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 Commission Only

☒ Definitive Proxy Statement

☐ Definitive Additional Materials

☐ Soliciting Materials Pursuant to §240.14a-11(c) or §240.14a-12

 

INTERNATIONAL BALER CORPORATION

INTERNATIONAL BALER CORPORATION

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

(Name of person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than Registrant)

 

(Name of person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box)

☒ No Fee Required

 $125$125 per Exchange Act Rules-O-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), 14a-6(i)(2) or Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A.

Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules14A-6(i)(4) and O-11.

 

1) Title of each class of securities to which each transaction applies:

1) Title of each class of securities to which each transaction applied:
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exhancge Act Rule O-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined)
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction.
5) Total fee paid.

2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule O-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined)

4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction.

5) Total fee paid.

 

Fee paid previously by written preliminary materials.

check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exhange Act Rule O-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

1) Amount Previously Paid

2) Form Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

3) Filing Party:

4) Date Filed: ________________

 

1

INTERNATIONAL BALER CORPORATION

5400 RIO GRANDE AVENUE

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA 32254

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON

April 18, 201622, 2019

TO THE STOCKHOLDERS:

 

Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting of stockholders (the "Annual Meeting") of International Baler Corp.Corporation (the "Company") has been called for and will be held at 10:0030 A.M., local time, on Monday, April 18, 2016,22, 2019, at the offices of the Company, 5400 Rio Grande Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32254 for the following purposes:

 

1. To elect three (3) Class III Directors, WilliamLael E. Nielsen,Boren, John J. Martorana and LaelWilliam E. BorenNielsen to the Board of Directors;

 

2. To ratify the appointment by the Board of Directors of The GriggsGroup,Pivot CPAs to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year; andyear ended October 31, 2019;

 

3. A non-binding advisory vote on the compensation of the named executive officers of the Company (“Say on Pay”);

4. A non-binding advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on Say on Pay in future years (“Say on Frequency”);

5. To consider and transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof.

 

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 2, 201611, 2019 as the record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof. The list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available for examination by any stockholder at the Company's offices at 5400 Rio Grande Avenue, Jacksonville, Florida 32254, for ten (10) days prior to April 18, 2016.22, 2019.

 

  By Order of the Board of Directors
   
  Ronald L. McDaniel
  Chairman
Dated: March 20, 201621, 2019  

 

WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE FILL IN, SIGN, AND DATE THE PROXY SUBMITTED HEREWITH AND RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED STAMPED ENVELOPE. THE GRANTING OF SUCH PROXY WILL NOT AFFECT YOUR RIGHT TO REVOKE SUCH PROXY IN PERSON SHOULD YOU LATER DECIDE TO ATTEND THE MEETING. THE ENCLOSED PROXY IS BEING SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

2


INTERNATIONAL BALER CORPORATION

PROXY STATEMENT

GENERALGeneral

 

ThisThe enclosed proxy statement is furnishedsolicited by the Board of Directors of International Baler Corporation, a Delaware corporation (sometimesCorp. (the “Company”) for use at the "Company" or "IBC")Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 10:30 a.m., with officesEastern Time, on Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Company principal executive office located at 5400 Rio Grande Avenue, Jacksonville, Florida 32254 in connection with the solicitation of proxies to be used at the annual meeting of stockholders of the Company to be held on April 18, 2016 and at any adjournments thereof (the "Annual Meeting").adjournment or postponement thereof. This proxy statementProxy Statement is first being made available to our shareholders on or about March 22, 2019.

Outstanding Securities and Voting Rights

Only holders of record of the Company’s common stock at the close of business on March 11, 2019, the record date, will be mailedentitled to stockholders beginning approximately March 18, 2016. If a proxy innotice of, and to vote at, the accompanying formAnnual Meeting. On that date, the Company had 5,183,895 shares of its common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Each share of common stock is properly executedentitled to one vote for each director nominee and returned, the shares represented thereby willone vote for each other item to be voted as instructed on the proxy. Any proxy may be revoked by a stockholder prior to its exercise upon written notice to the President of the Company, or by a stockholder voting in person at the Annual Meeting.

 

One-third of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be included in determining the presence of a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Broker non-votes occur when a broker is not permitted to vote on that matter without instructions from the beneficial owner and instructions are not given. These matters are referred to as “non-routine” matters. All of the matters scheduled to be voted on at the Annual Meeting are “non-routine,” except for Proposal 2 – the ratification of the appointment of Pivot CPAs as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. In tabulating the voting result for each proposal (except Proposal 2), shares that constitute broker non-votes are not considered voting power present with respect to that proposal. Thus, broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of any matter being voted on at the Annual Meeting, assuming that a quorum is obtained.

Abstentions are considered voting power present at the Annual Meeting and thus will have the same effect as votes against each of the matters scheduled to be voted on at the Annual Meeting (other than Proposal 1 - Election of Directors).

Proxy Voting

Shares that are properly voted via the Internet, mobile device, or by telephone or for which proxy cards are properly executed proxies received prior to the Annual Meetingand returned will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions marked thereondirections given or, otherwise as provided therein. Unless instructions toin the contrary are indicated, proxiesabsence of directions, will be voted FORin accordance with the Board’s recommendations as follows: “FOR” the election of each of the Directorsnominees to the Board named therein and FORherein; “FOR” the ratification of the selectionappointment of our independent auditors; “FOR” approval, on an advisory basis, of our executive compensation as described in this Proxy Statement; and “FOR” approval of the Say on Frequency votes every three years. It is not expected that any additional matters will be brought before the Annual Meeting, but if other matters are properly presented, the persons named as proxies in the proxy card or their substitutes will vote in their discretion on such matters.

The manner in which your shares may be voted depends on how your shares are held. If you own shares of record, meaning that your shares are represented by certificates or book entries in your name so that you appear as a stockholder on the Audit Committeerecords of theAmerican Stock Transfer & Trust Company, our transfer agent, a proxy card for voting those shares will be included with this Proxy Statement. If you own shares in street name, meaning that your shares are held by a bank or brokerage firm or other nominee, you may instead receive a voting instruction form from that institution with this Proxy Statement to instruct it how to vote your shares.

The Board of Directors urges you to promptly date, sign and mail your proxy or to use the internet voting system set forth in the proxy, in the form enclosed with this Proxy Statement, to make certain that your shares are voted at the Annual Meeting. Proxies in the enclosed or other acceptable form that are received in time for the Annual Meeting will be voted.

3

Attendance and Voting at the Annual Meeting

If you own common stock of record, you may attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person, regardless of whether you have previously voted by proxy card or by internet. If you own common stock in street name, you may attend the Annual Meeting but in order to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain a “legal proxy” from the bank or brokerage firm that holds your shares. You should contact your bank or brokerage account representative to learn how to obtain a legal proxy. We encourage you to vote your shares in advance of the Annual Meeting, even if you plan on attending the Annual Meeting. If you have already voted prior to the Annual Meeting, you may nevertheless change or revoke your vote at the Annual Meeting in the manner described below.

Revocation of Proxy

If you own common stock of record, you may revoke your proxy or change your voting instructions at any time before your shares are voted at the Annual Meeting by delivering to the Secretary of the Company a written notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy (via the Internet, mobile device, or telephone or by returning a proxy card) bearing a later date or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person. A shareholder owning common stock in street name may revoke or change voting instructions by contacting the bank, brokerage firm, or other nominee holding the shares or by obtaining a legal proxy from such institution and voting in person at the Annual Meeting.

Controlling Stockholder

The GriggsGroup,Estate of Leland E. Boren (“Estate”) controls more than 50% of the Company’s outstanding and issued shares of common stock. Members of our management have been informed that our controlling shareholder intends to vote (i) for approval of each of the nominees to the Board named in this Proxy Statement, (ii) for the ratification of Pivot CPAs to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, (iii) for approval, on an advisory basis, of the Company.Say on Pay proposal, and (iv) for approval, on an advisory basis, of the Say on Frequency vote every three years. Therefore, the proposals specified in Items 1, 2, 3 and 4 (every 3 years) of this Notice of Annual Meeting are likely to be passed.

Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2018

 

A copy of the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the fiscal year ended October 31, 20152018 ("Fiscal 2015"2018"), which contains financial statements audited by the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, accompanies this proxy statement.Proxy Statement.

 

The cost of preparing, assembling and mailing this notice of meeting, proxy statement, the enclosed annual report and proxy will be borne by the Company. In addition to solicitation of the proxies by use of the mails, some of the officers and regular employees of the Company, without extra remuneration, may solicit proxies personally or by telephone, telegraph, or cable. The Company may also request brokerage houses, nominees, custodians and fiduciaries to forward soliciting material to the beneficial owners of the Common Stock. The Company will reimburse such persons for their expenses in forwarding soliciting material.

Internet Availability of Proxy Materials

 

This Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement along with the form of proxy card and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 20152018 will be available on the Company’s website at www.Intl-Baler.com beginning on the first day these materials are mailed to shareholdersstockholders which is anticipated to be March 18, 2016.22, 2019.

4

VOTING SECURITIES AND

PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 2, 2016 as the record date (the "Record Date") for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at the Annual Meeting. Only stockholders on the Record Date will be able to vote at the Annual Meeting.

As of the Record Date, 5,183,895 shares of the Company's common stock, $.01 par value per share ("Common Stock") are outstanding, and each share will be entitled to one (1) vote, with no shares having cumulative voting rights. Holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to vote on all matters. Unless otherwise indicated herein, a majority of the votes represented by shares present or represented at the Annual Meeting is required for approval of each matter which will be submitted to stockholders. The Company also has 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $.0001 par value per share authorized, none of which are outstanding.

As set forth in the table below, Leland E. Boren controls more than 50% of the Company’s outstanding and issued shares of common stock. As a result, the Company is considered a “controlled company” under the applicable rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market. Members of our management have been informed that our controlling shareholder intends to vote in favor of all of the nominees for directors and for the ratification of The GriggsGroup, CPAs to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Therefore, the proposals specified in Items 1 and 2 of the Notice of Annual Meeting are likely to be passed.

Management knows of no business other than that specified in Items 1 and 2 of the Notice of Annual Meeting which will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other matter is properly presented, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote in accordance with their best judgment.

 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the share holdingsbeneficial ownership of those persons whoour common stock as of March 11, 2019 by (i) each person or entity known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of the Company'sour common stock, (ii) each director, (iii) each executive officer for whom compensation information is given in the Summary Compensation Table in this Proxy Statement, and (iv) all directors and executive officers as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, we believe that the beneficial owners of common stock listed below, based on information furnished by such owners, have sole voting and investment power with respect to such share, subject to applicable community property laws and the address for each person is c/o International Baler Corporation, 5400 Rio Grande Avenue, Jacksonville, Florida 32254. As of March 11, 2019 we had 5,183,895 shares of common stock outstanding.

Name Number of Shares Beneficially Ownded Percent of Class
Directors and Named Executive Officers        
Victor W. Biazis  —     —   
John J. Martorana  20,000   0.4%
Ronald L. McDaniel  —     —   
William E. Nielsen  —     —   
Lael E. Boren  2,000   0.0%
Martha R. Songer  2,000   0.0%
Angela M. Darlington  2,000   0.0%
International Baler Corp.  118,362   2.3%
Profit Sharing Trust(1)        
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (7 persons)  4,349,520   83.9%
5% or Greater Stockholders        
Estate of Leland E. Boren(2)  4,205,158   81.1%

(1)William E. Nielsen is Trustee of the Employee’s Profit Sharing Trust.
(2)Consists of 2,633,896 shares held by the Estate of Leland E. Boren and 1,571,262 shares owned by Avis Industrial Corporation, a company controlled by the Estate of Leland E. Boren. Angela M. Darlington, the Company’s Secretary has the authority to vote the shares of the Estate and of Avis Industrial Corporation, in her capacity as Executor of the Estate.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

The following table sets forth as of March 11, 2019 the recordnames and ages of our executive officers and directors.

NameAgePosition
Victor W. Biazis60Chief Executive Officer, President, Class I Director
William E. Nielsen71Chief Financial Officer, Class III Director
John L. Martorana68Class III Director
Ronald L. McDaniel80Chairman, Class II Director
Lael E. Boren50Class III Director
Martha R. Songer62Class I Director

Victor W. Biazis, has served as the President & CEO of the Company since Oct. 1, 2018 and was elected to the Board on January 24, 2019. He has held various Senior Management and Executive roles in his career. He was with H.B. Fuller from 1981 to 2005, a Global Adhesive Supplier based in St. Paul, MN. From 2000 to 2005, he was a General Manager for the North America Packaging Adhesive Business Unit of H.B. Fuller. He then moved on and served as the President and Regional CEO for Wisdom Adhesives Global Group, based in Elgin, IL, from 2006 to 2011. Most recently, from 2011 to September 2018, Mr. Biazis, was President and CEO of Coastal Industrial Products. Mr. Biazis received a Bachelor Degree in Political Science from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1981. Mr. Biazis brings extensive leadership, business

5

William E. Nielsen has served as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer since June 1994 and was elected a Director on November 20, 1997. He served as our President and Chief Executive Officer from January 10, 2017 through September 30, 2017. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Nielsen acted as a financial consultant to Fletcher Barnum Inc., a privately held manufacturing concern, from October 1993 through June 1994. From 1980 through July 1993, he was the Vice President, Administration and Finance at Unison Industries, Inc. Mr. Nielsen received a BBA in Finance and an M.B.A. at Western Illinois University in 1969 and 1970, respectively.

John J. Martorana, joined the Company’s Board of Directors on January 5, 2009. Mr. Martorana has been a consultant to several divisions of Wastequip, Inc. since 2007. Mr. Martorana was the President of Wastequip of Florida from 1994 to 2007 after joining that company in 1991 as Vice President. From 1984 to 1991 he was responsible for sales and steel purchasing for Industrial Refuse Sales, Inc.; a family owned business, which was sold to Wastequip, Inc. Prior to joining Industrial Refuse Sales, Mr. Martorana worked in the steel industry. He graduated from Butler University in 1972.

Ronald L. McDaniel joined the Company’s Board of Directors as its Chairman on May 16, 2006. Mr. McDaniel has been president of Western-Cullen-Hayes, Inc. since 1980. He was Vice President and General Manager of Western-Cullen-Hayes from 1975 to 1980. From 1957 to 1975 Mr. McDaniel worked for Western-Cullen-Hayes and Burro Crane, an affiliated company, in various capacities including division controller. Mr. McDaniel has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Dayton and an MBA from the University of Chicago. He has served as a director of Avis Industrial Corporation (“Avis”) since 2016 and has been serving as the Interim CEO since December 2018.

Lael E. Boren has served as a director since April 2011. He is Vice President at Avis Industrial Corporation and has been in this position since December 2013. He served as general manager and president of various organizations including Badger Equipment Company and The Pierce Company. Prior to that, Mr. Boren owned an electronics business in Muncie and Marion, Indiana. He received a Bachelor’s of General Studies from Ball State University in 2014.

Martha R. Songer has served as a director since January 2012. She serves as Vice President and Assistant to the President at Avis Industrial Corporation in Upland, Indiana and has been in this position since 2012. Prior to that Ms. Songer was Alumni Director at Taylor University also in Upland, Indiana. Ms. Songer Received a Bachelor of Science from Taylor University in 1978 and a Master of Science in Management in 2002 from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Family Relationships

There are no family relationships between executive officers or directors of the Company except that Lael. Boren is the son of the late Leland E. Boren, a controlling shareholder and a director of the Company, until his death on November 23, 2018.

