Edgar Filing: KEWAUNEE SCIENTIFIC CORP /DE/

Definitive proxy statement

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

(RULE 14a-101)

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Kewaunee Scientific Corporation

(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

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KEWAUNEE SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION

2700 West Front Street

Statesville, North Carolina 28677-2927

David M. Rausch

President and

Chief Executive Officer

July 22, 2016

TO OUR STOCKHOLDERS:

You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Kewaunee Scientific Corporation (the “Company”), which will be held at The Conference Center at UBS Tower, One North Wacker Drive, 2nd Floor, Chicago, Illinois, on August 31, 2016, at 10:00 A.M. Central Daylight Time.

At the meeting, management will review with you the Company’s past year’s performance and the major developments which occurred during the year. There will be an opportunity for stockholders to ask questions about the Company and its operations. We hope you will be able to join us.

To assure that your shares are represented at the meeting, please vote, sign, and return the enclosed proxy card as soon as possible. The proxy is revocable and will not affect your right to vote in person if you are able to attend the meeting. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!

The Company’s 2016 Annual Report to Stockholders is enclosed.

Sincerely yours,

LOGO

KEWAUNEE SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

to be held on

August 31, 2016

The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Kewaunee Scientific Corporation will be held at The Conference Center at UBS Tower, One North Wacker Drive, 2nd Floor, Chicago, Illinois, on August 31, 2016, at 10:00 A.M. Central Daylight Time, for the purpose of considering and acting upon the following:

(1)

To elect two Class III directors;

(2)

To ratify the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent auditors for fiscal year 2017;

(3)

To hold an advisory vote on executive compensation; and

(4)

To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

Stockholders of record at the close of business on July 11, 2016 will be entitled to vote at the meeting. A list of stockholders will be available for examination by any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting, during normal business hours, at the offices of K&L Gates LLP, 70 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois, for a period of 10 days prior to the meeting.

It is important that your shares be represented at the meeting regardless of the size of your holdings. Whether or not you intend to be present at the meeting in person, we urge you to vote, date and sign the enclosed proxy, and return it in the envelope provided for that purpose, which does not require postage if mailed in the United States.

THOMAS D. HULL III

Secretary

July 22, 2016


		YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!

		Please vote, date, and sign the enclosed proxy and return it
		promptly in the enclosed envelope.

KEWAUNEE SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION

PROXY STATEMENT

The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of Kewaunee Scientific Corporation (the “Company”) for use at the annual meeting of stockholders of the Company to be held at The Conference Center at UBS Tower, One North Wacker Drive, Second Floor, Chicago, Illinois, on August 31, 2016, at 10:00 A.M. Central Daylight Time, and at any postponements or adjournments thereof. Proxies properly executed and returned in a timely manner will be voted at the meeting in accordance with the directions noted thereon. If no direction is indicated, proxies will be voted for the election of the nominees named herein as directors, and on other matters presented for a vote in accordance with the judgment of the persons acting under the proxies.

The Company’s principal executive offices are located at 2700 West Front Street, Statesville, North Carolina 28677-2927 (telephone 704/873-7202).

The proxy, together with this Proxy Statement and the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, is being mailed to stockholders on, or about, July 22, 2016.

ITEM 1.

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Two Class III directors are to be elected at the meeting. The Board of Directors, at its meeting on April 18, 2016, upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, selected Margaret B. Pyle and Donald F. Shaw as nominees for re-election as directors at the annual meeting, to serve for three-year terms. Both nominees are serving as directors as of the date of this Proxy Statement. The two nominees receiving the greatest number of votes at the annual meeting will be elected directors. Unless a stockholder indicates otherwise on the proxy, proxies will be voted for the election of the two nominees named below. If due to circumstances not now foreseen, any of the nominees becomes unavailable for election, the proxies will be voted for such other person or persons as the Board of Directors may select, or the Board will make an appropriate reduction in the number of directors to be elected.

Information on the current nominees for Class III directors and the current Class I and II directors is shown below.

Class III directors nominated for re-election to serve until the annual meeting of stockholders in 2019:

MARGARET B. PYLE, 64, was elected a director of the Company in February 1995. Ms. Pyle has been engaged in the practice of corporate law for over 38 years and has been Vice Chair and Chief Legal Counsel of The Pyle Group since 2007. In addition, she was the sole Trustee and Chief Executive of the Allis-Chalmers Corporation Product Liability Trust from June 1996 until March 2012 and has been the sole Trustee and Chief Executive of the Ranger Industries, Inc. Product Liability Trust since April 2012.

We believe Ms. Pyle is well suited to serve on our Board due to her many years of experience in a variety of legal matters relevant to the Company, her 21 years’ experience as a director of the Company, and her understanding of the long-term interests of our Company and its stockholders.

