead at the intersection of the physical and digital worlds and continually advance our sustainability initiatives

 

  

Board refreshment and diversity, including our director succession planning process to ensure a robust pipeline of potential new directors, the rationale for recent director appointments and our Governance Committee’s search for new directors to enhance our tenure distribution and the diversity of skills and demographic backgrounds on our Boardwith retail/CPG or finance expertise

 

  

Board leadership structure, including our rationale for our currently combined Chairman/CEO withmaintaining a robustnon-independent Chairman complemented by a proactive and engaged Lead Independent Director role

 

  

Our shareholderstockholder rights profile, as it compares toparticularly the governance expectationsinability of our investorsstockholders to request that we call special meetings of stockholders

Avery Dennison Corporation | 2024 Proxy Statement

15


Environmental Sustainability Feedback

Environmental sustainability was a significant area of focus for the stockholders with which we engaged. Investors uniformly commended our ESGsustainability transparency within the disclosures contained in our integrated annual and sustainability reports,Integrated Reports, proxy statements and ESG Downloads and on our ESG website at esg.averydennison.com.Downloads. Environmental sustainability was the primary area of focus for the investors with which we engaged in the fall of 2022. During our conversations, we primarily discussed the matters described below and on the following page.below.

 

  

The Ourstrong linkage between environmental sustainability and progress against our company strategies, as well as the ways in which it provides competitive advantage2025 and creates value-creation opportunities, including how we are advancing our Sustainable ADvantage portfolio of solutions that enable recyclability, reduce waste and/or extend product life

Avery Dennison Corporation  |  2023 Proxy Statement

11


The activation of our new 2030 sustainability goals, including our collaboration with CDPsubstantial achievement of the former set of goals and whether adjustments would be made to engagethe original goals or would be reflected in our supply chain to begin tracking our scope 3 GHG emissions reduction target

Climate change and our initial roadmap to achieve net zero GHG emissions by 2050, focusing on the challenges we are facing, including managing supply chain constraints and ensuring energy resiliency, as well as our actions to deliver innovative solutions that enable circularity

Our engagement with customers, suppliers, regulators and peer companies on reducing the manufacture and usenext set of single-use plasticssustainability goals

 

  

Our water-related efforts with the paper supply chain

Executive Compensation Feedback

The stockholders with whom we spoke in 2022 expressed support for our executive compensation program, noting that the program aligns with our strategies. In 2021, the consideration of ESG matters in our executive compensation program had been a significant area of investor interest. As a result of those conversations, in our 2022 proxy statement, we disclosed our approach of establishing annual incentive performance objectives based on quantitative financial measures, supplemented by a qualitative assessment of individual performance that includes consideration of ESG-related goals and results. We also explained our Board’s view that our financial success in recent years reflects our ESG progress, noting that we have made substantial ESG progress as part of our commitment to deliver for all our stakeholders. The Compensation Committee appreciated the positive feedback received on its approach, refining the related disclosures contained in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this proxy statement.

Social Sustainability and Talent Management Feedback

Social sustainability and talent management remainedcurrent focus areas of investor interest in 2022. In addition to the general feedback on our ESG program noted above, discussions related to these topics included the following matters:

Our Board’s enhanced focus on leadership succession planning, with discussions taking place at multiple 2022 meetings

The activation of our DEI goals, including our increased investment in Regional DEI Councilsgoal attainment, actions to address increasing regulatory requirements, improved transparency and internal infrastructure; advancement in employeeESG ratings agency engagement, through our ERGs; adoption of more inclusive health and welfare benefits; bottom-up approach to regional goal-setting, with actions tailored to the needs of our diverse communities; and aim to be an employer of choicemateriality

 

  

Our focus groups across the globeefforts to reduce Scope 3 GHG emissions, including our investment in internal infrastructure with dedicated procurement resources in each of our business segments; partnership with CDP Supply Chain to optimize engagement with our manufacturing employees led by company leaderscustomers; and measurement methodology, including our potential transition from spend-based to obtain feedback from our core team members

The programs we offer to make our company an attractive place to work and challenges recruiting and retaining talent in a tight labor market and generating consistent workforce data from across our global population

DEI continued to be a significant topic in our engagements. The matters described below were areas of DEI focus.

The ways in which DEI aligns with our business strategies, allowing us to recruit and retain an engaged workforce committed to advancing their success and ours

The Compensation Committee’s discussionmaterials-based measurement of our DEI initiatives and progress, including pay equity and transparency, at multiple meetings in 2022, with supplemental engagement on these matters by our full Board with our CEO, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), business leaders and DEI leadersemissions

 

  

Our planned launch in 2023 of2025 pulse engagement surveysgoal related to supplement70% sustainability-driven products, including our annual employee engagement surveycriteria for designation as sustainability-driven and explore more discrete topics impacting the employee experience of targeted populationsour shift from our goals for 2025 focused on our products to our goals for 2030 focused on what our products enable for our customers and end users

 

  

Our disclosed EEO-1 data,efforts toward aligning with investors expressing continued interest in learning about the demographics ofTCFD requirements, including our workforce, what we believe drives employee engagement,assessment with a third-party expert to understand our physical and howtransactional risks and our company plans to ensure the continued success ofincorporate TCFD into our global teamsenterprise risk management (ERM) and long-term strategic planning processes

 

Our net zero ambition, including internal strategy development, the impact of our progress reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions, and our dependence on other parties to reduce Scope 3 GHG emissions

BroadeningExecutive Compensation and Social Sustainability Feedback

The primary focus areas during our talent pool2023 engagements were our leadership transition, Board refreshment and governance profile; executive compensation and social sustainability were not significant topics of discussion. Stockholders did express interest in the impacts of our leadership transition on executive compensation, including the compensation of our new CEO and our Executive Chairman, as well as any additional incentives provided to potentially include skilled workers that may not have a college degreesenior leaders in connection with the transition. Investors continued to want to learn more about the ways in which we incent our leaders to progress toward achieving our sustainability goals.

Engagement Process

LOGO

 

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20232024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation


Engagement Process

Our stockholder engagement process, shown below, runs throughout the year.

  ENGAGEMENT PROCESS  

LOGO

2023 DIRECTOR NOMINEES (ITEM 1)

Matrix of Board Skills, Qualifications and Demographic Backgrounds

Our director nominees bring a balance of skills, qualifications and demographic backgrounds to their roles of providing oversight of our company, as shown by individual in the matrix on the following page. This matrix reflects information received from each of our directors in their responses to our annual director questionnaire. We plan to expand the skills and qualifications shown in future Board matrices.

In 2022, in conjunction with its new director search process, the Governance Committee regularly evaluated and reported to our Board on the skills, qualifications and demographic backgrounds desirable for our Board to best advance our evolving business strategies and serve the interests of all our stakeholders, leading to the recent appointments of Mr. Wagner and Ms. Reverberi to our Board.

Avery Dennison Corporation  |  2023 Proxy Statement

13


BOARD MATRIX

LOGO

 
Governance Guidelines Criteria

Independent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Senior Leadership Experience(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Industry Experience(2)

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Global Exposure(3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Board Experience(4)

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Financial Expertise(5)

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

Industry Expertise

Digital/Technology/Cybersecurity

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Retail/Dining                                                                                                                  

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Packaging

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

Consumer Goods

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

Industrial Goods

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

Materials Science

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

Demographic Background

Tenure (years)

 

~6

 

~10

 

~13

 

<1

 

~20

 

~15

 

~10

 

~7

 

~18

 

<1

Gender

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Woman

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Man

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Non-Binary

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Age

 

60

 

67

 

66

 

51

 

67

 

70

 

66

 

51

 

67

 

56

Mandatory Retirement Year

 

2035

 

2028

 

2029

 

2043

 

2028

 

2025

 

2029

 

2044

 

2028

 

2039

Race/Ethnicity

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Black or African American

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Hispanic or Latino

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

White

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asian (including South Asian)

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Native American or Alaska Native

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

LGBTQ+

                    

Veteran

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Lives/Has Lived Abroad

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

(1)

Service as president, chief executive officer or in similar senior executive positions.

(2)

Experience in the digital/technology, retail/dining, packaging, consumer goods, industrial goods or materials science industries.

(3)

Seniority in a global enterprise or significant experience in international markets.

(4)

Prior or concurrent service on other U.S. public company boards.

(5)

Expertise in accounting, auditing, tax, banking, insurance or investments.

14

2023 Proxy Statement  |  Avery Dennison Corporation


Board Performance Highlights

Our Board provides strong oversight of our management team and company, with highlights of its accomplishments in recent years described below.

Supported management in navigating our response to COVID-19, including related labor, freight and inflationary challenges, in 2020 and 2021 and challenges related to COVID-19 in China, the Russian war in Ukraine, supply chain disruptions, sizable currency movements and rising inflation in 2022

Oversaw management’s consistent execution of our business strategies, which delivered performance that exceeded our 2021 financial targets and put us on track to achieving our 2025 financial targets, as well as 2018-2022 TSR of 72%, outperforming the S&P 500 and the median of the S&P 500 Materials and Industrials subsets

Supported management in evaluating potential targets, resulting in the acquisition of 12 companies that added new capabilities, expanded our position in high-value product categories and enhanced our opportunities in the marketplace

Implemented thoughtful Board refreshment and director succession planning to mitigate the potential impact of concentrated retirements given the closeness in age of a majority of our directors and further enhance overall Board diversity, resulting in the addition of two new directors in the last year, one of whom increased the gender diversity on our Board

Conducted regular executive leadership development and succession planning, resulting in several experienced leaders promoted to senior executive positions, including our President/COO and President of our newly-formed Materials Group

Increased Board and management focus on advancing our ESG priorities, with consistent progress toward achieving our 2025 sustainability goals and more ambitious 2030 goals, as well as enhanced transparency, resulting in improved scores with key ESG rating agencies

Board Governance Highlights

Our governance program ensures independent Board oversight of our company. Highlights of our program, which we believe is generally consistent and aligned with the Investor Stewardship Group’s Corporate Governance Principles for U.S. Listed Companies, are shown below.

Stockholder

Rights

  Market-standard proxy access

  No supermajority voting requirements

  No poison pill

  No exclusive forum or fee-shifting bylaws

Board

Governance

  Annual election of directors

  Majority voting in director elections

  Single class of outstanding voting stock

  Directors 90% independent.

  Robust Lead Independent Director role

  Regular director succession planning and Board refreshment

  Continuous executive succession planning and leadership development

  Annual Board evaluations

  Mandatory director retirement policy at age 72 with no exemptions or waivers allowed or granted

  Best Practice Governance Guidelines

  Strong Board and Committee governance

  Direct access to management and experts

Additional Board Engagement

Bringing their expertise, certain of our directors – together with third-party experts – are providing guidance to management in its execution of our strategic initiatives related to digital solutions and food. Mr. Alford serves as chair of our Food Advisory Council; Mr. Wagner and former director Mark Barrenechea are members of our Digital Advisory Council. We are planning to form an Environmental Sustainability Advisory Council in early 2023 to help advance our sustainability initiatives, on which we plan to ask Ms. Reverberi to be a member.

Avery Dennison Corporation  |  2023 Proxy Statement

15

 


APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION (ITEM 2)

The Compensation Committee oversees our executive compensation program, which is designed to deliver pay for performance, with realized compensation dependent on our company achievingachievement of challenging annual and long-term financial targets and longer-term value creation objectives that advance the interests of our stockholders.

Performance-BasedExecutive Compensation Program

The Compensation Committee approves thesubstantial majority of Named Executive Officer (NEO) target total direct compensation (TDC) of our Named Executive Officers (NEOs) to incent strong operational and financial performance and stockholder value creation. As shown below, the substantial majority of this compensation in 2022 wasis performance based, meaning that our executives ultimately may not realize the value of at-risk TDC components if we fail to achieve the designated performance objectives. The Compensation Committee approves the target TDC of our NEOs to incent strong operational and financial objectives.

LOGO

performance and stockholder value creation. The mix and elements of NEO target TDC for our NEOs are shown below.

ELEMENTS OF NEO TARGET TDC

LOGO               LOGO

ANNUALIZED TARGET TDC MIX2023 TARGET TDC MIX
LOGOCEO*

 

LOGO

LOGO

Avg. of Other

NEOs**

LOGO

 

*

Mr. Stander’s annualized target TDC reflects his compensation package as CEO, excluding his special promotion award of stock options with a grant date fair value of approximately $3 million.

**

Mr. Butier is excluded because his target 2023 TDC primarily reflected his compensation as CEO given the timing of our leadership transition. Francisco Melo’s target TDC mix included in the average reflects his target TDC as President, Solutions Group.

ELEMENTS OF NEO TARGET TDC
LOGOLTI Compensation
Performance Units (PUs)Corporate NEOsSolutions NEO

16•  50% of LTI with payout =

   0% to 200% of target award

•  3-year performance period

-   Company EVA(1) (50%)

-   Company Relative TSR(2) (50%)

•  50% of LTI with payout =

   0% to 200% of target award

•  3-year performance period

-   Solutions Group EVA (75%)

-   Company Relative TSR (25%)

•  Relative TSR payout capped at 100% if absolute TSR is negative

Market-leveraged

Stock Units (MSUs)

•  50% of LTI with payout = 0% to 200% of target award

•  100% Absolute TSR(3)

•  1-, 2-, 3- and 4-year performance periods

Annual Incentive Compensation
AIP Award(4)LOGOLOGO

•  Drives performance consistent with annual company or business financial goals

•  Individual performance modifier based on achievement against predetermined strategic and sustainability objectives (generally capped at 100% for NEOs)

Base Salary

•  Annual fixed-cash compensation generally set around market median

(1)

Economic Value Added (EVA) is a measure of financial performance calculated by deducting the economic cost associated with the use of capital (weighted average cost of capital multiplied by average invested capital) from after-tax operating profit.

(2)

Relative TSR compares our TSR to the TSR of companies in a peer group satisfying certain objective criteria described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this proxy statement.

(3)

Absolute TSR measures the return that we provided our stockholders, including stock price appreciation and dividends paid (assuming reinvestment of dividends).

(4)

AIP award for Mr. Melo reflects performance objectives and weightings for the nine months of the year he served as President, Solutions Group. He had different performance objectives and weightings for the three months of the year he served as SVP/GM, Avery Dennison Smartrac. His 2023 AIP award would have been prorated to reflect the respective performance objectives and weightings had not the payout been zero.

Avery Dennison Corporation | 2024 Proxy Statement

 

 

2023 Proxy Statement  |  Avery Dennison Corporation17

 


Pay for Performance

As shown inIn the graph below, our CEO’sCEO compensation for 2019 through 2022 reflects Mr. Butier’s compensation as reported in the Total column in the our Summary Compensation Tables for the last fourthose years and, for 2023, Mr. Stander’s compensation as reported in our 2023 Summary Compensation Table. Our CEO pay has generally reflected our cumulative TSR.TSR except that Mr. Stander’s pay in 2023 was substantially lower than prior-year amounts for Mr. Butier because it primarily reflected his compensation as COO, which was significantly lower than Mr. Butier’s as CEO, as well as his special award of stock options with a grant date fair value of approximately $3 million granted in connection with his promotion to CEO. See the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this proxy statement for more information.

 

 

LOGOLOGO

Executive Compensation Best Practices

As summarized below and described in further detail in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this proxy statement, our executive compensation program aligns with our financial goals and business strategies and reflects best practices.

 

Pay-for-Performance

Pay for

Performance

 

 

   88%87% of CEO’s 2022annualized target TDC tied to company performance

 

   71% of CEO’s 2022 target TDC equity-based to incent delivery of long-term stockholder value

Rigorous stock ownership policy;policy requires CEO and Executive Chairman each to own 6x respective base salary, 50%+ of which must be vested shares; does not count unvested PUs or stock options and only counts 50% of unvested MSUs at target

Compensation

Best Practices

 

 

   Double-trigger equity vesting requires termination of employment after change of control

 

   YE 20222023 three-year average burn rate of 0.51%0.50%, in line with 50th percentile of S&P 500 companies

 

   Compensation clawback policy for executive officers in event of accounting restatementrestatement; additional clawback policy applies to all AIP and LTI recipients

 

   Independent compensation consultant retained and servingserves at direction of Compensation Committee

 

   Annual Compensation Committee evaluation and charter review

 

   Periodic formal riskstrategic review of compensation program and assessment of compensation policies and practicesprogram features that mitigate excessive risk-taking

 

   Releases from liability and restrictive covenants for departing executives

 

   Compensation Committee review of NEO tally sheets reflecting all compensation components

 

 

   No NEO employment contracts unless required by laws of home country

 

   No guaranteed AIP awards; 20222023 NEO AIP awards based solely on company financial performance

 

   No excise tax gross-ups on change of control severance benefits

 

   No tax gross-ups on perquisites

 

   No above-market interest rates for deferred compensation

 

   No re-pricing of stock options without stockholder approval

 

   No payout of MSU dividend equivalents unless orand until awards vest

 

   No grant of stock options awarded below fair market value

 

   No supplemental retirement benefits

 

Avery Dennison Corporation  |  2023 Proxy Statement18

 

 

172024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation

 


DETERMINATIONAPPROVAL OF FREQUENCYCERTIFICATE OF ADVISORY VOTESAMENDMENT TO

TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATIONAMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION (ITEM 3)

The advisory vote onIn February 2024, after giving consideration to the frequencyfeedback we received from investors during our 2023 engagements and its review of executive compensation votes informs our Board’s determination of whether the vote should occur every one, two or three years. You may also abstain from this vote. In determining to recommend that stockholders vote for a frequency of every one year, our Board noted that this frequency most closely aligns not only with prevailing market practices, but also with our process of annually engaging with investors on our executive compensation program. Uponupon the recommendation of the CompensationGovernance Committee, our Board determined thatapproved, subject to stockholder approval at the advisory vote should continueAnnual Meeting, a Certificate of Amendment to take place annually, as reflected in its recommendationour Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (our “Charter”) to provide that stockholders vote for every one year.

This advisory vote is not binding onholding 25% of our Board. However,outstanding common stock have the right to request that we call special meetings of stockholders. The amendment also removes out-of-date references to the declassification of our Board will consider the preliminary results of the vote in determining the frequency of future advisory votes to approve executive compensation, reporting its decision in a Form 8-K filedthat had been fully implemented by April 2014, providing that directors shall be elected annually for one-year terms, consistent with the Securitiesour existing Charter and Exchange Commission (SEC) on or before May 3, 2023.best practices.

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF PwC (ITEM 4)

The Audit Committee has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 20232024 and our Board is seeking stockholder ratification of the appointment. PwC is well-qualified to continue serving as our independent registered public accounting firm, has a deep understanding of our operations and accounting practices, and maintains rigorous procedures to ensure auditor independence from our management and company, which are overseen by the Audit Committee.

The Audit Committee considered the qualifications, performance and independence of PwC, the quality of its discussions with PwC, and the fees charged by PwC for the scope and quality of services provided – as well as considerations to the firm’s tenure as our independent auditor the committee’s deliberations in 2022 regarding whether to conduct a request for proposal process to consider the selection of a new independent auditor, and its decision instead to benchmark the firm’s fees in 2023 – and determined that the reappointmentappointment of PwC for 2023 was2024 is in the best interest of our company and stockholders.

 

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GOVERNANCE

 

 

With oversight from our Board, we have designed our governance program to comply with the rules of the SEC and the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), as well as reflect best practices. The key features of our governance program are shown in the Board Governance Highlights section of the proxy summary.

We encourage you to visit the investors section of our website under Corporate Governance, where you can view and download current versions of the documents shown below. Information on our website is not and should not be considered part of, nor is it incorporated by reference into, this proxy statement.

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of IncorporationCharter

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws (our “Bylaws”)

 

Corporate Governance Guidelines (our “Governance Guidelines”)

 

Charters for our Board’s Audit and Finance Committee, (the “Audit Committee”), Talent and Compensation Committee, (the “Compensation Committee”)Governance Committee and GovernanceFinance Committee

 

Code of Conduct

 

Code of Ethics for the CEO and Senior Financial Officers

 

Audit Committee Complaint Procedures for Accounting and Auditing Matters

You can request copies of these documents, without charge, by writing to our Corporate Secretary at 8080 Norton Parkway, Mentor, Ohio 44060.

VALUES AND ETHICS

Code of Conduct, Talkabout Toolkits and Supplier Standards

Our Code of Conduct applies to all of our directors, officers and employees and reflects our values of Integrity, Courage, External Focus, Diversity, Sustainability, Innovation, Teamwork and Excellence. The CodeIt includes messages from our CEO and Chief Compliance Officer; detailed information regarding higher risk areas such as anti-corruption/bribery, antitrust, conflicts of interest, insider trading, anti-harassment, and compliance with laws and regulations; and case studies thatto provide practical guidance on situations that raise complex ethical questions. ItThe Code is available in 33 languages and our leaders affirm their commitment to complying with it when they first join our company and regularly thereafter as part of our compliance certification process described in the Related Person Transactions section of this proxy statement.We plan to update our Code of Conduct in 2024 to refresh its current content and include new topics.

We regularly train employees on the Code of Conduct topics in instructor-led sessions held in person or virtually; in 2022,2023, we held ~250 such~230 of these sessions globally. We also deploy mandatory online training for our computer-based employees; in 20222023 we launched one enterpriseenterprise-wide and five regional online courses using a targeted risk-based approach, with an average completion rate of ~98%~97%. Our three “Talkabout” Toolkits (also available in 33 languages) that we develop and launch each year empower managers to engage in meaningful discussiondiscussions with their teams regarding topics from the Code of Conduct. These toolkits consist of presentation slides, which are supplemented by internal social media campaigns that bridge connections amongallow our team members and allow them to engage with their colleagues across the globe around our values and ethics.

Our global supplier standards extend our commitment to our third-party service providers, establishing our expectation that they do business in an ethical manner.

Business Conduct GuideLine

 

Our Business Conduct GuideLine (the “GuideLine”) is a whistleblower hotline available at all hours for employees or third parties to report potential violations of our Code of Conduct or applicable laws, anonymously if they so choose.

The GuideLine may currently be reached by (i) calling 800.461.9330 toll-free in the U.S., toll-free outside of the U.S. using the country-specific numbers found in our Code of Conduct, or +1.720.514.4400 direct with applicable charges from any location or (ii) visiting www.averydennison.com/guidelinereport (www.averydennison.com/guidelinereport-eu in Europe).

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guidelinereport. The hotlineGuideLine is operated by an independent third party and accepts reports in any language to accommodate the needs of our global workforce and customer/supplier base. Reports are investigated under the direction of our Chief Compliance Officer, in consultation with our law department and senior management and with Board oversight fromprimarily by the Governance Committee and, for certain finance-related matters, also by the Audit Committee. We prohibit retaliation for good-faith reporting.

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2024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation


Code of Ethics

Our Code of Ethics requires that our CEO, CFO and Controller/Chief Accounting Officer (CAO)Controller act professionally and ethically in fulfilling their responsibilities. Only the Audit Committee or the Governance Committee can amend or waive the provisions of our Code of Ethics, and any amendments or waivers must be posted promptly on our website or timely filed with the SEC on a Current Report on Form 8-K. We last amended our Code of Ethics in April 2014 and have made no exemptions or granted any waivers since its inception.

 

Code of Ethics ResponsibilitiesCODE OF ETHICS RESPONSIBILITIES

 

 

• Avoidactual or apparent conflicts of interest

• Ensure complete and accurate SEC filings

• Respect confidentiality of financial and other information

• Employ corporate assets responsibly

• Report Code of Ethics violations to Chair of Audit or Governance Committees

 

Supporting fulfillment of these responsibilities, our controllership and internal audit functions ensure that we maintain a robust internal control environment, with the leaders of these functions regularly reporting to, and periodically meeting in executive session with, the Audit Committee.

COMPLAINT PROCEDURES FOR ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING MATTERS

 

The Audit Committee has adopted procedures for the confidential, anonymous submission of complaints related to accounting, accounting standards, internal accounting controls and audit practices.

These procedures relate to reports of (i) fraud or deliberate error in the preparation, evaluation, review or audit of our financial statements or other financial reports; (ii) fraud or deliberate error in the recording or maintenance of our financial records; (iii) deficiencies in, or noncompliance with, our internal accounting controls; (iv) misrepresentation or false statement regarding any matter contained in our financial records, statements or other reports; or (v) deviation from full and fair reporting of our financial condition. Any person, including third parties, may submit a good-faith complaint regarding accounting and auditing matters and employees may do so without fear of retaliation. The Audit Committee oversees these procedures, with investigations conducted under the direction of our internal audit department in consultation with our Corporate Secretary, Chief Legal Officer (CLO) and other members of senior management to the extent appropriate under the circumstances.

Stockholders and other interested parties interested in communicating regarding these matters may make a confidential, anonymous report by contacting the GuideLine or writing to the Audit Committee Chair, c/o Corporate Secretary, 8080 Norton Parkway, Mentor, Ohio 44060.

STOCK OWNERSHIP POLICY

Our stock ownership policy requires that our (i)non-employee directors acquire and maintain a minimum ownership interest in our company of $500,000, (ii) Executive Chairman and our CEO acquire and maintain minimum ownership of 6x their base salary and (iii)Level 2 executives and Level 3 executives acquire and maintain a minimum ownership interest in our company equal to 6x,of 3x and 2x their base salary, respectively, atrespectively. At least 50% of whichthe applicable requirement must be held in vested shares.

The values of the following shares/units are considered in measuring compliance with our stock ownership policy: (i) shares beneficially owned or deemed to be beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, under federalU.S. securities laws; (ii) for officers, shares or units held in qualified and non-qualified employee benefit plans and 50% of the value of unvested MSUs at the target payout level; (iii) for non-employee directors, deferred stock units (DSUs); and (iv) for officers and non-employee directors, unvested restricted stock units (RSUs) subject to time-based vesting. NeitherUnvested stock options nor unvestedand PUs are not considered in measuring compliance. DSUs, which represent annual cash retainers deferred at a director’s election, are included as owned under the policy because they are earned upon receipt and would be paid out to a participating director upon his or her separation from our Board.

 

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Until a non-employeedirector or officer achieves his or her respectivetheir minimum ownership requirement, he or she isthey are required to retain any shares acquired, net of taxes, from the exercise of stock options or vesting of stock awards until the requirement is met. They areor exercise of stock options. Officers may not allowed to transact in company stock until they certify that they will remain in compliance with our stock ownership policy after giving effect to the transaction they plan to effectuate.

The Compensation Committee and the Governance Committee reviewed the stock ownership of our non-employee directors in November 2022December 2023 and February 2023,2024, respectively. Both committees determinednoted that – excluding the individuals appointed in 2022 and 2023 – our two directors appointed within the last year –then-serving our other non-employee directors had average ownership of ~11x12x the minimum requirement, aligning their interests with those of our stockholders and further incenting their focus on long-term value creation. All of our current non-employee directors have exceeded the minimum ownership level required by theour policy, except for Mr. Wagner and Ms.Mses. Mejia and Reverberi, who have five years from the date of their respective Board appointments to our Board to reach that level. The ownership levels of our non-employee directors in part reflects the inclusion of DSUs for purposes of our stock ownership policy; DSUs represent annual cash retainers deferred at a director’s election. DSUs are included as owned under the policy because they are earned upon receipt and would be paid out to a director who has participated in the deferral program upon his or her separation from our Board.

The Compensation Committee reviewed executive stock ownership in November 2022December 2023 and determined that, with the exception of our most recently appointed executive officer who has five years from the date of her appointment to reach her level, all of our executive officers, including all NEOs, (with Ms. Baker-Nel having made the required progress toward achieving herhad achieved their minimum ownership level), were in compliance with our stock ownership policyrequirement. The compliance of our non-employee directors and NEOs with our stock ownership policy as of at year-end 2022 2023 is shown below.

 

STOCK OWNERSHIP POLICY COMPLIANCE 
  

 

  

Minimum

Requirement(1)

   Shares(2) as of
2022 FYE (#)
   

Requirement
Multiple

Achieved

   Minimum
Requirement
Achieved
 

Non-Employee Directors

  $500,000       

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Bradley Alford

  

 

 

 

   45,043    16x     

Anthony Anderson

  

 

 

 

   14,945    5x     

Ken Hicks

  

 

 

 

   44,995    16x     

Andres Lopez

  

 

 

 

   9,504    3x     

Francesca Reverberi(3)

  

 

 

 

       –       

Patrick Siewert

  

 

 

 

   17,534    6x     

Julia Stewart

  

 

 

 

   59,442    21x     

Martha Sullivan

  

 

 

 

   30,541    10x     

William Wagner(3)

   

 

 

 

 

 

       –       

Chairman/CEO

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Mitchell Butier

  $7,200,000        304,908    8x     

Level 2 NEOs

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Deon Stander

  $2,100,000        53,464    5x     

Gregory Lovins

  $2,100,000        59,393    5x     

Level 3 NEOs

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Deena Baker-Nel(4)

  $915,200        7,295    1x     

Ignacio Walker

  $935,826        10,551    2x     

STOCK OWNERSHIP POLICY COMPLIANCE 
  

 

  

Minimum

Requirement(1)

   

Ownership(2)

as of YE 2023(#)

   

Requirement
Multiple

Achieved

   Minimum
Requirement
Achieved
 

Non-Employee Directors(3)

  $500,000    

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Bradley Alford

  

 

 

 

   47,454    17x     

Ken Hicks

  

 

 

 

   46,233    17x     

Andres Lopez

  

 

 

 

   4,865    1x     

Francesca Reverberi(4)

  

 

 

 

   1,126    –      

Patrick Siewert

  

 

 

 

   18,226    6x     

Julia Stewart

  

 

 

 

   54,603    20x     

Martha Sullivan

  

 

 

 

   32,425    12x     

William Wagner(4)

   

 

 

 

 

 

   1,481    –      

Executive Chairman

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Mitchell Butier

  $6,000,000     336,085    62x     

CEO

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Deon Stander

  $6,600,000     61,861    10x     

Level 2 NEOs

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Gregory Lovins

  $2,250,000     78,598    19x     

Francisco Melo(5)

  $1,554,657     19,106    6x     

Level 3 NEOs

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Deena Baker-Nel

  $980,000     13,259    5x     

Nicholas Colisto

  $913,540     10,779    4x     
 (1)

Minimum requirements for Executive Chairman and CEO, Level 2 NEOs and Level 3 NEOs reflect 6x, 3x and 2x, respectively, of year-end 2022 2023 base salary.

 

 

 (2)

Reflects shares/units considered in measuring compliance with our stock ownership policy rather than vested shares, based on the average closing price of our common stock from October 1 to December 31, 2022.2023. All then-serving non-employee directors, other than Ms. Reverberi and Mr. Wagner, and NEOs were also in compliance with our 50% vested shares requirement at year-end 2023.

 

 

 (3)

Excludes Ms. Mejia who was appointed to our Board in February 2024.

(4)

Ms. Reverberi and Mr. Wagner were appointed to our Board in February 2023 and October 2022, respectively, and have five years from their respective date of appointment to achieve the minimum ownership requirement.

 

 

 (4)(5)

Ms. Baker-Nel has five yearsAmount for Mr. Melo was converted from her September 2021 promotion to a Level 2 NEO to achieveeuros using the minimum ownership requirement. She has made consistent progress toward achieving her requirement.average monthly exchange rate for December 2023.

 

 

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INSIDER TRADING POLICY

Our insider trading policy prohibits our Board members,directors, officers and employees from engaging in transactions in our company’s stock while in the possessionany type of material non-public information; engaging in transactions in the stock of other companiessecurity while in possession of material non-publicnonpublic information relating to the security or the issuer of the security in breach of a duty of trust or confidence, whether the issuer is our company or another company. In addition, (i) if they are in possession of material nonpublic information regarding any other publicly-traded company, including that of our suppliers, customers, competitors or potential acquisition targets, they become awaremay not trade in its securities until the information becomes public or is no longer material; (ii) they may not purchase or sell any security of any other company while in performingpossession of material nonpublic information obtained in the course of their duties;employment or service with our company; and disclosing(iii) they may not directly or indirectly communicate material non-publicnonpublic information to unauthorized personsanyone outside or within our company other than on a need-to-know basis.

Officer/Director 10b5-1 Plans

Our insider trading policy contains specific requirements regarding contracts, plans or instructions to trade in our company’s securities entered into in accordance with SEC Rule 10b5-1, including with respect to multiple plans and modifications or terminations of existing plans. We reserve the right to suspend, discontinue or otherwise prohibit transactions under a 10b5-1 trading plan if we determine that doing so is in the best interest of our company.

Limited Trading Windows

Our insider trading policy restricts trading in company stock by Board members, officers (including our NEOs) and director-level employees, or any other person designated by our Corporate Secretary, during blackout periods, which generally begin two weeks before the end of each fiscal quarter and end two business days after the issuance of our earnings release for the quarter. Additional blackout periods may be imposed with or without notice, as the circumstances require. All transactions in company stock must be precleared by our Corporate Secretary. Except for transactions under a previously established Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, if precleared individuals become aware of material nonpublic information or become subject to a blackout period before their transaction is effectuated, they may not complete the transaction even if they previously received preclearance.

Prohibitions on Hedging and PledgingCertain Transactions

Our insider trading policy prohibits our directors, officers (including our NEOs) and employees from short-selling company stock; transacting in puts, calls or other derivative securities involving company stock; or purchasing financial instruments (such as prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars and exchange funds) designed to hedge or offset any decrease in the market value of shares of our common stock they hold, directly or indirectly.company stock. In addition, directors and officers are expressly prohibited from – and our non-officer employees are strongly discouraged from – pledging shares of our common stock to secure personal loansas collateral for a loan, purchasing company securities on margin or other obligations, including by holding their sharesplacing company securities in a margin account, or making short-sale transactions in shares of our common stock. account.

 

To our knowledge based on our review of their written representations in our annual director and officer questionnaire, all of our Board members and executive officers complied with our insider trading policy during 2022,2023 and none of them has hedged or pledged shares of our common stock.engaged in any transaction prohibited thereby.

 

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ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

 

Sustainability and Diversity are two of our core values, driving us to work within our company and across our entire value chain to address the environmental and social impacts of our products and practices.

 

We aim to continually improve the environmental sustainability of our products, and processes, build a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce, maintain operations that promote health and safety, and provide meaningful support for our communities.

BOARD OVERSIGHT AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

Board oversight overof environmental sustainability and community investment is primarily conducted by the Governance Committee, which receives a report from management on each of these topics at least once a year.annually. In addition, our full Board engages with business leaders on their sustainability initiatives during its regular reviewdiscussion of their business strategies. In October 2023, our Board engaged with senior management on our sustainability progress, having discussed with them throughout the year our innovation efforts to address the increasing demand for more sustainable products, sustainability strategic innovation platform, and business and enterprise sustainability priorities. In early 2023,2024, our full Board reviewed our 2022 integrated financial and sustainability report that shows2023 Integrated Report, which includes our progress against our 2025 and 2030 sustainability goals, having met with our business leaders throughout 2022 on our innovation efforts to address the increasing need and demand for more sustainable products; our strategic innovation platforms focused on digital solutions, waste reduction/elimination and material circularity; and our business and enterprise ESG priorities.goals.

Board oversight overof social sustainability is primarily conducted primarily throughby the Compensation Committee, which revieweddiscussed DEI, including pay equity and transparency, at multiple meetings in 20222023 and regularly discussesreviews other matters related to talent management, including the impact of executive promotions, role changes and exits on U.S. racial/ethnic diversity and global gender and generational representation. In late 2022,December 2023, our full Board engaged with, and challenged management on, our DEI progress,employee experience, including by reviewing the results of our 2022 employee engagement survey;survey obtained through a more advanced platform using updated questions, as well as our global and regionalprogress in each of our four DEI strategies, improvements and opportunities; and global female and U.S. racial/ethnic representation and inclusion progress.strategic pillars. They also discussed our people-related focus areas2024 plans to activate enterprise-wide standards to more consistently select, promote, develop and reward talent; globally implement a mobile application to better enable our manufacturing employees to access company information; and develop a talent solution connecting everything our team members need for 2023.learning, skills advancement and career mobility.

With strategic guidance and direction provided by Mitch Butier, our Chairman/CEO, management responsibility overis responsible for ensuring that we continue to make progress toward achieving our sustainability goals resides withthrough our Sustainability Council, which is led by our enterprise Sustainability Council led by a senior sustainability leader from our Solutions Group, who serves as Chair and reportsreporting in this capacity to our President/COO,CEO, who is accountable for our progress. The council, which is composed of a cross-divisional and cross-functional group of management, to continually accelerate our progress, and met regularly during 20222023 to ensure we achieveprogress toward our 2025 sustainability goals, activateadvance our roadmaps to achieve our 2030 sustainability goals and targets, and continually refineaccurately report to our ESG strategies.stakeholders. Our Sustainability Councilenterprise sustainability leader participated in substantially all of our fall 20222023 off-season stockholder engagements to provide his perspectivereport on our ESGsustainability progress and answer questions from investors.

ENGAGEMENT OF OUR STAKEHOLDERS

We seek to ensure thatalign our sustainability efforts are consistentpriorities with the expectations of our stakeholders. We regularly communicate with individuals and organizations interested in how we do business generally andthem regarding our sustainability efforts in particular,progress and also conduct stakeholder interviewsinterview members of management responsible for key sustainability initiatives and third parties as part of our biennial materiality assessments. These assessments help advance our sustainability agenda, focusing us onOur material topics and the areas in which we can have the most impact. In 2022, we engaged Environmental Resources Management to help us refresh our materiality assessment and reprioritize the sustainability topics most important to our industries, customers and brand owners, stakeholders, investors, suppliers and communities, as well as policymakers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and regulators. In 2022, we updated our materiality assessment, through which we mapped our ESG priorities throughout the value chain. The following eight topics, which also offer our company the most value-creation opportunities, were ranked highest by our stakeholders: transition to a circular economy; advanced technologies and innovation; climate change; GHG emissions and reductions; supply chain; fair and inclusive workplace; materials management; and operational waste. The sustainability feedback we received engaging with investors on sustainability matters during 20222023 can be found in the proxy summary.

PROGRESS TOWARD ACHIEVING OUR 2025 AND 2030 GOALS

We present our 20222023 scorecards showing progress against our 2025 and 2030 sustainability goals in the proxy summary. You can find additional information in our 2022 integrated annual2023 Integrated Report being furnished to the SEC prior to the distribution of our proxy materials and sustainability report, as well as our March 2024 ESG DownloadsDownload being made available on our ESG website at esg.averydennison.com.esg.averydennison.com on or before the filing of our definitive proxy statement. Information on our website is not and should not be considered part of, nor is it incorporated by reference into, this proxy statement.

 

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We disclose our ESGsustainability metrics usingin accordance with the SASB and GRI frameworks and annually report to CDP Climate, Water and Forests. We are a member of the United Nations Global Compact and have made commitments to the UNUnited Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), with our scopeScope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions reduction targets having been approved by SBTi as consistent with levelsreductions required to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.keep warming to no more than 1.5ºC.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION (DEI)

Diversity is one of our core values, reflecting our desire to ensure an equitable and inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and orientations and our recognition that we gain strength from diverse ideas and teams. The importance of DEI to our company is evidenced by the engagement, inclusion and global gender diversity targets included in our 2030 sustainability goals. Highlights of our DEI journey are shown in the proxy summary, with additional information regarding our efforts in recent years described below.

Beginning in 2020, we redoubled our efforts on DEI, engaging with our employees across the globe to gather information on areas where we most needed to focus. After listening and learning from our employees, our leaders regularly met to discuss areas of focus, and each of our businesses began setting quantitative DEI targets, with their leaders evaluated on the progress they make.

In 2021, we engaged a third-party expert to help us perform ansummary. enterprise inclusion assessment, provide external benchmarking and obtain anonymous survey and focus group feedback from our team members worldwide. With this information, we identified our key priorities and formalized ourOur DEI strategy which includesis grounded in the four global pillars shown below. These pillars, as well as the supporting regional focus areas, have been communicated to our employees worldwide.

 

Increasing the number of women who hold leadership positions

 

Enhancing the experience of our manufacturing employees

 

Increasing representation and inclusion for underrepresented groups, with priority populations and actions determined by each regionestablished regionally

 

Making merit and transparency even more foundational to our employee experience

In 2022, we improved women representation in manager+ positions and were named one of Forbes America’s Best Employers for Women; launched AD Advocate, a program pairing select executives to sponsor and mentor diverse top talent across the globe; and piloted “Manufacturing Week” in North America.

 

EachMembers of our globalsenior leadership formally sponsor or actively engage in progressing these DEI pillars is sponsored by one or more company leaders.pillars. To ensure we achieve our goals, we have bolstered our internal DEI capability, withemploy a Global DEI Director and additional resources in each of our regions together forming an enterprise infrastructure of fully dedicated resources thatto advise and support our Regional DEI Councils. Councils and ERGs. We have continually enhanced transparency into our DEI journey through regular reportingregularly report to, and engagementengage with, our stakeholders so they can assess our DEI progress and provide feedback to help us achieveadvance our goals.journey.

OTHER TALENT MANAGEMENT MATTERS

Succession Planning

The Compensation Committee conducts senior executiveLeading up to its decision in May 2023 to appoint Deon Stander as our new CEO, our Board discussed leadership succession planning at least semiannually, reviewing succession plans for our members of our Company Leadership Team.in multiple meetings during the preceding 18-24 months, helping ensure a smooth transition. In the spring of 2022,addition, in July 2023, the Compensation Committee reviewed leadership team changes, assessed our enterprise talent pipelinekey areas of leadership development and succession focus, and discussed potential successors to the members of our Company Leadership Team,, which includes the leaders of our businesses and corporate functions (strategy/business development, finance, R&D, law, operations/supply chain, ITfunctions. In October and HR). In the fall of 2022,December 2023, the Compensation Committee again reviewed leadership changes and the key areas of focus in our Materials and Solutions businesses, as well as enterprise-wide, with a view to ensuring we have talent that is ready – or, with continued development on their current trajectory with mentorship and coaching from our current leaders, will be ready – to fill senior executive positions in the event of a vacancy; they also discussed with management our continued focus on leadership development for diverse talent and key succession planning focus areas for 2023.vacancy. Our Compensation

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2023 Proxy Statement  |  Avery Dennison Corporation


Committee Chair discussedreported on these reviews withto our full Board. Recognizing that we have had several recent leadership changes, in the past few years, including the appointmentrecent appointments of aour new President/COOCEO and other senior business leaders,Solutions Group President, our full Board conducted leadership succession planning at multipleall of its meetings during 2022.the first half of 2023.

The Compensation Committee regularly receives reports on executive new hires, promotions and role changes, departures and open positions – as well as the impact of these developments on U.S. racial/ethnic and global gender and generational representation – to assist with succession planning.

Leadership Development

The Compensation Committee oversees our company’s talent management program to assist with identifying and developing our future leaders. We maintain a robust performance review process and developprogress leadership development plans for our top talent, while also providing development opportunities to our employees more broadly. Senior management reports to the Compensation Committee on our leadership at executive levels of our organization by identifying high-potential talent, cultivating the skills and capabilities to allowenable identified individuals to become our future leaders, and ensuring that they have appropriate development plans in place to progress them toward roles with greater responsibility. Through regular reports from, and social interactions with, management, ourOur Board has the opportunity to actively engage with our business leaders and functional leaders in law, finance, IT and HR.outside the boardroom. In addition, Board members have freedom to directly contact any of our employees, and periodically visit our facilities to meet with local management.management and have the freedom to directly contact any of our employees.

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COMMUNITY INVESTMENT

With Board oversight fromby the Governance Committee, our community investment efforts help strengthen the communities around the world in which we operate. We make most of our community investments through the Avery Dennison Foundation (ADF),ADF, which annually distributes at least 5% of its assets from the prior year. ADF’s grantmaking is aided by our team membersemployees worldwide, who help identify deserving nonprofit organizations serving thetheir local communities in which our employees livethat can advance their mission and work.impact with additional financial support.

In recent years, ADF has given to organizations advancing education, women’s empowerment and sustainability. It has also provided funding in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters and the call for greater DEI worldwide. In 2022, our company and ADF also funded efforts to reduce food insecurity, support persons impacted by the Russian war in Ukraine and promote DEI in the regions in which we operate.

After2023, after undertaking a formal strategic review process, led by its board of trustees in consultation with a third-party expert, ADF revisedupdated and refined its vision, mission and giving areas in 2022grantmaking focus areas. ADF’s updated grantmaking strategy focuses funding on charitable organizations working to better respond to the evolving needs of our communities. ADF now seeks to address inequities by funding efforts that increase education access, advance environmental sustainability and support secure livelihoodslivelihoods.. Alongside its grantmaking focus areas, ADF continues supporting disaster response, DEI and nonprofit organizations identified by our employees around the world addressing challenges in their local communities.

ADF and our company collectively made $5.1$5.5 million in grants and other financial contributions during 2022, highlights2023.

Enhanced Focus on Grantmaking

In support of its enhanced vision and mission, ADF prioritizes grants to communities and geographies facing the greatest need, as well as organizations that demonstrate inclusivity and equity in their work. The total amount of grants in each pillar, as well as select grant recipients, made in 2023, 95% of which incorporated employee volunteerism, are described below and on the following page.shown below:

Continuing to Make Grants

ADF’s grants to nonprofit organizations in 2022 included the following:

~$750K to increase education access, including grants to:

Vitensenteret i Sogn og Fjordane AS for youth science programming in Norway

HOLA Ohio to support its Stabilizing Latino Workers, Families and Children program serving Northeast Ohio

 

2023 ADF GRANT HIGHLIGHTS
~$980K TO
INCREASE EDUCATION ACCESS
~$650K TO ADVANCE
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
~$1.3M TO
SUPPORT SECURE LIVELIHOODS

Avery Dennison Corporation  |  2023 Proxy Statement•  Ascendance SDB BHD to support youth empowerment programs in Malaysia

•  Fundacion Leer in support of literacy programming in Argentina

•  Institute of International Education to provide scholarships to children of company employees in countries with significant employee presence

 

 

25•  Asheville GreenWorks to support urban heat mapping and tree canopy restoration in North Carolina

•  Gift of the Givers to improve clean water access in rural Africa

•  Universal Access Project of the UN Foundation to support the Resilience Fund for Women in Global Value Chains

•  Connecting Dreams Foundation to support India’s first LGBTQI Center of Excellence in Delhi

•  Islamic Relief USA to improve economic access for people in Pakistan and Kenya


~$400K to advance environmental sustainability, including grants to:

Beijing Roots & Shoots Community Youth Service Center to support the Jane Goodall Institute’s Young Compassionate Conservation Leader Development ProjectSupporting Employees in Beijing, China

Impact Hub Trust for its Youth Sustainable Packaging program in Shanghai, China

Global Fund for Children to support youth-led climate justice in Southeast Asia

~$480K to secure livelihoods, including grants to:

AAROHAN to support education and health programs for girls in India

UNICEF Bangladesh to strengthen a program for working mothers

Women Win to support female economic resilience in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and the Caribbean

Evolving the Employee Assistance FundTimes of Crisis

In 2020, ADF launched an Employee Assistance Fund (EAF) to support ourcompany employees around the world who had been significantly impacted by COVID-19. Through year-endthe pandemic; from 2020 to 2022, the EAFfund distributed ~$4.6 million to 4K+more than 4,000 individuals acrossin 27 countries. ADF, in a joint effort with our company, also provided funding to support pandemic-relief efforts by nonprofit organizations in India, Brazil, Vietnam and Sri Lanka between 2020 and 2022.

GivenWith the reduced global impact of COVID-19 in most of our communities and its success in supporting employees in need,the pandemic having substantially diminished but the potential opportunity for further impact remaining, ADF recently converted the EAFfund to an Employee Crisis Fund to provide financial assistance forto our employees impacted by natural disasters and other humanitarian crises. In 2023, this fund provided support to 475 company employees in northern China impacted by severe flooding.

Addressing Food InsecuritySupporting Disaster Relief Efforts

ADF partners with an independent nonprofit, GlobalGiving, to promote and supplement employee giving to disaster relief efforts around the globe. Employees are able to give to organizations supporting impacted communities. In 2023, 300+ employees made donations totaling ~$25,000 to organizations responding to earthquakes in Turkey and Syria and emergency and long-term support to people in need in Gaza, Israel and Ukraine. These donations were matched by ADF. In addition, ADF made a grant of $250,000 to a member organization of the following $200K grants in 2022 through Global Impact to address food insecurity:

Action Against Hunger to alleviate hunger inInternational Committee of the Horn of Africa by improving access to clean water, food, community training and healthcare

Islamic Relief USARed Cross to support programs in Sri Lanka, South Sudan, Sudan and Afghanistan that provide aid to disaster survivors

The Global Foodbanking Network to support food banks and disaster response in Latin America and the Asia Pacific region

Supporting Those Affected by the War in Ukraine

In 2022, ADF identified a Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund to which our employees could donate, with their donations matched dollar for dollar, for a total contribution of $108K to NGOs serving affected communities in Ukraine and communities in surrounding countries aiding Ukrainian refugees. ADF supplemented our employee-led efforts by making $1 million in grants to humanitarian relief efforts. Guided by input from employees, ADF focused on giving directly to relief efforts supporting three globally recognized organizations providing aid to the people in Ukraine and refugees in neighboring countries.Israel, where we have a significant employee presence.

Promoting DEI

ADF supported organizations promoting DEI globally, with grants totaling $435K in 2022.$395,000. ADF continued to work with our company’s Regional DEI Councils and ERGs to ensure that it supported organizations making a difference in the communities in which our team members live orand work. Grants were madeIn addition to certain of the following organizations:

Campaign Against Homophobia togrants shown in the chart above, grants in 2023 included support LGBTQ+ programming in Poland, including workshops and training for parents of LGBTQ+ individuals

Olimpiadas Especiales Latinoamerica to provide athletic training and competition for children and adults in Latin America with intellectual disabilities

Ascendance, a program in Malaysia working to foster an entrepreneurial mindset in teenagers

Beijing Qingyou Social Work Development Center to support wellness programs for youth in ChinaSingapore, veterans in the U.S. and people with disabilities in Mexico.

 

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20232024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation

 


International Rescue Committee to support individuals impacted by the crisis in Afghanistan

Aviard Inspires to develop an internet-based learning platform for Black youth in London

Leonard Cheshire to support a disability employment program in the United Kingdom

Cohesion de Diversidades para la Sustenabilidad to provide health education to the LGBTQ+ population in Mexico

Itacolomi Instituto de Apoio Social de Vinhedo to support job readiness for minority youth in Brazil

The Haven Home to support a shelter in Cleveland, Ohio

LGBT Lake County to expand programs for LGBTQ+ youth in the county in which we are headquartered

Women in Manufacturing Education Foundation to support programs that advance women in manufacturing

The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights to support immigrant student college access in Los Angeles, California

Supporting Disaster Relief Efforts

ADF partners with GlobalGiving to promote and supplement employee giving to support disaster relief efforts. Employees are able to give to organizations that are supporting impacted communities. In 2022, 500+ employees made donations totaling ~$62K to organizations responding to the war in Ukraine, political and economic crisis in Sri Lanka, flooding in Pakistan and South Africa, and hunger in East Africa. Contributions also helped support NGOs serving the people of Afghanistan. These donations were matched by ADF.

Engaging Employees

As the heart and hands of our company, ourOur employees advance our community investment efforts at the local level through their own giving andpersonal monetary contributions as well as volunteerism. Through ADF’s signature program is Granting Wishes which enablesprogram, employees nominate local NGOs to recommendreceive grants to, and organize volunteer with, local NGOs.events. In 2022,2023, ADF made $800K~$1 million in grants in five continents37 countries through Granting Wishes.

Providing College Scholarships

Partnering with independent third parties to advance education access, ADF provides college scholarships to the children of company employees. The U.S. employees through Scholarship America. To date, 680+ scholarships have been awarded. In 2022,Scholars program, administered in partnership with Scholarship America, annually awards scholarships in the U.S. and Canada. In 2023, ADF partnered with the Institute of International Education ADF began providingto provide scholarships to the children of employees in Bangladesh, Honduras, India, Mexico, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, and Mexico, and intendswith plans to further expand the program to otheradditional countries in which we have a significant employee presence in future years.