Skills and Qualifications of the Directors

The Board believes that the qualifications of the directors, as set forth in their biographies, which are listed above, give them the qualifications and skills to serve as directors of the Company. Mr. Biazis and Mr. Martorana have each served as executive officers of companies in the industrial equipment and recycling business, respectively, which are directly related to the Company’s business. Mr. Boren and Ms. Songer have industry experience through their executive positions with Avis Industrial. Mr. McDaniel and Mr. Nielsen have expertise in finance and accounting matters. Furthermore, Mr. Boren, Mr. Martorana, Mr. McDaniel and Mr. Nielsen have significant historical experience with the Company and understand its business strategy and development over the years.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company’s executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of the Company’s Common Stock to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC no later than the second business day after the date March 2, 2016, with these computations being based upon 5,183,895on which the transaction occurred unless certain exceptions apply. In fiscal 2018, Avis Industrial Corp. filed one Form 4 reporting the purchase of 3,000 shares of the Company’s common stock being outstanding as ofthree days late due to a breakdown in communication between the brokerage firm that date.purchased the shares and Avis Industrial Corp.

 

Five Percent Stockholders
 
Name and Address of Beneficial OwnerAmount of Beneficial Ownership1Approximate Percent of Class
Leland E. Boren
1909 S. Main Street
Upland, IN 46989
3,925,697275.7%
1 Unless otherwise stated, all shares of Common Stock are directly held with sole voting and dispositive power.
2 Consists of 2,633,896 shares held directly and 1,291,801 shares owned by Avis Industrial Corporation6 

 

PROPOSAL NO. 1:CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND RELATED MATTERS

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

General

Article III, Section 1 of the Company’s By-Laws provides that the Company’s Board of Directors shall consist of a minimum of five (5) and a maximum of nine (9) directors divided into three (3) classes of directors ("Class I", "Class II", and "Class III"), with each class having as nearly the same number of directors as practicable. Stockholders elect such class of directors, Class I, Class II, or Class III, as the case may be, to succeed such class directors whose terms are expiring, for a three (3) year term, and such class of directors shall serve until the successors are elected and qualify. Under this configuration, it is intended that one class of directors’ terms will expire each year resulting in staggered elections of the Company’s directors. At last year’s annual meeting the term of the Company’s Class lI Directors expired. As a result, at last year’s annual meeting Ronald L. McDaniel and D. Roger Griffin were elected as Class lI Directors.

The following is the apportionment of the existing directors into classes:

No. of ClassTerm ExpiresMembers/Nominees
Class I2017 Annual Stockholder’s Meeting

Lelan E. Boren

Matthew M. Price

Martha R. Songer

Class II2018 Annual Stockholder’s Meeting

Ronald L. McDaniel

D. Roger Griffin

Class III2016 Annual Stockholder’s Meeting

William E. Nielsen

John J. Martorana

Lael E. Boren

Unless authority is withheld, the proxies in the accompanying form will be voted in favor of the election of William E. Nielsen, John J. Martorana, and Lael E. Boren as Class lll Directors. If Mr. Nielsen, Mr. Martorana, or Mr. Boren should subsequently become unavailable for election prior to the Annual Meeting, the persons voting the accompanying proxy may in their discretion vote for a substitute.

Board of Directors

 

The Board of Directors has the responsibility for establishing broad corporate policies and for the overall performance of the Company. Although only twoTwo (2) members of the Board also serve as executive officers and are involved in day-to-day operating details of the Company. The other members of the Board are kept informed of the Company's business by various reports and documents sent to them as well as by operating and financial reports made at Board meetings. The Board of Directors held two (2) meetingsone (1) meeting in Fiscal 2015. Two2018. No directors were absent at twoany of the meetings of the Board of Directors during Fiscal 2015.2018. Although it has no formal policy requiring attendance, the Company encourages all directors to attend its Annual Meeting of Stockholders. All of the annual meeting of stockholders. AtCompany’s directors attended last year’s annual meetingAnnual Meeting of stockholders two directors were absent.Stockholders. It is anticipated that all of its directors will attend this year’s Annual Meeting.Meeting of Stockholders.

 

Independence of Directors

The Company’s securities are not listed on a national securities exchange or in an inter-dealer quotation system that requires that a majority of the Board be independent. However, for purposes of determining whether the Company’s directors are independent for purposes of this Proxy Statement, the Company is using the independencestandards set forth in the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Marketto evaluate the independence of our Board. 

 

Rule 5605 (b) (1) of The NasdaqNASDAQ Stock Market Rules (the “NASDAQ Rules”) requires that a majority of the members of the Company’s Board of Directors be independent in that they are not officers or employees of the Company and are free of any relationship that would interfere with the exercise of their independent judgment.

The Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that threeone of the Company’s eightsix Directors, Ronald L. McDaniel, John J.Mr. Martorana and Matthew M. Price are independent.is independent under this NASDAQ Rule. In reaching this determination, the Board applied the standards set forth for “independence” in Rule 5605 of the Nasdaq Rules, Section 10A(m)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.NASDAQ Rules.

 

Although less than fifty (50%) percent of the Company’s Directorsdirectors are independent, NASDAQ Rule 5615(c)(2) provides an exemption from the requirement that a majority of the Company’s Directors be independent if the Company is considered a “controlled company”.company.” A controlled company is defined in NASDAQ Rule 5615(c)(1) as a company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, a group or another company. As the Estate of Leland E. Boren beneficially owns and controls more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s’ common stock, the Company iswould be considered a “controlled company” under the applicable NASDAQ Rule (if its securities were traded on NASDAQ) and as such iswould be exempt from certain of the corporate governance rules of The NasdaqNASDAQ Stock Market, such as the requirement that the board of directors consist of a majority of independent directors.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financing and accounting officer and directors. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on the Company’s website at www.int-baler.com. In addition, the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available in print to any stockholder who requests it by contacting our Corporate Secretary. The Company will disclose any amendments to, or waivers, from the Code of Ethics on our website (www.int-baler.com) within four business days of such determination.

 

CommitteesBoard Leadership Structure

 

The Board of Directors has no policy regarding the need to separate or combine the offices of Chairman of the Board and Principal Executive Officer and instead the Board of Directors remains free to make this determination from time to time in a manner that seems most appropriate for the Company. Currently, the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer are separate at the Company. Mr. McDaniel serves as our Chairman and Mr. Biazis serves as our President and Chief Executive Officer. At this time, the Company believes this segregation allows the Board of Directors to effectively provide guidance to and oversight of its management.

7

Board Oversight of Enterprise Risk

The Board of Directors is actively involved in the oversight and management of risks that could affect the Company. This oversight and management is conducted primarily through the committees of the Board of Directors identified below but the full Board of Directors has retained responsibility for general oversight of risks. The Audit Committee is primarily responsible for overseeing the risk management function, specifically with respect to management's assessment of risk exposures (including risks related to liquidity, credit, operations and regulatory compliance, among others), and the processes in place to monitor and control such exposures. The other committees of the Board of Directors consider the risks within their areas of responsibility. The Board of Directors satisfies their oversight responsibility through full reports by each committee chair regarding the committee's considerations and actions, as well as through regular reports directly from officers responsible for oversight of particular risks within the Company.

Committees

The Board has a standing Audit Committee and Compensation Committee. The full Board performs the functions of the Nominating Committee.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee primarily assists our Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by reviewing our financial reporting and audit processes and our systems of internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls. In fiscal 2018, Mr. McDaniel and Mr. Boren were members of the Company’s Audit Committee. Neither Mr. McDaniel nor Mr. Boren is an independent director under the NASDAQ or SEC rules. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. McDaniel has the attributes, education and experience as an “audit committee financial expert,” as such term is defined in Item 407) of Regulation S-K. The Audit Committee held one meeting during fiscal 2018.

The Audit Committee has adopted an Audit Committee Charter, a copy of which is available at the Company’s website, www.Intl-baler.com and is also available in print to any stockholder upon request from the Corporate Secretary. The Audit Committee reviews and reassesses the Audit Committee Charter annually.