DONALD F. SHAW, 65, was elected a director of the Company on June 1, 2013. He previously served as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board of ISEC, Inc., a high-end commercial interior subcontractor, from 2004 until his retirement in March 2013. Mr. Shaw held the position of Executive Vice President of ISEC, Inc. from 1988 to 2004 and served in various sales management positions with ISEC from 1977 to 1988. We believe Mr. Shaw is well suited to serve on our Board due to his wealth of knowledge in the construction industry and his experience as chief executive officer and other management positions of a highly successful company.

Class I directors continuing in office to serve until the annual meeting of stockholders in 2017:

DAVID M. RAUSCH, 57, was elected President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company on July 1, 2013. He joined the Company in March 1994 as Manager of Estimating and was promoted to Southeast Regional Sales Manager in December 1996, then to Director of Sales for Network Storage Systems products in May 2000. In August 2001, he was promoted to Project Sales Manager, and in this position, he also had direct management responsibility for the Estimating Department. Mr. Rausch was elected Vice President of Construction Services in June 2007. In June 2011, he was elected Senior Vice President of Construction Services and General Manager of the Laminate Furniture Division, and in March 2012, he was elected President and Chief Operating Officer. We believe Mr. Rausch is well suited to serve on our Board due to his role as President and Chief Executive Officer and his experience in various leadership roles for our Company since 1994.

DAVID S. RHIND, 53, was elected a director of the Company in April 2008. Mr. Rhind is an attorney-at-law. From June 2012 to March 2015, Mr. Rhind served as Deputy General Counsel for Hudson Global, Inc. (formerly Hudson Highland Group, Inc.) of New York, New York, a leading provider of specialized professional recruitment, recruitment outsourcing, talent management, and related staffing services and solutions. From July 2003 to June 2012, Mr. Rhind was General Counsel, North America, for Hudson. From October 1995 to June 2003, he was Associate General Counsel at Technology Solutions Company of Chicago, a technology consulting and systems integration company. We believe Mr. Rhind is well suited to serve on our Board due to his many years of experience in legal matters, his overall business acumen, and his understanding of the long-term interests of our Company and its stockholders.

JOHN D. RUSSELL, 63, was elected a director of the Company on May 31, 2011. Since November 6, 2015, Mr. Russell has served as the President and CEO of Morton Buildings, a construction company headquartered in Morton, Illinois. From September 2012 to November 2015, Mr. Russell was a Managing Director of ForteONE, a Chicago-based consulting firm focused on helping middle market business owners

achieve revenue growth and profit improvement. From June 2006 until March 2014, Mr. Russell was a business consultant and a director for Strategic Materials Incorporated, the largest glass recycling business in North America. From September 2007 to May 2010, he was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Maysteel LLC, a precision metal fabricator in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. From April 2002 to April 2006, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Neoplan USA, a manufacturer of heavy duty transit buses. Prior to April 2002, Mr. Russell was a partner at McKinsey and Company and a corporate officer of Brunswick Corporation. We believe Mr. Russell is well suited to serve on our Board due to his experience as chief executive officer of three different companies, his other executive management experience, and his experience as a director of another company.

Class II directors continuing in office to serve until the annual meeting of stockholders in 2018:

KEITH M. GEHL, 57, was elected a director of the Company effective April 29, 2015. He served as Senior Vice President of Real Estate & Facilities of Family Dollar Stores, Inc. from 2003 until his retirement in June 2013. From 1989 to 2003, Mr. Gehl held a number of management positions with Food Lion, Inc. At Food Lion, he served as Director of Internal Audit from 1989 to 1996, Director of Store Operations from 1996 to 1997, Vice-President Real Estate and Construction from 1997 to 2000, and Executive Vice President Real Estate and Business Strategy from 2000 to 2003. Effective May 2016, Mr. Gehl began serving on the Board of RONA, Inc., a Canadian home improvement retailer with over 500 locations and $4 billion (Canadian) in sales. Mr. Gehl holds an accounting degree from Valparaiso University. During his career, he successfully completed the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination. We believe Mr. Gehl is well suited to serve on our Board due to his many years of experience as a financial executive.

WILLIAM A. SHUMAKER, 68, served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company from September 2000 until his retirement on June 30, 2013. He also served as President from August 1999 until March 2012. He was elected a director of the Company in February 2000 and Chairman of the Board in February 2010. He served as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer from August 1998 until September 2000 and General Manager of the Laboratory Products Group from February 1998 until August 1998. He joined the Company in December 1993 as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Mr. Shumaker also served as a member of the North Carolina Economic Development Board until the end of 2014. He is currently serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Greater Statesville Development Corporation. We believe Mr. Shumaker is well suited to serve on our Board due to his experience as our Chief Executive Officer and his 23 years’ experience in various leadership roles for our Company.