InWhile 2022 ADF concluded itsmarked the end of ADF’s Spirit of Invention (InvEnt) programScholarship Program, alumni from recent years gathered in India.person in 2023 having been unable to meet during their participation due to pandemic-related restrictions, giving them the opportunity to meet with regional leaders of our company and expand their professional network. Over the course of ten10 years, the InvEnt program provided tuition assistance and professional development opportunities for 105to more than 100 talented scholars in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics who demonstrated a commitment to solving real-world problems.scholars.

 

Avery Dennison Corporation |20232024 Proxy Statement

 

 

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OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

OVERVIEW

Our Board oversees, counsels and ensures management is serving the best interests of our company, and stockholders, with the goal ofa view toward maximizing the performance of our businesses and delivering long-term value for all our stakeholders.

PRIMARY BOARD RESPONSIBILITESinvestors.

 

PRIMARY BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES

•  Establish strong governance, with Board/Committee composition, structure and duties providingresponsibilities to ensure strong independent oversight

Conduct ongoing director succession planning to maintain engaged and diverse Board with balance of skills, qualifications and demographic backgrounds to help us deliver on our strategies

Oversee businesses, strategy execution, ESGrisk mitigation, sustainability progress and ongoing risk mitigationgovernance profile

Approve annual operating plan and strategic decisions, including significant fixed and IT capital expenditures and acquisitions

Maintain integrity of financial statements

Evaluate performance of senior leaders and determine executive compensation

Conduct CEO and other executive succession planning and help us develop leaders that advance our future growth and ensure high-performing teams, diverse talent and equitable and inclusive culture

Our Board’s top priorities in 2022 were overseeing management in delivering for our customers despite the impacts of COVID-19 in China, the Russian war in Ukraine and supply chain disruptions; minimizing the impact of rising inflation and sizable currency movements on our investors; engaging, protecting and diversifying our global team; and supporting our communities.

20232024 Director Nominees

Our BylawsGovernance Guidelines provide our Board’s view that our Board comprisea size between 8 and 12 directors withallows for effective Board functioning, although it may periodically comprise a larger or smaller number of directors. Under our Bylaws, the exact number of directors is fixed from time to time by Board resolution. As previously disclosed, in February 2024, Julia Stewart notified our Board of her intention not to stand for reelection at the Annual Meeting; she is continuing to serve as Compensation Committee Chair through April 2024. Our Board has fixedplans to fix the current number of directors at 10.10 following Ms. Stewart’s departure from our Board.

Our 20232024 director nominees are shown in the chart below. TogetherAs shown by individual in the Director Nominee Matrix in the proxy summary, they collectively bring a balance of skills, qualificationsindustry and functional experiences and demographic backgrounds in overseeing our companymanagement in advancing our strategies and achieving our financial and sustainability goals, as shown by individual in the Board matrix included in the proxy summary.goals.

 

Name Age  Director Since Principal Occupation Independent AC CC GC

Bradley A. Alford

  66  2010   Retired Chairman & CEO, Nestlé USA  

 

  

Anthony K. Anderson

  67  2012   Retired Vice Chair & Managing Partner, Ernst & Young LLP   

 

 

Mitchell R. Butier

  51  2016   Chairman & CEO, Avery Dennison Corporation  

 

 

 

 

 

Ken C. Hicks

  70  2007   Chairman, President & CEO, Academy Sports + Outdoors  

 

  

 

Andres A. Lopez

  60  2017   President & CEO, O-I Glass, Inc.   

 

 

 

Francesca Reverberi^

  51  2023   SVP, Sustainable Plastics & CSO, Trinseo PLC  

 

 

 

 

 

Patrick T. Siewert LOGO

  67  2005   Managing Director & Partner, The Carlyle Group   

 

 

Julia A. Stewart

  67  2003   Chair & CEO, Alurx, Inc.  

 

  

Martha N. Sullivan

  66  2013   Retired CEO, Sensata Technologies Holding PLC   

 

 

 

William R. Wagner^

  56  2022   Retired President & CEO, GoTo Group, Inc.   

 

  

 

  

 

          
   NAME AGE  DIRECTOR SINCE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION INDEPENDENT AC CC GC FC

1

 

Bradley A. Alford

  67  2010  Retired Chairman & CEO, Nestlé USA  

 

   

 

2

 

Mitchell R. Butier

  52  2016  Executive Chairman, Avery Dennison Corporation  

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

Ken C. Hicks

  71  2007  Executive Chairman, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Inc.  

 

  

 

 

 

4

 

Andres A. Lopez

  61  2017  President & CEO, O-I Glass, Inc.    

 

 

 

5

 

Maria Fernanda Mejia^

  60  2024  Retired CEO, International, Newell Brands Inc.   

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

Francesca Reverberi

  52  2023  SVP, Engineered Materials & CSO, Trinseo PLC  

 

  

 

 

 

7

 

Patrick T. Siewert LOGO

  68  2005  Retired Managing Director & Partner, The Carlyle Group   

 

  

8

 

Deon M. Stander

  55  2023  President & CEO, Avery Dennison Corporation  

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

 

Martha N. Sullivan

  67  2013  Retired CEO, Sensata Technologies Holding PLC   

 

 

 

 

 

10

 

William R. Wagner

  57  2022  Retired President & CEO, GoTo Group, Inc.    

 

   

 

AC = Audit Committee CC = Compensation Committee GC = Governance Committee FC = Finance Committee

LOGOLOGO  = Lead Independent Director   = Chair  = Member ^= New Director

The ages of our director nominees range from 5152 to 70,71, with an average age of ~62.61. Their lengths of service range from less than one to 2019 years, with an average tenure on our Board of ~108 years.

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2023 Proxy Statement  |  Avery Dennison Corporation


Board Meetings and Attendance

Our Board met fiveseven times during 2022.2023. There were 2124 Board Committee meetings during the year. All ourincumbent directors attended 100%at least 75% of their respective Board and Committee meetings.meetings; average attendance was 100%. In addition, our directors regularly discussed strategic, business and businessfinancial matters with each of our Chairman/CEOExecutive Chairman and President/COOour CEO outside of meetings, including the challenges we faced during the year and potential acquisitions.meetings. Directors are strongly encouraged to attend our annual stockholder meetings under our Governance Guidelines and all then-serving directors attended the virtual 20222023 Annual Meeting.

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2024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation


Additional Board Engagement

Bringing their industry and functional expertise, certainsome of our directors – in certain cases, together with third-party experts – are providing supplemental guidance outside the boardroom to management in its execution of our strategic initiatives related to digital solutions, environmental sustainability and food. food, as well as our focus on cybersecurity risk management. At this time, Mr. Wagner is a member of our Digital Advisory Council and our Cybersecurity Advisory Council; Mses. Mejia and Reverberi are members of our Circularity and Future of Packaging Advisory Council; and Mr. Alford serves as chairis a member of our Food Advisory Council; Mr. Wagner and former director Mark BarrenecheaCouncil. Messrs. Butier and/or Stander serve on each of these Advisory Councils. Directors serving on Advisory Councils are membersnot currently provided any additional compensation for doing so, but that could change for independent directors as the time commitments of our Digital Advisory Council. We are planning to form an Environmental Sustainability Advisory Council in early 2023 to help advance our sustainability initiatives, on which we plan to ask Ms. Reverberitheir service continue to be a member.assessed.

GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES

Our Governance Guidelines provide the governance framework for our company and reflect the values of our Board, as highlighted below. They are reviewed at least annually and amended from time to time to reflect changes in regulatory requirements, evolving market practices, recommendations from our advisors and feedback from our investors. Our Governance Guidelines were most recentlylast amended in December 2021.

 

BOARD GOVERNANCE HIGHLIGHTS

Board

Composition

 

 

  Reasonable Board size of 10 directorsdirector nominees reflects increased refreshment in recent years

 

  Mandatory retirement after age 72 with no exemptions or waivers allowed or granted

 

  On average, director nominee age of ~6261 years and tenure of ~108 years

 

  60%50% of directorsdirector nominees are women and/or from other underrepresented communities

 

Director

Independence

 

  Directors 90%Director nominees 80% independent

 

  Executive sessions of independent directors held at all five 20226 Board meetings

in 2023

Board

Leadership

Structure

 

  Annual review of Board leadership structure

 

  Robust Lead Independent Director role and independent CommitteeAudit, Compensation and Governance Chairs

Board Committees

 

  Annual composition review and periodic structural review and Chair/member rotation (including in July 2023 and February 2024)

 

  Act under annually reviewed charters reflecting best practices and stakeholder expectations

 

  Directors required to attend Board/Committee and stockholder meetings

Board Duties

 

  Regular leadership succession planning

 

  Ongoing review of long-term strategic plans, including key risks and mitigating strategies

 

  Directors entitled to rely on independent legal, financial or other advisors at our expense

Continuous

Board

Improvement

 

  New directors receive orientation materials and engage with members ofsenior management to familiarize themselves with our Board and company, as well as undergoand also participate in additional orientation sessions after joining Board committees to better understand responsibilities and processes

 

  Continuing education through meetings with management, visits to our facilities and participation in director education programs

 

  Annual evaluation process ensures Board, Committees, Chairman, Lead Independent Director and Committee Chairs are functioning effectively; includes solicitingeffectively

  Individual director feedback on other directors

process advances continuous director development and assists with Board succession planning

Director

Qualifications

 

 

  Regular review of Board composition (skills; qualifications;(including industry and functional experience, demographic backgrounds, including with respect to gender, racetenure, and ethnicity; and board commitments)mandatory retirement date) and ongoing director succession planning

 

Avery Dennison Corporation |20232024 Proxy Statement

 

 

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DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Our Governance Guidelines require that our Board comprise a majority of directors who satisfy the criteria for independence under NYSE listing standards and that our audit, compensationAudit, Compensation and nominating committeesGovernance Committees be composed entirely of independent directors. An independent director is one who meets the independence requirements of the NYSE and who our Board affirmatively determines has no material relationship with our company, directly or indirectly as a partner, stockholder or officer of an entity with which we have a business relationship.

Each year, our directors complete a questionnaire designed to solicit information that may have a bearing on our Board’s independence determination, including allany relationships they have with our company, directly or indirectly through our company’s sale or purchase of products or services to or from any companies or firms by which they are employed. The Governance Committee reviewsdiscusses any disclosures made in the questionnaires relevant to its independence assessment with our Corporate Secretary, as well as any transactions our company has with director-affiliated entities. In February 2023,2024, after review of the facts and circumstances relevant to each director nominee,their respective relationships, the Governance Committee concluded that only Mr.Messrs. Butier and Stander had a relationshiprelationships that waswere disqualifying under NYSE listing standards, otherwise material or impairing of director independence.Upon the recommendation of the Governance Committee, our Board affirmatively determined the 9 directors named below representing 90%serving for all or part of 2023, as well as our Board,newest director appointed in February 2024, to be independent.

 

  

Independent Directors

2023 INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS
DIRECTOR NOMINEE INDEPENDENCE*

 

Bradley Alford

Anthony Anderson

Ken Hicks

Andres Lopez

Francesca Reverberi

Patrick Siewert

Julia Stewart

Martha Sullivan

William Wagner

 

  

LOGO

 

*

Director Independencenominee independence excludes Mr. Anderson, who departed from our Board in November 2023, and Ms. Stewart, who will leave our Board in April 2024. It includes Ms. Mejia, who was appointed to our Board in February 2024.

LOGO

For a discussion of the potential impact of tenure on director independence, see the Board Refreshment and Director Succession Planning section of this proxy statement.

BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

EXECUTIVE CHAIRMANPRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

LOGO

Mitch Butier

Elected annually by our Board

In addition to customary duties of Chairman:

•   Provide Board’s collective input on company strategies to CEO

•   Engage with CEO on value-enhancing strategic opportunities, as well as other key relationships and strategic alliances

•   Support CEO and Company Leadership Team in expanding and deepening relationships with key stakeholders

•   Participate in certain Advisory Councils

•   Mentor CEO, acting as principal liaison between him and Board members

LEAD INDEPENDENT DIRECTORPRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

LOGO

Patrick Siewert

Elected annually by independent directors

•   Preside over executive sessions of independent directors and Board meetings where Executive Chairman is not present

•   Approve Board meeting agendas, schedules and other information sent to our Board

•   Call meetings of independent directors

•   Consult and meet with stockholders

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2024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation


Our Governance Guidelines give our Board – acting through its independent directors – the discretion to separate or combine the roles of Chairman and CEO as it deems appropriate based on the needs of our company at any given time. To facilitate this decision-making, the Governance Committee annually reviews our Board leadership structure, providing its recommendation on the appropriate structure for the following one-year term to our independent directors giving consideration to, among other things, our financial position, business strategies ESGand sustainability and governance priorities, andas well as any feedback received from our investors and other stakeholders.

During the first two-thirds of the year, we had a combined Chairman/CEO and a Lead Independent Director. In connection with our CEO transition, our other directors in July elected Mr. Butier as Executive Chairman effective September 2023 for the remainder of the term ending at the Annual Meeting based on their belief that his leadership would optimize the execution of our strategic priorities as he mentors Mr. Stander in his new role as CEO. At that time, the Chairman and CEO roles were separated, each filled by long-serving leaders of our company who have developed and executed our strategies effectively to deliver long-term value for our employees, customers, investors and communities. Because Mr. Butier remains our employee, Mr. Siewert was elected by our independent directors through the Annual Meeting to continue ensuring independent oversight of our Board.

Robust Lead Independent Director Role

Our robust Lead Independent Director role balances our combined Chairman/CEOExecutive Chairman role, exercising critical duties to ensure independent decision-making in the boardroom. Mr. Siewert began serving as our Lead Independent Director in April 2020 and was most recently reelected by our independent directors in February 2024 for a one-year term in April 2022.beginning after the Annual Meeting, subject to his reelection. Our Governance Guidelines clearly define his primary responsibilities, which are shown below.

LEAD INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Designee:

Patrick Siewert

•   Preside over executive sessions of independent directors and Board meetings where Chairman/CEO is not present

Selected annually by independent directors

•   Approve Board meeting agendas, schedules and other information sent to our Board

•   Call meetings of independent directors

•   Consult and meet with stockholders

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2023 Proxy Statement  |  Avery Dennison Corporation


in the chart above. Mr. Siewert also performed the activities described below as Lead Independent Director in 2022.2023.

 

Oversaw our new director search process, including interviewing high-potential candidates and engaging in director succession planning discussions with the Governance Committee he chairs, as well as with our Chairman/CEO and other Board members

Oversaw our new director search process, including meeting regularly with senior management and the external firm selected by the Governance Committee to lead the search; interviewing and assessing high-potential candidates; and leading director succession planning discussions with the Governance Committee he chairs, as well as with our Executive Chairman, our CEO and other Board members

 

Led majority of our fall stockholder engagement discussions

Directed our Board/Committee evaluation process, meeting individually with each other director to obtain verbal feedback to supplement their written evaluations

 

Led our Board/Committee evaluation process, interviewing each Board member and providing them feedback on their performance

Led the majority of our off-seasonstockholder engagements

 

Consulted frequently with our independent directors and provided feedback to Chairman/CEO based on these discussions, including giving him our Board’s evaluation of his 2022 performance with the Compensation Committee Chair

Oversaw our individual director feedback process through which each director was able to provide anonymous written feedback on their peers, giving consideration to their preparation, participation and engagement in and outside the boardroom with a view to enhancing their overall performance and assisting with director succession planning

 

Consulted frequently with our independent directors and provided feedback to our Executive Chairman and our CEO based on these discussions, including our Board’s evaluation of their 2023 performance with the Compensation Committee Chair

Met regularly with Chairman/CEO and President/COO, as well as periodically with other members of senior management

Met regularly with our Executive Chairman and our CEO, as well as periodically with other members of management and representatives of our independent registered public accounting firm

Supplementing our Lead Independent Director in providing independent Board leadership are our CommitteeAudit, Compensation and Governance Chairs, all of whom are independent.

Board Leadership Assessment and Evaluation

In light of our recent appointment of two new directors, the Governance Committee plans to assess and make its recommendation to our Board on the post-Annual Meeting leadership structure in April 2023.

During our Board evaluation process conducted during the fourth quarterquarters of 2021, 2022 and 2023,Messrs. Butier and Siewert each received uniformly positive feedback from our independent directors in their respective roles as Chairman/CEOChairman and Lead Independent Director. During our ongoing engagement with stockholders, few investors have expressed a desire that we consider separating the positions of Chairman and CEO, which we believe reflects support for our robust and clearly delineated Lead Independent Director role and Mr. Siewert’s strong engagement in many of those meetings.

In February 2022,May and July 2023, having delayed its planned discussion of these matters from April 2023 as a result of its leadership and Board succession planning work, the Governance Committee evaluated our Board leadership structure and recommended to our Board that Mr. Butier be elected to continue serving asin the role of Chairman, noting that he had successfully led our company as CEO for the preceding six years and remained best positioned to lead our Board in overseeing our strategies to deliver long-term value for our employees, customers, investors and communities. The committee further noted that Mr. Butier had articulated and worked to realize a long-term vision for our company that delivered top quartile TSR performance and exceeded our 2017-2021 financial targets and that we could best continue to advance our strategies and ESG progress – as well as achieve our 2021-2025 financial targets and more ambitious 2030 sustainability goals – continuing with combined leadership in the boardroom.strategies. Upon the recommendation of the Governance Committee, our Board unanimously elected Mr. Butier (with him abstaining)not present for the discussion or vote) as Executive Chairman effective September 1, 2023 through the Annual Meeting. In February 2024, giving consideration to servethe valuable mentorship he has provided our new CEO and his successful transition to the role of Executive Chairman, upon the recommendation of the Governance Committee, our Board (with him not present for the discussion or vote) elected Mr. Butier to continue serving as ourExecutive Chairman for a one-year term ending at the 2025 Annual Meeting.Meeting, subject to his reelection.

At that time,

Avery Dennison Corporation | 2024 Proxy Statement

31


In July 2023, the Governance Committee also recommended that Mr. Siewert (with him not participating inpresent for the discussion)discussion or vote) continue serving as Lead Independent Director.Director through the Annual Meeting. Having a long-serving director with financialfinance expertise and substantial internationalextensive experience working outside the U.S. serve as Lead Independent Director hadhas provided Mr.Messrs. Butier and Stander valuable mentorshipcounsel and guidance while ensuring robust independent Board oversight of management. The committee also recognized Mr. Siewert’s support and substantial effort with our stockholder engagement program. The Governance Committee determined that, in light of his demonstrated commitment, engagement and strong leadership, then in the second year in which he served in this capacity, Mr. Siewert should continue ensuring independent stewardship of our Board in its oversight of our strategies to deliver long-term value for all our stakeholders.responsibilities. The committee’s decision took into account his significant contributions as a member and former Chair of the Audit Committee since joining our Board and as its Chair for five years and as the current Chair of the Governance Committee, as well as his extensive international experiencemore than 25 years working in Asia Pacific, a region from which ~35%30% of our 2023 sales originated and ~58%~56% of our employees were located in 2021.at year-end 2023. Upon the recommendation of the Governance Committee, ourthe independent directors unanimously selectedon our Board elected Mr. Siewert (with him abstaining)not present for the discussion or vote) as Lead Independent Director through the Annual Meeting. In February 2024, upon the recommendation of the Governance Committee, the independent directors on our Board elected Mr. Siewert (with him not present for the discussion or vote) to servecontinue serving as Lead Independent Director for a one-yearthe term ending at the 2025 Annual Meeting.Meeting, subject to his reelection.

During our 2023 stockholder engagements, while certain investors expressed a preference for an independent chairman, they appreciated the rationale for our current Board leadership structure given our recent CEO transition and other senior leadership changes.

BOARD COMMITTEES

Given our recent addition of two new directors, the Governance Committee plans to assess and make its recommendation to the Board on the post-Annual Meeting Committee structure and appointments in April 2023, having preliminarily discussed these matters in February 2023.

Avery Dennison Corporation  |  2023 Proxy Statement

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Each of our Board Committees has a written charter that describes its purpose, membership and meeting structure, and responsibilities. These charters may be found on the investors section of our website under Corporate Governance and are reviewed by the respective committee at least annually, with any recommended changes adopted upon approval by our Board. Amended charters are promptly posted on our website. The charters of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Compensation CommitteesGovernance Committee were most recently amended in December 20222023, December 2023 and October 2021, respectively; the charter of the GovernanceFinance Committee was most recently amended in October 2021.

Each offirst adopted by our Board in December 2023.

Our Board Committees hashave the ability to delegate authority to subcommittees and may obtain advice and assistance from consultants, legal counsel or other advisors at our expense. In addition, each committee annually evaluates its performance. The primary responsibilities, membership and 20222023 meeting and attendance information for the three standingindependent committees of our Board are summarized belowbelow. In July 2023 and onFebruary 2024, upon the following page.recommendation of the Governance Committee, our Board modestly adjusted the membership of its committees; the current Chairs and members are reflected in this proxy statement. 

 

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2024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation


  

LOGO

AUDIT ANDMEMBERS

FINANCE COMMITTEE

 PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
 

Members:

Martha Sullivan (Chair)

Anthony Anderson

Andres Lopez

Maria Fernanda Mejia

Patrick Siewert

2022 meetings: 8

2022 average attendance: 100%William Wagner

 

Audit committee financial experts: Anderson and expert:

Siewert

 

All members satisfy NYSE enhanced independence standards

MEETINGS

2023 meetings: 8

Avg. attendance: 90%

 

•  Oversee financial statement and disclosure matters, including quarterly and annual earnings release documentation and SEC reports, internal controls, critical accounting policies and practices, and major financial risk exposures

and significant tax matters

•  Appoint and oversee independent registered public accounting firm, including evaluating its qualifications and independence, as well as the scope, staffing and fees for annual audit and other audit, review or attestation services, and annually reviewing its performance and regularly considering whether to appoint a new firm; in addition, approve the compensation and engagement of any other registered public accountingsuch firm preparing or issuing an audit reportreports or related work or performing other audit review or attest services

•  Oversee internal audit function, including appointing/dismissing senior internal auditor, evaluating his performance, reviewing significant issues identified in internal audits and management’s response, and discussing annual internal audit plan, budget and staffing

•  Perform compliance oversight responsibilities,, including overseeing cybersecurity risk management and risks related to information technology controls and security;security; maintaining procedures for complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters; reviewing financially materialsignificant legal matters; and making determinations regarding certain Code of Ethics violations

•   Conduct finance oversight responsibilities, including reviewing capital structure and financing plans, capital allocation strategy, funding status of pension plans and significant tax matters

•  Approve Audit and Finance Committee Report for proxy statement

 

 

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2023 Proxy Statement  |  Avery Dennison Corporation


  
LOGOTALENT AND
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
MEMBERS
 PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
 

Members:

Julia Stewart (Chair)

Bradley Alford

Andres Lopez

Ken Hicks

2022 meetings: 5

2022 average attendance: 100%Francesca Reverberi

 

All members satisfy NYSE enhanced independence standards and qualify as “non-employee“non-employee directors” under Exchange Act Rule 16b-3

MEETINGS

2023 meetings: 5

Avg. attendance: 100%

 

•  Review and approve corporateAIP and LTI targets within context of company goals and CEO objectives andobjectives; evaluate company and individual performance to determine annual CEO compensation

•  Review and approve senior executive compensation, including base salaries and incentive compensation

•  Conduct leadership succession and development planning; and regularly review executive new hires, promotions and role changes, departures and open positions,

as well as executive diversity trends

•  Oversee appropriateexecutive compensation strategy, incentive plans, equity-based plans and benefit programs

•  Review and provide oversight of talent management policies and strategies related to talent management, including DEI and pay equity and transparency; leadership compensation plans, benefit programs,benefits, recruiting and retention strategies, and development programs; and employee engagement

•  Review stockholder engagement process, results and feedback related to executive compensation, and talent management

and social sustainability

•  Approve CD&A and Talent and Compensation Committee Report for proxy statement

•  Oversee stockholder approval of executive compensation matters, including say-on-pay and say-on-frequency votes

•  Ensure ourAssess compensation policies/programs do not encouragefor potential encouragement of excessive risk-taking

•  Recommend non-employee director compensation

•  Recommend non-employee directorAdminister clawback policies providing for recoupment of incentive compensation determined to have been erroneously received by executive officers or other AIP or LTI recipients

 

 

  

LOGO

GOVERNANCEMEMBERS

COMMITTEE

 PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
 

Members:

Patrick Siewert (Chair)

Bradley Alford

Anthony Anderson

Julia Stewart

2022 meetings: 8

2022 average attendance: 100%William Wagner

 

All members satisfy NYSE independence standards

MEETINGS

2023 meetings: 10

Avg. attendance: 95%

 

•  Regularly review Board composition and conduct director succession planning identify, identifying potential new Board members and recommendrecommending director nomineesnominees/appointees

•  Annually consider Board leadership structure and recommend whether to separateelect independent Chairman or combine positions of Chairman and CEO; if combined, recommend Lead Independent Director

•  Recommend Board and Committee structure, Chairs and members

•  Recommend independent directors based on NYSE independence standards

•  Review and approve related person transactions

•  Oversee annual Board/Committee performance evaluation process of Board and Committees

, as well as individual director feedback process

•  Review Governance Guidelines and recommend changes

•  Review and provide oversight of governance, environmental sustainability and community investment initiatives, policies and programspractices

•  Review stockholder engagement process, results and feedbackrelated to governance, environmental sustainability and community investment

•  Review stockholder proposals

•  Oversee valuesValues and ethicsEthics program and Code of Conduct, evaluate significant conflicts of interest and make determinations regarding certain Code of Ethics violations

 

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In addition to the above committees required by SEC rules and NYSE listing standards, upon the recommendation of the Governance Committee, our Board formed a standalone non-independent Finance Committee in July 2023, the responsibilities of which were previously performed by the Audit Committee.

LOGOMEMBERSPRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Mitch Butier (Chair)

Patrick Siewert

Deon Stander

MEETINGS

2023 meetings: 1

Avg. attendance: 100%

Conduct finance oversight responsibilities, includingreviewing and making recommendations to our Board regarding:

•  Capital structure in light of our financial plans, current operations and long-term strategies

•  Capital allocation strategy, including stockholder dividends, stock repurchase program and financial capacity for significant transactions such as strategic investments, acquisitions and divestitures

•  Financing plans including equity, debt or other securities offerings and private placements that may materially impact our financial position

•  Pension plan financing status

•  Other financial matters that management or our Board desires to have reviewed by the committee

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

Our Board believes it is important to have separate executive sessions with our Chairman/CEO,Mr. Butier, with our President/COO,Mr. Stander, with both of them and without either of them, each of which was generally held at all2023 Board meetings held after Mr. Stander’s

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promotion to President/COO in March 2022.meetings. Our independent directors have candid discussions at the executive sessions that exclude Messrs. Butier and Standerour Executive Chairman and/or our CEO during which they critically evaluate the performance of them, our company and management as a whole.whole and our company. As Lead Independent Director, Mr. Siewert presided over the fivesix executive sessions of independent directors held during 2022.2023.

 

Implementing previously received feedback from our Board evaluation process, ourOur Board generally startedbegan its 20222023 meetings with one of two executive sessions with our Chairman/CEOMessrs. Butier and Stander to discuss key focus areas and frame meeting discussions; the second such session at the end of the meetingthese meetings provided time for the Board to reflect and align on key priorities, after which our independent directors generally met in executive session without our Chairman/CEO.session.

Executive sessions arewere also generally scheduledheld for meetings of the Audit, Compensation and Governance Committees.regular 2023 Board Committee meetings. These sessions excludeexcluded members of management unless the Committee requestscommittee requested one or more of them to attend to provide additional information or perspective, in which case the Committeecommittee generally meetsmet independently thereafter.

RISK OVERSIGHT

Management is responsible for managing the day-to-day risks confronting our businesses, and our Board oversees enterprise risk management (ERM). ERM. In performing its oversight role, our Board ensures that the ERM processes designed and implemented by management are functioning effectively and that our culture promotespromoting risk-adjusted decision-making. The teams leading our businesses have incorporated risk-adjusted decision-making in refiningERM-rooted thinking into their strategic development and executing their strategies,execution, assessing the risks impacting their businesses and identifyingimplementing and implementing appropriateadjusting mitigating actions on an ongoing basis. In addition, in consultation with our risk management team and senior management, they semiannually prepare a risk profileprofiles consisting of a heat map and a summary of their key risks and mitigating strategies, which are used to prepare a company risk profile based on identified business-specificbusiness risks as well as enterprise risks. Among other things, these risks including risks related to ESG matters such asinclude the macroeconomic environment; climate change, GHG emissionsenvironmental regulation and energy use; materials management;sustainability trends; cybersecurity; operational and supply chain disruptions; and M&A.

In 2023, we further enhanced our ERM program by assigning accountability for key risks and mitigating strategies to identified business or functional leaders and began prioritizing mitigation strategies based on discussions with business leaders led by risk champions from our law department. Our compliance and IT functions also continued their annual ERM reviews. These advancements have allowed our ERM Steering Committee to benefit from the circular economy; DEI; waste; and employee health and safety.critical thinking of a broader cross-section of company leaders. We aim to continue advancing our ERM program, with oversight by our Board.

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2024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation


We have globalrobust processes that support oura strong internal control environment and promote the early identification and ongoing mitigation of risks. Our legal and compliance functions, including our Chief Compliance Officer, report intoto our CLO to provide independent evaluation of the challenges facing our businesses and our Vice President of Internal Audit leader reports to the Audit Committee in the conduct of his operational responsibilities, helping ensure he maintains independence from management.

In 2022, we further enhanced our ERM program by expanding the time that we spent engaging with functional leaders in our RBIS and IHM businesses and each of the regions within our LGM business. Designated members of our law department became fully ingrained into the process, partnering with our risk management team to facilitate these discussions. We also devoted more time to our standalone compliance and information technology risk profiles to ensure heightened focus on these critical risk areas. These advancements, as well as the expansion of our ERM Steering Committee, have embedded ERM deeper into our organization, allowing us to benefit from the critical thinking of a broad cross-section of company and business leaders. We plan to continue advancing our ERM program, with leadership from our ERM Steering Committee composed of members of senior management and oversight by our Board.

Our Board as a whole oversees risks related to our five-year strategic plan horizon, exercising this responsibility by considering the risks related to its decisions. management’s strategies and execution plans. Our Board annually receives reports on the ERM process and the resulting company risk profiles,profile, engaging throughout the year with management on thetheir strategic plans and risks facing our businesses and company as a wholekey risks. ; these risks include financial risks, geopolitical risks, legal and regulatory risks, supply chain risks, competitive risks, compliance risks, ESG risks, information technology risks and other risks related to the ways in which we do business. Employees who lead various risk areas – such as law, information technology, tax, compliance, sustainability, DEI and community investment – report periodically to Board Committees and occasionally to our full Board.

As shown on the following page, below, our Board has delegated elements of its risk oversight responsibility to its Committees to more efficiently coordinate with management in serving the long-term interests of all our stakeholders.risk mitigation. Our Board receives reports from the Committee Chairs regarding topics discussed at committee meetings, including the areas of risk they primarily oversee, and engages with our leaders on these risk areasmitigation during its regular engagement with our leaders.

 

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2023 Proxy Statement  | Avery Dennison Corporation

  RISK OVERSIGHT 


               

 

 Risk Oversight   Board of Directors

               

LOGO   Board of Directors

 

•  Business strategies

•  Annual operating plan and significant fixed and IT capital expenditures

•  Corporate governance

•  Acquisitions, divestitures and other significant transactions

•  Enterprise risk management

 

 

LOGO

LOGO   Audit Committee

 

Audit Committee

   LOGO  Compensation Committee

LOGO

 

Compensation Committee

LOGO

LOGO

 Governance Committee

LOGO

 Finance Committee

•  Financial reporting processes and statements, and internal controls

•  Capital structure

•  Financing, including debt, liquidity, capital allocation and pension plan funding

•  Stockholder distributions (dividends and stock repurchases)

•  Information technology and cybersecurity

•  Certain legal, compliance and regulatory matters

 

•  Executive compensation and CEO/senior executive succession planning

•  Annual and long-term incentive plans

•  Compensation plans and benefit programsclawback policies

•  Non-employee director compensation

•  Social sustainability, and talent management, including DEI; leadership compensation, plans, benefit programs,benefits, and recruiting and retention strategies and development progress;retention; DEI; and employee engagement

 

•  Board and Committee structure and composition

•  Director succession planning

•  Governance, environmental sustainability and community investment

•  Values and Ethics/Code of Conduct

•  Conflicts of interest and related person transactions

•  Governance, environmental sustainability and community investment

•  Certain legal, compliance and regulatory matters

LOGO   Management

 

  
 

•  Day-to-day management of risks facing our businessesCapital structure and allocation strategy, including stockholder dividends, stock repurchases and financial capacity for strategic transactions

•  Financing plans, including debt, liquidity and other securities offerings

•  Pension plan funding status

The Audit Committee oversees our internal control environment and evaluates the effectiveness of our internal controls at least annually. Supplementing these processes, the Audit Committee meets regularly meets in executive session with each of our CFO, Controller/CAO, Vice President ofController, Internal Audit leader, and representatives of our independent registered public accounting firm, and as needed with other members of senior management such as our CEO COO and CLO. The Governance Committee meets semiannually with our Chief Compliance Officer to discuss, among other things, significant internal investigations.

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During 2022,2023, our Board was particularly focused on overseeing the risk areas described below.

 

 

 

   2022 Risk Focus Areas       2023 RISK FOCUS AREAS   

 
 
  

Executing amidst continued uncertainty to deliverNavigating challenging near-term business environment – Addressing lower demand driven primarily by downstream inventory destocking, as well as preparing for customers – Managing raw materialpotential recessionary environment through rigorous scenario planning and labor constraintsidentified potential productivity and elevated lead times to provide high-quality service to customers, while also enhancing supply chain and energy resiliencyrestructuring actions

 

  

Inflation management – Leveraging our rigorous scenario planning to offset the impact of rising inflation and prepare for a recessionary environment, identifying productivity and restructuring actions to mitigate the impact of slower demand and higher costs

Further accelerating Intelligent Labels adoptionAdvancing digital solutions, developing the foodExecuting key apparel and logistics marketsprograms, accelerating new segment and continuinguse case adoption, and expanding manufacturing capacity to drive cross-business collaboration toensure we can deliver on the inflection pointfor customers in this high-value growth platform

Innovation – Reinforcing strategy and deployment focused on materials in our Label and Packaging Materials business and digital solutions across our company

M&A – Expanding our M&A pipeline and deal conversion, as well as assessing and redirecting our IHMfast-growing business

 

  

ESG/Sustainability Advancing sustainable innovation initiativesInvestingAccelerating our sustainable innovation efforts through governmental engagement and investment in sustainability-driven innovation and driving our enterprise digital journey with our newly-formed digital strategic innovation platform and Digital Advisory Council, as well as disruptively reducing GHG intensity and continuingnew technologies to enable circularityturn sustainability-related headwinds into opportunities for competitive differentiation

 

  

CybersecurityAdvancing digital journey Addressing the challenging threat landscape elevated byAccelerating our digital business transformation, hybrid/remote workersstrategies and interconnected supply chains, as well as improvingevolving our Digital Advisory Council to advance our market insights, digital capabilities and innovation to lead at intersection of physical and digital

Optimizing portfolio of businesses – Integrating previously separated businesses into Materials Group, executing and integrating acquisitions, and expanding our M&A pipeline and deal conversion

Advancing cybersecurity preparedness against ransomware attacks – Addressing more volatile cybersecurity landscape with increasing threats on manufacturers, incorporating learnings from of our maturity assessments and publicly reported incidents at other companies

 

 

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Risks Associated with Compensation Policies and Practices

As described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this proxy statement, we maintain best practices in compensation that collectively encourage ongoing risk mitigation. The Compensation Committee annually discusses with management and its independent compensation consultant, WTW, whether our executive compensation programs areprogram is meeting the committee’s objectives. In addition, the Compensation Committee periodically engages WTW to undertake a more formal assessment of our compensation programs to ensure they dothat our program does not provide incentives that encourage our employees to take excessive risksrisk-taking in managingthe management of their respective businesses or functional areas. The committee most recently conducted this evaluation in 2022.February 2024.

The Compensation Committee noted the key risk-mitigating features of our executive compensation program described below.

 

 

 

   Risk-Mitigating Compensation Features       RISK-MITIGATING FEATURES   

 
 

Governance and

Oversight

 

 Compensation Committee has discretion to decrease Annual Incentive Plan (AIP)AIP and LTI awards and long-term incentive (LTI) grants to penalize potentially risky actions

 Clawback policy deters fraud or other misconduct that resultsrequires recoupment of certain incentive-based compensation to executive officers if we are required to prepare accounting restatement to correct material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement; in financial restatement, providing means to recoup inappropriately receivedaddition, all AIP and LTI awardsrecipients are subject to compensation clawback in connection with financial restatement indicating fraud or misconduct

 Incentive compensation plan structure and targets are reviewed within context of market practices, tied to operatingannual business plans and corporatecompany goals, and approved by Compensation Committee

 Compensation Committee annually evaluates CEO/senior executive performance against challenging strategic, financial and ESGsustainability goals

 Rigorous stock ownership policy consistent with best practices, with minimum ownership level of 6x for CEO; requires net shares acquired to be retained until compliance is achieved

 Officers prohibited from hedging or pledging company stock and required to engage in stock transactions only during limited trading windows

 

Pay Philosophy

and Structure

 

 Focus on incenting stockholder value creation, balanced by retention and other considerations

Substantial majority of leadership compensation delivered in long-term equity or cash-based awards to motivate pursuit of superior performance and sustainable growth

 Executive severance plans consistent with market practices, with double-trigger change of control benefits and only for most senior NEOs

Incentive compensation designed to incent strong annual financial performance and long-term economic and stockholder value creation, balance growth and efficient capital deployment, and consider ESGsustainability progress and individual NEO contributions thereto

 Substantial majority of leadership compensation delivered in long-term equity or cash-based awards to motivate pursuit of superior performance and sustainable growth

 Rigorous stock ownership policy, with minimum ownership requirement of 6x for CEO; requires net shares acquired to be retained until compliance is achieved and pre-transaction certifications of continued compliance

 Executive severance plans consistent with market practices, with double-trigger change of control severance benefits only for most senior NEOs

 

Incentive

Program Design

 

 AIP and LTI awards incent achievement of annual profitable growthfinancial goals and long-term financialeconomic and stockholder value creation, using multiple performance objectives covering different time periods

 AIP awards not guaranteed, with below-threshold performance resulting in zero payout, payments subject to overall cap of 200%, and NEO individual modifiers generally capped at 100%

 Equity awards usefully performance-based, using multiple performance objectives, vestvesting over multiple time horizons and are subject to threshold and maximum payout opportunities

•  Performance units (PUs)PUs cliff vest at end of three years with payout for relative total stockholder return (TSR)TSR component capped at 100% of target if absolute TSR is negative

•  Market-leveraged stock units (MSUs)MSUs vest over one-1-, two-2-, three-3- and four-year4-year performance periods (average performance period of 2.5 years), with threshold performance at absolute TSR of (15)% and target performance at absolute TSR of 10%

 

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2024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation


Given its assessed low risk in each of these categories and other factors, WTW advised the Compensation Committee that in its view, our compensationexecutive pay program strikes an appropriate pay-risk balance and presents nodoes not present risk-related concerns.

 

The Compensation Committee has concluded that our compensation policies and practices do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our company.

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2023 Proxy Statement  |  Avery Dennison Corporation


DIRECTOR EDUCATION

Initial Orientation

Our director orientation materials and discussions with management generally cover our (i) performancestakeholders, values, strategies, and leadership;financial and sustainability goals; (ii) investor messaging; (iii) thebusiness and company strategies, risks and mitigating actions,actions; (iii) sustainability priorities and ESG priorities of our businesses;progress; (iv) Board composition and director succession planning process, as well asobjectives; (v) information regarding company leadership and recent Board/committee meetings; (vi) Board, focus areas; (v) finance matters,governance and company policies, including our financial reporting policiesGovernance Guidelines, Committee charters, conflict of interest policy, non-employee director compensation program, insider trading policy and practices, internal control environment, internal audit deployment, tax planning and compliance, and capital allocation; (vi) legal and compliance matters, including our Board and governance policies, Values and Ethics program, and ERM;Code of Conduct; (vii) executive compensation and talent management matters, including leadership succession planning and development, DEI and community investment;investor messaging; and (viii) information technologySEC filings and cybersecurity.sustainably reporting.

 

In connection with hisher appointment to our Board in October 2022,February 2024, we provided Mr. WagnerMs. Mejia with information regarding our businesses, strategic plans and risk-mitigating actions, non-employee director compensation policies and otherthese matters. Our Executive Chairman, CEO and other members of management met with Mr. WagnerMs. Mejia to discuss these matters andthem to ensure a smooth onboarding process. After his appointment, Mr. Wagnerinitial onboarding. Ms. Mejia also joined as an observer in select Board Committee meetings to better understand their respective responsibilities. We have begun to using this same process to onboard Ms. Reverberi, who joinedresponsibilities and was assigned two independent directors on our Board in February 2023.to help guide her continued onboarding process.

Continuing Education

Our ongoing director education program consists of periodic visits to our facilities and regular interactions with and presentations from members of management regarding our business operations,businesses, strategies, financial performance strategies and risk mitigation activities. We provide updates on these topicssustainability progress, as well as periodic visits to our Board during its meetings and as needed throughoutfacilities. In the year. Ourspring of 2023, our Board visited our Solutionsheadquarters in Mentor, Ohio, which also serves as our Materials Group’s North American headquarters, and met informally with members of that business’ leadership. Visits to that facility, as well as to our Solutions Group innovation center in Miamisburg, Ohio and certain international facilities in the spring of 2022.Asia, are planned for 2024.

We also provide directors with access to a boardroom news resource platform for them to keep informed of emerging bestregulatory developments and market practices, and reimburse directors who attend continuing director education programs for fees and related expenses.

BOARD AND COMMITTEE EVALUATIONS

The Governance Committee oversees an annual performance evaluation of our Board, Chairman, Lead Independent Director and Board Committees,committees, including the Committee Chairs. Our Board views the evaluation process as integral to assessing its effectiveness and identifying improvement opportunities in the pursuit of excellence. Wefor continued improvement. Through this process, we have continually improved our Board processes as a result of this annual evaluation process, as shown on the following page.functioning.

As part of this process, our directors havehistorically had the opportunity to provide our Lead Independent Director candid feedback on other directors to enable continuous boardroom improvement and assist with director succession planning.directors. In 2023, the Governance Committee plans to developimplemented a more formal process for directors to provide anonymized individual director self-assessments or evaluations.feedback on their peers to advance continuous improvement and assist with Board succession planning. The summary below focuses on the broader Board/Committee evaluation process.

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BOARD AND COMMITTEE EVALUATIONS

 

 

 

  1   

  
  

Process

 

Written evaluations of Board/Committee

 

Composition, including balance and diversity of skills, qualifications and demographic backgrounds

 

Meeting materials

 

Meeting mechanics and structure

 

Fulfillment of responsibilities

 

Meeting content and conduct

 

Overall performance

 

Effectiveness of Chairman, Lead Independent Director and Committee Chairs

 

One-on-one discussions with Governance Committee Chair to provide additional perspective and discuss written feedback

Solicitation of any feedback regarding individual directors to identify potential improvement opportunities and assist with director succession planning

One-on-one discussions with Governance Committee Chair to provide additional perspective on written evaluations

 

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2   

  
  

2022   2023 Review of Results

 

Discussion of anonymized evaluation results and feedback

 

Chairman/CEO,Executive Chairman, Lead Independent Director/Governance Committee Chair and Corporate Secretary and CLO

 

Governance Committee

 

Board in executive session with Chairman/Executive Chairman and CEO, aligning ondiscussing potential improvement opportunities

Committees in executive session, discussing potential improvement opportunities

 

 

 

3   

  
  

Recent Improvement Actions

 

Sharpened focus on executive succession planning and leadership development, appointing new CEO after having evaluated his attributes, experiences and strengths and determined that he was best positioned to lead our company into the future in which we believe every product will have a digital identity

Enhanced director succession planning with view toward more regular refreshment, launching new director search in 2023 focused on candidates with retail/CPG or finance expertise that could also increase gender or racial/ethnic diversity on our Board, with Ms. Mejia being appointed to our Board in February 2024

 

Advanced strategic and risk oversight, expanding mentorships between individual directors and key business leaders and ensuring meeting discussions prioritize debateincreasing Board engagement with members of challenges and opportunities rather than presentation of informationmanagement below senior leadership level

 

 

Heightened focus on strategic priorities of supply chain resiliency, digital solutions and sustainability-driven innovation, as well as cybersecurity preparedness, and ESG priorities and progressrisk management

 

 

Continuous discussion of M&A pipeline and potential targets, as well as performance of acquired companies and integration learnings

 

Enhanced director succession planning, focusing on candidates with digital, retail/consumer product goods and applied science/technology expertise that could also increase gender or racial/ethnic diversity on our Board, resulting in appointment of two new directors to refresh our Board and mitigate impact of upcoming concentrated retirements

��

Reviewed potential CEO successors and their development plans to ensure ready-now successors over multiple time horizons and increased engagement with leaders below NEO level to enhance executive succession planning and leadership development

Increased Chairman/CEO engagement with directors between meetings, with more frequent updates and one-on-one discussions between him and each director, which were important in 2022 as we worked to address sizable currency movements, pandemic-driven challenges in China, the Russian war in Ukraine, rising inflation and supply chain disruptions, and continue advancing our ESG progress

 

Refined Board schedule and meeting process, implementing additional executive sessions with both our Chairman/CEOExecutive Chairman and President/COO,our CEO, as well as one onlyones with our President/COO,each of them, and holdingconducting certain Committee meetings and one Board meeting per year virtually to maximize efficiency given equally high levelexpand time for in-person full Board meetings

Continued regular Executive Chairman and CEO engagement with directors between meetings and increased time dedicated to executive sessions that exclude other members of engagement andmanagement to provide greater time for Board-only discussion, after which independent directors generally meet in both formatsexecutive session

STOCKHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

We value feedback on our governance program and we actively solicit input through stockholder engagement to ensure that weour practices reflect not only our evolving business strategies but also the expectations of our stakeholders. In addition to our extensive investor relations program through which members of management engage with our investors throughout the year, thisThis supplemental engagement program is depicted – and the feedback we received on governance matters isare described in the proxy summary.

CONTACTING OUR BOARD

Our Board welcomes feedback from all our stockholders.stakeholders. We review everyall correspondence received from stockholders, discussing feedback received with senior management and/or our Board as appropriate.

Stockholders and other interested parties may contact our Board, Executive Chairman, Lead Independent Director, any Committee Chair or any other individual director concerning business matters by writing to Board of Directors (or particular Board subgroup or individual director), c/o Corporate Secretary, 8080 Norton Parkway, Mentor, Ohio 44060.

 

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20232024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation

 


ITEM 1 – ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

Our Bylaws provide for athat the number of directors will be fixed from time to time by resolution duly approved by our Board. As previously disclosed, in February 2024, Julia Stewart notified our Board of between 8 and 12 directors, withher intention not to stand for reelection at the exact number fixed by resolution of our Board.Annual Meeting. Our Board has fixedplans to fix the current number of directors at 10.10 following Ms. Stewart’s departure from our Board in April 2024.

Each of our nominees is presently serving on our Board and has consented to being named in this proxy statement and serving if elected by stockholders. All nominees are standing for election for a one-year term ending at the 20242025 Annual Meeting.

Majority Voting Standard; Unelected Director Resignation Requirement

In voting for the election of directors, each share has one vote for each position to be filled and there is no cumulative voting. Our Bylaws provide for the approval by a majority of votes cast for the election of directors in uncontested elections like this one and require that an incumbent director who is not reelected tender his or her resignation from our Board. Our Board, excluding the tendering director, iswould be required to determine whether to accept the resignation – taking into account the recommendation of the Governance Committee and any other factors it considers appropriate – and publicly disclose its decision regarding the tendered resignation, including theand rationale for its decision, within 90 days from the date election results are certified.

Board Recommendation

Our Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR each of our 10 director nominees.

Our Board recommends that you vote FOR each of our 10 director nominees.

The persons named as proxies will vote for their election, unless you specify otherwise. If any director nominee were to become unavailable prior to the Annual Meeting, your proxy would be voted for a substitute nominee designated by our Board or we would decrease the size of our Board.

SELECTION OF DIRECTOR NOMINEES

Director nomineesDirectors are generally recommended by the Governance Committee for nomination by our Board and election by our stockholders. Director nomineesNew directors may also be recommended by the Governance Committee for appointment to our Board, with their election by stockholders taking place at the next Annual Meeting; Mr. Wagner and Ms. Reverberi were appointed to our Board in October 2022 and February 2023, respectively, and are first being voted on by stockholders at the Annual Meeting. As shown in the Board matrix containedDirector Nominee Matrix in the proxy summary, our directorsdirector nominees bring a balance of industry and diversity of skills, qualificationsfunctional experiences and reflect diverse demographic backgrounds, that allowsallowing them to effectively discharge their oversight responsibilities.

 

In evaluating whether to recommend a new or incumbent director nominee, the Governance Committee primarily considers the criteria in our Governance Guidelines, which are summarizeddescribed below.

 

  

Independence, to ensure substantial majority of our Board is independent

 

 

  

BusinessU.S. public company leadership and/or Board experience and leadershipworking or having worked outside the U.S., as well as industry and functional experience, including industry experience and global exposure andin each case considering factors such as size, scope and complexity

 

 

  

Board service at other U.S. publicly tradedpublic companies

 

 

  

Experience in finance, accounting and/or executive compensation

 

 

  

For incumbent directors, previous Board/committee contributions,Committee engagement and effectiveness, meeting attendance, compliance with our stock ownership policy, and mandatory retirement date

 

 

  

Time commitments, including service on other boards; directors joining our Board after 2021 who are public company executive officers may not serve on more than one other U.S. public company Boardboard

 

 

  

Potential conflicts of interest

 

 

  

Demographic backgrounds (including, without limitation, gender, race and ethnicity); background; when evaluating nominees, the committee only considers (and asksrequires any search firm engaged to provide) candidate slates that include highly qualified women and individuals from other underrepresented communities

 

 

  

Ability to contribute to our company’s governance and sustainability

Ability to represent balanced interests of all stockholders, as well as the interests of our other stakeholders, rather than those of any special interest group priorities and progress

 

 

Avery Dennison Corporation |20232024 Proxy Statement

 

 

39

 


The Governance Committee reviews the skills, qualifications and demographic background of any candidate with those of our current directors to ensure our Board has thea broad diversity to effectively fulfill its oversight responsibilities.of experiences and viewpoints. Sources for identifying potential nominees include current Board members, senior management, executive search firms and investors.

The Governance Committee regularly reviewed the skills, qualifications, demographic backgrounds, ages, tenures and scheduled mandatory retirement dates of our directors and conducted Board succession planning to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of our businesses, effectively oversee management in executing our strategies and advance the interests of our stakeholders. Its search for new directors with retail/CPG or finance expertise led to Ms. Mejia’s appointment to our Board in February 2024; the search for an additional director with finance expertise continues.

Stockholder Submission of Director Nominees

The Governance Committee considers stockholder nominees on the same basis as it considers all other nominees.

Advance Notice Nominees

Stockholders may recommend director candidates by submitting the candidate’s name, together with his or her biographical information, professional experience, written consent to nomination and the additionalother information required by our Bylaws, to Governance Committee Chair, c/o Corporate Secretary, 8080 Norton Parkway, Mentor, Ohio 44060. To be considered at the 20242025 Annual Meeting, advance notice stockholder nominations must comply with the deadlines and other requirements described in the Voting and Meeting Q&A section of this proxy statement.

Proxy Access Nominees

A stockholder, or a group of no more than 20 stockholders, owning at least 3% of our company’s stock continuously for at least three years is permitted to submit director nominees (up to 20% of the Board) for inclusion in our proxy materials, subject to the deadlines and other requirements described in our Bylaws. For information on submitting proxy access nominees for the 20242025 Annual Meeting, refer to the Voting and Meeting Q&A section of this proxy statement.