Compensation Committee

The Company’s Board of Directors maintains a Compensation Committee. Because the Company would be considered a “controlled company” if its securities were trading on NASDAQ, it would be exempt from the compensation committee requirement under the NASDAQ rules. During fiscal 2018, Mr. Boren, Mr. Martorana and Mr. McDaniel were members of the Company’s Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee held one meeting in Fiscal 2018. The Board has affirmatively determined that Mr. Martorana meets the additional independence criteria applicable to compensation committee members under the NASDAQ Rules. The Compensation Committee’s functions, in conjunction with the Board of Directors, are to provide recommendations with respect to, general and specific compensation policies and practices of the Company for directors, officers and other employees of the Company. The Compensation Committee expects to periodically review the approach to executive compensation and to make changes as competitive conditions and other circumstances warrant and will seek to ensure the Company's compensation philosophy is consistent with the Company's best interests and is properly implemented.

The Committee determines or recommends to the Board of Directors for determination the specific compensation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and all of the Company’s other officers. Although the Committee may seek the input of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer in determining the compensation of the Company’s other executive officers, the Chief Executive Officer may not be present during the voting or deliberations with respect to his compensation. The Compensation Committee met one time in Fiscal 2018. The Compensation Committee has determined that no risks exist rising from the Company’s compensation policies and practices for its employees that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Committee has the authority to retain a compensation consultant or other advisors to assist it in the evaluation of compensation and has the sole authority to approve the fees and other terms of retention of such consultants and advisors and to terminate their services. To date, the Committee has not retained any such consultants or advisors to assist it, although it may do so in the future if it deems it necessary. The Compensation Committee has adopted a Compensation Committee Charter which is available at the Company’s website atwww.Intl-baler.com.

8

Nominating Committee

 

Because the Company iswould be considered a “controlled company” if it were listed on NASDAQ, it is exempt from the nominating committee requirements under the NASDAQ Rules. Therefore, the Company does not have a standing nominating committee or a nominating committee charter. However, the full Board of Directors performs the functions of a nominating committee pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board. The Board identifies the candidates for Board membership. In identifying candidates, the Board will seek recommendations from existing Board members, executive officers of the Company and all persons who own more than five percent (5%) of the Company’s outstanding stock.securities. The Board has no stated specific minimum qualifications that must be met by a candidate for a position on the Board of Directors. The Board will considerWhile the Nominating Committee does not have a varietyformal policy on diversity, when considering the selection of factors in evaluatingdirector nominees, the qualifications of a candidate including the candidate’sNominating Committee considers individuals with diverse backgrounds, viewpoints, accomplishments, cultural background and professional experience, educational background, knowledge of the Company’s business and personal qualities.expertise, among other factors. The Board may, when appropriate, retain an executive search firm and other advisors to assist it in identifying candidates for the Board.

In addition, the Board will consider any candidates that may have been recommended by any of the Company’s stockholders who have made those recommendations in accordance with the procedures described below underin the heading “Stockholders’ Proposals.”Company’s Bylaws. In addition, such stockholder recommendations must be accompanied by (1) such information about each prospective director nominee as would have been required to be included in a proxy statementProxy Statement filed pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange CommissionSEC had the prospective director nominee been nominated by the Board of Directors and (2) that the prospective director nominee has consented to be named, if nominated, as a nominee and, if elected, to serve as a director. To date, the Company has not received any recommendations from shareholders requesting a candidate for inclusion among the slate of nominees in the Company’s proxy statement.Proxy Statement. The directors of the Company who participated in the consideration of director-nominees included in this proxy statementProxy Statement were Leland E.Mr. Boren, John J.Mr. Martorana and Ronald L.Mr. McDaniel.

 

Audit CommitteeCommunication with the Board of Directors

Any stockholder may communicate with the Board or an individual director by contacting William E. Nielsen, Chief Financial Officer, International Baler Corporation, 5400 Rio Grande Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32254 or by E-Mail: to:sales@intl-baler.comSubject: Communication to Board of Directors. The Board has instructed the Chief Financial Officer to review this correspondence and determine, in his discretion, whether matters submitted are appropriate for Board consideration. The Corporate Secretary may also forward certain communications elsewhere in the Company for review and possible response.  In particular, communications such as customer or commercial inquiries or complaints, job inquiries, surveys and business solicitations or advertisements or patently offensive or otherwise inappropriate material will not be forwarded to the Board.

9

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

 

The Audit Committee primarily assists our Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by reviewing ourreviews the Company’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board. Management has the primary responsibility for establishing and audit processes and our systems ofmaintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls. In fiscal 2015, Ronald L. McDaniel, Matthew M. Price and Lael E. Boren were members offor preparing the Company’s Audit Committee. Mr. McDaniel serves as the audit committee’s “financial expert” as that term is defined by applicable SEC regulations. Each of the members of the Audit Committee met the independence and experience requirements of the NASDAQ Rules, the applicable Securities Lawsfinancial statements and the regulations and rules promulgated by the SEC.

reporting process. The Audit Committee has adopted an Audit Committee Charter, a copymembers do not serve as professional accountants or auditors, and their functions are not intended to duplicate or to certify the actives of which is available atmanagement of the Company’s website, www.Intl-baler.com. The Audit Committee reviews and reassesses the Audit Committee Charter annually.

The Audit Committee's functions are: To review with management and the Company’s independent registered public accounting firmfirm. We have engaged Pivot CPA’s (“Pivot”) as our independent public accountants to report on the scope of the annual audit and quarterly statements, significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparationconformity of the Company’s financial statements;

I.To review major changes to the Company’s accounting principles and practices suggested by the independent registered public accounting firm;

II.To monitor the independent registered public accounting firm's relationship with the Company including its receipt from the public accounting firm of a formal written statement delineating all relationships between the firm and the Company and actively engaging in a dialogue with the public accounting firm with respect to any disclosed relationships or services that may impact its objectivity and independence and to take appropriate action to oversee the public firm’s independence;

III.To advise and assist the Board of Directors in evaluating the independent registered public accounting firm's examination;
IV.To supervise the Company’s financial and accounting organization and financial reporting processes and audits of the financial statements of the Company; 

V.To nominate, for approval of the Board of Directors, an independent registered public accounting firm whose duty it is to audit the financial records of the Company for the fiscal year for which it is appointed; and

VI.To review and consider fee arrangements with, and fees charged by, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

statements to accounting principles generally accepted into the United States. The Audit Committee met with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm in fiscal 2016 to discuss the audit of the Company’s 2015 year-end financial statements. It is intended that in fiscal 2016 Mr. McDaniel will continue to be designated the Committee’s financial expert.

6

Audit Committee Reporthereby reports as follows:

 

The Audit Committee has:

1. Reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended October 31, 2018 with the management of the Company and Pivot.

 

1.Reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended October 31, 2015 with the management of the Company and the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm;

2. Discussed with Pivot the matters required to be discussed by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s (“PCAOB”) Auditing Standard No. 1301, Communications with Audit Committees.

2.Discussed with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61, as the same was in effect on the date of the Company’s financial statements; and

3.Received the written disclosures and the letter from the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm required by PCAOB Rule 3526 (Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence), as the same was in effect on the date of the Company’s financial statements, has discussed with representatives of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm their independence from management and the Company and satisfied itself as to their independence.

 

3. Received the written disclosures and the letter from Pivot required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB Rule 3526 regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and the Audit Committee has discussed the independence of Pivot with that firm.

4. Based on the foregoing materialsreview and discussions,discussion referred to in paragraphs (1) through (3) above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements for the year ended October 31, 20152018 be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2015.2018.