Except as otherwise indicated, each director and nominee has had the principal occupation mentioned above for more than five years.

The Company’s certificate of incorporation provides that the Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes, and that the three classes shall be as nearly equal in number as possible.

The Board of Directors has a policy whereby any director reaching age 75 during his/her term is expected to retire at the end of the term.

The Board of Directors amended the Company’s bylaws on December 9, 2015, reducing the number of directors from eight to seven due to the death of Mr. John C. Campbell, Jr., who served as a director from 1993 until his death on November 7, 2015.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the election of the two

foregoing nominees for election as Class III directors.

Meetings and Committees of the Board

The business and affairs of the Company are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Members of the Board keep informed of the Company’s business and activities by reports and proposals sent to them periodically and in advance of each Board meeting and reports made to them during these meetings by the Chief Executive Officer and other Company officers. The Board is regularly advised of actions taken by the committees of the Board, as well as significant actions taken by management. Members of management are available at Board meetings and other times to answer questions and discuss issues. During the Company’s fiscal year ended April 30, 2016, the Board of Directors held twelve meetings.

During fiscal year 2016, the standing committees of the Board of Directors of the Company were the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Financial/Planning Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The functions and membership of the committees are described below.

At the December 9, 2015 Board meeting the decision was made to disband the Executive Committee. During the Company’s 2016 fiscal year the Executive Committee met one time.

The Audit Committee consists of Messrs. Gehl (Chairman), Russell, and Shaw. All members of the committee are independent directors. Mr. Campbell served on the Committee until his death on November 7, 2015. Ross W. McCanless, who resigned as a director effective May 29, 2015, served as Chairman of the committee until the election, effective April 29, 2015, of Mr. Gehl as a director and chairman of the committee. The committee performs the responsibilities and duties described in the Company’s Audit Committee Charter, and is responsible for annually appointing the independent auditor for the Company, approving services to be performed by the independent auditor, reviewing the independent auditor’s reports, and reviewing the Company’s quarterly and annual financial statements before release to the public. In accordance with Audit Committee Charter guidelines, the committee is responsible for reviewing and approving all related party transactions. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Gehl is a “financial expert” within the meaning of the current rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The committee met four times during the Company’s last fiscal year. The Audit Committee Charter can be found on the Company’s website at http://www.kewaunee.com.

The Compensation Committee consists of Messrs. Russell (Chairman), Gehl, Rhind, and Shaw and Ms. Pyle. All members of the committee are independent directors. The committee considers and provides recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to the compensation (salaries and bonuses) of executive officers of the Company; short- and long-range compensation programs for officers and other key employees of the Company; benefit programs for all employees of the Company; and stock option grants to key employees. The committee also acts as the Stock Option Committee, administering and interpreting the stock option plans for officers and other key employees. The committee may delegate its responsibilities and authority to one or more subcommittees as the committee may deem appropriate in its sole discretion. The Compensation Committee Charter can be found on the Company’s website at http://www.kewaunee.com. The committee met three times during the Company’s last fiscal year. The committee engaged a compensation consultant during May of 2016 to advise the committee on director compensation during fiscal year 2017.

The Financial/Planning Committee consists of Messrs. Shaw (Chairman), Rausch, Russell, and Shumaker and Ms. Pyle. Mr. Campbell served on the Committee until his death on November 7, 2015. The committee reviews and provides recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to the annual budget for the Company, the Company’s strategic plan, and the annual budget for capital expenditures. The committee also reviews the investment results of the assets of the Company’s retirement plans. The committee met four times during the Company’s last fiscal year.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consists of Messrs. Rhind (Chairman) and Shaw and Ms. Pyle. Mr. McCanless served on the committee until April 29, 2015. The committee performs the responsibilities and duties described in the Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter, which is available on the Company’s website at http://www.kewaunee.com. The committee is comprised of at least three directors, all of whom meet the criteria for independence required by the NASDAQ Global Market. The committee reviews and recommends to the Board of Directors the appointment of directors to Board committees and the selection of the chairperson of each committee, makes recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to officers of the Company, assures that an up-to-date management succession plan is in place for the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers, reviews and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding director compensation and benefits, periodically reviews the skills and qualifications of existing directors with a view toward a well-rounded and effective Board, identifies and screens potential nominees to the Board, and reviews stockholder proposals for inclusion in the Company’s Proxy Statement. In addition, the committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning nominees for Board membership brought to its attention by officers, directors, and stockholders. Proposals may be addressed to the committee at the address shown on the cover of this Proxy Statement, attention of the Corporate Secretary. At a minimum, a candidate for the Board must have demonstrated significant accomplishment in his or her field, the capacity and experience to understand the broad business operations of the Company, and the vision to assist the Company in its development and expansion. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not favor or disfavor any particular nominee on the basis of race, religion, gender, age, or national origin. The Committee met two times during the Company’s last fiscal year.