BOARD REFRESHMENT AND DIRECTOR SUCCESSION PLANNING

Our Board’s ongoing director succession planning is designed to ensure an independent, well-qualified Board.

Our Governance Committee’s long-term objective is to position our Board for regular refreshment, ensure access to a broad new director candidate pool and achieve a more balanced tenure distribution with diversity in skills, qualificationsapproximately one-third comprised each of newer directors, medium-tenure directors and demographic backgrounds that enables effective independent oversight and aligns with our business strategies and ESG priorities.longer-term directors.

Tenure

Our Governance Guidelines currently provide that directors are not subject to tenure limits. While tenure limits could help ensure regular Board refreshment, and thereby facilitate new viewpoints being brought to the boardroom, they could also result in the premature loss of a director who over a longer period of time has gained valuable experience and is continuing to significantly contribute to our Board’s oversight of our business.Board and company.

Our Board determines its refreshment policies in light of our evolving strategies and financial position, at any particular time, exercising its discretion in the best interest of our company and stockholders. Certain of our stakeholders have suggested that longer-tenured directors may have decreased independence and objectivity. However, we believe that the removal of knowledgeable directors and loss of oversight consistency they bring particularly during periods of executive managementsenior leadership change, such as theour recent CEO and Solutions Group President appointments of our President/COO and President of our newly-formed Materials Group, are important counterbalancing considerations.In connection with its new director search process, the Governance Committee regularly reviewed during 2022 the skills, qualifications, demographic backgrounds, age, tenure and scheduled mandatory retirement of our Board members and conducted director succession planning to ensure that our Board continues to meet the needs of our businesses, help us advance our strategies and serve the interests of all our stakeholders.

 

40

 

 

20232024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation

 


Policies and Events Supporting Regular Board Refreshment

Our Board has adopted the policies described below to facilitate regular refreshment, and ensure that it continues to independently oversee and challenge our management team.with the described events having occurred since last year’s Annual Meeting.

 

PolicyPOLICY

 

DescriptionDESCRIPTION

  

Events Occurring at or Since 2022 Annual MeetingEVENTS OCCURRING AT/SINCE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING  

Mandatory Resignation

Policy

 

Incumbent directors not elected by stockholders must tender their resignation

  

All incumbent directors then standing for election were elected at the 20222023 Annual Meeting

Meeting.

 

Mandatory Retirement

Policy

 

Directors must retire on date of annual meeting of stockholders that follows their reaching age 72; no exemptions or waivers allowed or granted

  No directors retired under this policywere subject to mandatory retirement in 20222023.

Resignation Tendered
Upon Change in

Principal Employment

 Directors who change their principal occupation, position or responsibility must volunteer to resign  

NoThe following independent directors changed their principal employment sincein 2023: Ms. Reverberi assumed additional responsibilities as leader of Trinseo’s Engineered Materials division; Mr. Hicks became Executive Chairman of Academy Sports + Outdoors, transitioning out of the 2022 Annual Meeting, exceptroles of President and CEO; and Mr. Siewert retired from The Carlyle Group, continuing in an independent advisory capacity. In each case, the Governance Committee determined that Mr. Wagner retired as President/CEO of GoTo Group before being appointed tothe director should remain on our Board

Board.

Prior Notice Requirement
to Prevent Overboarding

 

 

Directors must give prior notice before accepting another U.S. public company directorship so that his/her ability to fulfill Board responsibilities may be evaluated if he/she serves on more than four other such boards

  

No directorsMr. Wagner joined anotherthe board of BlackLine, Inc. in October 2023. With this appointment, he now serves on three other U.S. public company board since the 2022 Annual Meeting

boards, which is within our Governance Guidelines policy applicable to retired directors.

Upon the recommendation of the Governance Committee, Ms. Reverberi and Mr. Wagner and Mses. Mejia and Reverberi were appointed as independent directors to our Board in October 2022, February 2024 and February 2023, respectively. Mr. Stander joined our Board when he became CEO in September 2023. Mr. Anderson departed from our Board in November 2023 and October 2022, respectively. Mark Barrenechea leftMs. Stewart will leave our Board in April 2022 (not due to any disagreement with our company) and Peter Barker retired from our Board under our mandatory retirement policy in April 2021.2024. We believe that this recent experience with joining and departing directors demonstrates our Board’s commitment to regular Board refreshment.

 

Both the Governance Committee and our full Board discussed director succession planning at every meetingmultiple meetings held in 20222023 to mitigate the impact of upcoming concentrated retirements, conductoversee a search for new directors that would bothfocused on candidates with retail/CPG or finance expertise to complement and advance the skills and qualifications currently representedcollective experience on our Board – focusing on candidates from digital, retail/consumer packaged goods and applied science/technology backgrounds – andalso further enhance Board diversity.

Avery Dennison Corporation | 2024 Proxy Statement

41


BOARD COMPOSITION

Our Board supports and reflects our values, recognizing the benefits of diversity in the boardroom, including the healthy debate that results from different viewpoints that may stem from diverse backgrounds.

Age and Tenure

The average age of our director nominees is ~62, which we believe is slightly lower than the average director age in the S&P 500. The averageand tenure of our director nominees is ~1061 and 8 years, which we believe is modestly higher than the average tenure for companies in the S&P 500.respectively. Our director nominees reflect a balance betweeninclude newer directors bringing fresh ideas and insights into the boardroom and longer-serving directors with deep institutional knowledge of our Board and company.

Gender and Racial/Ethnic Diversity

Our Governance Guidelines reflect that the Governance Committee’s assessment of director candidates includes consideration of their demographic backgrounds, including, without limitation, race, gender and ethnicity. The Governance Committee seeks to recommend individuals with a broad diversity of experience, skill,skills, geographic representation and demographic background. While diversity is a consideration and an area of Board refreshment focus, no nominee would be chosen or excluded solely on that basis; rather, the Governance Committee focuses on a candidate’s overall profile to complement those of the existing members of our Board.When evaluating director candidates, the Governance Committee only considers (and asksrequires any search firm engaged to provide) candidatescandidate slates that include highly qualified women and individuals from other underrepresented communities; two of our fourthree most recently appointed and currently serving independent directors increased the gender and/or racial/ethnic diversity on our Board.

 

Avery Dennison Corporation  |  2023 Proxy Statement

41


   Director Age, Tenure and Diversity     

 

LOGO      LOGO      LOGOLOGO

20232024 DIRECTOR NOMINEES

The following pages provide information on our 20232024 director nominees, including their age, length of service, independence, current Board roles and business experience during at least the past five years. We also indicate the name of any other U.S. public company board on which each nominee currently serves or has served during the past five years.

WeFor each nominee, we present each nominee’sselect skills and qualifications, that led our Board to conclude that he or she should serve as a director, which includes seniorU.S. public company leadership experience, industry expertise, global exposure, U.S. public company board experience, and/areas of industry and functional experience, and experience working or financial expertise as defined inhaving worked outside the U.S. The balance of skills, qualifications and demographic backgrounds on our Board matrixis shown in the Director Nominee Matrix in the proxy summary. summary; consistent with that disclosure, Select Skills and Qualifications excludes board service at U.S. public companies at which the individual served or serves as CEO, COO or CFO. All of ourdirector nominees have demonstrated the ability to exercise sound judgment, fulfill the time commitments necessary to serve on our Board and advance the long-term interests of our stockholders, as well as those of our other stakeholders.

 

42

 

 

20232024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation

 


 ANDRES A. LOPEZ  
  

 

LOGO

 

Age 6061

 

Director since February 2017

 

Independent

 

 

RECENT BUSINESS EXPERIENCE

O-I Glass, Inc., a glass container manufacturer and supplier to food and beverage brands

•  President & CEO since January 2016

•  COO & President, Glass Containers, from FebruaryJanuary 2015 to December 2015

•  President, O-I Americas, from July 2014 to JanuaryJuly 2015

•  President, O-I Latin America, from April 2009 to July 2014

 

BOARD ROLES

Audit Committee Member

Compensation Committee Member

 

OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY BOARDS

Current:

 O-I Glass, Inc.

Past Five Years:

 None

 

 

SELECT SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

SeniorU.S. public company leadership experience

•  Oversees company with $6.9$7+ billion in revenues and ~24K employees in 20222023

 

Industry expertise and global exposurefunctional experience

•  LeadsAs leader of global glass company, brings packaging companyindustry expertise, as well as extensive experience in foodmaterials science and beverage segment of consumerindustrial goods, industry into whichin each case complementing our Materials Group sells

•  Led Latin AmericaGiven impact of waste and Americas divisions, after having workedrecycling in positions of increasing responsibility throughout the regionglass value chain, technical expertise in environmental sustainability, as well as supervisory experience in finance, marketing, M&A, cybersecurity and R&D as CEO

 

Works/Has Worked Outside the U.S. public company board experience

•  Concurrent service on one other boardWork assignments in Latin America

 

  ANTHONY K. ANDERSON  

LOGO

Age 67

Director since December 2012

Independent

RECENT BUSINESS EXPERIENCE

Ernst & Young LLP, an assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services firm

•  Vice Chair, Managing Partner and Member of Executive Board from 2000 to March 2012

BOARD ROLES

Audit Committee Member

Governance Committee Member

OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY BOARDS

Current:

    AAR Corporation

    Exelon Corporation

    Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.

Past Five Years:

    None

SELECT SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Senior leadership experience

•  Served on executive board of Ernst & Young for 12 years, and as managing partner of Midwest and Pacific Southwest regions

Financial expertise

•  45+ years of financial statement and internal control expertise acquired through auditing global public companies

•  Substantial experience advising audit committees of large multinational corporations

•  Certified public accountant (now inactive)

U.S. public company board experience

•  Concurrent service on three other boards and prior service on other boards

  BRADLEY A. ALFORD   
  

 

LOGO

 

Age 6667

 

Director since April 2010

 

Independent

 

 

RECENT BUSINESS EXPERIENCE

Nestlé USA, a nutrition, health and wellness company

•  Chairman & CEO from January 2006 to October 2012

 

Nestlé Brands Company, an operating unit of Nestlé USA

•  President & CEO from 2003 to December 2005

 

BOARD ROLES

Compensation Committee Member

Governance Committee Member

 

OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY BOARDS

Current:

 Perrigo Company PLC

Past Five Years:

 Conagra Brands, Inc.

 

 

SELECT SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Senior leadership experience

•  Led company then with $12+ billion in annual revenues and ~26K employees

Industry expertise and global exposure

•  42+ years in consumer goods industry

•  Knowledge of food and beverage segments into which our Materials Group sells

•  Substantial M&A and integration experience

U.S. public company board experience

•  Concurrent service on one other board and prior service on other boards

Industry experience

•  Technical expertise in consumer goods industry into which our Solutions Group sells with 42+ years in roles of increasing responsibility, as well as extensive experience in packaging, focused primarily on consumer goods

Functional experience

•  Technical expertise in marketing, as well as supervisory experience in finance, M&A and R&D as regional CEO

Works/Has Worked Outside the U.S.

•  Work assignments in Oceania

 

 DEON M. STANDER 

LOGO

Age 55

Director since September 2023

Not Independent

RECENT BUSINESS EXPERIENCE

Avery Dennison Corporation

•  President & CEO since September 2023

•  President & COO from March 2022 to August 2023

•  VP/GM, RBIS (now Solutions Group), from June 2015 to February 2022

•  VP/GM, Global Commercial and Innovation, RBIS, from January 2013 to May 2015

•  VP/GM, Global Commercial, RBIS, from October 2010 to December 2012

BOARD ROLES

Finance Committee Member

OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY BOARDS

Current:

 None

Past Five Years:

 None

SELECT SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

U.S. public company leadership experience

•  Held roles of increasing responsibility at our company, including COO and CEO

Industry experience

•  Led our Solutions Group business and oversaw our Materials Group as COO, with packaging industry expertise and extensive experience in digital, materials science and industrial goods

Functional experience

•  Technical environmental sustainability expertise having led our enterprise Sustainability Council, with supervisory experience in finance, marketing, M&A, cybersecurity and R&D as CEO

Works/Has Worked Outside the U.S.

•  Work assignments in Europe and Asia Pacific

Avery Dennison Corporation |20232024 Proxy Statement

 

 

43

 


  FRANCESCA REVERBERI   
  

 

LOGOLOGO

 

Age 5152

 

Director since February 2023

 

Independent

 

 

RECENT BUSINESS EXPERIENCE

Trinseo PLC, a specialty materials solutions provider

•  SVP, Engineered Materials & Chief Sustainability Officer since July 2023

•  SVP, Sustainable Plastics & Chief Sustainability Officer sincefrom July 2021 to July 2023

•  SVP, Engineered Materials & Synthetic Rubber, from March 2020 to December 2021

•  General Manager, Engineered Materials, from October 2019 to May 2021

•  Global Senior Business Director, BasicPerformance Plastics, from December 2017 to October 2019

 

BOARD ROLES

NoneCompensation Committee Member

 

OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY BOARDS

Current:

 None

Past Five Years:

 None

 

 

SELECT SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Senior leadershipIndustry experience

•  Served in positions of increasing responsibility in global company with ~$5 billion in annual revenues and ~3,500 employees

Industry expertise

•  SubstantialTechnical materials science and packaging expertise

•  Deep understanding of focused on applied science in plastics, key focus ofas well as extensive experience in industrial goods, in each case complementing our environmental sustainability initiativesMaterials Group

 

Global exposureFunctional experience

•  LivesServes as global sustainability leader, with technical expertise in environmental sustainability

•  Advanced educational and worksprofessional engineering expertise, with supervisory experience in marketing as divisional leader

Works/Has Worked Outside the U.S.

•  Works in Europe, region drivingleading sustainability-related legislative and regulatory change

•  Brings track record of experience to help drive our focus on innovating more sustainable solutionsrequirements

 

  JULIA A. STEWART  

LOGO

Age 67

Director since January 2003

Independent

RECENT BUSINESS EXPERIENCE

Alurx, Inc., a health and wellness company

•  Founder, Chair & CEO since January 2020

Dine Brands Global, Inc. (formerly DineEquity, Inc.), owner, operator and franchisor of IHOP and Applebee’s restaurants

•  Chairman & CEO from June 2008 to March 2017

BOARD ROLES

Compensation Committee Chair

Governance Committee Member

OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY BOARDS

Current:

    Bite Acquisition Corp.

Past Five Years:

    None

SELECT SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Senior leadership experience

•  Leads private consumer-direct retail company and led company then with $600+ million in annual revenues and ~1K employees

Industry expertise and global exposure

•  Substantial operational and marketing experience in retail/dining and health and wellness industries

•  Expertise in brand positioning, risk assessment, financial reporting and governance

U.S. public company board experience

•  Concurrent service on one other board and prior service on other boards

  KEN C. HICKS   
  

 

LOGO

 

Age 7071

 

Director since July 2007

 

Independent

 

 

RECENT BUSINESS EXPERIENCE

Academy Sports + Outdoors, a sports and recreation retailer

•  Executive Chairman since June 2023

•  Chairman, President & CEO sincefrom May 2018 to May 2023

 

Foot Locker, Inc., a specialty athletic retailer

•  Executive Chairman from December 2014 to May 2015

•  Chairman, President & CEO from February 2010 to November 2014

•  President & CEO from August 2009 to February 2010

 

BOARD ROLES

Compensation Committee Member

 

OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY BOARDS

Current:

 Academy Sports + Outdoors

Past Five Years:

Whole Foods CorporationNone

  

 

SELECT SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

SeniorU.S. public company leadership experience

•  LeadsLed company then with ~$6.8$6.4 billion in annual revenues and ~17K~22K employees

Industry expertise

•  35+ years of senior marketing and operational experience in retail industry into which our Solutions Group sells

 

U.S. public company board experience

•  Concurrent service on one other board and priorPrior service on other boards

Industry experience

•  35+ years of retail industry expertise into which our Solutions Group sells, as well as extensive experience in consumer goods and packaging industries

Functional experience

•  35+ years of technical marketing expertise, including roles as merchandising leader at two retail companies, and supervisory experience in finance, M&A, environmental sustainability and cybersecurity as CEO

 

 MARIA FERNANDA MEJIA 

LOGO

Age 60

Director since February 2024     

Independent

RECENT BUSINESS EXPERIENCE

Newell Brands Inc.

•  CEO, International, from February 2022 to February 2023

Kellogg Company

•  SVP and President, Latin America, from November 2011 to February 2020

BOARD ROLES

Audit Committee Member

OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY BOARDS

Current:

 None

Past Five Years:

 Grocery Outlet

SELECT SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

U.S. public company board experience

•  Prior service on other boards

Industry experience

•  25 years of consumer goods industry expertise into which our Solutions Group sells, as well as extensive experience in packaging, focused primarily on consumer goods

Functional experience

•  Technical expertise in marketing, as well as supervisory experience in environmental sustainability and R&D as regional CEO

Works/Has Worked Outside the U.S.

•  Work assignments in Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific

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20232024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation

 


  MARTHA N. SULLIVAN   
  

 

LOGO

 

Age 6667

 

Director since February 2013

 

Independent

 

 

RECENT BUSINESS EXPERIENCE

Sensata Technologies Holding PLC, a supplier of sensors and controls

•  President & CEO from January 2013 to March 2020

•  President & COO from SeptemberApril 2010 to December 2012

•  COO from AprilMay 2006 to AugustApril 2010

 

Texas Instruments, Inc., Sensata’s predecessor entity

•  Vice President ofVP, Sensor Products, from 1997 to 2006

 

BOARD ROLES

Audit Committee Chair

 

OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY BOARDS

Current:

 Sensata Technologies Holding PLC

Past Five Years:

Goldman Sachs Acquisition Holding Company Corp II

 

 

SELECT SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

SeniorU.S. public company leadership experience

•  Led company then with $3.5 billion in annual revenues and ~21K employees

 

Industry experience

•  Industrial goods industry expertise and global exposure

•  Oversaw allextensive materials science experience, in each case complementing our Materials Group, as well as extensive experience in technology from overseeing RFID business, segments, global operations and strategic planning

•  Strong technology background, including experience overseeing an RFID businesscomplementing our Solutions Group

 

U.S. public company boardFunctional experience

•  Concurrent service on one other boardHigher education in engineering and prior service on another boardtechnical expertise in R&D, as well as supervisory experience in finance, marketing, M&A and environmental sustainability as CEO

 

  MITCHELL R. BUTIER   
  

 

LOGO

 

Age 5152

 

Director since April 2016

 

Not Independent

 

 

RECENT BUSINESS EXPERIENCE

Avery Dennison Corporation

•  Executive Chairman since September 2023

•  Chairman & CEO sincefrom March 2022 to August 2023

•  Chairman, President & CEO from April 2019 to February 2022

•  President & CEO from May 2016 to April 2019

•  President & COO from November 2014 to April 2016

•  Senior Vice PresidentSVP & CFO from June 2010 to October 2014; continued serving as CFO until March 2015

•  Vice President,VP, Global Finance, & Chief Accounting OfficerCAO from March 2007 to May 2010

 

BOARD ROLES

Executive Chairman

Finance Committee Chair

 

OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY BOARDS

Current:

 None

Past Five Years:

 None

 

 

SELECT SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

SeniorU.S. public company leadership experience

•  Held roles of increasing responsibility at our company, including CAO, CFO, COO and CEO

 

Industry expertise and global exposureexperience

•  Served in positions of increasing responsibility in what is now our primary business segments, including internationalMaterials Group, gaining packaging industry expertise and extensive materials science and industrial goods experience

Functional experience

•  Technical finance expertise having served as CAO and CFO and environmental sustainability expertise from advancing our sustainability goals value-creation opportunities

•  Supervisory experience in marketing, M&A, cybersecurity and R&D as CEO

Works/Has Worked Outside the U.S.

•  Work assignments in Europe gaining packaging, industrial goods and materials science industry expertise

Financial expertise

•  Served as our CAO for 3 years and CFO for 5 years

 

Avery Dennison Corporation |20232024 Proxy Statement

 

 

45

 


  PATRICK T. SIEWERT   
  

 

LOGO

 

Age 6768

 

Director since April 2005

 

Independent

 

 

 

RECENT BUSINESS EXPERIENCE

The Carlyle Group, a global alternativediversified investment firm

•  Retired Managing Director and Partner sinceand Head of Consumer, Media and Retail, Asia, from April 2007 to June 2023

 

The Coca-Cola Company, a beverage company

•  Executive Committee member and Group President, Asia, from August 2001 to March 2007

 

BOARD ROLES

Lead Independent Director

Governance Committee Chair

Audit Committee Member

Finance Committee Member

 

OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY BOARDS

Current:

 Mondelēz International, Inc.

Past Five Years:

 None

 

 

 

SELECT SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Industry expertise and global exposure

•  Led division of global consumer goods company in beverage segment of consumer goods industry into which our Materials Group sells

•  Work experience, citizenship and residency in Asia, region in which we generate substantial amount of sales and majority of our employees is located

Financial expertise

•  Advises on investments in consumer goods businesses globally, particularly in Asia

U.S. public company board experience

•  Concurrent service on one other board

Industry experience

•  Consumer goods industry expertise having led regional division of global beverage company into which our Solutions Group sells and extensive experience in materials science and industrial goods industries, complementing our Materials Group

Functional experience

•  Finance and 15+ years of M&A expertise, advising on investments in consumer goods businesses and leading consumer, medial and retail investment practices in Asia Pacific, as well as supervisory experience in marketing and R&D as regional President

Works/Has Worked Outside the U.S.

•  25+ years working in Asia Pacific

 

  WILLIAM R. WAGNER   
  

 

LOGO

 

Age 5557

 

Director since October 2022

 

Independent

 

 

 

RECENT BUSINESS EXPERIENCE

GoTo Group, Inc. (formerly LogMeIn, Inc.), a provider of software as a service and cloud-based remote work tools

•  President & CEO from December 2015 to January 2022

•  President & COO from January 2015 to December 2015

•  COO from May 2013 to December 20152014

 

BOARD ROLES

NoneAudit Committee Member

Governance Committee Member

 

OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY BOARDS

Current:

 BlackLine, Inc.

 Akamai Technologies, Inc.

 Semrush Holdings, Inc.

Past Five Years:

 LogMeIn, Inc.

 

 

 

SELECT SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

SeniorU.S. public company leadership experience

•  Led leading digital solutions company then with $1+ billion in annual revenues which will help guide us in advancing our digital strategic priorities

Industry expertise

•  Substantial software and IT/technology expertise

•  Significant cybersecurity knowledge and experience~4K employees

 

U.S. public company board experience

•  Concurrent service on twothree other boards

Industry experience

•  25+ years of digital/technology industry expertise, as well as extensive experience in technology-based consumer goods, in each case complementing our Solutions Group and prior service on other boardsour strategy to lead at the intersection of the physical and digital

Functional experience

•  Technical cybersecurity expertise, as well as marketing expertise as functional leader at two technology companies; supervisory experience in finance, M&A and R&D as CEO

 

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20232024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation

 


DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

In recommending non-employee director compensation to our Board, the Compensation Committee seeks to target compensation ataround the median of similarly sizedsimilar-size companies with which we compete for director talent. The majority of compensation is delivered in equity to align director interests with those of our stockholders.

MedianAnnual Target Compensation

The components of our annual 2023 non-employee director compensation program are summarizedshown in the charts below and described thereafter.below.

 

ANNUAL   2023 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

LOGO

Target Grant Date Fair Value of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)RSUs

  

$

170K

 

LOGO

Board Retainer

  

$

100K

 

Match of Charitable/Educational Contributions

  

$

10K

 

Additional Retainer forRetainers*

 Lead Independent Director

  

$

30K

 

Additional Retainer for Audit Committee Chair

  

$

25K

 

Additional Retainer for Compensation Committee Chair

  

$

20K

 

Additional Retainer for Governance Committee Chair

  

$

20K

 

*

There is currently no additional Finance Committee Chair retainer because our Executive Chairman is serving in that capacity.

Our 2017 Incentive Award Plan limits the sum of the grant date fair value of equity awards and the cash compensation provided to any non-employee director directors during any calendar year to $600K. In 2022, all then-serving non-employee directors except for our Lead Independent Director/Governance Committee Chair and our Audit Committee Chair received less than half this maximum compensation amount.$600,000.

Compensation Setting

Non-employee director compensation is generally reviewed by the Compensation Committee every three years. In February 2021, at2024, the Compensation Committee’s request, its independent compensation consultant analyzed trends in non-employee director compensation and assessed theour program’s market competitiveness of our program.competitiveness.

Using benchmark data from public filings of companies ranked in the Fortune 350-500, WTW recommended thatthe following adjustments to non-employee director compensation: the target grant date fair value of the annual RSU award increase by $15,000; the Board retainer increase by $15,000; the additional retainer for our Lead Independent Director increase by $15,000; and the additional retainers for our Audit, Compensation and Governance Committee Chairs each increase by $5K$10,000, $5,000 and the target grant date fair value of our annual equity award to non-employee directors increase by $15K.$5,000, respectively. These modest increases would bring total direct compensation for regular Board service to $270K$300,000 (or $280K$310,000 with the charitable match), the projected median of Fortune 350-500 companies in 2024,2027, the next time the Compensation Committee plans to review non-employee director compensation.the program. Giving consideration to among other things, the advice of WTW, the Compensation Committee recommended to our Board that the additional retainers for our Audit, Compensation and Governance Committee Chairs be increased to $25K, $20K and $20K, respectively, and the target grant date fair value of the annual award of RSUs be increased to $170K.$185,000; the Board retainer be increased to $115,000; the additional retainer of our Lead Independent Director be increased to $45,000; and the additional retainers for our Audit, Compensation and Governance Committee Chairs be increased to $35,000, $25,000 and $25,000, respectively.

Based onUpon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, and further discussion, our Board approved the revised non-employee director compensation program, beginningeffective as of the date of the 2021 Annual Meeting.

Stock Ownership Policy

Our stock ownership policy requires non-employee directors to own $500Kat least $500,000 of our company stock, 50% of which must be held in vested shares. Only shares owned directly or in a trust, deferred stock units (DSUs)DSUs and unvested RSUs which are subject only to time-based vesting count for these purposes. Our non-employee directors are prohibited from hedging or pledging our common stock.measured to determine policy compliance.

 

All of our non-employee directors have achieved the minimum ownership required by our stock ownership policy other than Mr. Wagner and Ms.Mses. Reverberi and Mejia who were appointedhave five years from the date of their respective Board appointment to our Board in October 2022 and February 2023, respectively.achieve that level. The average ownership of all other then-serving non-employee directors was ~11x12x the minimum required levelownership requirement at year-end 2022 2023. Based on our review of their written representations in our 2022 director questionnaire, none of our non-employee directors has hedged or pledged our common stock.

 

Avery Dennison Corporation |20232024 Proxy Statement

 

 

47

 


Equity Compensation

The annual equity award to non-employee directors consistedconsists of RSUs that vest on the one-year anniversary of the grant date, consistent with the one-year term to which directors wereare elected. Unvested RSUs (i) fully vest upon a director’s death, disability, retirement from our Board after reaching age 72 or termination of service within 24 months after a change of control and (ii) are cancelled in the event a director is not reelected by stockholders or leaves our Board before vesting, unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee. On May 1, 2022,2023, each of our then-serving non-employee directors was awarded 930971 RSUs with a grant date fair value of $167,232.$166,978.

On October 27, 2022, in connection with his appointment to our Board on that date, Mr. Wagner received an award prorated for his months of service during the term ending at the Annual Meeting of 510 RSUs with a grant date fair value of $83,470. On February 22,23, 2023, in connection with her appointment to our Board, on that date, Ms. Reverberi received an award of 155 RSUs based onwith a proratedgrant date fair value of $28,333.$27,817, reflecting the annual equity award of $170,000 prorated for the remaining two months of the term ending at the 2023 Annual Meeting.

In connection withFollowing his departure from our Board on the date of the 2022 Annual Meetingin November 2023 and as permitted by our 2017 Incentive Award Plan, the Compensation Committee determined (with him abstaining) to accelerate the vesting of the RSUs granted to former director Mark BarrenecheaMr. Anderson on May 1, 2023 in May 2021 that were scheduled to vest a few days afterrecognition of his separation fromdecade-plus service on our Board. In making its determination, the Compensation Committee noted that Mr. Barrenechea had served nearly the entire one-year term for which he had been elected by our stockholders.

Deferrable Cash Compensation

Annual retainers are paid semiannually and prorated for any director’s partial service during the year. Directors are also reimbursed for travel expenses incurred to attend Board meetings and continuing director education events.

Our non-employee directors may chooseelect to receive this compensation in (i) cash, either paid directly or deferred into an account under our Directors Variable Deferred Compensation Program (DVDCP), which accrues earnings at the rate of return of certain bond and equity investment funds managed by a third party; (ii) DSUs credited to an individual account pursuant to our Directors Deferred Equity Compensation Program (DDECP); or (iii) a combination of cash and DSUs. Directors are able annually to enroll in these programs for the following year; for 2022,In 2023, none of our then-serving non-employee directors participated in the DVDCP and fivefour of them participated in the DDECP. Dividend equivalents, representing the value of dividends paid on shares of our common stock calculated based on the number of DSUs held as of a dividend record date, are reinvested on the applicable payable date in the form of additional DSUs credited to director DDECP accounts.DSUs.

When a participant in the DDECP ceases serving as a director, the dollar value of the DSUs in his or her account is divided by the closing price of our common stock on the last date of the director’s service, with the resulting number of shares of our common stock, less fractional shares, issued to the director. In connection with his departure from our Board effective November 30, 2023, Mr. Barrenechea’s DDECP accountAnderson was paid out to him inissued 13,102 shares of our common stock afterreflecting his departure from our Board in April 2022 in accordance with program terms.DDECP account balance on that date.

Charitable Match

We match up to $10K$10,000 per year of each non-employee director’s documented contributions to charitable organizations or educational institutions.

 

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20232024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation

 


DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE

 

Name  Fees
Earned
or Paid
in Cash(1)
  Stock
Awards(2)
  All Other
Compensation(3)
  Total

Bradley A. Alford

   $100,000   $167,232   $10,000   $277,232

Anthony A. Anderson

   $100,000   $167,232       $267,232

Mark J. Barrenechea(4)

           $10,000   $10,000

Ken C. Hicks

   $100,000   $167,232   $10,000   $277,232

Andres A. Lopez

   $100,000   $167,232       $267,232

Patrick T. Siewert

   $150,000   $167,232   $10,000   $327,232

Julia A. Stewart

   $120,000   $167,232   $10,000   $297,232

Martha N. Sullivan

   $125,000   $167,232   $10,000   $302,232

William R. Wagner

   $50,000   $83,470   $10,000   $143,470

Name(1)  

Fees Earned or

Paid in Cash(2)

  Stock
Awards(3)
  All Other
Compensation(4)
  Total

Bradley A. Alford

    $100,000    $166,978    $ 2,000    $268,978

Anthony A. Anderson(2)

    $ 50,000    $166,978        $216,978

Ken C. Hicks

    $100,000    $166,978    $10,000    $276,978

Andres A. Lopez

    $100,000    $166,978        $266,978

Francesca Reverberi

    $100,000    $194,795        $294,795

Patrick T. Siewert

    $150,000    $166,978    $10,000    $326,978

Julia A. Stewart

    $120,000    $166,978    $10,000    $296,978

Martha N. Sullivan

    $125,000    $166,978    $10,000    $301,978

William R. Wagner

    $100,000    $166,978    $10,000    $276,978
 (1)

Mr.Messrs. Butier doesand Stander do not appear in the table because he servesthey serve as Executive Chairman and CEO of our company, respectively, and receivesreceive no additional compensation to serve as director or Chairman.on our Board. Ms. ReverberiMejia does not appear inon the table because she was appointed to the Board in February 2023 and therefore received no compensation in our 2022 fiscal year. not a director during 2023.

(2)

Amounts represent retainers earned as shown in the table below. At their election, the following directors had, for one or more years during their service, deferred compensation through the DDECP, with the following number of DSUs in their accounts as of December 31, 2022,30, 2023, the last day of our 20222023 fiscal year: Mr. Alford – 21,471; Mr. Anderson – 12,641;22,398; Mr. Hicks – 15,063;15,330; Mr. Lopez – 1,459;1,649; Ms. Stewart – 42,550;43,303; and Ms. Sullivan – 12,951. Mr. Barrenechea’s DDECP account was paid out to him in shares of our common stock after13,864. Following his departure from our Board in April 2022 in accordance with program terms.November 2023, Mr. Anderson was issued 13,102 shares of our common stock reflecting his DDECP account balance, less fractional shares, on his separation date.

 

Director Board Leadership Roles Board Retainer Committee Chair Retainer Lead Director Retainer

Alford

 

 

  $100,000      

Anderson

 

 

  $100,000      

Hicks

 

 

  $100,000      

Lopez

 

 

  $100,000      

Siewert

 

Lead Independent Director,

Governance Committee Chair

  $100,000  $20,000  $30,000

Stewart

 Compensation Committee Chair  $100,000  $20,000   

Sullivan

 Audit Committee Chair  $100,000  $25,000   

Wagner

  

 

  $50,000      

Director Board Leadership Roles Board Retainer Committee Chair Retainer Lead Director Retainer

Alford

 

 

  $100,000      

Anderson

 

 

  $50,000      

Hicks

 

 

  $100,000      

Lopez

 

 

  $100,000      

Reverberi

 

 

  $100,000      

Siewert

 

Lead Independent Director,

Governance Committee Chair

  $100,000  $20,000  $30,000

Stewart

 Compensation Committee Chair  $100,000  $20,000   

Sullivan

 Audit Committee Chair  $100,000  $25,000   

Wagner

  

 

  $100,000      
 (2)(3)

Amounts reflect the grant date fair valuevalues of RSUs in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation, Stock Compensation)Compensation (ASC 718). Fair value wasvalues were determined based on the fair market value of our common stock on the respective grant date, adjusted for foregone dividends. Each non-employee director serving at year-end 2022 2023 held 930971 unvested RSUs, except that Mr. WagnerMs. Reverberi held 5101,126 unvested RSUs.

 (3)(4)

Amounts reflect our match of documented contributions made to charitable organizations or educational institutions.

 

(4)

Mr. Barrenechea left our Board on the date of the 2022 Annual Meeting. Although he served as a non-employee director for four months of the year, he received no cash fees during this time since fees for the second half of a non-employee director’s term are paid in December of the previous year. In addition, he received no stock awards during the year, which are granted after the date of the Annual Meeting. However, in connection with his departure from our Board on the date of the 2022 Annual Meeting and as permitted by our 2017 Incentive Award Plan, the Compensation Committee determined to accelerate Mr. Barrenechea’s RSUs granted in May 2021 that were scheduled to vest a few days after his separation from our Board. In accelerating the vesting, the Compensation Committee noted that he had served nearly the entire one-year term for which he had been elected by stockholders.

Avery Dennison Corporation |20232024 Proxy Statement

 

 

49

 


ITEM 2 — ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

After considering the preliminary voting results of the advisory vote on the frequency of say-on-pay votes at the 20172023 Annual Meeting, our Board determined to continue holding say-on-pay votes annually, at least until the next advisory vote on the frequency of say-on-pay votes taking place at the Annual Meeting (see Item3).

annually. The advisory vote is a vote to approve the compensation of our NEOs, as described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and Executive Compensation Tables sections of this proxy statement. It is not a vote on our general compensation policies or any specific element of compensation, the compensation of our non-employee directors, our CEO pay ratio or pay vs. performance disclosures, or the features of our compensation program designed to preventthat mitigate excessive risk-taking as described in the Risks Associated with Compensation Policies and Practices section of this proxy statement.risk-taking.

The results of the advisory vote are not binding on our Board. However, in accordanceconsistent with SEC regulations,its historical practice, the Compensation Committee will disclose its consideration of the vote results of the vote in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of our 20242025 proxy statement.

Board Recommendation

We are committed to maintaining ongoing engagement with our stockholdersinvestors to seek their feedback and discuss why we believethe alignment of our executive compensation program aligns with our strategies and incentsthe incentives it provides our leaders to deliver strong financial performance and consistent ESGcontinuous sustainability progress, creating superior long-term, sustainable value for our customers, investors, employees and communities.Our Board recommends that you vote FOR approval, on an advisory basis, of our executive compensation.

Our Board recommends that you vote FOR approval, on an advisory basis, of our executive compensation.

Properly dated and signed proxies will be so voted unless you specify otherwise.

 

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20232024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation


ITEM 3 — ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE FREQUENCY OF ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Stockholders are given an advisory vote on the frequency with which we will hold advisory votes to approve executive compensation at least once every six years. This is a non-binding vote as to whether the executive compensation vote should occur every one, two or three years. Stockholders may also abstain from this vote.

Our stockholders last voted on the frequency of executive compensation votes at the 2017 Annual Meeting. At a meeting held immediately before that meeting, our Board reviewed the preliminary voting results from stockholders. Based on that review and the Compensation Committee’s recommendation, our Board determined to hold advisory stockholder votes to approve executive compensation every one year. In determining to recommend that stockholders again vote for a frequency of every one year, our Board noted that this frequency reflects the prevailing market practice and most closely aligns with our processes that annually establish performance objectives, evaluate executive performance and grant LTI awards, as well as engage with stockholders on our executive compensation program.

Stockholders are being asked to vote on the following resolution:

RESOLVED, that the Company’s stockholders determine, on an advisory basis, the frequency with which we will hold advisory votes to approve the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers, among the following choices:

Choice 1 – every one year;

Choice 2 – every two years;

Choice 3 – every three years; or

Choice 4 – abstain from voting.

The advisory vote on the frequency of executive compensation votes is not binding on our Board. However, our Board will take into account the voting results in determining the frequency of future executive compensation votes. We will disclose the number of votes cast for each of the above choices and our frequency determination in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on or before May 3, 2023. We will also state the determined frequency in future proxy statements.

Board Recommendation

Consistent with our existing practice, our Board recommends a vote FOR a frequency of ONE year for advisory votes to approve executive compensation. Properly dated and signed proxies will be so voted unless stockholders specify otherwise. Stockholders may choose among the four choices, none of which may receive a majority of the votes cast. The choice that receives the plurality of the votes cast will be deemed to represent the non-binding vote of our stockholders.

Avery Dennison Corporation  |  2023 Proxy Statement

51

 


COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS (CD&A)

 

This CD&A* describes our executive compensation program and the decisions of the Compensation Committee (referred to in this CD&A as the “Committee”) on 2022regarding 2023 executive compensation. It includes the sections shown below.

 

  

Executive Summary

  5251 

Business Strategy OverviewProgress Toward 2025 Financial Targets

51

2023 Financial Performance

  52 

On Track to Deliver 2025 Financial Targets

54

2022 Financial Performance

54

Effective Capital Allocation

  5452 

Longer-Term TSR Outperformance

  5553 

2022 2023 Say-on-Pay Vote and Feedback During Stockholder Engagement

  5553 

Strong ESG-Executive Compensation Linkage2023 NEOs

  5654 

2022 Named Executive Officers (NEOs)Leadership Transition

  5754 

Overview of Pay Philosophy and Executive Compensation Components

  5755 

Strong Compensation Governance Practices

  5957

Integration of Sustainability Progress Tied to Strategy

58 
  

Summary of 2023 Compensation Decisions for 2022

  6059 
  

Discussion of 2023 Compensation Components and Decisions Impacting 2022 Executive Compensation

  6261 

Base Salary

  6261 

20222023 AIP Awards

  6261 

20222023 Grants of LTI Awards

  6867 

20222023 Vesting of Previously Granted LTI Awards

  70 

Perquisites

  72 

General Benefits

  72 

Severance Benefits

  73 
  

Compensation-Setting Tools

  74 

Independent Oversight and Expertise

  75 
  

Other ConsiderationsCompensation Clawback Policies

  7677 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Our strategic pillars and related 2023 achievements are described in the proxy summary.Business Strategy Overview

We have consistently executed our business strategies, delivering long-term, sustainable value for our customers, investors and employees and improving the communities in which we operate.investors. We believe that this value for our investors is best measured by our TSR and cumulative EVA, both of which are performance objectives used in our LTI program and inform how we set our goals for sales growth, operating margin improvement, asset efficiency, ROTC and capital allocation.

Our strategic pillars and 2022 achievementsHighlights of our financial performance are shown on the following page.below. Our overriding focus remains on ensuring the long-term success of all of our stakeholders, and, as described in the proxy summary, we have a clear set of strategies to deliver for them.

Progress Toward 2025 Financial Targets

In March 2021, we announced financial targets through 2025. Given the challenges we experienced in 2023, our progress toward these long-term targets slowed during the year; however, we expect significant progress in 2024 as label and apparel markets rebound and growth in our Intelligent Labels business accelerates.

 

*

This CD&A contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the expected results, performance or achievements expressed or implied thereby. For a detailed discussion of these risks, see Part I, Item 1a, “Risk Factors” and Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in our 20222023 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on February 22, 2023 with the SEC (our “2022 Annual Report”). Stockholders should note that statementsReport. Statements contained in this CD&A regarding our company and business performance targets and goals should not be interpreted as management’s expectations, estimates of future results or other guidance.

 

52

2023 Proxy Statement  |  Avery Dennison Corporation


STRATEGIC PILLARS

    1    

Drive outsized growth in high-value categories

We aim to increase, both organically and through acquisitions, the proportion of our portfolio in high-value products and solutions that serve markets that are growing faster than GDP, represent large pools of potential profit and leverage our core capabilities. These products and solutions include our Intelligent Labels that use RFID tags and inlays, specialty and durable label materials, graphics and reflective solutions, industrial tapes, external embellishments, and shelf-edge pricing, productivity and consumer engagement solutions.

In 2022, we achieved organic sales growth in high-value product categories that outpaced that of our base businesses, with strong growth in external embellishments, specialty labels and Intelligent Labels, and expanded our position in high-value product categories by acquiring two companies and making venture investments in two other companies to advance our capabilities. Over the past five years, we have more than tripled the size of our Intelligent Labels platform, reaching net sales of $0.8 billion in 2022.

    2    

Grow profitably in our base businesses

We strive to grow profitability in our base businesses by carefully balancing volume, price and mix; reducing complexity; and tailoring our go-to-market strategies

In 2022, we continued our product reengineering efforts to drive productivity and mitigate the impact of rising input costs

    3    

Focus relentlessly on productivity

We employ product reengineering and enterprise lean sigma to expand our margins, enhance our competitiveness (particularly in our base businesses) and provide a funding source for reinvestment to decrease our costs as a percentage of sales

In 2022, we delivered ~$26 million in pre-tax savings from restructuring actions, net of transition costs

    4    

Effectively allocate capital

We balance our investments in organic growth, productivity, and acquisitions and venture investments, while continuing to return cash to stockholders through dividends and share repurchases and ensure that we maintain ample capacity to invest

In 2022, leveraging our strong balance sheet, we invested $298.5 million in fixed and IT capital expenditures to support future growth; completed two acquisitions and made two venture investments for a total of $39.5 million; increased our quarterly dividend rate by ~10%; and repurchased $379.5 million in shares of our common stock

    5    

Lead in an environmentally and socially responsible manner

We aim to deliver innovations that advance the circular economy, reduce the environmental impact of our operations and supply chain, and offer value-creation opportunities. We also seek to make a positive social impact by building a more diverse workforce and inclusive and equitable culture, maintaining operations that promote health and safety, and supporting our communities.

In 2022, we made further progress toward our 2025 sustainability goals and activated plans and began measuring our progress toward our more ambitious 2030 sustainability goals; reduced the environmental impact of our operations and invested in our strategic innovation platforms focused on digital solutions, material circularity and waste reduction/elimination; drove sustainable change in DEI; and leveraged the $10 million we contributed to ADF in 2020 to provide meaningful support for our communities

Avery Dennison Corporation |20232024 Proxy Statement

 

 

5351

 


On Track to Deliver 2025 Financial Targets

In March 2021, we announced financial targets through 2025. As shown below, based on our results for the first two years of this five-year period, we are on track to deliver these commitments to our investors.

In 2021-2022,2021-2023, on a two-yearthree-year compound annual basis (with 2020 as the base period), GAAP reported net sales increased by 6.3%, while GAAP operating income, net income and EPS increaseddecreased by 13.9%1.1%, 15.2%, 16.7%3.3% and 18.0%2.1%, respectively. GAAP reported operating margin in 20222023 was 11.9%9.4%.

 

  

 

  2021-2025 Targets  2021-2022 Results(1)

 

Sales Growth Ex. Currency(2)

  

 

5%+

  

 

15.8%

Adjusted EBITDA Growth(2)(3)

  6.5%  13%

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

  16%+ in 2025  15.1% in 2022

Adjusted EPS Growth(2)

  10%  13.5%

ROTC

  18%+  17.4% in 2022
      ON TRACK TO ACHIEVE 2025 FINANCIAL TARGETS      
   
  

 

  2021-2025 Targets  2021-2023 Results(1)  

Sales Change Ex. Currency(2)

   5%+   7.7%

Adjusted EBITDA Growth(2)(3)

   6.5%   5.7%

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

  16%+ in 2025   15.1% in 2023

Adjusted EPS Growth(2)

   10%   3.6%

ROTC

   18%+   12.4% in 2023

 (1)

Results for non-GAAP measures are reconciled from GAAP in the last sectionAppendix A of this proxy statement.

 
 (2)

Percentages for targets reflect five-year compound annual growth rates, with 2020 as the base period. Percentages for results reflect two-yearthree-year compound annual growth rates, with 2020 as the base period.

 
 (3)

Although adjusted EBITDA growth was not one of our original financial targets, it was implied by our sales growthchange ex. currency and adjusted EBITDA margin targets. The foreign currency translation impact to EBITDA was a benefit of approximately $38 million in 2021 and a headwind of approximately $81 million and $20 million in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

 

20222023 Financial Performance

In 2022,Although a lower demand environment driven primarily by inventory destocking downstream from our company resulted in a challenging year in which we achieved impressivedid not realize our annual performance expectations, we delivered sequential improvement each quarter and continued advancement in key growth areas such as Intelligent Labels. Key financial results despitefor the extremely challenging environment we faced during the year. Highlights of our financial performanceyear are shown below.

 

2023 FINANCIAL RESULTS

NET SALES

$9.0B

Reported sales increased by 7.5% from $8.4 billion in 2021; sales ex. currency grew by 13.1%, driven by higher prices and the impact of acquisitions

Net Sales Reported EPS 

EPS

Cash From Operating Activities

Net Income
$9.218.4B$6.20

$826.0M$503.0M
Reported net sales decreased by 7.5% from $9.0 billion in 2022, reflecting lower volume primarily as a result of inventory destocking; sales ex. currency declined by 6.9%

Reported EPS increased by 4.3%;decreased from $9.21 in 2022; adjusted EPS increased by 2.7%decreased from $9.15 in 2022 to $9.15, which was below the low end of the $9.35 to $9.75 annual guidance range we provided to investors in February 2022,$7.90, primarily reflecting significant currency movements during the year

lower volume, partially offset by productivity and restructuring actions

 

CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

$961.0M

We used adjusted free cash flow of $667.3$591.9 million to acquire twothree companies, make twoone venture investments,investment, pay dividends of $238+$256+ million and repurchase 2.2$137+ million in shares of our common stock

 

NET INCOME

$757.1M

AchievedDelivered ROTC of 17.4% in 2022

12.4%

Effective Capital Allocation

We have invested in our businesses to support organic growth and acquired companies that expand our capabilities in high-value product categories, increase our pace of innovation and advance our sustainability initiatives.priorities. Our fixed and IT capital spending in 20222023 of $285.1 million was ~10% higher than in 2021, primarilycomparable to 2022, reflecting our continued investment in high-value categories, particularly our Intelligent Labels business. During the year, we acquired Thermopatch, Lion Brothers and Silver Crystal; together, these acquisitions expand the external embellishments portfolio in our Solutions Group. We also made one venture investment in a company developing technological solutions that we believe have the potential to advance our strategies.

In 2023, we paid $256.7 million in dividends of $3.18 per share and repurchased 0.8 million shares of our common stock. We raised our quarterly dividend rate by ~8% in April 2023.

 

5452

 

 

20232024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation

 


categories, particularly our fast-growing Intelligent Labels platform. During the year, we acquired TexTrace and Rietveld, adding capabilities in high-value product categories. We also made two venture investments in companies developing technological solutions that we believe have the potential to advance our strategies.

In 2022, we paid $238.9 million in dividends of $2.93 per share and repurchased 2.2 million shares of our common stock. We raised our quarterly dividend rate by ~10% in April 2022.

As shown below, over the last five years, we have deployed nearlyover $2 billion to acquisitions (including venture investments) and venture investments andreturned over $2 billion to stockholders in dividends and share repurchases.

 

LOGO

CAPITAL ALLOCATION HIGHLIGHTS

LOGO

Longer-Term TSR Outperformance

OurAlthough our TSR in 20222023 was negative, reflectingmodestly below the broad financial market downturn and consistent with the TSR of both the S&P 500 and the median of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Industrials Index and Materials subsets. More important, both modestly above the Dow Jones U.S. Container & Packaging Index, our three- and five-year cumulative TSR significantly outperformed all three of these two comparator groups.

 

5-Year Cumulative

5-YEAR CUMULATIVE TSR

 

LOGO

1-, 3- and 5-Year TSRLOGO

 

    AVY  S&P 500  S&P Indus. & Mats.*

2018

  

(20)%

  

  (4)%

  

(15)%

2019

  

  49%

  

  32%

  

  34%

2020

  

  21%

  

  18%

  

  17%

2021

  

  41%

  

  29%

  

  24%

2022

  

(15)%

  

(18)%

  

(11)%

3-Year TSR

  

  45%

  

  25%

  

  32%

5-Year TSR

  

  72%

  

  57%

  

  64%

 

*

Based on median of companies in both subsets as of December 31, 20221-, 3- AND 5-YEAR TSR

   AVY 

S&P 500

Index

 

S&P 500

Industrials

Index

 

Dow Jones

U.S. Container &
Packaging Index

2019

   49%  31%   29%   29%

2020

   21%  18%   11%   21%

2021

   41%  29%   21%   11%

2022

 (15)% (18)%   (5)% (18)%

2023

   14%  26%   18%    8%

 3-Year TSR

   37%   33%   35%   (2)%

 5-Year TSR

 145% 107%   94%   53%

 

 

2022 2023 Say-on-Pay Vote and Feedback During Stockholder Engagement

At the 20222023 Annual Meeting, ~93% of our stockholders approved our executive compensation was approved, on an advisory basis, by ~95% of the shares represented and entitled to vote.compensation. The level of support we received was relatively consistent with the high approval rates we have received in recent years. The Committee believes that theseour strong say-on-pay vote results, as well as the feedback we received during our 2022 engagement with stockholders, reflects investor support ofrelated to our executive compensation program andwe have received during our consistently improving CD&A disclosure.engagements with investors, demonstrate overall support of our program.

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In 2022, we continued our active engagement with stockholders regarding executive compensation and talent management. The Committee makes changes to our executive compensation program whenas appropriate to address feedback fromensure it aligns with our stockholders or more closely align the program with ourevolving financial profile, business strategies and ESG priorities.sustainability priorities or address feedback from our investors. We believe that this ongoing review and the actions taken over time demonstrate the Committee’s commitment to paying for performance and being responsive to investor feedback.

Strong ESG-Executive Compensation Linkage

In recent years, in part due to investor interest, the Committee has engaged in frequent discussions with its compensation consultant, WTW, and management and reviewed market practices regarding ESG-executive compensation linkage. The Committee noted that our strategic pillars include leading in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, and it aims to approve executive compensation that reflects our strategies and incents achievement of company goals.

The Committee has determined that our existing compensation practices and talent management priorities reflect our ESG strategies, hold our leaders accountable and reward results. The Committee has made, among other things, the observations described below.

 

Approximately one-third of the measures on our 2022 business group scorecards related to ESG, incenting our leaders to achieve these objectives and providing visibility and accountability to ensure continuous improvement. These scorecards help surface any ESG underperformance relative to our goals and offer an assessment tool in year-end performance discussions.