 

  Members of the AuditAudite Committee
  Ronald L. McDaniel
  Matthew M. Price
Lael E. Boren

7

CompensationThis “Audit Committee

The Company’s Board of Directors maintains a Compensation Committee, although as a controlled company it Report” is not required to do so pursuant to NASDAQ Rule 5615(c)(1). During fiscal 2015, Lael E. Boren, John J. Martorana and Ronald L. McDaniel were members of the Company’s Compensation Committee. Mr. Boren was“Soliciting Material,” is not an independent director as that term is defined under applicable NASDAQ Rules, Securities Laws and SEC rules and regulations. The Compensation Committee’s functions, in conjunctiondeemed filed with the Board of Directors, areSEC and it not to provide recommendations with respect to, general and specific compensation policies and practicesbe incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company for directors, officers and other employeesunder the Securities Act of the Company. The Compensation Committee expects to periodically review the approach to executive compensation and to make changes1933, as competitive conditions and other circumstances warrant and will seek to ensure the Company's compensation philosophy is consistent with the Company's best interests and is properly implemented. The Committee determinesamended or recommends to the Board of Directors for determination the specific compensation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and all of the Company’s other officers. Although the Committee may seek the input of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer in determining the compensation of the Company’s other executive officers, the Chief Executive Officer may not be present during the voting or deliberations with respect to his compensation. The Committee may not delegate any of its responsibilities unless it is to a subcommittee formed by the Committee. The Compensation Committee met one time in Fiscal 2014. The Committee has the authority to retain a compensation consultant or other advisors to assist it in the evaluation of compensation and has the sole authority to approve the fees and other terms of retention of such consultants and advisors and to terminate their services. To date, the Committee has not retained any such consultants or advisors to assist it, although it may do so in the future if it deems it necessary. The Compensation Committee has adopted a Compensation Committee Charter which is available at the Company’s website at www.Intl-baler.com.

Stockholder Communication with the Board of Directors

Stockholders may communicate with the Board of Directors of the Company by writing to: William E. Nielsen, Chief Financial Officer, International Baler Corporation, 5400 Rio Grande Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32254 or by E-Mail: to: sales@intl-baler.comSubject: Communication to Board of Directors. All letters and e-mails will be answered, if possible, and will be distributed to board members as appropriate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company has the authority to discard or disregard any communication which is unduly hostile, threatening, illegal or otherwise inappropriate or to take any other appropriate actions with respect to such communications.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
    
Name and AddressTitleNumber of Shares Beneficially Owned4Percent of Class

Leland E. Boren

1909 S. Main Street

Upland, IN 46989

Director3,925,697575.7%
    

D. Roger Griffin

5400 Rio Grande Avenue CEO,

Jacksonville, FL 32254 President

Director, CEO, President-0-0.4%
    

John J. Martorana

5148 Hanover Lane

Lakeland, FL 33813

Director20,0000.4%
    

Ronald L. McDaniel

Wester-Cullen-Hayes, Inc.

2700 West 36thPlace

Chicago, IL 60632

Director-0--0-
    

William E. Nielsen

5400 Rio Grande Avenue Chief Financial

Jacksonville, FL 32254 Officer

Director; Chief Financial Officer-0--0-
    

Matthew M. Price

Bingham Greenbaum Doll, LLP

2700 Market Tower

10 West Market Street

Indianapolis, IN 46204

Director-0--0-
    

Lael E. Boren

1909 S. Main Street

Upland, IN 46989

Director2,0000.0%
    

Martha R. Songer

1909 S Main Street

Upland, IN 46989

Director2,0000.0%
    

International Baler Corp.

Profit Sharing Trust

5400 Rio Grande Avenue

Jacksonville, FL 32254

 119,33962.3%
    

All Officers and Directors

as a Group (8 persons)

 4,069,03678.5%
4 Unless otherwise stated, all shares of Common Stock are directly held with sole voting and dispositive power. The shares set forth in the table are as of March 2, 2016.
5 Consists of 2,633,896 shares held directly and 1,291,801 shares owned by Avis Industrial Corporation.
6 Employee’s Profit Sharing Trust of which William Nielsen is Trustee.

Change In Control

To the knowledge of the Company’s management, there are no present arrangements or pledges of the Company’s securities which may result in a change in control of the Company.

Background of Directors

The following is a brief account of the experience, for at least the past five (5) years, of each nominee for director.

Leland E. Boren, age 92, was elected as a Director of the Company on March 9, 2005. Mr. Boren is the Chief Executive Officer of Avis Industrial Corporation located in Upland, Indiana. He is also President and CEO of PHD, Inc., Ft. Wayne, Indiana and has held this position since 2010. From 1945 through 1971 Mr. Boren was employed by The Pierce Company (formerly The Pierce Governor Company) in various capacities. He became President of The Pierce Governor Company in 1958. The Pierce Company merged with Avis Industrial Corporation in 1971 and Mr. Boren became President of Avis at that time. Mr. Boren was married to LaRita R. Boren, who was also a Director of the Company until her death on February 10, 2011.

D. Roger Griffin, age 54, joined the Company in February 2008 as President and Chief Executive Officer. Previously, Mr. Griffin was Vice President of Operations at Schaefer Interstate Railing in Salisbury, North Carolina. Prior to that Mr. Griffin spent several years with Metaldyne which acquired the Whitsett, North Carolina plant of Dana Corporation and before that he spent eleven years in management with Dana Corporation at their Whitsett, North Carolina and Jonesboro, Arkansas facilities.

John J. Martorana, age 65, joined the Company’s Board of Directors on January 5, 2009. Mr. Martorana has been a consultant to several divisions of Wastequip, Inc. since 2007. Mr. Martorana was the President of Wastequip of Florida from 1994 to 2007 after joining that company in 1991 as Vice President. From 1984 to 1991 he was responsible for sales and steel purchasing for Industrial Refuse Sales, Inc.; a family owned business, which was sold to Wastequip, Inc. Prior to joining Industrial Refuse Sales, Mr. Martorana worked in the steel industry. He graduated from Butler University in 1972.

Ronald L. McDaniel, age 77, was named to the Company’s Board of Directors on May 16, 2006. Mr. McDaniel has been president of Western-Cullen-Hayes, Inc. since 1980. He was Vice President and General Manager of Western-Cullen-Hayes from 1975 to 1980. From 1957 to 1975 Mr. McDaniel worked for Western-Cullen-Hayes and Burro Crane, an affiliated company, in various capacities including division controller. Mr. McDaniel has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Dayton and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

William E. Nielsen, age 68, joined the Company in June 1994 as its Chief Financial Officer and was elected a Director on November 20, 1997. He was elected President and Chief Executive Officer on May 8, 2001 and served in that capacity until June 25, 2007, and is currently Vice President, Finance and Treasurer of the Company. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Nielsen acted as a financial consultant to Fletcher Barnum Inc., a privately held manufacturing concern, from October 1993 through June 1994. From 1980 through July 1993, he was the Vice President, Administration and Finance at Unison Industries, Inc. Mr. Nielsen received a BBA in Finance and an M.B.A. at Western Illinois University in 1969 and 1970, respectively.

Matthew M. Price, age 48, is an attorney with the law firm of Bingham Greenbaum Doll LLP since 1993. Mr. Price received a BA degree from Wabash Collage in 1990 and a J.D. from Indiana University School of Law in 1993. Mr. Price is a member of the Indiana State Bar Association and the Indianapolis Bar Association. Mr. Price is a member of his law firm’s corporate transactions practice group and his business practice focuses on project financing, government and regulatory compliance for private and public companies, including small and large manufacturers.

Lael E. Boren, age 47, is Vice President-Sales at Avis Industrial Corporation, has served as general manager and president of various organizations including Badger Equipment Company and The Pierce Company. Prior to that, Mr. Boren owned an electronics business in Muncie and Marion, Indiana. He received a Bachelor’s of General Studies from Ball State University in 2014. Mr. Boren is the son of Leland E. Boren, also a director of the company.

Martha R. Songer, age 60, is Vice President and Assistant to the President at Avis Industrial Corporation in Upland, Indiana and has been in this position since 2012. Prior to that Ms. Songer was Alumni Director at Taylor University also in Upland, Indiana. Ms. Songer Received a Bachelor of Science from Taylor University in 1978 and a Master of Science in Management in 2002 from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, requires the Company’s executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of the Company’s Common Stock to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC no later than the second business daywhether made before or after the date on which the transaction occurred unless certain exceptions apply. In fiscal 2015, the Company, its officershereof and directors, were not delinquent in filingirrespective of any of its Form 3, 4, and 5 reports.