Executive sessions of independent directors are held in connection with each regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting, the regularly scheduled Audit Committee meeting in June of each year, and at other times as necessary. The Board of Directors’ policy is to hold executive sessions without the presence of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and any other non-independent directors. The Board of Directors has determined that each of Messrs. Gehl, Rhind, Russell, and Shaw and Ms. Pyle are, and Messrs. Campbell and McCanless were, independent within the meaning of the rules of the NASDAQ Global Market.

The Company does not have a formal policy regarding attendance by members of the Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, although all directors are expected to attend. All members of the Board of Directors attended the Company’s 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. In the Company’s last fiscal year, no director attended less than 75% of the aggregate of all meetings of the Board and all meetings held by committees of the Board on which such director served.

Board Leadership Structure

The Board determines whether the role of the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer should be separated or combined based on its judgment as to the structure that best serves the interest of the Company. Currently, the Board believes that the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer should be separate.

Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

The Board oversees risk management processes directly and through its committees. Management is responsible for risk management on a day-to-day basis. The role of the Board and its committees is to oversee the risk management activities of management. The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to risk management in the areas of financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The Compensation Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the management of risk arising from our compensation policies and programs. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the management of risks associated with Board organization, membership and structure, and succession planning for our directors.

Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors recommends that any communications from stockholders be in writing and addressed to the Board in care of the Corporate Secretary, 2700 West Front Street, Statesville, North Carolina 28677-2927. The name of any specific Board member to whom a communication is intended to be addressed should be noted in the communication. The Corporate Secretary will forward such correspondence only to the intended recipient if one is noted; however, the Corporate Secretary, prior to forwarding any correspondence, will

review the correspondence, and in his discretion, will not forward certain items if they are deemed frivolous, of inconsequential commercial value, or otherwise inappropriate for Board consideration.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

As noted above, the Compensation Committee consists of Messrs. Russell, Gehl, Rhind, and Shaw and Ms. Pyle. No executive officer of the Company served as a member of the Compensation Committee or as a director of any other entity, one of whose executive officers serves on the Compensation Committee or is a director of the Company.

Director Compensation

In fiscal year 2016, each director who was not an employee of the Company received for his services as such a quarterly retainer of $5,000 plus a fee of $1,500 for each day of Board and/or committee meetings attended, a daily multiple-meeting fee of $2,000 and a $750 fee for telephone meetings. In addition, the Chairman of each of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, Executive Committee, Financial/Planning Committee, and Compensation Committee receives an annual fee of $2,000, the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an annual fee of $7,500, and the Chairman of the Board receives an annual fee of $10,000. All directors are reimbursed for their expenses for each Board and committee meeting. From time to time the Board of Directors reviews director compensation paid by other public companies with comparable revenues and market capitalization, and in comparable industries, as part of its evaluation of the appropriate level of compensation to be paid to the Company’s directors.

Non-employee directors may elect to participate in the Company’s health insurance program at no cost to them. During fiscal year ended April 30, 2016, Messrs. Gehl, Russell, and Shaw participated in the program. All current non-employee directors that do not otherwise have life insurance provided by the Company are provided life insurance coverage of $20,000 under the Company’s life insurance program.

During fiscal year 2011, the stockholders approved the 2010 Stock Option Plan for Directors (the “2010 Plan”). The 2010 Plan is designed to promote the interests and long-range prospects of the Company and its stockholders by attracting and retaining well-qualified directors who are not employees of the Company. On the effective date of the 2010 Plan, each eligible director of the Company was granted an option to purchase 10,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. Each person who becomes an eligible director after the effective date of the 2010 Plan will be granted on the date of his or her election an option to purchase 10,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The 2010 Plan authorizes the Board of Directors, until August 25, 2020, to grant options to purchase not more than an aggregate of 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to eligible directors of the Company. If an option expires or is terminated unexercised as to any shares, such released shares may again be subject to newly granted options. The option price for shares granted under the 2010 Plan is the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Options are

granted under the 2010 Plan for a term of five years and are exercisable in four equal installments, one-fourth becoming exercisable on the next August 1 following the date of grant, and an additional one-fourth becoming exercisable on August 1 of each of the next three years.

Director Compensation Table

The following table provides compensation information for the one-year period ended April 30, 2016 for each member of the Board of Directors who served as a director in the last fiscal year.