Our senior leadership, including our NEOs and Vice Presidents, have accountability for driving our ESG progress. In making their compensation decisions, our managers consider not only financial or business achievements, but also an individual’s success in advancing our ESG priorities, consistent with our company’s values and strategies.

Although the AIP financial modifier does not include ESG metrics, our financial performance in part reflects our ESG progress and a key component in determining an AIP award is the individual modifier, which reflects an overall qualitative assessment of performance. In determining their 2022 AIP awards, the Committee discussed the ESG achievements of our NEOs in assessing their performance and determining their individual modifiers.

Diversity and Sustainability are two of our company’s values. Our annual Leadership Excellence Awards are granted to individuals and teams globally in each of these categories, with awardees receiving at least a 120% individual modifier on their AIP award, subject to the overall AIP award cap of 200%. In 2022, 68 employees received awards for either diversity or sustainability, with 17 additional individuals recognized for their work in their communities.

The Committee recognizes that our financial success in recent years has been inextricably linked to our substantial ESG progress. We have consistently innovated more sustainable solutions, which have provided significant competitive advantage, helping fuel our success in the marketplace and deliver strong performance for all our stakeholders. While our compensation programs have had a role in advancing our ESG progress, we are working to advance our journey primarily because we believe that our company can have a long-term positive impact on people and our planet.

After discussing benchmark data on market practices with management and WTW, the Committee noted that the majority of S&P 500 companies report considering ESG performance in their executive compensation programs, with most doing so in ways similar to the way in which we do. The Committee has committed to regularly reviewing evolving stakeholder expectations and market practices, and reevaluating the continued appropriateness of its approach. In the fourth quarter of 2022, reflecting on the results of our stockholder engagement program and market practices, the Committee determined for the time-being to maintain its current approach to the consideration of ESG matters in approving executive compensation.

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2023 Proxy Statement  |  Avery Dennison Corporation53

 


2022 Named Executive Officers (NEOs)2023 NEOs

In this CD&A and the Executive Compensation Tables section of this proxy statement, we provide compensation information for our 20222023 NEOs who are identifiedshown below.

       2023 NEOs
       Name  Title at YE  NEO Type  Executive Level  U.S./Non-U.S.

 

1

 

 

LOGO

  Deon M. Stander  President & CEO  Corporate  1  U.S.
2 LOGO  Mitchell R. Butier  

Executive Chairman

(former CEO)

  Corporate  1  U.S.
3 LOGO  Gregory S. Lovins  SVP & CFO  Corporate  2  U.S.
4 LOGO  Francisco Melo  

President,

Solutions Group
(Solutions)

  Solutions  2  Non-U.S.
5 LOGO  Deena Baker-Nel  SVP & CHRO  Corporate  3  U.S.
6 LOGO

 

 

  Nicholas R. Colisto  SVP & CIO  Corporate  3  U.S.

Leadership Transition

As discussed in the chart below.proxy summary, our Board executed a well-developed CEO succession planning process in May 2023, appointing Mr. Stander began servingas President/CEO and Mr. Butier as Executive Chairman, in each case effective September 1, 2023.

In connection with their transition to these roles, giving consideration to the advice of its independent compensation consultant, WTW, the Committee made the decisions described below related to their compensation. Given the timing of the CEO transition, the compensation of Messrs. Stander and Butier for 2023 largely reflected their compensation as President/COO and CEO, respectively.

For Mr. Stander, increased his annual base salary from $700,000 to $1.1 million and his target AIP opportunity from 75% to 135% of base salary, in each case effective September 1, 2023 (with his 2023 AIP award to be prorated based on the portion of the year in which he served as COO and the portion of the year in which he served as CEO). The Compensation Committee preliminarily aligned to increase his target LTI opportunity from 300% to 550% of base salary, effective with the annual LTI award on March 1, 2024, subject to its review of market pay for similar roles at that time. In addition, the Committee approved a special promotion award to Mr. Stander on September 1, 2023 of stock options with a grant date fair value of approximately $3 million, 50% of which vests on each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date, subject to his continued service. Mr. Stander’s annualized target TDC of $8.6 million (excluding the special promotion award) was set less than the market median; the Committee believed that positioning his compensation at the market 40th percentile compensated him within a reasonable CEO market range but reflected that he was new to the CEO role.

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2024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation


For Mr. Butier, reduced his annual base salary from $1.3 million to $1 million and his target AIP opportunity from 160% to 120% of base salary, in each case effective MarchSeptember 1, 2022;2023 (with his 2023 AIP award to be prorated based on the portion of the year in which he served as CEO and the portion of the year in which he served as Executive Chairman). He received no special LTI award in connection with his role change. The Committee set Mr. Stander’s promotion, Mr. Butier ceased serving inButier’s annualized target TDC consistent with the capacity of President. References in this CD&Amarket median for an executive chairman role, reflecting the mentorship and guidance he would be providing to Level 2 NEOs are to Messrs. Stander and Lovins and references to Level 3 NEOs are to Ms. Baker-Nel and Mr. Walker.help ensure a smooth CEO transition.

NEOs
NameTitle at YE 2022

Mitchell R. Butier

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

Deon M. Stander

President & Chief Operating Officer

Gregory S. Lovins

Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Deena Baker-Nel

Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer

Ignacio J. Walker

Senior Vice President & Chief Legal Officer

Overview of Pay Philosophy and Executive Compensation Components

Our executive compensation program reflects the Committee’s philosophy that a substantial majority of compensation should be tied to our success in achieving our financial objectives and creating stockholder value, providing higher realized compensation when we deliver superior, sustained performance. The objectives of this strategy are to motivate our executives to achieve our annual and long-term financial goals, giving consideration to their achievement of their objectives and individual performance.goals.

 

The Committee implements its pay-for-performance philosophy as follows:

 

  

Establishing target TDC to incent strong operational and financial performance and stockholder value creation, giving consideration to median pay at similarly sizedsimilar-size companies, role responsibilities, individual performance, tenure, retention and succession

 

 

  

Aligning our annual incentives for executives with our company’s annual operating plan and financial goals for the year

 

 

  

Rewarding long-term performance using absolute and relative TSR, as well as our company’s cumulative EVA, to focus our executives on delivering consistent and sustainable stockholder value creation

 

 

The substantial majority of target TDC is performance-based, meaning that our NEOs ultimately may not realize the value of at-risk components if we fail to achieve the designated performance objectives.Incentive compensation consists of target award opportunities under our AIP and our LTI compensation program, with payouts determined based on our performance against objectivesthe threshold, target and maximum levels established by the Committee. The Committee structures annual incentive compensation to reward NEOs primarily based on company or business performance to align their compensation with stockholder interests, while also giving consideration to their individual contributions. With respect to the AIP, our adjusted EPS target was established above the midpoint of the annual guidance we gave to our investorsinterests. The mix and our top-line and cash flow targets were set consistent with our goals for the year; in each case, they were consistent with achievement of our long-term financial goals. Our LTI awards provide higher realized compensation for exceeding performance targets and downside risk (up to and including cancellation) for failing to achieve threshold performance, with EVA targets that are consistent with our long-term goals for earnings growth and ROTC. The elements of 2022NEO target TDC for our NEOs are shown on the following page.below.

 

Avery Dennison Corporation |20232024 Proxy Statement

 

 

5755

 


ELEMENTS OF TARGET TDC FOR NEOs

LOGO               LOGO

As shown in the graph below, the substantial majority of 2022 NEO target TDC was performance-based, meaning that they may not ultimately realize the value of at-risk TDC components if we fail to achieve the designated performance objectives.

LOGO

 

  

ANNUALIZED TARGET TDC MIX

2023 TARGET TDC MIX

LOGOCEO*

LOGO

LOGO

Avg. of Other NEOs**  Excludes

LOGO

*

Mr. Stander’s annualized target TDC reflects his compensation package as CEO, excluding his special one-timepromotion award of RSUsstock options with a grant date fair value of $1,429,469 made in connection with Mr. Stander’s promotion to President/COO.approximately $3 million.

 
**

Mr. Butier is excluded because his target 2023 TDC primarily reflected his compensation as CEO given the timing of our leadership transition. Mr. Melo’s target TDC mix included in the average reflects his target TDC as President, Solutions Group.

 

ELEMENTS OF NEO TARGET TDC
LOGOLTI Compensation
PUsCorporate NEOsSolutions NEO

58•  50% of LTI with payout =

   0% to 200% of target award

•  3-year performance period

-   Company EVA (50%)

-   Company Relative TSR (50%)

•  50% of LTI with payout =

   0% to 200% of target award

•  3-year performance period

-   Solutions Group EVA (75%)

-   Company Relative TSR (25%)

•  Relative TSR payout capped at 100% if absolute TSR is negative

MSUs

•  50% of LTI with payout = 0% to 200% of target award

•  100% Absolute TSR(3)

•  1-, 2-, 3- and 4-year performance periods

Annual Incentive Compensation
AIP Award*

LOGO

LOGO

•   Drives performance consistent with annual company or business financial goals

•   Individual performance modifier based on achievement against predetermined strategic and sustainability objectives (generally capped at 100% for NEOs)

Base Salary

•   Annual fixed-cash compensation generally set around market median

*

AIP award for Solutions NEO (Mr. Melo) reflects his performance objectives and weightings for the nine months of the year he served as President, Solutions Group. He had different performance objectives and weightings for the three months of the year he served as SVP/GM, Avery Dennison Smartrac. His 2023 AIP award would have been prorated to reflect the respective performance objectives and weightings had not the payout been zero.

In the graph below, CEO compensation for 2019 through 2022 reflects Mr. Butier’s compensation as reported in our Summary Compensation Tables for those years and, for 2023, Mr. Stander’s compensation as reported in our 2023 Summary Compensation Table. Our CEO pay has generally reflected our cumulative TSR except that Mr. Stander’s pay in 2023 was substantially lower than prior-year amounts for Mr. Butier because it primarily reflected his compensation as COO, which was significantly lower than Mr. Butier’s as CEO, as well as his special award of stock options with a grant date fair value of approximately $3 million granted in connection with his promotion to CEO.

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As shown in the graph below, our CEO’s compensation, as reported in the Total column in the Summary Compensation Tables for the last four years, generally reflected our cumulative TSR.

LOGO

LOGO

Strong Compensation Governance Practices

Our executive compensation program incorporates the best practices shown below, and on the following page, which the Committee believes ensure that it serves the long-term interests of our stockholders.

 

Policy or Best PracticeDescription
PAY FOR PERFORMANCE

Compensation Primarily

Performance-Based

 

  88%87% of 2022 CEOCEO’s annualized target TDC and 73%69% of average 20222023 target TDC of other NEOs tied to company performance(excluding Mr. Butier)

Capped Annual Incentive
Set Considering Guidance
and

Long-Term Targets

 

  AIP award based on achieving adjusted EPS at or above midpoint of annual guidance and other performance objectives consistent with annual financial goals, subject to limited upward and unlimited downward discretion based on Committee’s assessment of performance of our CEO and COO against predetermined strategic objectives and other NEOs’ individual contributions; awards capped at 200% of target and individual modifiers for NEOs generally capped at 100%

Majority Long-Term Equity
Incentive Compensation
 

  LTI awards prioritize long-term performance,longer-term stockholder value creation, with PUs cliff-vesting in 3 yearsat end of 3-year period and MSUs vesting over 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-year performance periods; realized compensation based on long-term performance and stockholder value creationperiods

Strategic Targeting 

  Target TDC (base salary + target AIP opportunity + target LTI opportunity) set to incent strong performance and value creation, giving consideration to pay at similarly sizedsimilar-size companies, role responsibilities, performance, tenure, retention and succession

No Annual Stock Options

  Last made regular grant of stock options in 2012, though stock options may be granted for special purposes such as promotion

COMPENSATION BEST PRACTICES
No Employment Contracts 

  NEOs employed at-willwithout contract unless required by applicable laws in their home country

Rigorous Stock

Ownership Policy

 

  CEO required to maintain ownership of 6x his base salary and owned 8x his10x this requirement at YE 2022;2023; Executive Chairman, Level 2 NEOs and Level 3 NEOs required to maintain ownership of6x, 3x and 2x of base salary, respectively

No Hedging or Pledging 

  Insider trading policy prohibits officers from engaging in short sale, option, hedging and employees from hedging – and officers from pledging – AVYtransactions in our common stock and all NEOs complied during 20222023

Limited Trading Windows 

  NEOs may only transact in our commoncompany stock during approved trading windows after satisfying clearancepreclearance requirements, including certifying continued compliance with our stock ownership policy

Median Burn Rate 

  Three-year average burn rate of 0.51%0.50% at YE 2022,2023, in line with 50th50th percentile of S&P 500 companies

Clawback PolicyCompensation Clawbacks 

  Incentive compensation determined to be erroneously received by executive officers subject to clawback in event of fraud or other intentional misconduct that necessitates accounting restatement; policy to be revised in 2023 to reflect recently issued SEC rulesrestatement

No Excise Tax Gross Ups 

  No gross-up payments for excise taxes for termination following change of control

Double Trigger

Equity Vesting

 

  Equity awards not accelerated onupon change of control unless CEO or Level 2 NEO is terminated without cause or terminatesterminate employment for good reason within 24 months followingof change of control

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Policy or Best PracticeDescription

No Repricing/Exchange of

Stock Options

  No repricing or exchange of underwater options without stockholder approval

Limited Perquisites 

  Other than capped financial planning reimbursement only for CEO and Level 2 NEOs and payment for annual physical examinations, U.S. NEOs receive flat taxable executive benefit allowancesallowance not subject to tax gross-up

Reasonable
Severance Benefits
 

  Severance for qualifying termination:

    CEO:CEO: 2x (annual salary + target AIP award for year of termination + cash value of annual health insurance premium)

    All other NEOs (excl. Mr. Butier): 1x (annual salary + target AIP award for year of termination + cash value of annual health insurance premium)

Limited

Change of Control

Benefits

 

  Enhanced severance for qualifying termination within 24 months following a change of control:

    CEO:CEO: 3x (annual salary + target AIP award for year of termination + cash value of annual health insurance premium) + prorated target AIP award for year of termination

    Level 2 NEOs only:only: 2x (annual salary + target AIP award for year of termination + cash value of annual health insurance premium) + prorated target AIP award for year of termination

STRONG GOVERNANCE
Independent Oversight 

  Committee comprising independent directors with executive compensation decisions

Expert Compensation

Consultant

 

  WTW is independent, free of conflicts of interest and provides Committee with expert executive compensation advice

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Integration of Sustainability Progress Tied to Strategy

In recent years, the Committee has engaged in discussions with its compensation consultant, WTW, and management and reviewed market practices regarding the integration of our sustainability progress into our executive compensation program. The Committee noted that one of our strategic pillars is leading in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, and its aim is to approve executive compensation that reflects our strategies and incents achievement of company goals.

The Committee has determined that our executive compensation program holds our leaders accountable and rewards their delivery of sustainability-related results. The Committee has noted, among other things, the factors described below.

Approximatelyone-quarter of the measures on our 2023 business group scorecards related to sustainability, incenting our leaders to achieve these objectives and providing visibility and accountability to ensure continuous advancement. These scorecards help surface underperforming progress and offer an assessment tool in year-end performance discussions.

Our senior leadership, including our NEOs and Vice Presidents, is accountable for driving our sustainability progress. In making their compensation decisions, managers consider not only financial or business achievements, but also an individual’s success in advancing our sustainability goals, consistent with our company’s values and strategies.

Although the AIP financial modifier does not include quantitative sustainability-related measures, our financial performance in part reflects the success of our sustainability-driven products and solutions. In addition, a component in determining an AIP award is the individual modifier, which reflects a qualitative assessment of overall performance, including sustainability-related achievements, and can increase or decrease an executive’s AIP award.

Diversity and Sustainability are two of our company’s values. Our annual Leadership Excellence Awards are granted to individuals and teams globally in each of these categories, with recipients generally receiving at least a 120% individual modifier on their AIP award. In 2023, 38 employees received awards for either diversity or sustainability, with 17 additional individuals recognized for their work in their communities.

The Committee recognizes that our sustainability progress has helped us deliver financial success in recent years. We have consistently innovated more sustainable solutions, which have provided significant competitive advantage, helping drive our success in the marketplace and deliver for our stakeholders.

The Committee has committed to regularly reviewing evolving stakeholder expectations and market practices, and reevaluating the continued appropriateness of its approach to the integration of sustainability progress in executive compensation. Reviewing benchmark data on market practices with management and WTW, the Committee observed that the majority of S&P 500 companies report considering sustainability performance in their executive compensation programs, with most doing so similarly to the way we do. In 2023, during its discussion of the feedback from our 2023 stockholder engagements, the Committee aligned to maintain its approach to the consideration of sustainability matters in setting and approving executive compensation, noting that certain investors had advised caution in incorporating quantitative sustainability targets, which can be difficult to objectively measure.

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SUMMARY OF 2023 COMPENSATION DECISIONS FOR 2022

The Committee approves executive compensation to pay for performance, with the target TDC of NEOs established to incent strong financial performance and stockholder value creation. Compensation is predominantly performance based, meaning that our executives may not ultimately realize some or all of the at-risk components of TDC if we fail to achieve our financial objectives. In 2022, ~88% and ~73% of the target TDC of our CEO and the average of our other NEOs, respectively, was performance based.

In determining 20222023 NEO compensation, – in addition to navigating the challenging environment, including currency movements, supply chain disruptions and rising inflation – the Committee considered the factors described below.

 

  

Annual Company Performance – OurFor Corporate NEOs, our company’s 20222023 adjusted sales growth, adjusted EPS and adjusted free cash flow; for our Solutions NEO, primarily the adjusted net income and adjusted free cash flow of his business and secondarily adjusted EPS

 

  

Stockholder Returns – Our TSR on an absolute basis, as well as relative to a designated group of peer companies

 

  

Individual Performance – TheirOur CEO’s performance against the predetermined strategic objectives established for him at the beginning of the year for our CEO and COO and the individual contributions of our other NEOs

 

  

Market Competitiveness – Pay practices and company performance relative to the market

 

  

Investor Feedback – The results of our 2022 2023 say-on-pay vote and anythe feedback on executive compensation received during our stockholder engagement program

The key elements of 20222023 NEO target TDC are described in the table shown on the following page.below. While we provide consistent, market-competitive target TDC opportunities for our NEOs, the actual compensation they realize each year varies based primarily on our financial performanceperformance..

 

2023 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION SUMMARY

60

Component

 

 

Decisions Impacting 2023 Proxy Statement  |  Avery Dennison CorporationCompensation

 


2022 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION SUMMARY
ComponentDecisions Impacting 2022 Compensation

BASE SALARY

 

12%13% of TDC for CEO;annualized CEO TDC;

Avg. 27%31% of 2023 TDC for

Other NEOs (excl. Butier)

 

As planned,Effective April 2023, Mr. Butier received noa base salary increase of ~8% and Ms. Baker-Nel and Messrs. Stander and Lovins each received base salary increases of ~7%, in 2022.each case to more closely align them with market data for similar roles; Mr. StanderColisto received ana base salary increase of 23% in connection with his promotion to President/COO and Mr. Lovins received an increase of 6% to be more3.5% consistent with the market. After each having served more than a full year inaverage increase for our U.S. employees. Based on their respective positions, thepreviously increased base salaries of Ms. Baker-Nel(as applicable), Mr. Melo’s base salary increased by ~19% when he became Solutions President effective April 2023, and Mr. WalkerStander’s base salary increased by 10% to be more consistent with market salaries for their global functional roles.~47% when he became CEO and Mr. Butier’s base salary decreased by ~23% when he became Executive Chairman, in each case effective September 2023. 

TARGET AIP AWARD

 

17% of TDC for CEO;annualized CEO TDC;

Avg. 18%19% of 2023 TDC for

Other NEOs (excl. Butier)

 

In connection with his promotionThe following NEO target AIP opportunities changed due to President/COO,promotion: Mr. Melo’s increased from 50% to 60% of base salary when he became Solutions President, effective April 2023, and Mr. Stander’s increased from 75% to 135% of base salary when he became CEO, effective September 2023. When he was CEO, Mr. Butier’s 2023 target AIP opportunity increased from 140% to 160% of base salary to position his pay at the 70th percentile of market data for companies with annual revenues of $10 billion, acknowledging his strong performance delivering top-quartile TSR and mitigating the chance that his target TDC would fall below the market median before 2026, the next time the Committee planned to review his compensation, consistent with its approach of doing so every three years. Although our CEO transition occurred later in 2023, at the time of approval the Committee was focused on appropriately compensating Mr. Butier as a long-serving, highly successful CEO. Mr. Butier’s target AIP opportunity subsequently decreased from 160% to 120% of base salary when he became Executive Chairman, effective September 2023. The 2023 AIP awards for Messrs. Stander, Butier and Melo would have been prorated based on their previous opportunities of 75%, 160% and 50% of base salary, respectively, and their fiscal year-end opportunities of 135%, 120% and 60% of base salary, to 75% of base salary. There were no other changes to NEO target AIP opportunities in 2022.respectively, had the payouts not been zero.

 

Company and/or Solutions performance resulted in financial modifiermodifiers of 58%0% for all NEOs. Individual modifiers for all NEOs, which had no impact on AIP payouts given the 0% financial modifiers, were 100%. None of our NEOs received an AIP award for 2023.

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2023 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION SUMMARY

ComponentDecisions Impacting 2023 Compensation

TARGET LTI AWARD

(50% PUs, 50% MSUs)

 

71%70% of TDC for CEO;CEO annualized TDC;

Avg. 55%50% of 2023 TDC for

Other NEOs (excl. Butier)

 

Annual LTI Awards Granted in 20222023

  When he was CEO, Mr. Butier’s 2023 target LTI opportunity increased from 585% to 700% of base salary to position his pay at the 70th percentile of market data for companies with annual revenues of $10 billion, acknowledging his strong performance delivering top-quartile TSR and mitigating the chance that his target TDC would fall below the market median before 2026, the next time the Committee planned to review his compensation, consistent with its approach of doing so every three years. Although our CEO transition occurred later in 2023, at the time of approval the Committee was focused on appropriately compensating Mr. Butier as a long-serving, highly successful CEO. Mr. Butier’s target LTI opportunity as Executive Chairman had not been determined at the time of his role change. In connection with his promotion to President/COO,Solutions President, Mr. Stander’sMelo’s target AIPLTI opportunity increased from 120% to 180% of base salary effective March 2023. The Committee preliminarily aligned to increase Mr. Stander’s target LTI opportunity from 300% to 550% of base salary.salary, effective March 2024, subject to its review of market pay for similar roles at that time. There were no other changes to NEO target LTI opportunities in 2022.2023.

 

•  50% in PUs that cliff-vest at the end of three-year period with payouts ranging from zero to 200% based on the achievement of the respective cumulative EVA and relative TSR performance objectives. Payout for the TSR component is capped at 100% of target for any three-year performance period in which absolute TSR is negative. There were no changes to the PU performance objectives or weightings for 2022, except that Mr. Stander’s PUs were tied to company performance rather than the performance of the RBIS business he led before his promotion to President/COO.Corporate NEOs in 2023.

 

•  50% in MSUs that vest based on absolute TSR over one-1-, two-2-, three-3- and four-year4-year performance periods, with an average performance period of 2.5 years. Performance criteria are as follows:years, based on the following performance levels and criteria: (i) threshold performance level, which results in payout at vesting of 85%, is TSR of (15)%; (ii) target performance level, which results in a payout at vesting of 100%, requires TSR of 10%; and (iii) maximum performance level, which results in payout at vesting of 200%, requires TSR of 75%. There were no changes to MSU performance criteria for 2022.2023.

Special LTI Awards Granted in 2023

•  In 2023, the Committee approved special LTI for Ms. Baker-Nel and Messrs. Lovins and Colisto in the form of RSUs with grant date fair values of approximately $600,000, $1.5 million and $200,000, respectively; Mr. Lovins’ RSUs cliff-vest on the third anniversary of the grant date and Ms. Baker-Nel and Mr. Colisto’s RSUs cliff-vest on April 1, 2025, in each case subject to their continued service. In approving these awards, the Committee determined to provide additional incentive for Mr. Lovins to drive results in a challenging business environment; for Ms. Baker-Nel to ensure smooth key senior leadership transitions, accelerate our executive succession focus and enhance Company Leadership Team effectiveness; and for Mr. Colisto to incent advancement of cybersecurity preparedness and oversight of critical enterprise resource planning implementations. In connection with his promotion to CEO, Mr. Stander was granted a special award of stock options with a grant date fair value of approximately $3 million, 50% of which vests on each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date, subject to his continued service. Mr. Butier did not receive a special LTI award when he became Executive Chairman.

 

 

LTI Awards Vesting at YE 20222023

•  2020-2022 PUs:Annual Award of 2021-2023 PUs: Our 2020-20222021-2023 TSR was at the 8190stth percentile relative to the objectively determined peer group established in February 2020,2021, resulting in a payout of 200% on that performance objective for all NEOs. Our company’s cumulative EVA was $1,217.2$1,216.3 million, resulting in a payout of 200%166% on that performance objective for the annual award of 2021-2023 PUs for all NEOs other than Mr. Stander.Messrs. Stander and Melo. Cumulative EVA for RBISwhat is now Solutions was also 200%96% of target, resulting in a payout of 200%97% on that performance objective for Mr.the annual award of 2021-2023 PUs for Messrs. Stander and Melo, whose PUs were tied to RBIS since he led that business at the time of grant. The 2020-2022annual awards of 2021-2023 PUs paid out at 200%based on weighted averages of 123% for Messrs. Stander and Melo and 183% for all other NEOs.

•  Special Award of 2021-2023 PUs: For retention purposes and to further incent him to contribute to the results for our total company – including by continuing to transform our Solutions business and driving our sustainability progress as then-leader of our enterprise-wide Sustainability Council – Mr. Stander was granted a one-time award of PUs in February 2021 with a grant date fair value of approximately $500,000 with the same performance objectives and weightings as the annual award of 2021-2023 PUs for Corporate NEOs. Consistent with the above, these PUs paid out based on a weighted average of 183%.

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2024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation


2023 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION SUMMARY

ComponentDecisions Impacting 2023 Compensation
  

•  MSUsLTI Awards Vesting at YE 20222023

•  MSUs

•  4th Tranche of MSUs granted in 20192020

   2019-20222020-2023 Absolute TSR of 113%62%

   Paid out at 200%Payout of 180% of target

•  3rd Tranche of MSUs granted in 20202021

   2020-20222021-2023 Absolute TSR of 52%32%

   Paid out at 164%Payout of 134% of target

•  2nd Tranche of MSUs granted in 20212022

   2021-20222022-2023 Absolute TSR of 24%(1)%

   Paid out at 121%Payout of 94% of target

•  1st Tranche of MSUs granted in 20222023

   20222023 Absolute TSR of (7)%7%

   Paid out at 90%Payout of 98% of target

In addition to the elements of our executive compensation program described above, weWe also provide our NEOs with limited perquisites and benefits that the Committee believes are comparable to those offered by other multinational public companies.

Avery Dennison Corporation  |  2023 Proxy Statement

61


DISCUSSION OF 2023 COMPENSATION COMPONENTS AND

DECISIONS IMPACTING 2022 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The Committee aims to have base salaries at or around median pay at similarly sizedsimilar-size companies, with the substantial majority of NEO compensation consisting of incentive compensation that delivers higher realized compensation when our financial performance is stronger and lower realized compensation when our financial performance is weaker.

Base Salary

Changes to NEO base salaries approved by the Committee are described in the 2023 Executive Compensation Summary. Increases in base salary for NEOs are generally based on performance and market comparisons for positions with similar scope and responsibility. As planned, Mr. Butier’s base salary did not increase in 2022. In connection with his promotion to President/COO, Mr. Stander’s base salary increased by 23% in 2022 and Mr. Lovins received an increase of 6% to be more consistent with the market. After having served more than a full year in their respective positions, the base salaries of Ms. Baker-Nel and Mr. Walker increased by 10% to be more consistent with the market salaries for their global functional roles.

 

NEO BASE SALARIESNEO BASE SALARIES NEO BASE SALARIES 
NEO     2022 YE Base Salary    
NEO Executive Level  2023 YE Base Salary 

Stander

Stander

 

1

  $1,100,000 

Butier

  $1,200,000 

Stander

  $   700,000 

Butier

 

1

  $1,000,000 

Lovins

  $   700,000 

Lovins

 

2

  $750,000 

Melo(1)

Melo(1)

 

2

  $518,219 

Baker-Nel

  $   457,600 

Baker-Nel

 

3

  $490,000 

Walker

  $   467,913 

Colisto

Colisto

 

3

  $456,770 
(1)

Amount for Mr. Melo was converted from euros using the average monthly exchange rate for December 2023.

20222023 AIP Awards

The 20222023 AIP was designed to incent management to create long-term stockholder value.achieve our financial goals for the year. NEOs are not eligible for guaranteed AIP awards. AIP awards are determined for each fiscal year using the formula below. Individual modifiers for NEOs are generally capped at 100% although the Committee retains the discretion to determine higher individual modifiers to reward individualexceptional performance, including for their ESG-related achievements, up to 150%.

 

 

LOGOLOGO

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Target AIP Opportunities

There were no changesChanges to NEO target AIP opportunities except that Mr. Stander’s target AIP opportunity increased from 60% of base salary to 75% of base salaryapproved by the Committee are described in connection with his promotion to President/COO, consistent with market practices for similar roles.the 2023 Executive Compensation Summary.

 

 
NEO TARGET AIP OPPORTUNITIES 
 NEO Executive Level  

2023 Opportunity

(% of Base Salary)

 

Stander

 

1

   95%* 

Butier

 

1

   ~147%* 

Lovins

 

2

   75

Melo

 

2

   ~58%* 

Baker-Nel

 

3

   50

Colisto

 

3

   50
NEO TARGET AIP OPPORTUNITIES
NEO *

Target AIP Opportunity

(%opportunities for Messrs. Stander, Butier and Melo were prorated based on their previous opportunities of YE Base Salary)75%, 160% and 50% of base salary, respectively, and their year-end opportunities of 135%, 120% and 60% of base salary, respectively.

Butier

140%

Stander

75%

Lovins

75%

Baker-Nel

50%

Walker

50% 

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2023 Proxy Statement  |  Avery Dennison Corporation


AIP Performance Objectives and Weightings;Objectives; Target-Setting Principles

The performance objectives and weightings shown below for the 20222023 AIP for Corporate NEOs, which were consistent with the prior year, were established by the Committee which were consistent with the approach used in 2021 to continue incenting our NEOsthem to grow sales, improve profitability and generate strong cash flow. Our CEO, CFO, CHRO and other members of management participated during the portion of the meeting during which the Committee reviewed and recommended performance objectives for the AIP and assessed our performance against these objectives.

 

20222023 AIP PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES FOR CORPORATE NEOs

 

Objective

 

Description

Adjusted Sales Growth

(20%)

 

Focuses management on top-line growth, a key contributor to sustained long-term value creation

Adjusted EPS

(60%)

 

Primary driver of stockholder value creation and measure we use to provide annual guidance to investors; focuses management on profitable growth and expense control

Adjusted Free Cash Flow

(20%)

 

Cash available after investment in our business, which we can deploy for acquisitions, venture investments, dividends and share repurchases; focuses management on improving capital efficiency, including working capital

Consistent with prior year,The Committee determined to link the threshold payout levelsAIP financial modifier for theour Solutions NEO primarily to his business’ results, based 45% on adjusted sales growthnet income and 40% on adjusted free cash flow performanceflow; the remaining 15% was linked to adjusted EPS. The Solutions objectives were set at 50%designed to be achievable only if the business improved upon its 2022 performance and thedelivered results consistent with its 2023 goals.

The threshold payout level for the adjusted EPS performance objective for all NEOs was set at 0%. The threshold payout level for the other two performance objectives for Corporate NEOs was set at 50%. For our Solutions NEO, the threshold payout level for the adjusted net income performance objective was set at 0% and the threshold payout level for the adjusted free cash flow performance objective was set at 50%. For all performance objectives for all NEOs, the target payout level iswas 100% and the maximum payout level iswas 200%. In setting 20222023 AIP targets for Corporate NEOs, the Committee aimed to ensure consistency with our 2021-2025 financial targets, consideringgiving consideration to the factors described below.

 

Target adjusted sales growth, reflecting sales growth ex. currency excluding the impact of acquisitions included in our annual operation plan,completed after the targets were set, of 12.8%3.5% ($9,229M)9,285M) was consistent withless than both our 2021-2025 sales growth ex. currency target of 5%+ but belowand our 20212022 sales growth ex. currency result of 18.6% due13.1% because 2022 results were largely driven by our customers building up inventory when supply chains were constrained and the pricing actions we took to address significant inflation. For 2023, we expected that we would pass some of the extraordinary impactbenefit from the anticipated easing of COVID-19 in 2020, which resulted in year-over-year comparisons that were substantially greater than what they otherwise would have been.inflation to our customers.

 

Target adjusted EPS of $9.60$9.50 was set above the midpoint and near the high end of the annual guidance we provided to investors in February 2022, consistent with2023. Due to anticipated inventory destocking, target was set lower than our 2021-2025 compound annual growth target of 10%, and 8%4% higher than our 20212022 result of $8.91.$9.15.

 

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2024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation


Although we did not externally communicate a 2021-2025 adjusted free cash flow target, as part of our 2021-2025 financial goals, our plan at the beginning of 2022for 2023 was to deliver adjusted free cash flow of $700+ million.$740 million with solid net income growth and working capital productivity, partially offset by higher planned capital expenditures and restructuring actions. Target for adjusted free cash flow was set below11% above the recordadjusted free cash flow we achieved in 2021, primarily reflecting our planned investment in high-value product categories and innovation growth platforms, particularly Intelligent Labels.2022.

 

2022 AIP TARGETS VS. LONG-TERM TARGETS AND 2021 RESULTS

 

    

2021-2025 Long-Term Target

  

2021 Results

  

2022 AIP Target

Sales Growth Ex. Currency

 

Organic Sales Growth

  

5%+

 

  

18.6%

 

15.6%

  

12.8% ($9.229M)*

 

9.5%

Adjusted EPS Growth

  10%  $8.91  $9.60
(8% over 2021 results)

Free Cash Flow

  N/A  $797.7M  $725M

 

*  Represents AIP target for adjusted sales growth

 

 

2023 AIP TARGETS VS. LONG-TERM TARGETS AND 2022 RESULTS

 

 

    

2021-2025 Long-Term Target

  

2022 Results

  

2023 AIP Target

 

Sales Growth Ex. Currency

  

 

5%+

  

 

13.1%

  

 

3.5% ($9,285M)*

Adjusted EPS Growth

  10%  $9.15  $9.50
(4% over 2022 results)

Adjusted Free Cash Flow

  N/A  $667M  

$740M

(11% over 2022 results)

 

*  Represents AIP target for adjusted sales growth

Financial Modifiers

AIP financial modifiers are capped at 200%. In evaluating our achievement of these performance objectives,determining financial modifiers, the Committee has the discretion to exclude the impact, positive or negative, of extraordinary items such as acquisitions and divestitures; restructuring and integration actions not included in our annual net income plan; currency translation fluctuations; changes in accounting principles, tax codes or related regulations and rulings; extraordinary events such as natural disasters, outbreaks of epidemiological disease, terrorism and war; costs related to the early extinguishment of debt and pension plan terminations; costs of litigation outside the normal course of business; and non-cash charges associated with the impairment of long-lived assets.assets such as goodwill.

The table below shows the calculation of 2023 AIP financial modifiers. As shown, the threshold level of performance was not achieved for any of the performance objectives for Corporate NEOs or our Solutions NEO, resulting in weighted average AIP financial modifiers of 0% for all NEOs.

 
2023 AIP FINANCIAL MODIFIERS
   

Performance Objective

 

 

Weighting

 

 

Threshold(1)

 

 

Target
(100%)

 

 

Maximum

(200%)

 

 

2023

Actual

 

 

Modifier

 

 

Weighted

Average
Modifier

Mr. Stander

Mr. Butier

Mr. Lovins

Ms. Baker-Nel

Mr. Colisto

 Adjusted Sales Growth(3) 20% $9,059M $9,285M $9,550M $8,285M 0% 0%
 Adjusted EPS(4) 60% $9.00 $9.50 $10.00 $7.86 0% 0%
 Adjusted Free Cash Flow(5) 20% $670M $740M $800M $588M 0% 0%

Corporate NEO Financial Modifier

             0%

Mr. Melo(2)

 Adjusted EPS(4) 15% $9.00 $9.50 $10.00 $7.86 0% 0%
 Solutions Adjusted Net Income(6)(7) 45% $232.0M $244.2M $268.6M $155.5M 0% 0%
 Solutions Adjusted Free Cash Flow(7) 40% $123M $153M $183M $40M 0% 0%

Solutions NEO Financial Modifier

             0%

 

(1)

Adjusted EPS and adjusted net income thresholds set at 0%; thresholds for all other performance objectives set at 50%.

(2)

Performance objectives and weightings for Mr. Melo reflect those tied to his service as Solutions President for the last nine months of the year. His performance objectives for the first three months of the year when he served as SVP/GM, Avery Dennison Smartrac, were adjusted EPS (weighted 15%), enterprise Intelligent Labels sales (weighted 40%), enterprise Intelligent Labels EBIT (weighted 25%); enterprise Intelligent Labels adjusted free cash flow (weighted 10%); and Solutions adjusted free cash flow (weighted 10%). Sales, EBIT and adjusted free cash flow targets and results at the business unit level are not disclosed due to their competitively sensitive nature. Additionally, the Committee determined that the financial modifier for all NEOs should be zero given 2023 performance.

(3)

Reflects reported net sales of $8,364.3 million, removing the $5.1 million impact of foreign currency translation since the target was set and the $74.4 million impact of new acquisitions.

(4)

Reflects reported net income per common share, assuming dilution, of $6.20, adjusted for restructuring charges and other items of $1.70 and removing the ($0.04) impact of acquisitions completed after the targets were set.

(5)

Reflects net cash provided by operating activities of $826.0 million, minus purchases of property, plant and equipment of $265.3 million and software and other deferred charges of $19.8 million, plus proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment of $1.0 million, plus proceeds from insurance and sales (purchases) of investments, net, of $1.9 million, plus proceeds from company-owned life insurance policies of $48.1 million, plus payments for certain acquisition-related costs of $5.3 million, less cash flow from new acquisitions of $9.3 million.

(6)

Adjusted net income refers to income before taxes, tax-effected at the adjusted tax rate, and adjusted for tax-effected restructuring charges and other items. Adjusted tax rate is the full-year GAAP tax rate, adjusted to exclude certain unusual or infrequent events that are expected to significantly impact that rate, such as effects of certain discrete tax planning actions, impacts related to enactments of comprehensive tax law changes, and other items.

(7)

Adjusted net income and adjusted free cash flow measures at the segment level are internal metrics that exclude or make simplifying assumptions for items that cannot be allocated precisely by segment, such as interest and income tax expenses, and related balance sheet accounts, such as deferred tax assets and liabilities, income tax payables and receivables, and short- and long-term debt. Certain balance sheet accounts such as pension and other postretirement benefits and insurance that are generally managed at the corporate level, as well as the impact of foreign currency translation, are also excluded from the calculation of these measures for the segments. In certain limited circumstances, one-time items may be excluded from segment adjusted net income. The impact of intercompany sales is included in segment measures.

Avery Dennison Corporation |20232024 Proxy Statement

 

 

63

 


The table below shows the 2022 AIP financial modifier for our NEOs. As shown, the target level of 100% was exceeded for the adjusted sales growth performance objective, the threshold level of 0% was exceeded for the adjusted EPS performance objective, and the threshold level of 50% was not achieved for the free cash flow performance objective.

2022 AIP FINANCIAL MODIFIER
Performance
Objective
  Weighting   Threshold(1)   Target
(100%)
   Maximum
(200%)
   2022
Actual
   Modifier  Weighted
Average
Modifier
Adjusted Sales Growth(2)   20%    $9,087M    $9,229M    $9,528M    $9,408M    149%  30%
Adjusted EPS(3)   60%    $8.95    $9.60    $10.56    $9.24    46%  28%
Free Cash Flow(4)   20%    $700M    $725M    $845M    $667M    0%  0%

 

Financial Modifier

 

                               

 

58%

 

(1)

Threshold for adjusted sales growth and free cash flow set at 50%; threshold for adjusted EPS set at 0%.

(2)

Reflects reported net sales of $9,039.3 million, adjusted for the impact of currency translation since the target was set, removing the impact of new acquisitions, and excluding the impact of reduced sales due to the Russian war in Ukraine.

(3)

Reflects reported net income per common share, assuming dilution, of $9.21, adjusted for restructuring charges and other items of $0.06, removing the combined ($0.09) impact of acquisitions completed after the targets were set and the Russian war in Ukraine.

(4)

Reflects net cash provided by operating activites of $961.0 million, minus purchases of property, plant and equipment of $278.1 million and software and other deferred charges of $20.4 million, plus proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment of $2.3 million, plus proceeds from insurance and sales (purchases) of investments, net, of $1.9 million, plus payments for certain acquisition-related transaction costs of $0.6 million.

NEO Performance Evaluations and Individual Modifiers

Our NEOs are evaluated on their individual performance for the year. The Committee approved the strategic objectives of our CEOthen-CEO and COO, andthen-COO, our CEOthen-COO approved the goals of our Solutions NEO and our then-CEO approved the goals of the other NEOs, in each case in February 2022.2023. In February 2023,2024, the Committee evaluated the performance of our CEO and COO against theirhis predetermined strategic objectives; for our other NEOs, this assessment considered the totality of their performance.

Individual modifiers for all participants are capped at 150%, subject to the total cap on AIP awards of 200%. Although it retains the discretion to determine individual modifiers of up to 150%, the Committee has determined that the individual modifiers for our NEOs should generally be capped at 100%.

The Committee evaluated the 20222023 performance of our CEO, and COO, giving consideration to theirhis leadership navigating sizable currency movements, pandemic-driven challenges in China, the Russian war in Ukraine, rising inflation and supply chain disruptions;lower demand environment driven primarily by downstream inventory destocking; our financial results for the year; theiryear in which we did not deliver our annual operating plan or achieve the threshold levels of performance established for the 2023 AIP; his performance against theirhis strategic objectives established in February 2022;2023; and theirhis performance self-assessment discussed with the Committee in February 2023.2024. The Committee determined the individual modifiersmodifier for our CEO and COO based on its assessment of their respectivehis performance.

For 2022,In addition to navigating the Committee determined that – although we did not achieve target adjusted EPS or threshold free cash flow –dynamic and challenging environment, our CEO and COO successfully steered our company throughhad the challenging environment described above. Our shortcoming in achieving our adjusted EPS objective was entirely due to currency translation (which lowered the value of our results from international operations as measured in U.S. dollars) and the impact of lower demand due to COVID-related lockdowns in China – both of which were outside management’s control – and our decision to exit the Russia market after the invasion of Ukraine. Overall, our CEO and COO exceeded their strategic objectives by meeting or surpassingfor 2023 shown below with the substantial majorityCommittee’s evaluation of their individual strategic objectives.his performance. These strategic objectives did not have assigned weightings, reflecting the Committee’s expectation that our CEO and COOhe deliver on all fronts. Our CEO’s performance evaluation is shown on the following page.

 

2023 CEO PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

Strategic Objective

Evaluation

CEO readiness– Continue progressing Board-aligned readiness plan; engage in quarterly earnings process; and lead strategic planning process

Progressed readiness plan consistent with Board expectations; engaged in quarterly earnings process beginning in 4Q22, leading process starting in 2Q23; and led 2023 strategic planning process across business segments and enterprise-wide, including related discussions with Board

Drive outsized growth in high-value categories– Deliver above-average organic growth rate in Materials’ graphics and specialty labels businesses; achieve targeted percentage of growth in Solutions’ external embellishments business; deliver successful Solutions’ shelf edge label productivity pilot with large retailer; and reach $1 billion in enterprise-wide Intelligent Labels sales

In challenging lower volume environment driven primarily by inventory destocking, delivered modest organic growth in Materials’ graphics and decline in Materials’ specialty labels businesses, in each case in line with overall market performance; grew Solutions’ external embellishments but below targeted percentage given declining apparel import environment; progressed Solutions’ shelf edge label productivity pilot consistent with expectations; and, although its enterprise-wide sales target was not reached, delivered low-double digit growth in Intelligent Labels

Grow profitably in our base businesses – Enhance share position in Materials’ North America and Europe, Middle East and North Africa (EMENA) regions and maintain share position in other Materials regions and base Solutions categories (adjusted for Intelligent Labels)

Enhanced share position in Materials’ North America and EMENA regions and base Solutions categories (adjusted for Intelligent Labels), while also maintaining share position in other Materials regions

Focus relentlessly on productivity – Deliver targeted amount of savings from restructuring actions and achieve productivity targets in both Materials and Solutions

Exceeded targeted amount of savings from restructuring actions by ~50%, having accelerated certain actions given weaker-than- anticipated demand; and achieved productivity targets in both Materials and Solutions

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20232024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation

 


2022

2023 CEO PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

 

Strategic Objective 

Evaluation

Drive outsized growth in high-value categories – Achieve targeted percentage of growth in Intelligent Labels, assuming continued recovery in its end markets

 

Exceeded objective for organic sales growth in high-value-categories; secured supply of integrated circuits crucial to our RFID-enabled Intelligent Labels platform and oversaw key commercial programs that position our company for accelerated Intelligent Labels growth in 2023; formed Food Advisory Council and Digital Advisory Council – in each case including current directors and third-party experts – to provide industry expertise and guidance to management as we seek to expand our capabilities and accelerate our push to drive outsized growth in high-value categories

Grow profitably in our base businesses – Minimize supply chain disruptions and adjust prices to reflect inflation

Achieved overall growth and profitability objectives in base businesses, although volumes were below expectations due to market conditions; managed and overcame impact of supply chain disruptions to ensure we were able to meet surging demand in mid-2022; and oversaw strategies and implementation of pricing actions to mitigate impact of rising inflation

Focus relentlessly on productivity – Deploy product reengineering and enterprise lean sigma to expand margins, enhance competiveness and provide a funding source for reinvestment

Exceeded targeted amount of savings from restructuring actions and, as inventory destocking in Q4 significantly impacted volumes, activated scenario plans to reduce costs in a recessionary environment

 

Allocate capital effectively – Invest targeted amount in accelerated growth platforms of Intelligent Labels, innovation and digital infrastructure, and continue to build M&A pipeline and integrate acquisitions

Invested targeted amount in high-value growth platforms and continued to build M&A pipeline, completing two acquisitions in 2022, agreeing to make additional acquisition in early 2023, and expanded pipeline of potential acquisition targets that can improve our capabilities in high-value categories, increase our pace of innovation and advance our sustainability initiatives

Lead in an environmentally and socially responsible manner – Progress innovation strategy and deployment program with emphasis on digital solutions and environmental sustainability; continue to reduce GHG emissions and formalize plan to reduce scope 3 emissions; progress cybersecurity strategy and deployment program to achieve targeted maturity level; further increase leadership diversity; and continue enhancing ESG reporting/transparency and integrate TCFD framework into enterprise ERM program

Reduced absolute GHG emissions by ~6% in 12 months through Q3 2022 and engaged CDP to formalize plan to further reduce scope 3 GHG emissions; enhanced cybersecurity preparedness; significantly increased percentage of women executives and, in the U.S., racially/ethnically diverse executives; continued enhancing ESG transparency, with improved scores from key ESG rating agencies, and completed benchmarking to develop plans to ensure timely TCFD compliance; and developed plans to form Environmental Sustainability Advisory Council to provide guidance to management in advancing our sustainability initiatives

Refine/Execute leadership succession plans – Progress leadership succession strategy to ensure ready-now CEO successors over multiple time horizons; provide targeted support and development for President/COO in new role; and refine/execute executive leadership development plans with focus on newly appointed leaders within our Materials and Solutions businesses

Progressed CEO succession strategy, identifying ready-now successors over multiple time horizons; mentored President/COO and provided development opportunities to key leaders within each segment; and refined and executed development plans for leadership, promoting senior leader to serve as Materials Group President and advancing Company Leadership Team complementarity

Individual Modifier Based on Evaluation

100%

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Our COO’s performance evaluation is shown below.

2022 PRESIDENT/COO PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

Strategic ObjectiveEvaluation

Drive outsized growth in high-value categories – Deliver above-average organic growth in LGM’s graphics and specialty groups; achieve targeted levels of growth in RBIS’ external embellishments business and Intelligent Labels; and manage IHM through challenging macroeconomic environment for industrial and automotive products

Achieved GDP+ organic sales growth in graphics and specialty categories, outpacing growth in base businesses; exceeded target level of external embellishment growth and delivered target level of Intelligent Labels organic sales growth; implemented pricing actions in IHM’s industrial and automotive product categories to offset impact of significant inflation; and launched roadmap to integrate IHM into LGM to form Materials Group

Grow profitably in our base businesses – Minimize supply chain disruptions and adjust prices to reflect inflation; stabilize LGM share in North America and Europe, Middle East and North Africa (EMENA), while maintaining LGM share in other regions; maintain share in base RBIS categories (adjusted for Intelligent Labels); and accelerate near-term productivity in IHM, achieving targeted EBIT margin and positive EVA for 2022

Successfully managed significant supply chain disruptions to deliver service-level commitments; implemented pricing actions to mitigate impact of inflation; maintained share position in LGM North America, Asia Pacific and Latin America regions, but unable to stabilize share in LGM EMENA (excluding impact of Russian war in Ukraine); maintained share in base RBIS categories; and delivered positive 2022 EVA in IHM, despite below-target EBIT margin

Focus relentlessly on productivity – Deliver targeted amount of savings from restructuring actions; execute key cost-saving projects in RBIS; and achieve LGM North America operational productivity targets

Exceeded targeted level of savings from restructuring actions; achieved goals for key RBIS cost-saving projects; and delivered material reengineering productivity objectives to help offset impact of significant inflation in LGM North America although supply chain disruptions impacted ability to achieve operational productivity targets

Allocate capital effectivelyInvest within targeted range inof capital expenditures; continue to drivedriving operating working capital productivity andproductivity; invest targeted amount in accelerated growth platforms of Intelligent Labels, innovation and digital infrastructure; invest targeted amount in Intelligent Labels capital expenditures, including achieve milestones related to key strategic project; and continue to buildbuilding M&A pipeline and integrateintegrating acquisitions

 

 

Intentionally andGiven lower demand driven primarily by downstream inventory destocking, appropriately underspentreduced capital spending below low end of targeted range, while still investing at level of capital expenditures in base businesses given challenging environment, prioritizing investments in high-value categories; drove operatingconsistent with prior year to support organic growth; improved working capital productivity, satisfying service-delivery requirements but not achieving inventory working capital goal dueproductivity; appropriately reduced spending on growth investments, while continuing to supply chain disruptions; invested targeted amountstrategically invest in accelerated growth platforms of Intelligent Labels, innovation and digital infrastructure; appropriately delayed strategic Intelligent Labels project, achieving milestones consistent with adjusted timeline; and continued to buildcompleted acquisitions of Thermopatch, Lion Brothers and execute on M&A pipeline, making two value-accretive acquisitions to advance our strategic prioritiesSilver Crystal, expanding Solutions’ external embellishments portfolio

 

Lead in an environmentally and socially responsible manner– Progress innovation strategy and deployment program with emphasis on environmental sustainability and digital solutions; continue to reducereducing Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions and formalize plan to reduce scopebegin executing Scope 3 emissions;emissions reduction plan; deploy accelerated roadmap to enable greater recyclability of consumer product goods;plastics in Materials ecosystem; and further increaseenhance leadership diversity

 

 

Exercised accountabilityProgressed innovation strategy and deployment program, including with respect to deliver progress in innovation in digital and environmental sustainability initiatives, providing strategic direction to key business leaders; achieved ~54% reduction inand digital solutions; significantly reduced Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions comparedand began executing plan to 2015 baseline and formalized plans for scopeachieve 2030 Scope 3 GHG emissions reduction;reduction target; completed gap assessment and developed accelerated roadmap to address opportunities to better improveenable greater recyclability of consumer product goods;plastics in Materials ecosystem; and, improved femalewhile manager+ gender diversity percentage of 36% was unchanged from prior year, increased representation in manager+ positions, enabling achievement of goal well before 2030 targetwomen at VP+ level

Refine/Execute leadership succession/development plans – Refine/execute executive leadershipExecute development plans for leadership, with particular focus on Materials and execute personal immersion plan into Materials businesses

Solutions leaders, and enhance digital leadership

 

 

MentoredExecuted leadership succession transitions in Materials and promoted key leaders, resulting in appointmentsSolutions; advanced succession and development plans of Materials Group Presidentother members of Company Leadership Team; and new leader of Materials Group EMENA; immersed himself into Materials businesses, helping shape go-forward strategies and innovation plans, engaging in monthly and quarterly business reviews, and visiting key sites to engage withbegan strengthening digital leadership and team members more broadly

Individual Modifier Based on Evaluation

 

100%

The strategic objectives of our former CEO were in many respects similar to those shown above for our current CEO. In reviewing his annual performance, the Committee focused on the unique aspects of his strategic objectives established in February 2023, which included progressing the Board-aligned CEO succession strategy with the goal of ready-now successors over multiple time horizons; providing targeted development support for our then-COO; refining and executing leadership development plans with a focus on newly appointed leaders in our Materials and Solutions businesses; progressing our cybersecurity strategy and deployment program; and integrating the TCFD framework into our ERM program. In addition, the Committee evaluated his performance as Executive Chairman.