Family Relationshipsgeneral incorporation language in any such filing

 

There are no family relationships between any executive officers or directors of the Company, except that Lael E. Boren, Director, is the son of Leland E. Boren, Director.

There is no understanding or arrangement between any director or any other persons pursuant to which such individual was or is to be selected as a director or nominee of the Company.

Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings

To the knowledge of management, no director, executive officer or affiliate of the Company or owner of record or beneficially of more than 5% of the Company's common stock is a party adverse to the Company or has a material interest adverse to the Company in any legal proceeding.

To the knowledge of management, during the past five years, no present or former director, executive officer, affiliate or person presently nominated to become a director or an executive officer of the Company:

(1)Filed a petition under the federal bankruptcy laws or any state insolvency law, nor had a receiver, fiscal agent or similar officer appointed by a court for the business or property of such person, or any partnership in which he or she was a general partner at or within two years before the time of such filing, or any corporation or business association of which he or she was an executive officer at or within two years before the time of such filing;

(2)Was convicted in a criminal proceeding or named the subject of a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses);

(3)Was the subject of any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining him or her from or otherwise limiting his or her involvement in any type of business, commodities, securities or banking activities;

(4)Was the subject of any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any Federal or State authority barring, suspending or otherwise limiting him or her for more than 60 days from engaging in, or being associated with any person engaging in, any type of business, commodities, securities or banking activities;

(5)Was found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the SEC or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) to have violated any federal or state securities law or Federal commodities law, and the judgment in such civil action or finding by the SEC or CFTC has not been subsequently reversed, suspended, or vacated.

10

Executive Officer Compensation

 

The following table sets forth a summary of all compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and each of the Company's executive officers whose compensation exceeded $100,000 per annum for services renderedaccrued, in all capacities, toduring the Company and its subsidiaries during fiscal years ended October 31, 2015,2018, and October 31, 2014:2017 by our Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers whose total compensation exceeded $100,000 for fiscal years ended October 31, 2018 and 2017 (“Named Executive Officers”):

 

10

 

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

Annual Compensation Long Term Awards

 Annual CompensationLong Term Awards
Name and Principal PositionYear

Salary

($)

Bonus

($)

Other Annual Compensation

($)

Number of OptionsAll Other CompensationTotal Compensation
D. Roger Griffin2015130,000-0--0--0--0-130,000
President & CEO2014130,000100,000-0--0--0-230,000
        
William E. Nielsen2015134,000-0--0--0--0-134,000
Chief Financial Officer2014134,00035,000-0--0--0-169,000

 

NAME AND

PRINCIPAL POSITION

 YEAR 

SALARY

($)

 

BONUS

($)

 OTHER ANNUAL COMPENSATION ($) NUMBER OF OPTIONS 

ALL OTHER

COMPENSATION

 

TOTAL

COMPENSATION

Victor W. Biazis
President & CEO(1)
  2018  8,500   -0-   -0-   -0-   -0-   8,500(1)
William E. Nielsen
Chief Financial Officer
  

2018

2017

   

120,000

120,000

   

-0-

-0-

   

-0-

-0-

   

-0-

-0-

   

-0-

-0- 

   

120,000

120,000

 

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
Option Awards Stock Awards

 

 

 

Name

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options

Exercisable

(#) 

 

 

 

Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options

Unexercisable

(#) 

 

 

 

Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options

(#)

 

 

 

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

(#)

 

 

 

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

(#)

(a)        (b)(c)(d)      (e)       (f)(g)(h)(i)(j)
None-0--0--0--0--0--0--0--0--0-
(1)Mr. Biazis began serving as CEO on October 1, 2018 and his annual salary for 2018 would have been $200,000.

 

None of the Company’s other Executive Officers earned compensation in fiscal 2015 and 2014 in excess of $100,000 for services rendered to the Company in any capacity.

11

Grants and Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year

 

No stock awards or options were granted or options exercised during fiscal 20152018 by the Company's ChiefCompany’s Named Executive Officer or any of the Company's most highly compensated executive officers whose compensation exceeded $100,000 for Fiscal 2015.Officers.

 

Employment Agreements

 

The Company does not have any employment contracts, termination, severance or change of control agreements with its ChiefNamed Executive Officer or any other member of management.executives.

 

Compensation of Directors

 

The BoardWe pay each non-employee director an annual retainer of Directors of the Company compensated non-employee directors $3,000 per month,$6,000, together with direct out-of-pocketreimbursement for out of pocket expenses incurred to attend theattending meetings. In September 2015 the Board of Directors resolved to decrease the compensation of non-employee directors from $3,000 per month to $100 per month.

 

Members of the Board of Directors may also be requested to perform consulting or other professional services for the Company from time to time. The Board of Directors has reserved to itself the right to review all directors' claims for compensation on an ad hoc basis.

Director Compensation for Fiscal 2018
Name Fees Earned or Paid
in Cash ($)
 Stock Awards ($) Option Awards ($) Non
Equity Incentive Plan
Compensation ($)
 Change
in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
Earnings ($)
 All Other Compensation ($) 

Total

($)

Ronald L. McDaniel  6,000   -0-   -0-   -0-   -0-   -0-   6,000 
Lael E. Boren  6,000   -0-   -0-   -0-   -0-   -0-   6,000 
Leland(1) E. Boren  6,000   -0-   -0-   -0-   -0-   -0-   6,000 
John J. Martorana  6,000   -0-   -0-   -0-   -0-   -0-   6,000 
Martha R. Songer  6,000   -0-   -0-   -0-   -0-   -0-   6,000 

 

Directors who are on the Company’s Audit and Compensation Committees, are independent and therefore, do not receive any consulting, advisory or compensatory fees from the Company. However, such Board members may receive fees from the Company for their services on those committees.

(1)Mr. Boren passed away on November 23, 2018.

 

Director Compensation for Fiscal 2015
 

Name

Fees Earned or Paid

in Cash

Stock Awards

Option Awards

Non

Equity

Incentive Plan

Compensation

Change

in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

Earnings

All Other Compensation

Total

 ($)($)($)($)($)($)($)
Ronald L. McDaniel30,200-0--0--0--0--0-30,200
Matthew M. Price

30,200

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0--0--0-

30,200

 

Lael E. Boren

30,200

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

30,200

 

Leland E. Boren

30,200

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

30,200

 

John J. Martorana

30,200

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

30,200

 

 

Martha R. Songer30,200-0--0--0--0--0-

30,200

 

 1211 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

 

Related Person Transactions

 

Except as set forth hereafter, there have been no material transactions, series of similar transactions or currently proposed transactions during Fiscal 20152018 or 2014,2017, to which the Company was or is to be a party, in which the amount involved exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of the Company’s total assets at year end for the last two Fiscal Years (2015(2018 and 2014)2017) and in which any director or executive officer or any security holder who is known to the Company to own of record or beneficially more than 5% of the Company's common stock, or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons, had a material interest.

 

Transactions with Management and Others

 

The Estate of Leland E. Boren, shareholder and directoris a stockholder of the Company, ownsand is the owner of Avis Industrial Corporation (Avis)(“Avis”). Mr. BorenThe Estate controls over 75%80% of the outstanding shares of the Company. Avis owns 100% of The American Baler Company, (“American Baler”), a competitor of the Company. On January 1, 2014, Avis acquired The Harris Waste Management Group, Inc. (Harris), also a competitor of the Company. On July 31, 2014 Harris acquired the assets of IPS Balers, Inc. in Baxley, Georgia, another competitor of the Company. Harris and AmericanThese companies operate completely independent of each other. The Company had no equipment sales to, or purchases from these companies in the fiscal years ending October 31, 20152018 and 2014.2017. The Company had no sales to The American Baler Company in the fiscal years ending October 31, 2018 and 2017. The Company sold five closed door horizontal balers and one conveyor to Harris Waste Management for $295,032 in fiscal 2018 and had no sales to Harris Waste Management in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2017.