Name	Fees Earned or Paid in Cash		Stock Awards		Option Awards (1)		Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation		Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings		All Other Compensation (3)		Total
John C. Campbell, Jr. (2)	$	27,750		—		—		—		—	$	77	$	27,827
Keith M. Gehl		52,250		—		—		—		—		5,925		58,175
Ross W. McCanless		3,576		—		—		—		—		1,273		4,849
Margaret B. Pyle		43,250		—		—		—		—		77		43,327
David S. Rhind		46,250		—		—		—		—		77		46,327
John D. Russell		45,500		—		—		—		—		14,830		60,330
Donald F. Shaw		43,750		—		—		—		—		15,371		59,121
William A. Shumaker		55,250		—		—		—		—		5,077		60,327
David M. Rausch (4)		—		—		—		—		—		—		—

(1)	On April 30, 2016, Messrs. Gehl, Russell, and Shumaker each held options to purchase 10,000 shares of Company common stock. Mr. Shaw held options to purchase 2,500 shares of Company stock and Mr. Rausch held options to purchase 43,250 shares of Company common stock.

(2)	Mr. Campbell passed away on November 7, 2015.

(3)

Represents the value of participation in the Company’s health insurance program and life insurance program for Messrs. McCanless, Gehl, Russell, Shaw, and the value of participation in the Company’s life insurance program for Messrs. Campbell, Rhind, and Shumaker and Ms. Pyle. The amount shown for Mr. Shumaker also includes a consulting fee of $5,000 for services rendered during fiscal year 2016 under the terms of his consulting agreement that expired July 31, 2015.

(4)

Mr. Rausch was an employee of the Company during the last fiscal year and received no compensation for service as a director. See the Summary Compensation Table for disclosure related to the compensation received by Mr. Rausch, who was elected the Chief Executive Officer of the Company on July 1, 2013.

ITEM 2.

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee has selected the independent registered public accounting firm of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent auditors for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2017. Although not required by law, our bylaws or otherwise to submit the appointment to a vote by shareholders, the Audit Committee is requesting that the shareholders ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP because we value our shareholders’ views on our independent public accounting firm and as a matter of good corporate practice. Assuming that a quorum is present, the selection of Ernst & Young LLP will be deemed to have been ratified if more shares are voted in favor of ratification than are voted against ratification. The Audit Committee will consider the outcome of this vote but is not bound by our shareholders’ vote.

On June 23, 2016, the Company, with approval of the Audit Committee notified Cherry Bekaert LLP (“Cherry Bekaert”) that Cherry Bekaert was being dismissed as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, effective upon completion of Cherry Bekaert’s audit of the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2016, and appointed Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s new independent registered public accounting firm. The decision to change the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm was the result of a request for proposal process in which the Audit Committee conducted a comprehensive, competitive process to select the independent registered public accounting firm, and which action was ratified by the Board of Directors.

Cherry Bekaert served as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm auditing the Company’s annual financial statements and reviewing the financial statements included in the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q through the fiscal year ended April 30, 2016.

Cherry Bekaert’s audit reports on the Company’s financial statements for the years ended April 30, 2016 and 2015 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. During the Company’s two most recent fiscal years ended April 30, 2016 and 2015 and through July 21, 2016, the Company has not had any disagreement with Cherry Bekaert on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreement, if not resolved to Cherry Bekaert’s satisfaction, would have caused Cherry Bekaert to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in their reports on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In addition, during the Company’s two most recent fiscal years ended April 30, 2016 and 2015 and through July 21, 2016, there were no “reportable events” as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

It is expected that a representative of Ernst & Young LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on August 31, 2016 to answer any appropriate

questions, and such representative will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires. The Company does not currently expect that a representative of Cherry Bekaert will be present at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

The Audit Committee recommends a vote FOR ratification of the

independent registered public accounting firm of Ernst & Young LLP

as the Company’s independent auditors for fiscal year 2017.

Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Services

The Audit Committee’s policy is to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services to be provided by the Company’s independent auditors on a case-by-case basis. In making such determination, the Audit Committee considers whether the provision of non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the auditor’s independence. All of the audit and non-audit services provided by the Company’s independent auditors on behalf of the Company in fiscal years 2016 and 2015 were pre-approved in accordance with this policy.

Audit Fees and Non-Audit Fees

The following fees were paid or will be paid to the Cherry Bekaert for professional services rendered on behalf of the Company related to the past two fiscal years:


	2016		2015
Audit of Financial Statements	$	130,800	$	120,000
Audit-Related Services		25,500		25,000
All Other Fees		—		—

Total	$	156,300	$	145,000

Audit services consisted of the audit of the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements and the review of the Company’s quarterly financial statements. Audit-related services consisted of fees for audits of financial statements of employee benefit plans.