The Committee Chair, together with our Lead Independent Director, separately discussed with our CEO and our Executive Chairman the feedback from discussions of the Committee and our full Board regarding his 2022their 2023 performance. Our Chairman/CEO provided his feedback, as well as that of the Committee and our full Board, to our COO.

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2023 Proxy Statement  |  Avery Dennison Corporation


Our CEO recommended to the Committee the individual modifiers for our other NEOs based on his assessment of their 20222023 performance. The Committee considered our CEO’s recommendations, retaining the discretion to approve individual modifiers for them different than what our CEO had recommended. Other than discussing with our CEO their individual performance, our other NEOs played no role in their compensation determinations. In determining the individual modifiers for our other NEOs, the Committee noted the highlights of their 20222023 performance describedshown below.

 

Avery Dennison Corporation | 2024 Proxy Statement

65


Mr. Lovins

  

Mr. Lovins – Led our globalenterprise finance function, including overseeing our controllership, tax, treasury, financial planning and operational finance teams; ensuring we delivered teams

Critical support to CEO transition on financial planning and reporting, investor relations and other key finance areas

Drove significant productivity benefits to mitigate impact of lower demand driven primarily by inventory destocking

Delivered strong results in 2022 despite the challengingadjusted free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow conversion greater than 100% through improved working capital

Enhanced macro environment caused by rising inflation, supply chain disruptionsanalytics and impacts from COVID-19 in China;increased forecasting rigor

Continued driving productivity and enhancedstrong global controllership by expanding our

Advanced finance shared service organization and implementing advancedsystem standardization through enterprise resource planning tools in 2022; leveragingrollouts across business units

Continued driving ongoing scenario planning to ensure we remain on track to deliver ourachievement of long-term financial targets and sustainability goals; overseeing the

Oversaw continued expansion of our ESG disclosures; ensuring oursustainability reporting

Maintained strong balance sheet remained strong, with capacity to continue to invest in our businesses, both, investing organically and through acquisitions,acquiring three companies, while also returning cash to stockholders;stockholders through share repurchases and ensuring we are allocatinga growing dividend

Ensured effective capital effectively across our portfolioallocation to deliver strong returns and EVA growth over the long term. Mr. Lovins also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Avery Dennison Foundation.term

Served as member of ADF Board of Trustees

Mr. Melo

  

Successfully transitioned to Solutions President role, improving cross-business collaboration and advancing customer-centricity

Delivered Ms. Baker-Nellow-double-digit growth in Intelligent Labels, expanding into new segments with significant wins in Logistics and Food and executing world’s largest single-wave RFID deployment

Navigated challenging low volume year, executing cost-reduction initiatives to improve profitability and optimize cost-to-serve –

Expanded high-value external embellishments capabilities with three strategic acquisitions, enabling significant growth in team sports

Evolved and led Digital Advisory Council, informing continued expansion of digital capabilities and building on atma.io connected product cloud platform

Expanded Solutions’ portfolio to include more products meeting Sustainable ADvantage Standard and improved recycling of waste

Ms. Baker-Nel

Led our enterprise human resources, communications and community investment functions prioritizing the safety, health

Guided CEO and well-being of our teams in a challenging environment; guiding segment leader transitions and advanced Company Leadership Team succession plans

Renewed focus on senior leadership successioneffectiveness and transitions, including the recent appointment of our Materials Group President, and bolstering leadership in other senior roles; buildingcomplementarity, driving greater clarity on our DEI progress with increasingly diverse representation, as well as enhanced leadership development and sponsorship programs for diverse top talent; enabling continued workplace flexibility; improving employee engagement; and enhancing dialogue at all levels related to our future capability needs, DEI and employee well-being. Ms. Baker-Nel also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of ADF.accountability

Facilitated Board refreshment planning and Governance Committee’s new director search process

Deployed digitally-enabled employee listening tool, enhancing insights and analytics and establishing new baselines for employee engagement and inclusion

Finalized enterprise competency model to serve as consistent global standard against which we hire, develop, promote and reward talent

Published inaugural DEI Synopsis report to enhance social sustainability transparency and progressed pay equity and transparency

Served as member of ADF Board of Trustees

Mr. Colisto

  

Mr. WalkerLed our global legal enterprise IT function, advising our Boardincluding management of IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, data analytics and management on M&A transactions, our investmentsbusiness software initiatives

Delivered strong performance in new challenging environment, managing increasing cybersecurity threats and expanding markets, intellectual propertyaccelerating IT modernization to drive innovation and footprint optimization projects, with a particular focus on managing litigation; overseeing our Values & Ethics/compliancegrowth

Enhanced digitizing business processes, delivering enterprise resource planning systems and risk management functions, securities and corporate governance matters and government relations efforts; focusing on organizational development to advance the function to further accelerate productivity, standardize processes and deploy best practices to help enable our digital solutions strategy; implementing strategic priorities related to business risk optimization, people and culture, operationalenabling improved efficiency and sustainability;data-driven decision-making

Advanced digital customer engagement platforms, improving customer experience and developingbusiness resilience

Developed technology investment allocation strategy to maximize returns and engaging his team.support future growth

Educated global teams on artificial intelligence, identifying most promising use cases and unlocking potential avenues for process innovation and efficiency

Served as executive sponsor of women in leadership, advancing DEI by empowering female leaders

Based on these assessments and after giving consideration to the recommendations of our CEO (other than with respect to himself), the Committee approved individual modifiers of 100% for all NEOs.NEOs, which had no impact on their AIP payouts given the 0% financial modifiers.

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2024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation


AIP Awards

OurAs shown below, our NEOs received theno AIP awards shown in the table below for 2022, based on their respective year-end base salary, AIP opportunity, financial modifier and individual modifier.2023.

 

2022 AIP AWARDS
NEO  2022 YE
Base Salary
  AIP
Opportunity
 Target
AIP Award
  Financial
Modifier
  Individual
Modifier
  AIP
Award

Butier

   

$

1,200,000

   

 

140

%

  

$

1,680,000

   

 

  58%

 

   

 

 100%

 

   

$

974,400

Stander

   

$

700,000

   

 

75

%

  

$

525,000

   

 

58%

 

   

 

100%

 

   

$

304,500

Lovins

   

$

700,000

   

 

75

%

  

$

525,000

   

 

58%

 

   

 

100%

 

   

$

304,500

Baker-Nel

   

$

457,600

   

 

50

%

  

$

228,800

   

 

58%

 

   

 

100%

 

   

$

132,704

Walker

   

$

467,913

   

 

50

%

  

$

233,957

   

 

58%

 

   

 

100%

 

   

$

135,695

 

 

2023 AIP AWARDS

  

 

  

2023 YE

Base Salary

  Target AIP
Opportunity
 Target
AIP Award
  Financial
Modifier
  Individual
Modifier
  AIP
Award

Stander(1)

   

$

1,100,000

   

 

95

%

  

$

1,045,000

   

 

0%

 

   

 

100%

 

   

$

0

Butier(2)

   

$

1,000,000

   

 

~147

%

  

$

1,466,667

   

 

0%

 

   

 

100%

 

   

$

0

Lovins

   

$

750,000

   

 

75

%

  

$

562,500

   

 

0%

 

   

 

100%

 

   

$

0

Melo(3)(4)

   

$

518,219

   

 

~58

%

  

$

297,976

   

 

0%

 

   

 

100%

 

   

$

0

Baker-Nel

   

$

490,000

   

 

50

%

  

$

245,000

   

 

0%

 

   

 

100%

 

   

$

0

Colisto

   

$

456,770

   

 

50

%

  

$

228,385

   

 

0%

 

   

 

100%

 

   

$

0

(1)

Avery Dennison Corporation  |  2023 Proxy Statement

Mr. Stander’s target AIP opportunity was prorated based on his opportunity as COO of 75% of base salary for the first eight months of the year and his opportunity as CEO of 135% of base salary for the last four months of the year.

 
(2)

67Mr. Butier’s target AIP opportunity was prorated based on his opportunity as CEO of 160% of base salary for the first eight months of the year and his opportunity as Executive Chairman of 120% of base salary for the last four months of the year.


(3)

Amounts for Mr. Melo were converted from euros using the average monthly exchange rate for December 2023.

(4)

Mr. Melo’s target AIP opportunity was prorated based on his opportunity as SVP/GM, Avery Dennison Smartrac, of 50% of base salary for the first three months of the year and his opportunity as Solutions President, of 60% of base salary for the last nine months of the year.

20222023 GRANTS OF LTI AWARDS

Our LTI program provides variable incentive compensation to enhance alignment of executive interests with stockholder interests and drive long-term value creation. The annual LTI awards granted to NEOs in 20222023 were fully performance based and delivered through the equity vehicles described below.

 

50% in PUs that cliff-vest at the end of a three-year period subject to the achievement of the respective cumulative EVA and relative TSR performance objectives established for the award

 

50% in MSUs that vest at the end of the one-, two-, three- and four-year performance periods, with an average performance period of 2.5 years, based on our absolute TSR

50% in MSUs that vest at the end of the 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-year performance periods, with an average performance period of 2.5 years, based on our absolute TSR

Annual LTI awards were granted on March 1, 2022.2023. Actual amounts, if any, realized by our NEOs from the vesting of these awards will be based on our performance, as well as our stock price at the time of vesting.

 

The Committee does not offset the loss or gain of prior year grants in determining current year grants, as doing so would compromise the intended risk/reward nature of these incentives.

Special LTI awards may be granted by the Committee for hiring, promotion, retention and/orand other incentive purposes, with the awards granted on the first day of the last month of the quarter following the event or decision to make a grant. After evaluating market data for similar promotions,The four special LTI awards approved by the Committee in connection with his appointment as President/COO, Mr. Stander was granted2023 are described in the 2023 Executive Compensation Summary and shown in a special one-time award of RSUs with a grant date fair value of $1,429,469, which cliff-vests on the third anniversary of the March 1, 2022 grant date.chart later in this section.

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Target LTI Opportunity

There were no changesChanges to NEO target LTI award opportunities except that Mr. Stander’s target AIP opportunity increased from 180% of base salary to 300% of base salaryapproved by the Committee are described in connection with his promotion to President/COO, consistent with market practices for similar roles. LTI opportunities were based on year-end 2021 base salary except that Mr. Stander’s award was based on his increased base salary and LTI target opportunity effective March 1, 2022. Target LTI award opportunities represented 71% and 53%, respectively, of our CEO’s and other NEOs’ average performance-based incentive compensation.the 2023 Executive Compensation Summary.

 

 

 

NEO 2023 TARGET LTI OPPORTUNITIES

 

   NEO  Executive Level  LTI Opportunity

Stander(1)

    1     300% 

Butier(2)

    1     700% 

Lovins

    2     250% 

Melo(3)

    2     180% 

Baker-Nel

    3     120% 

Colisto

    3     120% 
NEO TARGET LTI OPPORTUNITIES
NEOLTI
Opportunity

Butier(1)  Mr. Stander’s target LTI opportunity reflects opportunity as COO since his role change occurred after the March 1, 2023 grant date. The Committee preliminarily aligned in May 2023 to increase Mr. Stander’s target LTI opportunity to 550% effective March 1, 2024, subject to its review of market pay for similar roles at that time.

585%

(2)  When he was serving as CEO, Mr. Butier’s target LTI opportunity was increased from 585% of base salary to 700% of base salary effective March 1, 2023 to be more consistent with market data for companies with revenues of $10 billion and to acknowledge his delivery of Standertop-quartile TSR during his tenure. At the time of his role change, the Committee had not determined his target LTI opportunity as Executive Chairman.

300%

Lovins(3)  Mr. Melo’s target LTI opportunity reflects opportunity as Solutions President, since his role change effective April 1, 2023 had been determined before the March 1, 2023 grant date.

250%

Baker-Nel

120%

Walker

120%

Performance Units (PUs)

PUs cliff-vest in shares of our common stock after the end of a three-year period at threshold (50% payout), target (100% payout) and maximum (200% payout) levels based on our achievement of the performance objectives established for the award. PUs do not accrue dividend equivalents and are not counted for purposes of our stock ownership policy.

The Committee established the following performance objectives for the 2022-20242023-2025 PUs. The Committee believes that these objectives align executive compensation with the long-term interests of our stockholders because delivering cumulative EVA and strong TSR relative to peer companies reflects the value we create for our investors.

 

  

Cumulative EVA, weighted 50% for Corporate NEOs (based on company EVA) and 75% for our Solutions NEO (based on segment EVA).EVA is calculated by deducting the economic cost associated with the use of capital (weighted average cost of capital multiplied by average invested capital) from after-tax operating profit, with the cost of capital fixed over the performance period. The Committee established cumulative EVA targets for Corporate NEOs consistent with our 2021-2025 financial goals for earnings growth and ROTC and our primary objective of delivering superior TSR, with the target payout set at or a near the high end of these goals and the maximum payout exceeding the high end of these goals. The 2022-2024EVA targets for our Solutions NEO focused on the business’ EVA change compared to the prior three-year period, with the cost of capital fixed over the performance period. Whether linked to company or business results, achievement of 2023-2025 cumulative EVA targets require continuedrequires significant improvement in our financial performance.

 

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2023 Proxy Statement  |  Avery Dennison Corporation


  

Relative TSR compared to an objectively determined peer group of companies, weighted 50% for Corporate NEOs and 25% for our Solutions NEO. Consistent with its pay-for-performance philosophy, the The Committee designed the TSR objective to provide realized compensation only if our stockholder value creation compares favorably relative to the designated peer group.group, the names of which are listed under Peer Groups later in this CD&A. The Committee set the threshold payout at TSR at the 40th percentile, target payout at TSR at the 50th percentile and maximum payout at TSR at the 80th percentile, which were the same levels used for the 2021-20232022-2024 PUs. Payouts for the relative TSR component of PUs are capped at 100% of target if our absolute TSR is negative for the 2022-2024 performance period. negative. In assessing the rigor of the TSR objectives, the Committee noted that performing at the median relative to our peers over the 2022-20242023-2025 period would represent solid performance in light of anticipated headwinds from foreign currency movements,fluctuations, inflationary pressures and supply chain challenges.

Consistent with the 2021-2023 PUs and with the advice of WTW, to benchmark TSR, the Committee utilized a peer group† composed of U.S. companies (i) in similar industries based on their classification in one of five GICS groups (diversified chemicals, specialty chemicals, metal and glass containers, paper packaging, and paper products) and (ii) with revenues during the last 12 months of $1 billion to $20 billion. Applying this objective criteria, the peer group changed from the prior year as follows: (A) Ferro Corporation was added because its last 12 months’ revenues were more than $1 billion; (B) Sylvamo Corporation was added because it became a standalone public company; and (C) Domtar Corporation and W.R. Grace & Co. were deleted because they had been acquired by other companies.

 

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2024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation


2023-2025 PUs

2022-2024 PUs
NEOs
Performance Objectives  Weighting
Cumulative EVALOGO 50%
Relative TSR

Stander

Butier

Lovins

Baker-Nel

Colisto

 

Cumulative EVA

Relative TSR

50%

50%

LOGO

Melo

Solutions Cumulative EVA

Relative TSR

75%

25%

Market-leveraged Stock Units (MSUs)

MSUs are performance-based LTI awards tied to our absolute TSR. MSUs are designed to achieve the Committee’s combined objectives of retention and higher incentive compensation driven by stock price appreciation.

MSUs vest based on ourthe performance over periods as shown in the graph below, with the number of shares paid out at vesting based on our absolute TSR and the value realized reflecting both the number of shares paid out as well as our stock price at the time of vesting. Although dividend equivalents accrue on MSUs during the performance period, they are earned and paid only at vesting; if the threshold level of performance is not achieved, any dividend equivalents accrued during the performance period are cancelled with the tranche of awards subject to vesting.

The performance criteria for MSUs are shown in the chart below. The Committee determined to maintain the same MSU performance objectives for 20222023 because they are achieving the Committee’s goal of incenting strong performance and value creation.

 

LOGO

    

MSU PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

     

 Absolute TSR 

  

 Unit Payout 

   

Cancelled

  

<(15)%

  

   0%

   

Threshold

  

 (15)%

  

  85%

   

Target

  

   10%

  

 100%

   

Above Target

  

  >10%

  

>100%

   

Maximum

  

   75%

  

 200%

The peer group for the 2022-2024 PUs at the end of fiscal year 2022 is composed of the following companies: Albermarle Corporation; AptarGroup, Inc.; Ashland Global Holdings Inc.; Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.; Avient Corporation (formerly known as PolyOne Corporation); Ball Corporation; Berry Global Group, Inc.; Celanese Corporation; Clearwater Paper Corporation; Crown Holdings, Inc.; Eastman Chemical Company; Ecolab Inc.; Ecovyst Inc. (formerly PQ Group Holdings Inc.); Element Solutions Inc.; Graphic Packaging Holding Company; Greif, Inc.; H.B. Fuller Company; Huntsman Corporation; Ingevity Corporation; Innospec Inc.; International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.; Minerals Technologies Inc.; NewMarket Corporation; O-I Glass Inc.; Packaging Corporation of America; Pactive Evergreen; PPG Industries, Inc.; Quaker Chemical Corporation; Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc.; RPM International Inc.; Sealed Air Corporation; Sensient Technologies Corporation; Silgan Holdings Inc.; Sonoco Products Company; Stepan Company; Sylvamo Corporation; The Chemours Company; The Sherwin-Williams Company; Valhi, Inc.; and WestRock Company.

Avery Dennison Corporation  |  2023 Proxy Statement

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Annual LTI Awards

Our NEOs were granted the annual LTI awards shown in the table below in February 2022. Unless otherwise noted, theMarch 2023. The number of awards granted was based on the respective NEO’s base salary at year-end 2021 2022 and target 2023 target LTI opportunity. The number of PUs granted for the EVA component was based on the average closing price for shares of our common stock during the first 10 trading days of February 2022;2023; the numbers of PUs granted for the relative TSR component and MSUs granted waswere based on grant date fair value using the Monte-Carlo simulation method described in footnote (2) of the 20222023 Summary Compensation Table.

 

2022 ANNUAL LTI AWARDS
NEO  2021 YE
Base Salary
  Target LTI
Opportunity
  PUs (#)  PUs ($)  MSUs (#)  MSUs ($)  LTI Value

Butier

   

$

1,200,000

   

 

585%

 

   

 

19,866

   

$

3,259,534

   

 

24,753

   

$

3,510,007

   

$

6,769,541

Stander(1)

   

$

700,000

   

 

300%

 

   

 

5,943

   

$

975,103

   

 

7,405

   

$

1,050,061

   

$

2,025,164

Lovins

   

$

661,260

   

 

250%

 

   

 

3,936

   

$

767,711

   

 

5,829

   

$

826,584

   

$

1,594,295

Baker-Nel

   

$

416,000

   

 

120%

 

   

 

1,413

   

$

231,840

   

 

1,760

   

$

249,568

   

$

481,408

Walker

   

$

425,375

   

 

120%

 

   

 

1,445

   

$

237,090

   

 

1,800

   

$

255,240

   

$

492,330

 

 

  2023 ANNUAL LTI AWARDS

 

  

 

  

2022 YE

Base Salary

  Target LTI
Opportunity
  PUs (#)  PUs ($)  MSUs (#)  MSUs ($)  

LTI Value

Stander

   

$

700,000

   

 

300%

 

   

 

5,623

   

$

1,021,274

   

 

5,454

   

$

1,050,095

   

$

2,071,369

Butier

   

$

1,200,000

   

 

700%

 

   

 

22,493

   

$

4,085,287

   

 

21,816

   

$

4,200,125

   

$

8,285,412

Lovins

   

$

700,000

   

 

250%

 

   

 

4,686

   

$

851,096

   

 

4,545

   

$

875,058

   

$

1,726,154

Melo(1)

   

$

416,465

   

 

180%

 

   

 

2,401

   

$

426,661

   

 

2,311

   

$

445,020

   

$

871,681

Baker-Nel

   

$

457,600

   

 

120%

 

   

 

1,471

   

$

267,167

   

 

1,426

   

$

274,604

   

$

541,771

Colisto

   

$

441,324

   

 

120%

 

   

 

1,418

   

$

257,543

   

 

1,375

   

$

264,816

   

$

522,359

 (1)

InMr. Melo’s base salary was converted from euros using the average monthly exchange rate for December 2022.

Avery Dennison Corporation | 2024 Proxy Statement

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SPECIAL LTI AWARDS

Ms. Baker Nel and Messrs. Stander, Lovins and Colisto were granted special one-time LTI awards in 2023 as shown in the table below. The Committee’s rationale for the awards to Ms. Baker-Nel and Messrs. Lovins and Colisto is described in the 2023 Executive Compensation Summary.

2023 SPECIAL LTI AWARDS

     
  

 

 Stock Options (#) Exercise Price ($) RSUs (#) LTI Value

Stander(1)

 

62,955

 

$190.54

 

  

$

3,000,025

Lovins(2)

 

 

 

8,230

  

$

1,430,732

Baker-Nel(2)

 

 

 

3,292

  

$

578,870

Colisto(2)

 

 

 

1,097

  

$

192,898

(1)

Stock options awarded to Mr. Stander in connection with his promotion to President/COO in March 2022, Mr. Stander’s base salary was increased from $569,007 to $700,000CEO vest 50% on each of the third and his target LTI opportunity increased from 180% to 300%. The Committee determined to grant his annual LTI awards based on his increased base salary and target LTI opportunity given thatfourth anniversaries of the awards incent his future performance, during which he would be serving in his new role. Amounts exclude Mr. Stander’s special one-time award of 8,793 RSUs with a grant date, fair valuesubject to his continued service.

(2)

RSUs awarded to Mr. Lovins cliff-vest on the third anniversary of $1,429,469.the grant date and RSUs awarded to Ms. Baker-Nel and Mr. Colisto cliff-vest on April 1, 2025, in each case subject to their continued service.

20222023 VESTING OF PREVIOUSLY GRANTED ANNUAL LTI AWARDS

2020-2022Annual Award of 2021-2023 PUs Eligible for Vesting

The annual award of PUs granted to our NEOs in February 2020 were eligible to vest2021 for the three-year period ending in 20222023 were eligible to vest based (i) for our NEOs other than Mr.Messrs. Stander and Melo, 50% on our company’scompany cumulative EVA and 50% on our relative TSR compared to a peer group†group of companies, determined using the same criteria used for the 2021-2023 PUs;names of which are listed under Peer Groups later in this CD&A; and (ii) for Mr.Messrs. Stander who was leading RBIS at the time of grant,and Melo, 75% on RBIS’the cumulative three-year EVA of what is now our Solutions Group and 25% on our relative TSR. The key goal-setting principle in setting company cumulative EVA targets was consistency with our 2017-20212021-2025 financial targets for earnings growth and ROTC, which the Committee believes translates into delivering above-average TSR.

The company cumulative EVA target of $1,126$1,150 million for the annual award of PUs to our NEOs other than Mr.Messrs. Melo and Stander was consistent with our 2017-2021long-term financial goals for organic sales growth and operating margin expansion and recognized that increasing sales and operating margin, together with balance sheet efficiency, are key drivers of EVA improvement. Our company cumulative EVA target was ~32%~26% higher than the cumulative EVA we achieved fordelivered in the three-year period ending in 2019.2020. The company cumulative EVA of $1,250 million required for maximum payout – company cumulative EVA of $1,196 million – was consistent with the high end of our long-term growth and operating margin targets. As shown below, we delivered cumulative EVA of $1,217$1,216.3 million for the 2020-20222021-2023 performance period, resulting in a payout of 200%166% for the EVAthat component for these NEOs.our NEOsother than Messrs. Stander and Melo.

 

2020-2022 PUs: COMPANY CUMULATIVE EVA

 

2021-2023 PUs: COMPANY CUMULATIVE EVA

2021-2023 PUs: COMPANY CUMULATIVE EVA

($M)

  

2020

   

2021

   

2022

   

Cumulative EVA

   

2021

  

2022

  

2023

  

Cumulative EVA

Adjusted EBIT(1)

  

$

813.6

 

  

$

1,025.3

 

  

$

983.9

 

  

Taxes(2)

  

 

(196.1

  

 

(256.3

  

 

(243.0

  

Equity method investment net losses

  

 

(3.7

  

 

(3.9

  

 

 

  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   
  

 

613.8

 

  

 

765.1

 

  

 

740.9

 

  

Capital charge(3)

  

 

(301.1

  

 

(301.0

  

 

(300.5

  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

EVA

  

$

312.7

 

  

$

464.1

 

  

$

440.4

 

  

 

$1,217.2     

 

   

$

472.4

   

$

451.1

   

$

292.8

   

 

$1,216.3

 (1) 

Adjusted EBIT is a non-GAAP financial measure defined and reconciled from GAAP in the last sectionAppendix A of this proxy statement.

 

 (2) 

The GAAP tax rates for 2020, 2021, 2022 and 20222023 were 24.1%25.0%, 25.0%24.2% and 24.2%27.6%, respectively. Taxes are shown are based on adjusted tax rates of 24.1%25.0%, 25.0%24.7% and 24.7%25.8% for 2020,2021, 2021 and 2022,2023, respectively. The adjusted tax rate represents the full-year GAAP tax rate, adjusted to exclude certain unusual or infrequent events that are expected to significantly impact thethat rate, such as the effects of certain discrete tax planning actions, impacts related to enactments of comprehensive tax law changes, and other items.

 

 (3) 

8.5% of average invested capital of $3.54$3.61 billion in 2021, $3.62 billion in 2022 and $3.75 billion in 2023, in each of 2020, 2021 and 2022,case using an annual five-point average (December of prior year and March, June, September and December of current year) of short- and long-term debt plus equity, adjusted to exclude the impact of acquisitions completed since the target was set.

 

 

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CumulativeSolutions cumulative EVA for RBIS exceeded the maximumannual award of PUs for the 2021-2023 performance period was 96% of the target level of performance, resulting in a payout of 200%97% on that performance objective for Mr.Messrs. Stander whose PUs were tied to the RBIS business he led at the time of grant.and Melo. EVA targets orand results at the segment level are not disclosed due to their competitively sensitive nature.

Relative TSR for the 2020-20222021-2023 performance period was at the 8190stth percentile of the designated peer group,§, resulting in a 200% payout for thisthat component for all NEOs.

PUs for the 2020-20222021-2023 performance period paid out at 200%based on weighted averages of 123% for Mr.Messrs. Stander whose PUs were primarily tied to the performance of RBIS, and 200%Melo and 183% for all other NEOs, whose PUs were solely tied to company performance.NEOs.

 

 

LOGO          LOGOLOGO    LOGO

Special Award of 2021-2023 PUs

For retention purposes and to further incent him to contribute to the results for our total company – including by continuing to transform our Solutions business and driving our sustainability progress as then-leader of our enterprise-wide Sustainability Council – Mr. Stander was granted a one-time award of PUs in February 2021 with a grant date fair value of approximately $500,000 with the same performance objectives and weightings as the annual award of 2021-2023 PUs for Corporate NEOs. Consistent with the above, these PUs paid out based on a weighted average of 183%.

MSUs Eligible for Vesting at YE 20222023

Four tranches of MSUs were eligible for vesting at the end of 20222023 based on our absolute TSR for the four-, three-, two- and one-year performance periods shown below, with the number of shares paid out at vesting determined in accordance with the formula shown below.

 

 

 Stock price at settlement (avg. closing 

 price for trading days of January 2022)2024) + 

 reinvested dividends during period 

 

    

 

 Stock price at grant (avg. closing price for 

 trading days of January of year of grant) 

 

    

 

 Payout at vesting 

 

   ÷

 

    =

 

 
      

 

4TH TRANCHE OF MSUs GRANTED IN 20192020

  

3RD TRANCHE OF MSUs GRANTED IN 20202021

Performance period of 4 years

 

 

Performance period of 3 years

2019-20222020-2023 Absolute TSR of 113%62%

 

 

2020-20222021-2023 Absolute TSR of 52%32%

Paid out at 200%180% of target

 

 

Paid out at 164%134% of target

2ND TRANCHE OF MSUs GRANTED IN 20212022

 

 

1ST TRANCHE OF MSUs GRANTED IN 20222023

Performance period of 2 years

 

 

Performance period of 1 year

2021-20222022-2023 Absolute TSR of 24%(1)%

 

 

20222023 Absolute TSR of (7)%7%

Paid out at 121%94% of target

 

 

Paid out at 90%98% of target

 

§

The peer group for the 2020-2022 PUs at the time of payout is composed of the following companies: Albermarle Corporation; AptarGroup, Inc.; Ashland Global Holdings Inc.; Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.; Avient Corporation (formerly known as PolyOne Corporation); Ball Corporation; Berry Global Corp., Inc.; Celanese Corporation; Clearwater Paper Corporation; Crown Holdings Inc.; Eastman Chemical Company; Ecolab Inc.; Ecovyst Inc. (formerly PQ Group Holdings Inc.); Element Solutions Inc.; Graphic Packaging Holding Company; Greif Inc.; H.B. Fuller Company; Huntsman Corporation; Ingevity Corporation; Innospec Inc.; International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.; Minerals Technologies Inc.; NewMarket Corporation; O-I Glass, Inc.; Packaging Corporation of America; PPG Industries Inc.; Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc.; RPM International Inc.; Sealed Air Corporation; Sensient Technologies Corporation; Silgan Holdings Inc.; Sonoco Products Company; Stepan Company; The Chemours Company; The Sherwin-Williams Company; Valhi Inc.; and WestRock Company.

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PERQUISITESPerquisites

Our NEOs receive the perquisites shown in the chart below. We do not reimburse our NEOs for the tax consequences of their receipt of these perquisites.

 

LIMITED PERQUISITES

PerquisiteDescription and LimitationsBenefit to Stockholders

 

Executive Benefit Allowance

 

 

 

$70,000 for CEO, $65,000 for Level 2 NEOsMr. Lovins and
$50,000
$50,000 for Level 3 NEOs;

amounts taxable with no gross-up

 

 

 

Flat allowance reduces expense of administering
variety of separate perquisites

 

 

Financial Planning

 

 

 

Annual reimbursement of up to $25,000 for CEO and
$15,000
$15,000 for Level 2 NEOs;
taxable with no gross-up

 

 

 

Allows most senior executives to focus on job duties

 

 

Annual Physical Examination

 

 

Paid directly to the service provider only to the extent
received; as such,
provider; not taxable

 

 

Helps ensure leaders maintain good overall health

GENERAL BENEFITSGeneral Benefits

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Benefits

Our U.S. NEOs are eligible to participate in our nonqualified deferred compensation plan, which allows eligible U.S. employees to defer up to 75% of their base salary and up to 90% of their AIP award. The plan provides these NEOs and other eligible U.S. employees with a long-term capital accumulation opportunity because deferred amounts accumulate on a pre-tax basis. Participating executivesParticipants may select from a number of investment options, with deferrals 100% vested.. Our deferred compensation plan does not offer above-market interest rates.Deferrals are 100% vested.

WeOur company made an annuala contribution effective as of the first business day of 20222023 to the deferred compensation accounts of our U.S. NEOseligible participants for (i) 401(k) eligible earnings and deferred compensationpay in 20212022 in excess of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) compensation limit.limit, and (ii) their respective deferred compensation deferrals. This annual contribution, providedwhich is designed to supplement 401(k) contributions that are limited under the Code, provides an automatic contribution of 3% of deferred and eligible pay and a matching contribution of up to 50% of the first 7% of deferrable and eligible pay above the Code compensation limit. This benefit is designed to supplement 401(k) contributions that are limited under the Code.

For additional information regarding our deferred compensation plan and accrued NEO benefits thereunder, see 20222023 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation in Executive Compensation Tables.

RetirementPension Benefits

Messrs. Butier and Lovins are our only NEOs eligible, for retirement benefits under our benefit restoration plan, a nonqualified excess benefit plan, subject to the same terms and conditions as our other eligible U.S. employees.employees, for pension benefits under our benefit restoration plan, a nonqualified excess benefit plan. Because the accrual of benefits under the benefit restoration plan was frozen as of year-end 2010, noneneither of our eligible NEOs accrued additional retirementpension benefits during 2022.2023. For additional information regarding the benefit restoration plan and accrued NEO benefits thereunder, see 20222023 Pension Benefits in Executive Compensation Tables.

Defined Contribution Benefits

Our U.S. NEOs are eligible to participate in our employee savings plan, a qualified 401(k) plan that permitsallows U.S. employees to defer up to 100% of their eligible earnings less payroll deductions on a pre-tax basis and 25% of their eligible earnings on an after-tax basis, subject to the annual limit prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for the aggregate of company contributions and employee pre- and post-tax contributions. Employee deferrals are immediately vested upon contribution. In 2022,2023, we contributed up to 6.5% of an employee’s eligible compensation, 3% of which was an automatic contribution and up to 3.5% of which was a matching contribution of 50% of the employee’s contributions up to 7% of pay, subject to the federalCode compensation limit. Participants vest in our contributions to their savings plan account after two years of service and all NEOs are vested.service.

All U.S. NEOs participated in the savings plan in 2022,2023, subject to the terms and conditions as our other U.S. employees.employees, and are fully vested.

Executive Life Insurance Benefits

In addition to the $50,000 in life insurance benefits we provide to all U.S. employees, our NEOsU.S. executives are provided with supplemental life insurance benefits equal to three times the NEO’stheir base salary less $50,000, up to a maximum coverage amount of $1 million.

 

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Executive Long-Term Disability Insurance Benefits

If our NEOsthey elect to enroll in executive long-term disability coverage, theirour U.S. NEOs’ long-term disability benefit is equal to 65% of their eligible pre-disability monthly earnings up to a maximum of $25,000 per month. Coverage is available only for the NEO; theirindividual; dependents are not covered.

PersonalExecutive Excess Liability Insurance Benefits

We provide $3 million of personal excess liability insurance coverage to our NEOs.U.S. executives. Personal excess liability coverage provides an additional layer of liability coverage that supplements the coverage provided by the individual’s personal liability insurance. To receive any benefit from this excess liability insurance the NEO mustprovided that they maintain certain minimum coverage requirements under his or her personal liability policy.requirements.

Charitable Match Benefits

We match up to $10,000 of our CEO’s and our Executive Chairman’s and $5,000 of our other NEOs’ annual documented contributions to charitable organizations or educational institutions.

SEVERANCE BENEFITSSeverance Benefits

None of our NEOs has an employment contract, and each is employed at-will, which reflects our pay-for-performance philosophy; if an NEO is no longer performing at the expected level, he or she can be terminated immediately without receiving a contractually guaranteed payment. However, consistentConsistent with market practices, the Committee believes that providing our executives with severance benefits helps ensure that they act in the best interests of our company and stockholders, even if doing so may be contrary to their personal interests, such as where it could lead to termination of their employment or a change of control of our company.

The compensation of our NEOs in the event of termination not for cause is governed by our Amended and Restated Executive Severance Plan (the “Severance Plan”) and, as applicable, our Amended and Restated Key Employee Change of Control Severance Plan (the “COC Severance Plan”). We use these plans rather than individually negotiated agreements to provideallow us with the flexibility to change the severance benefits for which applicable NEOs are eligible to reflect market practices without the need to obtain their individual consent. In addition, this plan-based approach eliminates the time and expense it would requireneed to individually negotiate severance arrangements and ensures that eligible NEOs receive benefits on the same terms and conditions as employees with similar levels of responsibility. Receipt of benefits under these plans is conditioned on the executive signing a waiver and general release of claims against our company, as well as agreeing to certain restrictive covenants in favor of our company. Any violation of these covenants could result in our company seeking to recover some or all severance benefits previously paid or pursuing any other claims that may be appropriate under the circumstances.

Unvested equity awards outstanding on the date of termination are generally cancelled, except for employees who qualify as retirement eligible under the terms of our equity incentive plans,plan, whose awards are accelerated upon termination of service. None of our NEOsMr. Stander was the only NEO who qualified as retirement eligible at year-end 2022. 2023.

For additional information regarding potential NEO benefits under these plans, including the treatment of equity awards under various termination scenarios, see Payments Upon Termination as of December 31, 2022 30, 2023 in Executive Compensation Tables.

Severance Following Involuntary Termination Not for Cause

All of ourOur NEOs (excluding Mr. Butier) are eligible to receive severance benefits upon involuntary termination not for “cause,” in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Severance Plan. In the event of a qualifying termination, our CEO would be eligible to receive two times the sum of his annual salary, target AIP award for the year of termination and the cash value of 12 months of his qualified medical and dental insurance premiums; our other eligible NEOs would be eligible to receive one times their respective sum of these amounts. NEOsThey would also be eligible to receive up to $25,000 in outplacement services for up to one year following termination of employment. Any payments made under the Severance Plan would be offset by any payments received by the NEO under any statutory, legislative and regulatory requirement or, if applicable, the COC Severance Plan.

Severance Following Change of Control

Messrs. Butier, Stander, Lovins and LovinsMelo are our only NEOs eligible for enhanced severance payments upon termination not for “cause”cause or by the executive for “good reason”good reason within 24 months of a “changechange of control”control of our company, in

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accordance with the terms and conditions of the COC Severance Plan. In the event of a qualifying termination following a change of control, our CEO would be eligible to receive three times the sum of his annual salary, target AIP award for the year of termination and the cash value of 12 months of his qualified medical and dental insurance premiums; our Level 2 NEOs would be eligible to receive two times their respective sum of these amountsamounts.. These NEOs would also be eligible to receive a

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prorated AIP award for the year of termination and up to $25,000 in outplacement services for up to one year following termination of employment. Any payments under the COC Severance Plan would be offset by any payments received by the NEO under the Severance Plan and any other statutory, legislative and regulatory requirement. In the event of termination following a change of control, our Level 3 NEOs would be entitled to receive benefits under the Severance Plan described above.

Under our equity incentive plans, unvested equity awards granted to our NEOs would generally vest only if an eligible NEO is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason within 24 months after the change of control. Outstanding PUs and MSUs vest based on actual performance, if determinable, and otherwise based on target performance.

Participating NEOs are not eligible to receive any excise tax gross-up on amounts payable under the COC Severance Plan. If the NEO would otherwise incur excise taxes under Section 4999 of the Code, payments under the COC Severance Plan would be reduced so that no excise taxes would be due if the reduction results in a greater after-tax benefit to the NEO.

Under our equity incentive plans, unvested equity awards would generally vest only if our NEOs are terminated without cause or resign for good reason within 24 months after the change of control. Outstanding PUs and MSUs vest based on actual performance, if determinable, and otherwise based on target performance.

COMPENSATION-SETTING TOOLS

Market Survey Data

The Committee annually considers market survey data to target TDC, looking atconsidering companies of similar size based on annual revenues that spanacross all industries to reflect the broad talent market across which we seek our executives. The Committee reviews results from a third-party survey to understand market compensation practices and assess our competitiveness, narrowing the scope of the results to account for variations caused by company size.

In February 2022,2023, the Committee was presented with industry-wide data from the most recent WTW U.S. Compensation General Industry Database, which was narrowed in scope to focus on dataExecutive Compensation Survey. Primary market rates referenced were companies with annual revenues of $10 billion, as predicted either by regression analysis or estimated as the 67average of companies with annual revenues of (i) $6 billion to $10 billion and (ii) $10 billion to $20 billion. Recognizing our company’s growth trajectory and top quartile performance in recent years, the Committee determined it was appropriate to assess market competitiveness for our CEO and Executive Chairman at the $10 billion level rather than the $6 billion to $10 billion range it used previously; the Committee primarily used the previous range for assessing the market competitiveness for our other NEOs, while also referencing data for companies with annual revenue. revenues of $10 billion. The Committee reviewed the data with executive matches based on job and functional responsibility on an aggregated basis, with no consideration of the survey’s component companies, which were not determined or known by the Committee.

The Committee uses the survey data as a reference point to target TDC and the components thereof, giving consideration to median pay at similarly sized companies, responsibilities, individual performance, tenure, retention and succession.

Peer Groups

For determining relative TSR for our PUs, the Committee uses a peer group composed of U.S. companies satisfying objective criteria for industry classification and revenue size. The names of these peer group companies are disclosed earlier in this CD&A. The Committee does not utilize a peer group for any other purpose.

Tally Sheets

The Committee annually reviews tally sheets that reflect the components of each NEO’s compensation. The tally sheets reviewed in February 20222024 included the information shown below for each of the most recent three fiscal years.

 

Compensation history, including annual cashCash compensation (base salary and AIP awards), LTI awards, value of vested LTI awards, and annualized cost of benefits and perquisites

 

Value of annual compensation, including base salary, AIP award and grant date fair value of LTI awards

 

Accumulated value of compensation, including outstanding LTI awards and accumulated benefit values under retirementpension and deferred compensation plans

 

Potential payments under various termination scenarios

 

Compliance with our stock ownership policy

The Committee believes that reviewing tally sheets is useful in determining executive compensation because they provide a historical perspective on NEO compensation and include information that will be contained in our proxy statement.

 

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Peer Groups

Beginning in 2023, for determining relative TSR, the Committee used the following objective criteria for purposes of identifying the peer group: public companies primarily listed on a U.S. stock exchange (previous criterion was headquartered in the U.S.) (i) in similar industries based on their classification in one of five GICS groups (diversified chemicals, specialty chemicals, metal and glass containers, paper packaging, and paper products) and (ii) with market capitalization of at least $1.5 billion and revenues during the last 12 months of $3 billion to $30 billion (previous criterion was only revenues during the last 12 months of $1 billion to $20 billion).

PEER GROUP FOR DETERMINING RELATIVE TSR FOR PUs
2023-2025 PUs AT FYE 2023 (31 companies)2021-2023 PUs AT TIME OF PAYOUT (39 companies)

Albermarle Corporation

Amcor plc

AptarGroup, Inc.

Ardagh Metal Packaging S.A.

Avient Corporation

Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.

Ball Corporation

Berry Global Group, Inc.

Celanese Corporation

Crown Holdings, Inc.

Dupont de Nemours, Inc.

Eastman Chemical Company

Ecolab Inc.

Graphic Packaging International,  LLC

Greif, Inc.

H.B. Fuller Company

Huntsman Corporation

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.

International Paper Company

O-I Glass, Inc.

Packaging Corporation of America

Pactiv Evergreen Inc.

PPG Industries, Inc.

RPM International Inc.

Sealed Air Corporation

Silgan Holdings Inc.

Sonoco Products Company

Sylvamo Corporation

The Chemours Company

The Sherwin-Williams Company

Westrock Company

Albermarle Corporation

AptarGroup, Inc.

Ashland Global Holdings Inc.

Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.

Avient Corporation

Ball Corporation

Berry Global Group, Inc.

Celanese Corporation

Clearwater Paper Corporation

Crown Holdings, Inc.

Eastman Chemical Company Ecolab Inc.

Ecovyst Inc.

Element Solutions Inc.

Graphic Packaging International,  LLC

Greif, Inc.

H.B. Fuller Company

Huntsman Corporation

Ingevity Corporation

Innospec Inc.

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.

Minerals Technologies Inc.

NewMarket Corporation

O-I Glass, Inc.

Packaging Corporation of America

Pactiv Evergreen Inc.

PPG Industries, Inc.

Quaker Chemical Corporation

Rayonier Inc.

RPM International Inc.

Sealed Air Corporation

Sensient Technologies Corporation

Silgan Holdings Inc.

Sonoco Products Company

Stepan Company

The Chemours Company

The Sherwin-Williams  Company

Valhi, Inc.

WestRock Company

INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT AND EXPERTISE

Our Board believes that retaining our executives and providing them with market-competitive compensation are essential to the success of our company and advancing the interests of our stockholders. The Committee, which is composed solely of independent directors, is responsible for approving executive compensation. The Committee may delegate authority to subcommittees or, in certain circumstances not relatedunrelated to the compensation of our executive officers, to our CEO.

Under its charter, the Committee may retain and terminate any compensation consultant or other external advisor at our expense and has sole authority to approve the advisor’s fees and other terms and conditions of the retention. In engagingThe Committee annually considers the independence of its advisors, the Committee considers each advisor’s independence from management, as required by NYSE listing standards.advisors.

The Committee has retained WTW as its independent compensation consultant, with the firm performing the services described below for or at the request of the Committee in 2022.2023.

 

WTW 2022 SERVICES

•  Assisted with determining CEO and COO compensation

2023 WTW SERVICES

•  Assessed the market consistency of our stock ownership policy

•  Conducted an assessment of the potential for excessive risk-taking in our executive compensation program

•  Advised on executive compensation trendsCEO succession and talent market dynamicsother leadership transitions

•  Evaluated a proxy advisory firm’s projected pay-for-performance analysisBenchmarked CEO and Executive Chairman compensation

•  Commented on our 2022 CD&A and certain other proxy statement disclosuresProvided strategic review of executive compensation program

•  Provided incentive compensation advice (including recommending relative TSRrevised criteria for determining peer group for the 2022-2024measuring relative TSR component of PUs)

•  Conducted analyses of share utilization and stockholder value transfer related to LTI compensation

•  Commented on our 2023 CD&A and certain other proxy statement disclosures

•  Analyzed a proxy advisory firm’s projected pay-for-performance analysis

•  Advised on executive compensation trends and regulatory updates

•  Prepared for, attended and reviewed documentation for Committee meetings

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In 2022,2023, WTW received $243,358$344,972 in compensation from our company for professional services performed for or at the request of the Committee. We also reimbursed the firm for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

The Committee conducted its annual assessment of WTW’s performance in October 2022,December 2023, which included an evaluation of the services it hadfirm’s service delivery provided during the year, as well as the additional criteria described below.

 

  

Experience – The firm’s depth and breadth of executive compensation and board advisory knowledge and experience; qualifications as a board-level consultant; quality of resources available, including staff and data; and understanding of our business strategy, challenges, industry, performance drivers and talent considerations

 

  

Independence – – The firm’s objectivity in giving advice and making recommendations, and its willingness to provide candid feedback regarding management and Committee proposals, questions and concerns

 

  

Preparation – The quality and timeliness of the firm’s reports, including accuracy, type and amount of information, clear communication and responsiveness to issues);issues; its review and feedback on management proposals; and the firm’s preparation with the Committee Chair and our management, as appropriate

 

  

Committee Relationship – The accessibility and availability and communication effectiveness of members of the engagement team and the firm’s reporting relationship with the Committee Chair and working relationship with clear communication and management

Based on this evaluation, the Committee expressed its continued satisfaction with the performance of WTW and the individual members of the advisoryengagement team servingadvising the Committee. The Committee Chair discussed with the lead members of the engagement team the Committee’s feedback on their performance, including potential improvement opportunities.

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Advisor Independence

WTW and the Committee have had the following protocols in place since the engagement commenced to ensure the firm’s independence from management: the Committee has the sole authority to select, retain and terminate WTW and, acting through its Chair, authorize the firm’s fees, determine the terms and conditions that govern the engagement and direct WTW on the delivery and communication of its work product; in the performance and evaluation of its duties, WTW is accountable, and reports directly, to the Committee; and members of the Committee may consult with WTW at any time, with or without members of management present, atin their sole discretion.

As required by SEC regulations and NYSE listing standards, theThe Committee considered the independence of its advisors – including WTW and the law firms providing executive compensation counsel to the Committee and/or our company – in October 2022.December 2023. The Committee has noted the factors described below in making itsassessing the independence assessments of WTW.

 

WTW performed only onetwo discrete projectprojects for our company in 20222023 outside of the executive compensation services it performed for or at the request of the Committee

 

Fees from our company reflected approximately 0.003%0.004% of WTW’s revenue for its fiscal year ended December 31, 20222023

 

WTW has several policies and procedures to ensure its advice is objective and independent, including a comprehensive code of conduct and ethics and quality policies that mandate rigorous work reviews and periodic compliance reviews, which the firm has represented to the Committee are highly effective

 

Based on disclosures from WTW and members of the Committee, there are no business or personal relationships between them

 

No members of the WTW team serving the Committee own stock in our company, other than potentially through investments in mutual or other funds managed without the member’s input

 

Based on disclosures from the firm and our executive officers, there are no business or personal relationships between WTW or the members of the engagement team advising the Committee with any executive officer of our company

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

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Clawback PolicyCOMPENSATION CLAWBACK POLICIES

In October 2023, our Board adopted a Policy for Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation (“Section 16 Clawback”) to implement rules issued by the SEC. The Section 16 Clawback applies to our current and former executive officers, including all NEOs, and subjects their incentive-based compensation received on or after October 2, 2023 to clawback in the event our company is required to prepare an accounting restatement to correct material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under U.S. securities laws, including restatements that correct an error in previously issued financial statements that (i) is material to the previously issued financial statements or (ii) would result in a material misstatement if the error were corrected or left uncorrected in the current period. In these circumstances, the Section 16 Clawback requires our company to recover, reasonably promptly, the portion of incentive-based compensation that is deemed to have been erroneously awarded, unless the Committee (which administers the policy) has determined that recovery would be impracticable and that one or more of the allowable impracticability conditions under SEC rules has been met. Recovery is required whether or not the applicable officer engaged in misconduct or otherwise caused or contributed to the requirement for the restatement. Each of our executive officers, including all NEOs, has agreed to the terms of the Section 16 Clawback and acknowledged that their compensation may be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture and/or recoupment as required thereby.

At the time it recommended to our Board the adoption of the Section 16 Clawback, the Committee recommended that our existing clawback policy remain in effect. This clawback policy applicable to all AIP and LTI recipients requires that, in the event of fraud or other intentional misconduct on the part of an NEOawardee that necessitates a restatement of our financial results (including, without limitation, any accounting restatement due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement), under our current clawback policy, the NEO would be required toCommittee may require that the awardee reimburse our company for any AIP or LTI awards paid or granted in excess of the amount that would have been paid or granted based on the restated financial results. These remedies would be in addition to, not instead of, any other actions taken by our company (through the imposition of any discipline up to and including termination), law enforcement agencies, regulators or other authorities. This more widely applicable clawback policy has been expressly incorporated into our annual and long-term incentive plans and is contractually acknowledgedagreed to by ourLTI recipients, including all NEOs, in their annual LTI award agreements.

Our clawback policy is designed to subject incentive compensation to forfeiture if our financial results are not achieved consistent with our high ethical standards. This policy is expressly incorporated into our AIP and LTI plans. The Committee plans to revise the policy as may be necessary to comply with recently issued rules by the SEC upon their effectiveness.

Tax Implications of Executive Compensation

The Committee aims to compensate our NEOs in a manner that is tax effective for our company. However, the Committee may, in its discretion, adopt or implement compensation programs and/or practices that are not fully tax deductible if it believes that doing so is in the best interests of our company and stockholders.

Section 162(m) of the Code

Following the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2018, compensation in excess of $1 million paid to executive officers covered by Section 162(m) of the Code (“Section 162(m)”) generally is not deductible, unless it qualifies for limited transition relief under the TCJA. To qualify for transition relief, compensation must, among other things, have been payable pursuant to a written binding contract that was in effect on November 2, 2017 and not subsequently modified in any material respect.