 

Procedures for Approval of Related Person Transactions

 

Transactions between related persons, such as between an executive officer or director and our company,Company, or any company or person controlled by such officer or director, are required to be approved by the Company’s Audit Committee. The Audit Committee Charter contains such explicit authority, as required by the applicable rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market.authority. It is the Company’s preference to avoid entering into a material related-party transaction if a transaction with a non-related party is available on an equally timely and equally beneficial basis. However, if a Related Person Transaction appears to be in the Company’s best interest then it will be approved or ratified if the Audit Committee expressly finds that the terms of the transaction are comparable to or more beneficial to the Company than those that could be obtained in arm’s length dealings with an unrelated third party.

 

Indebtedness of ManagementPROPOSALS TO THE SHAREHOLDERS

PROPOSAL NO. 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

No officer, director or security holder known to the Company to own of record or beneficially more than 5% of the Company’s common stock or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons is indebted to the Company.

Parent Of IssuerGeneral

 

The Company has no parent.Our Bylaws provide that our Board of Directors consists of three classes of directors, as nearly equal in number as possible, designated Class I, Class II and Class III, and provides that the exact number of directors comprising our Board of Directors will be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board.  At each annual meeting of shareholders, successors to the class of directors whose terms expire at that annual meeting are elected for a three-year term.

 

BOARD RECOMMENDATION AND VOTE REQUIRED

For Proposal No. 1 regardingOur Board of Directors is currently composed of six members.  The current term of the election of three (3) Class lIl Directors,III directors, William E. Nielsen, John J. Martorana and Lael E. Boren votes mayexpires at this Annual Meeting and each are being nominated for reelection to the Board.  Information about our nominees is included under “Executive Officers and Directors” on page 4.

If re-elected, Messrs. Nielsen, Martorana and Boren will serve until the 2022 annual meeting.

The terms of our Class I directors, Victor Biazis and Martha Songer, terminate at our 2020 Annual Meeting. The term of our Class II director, Ronald L. McDaniel terminates at our 2021 Annual Meeting.

12

Unless authority is withheld, the proxies in the accompanying form will be castvoted in favor of the election of William E. Nielsen, John J. Martorana and Lael E. Boren as Class III Directors. Mr. Nielsen, Mr. Martorana, and Mr. Boren have consented to serve on our Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors has no reason to believe that they will not serve if elected. If, however, any of the nominees should become unavailable to serve as a director, and if the Board has designated a substitute nominee, the persons named as proxies will vote for this substitute nominee.

Experience of Nominees

Biographical information relating to the nominees is under the heading “Executive Officers and Directors” on page 5.

Vote Required and Recommendation

The nominees for election to the Board of Directors who receive the most votes (also known as a plurality) will be elected. You may vote either FOR all the nominees, WITHHOLD your vote from all of the nominees or may be withheld. The Class llI Directors will be elected by a pluralityWITHHOLD your vote from any one of the votes of the shares of the Company's common stock present in person or represented by proxy, and entitled to vote on thenominees. In this non-contested election of directors, at a meeting at which a quorum is present. Abstentions are tabulated in determining the votes present at a meeting. Consequently, an abstention has the same effect as a vote against a director nominee, as eachwithheld, broker non-vote or abstention would be one less vote in favor of a director nominee. will have no effect on the outcome. 

The Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote "FOR""FOR" each the Nominees set forth above. Unless marked to the contrary, proxies received will be voted FOR the Nominees set forth above.

13

 

PROPOSAL NO. 2:

 

RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF THE GRIGGSGROUP,PIVOT CPAs

AS INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

The BoardAudit Committee, which is responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of Directorsour independent auditor, has selected the firm The GriggsGroup, CPAsengaged Pivot CPA’s (“Pivot”), as our independent registered public accounting firm to audit the accountsour consolidated financial statements for the Company’s fiscal year ending October 31, 2015 (“Fiscal 2015”). The GriggsGroup CPAs has audited2019. As a matter of good corporate governance, we are requesting that the Company’s financial statements forstockholders ratify the past fiscal year. The Company is advised that neither The GriggsGroup CPAs nor anyAudit Committee’s appointment of its partners has any material direct or indirect relationship withPivot as our independent registered public accounting firm. If stockholders do not ratify the Company. The Boardappointment of Directors considers The GriggsGroup CPAs to be well qualified forPivot, the function of servingAudit Committee will reevaluate the appointment, but may retain Pivot as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.  The Delaware General Corporation Law does not requireEven if the approvalselection is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may change the appointment at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the selectionCompany and its stockholders. Representatives of auditorsPivot will be present at the Annual Meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement and be available to respond to appropriate questions by the Company’s stockholders, but in view of the importance of the financial statements to stockholders, the board of Directors deems it desirable that they pass upon its selection of auditors. In the event the stockholders disapprove of the selection, the Board of Directors will consider the selection of another independent registered public accounting firm.stockholders.

 

Audit and Non-Audit Fees

 

The following table presents the fees for professional audit services rendered by The GriggsGroup CPAsPivot for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements for the fiscal years ended October 31, 20152018 and 2014,2017, and fees for other services rendered by The GriggsGroupPivot CPAs during those periods:

 

Fee Category

 

 

Fiscal 2015

 

 

Fiscal 2014

 Fiscal 2018 Fiscal 2017

Audit Fees

 $58,750  $55,500  $59,400  $58,750 

Audit-Related Fees

  0   0   0   0 

Tax Fees

  10,000   10,000   10,000   10,000 

All Other Fees

  0   0   0   0 

Total Fees

 $68,750  $65,500  $69,400  $68,750 

13

 

Audit fees include fees related to the services rendered in connection with the annual audit of the Company’s financial statements, the quarterly reviews of the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and the reviews of and other services related to registration statements and other offering memoranda.

 

Audit-related fees are for assurance and related services by the independent registered public accounting firm that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements.

 

Tax Fees include (i) tax compliance, (ii) tax advice, (iii) tax planning and (iv) tax reporting.

 

All Other Fees includes fees for all other services provided by the principal accountants not covered in the other categories such as litigation support, etc.

 

All of the 20152018 and 20142017 services described above were approved by the Audit Committee in accordance with the SEC rule that requires audit committee pre-approval of audit and non-audit services provided by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee has considered whether the provisions of such services, including non-audit services, The GriggsGroup CPAsPivot is compatible with maintaining The GriggsGroup CPAsPivot’s independence and has concluded that it is.

BOARD RECOMMENDATION AND VOTE REQUIREDVote Required and Recommendation

 

The Boardselection of Directors recommends that you vote in favor ofPivot as the above proposal selecting The GriggsGroup CPAs (Griggs) asCompany’s independent registered public accounting firm for the Company.

A representative of Griggs is expected tofiscal year ended October 30, 2019 will be present at the Annual Meeting with the opportunity to make a statementratified if he desires to do so, and is expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.

Ratification will require the affirmative vote ofapproved by a majority of the shares present and voting atentitled to vote on the meeting in person or by proxy. In the event ratification is not provided, the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors will review the future selection of the Company's independent registered public accounting firm.

Unless otherwise directed by the stockholder giving the proxy, the proxy will be voted for the ratification of the selection by the Board of Directors of Griggs as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2016.matter. Shares voted as abstaining will count as votes cast. Accordingly, an abstention from voting by a stockholder present in person or by proxy at the meeting has the same legal effect as a vote "against" Proposal No. 2 because it represents a share present or represented at the meeting and entitled to vote, thereby increasing the number of affirmative votes required to approve this proposal.

 

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” ratification of the appointment of Pivot CPA as the Company’s independent auditor for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2019.

 

STOCKHOLDERS'PROPOSAL NO. 3:

ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Background

The Dodd-Frank Act requires all public companies to hold a separate non-binding advisory stockholder vote to approve the compensation disclosed in this Proxy Statement of the Company’s executive officers who are named in the Summary Compensation Table (commonly known as the “Say on Pay” proposal). The Company has disclosed the compensation of the Named Executive Officers pursuant to rules adopted by the SEC.