Audit Committee Report

The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing the Company’s financial reporting process and other duties as described in the Audit Committee Charter. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Committee has reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2016 with management and the Company’s registered independent public accounting firm. Management of the Company is responsible for these financial statements and the Company’s financial reporting process, including the Company’s system of internal controls. The independent auditors are responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of these financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The Committee has discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 relating to the conduct of the audit. The Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from Cherry Bekaert required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees, and has discussed with Cherry Bekaert their independence.

The Audit Committee also considered whether the provision of non-audit services by Cherry Bekaert , if any, was compatible with maintaining its independence. Based on the Committee’s review of the audited financial statements and the review and discussions described in the preceding paragraph, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2016 be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2016 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All members of the committee meet the independence standards established by the NASDAQ Global Market.

Audit Committee Members

Keith M. Gehl, Chairman

John D. Russell

Donald F. Shaw

ITEM 3.

ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 enables stockholders to vote to approve, on an advisory, non-binding basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement in accordance with SEC rules.

Stockholders are urged to read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement, which discusses how our compensation design and practices reflect our compensation philosophy. The objective of the Company’s executive compensation program is to attract, motivate, reward, and retain management talent critical to the Company’s achievement of its objectives. The Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors believe that our compensation design and practices are effective in achieving our objectives.

We are required to submit a proposal to stockholders for a (non-binding) advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers pursuant to Section 14A of the Exchange Act. At their meeting in August 2013, our stockholders voted to hold the advisory vote on executive compensation on an annual basis. This proposal, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal, gives our stockholders the opportunity to express their views on the compensation of our named executive officers. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and the principles, policies, and practices described in this Proxy Statement. Accordingly, the following resolution is submitted for stockholder vote at the 2016 Annual Meeting:

“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables, and any related material disclosed in the Proxy Statement is hereby APPROVED.”

As this is an advisory vote, the result will not be binding on us, the Board of Directors, or the Compensation Committee, although our Compensation Committee will consider the outcome of the vote when evaluating our compensation principles, design, and practices. Proxies submitted without direction pursuant to this solicitation will be voted “FOR” the approval of the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement.

We recommend that you vote “FOR” the approval, on an advisory basis,

of the compensation of our named executive officers,

as disclosed in this Proxy Statement.

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Executive compensation is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board, which is composed solely of independent directors.

The objective of the Company’s executive compensation program is to attract, motivate, reward and retain management talent critical to the Company’s achievement of its objectives. Salaries and other compensation for the Company’s executive officers are based on each executive officer’s responsibilities, level of experience, and performance over time, as well as on the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer. In order to assure that salaries and compensation remain competitive, the Company subscribes to and consults various published surveys on executive compensation.

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, limits the deduction for federal income tax purposes of certain compensation paid by any publicly-held corporation to its chief executive officer and its four other most highly compensated executive officers to $1 million per year for each such executive. Because the levels of compensation of executive officers traditionally have been well below the deduction limit, the Company has not adopted a formal policy with respect to Section 162(m).

Executive Officer Compensation

The four principal components of the Company’s compensation program for executive officers are discussed below.

Base Salary

The Compensation Committee annually reviews the base salaries of executive officers. Prior to the meeting at which the annual review occurs, the Committee is provided (i) information furnished by the Company’s human resources department on historical data about the base and total compensation for each executive, and marketplace compensation data, including both base and incentive compensation data, for comparable positions at other manufacturing and service companies with generally similar annual sales volume, and (ii) individual performance appraisals and recommended base salary adjustments from the Chief Executive Officer for each executive officer, except himself. The human resources department also provides a base salary range based on class for each executive officer, which shows a minimum, mid-point, and maximum salary, and the position of the executive officer’s base salary in this range. The base salary range is established using marketplace comparison data and the individual responsibilities of the executive officer’s position, and is updated each year for inflation. The Company typically targets base salaries at the mid-point of the Company’s established range for a position. The Committee further considers, on a subjective basis, the executive officer’s particular qualifications, level of experience, and sustained performance over time. These same factors are also considered in determining an adjustment to the salary of the Chief Executive Officer. Base salaries are traditionally adjusted as of July 1 of each year.

Annual Incentive Compensation

All of the Company’s executive officers are eligible to participate in an annual incentive bonus plan, pursuant to which each executive officer is eligible to earn a cash bonus for each fiscal year of the Company, based primarily on the attainment of earnings goals established in the incentive bonus plan and, to a lesser extent, on the executive officer’s achievement of established personal objectives to the degree determined by the Board of Directors upon the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Compensation Committee.