 

76

2023 Proxy Statement  |  Avery Dennison Corporation


While in the past we have structured certain of our incentive compensation in a manner intended to be tax-deductible for purposes of Section 162(m), due to the TCJA and the uncertainties in the application of Section 162(m), as amended by the TCJA, and the regulations thereunder, there is no guarantee that any deductions claimed under Section 162(m) will not be challenged or disallowed by the IRS and our ability to deduct compensation under Section 162(m) may be restricted. Furthermore, although the Committee believes that the deductibility of executive compensation is a relevant consideration and may continue to consider the effects of Section 162(m) on our future pay practices, it reserves the right to approve incentive compensation that is not fully tax deductible, and/or modify executive compensation without regard to tax deductibility, if it believes that doing so is in the best interests of our company and stockholders.

Section 409A of the Code

Nonqualified deferred compensation must be deferred and paid under plans or arrangements that satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code with respect to the timing of deferral elections and payments and certain other matters. Failure to satisfy these requirements could expose individuals to accelerated income tax liabilities, penalty taxes and interest on their compensation deferred under these plans. As a general matter, we design and administer our compensation and benefit plans and arrangements in a manner intended to cause them to be either exempt from, or satisfy the requirements of, Section 409A of the Code.

Avery Dennison Corporation |20232024 Proxy Statement

 

 

77

 


TALENT AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

 

The Talent and Compensation Committee (referred to in this report as the “Committee”) of our Board of Directors has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A) required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and, based on its review and those discussions, has recommended to our Board of Directors that the CD&A be included in our 20232024 proxy statement and incorporated by reference into our 20222023 Annual Report on Form 10-K.Report.

The Committee welcomes feedback regarding our executive compensation program. Stockholders may communicate with the Committee by writing to the Compensation Committee Chair, c/o Corporate Secretary, 8080 Norton Parkway, Mentor, Ohio 44060.

 

Julia A. Stewart,
Chair
 Bradley A. Alford Ken C. Hicks
LOGOAndres A. Lopez LOGOFrancesca Reverberi
LOGO LOGOLOGOLOGOLOGOLOGO

 

78

 

 

20232024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation

 


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES

 

20222023 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

The table below shows the compensation of our NEOs in accordance with SEC regulations; it does not reflect the compensation actually realized by our NEOs for these years.

Name and
Principal Position
 Year Salary(1) Stock
Awards(2)
 Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation(3)
 Change In
Pension Value
and NQDC
Earnings(4)
 All Other
Compensation(5)
 Total Year Salary(1) Stock
Awards(2)
 Option
Awards(3)
 Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation(4)
 Change In
Pension Value
and NQDC
Earnings
 All Other
Compensation(5)
 Total 

Mitchell R. Butier

       

Deon M. Stander

Deon M. Stander

Deon M. Stander

Deon M. Stander

Chairman &

 

 

2022

 

$

1,176,923

 

$

6,769,541

 

$

974,400

 

 

 

$

186,875

 

$

9,107,739

President &

President &

President &

President &

 

 

2023

 

 

$

 844,231

 

 

$

2,071,369

 

 

$

3,000,025

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

 

$

155,337

 

 

$

6,070,962

 

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

2021

 

$

1,183,250

 

$

7,047,669

 

$

3,360,000

 

$

662,480

 

$

180,322

 

$

12,433,721

 

 

2022

 

 

$

 664,706

 

 

$

3,454,633

 

 

 

 

 

$

 304,500

 

 

 

 

 

$

125,982

 

 

$

4,549,821

 

 

 

2020

 

$

1,133,000

 

$

5,598,133

 

$

1,331,275

 

$

464,100

 

$

182,840

 

$

8,709,348

Deon M. Stander

       

President &

 

 

2022

 

$

664,706

 

$

3,454,633

 

$

304,500

 

 

 

$

125,982

 

$

4,549,821

 

 

2021

 

 

$

 565,537

 

 

$

1,508,802

 

 

 

 

 

$

 635,012

 

 

$

142,139

 

 

$

124,331

 

 

$

2,975,821

 

Chief Operating Officer

 

 

2021

 

$

565,537

 

$

1,508,802

 

$

635,012

 

$

142,139

 

$

124,331

 

$

2,975,821

Mitchell R. Butier

Mitchell R. Butier

Mitchell R. Butier

Mitchell R. Butier

Executive Chairman;

Executive Chairman;

Executive Chairman;

Executive Chairman;

 

 

2023

 

 

$

1,180,769

 

 

$

8,285,412

 

 

 

 

 

$

0

 

$

5,812

 

 

$

228,115

 

 

$

9,700,108

 

Former Chief Executive Officer

Former Chief Executive Officer

Former Chief Executive Officer

Former Chief Executive Officer

 

 

2022

 

 

$

1,176,923

 

 

$

6,769,541

 

 

 

 

 

$

974,400

 

 

 

 

 

$

186,875

 

 

$

9,107,739

 

 

 

2020

 

$

555,129

 

$

791,699

 

$

379,708

 

$

120,727

 

$

122,642

 

$

1,969,906

 

 

2021

 

 

$

1,183,250

 

 

$

7,047,669

 

 

 

 

 

$

3,360,000

 

 

$

662,480

 

 

$

180,322

 

 

$

12,433,721

 

Gregory S. Lovins

       

Gregory S. Lovins

Gregory S. Lovins

Gregory S. Lovins

Senior Vice President &

 

 

2022

 

$

690,315

 

$

1,594,295

 

$

304,500

 

 

 

$

136,184

 

$

2,725,295

Senior Vice President &

Senior Vice President &

Senior Vice President &

 

 

2023

 

 

$

 736,539

 

 

$

3,156,886

 

 

 

 

 

$

0

 

$

821

 

 

$

156,649

 

 

$

4,050,895

 

Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

2021

 

$

650,445

 

$

1,550,961

 

$

991,890

 

$

133,115

 

$

126,497

 

$

3,452,908

 

 

2022

 

 

$

 690,315

 

 

$

1,594,295

 

 

 

 

 

$

 304,500

 

 

 

 

 

$

136,184

 

 

$

2,725,295

 

 

 

2020

 

$

618,000

 

$

1,232,041

 

$

653,535

 

$

76,327

 

$

125,223

 

$

2,705,126

 

 

2021

 

 

$

 650,445

 

 

$

1,550,961

 

 

 

 

 

$

 991,890

 

 

$

133,115

 

 

$

126,497

 

 

$

3,452,908

 

Francisco Melo(6) (7)

Francisco Melo(6) (7)

Francisco Melo(6) (7)

Francisco Melo(6) (7)

President,

President,

President,

President,

 

 

2023

 

 

$

 492,075

 

 

$

871,680

 

 

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

 

$

21,169

 

 

$

1,384,924

 

Solutions Group

Solutions Group

Solutions Group

Solutions Group

 

Deena Baker-Nel

Deena Baker-Nel

Deena Baker-Nel

Deena Baker-Nel

       

Senior Vice President &

 

 

2022

 

$

447,200

 

$

481,408

 

$

132,704

 

$

13

 

$

104,697

 

$

1,166,022

Senior Vice President &

Senior Vice President &

Senior Vice President &

 

 

2023

 

 

$

 481,277

 

 

$

1,120,641

 

 

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

 

$

114,973

 

 

$

1,716,891

 

Chief Human Resources Officer

 

 

2021

 

$

412,000

 

$

481,950

 

$

416,000

 

$

87,340

 

$

104,164

 

$

1,501,454

Chief Human Resources Officer

Chief Human Resources Officer

Chief Human Resources Officer

 

 

2022

 

 

$

 447,200

 

 

$

481,408

 

 

 

 

 

$

 132,704

 

 

 

 

 

$

104,697

 

 

$

1,166,009

 

Ignacio J. Walker

       
 

 

2021

 

 

$

 412,000

 

 

$

481,950

 

 

 

 

 

$

 416,000

 

 

$

 87,340

 

 

$

104,164

 

 

$

1,501,454

 

Nicholas R. Colisto(7)

Nicholas R. Colisto(7)

Nicholas R. Colisto(7)

Nicholas R. Colisto(7)

Senior Vice President &

 

 

2022

 

$

457,278

 

$

492,330

 

$

135,695

 

 

 

$

94,665

 

$

1,179,969

Senior Vice President &

Senior Vice President &

Senior Vice President &

 

 

2023

 

 

$

 452,612

 

 

$

715,257

 

 

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

 

$

110,828

 

 

$

1,278,697

 

Chief Legal Officer

 

 

2021

 

$

422,781

 

$

499,927

 

$

425,375

 

$

320

 

$

91,282

 

$

1,439,685

Chief Information Officer

Chief Information Officer

Chief Information Officer

Chief Information Officer

 

 

 (1) 

Amounts include any portions of salary contributed to our employee savings plan or deferred under our deferred compensation plan. Changes in base salary,Salary adjustments, if any, generally become effective in April.April unless a change in role leads to an adjustment at a different time of year.

 

 (2) 

Amounts in 20222023 include the grant date fair value of PUs, which are eligible for vesting at the end of a three-year period provided that the designated performance objectives are achieved as of the end of the period. The number of shares vesting can range from 0% to 200% of the target units aton the time of grant.grant date. The performance objectives that determine the number of shares that may be earned for the PUs granted in 20222023 to Corporate NEOs (Ms. Baker-Nel and Messrs. Stander, Butier, Lovins and Colisto) are (i) company cumulative EVA (weighted 50%), which is a performance condition under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, CompensationCompensation-Stock-Stock Compensation (ASC 718), and (ii) relative TSR (weighted 50%), compared to a designated peer group, of companies determined based on GICS code and revenue size, which is a market condition under ASC 718, in each case computed over the 2022-20242023-2025 performance period. For our Solutions NEO (Mr. Melo), the performance objectives are Solutions cumulative EVA (weighted 75%) and relative TSR (weighted 25%), in each case computed over the 2023-2025 performance period. The fair valuevalues of the performance condition component waswere determined based on the fair market value of our common stock on the grant date, adjusted for foregone dividends during the performance period. The maximum grant date fair values of the performance condition component of PUs were $3,009,161, $900,310, $708,803$992,646, $3,970,585, $827,147, $631,052 and $218,819$250,335 for Messrs. Stander, Butier, Stander, Lovins, Melo and Walker,Colisto, respectively, and $213,941$259,722 for Ms. Baker-Nel. The fair valuevalues of the market condition component waswere determined using the Monte-Carlo simulation method, which utilizes multiple input variables to estimate the probability of meetingachieving the performance objectives established for the award, including the expected volatility of our stock price relative to the group ofdesignated peer companies listed on page 69 of this proxy statementgroup at the end of the three-year performance period and a risk-free interest rate of 1.73%4.35% derived from linear interpolation of the term structure of Treasury Constant Maturities yield rates for the period. Based on the Monte-Carlo simulation method, the grant date fair valuevalues of the market condition component of PUs was 96.22%were 105.23% of our average stock price on the grant date. The targetTarget grant date fair values of the market condition component of PUs were $1,754,953, $524,948, $413,310$524,951, $2,099,994, $437,523, $111,135 and $127,681$132,376 for Messrs. Stander, Butier, Stander, Lovins, Melo and Walker,Colisto, respectively, and $124,869$137,307 for Ms. Baker-Nel. Their maximum Maximum grant date fair values were the same as their target grant date fair values.

 

 

Amounts in 20222023 also include the grant date fair value of MSUs, which are eligible for vesting over one-1-, two-2-, three-3- and four-year4-year performance periods provided that the designated performance objective is achieved as of the end of each period. The number of shares vesting can range from 0% to 200% of one-quarter of the target units on the grant date. The sole performance objective that determines the number of units that may be paid outearned for MSUs is absolute TSR, which is a market condition under ASC 718. The grant date fair value was 82.49%106.82% of our average stock price on the grant date and determined using the Monte-Carlo simulation method, which utilizes multiple input variables to estimate the probability of meetingachieving the performance objective established for the award, including the expected volatility of our stock price and risk-free interest rates of 1.10%4.95%, 1.52%4.58%, 1.72%4.35% and 1.78%4.20% for the first, second, third and fourth MSU tranches, respectively, derived from linear interpolation of the term structure of Treasury Constant Maturities yield rates for the respective performance periods. The targetTarget grant date fair values of MSUs were $3,510,007, $1,429,469, $826,584$1,050,094, $4,200,125, $875,058, $445,020 and $255,240$264,816 for Messrs. Stander, Butier, Stander, Lovins, Melo and Walker,Colisto, respectively, and $249,568$274,604 for Ms. Baker-Nel. Their maximum Maximum grant date fair values were the same as their target grant date fair values.

 

 

AmountAmounts in 20222023 for Mr. StanderMs. Baker-Nel and Messrs. Lovins and Colisto also includesinclude the grant date fair valuevalues of RSUs, without adjustment for forfeitures,forfeitures. RSUs awarded in connection with his promotion to President/COO, whichMr. Lovins cliff-vest on the third anniversary of the grant date and RSUs awarded to Ms. Baker-Nel and Mr. Colisto cliff-vest on April 1, 2025, in each case subject to histheir continued service. The fair valuevalues of these RSUs waswere determined based on the closing price of our common stock on the grant date, adjusted for foregone dividends. The grant date fair valuevalues of these RSUs was $1,429,469.were $578,870, $1,430,732 and $192,898, respectively.

 

 (3)

Amount in 2023 for Mr. Stander reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of stock options, without adjustment for forfeitures, which vest 50% on each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date, in each case subject to his continued service. The grant date fair value of stock options was estimated using the Black-Scholes pricing model. For information regarding the assumptions we use to determine grant date fair value, see Note 12, “Long-Term Incentive Compensation,” to the consolidated financial statements contained in our 2023 Annual Report.

(4) 

Amounts reflect AIP awards for the applicable year, which are determined in February and paid in March of the following year.

 

 (4)

The change in the actuarial present value of accumulated benefits under the Benefit Restoration Plan for 2022 was $(138,171) for Mr. Butier and $(19,304) for Mr. Lovins. No other NEOs have accumulated benefits under the Benefit Restoration Plan.

(5) 

The table shown below shows the components of these amounts for 2022.2023.

 

Avery Dennison Corporation |20232024 Proxy Statement

 

 

79

 


 Perquisites     Benefits     Perquisites     Benefits    
Name Executive
Benefit
Allowance
 Executive
Physical
    Company
Contribution/
Match,
Savings
Plan
 Company
Contributions,
Deferred
Comp. Plan
 Company
Match,
Charitable
Contribution
 Excess
Life
Insurance
 Executive
Long-Term
Disability
Insurance
 Executive
Group
Term Life
Insurance
 Excess
Executive
Liability
Insurance
 Total  Executive
Benefit
Allowance
 Executive
Physical
 Financial
Planning
 Company
Automobile
       Company
Contribution/
Match,
Savings
Plan
 Company
Contributions,
Deferred
Comp. Plan
 Company
Match,
Charitable
Contribution
 Executive
Long-Term
Disability
Insurance
 Executive
Life
Insurance
 
Executive
Liability
Insurance
 Total 

Stander

Stander

Stander

Stander

 

$

66,538

 

 

$2,800

 

$

4,410

 

 

 

 

   

$

21,450

 

 

$

49,786

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,631

 

 

$

4,902

 

 

$

2,820

 

 

$

155,337

 

Butier

Butier

Butier

Butier

 

$

68,654

 

 

$3,936

  

$

19,825

 

 

$

76,171

 

 

$

10,000

 

 

$

2,572

 

 

$

1,944

 

 

$

2,619

 

 

$

1,154

 

 

$

186,875

 

 

$

48,462

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

$

21,450

 

 

$

140,130

 

 

$

10,000

 

 

$

2,631

 

 

$

2,622

 

 

$

2,820

 

 

$

228,115

 

Stander

 

$

63,750

 

 

  

$

20,213

 

 

$

33,730

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,572

 

 

$

1,944

 

 

$

2,619

 

 

$

1,154

 

 

$

125,982

 

Lovins

Lovins

Lovins

Lovins

 

$

63,750

 

 

  

$

19,825

 

 

$

39,868

 

 

$

5,000

 

 

$

2,024

 

 

$

1,944

 

 

$

2,619

 

 

$

1,154

 

 

$

136,184

 

 

$

65,000

 

 

$4,623

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

$

21,450

 

 

$

54,503

 

 

$

3,000

 

 

$

2,631

 

 

$

2,622

 

 

$

2,820

 

 

$

156,649

 

Melo

Melo

Melo

Melo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

16,169

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

5,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

21,169

 

Baker-Nel

Baker-Nel

Baker-Nel

Baker-Nel

 

$

49,039

 

 

  

$

19,825

 

 

$

22,566

 

 

$

5,000

 

 

$

2,572

 

 

$

1,944

 

 

$

2,597

 

 

$

1,154

 

 

$

104,697

 

 

$

50,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

$

21,450

 

 

$

30,473

 

 

$

5,000

 

 

$

2,608

 

 

$

2,622

 

 

$

2,820

 

 

$

114,973

 

Walker

 

$

49,039

 

 

   

$

19,825

 

 

$

21,026

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,677

 

 

$

1,944

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,154

 

 

$

94,665

 

Colisto

Colisto

Colisto

Colisto

 

$

50,000

 

 

$3,242

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

19,913

 

 

$

29,951

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$4,902

 

 

$

2,820

 

 

$

110,828

 

(6)

Messrs. Melo and Colisto were first-time NEOs in 2023. As permitted by SEC rules, the table shows their compensation only for 2023.

(7)

Amounts for Mr. Melo were converted from euros using the average monthly exchange rate for 2023.

80

2024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation


20222023 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

The table below provides information regarding plan-based incentive awards granted to our NEOs during 2022.

     

 

Estimated Future Payouts
Under Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards ($)(1)

    

 

Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity
Incentive Plan Awards (#)(2)

 

All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of

Stock
Units (#)

 

Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock

and Option
Awards ($)(3)

      

 

Estimated Future Payouts
Under Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards ($)(1)

    

 

Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity
Incentive Plan Awards (#)(2)

  

All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of

Stock
Units (#)

 Exercise or
Base Price
of Option
Award ($)
 

Grant Date
Fair Value

of Stock

and Option
Awards ($)(3)

 
Name Award
Type
 Grant
Date
 Threshold Target Maximum    Threshold Target Maximum Award
Type
 Grant
Date
 Threshold Target Maximum    Threshold Target Maximum 

Mitchell R. Butier

           

Deon M. Stander

 MSUs 03/01/22        21,040 24,753 49,506   $3,510,007 MSUs  03/01/23             4,636  5,454  10,908        $1,050,094 
 PUs 03/01/22        9,933 19,866 39,732   $3,259,534 PUs  03/01/23             2,812  5,623  11,246        $1,021,274 
  AIP Award   $336,000 $1,680,000 $3,360,000             Options   09/01/23                      62,955   $190.54   $3,000,025 

Deon M. Stander

           
 RSUs 03/01/22        8,793 $1,429,469 AIP Award     $209,000  $1,045,000  $2,090,000                     

Mitchell R. Butier

 MSUs 03/01/22        6,294 7,405 14,810   $1,050,061 MSUs  03/01/23             18,544  21,816  43,632        $4,200,125 
  PUs  03/01/22         2,972  5,943  11,886   $975,103 PUs   03/01/23             11,247   22,493   44,986        $4,085,287 
  AIP Award   $105,000 $525,000 $1,050,000              AIP Award     $293,333  $1,466,667  $2,933,934                     

Gregory S. Lovins

                                 
 MSUs 03/01/22        4,955 5,829 11,658   $826,584 MSUs  03/01/23             3,863  4,545  9,090        $875,058 
  PUs  03/01/22         1,968  3,936  7,872   $767,711 PUs   03/01/23             2,343   4,686   9,372        $851,096 
  AIP Award   $105,000 $525,000 $1,050,000             RSUs   03/01/23                      8,230      $1,430,732 
 AIP Award     $112,500  $ 562,500  $1,125,000                     

Francisco Melo

 MSUs  03/01/23            1,964  2,311  4,622        $445,020 
 PUs   03/01/23             1,201   2,401   4,802        $426,661 
 AIP Award     $67,445  $297,976  $ 595,952                     

Deena Baker-Nel

                                 
 MSUs 03/01/22        1,496 1,760 3,520   $249,568 MSUs  03/01/23             1,212  1,426  2,852        $274,604 
 PUs 03/01/22        707 1,413 2,826   $231,840 PUs  03/01/23             736  1,471  2,942        $267,168 
  AIP Award   $45,760 $228,800 $457,600             RSUs  03/01/23                     3,292     $578,870 

Ignacio J. Walker

           
 AIP Award     $49,000  $ 245,000  $ 490,000                     

Nicholas R. Colisto

 MSUs 03/01/22        1,530 1,800 3,600   $255,240 MSUs  03/01/23             1,169  1,375  2,750        $264,816 
 PUs 03/01/22        723 1,445 2,890   $237,090 PUs  03/01/23             709  1,418  2,836        $257,543 
  AIP Award   $46,791 $233,957 $467,913             RSUs  03/01/23                     1,097     $192,898 
  AIP Award     $45,677  $228,385  $456,770                     

 

 (1) 

Amounts represent threshold, target and maximum opportunities under the 20222023 AIP. Target AIP awards are establishedwere determined by multiplying each NEO’s year-endbase salary at the end of 2022 by the following target opportunities: 140%95% for Mr. Stander; ~147% for Mr. Butier; 75% for Messrs. Stander andMr. Lovins; ~58% for Mr. Melo; and 50% for Ms. Baker-Nel and Mr. Walker.Colisto. Target AIP opportunities for Messrs. Stander, Butier and Melo reflect previous opportunities of 75%, 160% and 50%, respectively, and year-end opportunities of 135%, 120% and 60%, respectively, in each case prorated for the months of their service in their respective roles during the year. The actual number of shares eligibleAIP payout for vestingCorporate NEOs (Ms. Baker-Nel and Messrs. Stander, Butier, Lovins and Colisto) ranges from zero for below-threshold performance; 20% for threshold performance based on a threshold of 0% for the adjusted EPS performance objective and a threshold of 50% for the adjusted sales growth and adjusted free cash flow performance objectives; 100% for target performance with respect to each of the performance objectives; and 200% for maximum performance with respect to each of the performance objectives. The AIP payout for our Solutions NEO (Mr. Melo) ranges from zero for below-threshold performance; 22.5% for threshold performance based on thresholds of 0% for the adjusted EPS and adjusted net income performance objectives and 50% for the adjusted sales growth and adjusted free cash flow performance objectives; 100% for target performance with respect to each of the performance objectives; and 200% for maximum performance with respect to each of the performance objectives.

 

 (2) 

Amounts for MSUs represent threshold, target and maximum opportunities, which are paid out in shares of our common stock over one-1-, two-2-, three-3- and four-year4-year performance periods provided that the absolute TSR performance objective is achieved as of the end of each period. The actual number of shares eligible for vesting at each vesting date ranges from 0% to 200% of one quarterone-quarter of the target number of units on the grant date, with a threshold payout of 85%. MSUs accrue dividend equivalents during the performance period, which are earned and paid only at vesting.

 

 

Amounts for PUs represent threshold, target and maximum opportunities for the 2022-20242023-2025 PUs, which are eligible for vestingpaid out in shares of our common stock at the end of the three-year performance period provided that the respective cumulative EVA and relative TSR performance objectives are achieved at the end of the period. Cumulative EVA is weighted 50% for Corporate NEOs (based on company EVA) and 75% for our Solutions NEO (based on segment EVA) and relative TSR is weighted 50% for our Corporate NEOs and 25% for our Solutions NEO. The actual number of shares eligible for vesting ranges from 0% to 200% of the target number of units on the grant date, with a payout of 50% if threshold performance is achieved with respect to each of the performance objectives.

 

 

RSUs awarded to Mr. Lovins cliff-vest on the third anniversary of the grant date and RSUs awarded to Ms. Baker-Nel and Mr. Colisto cliff-vest on April 1, 2025, in each case subject to their continued service.

(3) 

The grant date fair valuevalues of MSUs waswere determined using the Monte-Carlo simulation method, which utilizes multiple input variables, including expected volatility of our stock price and other assumptions appropriate for determining fair value, to estimate the probability of satisfying the performance objective established for the award.

 

 

The grant date fair valuevalues for the performance condition component of PUs waswere determined based on the fair market value of our common stock on the grant date, adjusted for foregone dividends during the performance period. The grant date fair valuevalues for the market condition component of PUs waswere determined using the Monte-Carlo simulation method described above.

 

 

The grant date fair valuevalues of stock options were estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.

The grant date fair values of RSUs waswere determined based on the fair market value of our common stock on the grant date, adjusted for foregone dividends.

 

 

For more information on the inputs to the Monte-Carlo simulation method,determinations of grant date fair values, see footnote (2) of the 20222023 Summary Compensation Table. For additional information regarding the assumptions we use for our stock-based compensation, see Note 12, “Long-Term Incentive Compensation,” to the consolidated financial statements contained in our 20222023 Annual Report.

 

80Avery Dennison Corporation | 2024 Proxy Statement

 

 

2023 Proxy Statement  |  Avery Dennison Corporation81

 


20222023 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END

The table below shows NEO equity awards outstanding as of December 31, 2022, the end of our 2022 fiscal year.

   Option Awards   Stock Awards    

Option Awards

    Stock Awards 
Name 

Grant

Date

 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options –
Exercisable (#)
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options –
Unexercisable (#)
 Option
Exercise
Price ($)
 Option
Expiration
Date
    Number
of Shares
or Units
of Stock
That
Have Not
Vested
(#)
 Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested ($)(1)
 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)
 

Grant

Date

 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options –
Exercisable (#)
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options –
Unexercisable (#)
 Option
Exercise
Price ($)
 Option
Expiration
Date
  Number
of Shares
or Units
of Stock
That
Have Not
Vested
(#)
 Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested ($)(1)
 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)
 

Mitchell R. Butier

          
 

 

06/01/16

 

 

141,108

 

 

 

$

73.96

 

 

06/01/26

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

02/28/19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 10,258(2)  

$

1,856,698

 

 

02/27/20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 38,182(3)  

$

6,910,942

 

 

02/27/20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 26,548(2)  

$

4,805,188

 

 

03/01/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 35,772(3)  

$

6,474,732

 

 

03/01/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 21,530(2)  

$

3,896,930

 

 

03/01/22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 39,732(3)  

$

7,191,492

 

 

03/01/22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 24,561(2)  

$

4,445,541

  

 

 

     

 

 

 
  

 

 141,108        

 

     

 

196,583

 

$

35,581,523

Deon M. Stander

Deon M. Stander

Deon M. Stander

Deon M. Stander

           

 

02/27/20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

1,897

(2) 

 

$

383,497

 

 

 

02/28/19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 1,851(2)  

$

335,031

 

03/01/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 3,218(3)  

$

650,551

 

 

 

02/27/20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 7,174(3)  

$

1,298,494

 

03/01/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 4,591(3)  

$

928,117

 

 

 

02/27/20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 3,802(2)  

$

688,162

 

03/01/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 1,985(2)  

$

401,287

 

 

 

03/01/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 5,500(3)  

$

995,500

 

03/01/22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 9,117(3)  

$

1,843,093

 

 

 

03/01/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 5,094(3)  

$

922,014

 

03/01/22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 5,637(2)  

$

1,139,576

 

 

 

03/01/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 3,064(2)  

$

554,584

 

03/01/22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

5,862(4)

 

$1,185,062

    

$

1,185,062

 

 

 

03/01/22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 7,347(2)  

$

1,329,807

 

03/01/23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 8,391(3)  

$

1,696,324

 

 

 

03/01/22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 11,886(2)  

$

2,151,366

 

03/01/23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 5,523(2)  

$

1,116,530

 

 

 

03/01/22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

8,793

 

$

1,591,533

(4)

 
   

$

1,591,533

 

09/01/23

 

 

 

 

 

 

62,955

 

 

$

190.54

 

 

09/01/33

  

 

    

 

 

  

 

 

     

 

 

  

 

 

     

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,793

 

$

1.591.533

 

 

45,718

 

$

9,866,491

    62,955   5,862 $1,185,062 

 

40,359

 

 

$

9,344,037

 

Mitchell R. Butier

Mitchell R. Butier

Mitchell R. Butier

Mitchell R. Butier

 

 

06/01/16

 

 

 

141,108

 

 

 

 

 

$

73.96

 

 

06/01/26

  

 

    

 

 

 

02/27/20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 13,214(2)  

$

2,671,342

 

 

03/01/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 32,243(3)  

$

6,518,245

 

 

03/01/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 13,949(2)  

$

2,819,930

 

 

03/01/22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 30,477(3)  

$

6,161,230

 

 

03/01/22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 18,823(2)  

$

3,805,258

 

 

03/01/23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 33,566(3)  

$

6,785,702

 

 

03/01/23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 22,093(2)  

$

4,466,321

 

 

 

 

    

 

 
 141,108       

 

164,365

 

 

$

33,228,028

 

Gregory S. Lovins

Gregory S. Lovins

Gregory S. Lovins

Gregory S. Lovins

           

 

02/27/20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 2,933(2)  

$

592,934

 

 

 

02/28/19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 2,859(2)  

$

517,479

 

03/01/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 7,095(3)  

$

1,434,325

 

 

 

02/27/20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 10,960(3)  

$

1,983,760

 

03/01/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 3,071(2)  

$

620,834

 

 

 

02/27/20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 5,878(2)  

$

1,063,918

 

03/01/22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 7,178(3)  

$

1,451,105

 

 

 

03/01/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 7,872(3)  

$

1,424,832

 

03/01/22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 4,433(2)  

$

896,175

 

 

 

03/01/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 4,739(2)  

$

857,759

 

03/01/23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 6,993(3)  

$

1,413,705

 

 

 

03/01/22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 9,358(3)  

$

1,693,798

 

03/01/23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 4,603(2)  

$

930,543

 

 

 

03/01/22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 5,784(2)  

$

1,046,904

 

03/01/23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

8,230(4)

 

$1,663,777

    

$

1,663,777

 

  

 

 

     

 

 

  

 

 

     

 

 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

47,450

 

$

8,588,450

Deena Baker-Nel

          
 

 

02/28/19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 686(2)  

$

124,166

 

 

02/27/20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 2,864(3)  

$

518,384

 

 

02/27/20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 1,535(2)  

$

277,835

        8,230 $1,663,777 

 

36,306

 

 

$

9,003,398

 

 

 

03/01/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 2,446(3)  

$

442,726

 

 

03/01/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 1,473(2)  

$

266,613

 

 

03/01/22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 2,826(3)  

$

511,506

 

 

03/01/22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 1,739(2)  

$

314,759

  

 

 

     

 

 

 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,569

 

$

2,455,989

Ignacio J. Walker

          

Francisco Melo

Francisco Melo

Francisco Melo

Francisco Melo

 

 

02/27/20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 582(2)  

$

117,657

 

 

 

02/28/19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 706(2)  

$

127,786

 

03/01/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 1,477(3)  

$

298,590

 

 

 

02/27/20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 2,698(3)  

$

488,338

 

03/01/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 913(2)  

$

184,572

 

 

 

02/27/20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 1,448(2)  

$

262,088

 

03/01/22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 28,016(3)  

$

5,663,715

 

 

 

09/01/20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

867

 

$

156,927

(4)

 
   

$

156,927

 

03/01/22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 1,267(2)  

$

256,137

 

 

 

03/01/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 2,538(3)  

$

459,378

 

03/01/23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 2,987(3)  

$

603,852

 

 

 

03/01/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  1,527(2)  

$

276,387

 

03/01/23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 2,340(2)  

$

473,054

 

 

 

03/01/22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 2,890(3)  

$

523,090

 

 

 

     

 

 
 

 

03/01/22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 1,786(2)  

$

323,266

  

 

 

     

 

 

 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

867

 

$

156,927

 

 

13,593

 

$

2,617,260

         

 

37,582

 

 

$

7,597,577

 

Deena Baker-Nel

Deena Baker-Nel

Deena Baker-Nel

Deena Baker-Nel

 

 

02/27/20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 766(2)  

$

154,855

 

 

03/01/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 2,205(3)  

$

445,763

 

 

03/01/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 956(2)  

$

193,265

 

 

03/01/22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 2,168(3)  

$

438,283

 

 

03/01/22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 1,334(2)  

$

269,681

 

 

03/01/23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 2,195(3)  

$

443,741

 

 

03/01/23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 1,444(2)  

$

291,919

 

 

03/01/23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

3,292(4)

 

$ 665,511

    

$

665,511

 

 

 

 

    

 

 
        3,292 $ 665,511 

 

11,068

 

 

$

2,903,018

 

Nicholas R. Colisto

Nicholas R. Colisto

Nicholas R. Colisto

Nicholas R. Colisto

 

 

02/27/20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 789(2)  

$

159,504

 

 

03/01/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 1,911(3)  

$

386,328

 

 

03/01/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 828(2)  

$

167,388

 

 

03/01/22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 1,852(3)  

$

374,400

 

 

03/01/22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 1,145(2)  

$

231,473

 

 

03/01/23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  2,116(3)  

$

427,771

 

 

03/01/23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 1,392(2)  

$

281,407

 

 

03/01/23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

1,097(4)

 

$ 221,770

    

$

221,770

 

 

 

 

    

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 1,097

 

$ 221,770

 

 

10,033

 

 

$

2,250,041

 

 

 (1)

Market value calculated based on the closing price of our common stock of $181.00$202.16 on December 30, 2022,29, 2023, the last trading day of our 20222023 fiscal year.

 

 (2)

MSUs are eligible for vesting over one-1-, two-2-, three-3- and four-year4-year performance periods, subject to achievement of the absolute TSR performance objective. Amounts are shown at (i) 200%180%, 164%134%, 121%94% and 90%98% of target for the vesting tranches of the MSUs granted in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2022,2023, respectively, the payouts based on our actual performance for the respective performance period as determined by the Compensation Committee in February 2023;2024; (ii) the maximum level of performance for the remaining tranches of the MSUs granted in 2020 and 2021, as actual performance through December 31, 202230, 2023 would result in above-target payouts; and (iii) at target level of performance for the remaining tranches of the MSUs granted in 2022 and 2023, as actual performance through December 31, 202230, 2023 would result in below-target payouts.

 

 (3)

PUs are eligible for vesting at the end of a three-year performance period, subject to achievement of the respective cumulative EVA and relative TSR performance objectives. Amounts are shownreflect the cumulative EVA component of PUs for the annual award of 2021-2023 PUs at (i) 200%166% of target for the 2020-2022Corporate NEOs (except Messrs. Stander and Melo whose annual award of 2021-2023 PUs were tied to Solutions Group) and 97% of target for Messrs. Stander and Melo, in each case which were the payouts based on our actual performance for the period as determined by the Compensation Committee in February 20232024. Amount for the cumulative EVA component of the special award of 2021-2023 PUs granted to Mr. Stander reflects 166% of target, based on actual performance as determined by the Compensation Committee in February 2024. Amounts for all NEOs for the 2022-2024 PUs and (ii)2023-2025 PUs reflect the maximumtarget level of performance as actual performance through December 30, 2023 would result in below-target payouts. Amounts for the TSR component of PUs reflect 200% of target for the 2021-2023 PUs andfor all NEOs which were the payouts based on actual performance as determined by the Compensation Committee in February 2024. Amounts for all NEOs for the 2022-2024 PUs for all NEOs, as actual performance through December 31, 2022 would result in above-target payouts. The special one-time award ofand 2023-2025 PUs granted to Mr. Stander in 2021 is shown atreflect the maximum level of performance, as actual performance through December 31, 202230, 2023 would result in an above-target payout. payouts.

 

 (4)

RSUs awarded to Mr.Messrs. Stander and Lovins cliff-vest on the third anniversary of the grant date and RSUs awarded to Ms. Baker-Nel and Mr. Walker vest ratablyColisto cliff-vest on the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date,April 1, 2025, in each case subject to their continued service.

 

Avery Dennison Corporation  |  2023 Proxy Statement82

 

 

812024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation

 


20222023 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED

The table below provides information regarding the number of shares acquired and the value realized by our NEOs upon the vesting of equity awards during 2022.2023.

 

  Option Awards    Stock Awards  Option Awards     Stock Awards 
Name  

Number of Shares
Acquired

on Exercise (#)

  

Value Realized

on Exercise ($)

 

 

  Number of Shares
Acquired
on Vesting (#)
  

Value Realized

on Vesting ($)(1)

  

Number of Shares
Acquired

on Exercise (#)

   

Value Realized

on Exercise ($)

      

Number of Shares
Acquired

on Vesting (#)

   Value Realized on
Vesting ($)(1)
 

Deon M. Stander

Deon M. Stander

Deon M. Stander

Deon M. Stander

   –     –      13,256   $2,416,171 

Mitchell R. Butier

Mitchell R. Butier

Mitchell R. Butier

Mitchell R. Butier

             83,660   $14,272,396   –     –      68,949   $12,567,334 

Deon M. Stander

             11,650   $1,987,490

Gregory S. Lovins

Gregory S. Lovins

Gregory S. Lovins

Gregory S. Lovins

             22,169   $3,782,031   –     –      19,070   $3,475,889 

Francisco Melo

Francisco Melo

Francisco Melo

Francisco Melo

   –     –      16,184   $2,949,858 

Deena Baker-Nel

Deena Baker-Nel

Deena Baker-Nel

Deena Baker-Nel

             5,844   $996,986   –     –      5,027   $916,271 

Ignacio J. Walker

              6,616   $1,140,255

Nicholas R. Colisto

Nicholas R. Colisto

Nicholas R. Colisto

Nicholas R. Colisto

   –     –       5,112   $931,764 

 

 (1) 

Amounts reflect the number of shares acquired on vesting multiplied by the fair market value of our common stock on the vesting date. The number of shares acquired ondate and, for vesting for MSUs, includesinclude the payout of accrued dividend equivalents.

20222023 PENSION BENEFITS

The present value of accumulated pension benefits shown in the table below has beenwas calculated based on the assumptions we used to calculate our pension benefit obligations in the consolidated financial statements contained in our 20222023 Annual Report. Amounts shown reflect the lump-sum present value of the pension benefits accumulated as of December 31, 2022,30, 2023, the last day of our fiscal year. Ms. Baker-Nel and Messrs. Stander, Melo and WalkerColisto are not included in the table because they have no accumulated pension benefits.

 

Name Plan Name 

   Number of Years of   

Credited Service(#)

    Present Value of   
Accumulated
Benefit($)(1)
 

   Payments During   

Last Fiscal
Year($)(1)

 Plan Name Number of Years of
Credited Service (#)
 Present Value of
Accumulated
Benefit ($)(1)
 Payments During
Last Fiscal
Year ($)(1)
 

Mitchell R. Butier

 Benefit Restoration Plan  9.33 $224,263  

Mitchell R. Butier

 Benefit Restoration Plan  9.33  $230,075   –  

Gregory S. Lovins

 Benefit Restoration Plan  15.58 $29,633  

Gregory S. Lovins

 Benefit Restoration Plan  15.58  $30,454   –  

 

 (1) 

The Benefit Restoration Plan allows for lump-sum payment. For information regarding the assumptions we use to determine the present value of accumulated benefits for our pension plans,plan benefits, see Note 6, “Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits,” to the consolidated financial statements contained in our 20222023 Annual Report.

Benefit Restoration Plan

Our Benefit Restoration Plan (BRP) is a nonqualified excess benefit plan that provides for the payment of supplemental retirement benefits to eligible participants in an amount equal to the amount by which their benefits payable under our now terminatedformer U.S. pension plan would have been reduced under the Code. Messrs. Butier and Lovins are our only NEOs eligible to receive benefits under the BRP. No accruals were made during 20222023 as the plan was frozen in 2010.

Compensation covered by the BRP includes base salary and AIP awards through the date the plan was frozen, up to applicable statutory limitations each plan year. Employees vested in the BRP after five years of service, or at age 55 upon termination of employment. Benefits under the BRP are based on pensionable earnings, length of service, when benefits commence and how they are paid. Benefits are calculated separately for each year of applicable service using a formula equal to 1.25% times compensation up to the breakpoint (which for each year prior to our freezing the accrual of additional benefits was the average of the Social Security wage bases for the preceding 35 years) plus 1.75% times compensation in excess of the breakpoint. The results of the calculation for each year of service are added together to determine the annual single life annuity benefit under the BRP for an employee at retirement at age 65, which is not subject to reduction for Social Security payments. Payments are made in a lump-sum distribution generally payable upon the later of separation from service and age 55, unless a timely election is made for monthly payments over the lifetime of the participant and, if applicable, a designated beneficiary, generally payable upon the later of separation from service and age 55.beneficiary.

 

82Avery Dennison Corporation | 2024 Proxy Statement

 

 

2023 Proxy Statement  |  Avery Dennison Corporation83

 


20222023 NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The table below provides information regarding NEOexecutive and company contributions to our Executive Variable Deferred Retirement Plan (EVDRP). by our U.S. NEOs. Under the EVDRP, participants may choose among publicly available funds ranging from money market and bond funds to index and other equity/mutual funds. Their rate of return depends on the funds selected bythey select. Mr. Melo is excluded from the participant.table because, as a non-U.S. NEO, he is not eligible to participate in the EVDRP.

 

Name  Executive
Contributions
in Last FY ($)
  Registrant
Contributions
in Last FY ($)(1)
  Aggregate
Earnings
in Last FY ($)(2)
 Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions ($)
  Aggregate
Balance At
     Last FYE ($)     
  Executive
Contributions
in Last FY ($)
  Registrant
Contributions
in Last FY ($)(1)
  Aggregate
Earnings
in Last FY ($)(2)
  Aggregate
Balance at
Last FYE ($)

Deon M. Stander

Deon M. Stander

Deon M. Stander

Deon M. Stander

Deon M. Stander

Mitchell R. Butier

Mitchell R. Butier

Mitchell R. Butier

Mitchell R. Butier

Mitchell R. Butier

       $76,171   $(628,880)     $2,820,490

Deon M. Stander

   $193,473   $33,730   $(208,327)     $1,197,797

Gregory S. Lovins

Gregory S. Lovins

Gregory S. Lovins

Gregory S. Lovins

Gregory S. Lovins

       $39,868   $(114,316)     $ 522,167

Deena Baker-Nel

   $8,320   $22,566   $(135,152)     $ 656,663

Deena Baker-Nel

Deena Baker-Nel

Deena Baker-Nel

Deena Baker-Nel

Ignacio J. Walker

       $21,026   $1,885     $111,988

Nicholas R. Colisto

Nicholas R. Colisto

Nicholas R. Colisto

Nicholas R. Colisto

Nicholas R. Colisto

 

 (1)

Company contributions to the EVDRP are included in the All Other Compensation column of the 20222023 Summary Compensation Table.

 

 (2)

Amounts reflect EVDRP vested account balances as of December 31, 2022,30, 2023, the last day of our 20222023 fiscal year. Because the amounts do not represent above-market earnings, they are not reported in the 20222023 Summary Compensation Table. The amounts shown below were reported underin the All Other Compensation column of the Summary Compensation TableTables in previous proxy statements.

 

Name    Aggregate Company Contributions   
Previously Reported ($)
   Aggregate Company Contributions
Previously Reported ($)
 

Stander

Stander

Stander

Stander

 $178,291 

Butier

Butier

Butier

Butier

 $756,247 $905,805 

Stander

 $111,777

Lovins

Lovins

Lovins

Lovins

 $147,788 $219,583 

Baker-Nel

 $18,783

Baker-Nel

Baker-Nel

Baker-Nel

 $41,349 

Walker

 $14,446

Colisto

Colisto

Colisto

Colisto

   

Executive Variable Deferred Retirement Plan

Under the EVDRP, eligible U.S. employees can defer up to 75% of their salary and 90% of their AIP award. Deferrals are immediately vested. Earnings are based on a fixed rate and/or the performance of variable bond and equity funds selected by the participant from the available options under the EVDRP.options. The EVDRP does not offer investment options that provide above-market interest rates.

Eligible employees are able to defer U.S. taxes until their investment isdeferrals are withdrawn, providing them an opportunity for them to accumulate savings on a pre-tax basis. We also benefit from this arrangement because we can use this cash for other corporate purposes until a deferred compensation account is paid to a participant based on his or her election to receive withdrawals either in-service or after termination of employment. All deferred compensation accounts are unfunded obligations of our company and subject to the same risks as any of our general debts and obligations. As a result, these accounts help mitigate risk-seeking behavior by management that could be detrimental to the long-term health of our company.

As of the first business day of our 20222023 fiscal year, we made a contribution to the deferred compensation accounts of eligible employeesparticipants, including all U.S. NEOs, based on 401(k) eligible earningspay in excess of the federal compensation limit and deferred compensation in 2021.2022. This annual contribution, providedwhich is designated to supplement 401(k) contributions that are limited under the Code, provides an automatic contribution of 3% of deferred and eligible pay plus a matching contribution of up to 50% on the first 7% of deferrable and eligible pay not covered by company contributions to our 401(k) Plan. This contribution was added to the deferred compensation accounts of eligible participants employed at year-end 2021, which included all our NEOs. This benefit is designed to supplement 401(k) contributions that are limited under federal law.

Contributions to deferred compensation accounts are required to be distributed following an eligible employee’s separation from service. Subject to Section 409A of the Code, eligible employees may elect to receive separation from service withdrawals in the form of a lump-sum payment or monthly installments over two to 20 years. Eligible employees may change the method in which payments are distributed provided that they do so at least 12 months before the date of distribution; however, any change results in the distribution occurring or beginning five years later than it would have otherwise. All NEOs are “specified employees” under Section 409A; as a result, their distributions cannot be made until at least the seventh monthseven months after separation from service, except in the event of death.

 

Avery Dennison Corporation  |  2023 Proxy Statement84

 

 

832024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation

 


PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION AS OF DECEMBER 31, 202230, 2023

The table below shows the potential benefits that would have been payable to our NEOs had they been terminated on December 31, 2022,30, 2023, the last day of our fiscal year. Amounts paid or distributed upon actual termination may differ from amounts shown due to timing and any future changes to our benefit plans.

 

  

 

  

 

  Termination Scenarios as of End of Fiscal Year 2022   

 

  

 

  Termination Scenarios as of End of Fiscal Year 2023 
Name   

 

 Benefit  Death Qualifying
Disability
 Involuntary
Termination
Not for
Cause
 Termination
within 24 Mos.
of Change of
Control
 

Mitchell R. Butier

 

  

Severance Payment

        $5,811,498  $8,717,246 
  

Unvested PUs(1)

  $2,158,244  $2,158,244     $6,833,112 
  

Unvested MSUs(1)

  $1,663,951  $1,663,951     $5,973,456 
  

Outplacement

        $25,000  $25,000 
    

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 
  

Total

  $3,822,195  $3,822,195  $5,836,498  $21,548,814 
    

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

Forfeited Equity(1)

  $(8,984,372 $(8,984,372 $(12,806,568   

Name

   

 

 Benefit  Death Qualifying
Disability
 Qualifying
Retirement(2)
 Involuntary
Termination
Not for
Cause
 

Termination

within 24 Months
of Change of
Control

 

Deon M. Stander

Deon M. Stander

 

Deon M. Stander

 

  

Severance Payment

        $1,250,749  $2,501,498  

Severance Payment

           $4,345,365  $6,518,048 
  

Unvested RSUs(1)

           $1,591,533  

Unvested Stock Options(1)

              $731,537 
  

Unvested PUs(1)

  $639,171  $639,171     $2,034,440  

Unvested RSUs(1)

  $1,777,593  $1,777,593  $1,777,593  $1,777,593  $1,777,593 
  

Unvested MSUs(1)

  $270,944  $270,944     $1,431,764  

Unvested PUs(1)

  $1,871,799  $1,871,799  $2,372,695  $2,372,695  $3,409,024 
  

Outplacement

        $25,000  $25,000  

Unvested MSUs(1)

  $1,271,676  $1,271,676  $1,469,341  $1,469,341  $2,746,456 
    

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Outplacement

           $25,000  $25,000 
  

Total

  $910,115  $910,115  $1,275,749  $7,584,235    

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 
    

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  Total  $4,921,068  $4,921,068  $5,619,629  $9,989,994  $15,207,658 

  

 

 

Forfeited Equity(1)

  $(4,147,623 $(4,147,623 $(5,057,737      

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 
 

Elimination of Excise Tax Liability

              $(2,050,831

  

 

 

Forfeited Equity(1)

  $(3,743,542 $(3,743,542 $(3,044,981 $(3,044,981   

Mitchell R. Butier

Mitchell R. Butier

 

 

Unvested PUs(1)

  $6,293,241  $6,293,241        $12,179,129 
 

Unvested MSUs(1)

  $5,484,047  $5,484,047        $11,263,626 
   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 
 Total  $11,777,288  $11,777,288        $23,442,755 
   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

Forfeited Equity(1)

  $(11,777,288 $(11,777,288 $(23,442,755 $(23,442,755   

Gregory S. Lovins

Gregory S. Lovins

 

Gregory S. Lovins

 

 

Severance Payment

           $1,340,183  $2,680,365 
 

Unvested RSUs(1)

              $1,663,777 
 

Unvested PUs(1)

  $1,426,306  $1,426,306        $2,688,930 
 

Unvested MSUs(1)

  $1,329,675  $1,329,675        $2,565,664 
 

Outplacement

           $25,000  $25,000 
   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 
 Total  $2,755,981  $2,755,981     $1,365,183  $9,623,736 
   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 
   

Forfeited Equity(1)

  $(4,162,390 $(4,162,390 $(6,918,371 $(6,918,371   

Francisco Melo

Francisco Melo

 

 

Severance Payment

           $817,168  $1,634,336 
  

Severance Payment

        $1,250,749  $2,501,498  

Unvested PUs(1)

  $3,094,564  $3,094,564        $6,332,258 
  

Unvested PUs(1)

  $474,944  $474,944     $1,559,315  

Unvested MSUs(1)

  $354,222  $354,222        $916,161 
  

Unvested MSUs(1)

  $418,913  $418,913     $1,437,728  

Outplacement

           $25,000  $25,000 
  

Outplacement

        $25,000  $25,000    

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 
    

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  Total  $3,448,786  $3,448,786     $842,168  $8,907,755 
  

Total

  $893,857  $893,857  $1,275,749  $5,523,541    

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 
    

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Elimination of Excise Tax Liability

              $(1,682,566
   

Forfeited Equity(1)

  $(2,103,185 $(2,103,185 $(2,997,043     

 

 

Forfeited Equity(1)

  $(3,799,632 $(3,799,632 $(1,078,117 $(1,078,117   

Deena Baker-Nel

Deena Baker-Nel

 

Deena Baker-Nel

 

  

Severance Payment

        $712,149  $712,149  

Severance Payment

           $762,683  $762,683 
  

Unvested PUs(1)

  $147,575  $147,575     $477,116  

Unvested RSUs(1)

              $665,511 
  

Unvested MSUs(1)

  $119,165  $119,165     $424,095  

Unvested PUs(1)

  $437,676  $437,676        $830,271 
  

Outplacement

        $25,000  $25,000  

Unvested MSUs(1)

  $389,982  $389,982        $774,395 
    

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Outplacement

           $25,000  $25,000 
  

Total

  $266,740  $266,740  $737,149  $1,638,360    

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 
    

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  Total  $827,658  $827,658     $787,683  $3,057,860 

  

 

 

Forfeited Equity(1)

  $(643,471 $(643,471 $(901,211      

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Ignacio J. Walker

 

  

 

 

Forfeited Equity(1)

  $(1,442,518 $(1,442,518 $(2,270,177 $(2,270,177   

Nicholas R. Colisto

Nicholas R. Colisto

 

  

Severance Payment

        $727,618  $727,618  

Severance Payment

           $710,486  $710,486 
  

Unvested RSUs(1)

  $156,927  $156,927     $156,927  

Unvested RSUs(1)

              $221,770 
  

Unvested PUs(1)

  $153,126  $153,126     $491,234  

Unvested PUs(1)

  $376,961  $376,961        $744,960 
  

Unvested MSUs(1)

  $118,142  $118,142     $429,956  

Unvested MSUs(1)

  $350,675  $350,675        $711,814 
  

Outplacement

        $25,000  $25,000  

Outplacement

           $25,000  $25,000 
    

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

    

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 
  

Total

  $428,195  $428,195  $752,618  $1,830,735  Total  $727,636  $727,636     $735,486  $2,414,030 
    

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

    

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

Forfeited Equity(1)

  $(649,922 $(649,922 $(1,078,117     

 

 

Forfeited Equity(1)

  $(950,907 $(950,907 $(1,678,543 $(1,768,543)    

(1) Values for PUs, MSUs and RSUs determined based on the number of shares that would have been acquired or forfeited on vesting multiplied by the fair market value of our common stock of $181.00 on December 30, 2022; the last trading day of our 2022 fiscal year.