Executive Compensation

The Board of Directors believes that our executive compensation programs are designed to secure and retain the services of high quality executives and provide compensation to our executives that are commensurate and aligned with our performances and advances both short and long-term interest of ours and our stockholders. The Board of Directors believes that our compensation program for our executive officers is appropriate based upon our preface and the individual performance and level of responsibility of the executive officer.

This advisory stockholder’s vote gives you as a stockholder the opportunity to approve the compensation of the Named Executive Officers that is disclosed in this Proxy Statement’s Summary Compensation Table and all other executive compensation tables and related narrative disclosure.

This Say on Pay Proposal is set forth in the following resolution:

"RESOLVED, that the stockholders of International Baler Corporation approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of its Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in International Baler Corporation’s Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the compensation tables and any related information found in the Proxy Statement of International Baler Corporation.

14

Because your vote on this proposal is advisory, it is not binding on the Board. However, the Board values the opinion of our stockholders and will take into account the result of the vote when making future decisions regarding executive compensation.

Vote Required and Recommendation

The advisory vote on the Say on Pay proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present and entitled to vote on the matter. Shares voted as abstaining will count as votes cast. Accordingly, an abstention from voting by a stockholder present in person or by proxy at the meeting has the same legal effect as a vote "against" Proposal No. 3 because it represents a share present or represented at the meeting and entitled to vote, thereby increasing the number of affirmative votes required to approve this proposal.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” for the Say on Pay proposal.

PROPOSAL FOUR
FREQUENCY OF FUTURE SAY ON PAY ADVISORY VOTES

Background

The Dodd-Frank act also requires all public companies to hold a separate non-binding advisory shareholder vote with respect to the frequency of the vote on the Say on Pay proposal thereafter. Companies must give stockholders the choice of whether to cast an advisory vote on the Say on Pay proposal every year, every two years, or every three years (common known as the “Frequency Vote on Say on Pay.”) Stockholders may also abstain from making a choice, pursuant to the proposed rules recently issued by the SEC. After such initial votes are held, the Dodd-Frank Act requires all public companies to submit to their stockholders no less often than every six years thereafter the Frequency Vote on Say on Pay. Pursuant to Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are holding a separate non-binding advisory vote on the frequency of Say on Pay in future years at the Annual Meeting.

Frequency Vote on Say on Pay

As discussed above, the Board of Directors believe that our executive compensation programs are designed to secure and retain the services of high quality executives and provide compensation to our executives that are commensurate and aligned with our performances and advances both short and long-term interests of ours and our stockholders. The Board of Directors believes that giving our stockholders the right to cast an advisory vote every three years on their approval of the compensation arrangements of our Named Executive Officers provides the Board of Directors sufficient time to thoughtfully evaluate and response to shareholder input and effectively implement changes, as needed, to our executive compensation program.

Although the Board of Directors recommends that the Say on Pay proposal be voted on every three years, our stockholders will be able to specify one of four choices on the frequency of the vote on the Say on Pay Proposal as follows: (i) one year, (ii) two years, (iii) three years or (iv) abstain. Nevertheless, the Board of Directors will take into account the outcome this advisory vote when considering how frequently to seek an advisory vote on Say on Pay in future years.

This advisory vote on the frequency of the say-on-pay vote is not binding on the Board. However, the Board values the opinion of our Stockholders and will take into account the result of the vote when determining the frequency of future say-on-pay votes.

Required Vote

The option receiving the highest number of votes will be deemed to be the preferred frequency of our stockholders.

The Board of Directors recommends the selection of every “THREE YEARS” as your preference for the frequency with which shareholders are provided an advisory vote on Say on Pay.

SOLICITATION OF PROXIES

We will pay all of the costs of soliciting these proxies. In addition to solicitation by mail, our employees, officers and directors may, without additional compensation, solicit proxies by mail, e-mail, and facsimile, in person or by telephone or other forms of telecommunication. We will ask banks, brokers and other institutions, nominees and fiduciaries to forward these proxy materials to their principals and to obtain authority to execute proxies. We will then reimburse them for their expenses.

15

HOUSE HOLDING of Annual Disclosure Documents

Some banks, brokers and other nominee record holders may be participating in the practice of “house holding” Proxy Statements and annual reports. This means that only one copy of the Company’s Proxy Statement and annual report may have been sent to multiple shareholders in your household. We will promptly deliver a separate copy of either document to you if you write to our Corporate Secretary at 5400 Rio Grande Avenue, Jacksonville, Florida 32254. If you want to receive separate copies of the Proxy Statement and our annual report in the future, of if you are receiving multiple copies and would like to receive only one copy for your householder, you should contact your bank, broker or other nominee record holder, or you may contact us at the above address.

OTHER MATTERS

As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board knows of no other business that will be presented at the Annual Meeting. If any other business is properly brought before the Annual Meeting, it is intended that proxies in the enclosed form will be voted in respect thereof in accordance with the best judgment and in the discretion of the persons voting the proxies.

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

 

Proposals of stockholders intendedStockholders who, in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, wish to be presented at the 2017 annual meeting must be received in writing, by the President of the Company at its offices by November 15, 2016in order to be consideredpresent proposals for inclusion in the Company'sCompany’s Proxy Statement for consideration at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must submit their proposals (which complies with the proxy statement relating to that meeting.

SEC rules and regulations provide that ifrules) so they are received by the Company no later than November 15, 2019, unless the date of the Company's 2017 Annual Meetingmeeting is advanced or delayed more than 30 days from the date of the 2016 Annual Meeting, stockholder proposals intended to be included in the proxy materials for the 2016 Annual Meeting must be received by the Company within a reasonable time before the Company begins to print and mail the proxy materials for the 2016 Annual Meeting. Upon determination by the Company that the date of the 2017 Annual Meeting will be advanced or delayed by more than 30 days from the date of the 2016 Annual Meeting, the Company will disclose such change in the earliest possible Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.calendar days.

  By Order of the Board of Directors
   
  Angela M. Darlington, Secretary

 

 1516 

 

INTERNATIONAL BALER CORP.

 

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF

OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

The undersigned hereby appoints Leland E. BorenRonald L. McDaniel and William E. Nielsen as proxies (the "Proxies"), each with power of substitution and resubstitution, to vote all shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, of International Baler Corp. (the "Company") held of record by the undersigned on March 2, 201611, 2019 at the Annual Meeting of stockholders to be held at the offices of the Company, 5400 Rio Grande Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32254, on Monday, April 18, 201522, 2019 at 10:0030 A.M. local time, or at any adjournments thereof, as directed below, and in their discretion on all other matters coming before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.

 

Please mark boxes / / in blue or black ink.

 

1.Election of three Class llI Directors: William E. Nielsen, John J. Martorana, and Lael E. Boren

1. Election of three Class IIl Directors: William E. Nielsen, John J. Martorana, and Lael E. Boren

(Mark only one of the two boxes for this item)

 

VOTE FOR all nominees named above except those who may be named on this line:

 

__________________________________________________________________ 

(OR)

 

VOTE WITHHELD as to all nominees named above.

 

2. Proposal to ratify appointment of Pivot CPAs as the Company's independent registered public accountants:

2.Proposal to ratify appointment of The GriggsGroup, CPAs as the Company's independent registered public accountants:

 

FOR ☐ AGAINST ☐ ABSTAIN ☐

 

3. Approval of, on an advisory basis, our executive compensation:

3.In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

FOR ☐ AGAINST ☐ ABSTAIN ☐

4. Approval of, on an advisory basis, the frequency of the advisory approval of our executive compensation:

1 YEAR ☐ 2 YEARS 3 YEARS ☐ ABSTAIN ☐

5. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

 

When properly executed, this Proxy will be voted as directed. If no direction is made, this Proxy will be voted "FOR" Proposals 1 and 2.

 

Please mark, date, sign and return this Proxy promptly in the enclosed envelope.

 

Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney or executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by president or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.

 

  Dated: ________________________, 2016______________________,2019
   
 XX__________________________
  Signature
  
XX__________________________
  Print Name(s)Names(s)
   
 XX__________________________
  Signature, if held jointly

 

17