At the beginning of each fiscal year, the Board of Directors approves earnings goals for the Company for such year and, upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee, establishes specified percentages of each executive officer’s base salary that will be available for bonuses if the Company and/or its operating businesses achieve specified earnings goals and the executive officer achieves his or her personal goals. The Board of Directors generally attempts to establish annual earnings goals at target levels it believes are challenging, but achievable, with earnings above target levels considered to be relatively difficult to achieve. In determining the level of available bonuses for each executive officer, many of the same factors considered in determining an executive officer’s base salary are also considered by the Committee and the Board of Directors.

For fiscal year 2016, the specified bonus percentages for executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer ranged from 1.0% of an executive officer’s base salary, if the Company achieved 100% of targeted earnings for the year, increasing to a maximum of 43.8% of an executive’s base salary, as earnings reached 150% of targeted earnings. The corresponding specified percentages for the Chief Executive Officer were from 1.0% to a maximum of 50%.

Long-Term Incentive Plans

The Company uses stock options as its long-term incentive plan for executive officers. Stock option awards are normally made annually in August by the Board of Directors, based on the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer, with respect to all stock options other than his own, and the Compensation Committee. The exercise price of the granted stock options is the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant. Individual awards are based on an individual’s performance, his or her comparative base salary level and the number of stock option grants previously made to him or her. In August 2015 and 2014, the Company granted stock options on a total of 20,000 and 20,000 shares, respectively, of the Company’s common stock to the Chief Executive Officer and named executive officers under the Company’s stock option plans.

Other Compensation Plans

Executive officers of the Company who met eligibility requirements as of April 30, 2005, participate in the Company’s Pension Plan. The Plan provides retirement benefits for participating employees. The annual benefit amount is calculated as 40% of the 10-year final average annual compensation (salary and bonus) minus 50% of the primary social security

benefit, all multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of years of credited service up to 30 years, and the denominator of which is 30. Participants in the Plan may elect among several payment alternatives. As of April 30, 2005, the Company “froze” the benefits under the Plan. As a result, no further benefits have been or will be earned under the Plan after that date and no additional participants have been or will be added to the Plan. To the extent ERISA rules restricted the amount otherwise payable under the Plan, the benefit amount in excess of the restrictions will be paid by the Company under the provisions of the Company’s non-qualified Pension Equalization Plan.

The Company has a 401(k) Incentive Savings Plan (the “401(k) Plan”) which covers substantially all salaried and hourly employees, including all of the executive officers. The plan provides benefits to all employees who have attained age 21, completed three months of service, and who elect to participate. Under the terms of the plan, the Company makes matching contributions equal to 100% of the employee’s qualifying contribution up to 3% of the employee’s compensation, and makes matching contributions equal to 50% of the employee’s contributions between 3% and 5% of the employee’s compensation, resulting in a maximum employer contribution equal to 4% of the employee’s compensation. Additionally, the Company may make a non-matching contribution for participants employed by the Company on December 31 of each year up to 1% of the participant’s qualifying compensation for that calendar year based on the profitability of the Company.

The Company also has a non-qualified 401 Plus Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (the “401 Plus Plan”), which supplements the 401(k) Plan. The 401 Plus Plan was adopted to provide highly compensated employees an alternative retirement plan because income tax laws restrict the amount of contributions executives may otherwise have contributed to the 401(k) Plan. The 401 Plus Plan operates similarly to the 401(k) Plan, in that the Company makes matching credits to the participant’s account in an amount equal to 50% of the compensation deferred by the participant up to 3% of the participant’s compensation. Amounts deferred under the plan will be distributed to the participant after the participant’s termination of employment with the Company in cash in a lump sum or installments at a time previously elected by the participant. All of the named executive officers participated in the 401(k) Plan and the 401 Plus Plan in fiscal year 2016.

Each of the Company’s executive officers is entitled to receive additional compensation in the form of payments, allocations, or accruals under various other group compensation and benefit plans on the same basis as other employees. Benefits under these plans are not directly, or indirectly, tied to employee or Company performance.

Chief Executive Officer Compensation

The Compensation Committee considers the Chief Executive Officer’s leadership an important factor in the future success of the Company. The compensation of the CEO has traditionally included base salary, annual incentive compensation, long-term incentive compensation, and benefits under various group plans. In establishing the Chief Executive Officer’s base salary for each fiscal year, the Compensation Committee considered operating

results for the prior year and the outlook for the current year, continued development of the management team, operational improvements, compensation of chief executive officers of other companies with comparable sales, a review of his base salary in relation to the range for his position proposed by the human resources department, and the price of the Company’s common stock.