   

(1) Values for equity awards were determined as follows: (i) for stock options, the number of shares that would have been exercisable multiplied by the difference between the fair market value of our common stock of $202.16 on December 29, 2023, the last trading day of our 2023 fiscal year, and the applicable exercise price; and (ii) for RSUs, PUs and MSUs, the number of shares that would have been acquired or forfeited on vesting multiplied by $202.16.

(2) Only Mr. Stander qualified as retirement eligible at the end of fiscal year 2023 because he had reached the age of 55 and had over 10 years of service with our company. As a result, in every termination scenario, all of his unvested equity awards would vest, with PUs and MSUs vesting on a prorated basis after the end of their respective performance period based on actual performance.

(1) Values for equity awards were determined as follows: (i) for stock options, the number of shares that would have been exercisable multiplied by the difference between the fair market value of our common stock of $202.16 on December 29, 2023, the last trading day of our 2023 fiscal year, and the applicable exercise price; and (ii) for RSUs, PUs and MSUs, the number of shares that would have been acquired or forfeited on vesting multiplied by $202.16.

(2) Only Mr. Stander qualified as retirement eligible at the end of fiscal year 2023 because he had reached the age of 55 and had over 10 years of service with our company. As a result, in every termination scenario, all of his unvested equity awards would vest, with PUs and MSUs vesting on a prorated basis after the end of their respective performance period based on actual performance.

   

   

 

84Avery Dennison Corporation | 2024 Proxy Statement

 

 

2023 Proxy Statement  |  Avery Dennison Corporation85

 


In the event of termination, our eligible NEOs would be entitled to receive their accrued balance under the EVDRP. These amounts would be distributed in accordance with the participant’s distribution election and the terms and conditions of the plan, and are not included in the table. See 20222023 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for more information.

All of our NEOs are employed at-will; if an NEO were no longer performing at the expected level, he or she could be terminated for cause immediately without receiving a contractually guaranteed payment.The other potential payments upon termination are described below and on the following page. below.

Executive Severance Plan

All NEOs (excluding Mr. Butier, who ceased being eligible when he became Executive Chairman in September 2023) are eligible participants under the Severance Plan. Upon involuntary termination not for cause, they would be entitled to the benefits shown below.

 

 

Lump-sum payment equal to annual
base salary
+ target AIP award for year
of termination +
cash value of 12 months
of employer and employee
medical and
dental insurance premiums

 

    

 

2 For CEO 

 

    

 

Outplacement services of up to $25,000 for up to one year

 

   ×

 

     +

 

 
    

 

1For all other eligible NEOs 

 

   

Benefits Not Subject to Gross-up. Benefits are subject to withholding for all applicable taxes and not grossed-up for taxes.

Trigger for Benefits. Involuntary termination, which excludes termination for cause or due to disability, death, voluntary resignation, or an executive declining simultaneous or continuing employment in a comparable position.

Definition of Cause. Cause is defined as (i) commission of a crime or other act that could materially damage the reputation of our company or its subsidiaries; (ii) theft, misappropriation, or embezzlement of company or subsidiary property; (iii) falsification of company or subsidiary records; (iv) substantial failure to comply with written policies and procedures; (v) misconduct; or (vi) substantial failure to perform material job duties not cured within 30 days after written notice.

Key Executive Change of Control Severance Plan

The COC Severance Plan provides enhanced severance benefits to certainfor key executives to incent their retention during a period in which a change of control transaction is being negotiated or a hostile takeover is being attempted. Messrs. Butier, Stander, Lovins and LovinsMelo are theour only NEOs eligible to participate in the COC Severance Plan, entitlingwhich entitles them to benefits only if they are terminated not for “cause” or terminate employment for “good reason” within 24 months of the change of control (a “double trigger”). In these circumstances, these NEOs would be entitled to the benefits shown below. In the event of termination following a change of control, our Level 3 NEOs would be entitled to receive benefits under the Severance Plan described above. Mr. Butier ceased being eligible to participate in the COC Severance Plan when he became Executive Chairman in September 2023.

 

 

Lump-sum payment equal to annual
base salary + target AIP award for year
of termination + cash value of
12 months of employer and employee
medical and dental insurance premiums

 

  

×


  

 

3For CEO 

 

 

  

+


  

 

Prorated target AIP award for year in which termination occurs

 

  

 +


  

 

Outplacement services of up to $25,000 for up to one year

 

       
   

 

2For Level 2 NEOs 

 

 

    

Benefits Not Subject to Gross-up.Benefits are subject to withholding for all applicable taxes and not grossed-up for excise or other taxes. However, if the payment would trigger an excise tax, the participating NEO can elect to receive (i) full benefits, retaining responsibility for paying any applicable excise taxes, or (ii) reduced benefits to an amount sufficient to eliminate any excise tax liability. In the 20222023 termination payments table, COC payments would notonly have triggered an excise tax for any of the eligible participants.Messrs. Stander and Melo.

86

2024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation


Definition of Change of Control. Change of control is defined as (i) replacement of a majority of our Board during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election was not endorsed by a majority of the members of our Board; or (ii) acquisition by any person, group or corporation that has entered into a merger, acquisition, consolidation, purchase, stock acquisition, asset acquisition or similar business transaction with our company, of (A) together with any of our company’s stock previously held, more than 50% of the total fair market value or the total voting power of our company’s stock; (B) 30% or more of the total voting power of our company’s stock during any 12-month period; or (C) assets of our company having a total gross fair market value of 40% or more of the total gross fair market value of all of our company’s assets during any 12-month period.

Avery Dennison Corporation  |  2023 Proxy Statement

85


Definition of Cause. Cause is defined as it is under the Severance Plan.

Definition of Good Reason. Good reason is defined as (i) material diminution in base compensation; (ii) material diminution in authority, duties or responsibilities or supervisor’s authority, duties or responsibilities; (iii) material change in geographic job location; or (iv) any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by our company.

Equity Incentive Plans

Under our 2017 Incentive Award Plan, unvested equity awards held by our NEOs on the date of termination would vest as shown in the table below, subject to the plan’s one-year minimum vesting requirement. None of our NEOsMr. Stander was the only NEO who qualified as retirement eligible as of at year-end 2022. 2023.

 

VESTING OF EQUITY AWARDS ON TERMINATION EVENTS
   PUs MSUs RSUs Stock Options

Resignation/Resignation or

Involuntary Termination,

Whether or Not for Cause

 Cancelled Cancelled Cancelled Cancelled

Death

 

Vest at time of event on prorated basis based on target performance

Vest at time of event on prorated basis based on target performanceVestCancelled

Qualifying Disability

 

Vest at time of event on prorated basis based on target performance

 

Vest at time of event on prorated basis based on target performance

Vest

 

Cancelled

Qualifying Disability

Same as

death

Same as

death

VestCancelled

Qualifying Retirement

 

Vest after end of performance period on prorated basis based on actual performance

 

Vest after end of performance period on prorated basis based on actual performance

 

Vest

 

Vest and exercisable for term of option

Change of Control

 

Vest based on actual, if determinable, and otherwise target performance only in event of termination without cause or for good reason within 24 months after change of control

 

Vest based on actual, if determinable, and otherwise target performance only in event of termination without cause or for good reason within 24 months of change of control

 Vest only in event of termination without cause or for good reason within 24 months after change of control Vest only in event of termination without cause or for good reason within 24 months after change of control

Avery Dennison Corporation | 2024 Proxy Statement

87


EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION AS OF DECEMBER 31, 202230, 2023

 

Plan Category Number of Securities
to Be Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding
Options, Warrants
and Rights (A)
 Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights (B)
 Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation Plans
(Excluding Securities
Reflected in Column (A)) (C)
 Number of Securities
to Be Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding
Options, Warrants
and Rights (A)
 Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights (B)
 Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation Plans
(Excluding Securities
Reflected in Column (A)) (C)

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

 

  

Amended and Restated Stock

Option and Incentive Plan(1)

  141,108 $73.96  

2017 Incentive Award Plan(2)

 1,265,827   3,082,755
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Total

 

 

1,406,935

 

$

73.96

 

 

3,082,755

 

 

1,024,726

 

$

109.92

 

 

2,608,120

 

(1) 

Our Amended and Restated Stock Option and Incentive Plan was last approved by stockholders in April 2012. We ceased issuing awards under this plan in March 2017. Under this plan, shares issuable under outstanding equity awards only include stock options for officers. Amount in column (A) reflects 141,108 stock options.

 

(2) 

Our 2017 Incentive Award Plan was approved by our stockholders in April 2017. We began issuing awards under this plan in May 2017. Shares issuable under outstanding equity awards granted under this plan include (i) RSUs and DSUs for non-employee directors and (ii) restricted stock awards (RSAs), RSUs, PUs and MSUs for officers and other eligible employees. Amount in column (A) includes 62,273 RSAs, 59,84166,540 RSUs, 106,137109,702 DSUs, 307,228238,882 MSUs (including accrued dividend equivalents and reflecting the tranches granted in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2022) and 730,3472023), 405,539 PUs (reflecting the tranches granted in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2022).2023) and 62,955 stock options. For awards subject to vesting as of December 31, 2022,30, 2023, payouts were based on actual performance. For unvested awards as of December 31, 2022,30, 2023, awards with projected performance at or below target were calculated usingat the target payoutlevel of performance and awards with actualprojected performance above target were calculated usingat the maximum payout.level of performance. Amount in column (C) represents the aggregate number of shares available for future issuance, with each full-value award decreasing the number of shares available for future issuance by 1.5 sharesshares.

 

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20232024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation

 



PAY
VS.
PERFORMANCE
DISCLOSURE
 
The table below reflects information regarding the compensation of our NEOs for the last four fiscal years, 2022, 2021 and 2020, as well as our financial performance for each of thesethose fiscal years, in accordance with SEC rules.
 
Year
 
Summary
Compensation
Table Total
for CEO ($)
(1)
 
Compensation
Actually Paid
to CEO ($)
(2)
 
Average 
Summary
Compensation Table
Total for
Non-CEO NEOs
($)
(1)
 
Average
Compensation
Actually Paid to
Non-CEO NEOs
($)
(2)
 
Value of Initial Fixed td00
Investments Based on:
 
Net Income
($)
 
A
djusted

EPS ($)
(4)
Total
Shareholder
Return ($)
 
Peer Group
Total
Shareholder
Return ($)
(3)
Year
Year
Year
 
Summary
Compensation
Table Total
for Stander
($)
(1)
 
Compensation
Actually Paid
to
Stander ($)
(2)
 
Summary
Compensation
Table Total
for
Butier ($)
(1)
 
Compensation
Actually Paid
to Butier ($)
(2)
 
Average
Summary
Compensation
Table Total
for
Non-CEO
NEOs ($)
(1)
 
Average
Compensation
Actually Paid to
Non-CEO
NEOs ($)
(2)
 
Value of Initial Fixed td00
Investments Based on:
 
Net Income ($)
 
Adjusted
EPS ($)
(4)
Total
Stockholder
Return ($)
 
Peer Group
Total
Stockholder
Return ($)
(3)
 
Former Peer
Group Total
Stockholder
Return ($)
(3)
 
 
2023
2023
2023
2023
2023
2022
2022
2022
2022
2022
 $9,107,739  $7,588,568  $2,405,277  $2,220,289  $145.18  $129.34  $757,092,000  $9.15 
 
2021
 $12,433,721  $31,508,041  $2,342,467  $5,263,092  $170.92  $138.82  $740,087,000  $8.91 
2021
2021
2021
2021
 
2020
 $8,709,348  $13,337,289  $2,248,966  $2,725,777  $120.86  $113.66  $555,863,000  $7.10 
2020
2020
2020
2020
 
 (1) 
For each fiscal year, represents amount reported for our CEOCEO(s) and average amount reported for our
non-CEO NEOS,
NEOs, in each case in the Total column of the
Summary Compensation Table
.Table. Our NEOs for each of these fiscal years are shown below.
 
Year
  
CEOCEO(s)
  
Non-CEO
NEOs
2023Deon Stander/Mitchell ButierGregory Lovins, Francisco Melo, Deena
Baker-Nel
and Nicholas Colisto
2022  Mitchell Butier  Deon Stander, Gregory Lovins, Deena
Baker-Nel
and Ignacio Walker
2021  Mitchell Butier  Deon Stander, Gregory Lovins, Deena
Baker-Nel
and Ignacio Walker
2020  Mitchell Butier  Deon Stander, Gregory Lovins, Anne Hill and Susan Miller
 
 (2)
Amounts represent Compensation Actually Paid to our CEOCEO(s) and the average Compensation Actually Paid to our
non-CEO
NEOs for the relevant fiscal year. Compensation Actually Paid represents the amount reported in the Total column of the
Summary Compensation Table
for the applicable fiscal year,year. For 2023, amounts were adjusted as shown below. Fair value or change in fair value, as applicable, of equity awards in the Compensation Actually Paid columns was determined as follows: (i) for RSUs, the closing price of our common stock on the applicable fiscal
year-end
date, or, in the case of vesting RSUs, the closing price of our common stock on the applicable vesting date; (ii) for the performance condition component of PUs, the same valuation methodology as RSUs except that
year-end
values were multiplied by a factor reflecting achievement of the probable outcome of the respective cumulative EVA performance objective as of the applicable measurement date; and (iii) for the market condition component of PUs and for MSUs, using athe
Monte-Carlo
simulation method, which utilizes multiple input variables, including expected volatility of our stock price and other assumptions appropriate for determining fair value to estimate the probability of satisfying the performance objectives established forachieving the respective award.performance objective as of the applicable measurement date. For information on the inputs to our Monte-Carlo simulations, see footnote (2)the footnotes of our
2023 Summary Compensation Tables
Table. For these purposes, awards for 2022, 2021 and 2020.retirement-eligible NEOs are considered vested only at the time of retirement.
 
  
2022
 
2021
 
2020
       
Adjustments
 
CEO
 
Average
Non-CEO NEOs
 
CEO
 
Average
Non-CEO NEOs
 
CEO
 
Average
Non-CEO NEOs
       
Deduction for amounts reported under Stock Awards and Option Awards columns in Summary Compensation Table for applicable FY  $(6,769,541)  $(1,505,667)  $(7,047,669)  $(1,010,410)  $(5,598,133)  $(911,123)
       
Increase based on ASC 718 fair value of awards granted during applicable FY that remain unvested as of applicable FY-end, determined as of applicable FY-end   8,129,671    1,759,513    10,778,535    1,629,157    7,438,091    1,099,351 
       
Increase based on ASC 718 fair value of awards granted during applicable FY that vested during applicable FY, determined as of vesting date   1,025,415    173,855    1,202,830    150,733    1,038,151    220,605 
       
Increase/Deduction for awards granted during prior FYs that were outstanding and unvested as of applicable FY-end, determined based on change in ASC 718 fair value from prior FY-end to applicable FY-end   (2,070,799)   (321,514)   6,376,386    1,070,390    1,060,708    (168,217)
       
Increase/Deduction for awards granted during prior FYs that vested during applicable FY, determined based on change in ASC 718 fair value from prior FY-end to vesting date   (1,833,917)   (291,175)   7,764,238    1,080,755    760,280    260,825 
       
Deduction for change in the actuarial present values reported under the change in pension value and nonqualified deferred compensation earnings column of the summary compensation table for applicable FY       –          –          –          –    (71,156)   (24,630)
       
Increase for service cost and, if applicable, prior service cost for pension plans       –          –          –          –              –            – 
       
Total Adjustments
  
$
(1,519,171
)
  
$
(184,988
)
  
$
19,074,320
   
$
2,920,625
   
$
4,627,941
   
$
476,811
 
  
2023
Adjustments
 
Stander
 
Butier
 
Average
Non-CEO NEOs
Decrease for amounts reported under Stock Awards and Option Awards columns in 2023 Summary Compensation Table  $(5,071,394)  $(8,285,412)  $(1,466,116)
Increase based on ASC 718 fair value of awards granted during fiscal year 2023 that remained unvested as of fiscal
year-end
2023, determined as of fiscal
year-end
2023
   6,275,523   8,478,701   1,475,171
Increase based on ASC 718 fair value of awards granted during fiscal year 2023 that vested during fiscal year, determined as of vesting date   274,937   1,099,647   121,693
Increase/Decrease for awards granted during prior fiscal years that were outstanding and unvested as of fiscal
year-end
2023, determined based on change in ASC 718 fair value from prior fiscal
year-end
to fiscal
year-end
2023
   (354,708)   (1,784,812)   (2,025,711)
Increase/Decrease for awards granted during prior fiscal years that vested during fiscal year 2023, determined based on change in ASC 718 fair value from prior fiscal
year-end
to vesting date
   20,757   1,676,612   138,669
Decrease for change in the actuarial present values reported under Change in Pension Value and NQDC Earnings column of 2023 Summary Compensation Table   –     (5,812)   (205)
Increase for service cost and, if applicable, prior service cost, for pension plans   –     –     –  
Total Adjustments
  
$
 1,145,115
   
$
 1,178,924
   
$
(1,756,499
)
 
 (3) In 2023, we modified our peer group to show our relative performance more consistent with the methodology used by peer companies. For the relevant fiscal year, represents the cumulative TSR of the Dow Jones U.S. Containers & Packaging Index (the “Peer Group TSR”Group”), of which we are a member. Our former peer group (the “Former Peer Group”), which represents the cumulative TSR of the average return (weighted by market capitalization) of the S&P 500 IndustrialIndustrials and Materials subsets, (the “Peer Group”).is also presented in accordance with SEC guidance.
 
 (4) 
Adjusted EPS is a
non-GAAP
financial measure reconciled from GAAP in the last sectionAppendix A of this proxy statement.
 
Avery Dennison Corporation 
|
20232024 Proxy Statement
 
 
8789
 

Relationship Between Financial Performance Measures
The graphs below compare the Compensation Actually Paid to our CEOCEO(s) and the average of the Compensation Actually Paid to our
non-CEO
NEOs with our (i) our cumulative TSR, (ii) our Peer Group TSR (iii) ourand Former Peer Group TSR, (ii) net income and (iv) our(iii) adjusted EPS, in each case for our 2020, 2021, 2022 and 20222023 fiscal years. TSR amounts assume $100 invested on December 31, 20192020 and reinvestment of dividends.
Reflecting the Compensation Committee’s philosophy onof paying for performance and incenting our executives using long-term equity awards primarily tied to our stock price and TSR, the Compensation Actually Paid to our NEOs was stronglygenerally aligned with our TSR performance.
In 2020 and 2021, as our TSR significantly grew, the Compensation Actually Paid to our CEO and
non-CEO
NEOs also increased above the amounts reported in the Total column in the
Summary Compensation Table
.increased. In 2022, when our TSR decreased, the Compensation Actually Paid also significantly decreased. While our TSR modestly increased in 2023 and the Compensation Actually Paid to Mr. Butier increased as well, the average Compensation Actually Paid to our
non-CEO
NEOs substantially decreased due to the impact of the adjustments shown in footnote (2) above. We believe that the inclusion of both absolute and relative TSR as performance objectives forin our annual LTI awards to NEOs, which comprises the majority of their compensation, ensures ongoing alignment of Compensation Actually Paid to our TSR performance.
During 2020 and 2021, our TSR outperformed the average return (weighted by market capitalization) of the TSR of the S&P 500 Industrial and Materials Subsets. Our TSR in 2022 – while negative, reflecting the broad financial market downturn – slightly outperformed the TSR of the Peer Group. More important, our three-year cumulative TSR significantly outperformed the TSR of this comparator group.
The growth in our net income from 2020 through 2022 doesdid not directly align with our outcomes on Compensation Actually Paid. In each of the pastthose three years, our net income has grown;grew; however, our Compensation Actually Paid has varied over that same periodthe period. Net income declined in 2023, while Compensation Actually Paid to Mr. Butier increased and Compensation Actually Paid to our
non-CEO
NEOs substantially decreased due to the impact of time (with larger increasesthe adjustments shown in 2020 and 2021 and a significant reduction in 2022).footnote (2) above. Compensation Actually Paid is less sensitive to net income because our executive compensation program prioritizes
pay-for-performance
longer-term equity compensation primarily tied to our stock price and TSR and secondarily to cumulative EVA, each of which we expect will continue to have a much greater impact than these financial outcomesnet income on Compensation Actually Paid, as described above.Paid.
Outside of our TSR performance, we believe that adjusted
EPS
is the most important financial measure that ties our executives’the compensation of NEOs to our performance. We believe that adjustedAdjusted EPS is the primary driver of stockholder value creation; it is also the measure we use to provide guidance to our investors on our anticipated annual performance. WhileDespite the importance of adjusted EPS increased in 2022,as a performance objective under our annual incentive compensation program, the impact of adjusted EPS on Compensation Actually Paid significantly declined, primarily due tois moderated by the much stronger correlation Compensation Actually Paid has with our stock price and TSR performance as a substantially lower AIP financial modifierresult of the emphasis in 2022 compared to 2021 (58% vs. 200%) and secondarily due to a significant decline in the change in pension value/non-qualified deferred compensation. Adjusted EPS is defined, qualified and reconciled from GAAP in the last section of this proxy statement.our executive compensation program on longer-term equity awards.
 
 
LOGO
8890
 
 
20232024 Proxy Statement 
|
 Avery Dennison Corporation
 

Table of Contents
 
LOGO
 
LOGO
Pay vs. Performance Financial Performance Measures
We believe the financial performance measures shown below, all of which are performance objectives used in our executive compensation program, were the most important in linking compensation actually paidCompensation Actually Paid to our NEOs for 2022.2023. For additional information regarding these measures, including reconciliations of
non-GAAP
financial measures from GAAP,
see
the
Compensation
and
Discussion Analysis
sectionand
Appendix
A sections of this proxy statement.
 
Absolute TSR and Relative TSR
 
Adjusted EPS
 
Cumulative EVA
 
Adjusted Sales Growth
 
Adjusted Free Cash Flow
 
Avery Dennison Corporation 
|
20232024 Proxy Statement
 
 
8991
 


CEO PAY RATIO

 

With ~72%~69% of our 20222023 revenues originating outside the U.S. and ~40% of our revenues originating in emerging markets (Asia Pacific, Latin America, Eastern Europe and Middle East/Northern Africa), our employees are located in overmore than 50 countries to best serve our customers. At year-end 2022, 2023, ~83% of our employees were located outside the U.S. and ~67%~66% were located in emerging markets, where median compensation is substantially lower than it is in the U.S.

The charts below show the demographics of our global workforce by region and function. At year-end 2022, 20,613 2023, ~20,000 of our ~36K employees representing ~57% of our global workforce, were in Asia Pacific, serving our customers in thatthe region. In addition, ~66% of our global workforce was working~22,500 employees at that time worked in the operations of our manufacturing facilities or in positions directly supporting them from other locations.

 

 

LOGO                      LOGOLOGO       LOGO

We offer market-based, competitive wages and benefits in all the markets where we compete for talent. All of our employees were paid at least the applicable legal minimum wage, and ~98%over 98% of our employees were paid above the applicable legal minimum wage at year-end 2022. Our CEO’s 2023.

Effective September 2023, Mr. Stander was appointed as our new CEO. In accordance with SEC rules, we have annualized Mr. Stander’s compensation is substantially driven by pay-for-performance incentive compensation, consistent with U.S. market practices.for purposes of calculating our CEO pay ratio. 

20222023 PAY RATIO

The annual total compensation of our median employee (among all employees except for our CEO) was $13,688.

 

  

Our CEO’s annualThe 2023 total compensation of our median employee (among all employees except our year-end CEO) was $15,679.

The compensation of our year-end CEO of $6,070,962, as reported in the Total column of the 20222023 Summary Compensation Table, was $9,107,739.adjusted to annualize his base salary to $1.1 million, resulting in total compensation of $6,323,731.

 

Based on this information, a reasonable estimate of the 20222023 ratio of the annual total compensation of our CEO to the annual total compensation of our median employee was approximately 665403 to 1.

We calculated this ratio based on SEC rules and guidance, which allow for companies to use varying methodologies to identify their median employee. Other companies may have different workforce demographics and employment and compensation practices and may utilize different methodologies, exclusions, estimates and assumptions. As a result, thetheir CEO pay ratios reported by other companies may not be meaningful comparisonsmeaningfully compare to our CEO pay ratio.ours.

IDENTIFICATION OF MEDIAN EMPLOYEE

Given that there were no significantDue to changes in the composition or compensation arrangements of our global workforce from 2021 to 2022, as allowed by SEC rules,prior year, we used the samedetermined a new median employee in 2022 as we did in 2021.

Tofor purposes of calculating our 2023 CEO pay ratio. Consistent with our prior practice, to identify our median employee, in 2021, we considered annual base compensation, which is the most common pay element for all our employees, as reflected in our global human resources information system. We selected this compensation element because it represents the principal broad-based compensation element for the vast majority of our employees globally. We measured compensation for purposes of determining the median employee using the 12-month period ended December 31, 2021,2023, making no cost-of-living adjustments.

We selected January 1, 2022, the last day of our 2021 fiscal year,December 19, 2023 as the date on which to determine our median employee. As of that date, we had 35,97134,472 employees, 30,32028,743 of which were located outside of the U.S. and 24,57122,751 of which were located in emerging markets. We utilized the de minimis exemption to eliminate thoseexclude the following countries representing no more than 5% of our

 

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no more than 5% of our global population in the aggregate. The countries excluded wereaggregate: Kenya (15 employees), Mauritius (19 employees), the Dominican Republic (120(18 employees), Pakistan (353(345 employees), Indonesia (527(473 employees) and Sri Lanka (669(523 employees), representing approximately 0.1%0.04%, 0.3%0.05%, 1.0%, 1.5%1.37% and 1.9%1.52%, respectively, of our global workforce at that time.

To determine our medianable group, we used a statistical sampling approach known as stratified sampling to concentrate on medianable employees, which were those within a narrow range of the estimated median annual salary of $10,645,$13,017, because these employees were all reasonably likely to be our median employee. As a result of this statistical sampling process, weWe identified 819405 employees with aan annual salary within $500 of this amount. EmployeesBecause employees from China represented approximately 58%46% of the medianable group; as a result,group, we narrowed the medianable group to those 478185 employees. Finally, we identified the 5six employees who were potentiallyhad the potential to be our median employee by analyzing additional qualitative and quantitative characteristics, including pay volatility.

MEDIAN EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION

Our median employee was a full-time, salaried employee working at a manufacturing facility in China, with annual base compensation of $10,572.$12,960. For purposes of this disclosure, we converted the employee’s annual base compensation from Chinese Yuan to U.S. dollars using the average monthly exchange rate during 20222023 of 0.1489384269.0.14128373.

As required by SEC rules, inIn determining the annual total compensation of $13,688$15,679 for our median employee, we calculated the employee’s compensation consistent with how we determined our CEO’s total compensation for the 20222023 Summary Compensation Table.

 

Avery Dennison Corporation |20232024 Proxy Statement

 

 

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ITEM 3 – APPROVAL OF CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO OUR

     AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

After careful consideration and upon the recommendation of the Governance Committee, our Board has determined it to be advisable and has approved, and recommends that our stockholders approve at the Annual Meeting, a Certificate of Amendment (the “Charter Amendment”) to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (“Charter”) to provide stockholders of record holding, in the aggregate, at least 25% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock the right to request that our Corporate Secretary call special meetings of stockholders. If stockholders approve the Charter Amendment, which is described below and included in its entirety in Appendix B of this proxy statement, our Board will amend our Bylaws to specify the notice, information and other requirements for stockholders to request that our Corporate Secretary call a special meeting of stockholders that will become effective upon the effectiveness of the Charter Amendment.

Pursuant to our Charter, stockholders currently do not have the right to request that we call special meetings of stockholders. Based on its ongoing review of our governance program and the feedback received during our 2023 engagements with investors, the Governance Committee and our Board have recognized that providing stockholders with the ability to request that special meetings be called is considered by various stakeholders to be an important element of a strong governance program. Our Board considers special meetings to be extraordinary events that should be held only when significant strategic concerns or other similar considerations require that the matters to be addressed not be delayed until our next Annual Meeting. Our investor relations and stockholder engagement programs provide forums in which stockholders may communicate directly with our Board and members of management throughout the year on topics of interest to them.

Because special meetings would be expensive and time-consuming for our company and potentially disrupt our normal business operations, our Board believes that a small percentage of stockholders should not be entitled to request that special meetings be called for their own interests, which may not be shared by the majority of our stockholders. To better inform our Board’s recommendation, we considered feedback from our investors, and while they expressed a variety of preferences and thresholds either during engagement or in their published policies, we found broad support for a 25% minimum ownership threshold for stockholders to be able to request that special meetings be called. Our Board believes that this threshold is appropriate as it would provide stockholders with a meaningful right to request that a special meeting be called while mitigating the risk that company resources are expended to serve the narrow self-interests of a few minority stockholders.

The Charter Amendment makes only one additional change, which is to remove out-of-date references to the declassification of our Board that had been fully implemented by April 2014, providing that directors shall be elected annually for one-year terms, consistent with existing Charter provisions and best practices.

In light of these considerations, our Board believes that the adoption of a right for stockholders to request that a special meeting be called as set forth in the Charter Amendment establishes the appropriate balance between enhancing stockholder rights and protecting stockholder interests.

Board Recommendation

Our Board recommends that you vote FOR a Certificate of Amendment to our

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to provide that stockholders holding at least 25%

of our common stock have the right to request that we call special meetings of stockholders.

Properly dated and signed proxies will be so voted unless you specify otherwise.

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Complete Text of Proposed Charter Amendment

The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by reference to, and should be read in conjunction with, the full text of the proposed Charter Amendment attached to this proxy statement as Appendix B.

Conforming Changes to the Bylaws

If the Charter Amendment is approved by stockholders at the Annual Meeting, our Board will amend our Bylaws to specify the procedural and related requirements for stockholder-requested special meetings. These procedural amendments are intended to ensure that our company and stockholders receive appropriate information about the special meeting and that the special meeting is not duplicative of matters that were, or in the near term could be, covered at an Annual Meeting. A summary of the planned amendments to our Bylaws is set forth below.

Ownership Provisions. We will be required to call a special meeting of stockholders upon the written request of one or more stockholders of record who “own” (as defined in our Bylaws) shares representing at least 25% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock. Multiple special meeting requests will be considered together for purposes of the 25% ownership threshold if they identify substantially the same purpose and are dated and delivered to our Corporate Secretary within 60 days of the first date on which a special meeting request was properly delivered to our company.

Information Provisions. The special meeting request must include, among other things, certain information, statements, representations, agreements and other documents as set forth in our Bylaws, including such items as would be required if the proponent were seeking to nominate directors or propose other business at an Annual Meeting under the advance notice provisions of our Bylaws. This is intended to provide our company and stockholders with the same information about matters that a stockholder seeks to present for stockholder vote, whether the stockholder is using the advance notice process or requesting that a special meeting be called.

Additional Provisions. A special meeting would be required to be held not more than 90 days after we receive a valid special meeting request at such time, date and place, if any, as determined by our Board. The amendments to our Bylaws will set forth certain procedural requirements that our Board believes are appropriate to avoid duplicative or unnecessary special meetings. Under these provisions, a special meeting request would not be valid if:

¡

It does not comply with the requirements pertaining to special meeting requests set forth in our Bylaws

¡

It relates to an item of business that is not the proper subject of stockholder action under applicable laws

¡

It is delivered during the period commencing 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the immediately preceding Annual Meeting and ending on the date of the next Annual Meeting

¡

An identical or substantially similar item (a “Similar Item”), other than the election of directors, was presented at an annual or special meeting of stockholders held not more than 12 months before the special meeting request is delivered

¡

A Similar Item was presented at an annual or special meeting of stockholders held not more than 90 days before the special meeting request is delivered

¡

A Similar Item is included in our company’s notice of meeting as an item of business to be brought before an annual or special meeting of stockholders that has been called but not yet held or that is called for a date within 90 days of the receipt by our company of the special meeting request

¡

The special meeting request was made in a manner that violated Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended, the “Exchange Act”) (as defined in Section 12) or other applicable laws

The amendments to our Bylaws will specify that the business to be transacted at a stockholder-requested special meeting will be limited to the business stated in a valid special meeting request and any additional business that our Board determines to include in the notice for the special meeting.

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ITEM 4 – RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

The Audit Committee – which is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation (including approval of audit and non-audit fees) and evaluation of the independent registered public accounting firm that audits our financial statements and internal control over financial reporting – has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 20232024 and our Board is seeking stockholder ratification of the appointment.

Stockholder ratification is not required by our Bylaws or applicable laws and regulations. However, our Board annually submits the appointment for stockholder ratification as an elementpart of our strong governance program. If stockholders were not to ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee would reconsider whether or not to retain PwC, but could determine to do so atin its discretion. In addition, even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee could subsequently appoint a different independent registered public accounting firm without stockholder ratification at that time if the committee were to determine that doing so was in the best interests of our company and stockholders.

Representatives of PwC will be available during the Annual Meeting to answer questions from stockholders.

Audit Committee Evaluation

In determining whether to reappoint PwC, the Audit Committee considered the firm’s qualifications, performance, independence and tenure, as well as the performance of the audit engagement team servicingserving our company; the quality of its discussions with PwC; and the fees charged by PwC for the quality and scope of services provided. In connection with the 20232024 appointment, the Audit Committee considered, among other things, the factors described below.

 

  

Audit Quality – The quality of PwC’s audit and non-audit work based on its oversight of the firm’sits work product, considering the firm’s (i) compliance with accounting, auditing and regulatory requirements; (ii) understanding of our businesses and the financial environments in which we operate; (iii) useidentification and resolution of its experience to identify and resolve issues in a timely manner; and (iv) exercise of integrity, objectivity and professional skepticism whenin performing our audits, as reflected inwell as its 2023 Audit Quality Report providedpresented to the Audit Committee in November 2022February 2024

 

  

Performance – PwC’s performanceeffectiveness during our 2022 andits prior-year audits, noting the firm’s agility and strong performance in 2022 despite the continued impact of COVID-19 in certain countries in which we operate,2023, as well as its actions to address the impactsengagement of remote/hybrid work environments and engage subject matter experts from the firm to deliver additional value

 

  

Qualitative Review – The results of our survey of members of management and the Audit Committee evaluating PwC’s (i) expertise and resources; (ii) quality and timeliness of audit planning; (iii) communication and interaction; (iv) independence, objectivity and professional skepticism; and (v) value from fees, noting identified areas of strengthstrengths and accomplished improvements, as well as suggestions for further improvement opportunitiesacross the surveyed categories

 

  

Self-Assessment – PwC’s self-assessment of its performance during the 2022 audit and its satisfaction of the service needs and expectations of the Audit Committee and management during the 2023 audit

 

  

Regulatory Reviews – External data on the firm’sPwC’s audit quality and performance, including the most recent Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) report on PwCthe firm provided to the Audit Committee in January 2024

 

  

Fees – The reasonableness of PwC’s fees for audit and non-audit services, both on an absolute basis and relative to peer firms; firms, including management’s benchmarking of our audit fees relative to those of peer companies, the Audit Committee is benchmarking independent auditor fees in 2023key drivers of variances and the firm’s targeted areas of increased productivity

 

  

Independence – PwC’s processes to ensure it maintains independence, including required independence training for all partners and staff and global deployment of an independence monitoring system for their personal affiliations; written disclosures from the firmfirm; and the independence letter required by the PCAOB

 

  

Tenure – PwC’s tenure as our independent auditor, reflecting on the feedback from certain of our investors counterbalanced against the benefits of having a longer-tenured auditor, as well as the controls wethe Audit Committee and PwC have in place to mitigate any potential independence risk. In 2022, the Audit Committee deliberated on conducting a request for proposalformal process to consider the selection of a new independent auditor, determining not to do so given its continued overall satisfaction with PwC’s effectiveness and performance; our engagementmultiple engagements of other large auditingregistered public accounting firms for to perform various non-audit services tofor our company, which could impair their independence and limit their ability to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm; the Committee’s adherence to regular rotation of PwC’s lead engagement partner and lead relationship partner; and potential risks to audit quality and timeliness.

 

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partner and lead relationship partner; and potential risks to audit quality and timeliness. In 2023, it noted that a new lead relationship partner began working with the Audit Committee in 2022 and a new lead engagement partner would begin overseeing the audit in 2024, in each case bringing fresh perspective.

The Audit Committee has determined that the appointment of PwC is in the best interest of our company and stockholders. The Audit Committee has appointed PwC as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 20232024 and our Board recommends that stockholders ratify the appointment.

Board Recommendation

Our Board recommends that you vote FOR ratification of the appointment of PwC

as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2023.2024.

Properly dated and signed proxies will be so voted unless you specify otherwise.

 

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AUDIT MATTERS

 

AUDITOR TENURE

PwC has been our independent registered public accounting firm since 1998 and served in that capacity during fiscal year 2022.2023. Through its predecessor entities, we believe that the firm has served as our independent auditor since at least 1954 based on records we have been able to locate. Welocate; we have been unable to determine the exact year PwC began serving as theour independent auditor for our company.auditor. PwC is well-qualified to continue serving as our independent registered public accounting firm, understands our operations and accounting practices, and maintains rigorous procedures to ensure auditor independence, which are discussed with and evaluated by the Audit Committee. A few of our investors have suggested that, because longer tenure poses a risk to auditor independence, the Audit Committee should consider the appointment ofappointing a newdifferent firm. After giving these views due consideration, the Audit Committee most recently determined not to undertake a request for proposalformal process at this time, andto potentially select a new firm in 2022. The committee determined to reappoint PwC for 2024 because it continues to believe that PwC provides, independent, high-quality audit services on the scale and with the efficiencyeffectiveness and independence the Committeecommittee requires, giving consideration to the factors shown below.

 

  

Audit Quality and Performance – PwC has deep institutional knowledge regarding our operations, businesses, and accounting policies and practices, and optimizes its people and technology to deliver quality assurance services and consistently performing wellimprove its performance

 

  

Scale – PwC has a global presence with resources in virtually all of the countries in which we do business, enabling the firm to cost-effectively perform statutory audit work on our subsidiary accounts

 

  

Capability – PwC’s capability and experience handlingunderstanding the breadth and complexity of our global operations

Fresh Perspective The appointments of a new lead engagement partner for the 2024 audit and a new lead relationship partner in 2022, each of whom brings fresh perspective

 

  

Efficiency – PwC brings customized knowledge using judgment tailored to our audits, allowing for significant time savings

 

  

Cost-Effectiveness  PwC’s ability to cost-effectively perform audit, audit-related, tax compliance, tax planning and other services

In conducting its regular review of whether to appoint a new independent registered public accounting firm, among other things, the Audit Committee considers the fact that onboarding a new firm would require a significant time commitment on the part of management, potentially distracting from the paramount focus on financial reporting and internal controls, without necessarily increasing audit quality.

 

The Audit Committee recognized PwC’s investmentuse of significant time and resources to maintain and continually enhance audit quality; provide its people with greater flexibility in how and where they work; and identify new ways for them to work with one another and our companydigital tools to improve efficiencies in the areas of business performance analytics and auditing of the consolidation process, as well as the expanded use of its tool for gathering and managing audit experience.requests. In addition, PwC has continued to improve utilization of its global deliverable model to manage service delivery cost, drive standardization and execute a quality audit.

PwC continuously provides the Audit Committee and management with accounting/financial reporting insights and best practices relevant to our business, as well as advance notice of legislative and regulatory developments that could have the potential to significantlya significant impact on our company.

The Audit Committee has several controls in place to mitigate any potential independence risk related to auditor tenure, including those described below and on the following page.below.

 

  

Annual Review of Performance and Independence – In addition to its ongoing assessment and feedback provided to PwC, the Audit Committee formally evaluates boththe firm’s performance and independence, as well as other factors such as auditor tenure, in determining whether or not to reappoint the firm for the following year

 

  

Limits on Non-Audit Services – The Audit Committee assesses the impact providing non-audit services may have on PwC’s independence each time it approves the firm’s provision of these services, as well as during its annual assessment of the firm’s independence; our company regularly uses other independent registered public accounting firms to provide non-audit services, engaging PwC only where such services areif permissible and where doing so confers significant benefits given its role as our independent auditor

 

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Regular Consideration of Auditor Rotation – The Audit Committee regularly considers whether to change the independent registered public accounting firm based on its assessment of PwC’s audit quality, performance, compensation, independence and tenure, having most recently done so in 2022 deliberating on whether to undertake a request for proposal process and ultimately determining instead to benchmark the firm’s fees in 2023

 

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Executive Sessions – The Audit Committee meets regularly both with PwC without management present and with management without PwC present

 

  

Lead Engagement Partner Rotation and Selection – To regularly bring a fresh perspective to the audit, aA new lead engagement partner is designated at least every five years; a new lead engagementyears, with the current partner was most recentlyhaving been designated in advance of the 2019 audit. The Audit Committee began discussions with the firm regarding the next lead engagement partner in mid-2022 and has selected the individual who will begin leading the audit in 2024. In both cases, the Audit Committee interviewed the partner prior to his designation, and the Audit Committee was directly responsible for making the selection, in consultation with management and representatives from PwC.The Audit Committee began discussions with the firm regarding the next lead engagement partner in mid-2022, who would lead audits conducted by PwC beginning in 2024.

 

  

Oversight by Lead Relationship Partner – PwC designates a separate lead relationship partner to provide additional assurance and objective oversight; this partner meets at least annually with the Audit Committee and is available as needed to resolve any issues that may arise. A new lead relationship partner was designated in 2022, having been selected by the Audit Committee in consultation with leadership from PwC.PwC leadership. This additional oversight and escalation point to address issues that may arise strengthens the independence of the audit engagement team and helps ensure continuous improvement in service quality.

AUDITOR INDEPENDENCE

PwC has advised us that neither the firm nor any member thereof has any financial interest, direct or indirect, in our company or our subsidiaries, confirming to the Audit Committee that it is in compliance with the rules, standards and policies of the PCAOB and the regulations of the SEC governing auditor independence. In February 2023,2024, the Audit Committee reviewed the non-audit services pre-approved by the committee and provided by PwC during 2022,2023, including the related fees associated with previously pre-approved services, and in assessing whether the firm’s provision of these services would impairimpaired PwC’s independence.

The Audit Committee discussed with PwC its independence from our company, Board and management and concluded that PwC was independent during 2022.2023.

AUDITOR COMPENSATION

In approving PwC’s services and fees, the Audit Committee considers whether PwC is best positioned to provide the services effectively and efficiently due to its familiarity with our operations, businesses, accounting policies and practices, internal controls, and financial and information technology systems, as well as whether the services enhance our ability to manage control risks and maintain audit quality. The Audit Committee regularly receives updates on the services provided by, and fees paid to, PwC to ensure that they are within the parameters approved by the Audit Committee.Committee; in the event that fees are expected to exceed what was pre-approved by the Audit Committee at the beginning of the audit, additional committee approval is required.

COMMITTEE APPROVAL OF SERVICES AND FEES

The Audit Committee has adopted procedures for the pre-approval of all audit and non-audit services and fees provided by the independent registered public accounting firm. In the fourth quarter of 2021,2022, the Audit Committee approved the (i) audit, audit-related and other services PwC wouldcould perform in the 2022 audit2023 and (ii) permissible tax services the firm could provide during the year. The Audit Committee pre-approved PwC’s budgeted fees for audit, audit-related, tax compliance, tax planning and other services in February 2022,April 2023 (having approved interim fees for services through that time), received updates on year-to-date fees incurred in July and November, of that year, and assessed the final fees in connection with its review of theaudit results of the audit in February 2023.2024. These procedures include reviewing and approving a plan for audit and permitted non-audit services, which includes a description of, and estimated fees for, each category of audit and non-audit services. Additional Audit Committee approval is required for services not included in the initial plan or substantially in excess offor fees exceeding the budgeted amount for thea particular category of services. The Audit Committee has delegated interim pre-approval authority to its Chair for additional services not included in the audit plan;that may become necessary; these services are presented for approval toby the entire Audit Committee at a subsequent meeting.

 

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AUDIT FEES

In fiscal years 20222023 and 2021,2022, PwC provided the services shown below for our company – all of which were approved by the Audit Committee underin accordance with the procedures described above – for which we paid the firm the fees indicated.

 

  2022   2021   2023   2022 

Audit Fees(1)

  $9,158,000   $8,690,000 

Audit Fees(1)

Audit Fees(1)

Audit Fees(1)

  $9,623,000   $9,158,000 

Audit-Related Fees(2)

Audit-Related Fees(2)

Audit-Related Fees(2)

Audit-Related Fees(2)

   203,000    236,000    207,000    203,000 

Tax Fees:

    

Tax Fees:

Tax Fees:

Tax Fees:

Tax Compliance(3)

Tax Compliance(3)

Tax Compliance(3)

Tax Compliance(3)

   2,212,000    2,610,000    2,940,000    2,212,000 

Tax Planning(4)

   2,062,000    1,647,000 

Tax Planning(4)

Tax Planning(4)

Tax Planning(4)

   900,000    2,062,000 

All Other Fees(5)

All Other Fees(5)

All Other Fees(5)

All Other Fees(5)

   15,000    16,000    16,000    15,000 
  

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

Total

  $13,650,000   $13,199,000 

(1) Includes fees for services performed to comply with the standards established by the PCAOB, including the audit of our financial statements and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting; audits in connection with statutory filings; and other services that the principal independent registered public accounting firm most effectively and efficiently can provide, such as procedures related to comfort letters, consents and review of our SEC filings.

(2) Includes fees associated with assurance and related services traditionally performed by the independent registered public accounting firm and reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements, including assistance in financial due diligence related to acquisitions and divestitures and the audit or compliance services not required by applicable statutes or regulations. This category also includes audits of pension and other employee benefit plans, as well as the audit or review of information technology systems and internal controls unrelated to the audit of the financial statements. As required by revised proxy rules, amount in 2022 excludes $31,000 of audit-related fees for PwC’s audit of our pension plan in the Netherlands, which had been approved by the Committee but were ultimately paid by the plan rather than our company.

(3) Includes fees associated with tax compliance such as preparation of tax returns in foreign jurisdictions, tax audits and transfer pricing documentation.

(4) Includes fees for domestic and international tax planning, and tax planning related to restructuring actions, acquisitions and divestitures.

(5) Includes fees for any services other than those described in the above categories. In both years, included subscriptions and licenses to accounting and tax resources and other permissible services.

   

   

   

   

   

Total

Total

Total

  $13,686,000   $13,650,000 

(1) Includes fees for services performed to comply with the standards established by the PCAOB, including the audits of our financial statements and internal control over financial reporting; audits in connection with statutory filings; and other services that the principal independent registered public accounting firm can most effectively and efficiently provide, such as procedures related to comfort letters, consents and reviews of our SEC filings.

(2) Includes fees associated with assurance and related services traditionally performed by the independent registered public accounting firm and reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements, including assistance in financial due diligence related to acquisitions and divestitures and the audit or compliance services not required by applicable statutes or regulations. This category also includes audits of pension and other employee benefit plans, as well as the audit or review of information technology systems and internal controls unrelated to the audit of the financial statements.

(3) Includes fees associated with tax compliance such as preparation of tax returns in foreign jurisdictions, tax audits and transfer pricing documentation.

(4) Includes fees for U.S. and non-U.S. tax planning, as well as tax planning related to restructuring actions, acquisitions and divestitures.

(5) Includes fees for any services other than those described in the above categories. In both years, included subscriptions and licenses to accounting and tax resources and other permissible services.

(1) Includes fees for services performed to comply with the standards established by the PCAOB, including the audits of our financial statements and internal control over financial reporting; audits in connection with statutory filings; and other services that the principal independent registered public accounting firm can most effectively and efficiently provide, such as procedures related to comfort letters, consents and reviews of our SEC filings.

(2) Includes fees associated with assurance and related services traditionally performed by the independent registered public accounting firm and reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements, including assistance in financial due diligence related to acquisitions and divestitures and the audit or compliance services not required by applicable statutes or regulations. This category also includes audits of pension and other employee benefit plans, as well as the audit or review of information technology systems and internal controls unrelated to the audit of the financial statements.

(3) Includes fees associated with tax compliance such as preparation of tax returns in foreign jurisdictions, tax audits and transfer pricing documentation.

(4) Includes fees for U.S. and non-U.S. tax planning, as well as tax planning related to restructuring actions, acquisitions and divestitures.

(5) Includes fees for any services other than those described in the above categories. In both years, included subscriptions and licenses to accounting and tax resources and other permissible services.

   

   

   

   

   

 

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AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT

 

COMPOSITION AND QUALIFICATIONS

The Audit and Finance Committee (referred to in this report as the “Committee”) of our Board of Directors (our “Board”) is composed of the directors named and pictured at the end of this report, each of whom meets the enhanced independence and experience standards for audit committee members required by Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)SEC rules and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)NYSE listing standards. Our Board has determined all members to be financially literate and designated each of Anthony Anderson and Patrick Siewert as an “audit committee financial expert” under applicable SEC regulations. Members of the Committee are prohibited from sitting on the audit committee of more than two other public companies, and all members are in compliance with this restriction.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Committee has a written charter adoptedapproved by our Board, which is available under Corporate Governance in the investors section of our website. The Committee annually reviews theits charter and recommends changes to the Board for approval. The charter was most recently amended in December 2022.2023.

During fiscal year 2022,2023, the Committee primarily performed the activities described below on behalf of our Board.

 

Reviewed and discussed with management and the independent registered public accounting firm our quarterly and annual financial results, earnings release documentation and the related reports we file with the SEC

 

Reviewed and discussed with management, our Vice President of Internal Audit leader and the independent registered public accounting firm our internal controls report and the independent registered public accounting firm’s attestation thereof

 

Evaluated the qualifications, performance and independence of the independent registered public accounting firm and met with representatives of the firm to discuss the scope, budget, staffing and progress of its audit

 

Maintained responsibility for the compensation and oversight of the work of the independent auditor for the purpose of preparing or issuing its audit report or related work, as well as for approving the compensation of and engagement of any other registered public accounting firm preparing or issuing an audit report or related work or performing other audit or attest services

Supervised our Vice President of Internal Audit leader with respect to the scope, budget, staffing and progress of the internal audit and evaluated his personalindividual performance, as well as the performance of his function

 

Discussed significant financial risk exposures, including our cybersecurity risk management program and risks related to our company’s information technology controls and security, and the steps taken by management to monitor and control these exposures

OVERSIGHT OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Management is responsible for our consolidated financial statements, accounting and financial reporting policies, internal control over financial reporting, and disclosure controls and procedures. The Committee appointed the independent registered public accounting firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) to provide audit, audit-related and tax compliance services, with limited tax planning and other services to the extent approved by the Committee. PwC performed an independent auditaudits of our 20222023 consolidated financial statements and our internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), issuing an opinion on the conformity of those financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). The Committee’s responsibility is to monitor and oversee our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of our consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting. The members of the Committee are not professionally engaged in the practice of auditing or accounting and rely without independent verification on the information provided to them and the representations made by management and PwC.

The Committee reviewed and discussed our consolidated financial statements and related footnotes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 202230, 2023 – including our company’s critical accounting policies and management’s significant estimates and judgments – with management and PwC, as well as PwC’s report and unqualified opinion on its audits. Management represented to the Committee and PwC that our consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP. PwC presented the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 1301, Communications with Audit Committees. The Committee received these written disclosures and the letters from PwC required by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding communications concerning independence – including Rule 3524, Audit Committee Pre-approval of Certain Tax Services, and Rule 3526, Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independenceand discussed with PwC its independence from our company, Board and management.

 

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Based on the Committee’s review and discussions with management and PwC, described above, as well as the Committee’s review of the representations of management and the audit report and unqualified opinion of PwC, the Committee recommended that our Board approve the inclusion of the audited consolidated financial statements for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with for the SEC.fiscal year ended December 30, 2023.

OVERSIGHT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Committee is responsible for appointing the independent registered public accounting firm and monitoring and overseeing the firm’s qualifications, compensation, performance and independence. In this capacity, the Committee reviewed with PwC the overall scope of services and fees for its audit and monitored the progress of PwC’s audit in assessing our compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, including the firm’s findings and required resources.

PwC provided to the Committee the written disclosures and independence letter required by the PCAOB. The Committee discussed with PwC its independence from our company and management and concluded that PwC was independent during fiscal year 2022.2023. The Committee has a policy requiring pre-approval of fees for audit, audit-related, tax compliance, tax planning and other services and has concluded that PwC’s provision of limited non-audit services to our company in 2022 was compatible with maintaining2023 did not impair its independence.

Under its charter, the Committee is required to regularly consider whether it is appropriate to change the independent registered public accounting firm, having most recently formally evaluated with management whether it may be appropriate to do so in 2022, with a view to ensuring that audit quality would continue to be paramount.Recognizing that – aided by the regular rotation of both the lead engagement partner and the lead relationship partner – PwC has continued to exercise independence in challenging management, the Committee determined to retain PwC, noting the firm’s strong performanceaudit effectiveness and consistently improving service delivery with top talent assigned to our audit. The Committee is benchmarking PwC’s fees against those of other large auditing firms in 2023. .

The Committee has determined that the appointment of PwC as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 20232024 is in the best interest of our company and stockholders. The Committee has appointed PwC in this capacity and recommendsour Board has recommended that stockholders ratify the appointment.

OVERSIGHT OF INTERNAL AUDIT

The Committee’s responsibility is to monitor and oversee our internal audit function, reviewing the significant audit results reported to management and management’s responses thereto. In this capacity, the Committee reviews with our Vice President of Internal Audit leader the overall scope and budget for the internal audit, and regularly monitors the progress of the internal audit in assessing our compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, including key findings and required resources. The Committee supervises our Vice President of Internal Audit leader in the conduct of his operational responsibilities and evaluates his individual performance as well as that of the entire internal audit function.

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

The Committee regularly meets separately in executive session without management present with each of our Vice President of Internal Audit leader and PwC to review and discuss their evaluations of the overall quality of our accounting and financial reporting and internal control. The Committee also regularly meets, without PwC or our Vice President of Internal Audit leader present, with management, our CFO and our Controller/CAO,Controller, and meets as needed with other members of management such as our CEO COO and CLO, to discuss, among other things, significant risk exposures impacting our financial statements and accounting policies.

 

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20232024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation

 


STOCKHOLDER FEEDBACK

The Audit Committee has established procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment, on a confidential basis, of complaints regarding our accounting, internal controls and auditing matters. See Complaint Procedures for Accounting and Auditing Matters in the Governance section of this proxy statement. The Committee welcomes feedback regarding its oversight of our audit and finance programs.program. Stockholders may communicate with the Committee by writing to the Audit Committee Chair, c/o Corporate Secretary, 8080 Norton Parkway, Mentor, Ohio 44060.

Former director Anthony Anderson served on the Audit Committee through July 2023 and new director Maria Fernanda Mejia was appointed to the Audit Committee in February 2024. Neither Mr. Anderson nor Ms. Mejia participated in the review, discussions and recommendations reflected in this Audit Committee Report.

 

Martha N. Sullivan, Chair

Anthony K. Anderson

 

  

Andres A. Lopez

 

  

Patrick T. Siewert

 

William R. Wagner

LOGO

  LOGOLOGO  LOGO

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP INFORMATION

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND SIGNIFICANT STOCKHOLDERS

The table below shows the number of shares of our common stock beneficially owned by our (i) current directors; (ii) NEOs; (iii) current directors and executive officers as a group; and (iv) greater-than-five-percent, or “significant,” stockholders, in each case as of the February 27, 202326, 2024 record date for the Annual Meeting.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner Common
Stock(1)
 Number of Rights Exercisable and
Vesting within 60 Days(2)
 Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned
 

Percent of

Class(3)

 Common Stock(1) Number of Rights Exercisable and Vesting
within 60 Days(2)
 

Number of Shares

 Beneficially Owned 

 

 Percent of 

Class(3)

Directors

    

Current Directors

Current Directors

Current Directors

Current Directors

Current Directors

Bradley A. Alford

  22,642  21,471  44,113  *

Anthony K. Anderson

  558  12,641  13,199  *

Mitchell R. Butier

  278,792  201,118  479,910  *

Ken C. Hicks

  29,002  15,063  44,065  *

Andres A. Lopez

  7,115  1,459  8,574  *

Maria Fernanda Mejia

Francesca Reverberi

        *

Patrick T. Siewert

  16,604    16,604  *

Julia A. Stewart

  21,642  42,550  64,192  *

Deon M. Stander

Martha N. Sullivan

  16,660  12,951  29,611  *

William R. Wagner

        *

William R. Wagner

William R. Wagner

William R. Wagner

William R. Wagner

Non-Director NEOs

    

Deon M. Stander

  38,639  11,339  49,978  *

Gregory S. Lovins

  52,877  16,112  68,989  *

Francisco Melo

Deena Baker-Nel

  5,422  4,316  9,738  *

Ignacio J. Walker

  7,795  4,134  11,929  *

Nicholas R. Colisto

Nicholas R. Colisto

Nicholas R. Colisto

Nicholas R. Colisto

Nicholas R. Colisto

All current directors and executive officers
as a group (16 persons)

  536,307  352,488  888,795  1.1%

All current directors and executive officers as a group (17 persons)

All current directors and executive officers as a group (17 persons)

All current directors and executive officers as a group (17 persons)

All current directors and executive officers as a group (17 persons)

All current directors and executive officers as a group (17 persons)

  561,632  342,584  904,216  1.1%

Significant stockholders

    

The Vanguard Group(4)

  9,856,108    9,856,108  12.2%  9,623,611     9,623,611   12.0%

BlackRock, Inc.(5)

  6,514,175    6,514,175  8.0%  7,381,914     7,381,914   9.2%

T. Rowe Price Investment

Management, Inc.(6)

  4,276,716    4,276,716  5.3%

 

 (1) 

Except as otherwise noted herein, eachEach current director,non-director NEO and current executive officer has sole voting and investment power with respect to thetheir respective shares indicated and no shares have been pledged as security by any such person. Includes for the following beneficial owners the following amounts of shares held in our employee savings plan as of February 27, 2023:26, 2024: Butier – 4,083,4,150, Lovins – 2,124, 2,159, Baker-Nel1,307, Walker – 555,1,413, and all current directors and executive officers as a group – 10,535.–8,649. Their business address is 8080 Norton Parkway, Mentor, Ohio 44060.

 

 

 (2) 

Numbers reported in this column are not entitled to vote during the Annual Meeting. Includes the following number of DSUs deferred through the DDECP by the following directors as of February 27, 2023,26, 2024, as to which they have no voting or investment power: Alford – 21,471; Anderson – 12,641;22,398; Hicks – 15,063;15,330; Lopez – 1,459;1,649; Stewart – 42,550;43,303; and Sullivan – 12,951.13,864. DSUs are included as beneficially owned because, if the director were to resign or retire fromleave our Board, his or her DDECP account would be valued as of the date of separation and the equivalent number of shares of our common stock, less fractional shares, would be issued to the separating director. For Mr.Messrs. Butier and Stander and all non-director NEOs and executive officers, includes PUs and MSUs vesting within 60 days of February 27, 2023.26, 2024.

 

 

 (3) 

Percent of class based on 81,108,97580,520,396 shares of our common stock outstanding as of February 27, 2023.26, 2024. Individuals with an (*) beneficially own less than 1% of our outstanding common stock.

 

 

 (4) 

Number of shares beneficially owned based on information as of December 31, 20222023 contained in Amendment No. 1213 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 9, 2023.13, 2024. The Vanguard Group has sole voting power with respect to no shares; shared voting power with respect to 118,071102,691 shares; sole dispositive power with respect to 9,519,8279,281,495 shares; and shared dispositive power with respect to 336,281342,116 shares. The Vanguard Group is an investment adviser, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E) of the Exchange Act, with a business address of 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355.

 

 

 (5) 

Number of shares beneficially owned based on information as of December 31, 20222023 contained in Amendment No. 1415 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 3, 2023.January 24, 2024. BlackRock, Inc. has sole voting power with respect to 5,747,6866,640,110 shares; shared voting power with respect to no shares; sole dispositive power with respect to all 6,514,1757,381,914 shares; and shared dispositive power with respect to no shares. BlackRock, Inc. is a parent holding company or control person, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G) of the Exchange Act, with a business address of 55 East 52nd Street,50 Hudson Yards, New York, New York 10055.10001.

 

 

(6)

Number of shares beneficially owned based on information as of December 31, 2023 contained in Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2024. T. Rowe Price Investment Management, Inc. has sole voting power with respect to 1,881,941 shares; shared voting power with respect to no shares; sole dispositive power with respect to all 4,276,716 shares; and shared dispositive power with respect to no shares. T. Rowe Price Investment Management, Inc. is an investment adviser registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, with a business address of 101 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201.

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RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

Both our Code of Conduct and our Conflict of Interest Policy (“COI Policy”) provide that conflicts of interest should be avoided. Under our Governance Guidelines, Board members are expected to comply with our Code of Conduct and avoid any action, position or interest that conflicts or may appear to conflict with those of our company, or gives the appearance of a conflict.company. The Governance Committee oversees our COI Policy,conflict of interest policy, which proscribes any ofprohibits our officers (including ourall executive officers) orand employees – or any of their immediate family members – from directly or indirectly doing business, seeking to do business or owning an interest in an entity that does business or seeks to do business with our company without having received prior written approval. Any officer or employee who has a question as to the interpretation of the policy or its application to a specific activity, transaction or situation may submit the question in writing to our law department for any further review necessary review by the Governance Committee.

All employees at the level of manager and above and all non-supervisory professionals are regularly required to complete a compliance certification in which they must (i) disclose, among other things, whether they or any of their immediate family members have a job, contract or other position with an entity that has commercial dealings with our company and (ii) certify that they have complied with our Code of Conduct and key company policies. All disclosuresDisclosures are reviewed by our compliance and law departments in consultation with senior management to determine whether the activity has the potential to significantly influence our business. The Governance Committee receivesreceived a report from our Chief Compliance Officer on the disclosures elicited in the 2022 compliance certification and, in early 2023. We plan to conduct the compliance certification process later this year, after which results will be discussed with the Governance Committee. In the event that an unresolved disclosure potentially gives rise to a significant conflict of interest, the committee determines whether a conflict of interest exists or whether there is a reasonable likelihood that the activity, transaction or situation would influence the individual’s judgment or actions in performing his or her duties for our company. In 2022, we relaunched the compliance certification process after suspending it in 2021 to implement improvement opportunities recommended by an independent third-party expert we engaged to benchmark our compliance program, as well as improve the overall efficiency of the process.duties.

In addition, each of our directors and executive officers annually completes a questionnaire designed to solicit information about any potential related person transactions. Transactions involving directors are reviewed with the Governance Committee by our Corporate Secretary in connection with theits annual assessment of director independence. Responses from executive officers are reviewed by our Corporate Secretary with oversight by the Governance Committee in the event any such transactions are identified.

We review internal financial records to identify transactions with security holders known by us from information contained in Schedules 13D or 13G filed with the SEC to be beneficial owners of more than 5% of our common stock to determine whether we have any relationships with the security holders that might constitute related person transactions under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. Our Corporate Secretary discusses any such findingsrelationships constituting related person transactions with the Governance Committee.

 

During fiscal year 2022,2023, there were no related person transactions requiring disclosure under SEC rules and regulations. To our knowledge,regulations and all related person transactions were reviewed under ourin accordance with the policies and procedures.procedures described above.

 

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VOTING AND MEETING Q&A

 

 

ANNUAL REPORT AND PROXY MATERIALS

WHEN WILL I RECEIVE THE 2022 ANNUAL REPORT?

We expect to mail or make available our 2022 Annual Report to all stockholders of record on or about March 15, 2023.

HOW DO I ACCESS THE 2023 ANNUAL REPORT AND 2024 PROXY MATERIALS?

We have elected to provide access to our proxy materials on the internet. Accordingly, we are sending the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) to our stockholders of record. Brokers, banks and other nominees (collectively, “nominees”) who hold shares on behalf of beneficial owners (also called “street name” holders) will send a similar notice. You will have the ability to access our proxy materials on the website referred to in the Notice. Instructions on how to request printed proxy materials by mail, including an option to receive paper copies in the future, may be found in the Notice and on the website referred to in the Notice.

On or about March 15, 2023, [], 2024, we intend towill make this proxy statement and 2023 Annual Report available online and mailbegin mailing the Notice to all stockholders entitled to vote. On or about the same date, we intend to mail thiswill begin mailing our 2023 Integrated Report, which includes our 2023 Annual Report and 2024 notice and proxy statement, together with a proxy card, to stockholders entitled to vote during the Annual Meeting who have previously requested paper copies. In addition, if you request paper copies of these materials for the first time, they will be mailed within three business days of your request. If you hold your shares in street name, you may request paper copies of the proxy statement and proxy card from your nominee by following the instructions on the notice your nominee provides to you.

Stockholders of record may obtain a copy of this proxy statement without charge by writing to our Corporate Secretary at 8080 Norton Parkway, Mentor, Ohio 44060.

WHAT IS HOUSEHOLDING?

We will deliver one copy of our 2022 integrated sustainability and annual report, which includes our 2023 notice and proxy statement,Integrated Report to stockholders sharing the same address. Householding allows us to reduce our printing and postage costs and prevents duplicative informationmultiple proxy materials from being received at your household and impacts only the delivery of proxy materials;household; it does not impact the delivery of dividend checks.

For holders who share an address, we are sending only one integrated report2023 Integrated Report to that address unless we have received instructions to the contrary from any stockholder at that address. If you wish to receive an additional copy of our integrated report,2023 Integrated Report, or if you receive multiple copies of our integrated report and wish to receive a single copy in the future, you may make your request by writing to our Corporate Secretary at 8080 Norton Parkway, Mentor, Ohio 44060.

If you are a beneficial holder and wish to revoke your consent to householding and receive separate copies of our proxy statement and annual report in future years, you may call Broadridge Investor Communications Services toll-free at 866.540.7095 in the U.S. and Canada or write them c/o Householding Department, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York 11717.

HOW CAN I ACCESS THE ANNUAL REPORT AND PROXY MATERIALS ELECTRONICALLY?

Instead of receiving paper copies of proxy statements and annual reports and proxy materials by mail in the future, you can elect to receive an email that will providewith a link to these documents on the internet. By electinginternet, which allows you to access proxy materials online, you can access them more quickly, save us the cost of printing and mailing them to you, reduce the amount of mail you receive from us and help us preserve environmental resources.

You may enroll to access proxy materials and annual reports electronically for future Annual Meetings by registering online at the following website: https://enroll.icsdelivery.com/avy. If you are voting online, you can follow the links on the voting website to reach the electronic enrollment website.

 

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VOTING

WHO IS SOLICITING MY VOTE?

Our Board is soliciting your vote in connection with the Annual Meeting.

WHO IS ENTITLED TO VOTE?

Stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 27, 2023 26, 2024 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. Our common stock is the only class of shares outstanding, and there were 81,108,97580,520,396 shares of common stock outstanding on February 27, 2023. 26, 2024. The list of stockholders entitled to vote will be available for inspection during the virtual Annual Meeting, as well as starting 10 days before the Annual Meeting during regular business hours at our company headquarters inlocated at 8080 Norton Parkway, Mentor, Ohio.Ohio 44060. You are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock you held on the record date.

HOW DO I VOTE?

You may vote by submitting a proxy or voting during the Annual Meeting at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AVY2023.AVY2024. If you are a beneficial holder, you may only vote during the meeting if you properly request and receive a legal proxy in your name from the nominee that holds your shares.

The method of voting by proxy differs depending on whether you are viewing this proxy statement online or reviewing a paper copy.

 

If you are viewing this proxy statement online, you may vote your shares by (i) submitting a proxy by telephone or online by following the instructions on the website or (ii) requesting a paper copy of the proxy materials and following one of the methods described below.

 

If you are reviewing a paper copy of this proxy statement, you may vote your shares by (i) submitting a proxy by telephone or online by following the instructions on the proxy card or (ii) completing, dating and signing the proxy card included with the proxy statement and returning it in the preaddressed, postage-paid envelope provided.

Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote promptly using one of the methods described in the proxy materials.above. We encourage you to vote by telephone or online since these methods immediately record your vote and allow you to confirm that your votes have been properly recorded. Telephone and online votes must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 26, 2023.24, 2024.

WHAT IF MY SHARES WERE ACQUIRED THROUGH THE DIRECT SHARE PURCHASE AND SALE PROGRAM?

Shares acquired through our Direct Share Purchase and Sale Program may be voted by following the procedures described above.

WHAT IF MY SHARES ARE HELD IN THE EMPLOYEE SAVINGS PLAN?

If you hold shares as a participant in our Employee Savings (401(k)) Plan, your vote serves as a voting instruction to Fidelity Management Trust Company, the trustee of the plan, on how to vote your shares. Your voting instruction must be received by the trustee by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 24, 2023.22, 2024.

If the trustee does not receive your instruction in a timely manner, your shares will be voted in the same proportion as the shares voted by plan participants in the plan who timely furnish instructions. Shares of our common stock that have not been allocated to participant accounts will also be voted by the trustee in the same proportion as the shares voted by plan participants in the plan who timely furnish instructions.

HOW DO I REVOKE MY PROXY OR CHANGE MY VOTE AFTER I HAVE VOTED?

If you give a proxy pursuant to this solicitation, you may revoke it at any time before it is acted upon during the Annual Meeting by (i) submitting another proxy by telephone or online (only your last voting instructions will be counted); (ii) sending a later dated paper proxy; or (iii) if you are entitled to do so, voting during the Annual Meeting. Simply attending the Annual Meeting will not revoke your proxy.

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If your shares are held in street name, you may only change your vote by submitting new voting instructions to your nominee. You must contact your nominee to find out how to change your vote. Shares held in our Employee Savings Plan cannot be changed or revoked after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 24, 2023,22, 2024, nor can they be voted during the Annual Meeting.

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IS MY VOTE CONFIDENTIAL?

Except in contested proxy solicitations, when required by law or as authorized by you (such as by making a written comment on your proxy card, in which case the comment, but not your vote, may be shared with our company), your vote or voting instruction is confidential and will not be disclosed other than to the broker, trustee, agent or other entityinspector of election tabulating your vote.

HOW WILL VOTES BE COUNTED?

Votes cast by proxy or during the Annual Meeting will be tabulated by a representative from Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., the independent inspector of election appointed by our Board. The inspector of election will also determine whether a quorum is present. During the Annual Meeting, shares represented by proxies that reflect abstentions or broker non-votes (which are shares held by a nominee that are represented, during the meeting, but with respect to which the nominee neither has discretionary authority to vote nor has been given actual authority to vote on a particular item) will be counted as shares that are present and entitled to vote during the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum. Items 1, 2 and 3 are non-routine under the rules of the NYSE and Item 4 is routine. Nominees are prohibited from voting on non-routine items in the absence of instructions from the beneficial owners of the shares; as a result, if you hold your shares in street name and do not timely submit voting instructions to your nominee, your shares will not be voted on Item 1, election of directors; Item 2, approval, on an advisory basis, of our executive compensation; or Item 3, approval on an advisory basis, of a Certificate of Amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to provide that stockholders holding 25% of our outstanding common stock have the frequencyright to request that we call special meetings of votes to approve executive compensation. stockholders. We urge you to promptly provide voting instructions to your nominee so that your vote is counted.

The vote required to approve each of the Annual Meeting business items, as well as the impact of abstentions and broker non-votes, is shown in the chart below.

 

Item

ITEM OF BUSINESS

 

Vote

RequiredVOTE REQUIRED

 

Impact of

AbstentionsIMPACT OF ABSENTIONS

 

Impact of

Broker Non-VotesIMPACT OF
BROKER
NON-VOTES

1 

Election of directors

 

Majority of votes cast

 

Not counted as votes cast;

no impact on outcome

 

Not counted as votes cast;

no impact on outcome

2 

Advisory vote to approve
executive compensation

 

Majority of shares

represented and entitled

to vote

 

Negative impact on outcome

 

Not counted as represented and entitled to vote;
no impact on outcome

3 

Determine, on an advisory basis,Approval of a Certificate of Amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to provide that stockholders holding 25% of outstanding common stock have the frequency (whether every one, two or three years) with which ourright to request that we call special meetings of stockholders will have advisory votes to approve executive compensation

 

PluralityMajority of shares represented and entitled to vote

outstanding

 

NoNegative impact on outcome

 

Not counted as represented and entitled to vote; noNegative impact on outcome

4 

Ratification of appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLPPwC as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2023FY 2024

 

Majority of shares

represented and entitled

to vote

 

Negative impact on outcome

 

Not applicable

WHAT IF THERE IS ADDITIONAL BUSINESS TO BE VOTED ON?

As of the date of this proxy statement, we know of no other business to be presented for consideration during the meeting. If any other business properly comes before the meeting, your vote will be cast on any such other business in accordance with the best judgment ofby the individuals acting pursuant to your proxy.proxy in their best judgment.

HOW DO I FIND VOTE RESULTS?

We expect to announce preliminary voting results during the Annual Meeting and report final voting results in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on or before May 3, 2023.1, 2024.

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ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION

WHAT IS THE TIME, DATE AND FORMAT OF THE ANNUAL MEETING?

The Annual Meeting will take place at 1:2:30 p.m. PacificEastern Time on April 27, 2023.25, 2024. To allow more stockholders to attend without the time and expense of doing so in person, the meeting will be held virtually, with attendance via the internet. To attend the virtual Annual Meeting, you will need to log in to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AVY2023 using the 16-digit control number on your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or proxy card.

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HOW CAN I ATTEND THE VIRTUAL MEETING?

To attend the virtual Annual Meeting, you will need to log in to the virtual meeting website at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AVY2023AVY2024 using the 16-digit control number on theyour Notice, or proxy card mailed or made available to you on or about March 15, 2023.voting instruction form. Online access to the live audio webcast of the Annual Meeting will open at 1:2:15 p.m. PacificEastern Time to allow time for you to log in and test your device’s audio system. We encourage you to access the meeting in advance of its designated start time as we plan to begin conducting the meeting promptly.

HOW DO I ASK QUESTIONS DURING THE MEETING?

We have designed the virtual Annual Meeting to ensure that you have the same rights and opportunities to participate as you would at an in-person meeting, using easy-to-use online tools that allow you to attend, vote and ask questions. Only stockholders as of the record date or their properly appointed proxies may ask questions during the meeting, and our Executive Chairman may limit the length of discussion on any particular matter. During the Annual Meeting, you can view our Ground Rules for Conduct of Meeting and submit questions on www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AVY2023.the meeting website.

After the business portion of the Annual Meeting concludes and the meeting is adjourned, we will hold a Q&A session during which we intend to answer all questions submitted before or during the meetingtimely that are pertinent to our company and the items being brought before stockholder vote, during the Annual Meeting, as time permits and in accordance with our Ground Rules for Conduct of Meeting. Questions and answers will be grouped by topic and substantially similar questions will be answered only once. To promote fairness and ensure all stockholder questions are able to be addressed, we will respond to no more than three questions from any single stockholder. Answers to questions not addressed during the meeting, if any, will be posted promptly after the meeting on the investors section of our website.

As a result of time constraints and other considerations, we cannot assure you that every stockholder wishing to address the meeting will have the opportunity to do so. However, all stockholders are invited to direct inquiries or comments regarding business matters to our Investor Relations department by email to investorcom@averydennison.com or by mail to 8080 Norton Parkway, Mentor, Ohio 44060. In addition, stockholders wishing to address matters to our Board or any of its members may do so as described under Contacting Our Board in the Our Board of Directors section of this proxy statement.

WHAT DO I DO IF I AM HAVING TECHNICAL ISSUES ACCESSING OR PARTICIPATING IN THE MEETING?

Beginning 15 minutes prior to, and during, the Annual Meeting, we will have support available to assist stockholders with any technical difficulties they may have accessing or hearing the virtual meeting. If you encounter any difficulty accessing, or during, the virtual meeting, please call the support team at 1.844.986.0822 (toll-free in the U.S. and Canada) or +1.303.562.9302 (for international participants)all other attendees).

HOW ARE PROXIES BEING SOLICITED?

We have retained D.F. King & Co., Inc.Morrow Sodali LLC to assist in soliciting proxies for a fee of $12,000, plus reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incident to preparing and mailing our proxy materials. Certain of our employees may solicit proxies by telephone or email; these employees will not receive any additional compensation for their proxy solicitation efforts. We will bear allpay the costs related to thisour solicitation of proxies and we will reimburse banks, brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses they incur in forwarding our proxy materials to beneficial stockholders. You can help reduce these costs in the future by consenting to access our proxy materials electronically.

 

Avery Dennison Corporation |20232024 Proxy Statement

 

 

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MATTERS RELATED TO 20242025 ANNUAL MEETING

HOW DO I SUBMIT ITEMS FOR POTENTIAL CONSIDERATION AT THE 20242025 ANNUAL MEETING?

To propose business otherwise satisfying the eligibility requirements of SEC Rule 14a-8 to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement for the 20242025 Annual Meeting, you must provide notice of proposed items so they are received at our principal executive offices on or before November 16, 2023.11, 2024. If you wish to nominate persons for election to our Board or bring any other business before an annual meeting under the advancedadvance notice provisions or our Bylaws, you must notify our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices in writing 90 to 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting (with respect to the 20242025 Annual Meeting, no earlier than December 29, 202326, 2024 and no later than January 28, 2024)25, 2025) and comply with the other requirements set forth in theour Bylaws.

Your notice must include, among other things, the information described below and in greater detail in Article II, Section 14 of our Bylaws, which are available under Corporate Governance in the investors section of our website.

 

As to each person who you propose to nominate for election or reelection as a director:

•  All information relating to the person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest or is otherwise required pursuant to Regulation 14 under the Exchange Act

•  The person’s written consent to be named in our proxy statement and accompanying proxy card as a nominee and serve as a director if elected for a full term until the next meeting at which such nominee would face reelection

•  All information with respect to such person that would be required to be set forth in a stockholder’s notice pursuant to our Bylaws if such person were a stockholder

•  A description of all direct and indirect material interest in any material relationshipscontract or agreement between you (and your associates and affiliates)or among any stockholder, on the one hand, and the nominee (and his or her associates and affiliates), on the other hand, as more particularly set forth in our Bylaws

 

As to any other item of business you propose to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business,business; the reasons for conducting the business during the meeting,meeting; a reasonably detailed description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings between or among any stockholders and between or among any stockholder and other person or entity in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholderstockholder; and any other information relating to such item of business that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies in support of the business proposed to be brought before the meeting pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act

 

Your name and address, and the class and number of shares you own beneficially and as of record, as well as information relating to your security ownership in our company.company

Stockholder items of business that do not fully comply with the advance notice and other requirements contained in our Bylaws will not be permitted to be brought before the 20242025 Annual Meeting. In addition to satisfying the foregoing requirements under our Bylaws, to comply with the SEC’s universal proxy rules, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than our company’sBoard’s nominees must provide written notice to our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices that includes the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act no later than February 27, 2024.24, 2025.

We intend to file a proxy statement and a white proxy card with the SEC in connection with our solicitation of proxies for the 20242025 Annual Meeting.

HOW DO I NOMINATE DIRECTORS FOR INCLUSION IN THE 20242025 PROXY STATEMENT?

Our Bylaws permit a stockholder, or a group of no more than 20 stockholders, owning at least 3% of our company’s outstanding shares of common stock continuously for at least three years to nominate and include in our annual meeting proxy materials director nominees constituting up to the greater of two nominees or 20% of our Board, subject to the requirements contained in Article II, Section 17 of our Bylaws, which are available under Corporate Governance in the investors section of our website. Notice of proxy access director nominees for the 20242025 Annual Meeting must be delivered to our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices no earlier than October 17, 202312, 2024 and no later than November 16, 202311, 2024 and must otherwise comply with the requirements set forth in our Bylaws.

 

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20232024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation

 


APPENDIX A – RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

        FROM GAAP

 

We report our financial results in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, and also communicate with investors using certain non-GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures are not in accordance with, nor are they a substitute for or superior to, the comparable GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures are intended to supplement the presentation of our financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP. We use these non-GAAP financial measures internally to evaluate trends in our underlying performance, as well as to facilitate comparison to the results of competitors for quarters and year-to-date periods, as applicable. Based on feedback from investors and financial analysts, we believe that the supplemental non-GAAP financial measures we provide are also useful to their assessmentassessments of our performance and operating trends, as well as liquidity.

Our non-GAAP financial measures exclude the impact of certain events, activities or strategic decisions. The accounting effects of these events, activities or decisions, which are included in the GAAP financial measures, may make it more difficult to assess our underlying performance in a single period. By excluding the accounting effects, positive or negative, of certain items (such as(e.g., restructuring charges, outcomes of certain legal proceedings, certain effects of strategic transactions and related costs, losses from debt extinguishments, gains or losses from curtailment or settlement of pension obligations, gains or losses on sales of certain assets, gains or losses on venture investments, currency adjustments due to highly inflationary economies, and other items), we believe that we are providing meaningful supplemental information that facilitates an understanding of our core operating results and liquidity measures. While some of the items we exclude from GAAP financial measures recur, they tend to be disparate in amount, frequency or timing.

We use these non-GAAP financial measures internally to evaluate trends in our underlying performance, as well as to facilitate comparison to the results of competitors for quarters and year-to-date periods, as applicable.

We use the following non-GAAP financial measures in this proxy statement:statement, which are reconciled from GAAP on the following pages:

 

  

Sales change ex. currencyrefers to the increase or decrease in net sales, excluding the estimated impact of foreign currency translation andtranslation; the reclassification of sales between segments, and,segments; where applicable, an extra week in our fiscal year and the calendar shift resulting from the extra week in the prior fiscal year,year; and currency adjustmentadjustments for transitional reporting of highly inflationary economies. The estimated impact of foreign currency translation is calculated on a constant currency basis, with prior periodprior-period results translated at current period average exchange rates to exclude the effect of foreign currency fluctuations.

 

  

Organic sales change refers to sales change ex. currency, excluding the estimated impact of acquisitions and product line divestitures.

 

We believe that sales change ex. currency and organic sales change assist investors in evaluating the sales change from the ongoing activities of our businesses and enhance their ability to evaluate our results from period to period.

 

  

Adjusted EBITDA refers to adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization. Adjusted operating income is income before taxes; interest expense; other non-operating expense (income), net; and other expense (income), net.

 

  

Adjusted EBITDA margin refers to adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales.

 

  

Adjusted net income per common share, assuming dilution (adjusted EPS), refers to adjusted net income divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, assuming dilution. Adjusted net income is income before taxes, tax-effected at the adjusted tax rate, and adjusted for tax-effected restructuring charges and other items. Adjusted tax rate is the full-year GAAP tax rate, adjusted to exclude certain unusual or infrequent events that are expected to significantly impact that rate, such as effects of certain discrete tax planning actions, impacts related to enactments of comprehensive tax law changes, and other items.

 

We believe that adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin and adjusted EPS assist investors in understanding our core operating trends and comparing our results with those of our competitors.

 

  

FreeAdjusted free cash flowrefers to cash flow provided by operating activities, less payments for property, plant and equipment, software and other deferred charges, plus proceeds from company-owned life insurance policies, plus proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment, plus (minus) net proceeds from insurance and sales (purchases) of investments. FreeWhere applicable, adjusted free cash flow is also adjusted for where applicable, certain acquisition-related transaction costs. We believe that adjusted free cash flow assists investors by showing the amount of cash we have available for debt reductions, dividends, share repurchases, and acquisitions.

 

Avery Dennison Corporation |20232024 Proxy Statement

 

 

107A-1

 


  

Return on total capital (ROTC) refers to net income excluding interest expense and amortization of intangible assets from acquisitions, net of tax benefit, divided by the average of beginning and ending invested capital. We believe that ROTC assists investors in understanding our ability to generate returns from our capital.

 

  

Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) refers to earnings before interest expense, other non-operating expense (income), taxes and equity method investment losses, excluding non-cash restructuring costs, acquisitions completed since the targets were set, and other items. We believe that adjusted EBIT assists investors in understanding our core operating trends and comparing our results with those of our competitors. We use adjusted EBIT to calculate economic value added (EVA), one of the performance objectives used in our long-term incentive compensation program.

SALES CHANGE EX. CURRENCY AND ORGANIC SALES CHANGE

 

($ in millions)  2020   2021   2022   2021-2022
2-YR CAGR(1)
  2021   2022   2023   2021-2023
3-YR CAGR(1)

Net sales

  $6,971.5   $8,408.3   $9,039.3   13.9%

Net sales

Net sales

Net sales

  $8,408.3   $9,039.3   $8,364.3   6.3%

Reported net sales change

Reported net sales change

Reported net sales change

Reported net sales change

   (1.4)%    20.6%    7.5%   

 

   20.6%    7.5%    (7.5)%   

 

Foreign currency translation

   0.9%    (3.4)%    5.6%   

 

Foreign currency translation

Foreign currency translation

Foreign currency translation

   (3.4)%    5.6%    0.6%   

 

Extra week impact

Extra week impact

Extra week impact

Extra week impact

   (1.3)%    1.4%       

 

   1.4%    –     –    

 

Sales change ex. currency (non-GAAP)(2)

   (1.7)%    18.6%    13.1%   15.8%

Sales change ex. currency (non-GAAP)(2)

Sales change ex. currency (non-GAAP)(2)

Sales change ex. currency (non-GAAP)(2)

   18.6%    13.1%    (6.9)%   7.7%

Acquisitions and product line divestiture

Acquisitions and product line divestiture

Acquisitions and product line divestiture

Acquisitions and product line divestiture

   (1.7)%    (3.1)%    (3.6)%   

 

   (3.1)%    (3.6)%    (0.8)%   

 

Organic sales change (non-GAAP)(2)

   (3.4)%    15.6%    9.5%   12.5%

Organic sales change (non-GAAP)(2)

Organic sales change (non-GAAP)(2)

Organic sales change (non-GAAP)(2)

   15.6%    9.5%    (7.7%)   5.3%

 

 (1) 

Reflects two-yearthree-year compound annual growth rates, with 2020 as the base period.

 

 (2) 

Totals may not sum due to rounding.

ADJUSTED EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA MARGIN

 

($ in millions)  2020   2021   2022   2021-2022
2-YR CAGR(1)
  2021   2022   2023   2021-2023
3-YR CAGR(1)

Net sales

  $6,971.5   $8,408.3   $9,039.3   

Operating income before interest expense, other non-operating expense (income) and taxes, as reported

  $809.2   $1,058.7   $1,074.0   15.2%

Operating income before interest expense, other non-operating expense (income), taxes, and equity method investment losses, as reported

Operating income before interest expense, other non-operating expense (income), taxes, and equity method investment losses, as reported

Operating income before interest expense, other non-operating expense (income), taxes, and equity method investment losses, as reported

Operating income before interest expense, other non-operating expense (income), taxes, and equity method investment losses, as reported

  $1,058.7   $1,074.0   $782.9   (1.1)%

Operating margins, as reported

Operating margins, as reported

Operating margins, as reported

Operating margins, as reported

   11.6%    12.6%    11.9%   

Non-GAAP adjustments:

        

Non-GAAP adjustments:

Non-GAAP adjustments:

Non-GAAP adjustments:

Restructuring charges:

        

Restructuring charges:

Restructuring charges:

Restructuring charges:

Severance and related costs

  $49.1   $10.5   $7.6   

Severance and related costs, net of reversals

Severance and related costs, net of reversals

Severance and related costs, net of reversals

Severance and related costs, net of reversals

Asset impairment and lease cancellation charges

Asset impairment and lease cancellation charges

Asset impairment and lease cancellation charges

Asset impairment and lease cancellation charges

   6.2    3.1    0.1   

Other items(2)

   (1.7)    (8.0)    (8.3)    

Other items(2)

Other items(2)

Other items(2)

   (8.0)    (8.3)    101.5    

Adjusted operating income (non-GAAP)

  $862.8   $1,064.3   $1,073.4   

Adjusted operating income (non-GAAP)

Adjusted operating income (non-GAAP)

Adjusted operating income (non-GAAP)

Adjusted operating margins (non-GAAP)

Adjusted operating margins (non-GAAP)

Adjusted operating margins (non-GAAP)

Adjusted operating margins (non-GAAP)

   12.4%    12.7%    11.9%   

Depreciation and amortization

  $205.3   $244.1   $290.7      $244.1   $290.7   $298.4    

Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)

  $1,068.1   $1,308.4   $1,364.1   13.0%

Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)

Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)

Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)

  $1,308.4   $1,364.1   $1,262.2   5.7%

Adjusted EBITDA margins (non-GAAP)

   15.3%    15.6%    15.1%    

 

Adjusted EBITDA margins (non-GAAP)

Adjusted EBITDA margins (non-GAAP)

Adjusted EBITDA margins (non-GAAP)

   15.6%    15.1%    15.1%    

 

 

 (1) 

Reflects two-yearthree-year compound annual growth rates, with 2020 as the base period.

 

 (2)

Includes pre-tax gain/ (gain)/loss on venture investments, gain on sale of product line, gain/(gain)/loss on sales of assets, outcomes of legal proceedings, and transaction and related costs.costs, and Argentine peso remeasurement loss. The Argentine peso remeasurement loss only includes the third and fourth quarters of 2023 as prior amounts were not material.

 

108A-2

 

 

20232024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation

 


ADJUSTED EPS

 

($ in millions, except per share amounts)  2020   2021   2022   2021-2022
2-YR CAGR(1)
  2021   2022 2023   2021-2023
3-YR CAGR(1)

As reported net income

  $555.9   $740.1   $757.1   16.7%

As reported net income

As reported net income

As reported net income

  $740.1   $757.1  $503.0   (3.3)%

As reported net income per common share, assuming dilution

As reported net income per common share, assuming dilution

As reported net income per common share, assuming dilution

As reported net income per common share, assuming dilution

  $6.61   $8.83   $9.21   18.0%  $8.83   $9.21  $6.20   (2.1)%

Non-GAAP adjustments per common share, net of tax:

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Non-GAAP adjustments per common share, net of tax:

Non-GAAP adjustments per common share, net of tax:

Non-GAAP adjustments per common share, net of tax:

  

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

Restructuring charges and other items(2)

   0.48    0.05    (0.06)   

 

Restructuring charges and other items(2)

Restructuring charges and other items(2)

Restructuring charges and other items(2)

   0.05    (0.06  1.85   

 

Argentine interest income

Argentine interest income

Argentine interest income

Argentine interest income

   –     –    (0.15)   

 

Pension plan settlement and curtailment losses

Pension plan settlement and curtailment losses

Pension plan settlement and curtailment losses

Pension plan settlement and curtailment losses

   0.01    0.03       

 

   0.03    –    –    

 

Adjusted net income per common share, assuming dilution (non-GAAP)

  $7.10   $8.91   $9.15   13.5%

Adjusted net income per common share, assuming dilution (non-GAAP)

Adjusted net income per common share, assuming dilution (non-GAAP)

Adjusted net income per common share, assuming dilution (non-GAAP)

  $8.91   $9.15  $7.90   3.6%

The adjustedAdjusted tax rates were 24.1%25%, 25%24.7% and 24.7%25.8% for 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2022,2023, respectively.

 

 (1) 

Reflects two-yearthree-year compound annual growth rates, with 2020 as the base period.

 

 (2)

Other items include gain/(gain)/loss on venture investments, gain on sale of product line, gain/(gain)/loss on sales of assets, outcomes of legal proceedings, and transaction and related costs.costs, and Argentine peso remeasurement loss. The Argentine peso remeasurement loss only includes the third and fourth quarters of 2023 as prior amounts were not material.

ADJUSTED FREE CASH FLOW

 

($ in millions)  2020   2021   2022   2021   2022   2023 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $751.3   $1,046.8   $961.0 

Net cash provided by operating activities

Net cash provided by operating activities

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $1,046.8   $961.0   $826.0 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

   (201.4)    (255.0)    (278.1)    (255.0)    (278.1)    (265.3) 

Purchases of software and other deferred charges

   (17.2)    (17.1)    (20.4) 

Purchases of software and other deferred charges

Purchases of software and other deferred charges

Purchases of software and other deferred charges

   (17.1)    (20.4)    (19.8) 

Proceeds from company-owned life insurance policies

Proceeds from company-owned life insurance policies

Proceeds from company-owned life insurance policies

Proceeds from company-owned life insurance policies

   –     –     48.1 

Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment

Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment

Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment

Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment

   9.2    1.1    2.3    1.1    2.3    1.0 

Proceeds from insurance and sales (purchases) of investments, net

   5.6    3.1    1.9 

Proceeds from insurance and sales (purchases) of investments, net

Proceeds from insurance and sales (purchases) of investments, net

Proceeds from insurance and sales (purchases) of investments, net

   3.1    1.9    1.9 

Payments for certain acquisition-related transaction costs

       18.8    0.6 

Payments for certain acquisition-related transaction costs

Payments for certain acquisition-related transaction costs

Payments for certain acquisition-related transaction costs

   18.8    0.6    –  

Free cash flow (non-GAAP)

  $547.5   $797.7   $667.3 

Adjusted free cash flow (non-GAAP)

Adjusted free cash flow (non-GAAP)

Adjusted free cash flow (non-GAAP)

Adjusted free cash flow (non-GAAP)

  $797.7   $667.3   $591.9 

RETURN ON TOTAL CAPITAL (ROTC)

 

($ in millions)  2021   2022   2022   2023 

As reported net income

  $740.1   $757.1   $757.1   $503.0 

Interest expense, net of tax benefit

   52.7    63.7 

Interest expense, net of tax benefit

Interest expense, net of tax benefit

Interest expense, net of tax benefit

   63.7    86.2 

Intangible amortization, net of tax benefit

Intangible amortization, net of tax benefit

Intangible amortization, net of tax benefit

Intangible amortization, net of tax benefit

   33.5    62.0    62.0    62.5 

Effective tax rate

   25.0%    24.2% 

Effective tax rate

Effective tax rate

Effective tax rate

   24.2%    27.6% 

Net income, excluding interest expense and intangible amortization, net of tax benefit

Net income, excluding interest expense and intangible amortization, net of tax benefit

Net income, excluding interest expense and intangible amortization, net of tax benefit

Net income, excluding interest expense and intangible amortization, net of tax benefit

  $826.3   $882.8   $882.8   $651.7 

Total debt

  $3,104.7   $3,102.1 

Total debt

Total debt

Total debt

  $3,102.1   $3,244.3 

Shareholders’ equity

Shareholders’ equity

Shareholders’ equity

Shareholders’ equity

  $1,924.4   $2,032.2   $2,032.2   $2,127.9 

Total debt and shareholders’ equity

  $5,029.1   $5,134.3 

Total debt and shareholders’ equity

Total debt and shareholders’ equity

Total debt and shareholders’ equity

  $5,134.3   $5,372.2 

ROTC (non-GAAP)

   19.1%    17.4% 

ROTC (non-GAAP)

ROTC (non-GAAP)

ROTC (non-GAAP)

   17.4%    12.4% 

 

Avery Dennison Corporation |20232024 Proxy Statement

 

 

109A-3

 


ADJUSTED EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST AND TAXES (EBIT)

 

($ in millions)  2020   2021   2022   2021 2022 2023 

As reported net income

  $555.9   $740.1   $757.1   $740.1  $757.1  $ 503.0 

Adjustments:

      

Interest expense

   70.0    70.2    84.1 

Interest expense

Interest expense

Interest expense

   70.2   84.1   119.0 

Other non-operating expense (income), net

Other non-operating expense (income), net

Other non-operating expense (income), net

Other non-operating expense (income), net

   1.9    (4.1)    (9.4)    (4.1  (9.4  (30.8

Provision for income taxes

   177.7    248.6    242.2 

Provision for income taxes

Provision for income taxes

Provision for income taxes

   248.6   242.2   191.7 

Equity method investment losses

Equity method investment losses

Equity method investment losses

Equity method investment losses

   3.7    3.9        3.9   –    –  

Operating income before interest expense, other non-operating expense (income), taxes, and equity method investment losses

  $809.2   $1,058.7   $1,074.0 

Operating income before interest expense, other non-operating expense (income), taxes, and equity method investment losses

Operating income before interest expense, other non-operating expense (income), taxes, and equity method investment losses

Operating income before interest expense, other non-operating expense (income), taxes, and equity method investment losses

  $1,058.7  $1,074.0  $782.9 

Reconciling items:

Reconciling items:

Reconciling items:

Reconciling items:

      

Non-cash restructuring costs

   6.2    2.4    0.1 

Non-cash restructuring costs

Non-cash restructuring costs

Non-cash restructuring costs

   2.4   0.1   8.3 

Other items(1)

   (1.8)    (35.8)    (90.2) 

Other items(1)

Other items(1)

Other items(1)

   (16.8  (66.1  32.9 

Adjusted earnings before interest expense, other non-operating expense (income), taxes, equity method investment losses, non-cash restructuring costs, acquisitions completed since the targets were set, and other items (non-GAAP)

  $813.6   $1,025.3   $983.9 

Adjusted earnings before interest expense, other non-operating expense (income), taxes, equity method investment losses, non-cash restructuring costs, and other items (non-GAAP)

Adjusted earnings before interest expense, other non-operating expense (income), taxes, equity method investment losses, non-cash restructuring costs, and other items (non-GAAP)

Adjusted earnings before interest expense, other non-operating expense (income), taxes, equity method investment losses, non-cash restructuring costs, and other items (non-GAAP)

Adjusted earnings before interest expense, other non-operating expense (income), taxes, equity method investment losses, non-cash restructuring costs, and other items (non-GAAP)

  $1,044.3  $1,008.0  $824.1 

 

 (1) 

Includes impact of acquisitions completed after targets were set gain/and the Russia-Ukraine war, (gain)/loss on venture investments, gain on sale of product line, gain/(gain)/loss on sales of assets, outcomes of legal proceedings, transaction and related costs, and other items.Argentine peso remeasurement loss. The Argentine peso remeasurement loss only includes the third and fourth quarters of 2023 as prior amounts were not material.

 

110A-4

 

 

20232024 Proxy Statement | Avery Dennison Corporation


APPENDIX B – TEXT OF CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO AMENDED          AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

OF

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

AVERY DENNISON CORPORATION

(Pursuant to Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware)

Avery Dennison Corporation, a Delaware corporation duly organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), does hereby certify that:

1. Article VII of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (the “Charter”) is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:

“Directors shall be elected annually for terms of one year and shall hold office until the next succeeding annual meeting and until his or her successor shall be elected and shall qualify, but subject to prior death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office. Should a vacancy occur or be created, including from an increase in the number of directors, the remaining directors (even though less than a quorum) may fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term in which the vacancy occurs or is created. Any director elected or appointed to fill a vacancy not resulting from an increase in the number of directors shall have the same remaining term as that of his or her predecessor.”

2. Article X of the Charter is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:

“Special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation for any purpose or purposes (i) may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, or by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors, or by a committee of the Board of Directors which has been duly designated by the Board of Directors and whose powers and authority, as provided in a resolution of the Board of Directors or in the Bylaws of the Corporation, include the power to call such meetings or (ii) shall be called by the Secretary of the Corporation upon a written request of the holders of record who “own” (as such term is defined in the Bylaws of the Corporation (as they may be amended and/or restated from time to time, the “Bylaws”) at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and who have complied in full with the requirements set forth in the Bylaws, but such special meetings may not be called by any other person or persons; provided, however, that if and to the extent that any special meeting of stockholders may be called by any other person or persons specified in any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or any amendment thereto or any certificate filed under Section 151(g) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, then such special meeting may also be called by the person or persons, in the manner, at the times and for the purpose so specified.”

3. The foregoing amendments to the Charter were duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment to be executed by its duly authorized officer on this    day of      2024.

AVERY DENNISON CORPORATION
By:
Name:
Title:

Avery Dennison Corporation | 2024 Proxy Statement

B-1

 


LOGO

AVERY DENNISON CORPORATION

C/O BROADRIDGE CORPORATE ISSUER SOLUTIONS, INC.

P.O. BOX 1342

BRENTWOOD, NY 11717

LOGO

VOTE BY INTERNET

Before The Meeting-Go to www.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode above

Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information. Vote by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 26, 202324, 2024 for shares held directly and by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 24, 202322, 2024 for shares held in a Plan. 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.

During The Meeting - Go to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AVY2023AVY2024

You may attend the meeting via the Internet and vote during the meeting. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow available and follow the instructions.

VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903

Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions. Vote by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 26, 202324, 2024 for shares held directly and by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 24, 202322, 2024 for shares held in a Plan. 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:

  D97033-P83575V31205-P04377  KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY

THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.

AVERY DENNISON CORPORATION

   
 

The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following:

   
 

 

1.  Election of Directors

   
 

Nominees:

 For Against Abstain
 

1a.  Bradley Alford

   
 

1b.  Anthony Anderson

1c.  Mitchell Butier

   
 

1d.1c.  Ken Hicks

   
 

1e.1d.  Andres Lopez

   

1e.  Maria Fernanda Mejia

 

1f.   Francesca Reverberi

   
 

1g.  Patrick Siewert

   
 

1h.  Julia StewartDeon Stander

   
 

1i.   Martha Sullivan

   
 

1j.   William Wagner

   

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

    
   

 
    

The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposals 2.2, 3 and 4.

 For Against Abstain 

2.  Approval, on an advisory basis, of our executive compensation.

   

The Board of Directors recommends you vote for 1 YEAR on proposal 3.

1 Year2 Years3 YearsAbstain 

3.  Approval on an advisory basis, of a Certificate of Amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to provide that stockholders holding at least 25% of our common stock have the frequencyright to request that we call special meetings of advisory votes to approve executive compensation.stockholders.

    

The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposals 4.

ForAgainstAbstain 

4.  Ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLPPwC as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2023.2024.

   

NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

   
 

 

 

 

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


 

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.

 

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D97034-P83575V31206-P04377  

 

 

AVERY DENNISON CORPORATION

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

APRIL 27, 202325, 2024 AT 1:2:30 P.M. PTET

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

The undersigned hereby appoints Ignacio Walker and Vikas Arora, or each of them, with full power of substitution, proxies for the undersigned to act and vote at the 20232024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Avery Dennison Corporation and at any adjournment or postponement thereof as indicated upon the matters set forth on the reverse side and described in the proxy statement for the meeting, and, in their discretion, upon any other matters that may properly come before the meeting. This card provides voting instructions, as applicable, to (i) the appointed proxies for shares held of record by the undersigned, including those held under the Company’s Direct Share Purchase and Sale Program, and (ii) the Trustee for shares held on behalf of the undersigned in the Company’s Employee Savings Plan.

 

IF NO OTHER INDICATION IS MADE, THE PROXIES WILL VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF ALL DIRECTOR NOMINEES AND FOR PROPOSALS 2, 3 AND 4, AND FOR 1 YEAR FOR PROPOSAL 3.4.

 

Consistent with its fiduciary duties under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, Fidelity Management Trust Company, as Trustee of the Avery Dennison Corporation Employee Savings Plan, will vote shares of Company stock for which timely instructions are not received and shares of Company stock that have not been allocated to the account of any participant in the same proportion in which allocated shares of Company stock are voted by participants who timely furnish voting instructions. The proxy card must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on April 24, 2023,22, 2024, and telephone and Internet votes must be completed by 11:59 p.m. on the same day.

 

Your voting instructions are confidential and may not be revealed to anyone, except as required by law.

 

 

 

Continued and to be signed on reverse side