The Chief Executive Officer’s annual incentive compensation and long-term incentive compensation are determined pursuant to the Company’s incentive plans for executive officers. Mr. Rausch earned a cash bonus of $31,080 for fiscal year 2016 under the annual incentive bonus plan, as actual earnings for the fiscal year were in excess of the minimum earnings goal.

COMPENSATION TABLES

Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal Year 2016


Name and Principal Position	Year		Base Salary ($)		Option Awards ($) (1)		Bonus ($)		Nonequity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)		Change in Pension Value And Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) (2)			All Other Compensation ($) (3)		Total ($)
David M. Rausch		2016		360,000		39,900				31,080		(1,362	)		31,286		460,904
President and Chief Executive Officer		2015		335,000		66,000				9,997		19,713			27,600		458,310

Thomas D. Hull III (4)		2016		125,000		23,040		25,000		43,750					42,626		259,416
Vice President, Finance Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary

D. Michael Parker (5)		2016		173,497								1,379			360,429		535,305
Senior Vice President, Finance Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary		2015		258,982		39,600				7,903		57,196			21,351		385,032

Keith D. Smith		2016		206,914		15,960				17,089		(2,489	)		22,952		260,426
Vice President, Manufacturing		2015		200,887		26,400						14,437			16,071		257,795

(1)	See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of the assumptions underlying the value of stock options.

(2)

The amount listed for each named executive officer consists of the current year change in the present value of benefits earned under the Pension Plan. No benefits were earned under the Pension Plan during the year. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Executive Officer Compensation – Other Compensation Plans” in this Proxy Statement for additional information regarding the Pension Plan.

(3)

The amounts listed for each named executive officer consist of matching and non-matching contributions made or accrued by the Company on behalf of that executive officer to the Company’s 401(k) Incentive Savings Plan and 401 Plus Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. All Other Compensation for Mr. Parker includes retirement benefits earned during fiscal year 2016 in the amount of $346,549. All Other Compensation for Mr. Hull includes relocation expense reimbursement of $37,699.

(4)	Mr. Hull took office on November 2, 2015. Compensation shown is for the period from that date through April 30, 2016.

(5)	Mr. Parker retired on October 13, 2015. Compensation shown includes amounts paid during fiscal year 2016, including pursuant to Mr. Parker’s separation agreement.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table sets forth information with regard to stock options granted to the named executive officers listed below during fiscal year 2016 under the Company’s 2008 Employee Stock Option Plan (as amended and restated effective June 29, 2015) (the “2008 Employee Stock Option Plan”). No other equity incentive plan awards or non-equity incentive plan awards were granted to the named executives during the year.


Name	Grant Date		Option Awards: Number of Shares Underlying Options		Exercise Price of Option Awards ($)		Grant Date Fair Value of Option Awards (1) ($)
David M. Rausch		August 26, 2015		10,000		16.97		39,900
Thomas D. Hull III		November 2, 2015		6,000		16.64		23,040
D. Michael Parker		N/A		—		—		—
Keith D. Smith		August 26, 2015		4,000		16.97		15,960

(1)	See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of the assumptions underlying the value of stock options.

Outstanding Equity Awards at April 30, 2016


	Option Awards (1)
Name	Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options- Exercisable (#)		Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options- Unexercisable (#)		Option Exercise Price ($)		Option Expiration Date
David M. Rausch		1,250		—		10.64		8/25/20
		2,000		—		8.59		8/24/21
		7,500		2,500		11.78		8/22/22
		5,000		5,000		15.85		8/28/23
		2,500		7,500		18.14		8/27/24
		—		10,000		16.97		8/26/25

Thomas D. Hull III		—		6,000		16.64		11/2/25

D. Michael Parker		4,500		—		8.59		8/24/21
		1,500		—		11.78		8/22/22
		3,000		—		15.85		8/28/23
		1,500		—		18.14		8/27/24

Keith D. Smith		—		1,000		11.78		8/22/22
		—		2,000		15.85		8/28/23
		1,000		3,000		18.14		8/27/24
		—		4,000		16.97		8/26/25

(1)	The options listed in this table vest in four equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date (which is 10 years prior to the expiration date shown for each option).

Equity Compensation Plans

The following table summarizes information about the Company’s equity compensation plans as of April 30, 2016. All outstanding awards relate to the Company’s common stock.


Plan Category	Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants, and rights		Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants, and rights		Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (1)
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders		185,375	$	14.68		325,150
Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders		—		—		—

Total		185,375	$	14.68		325,150

(1)	Represents shares available for future issuance under the 2008 Employee Stock Option Plan and the 2010 Stock Option Plan for Directors. No options were available for grant under any other equity compensation plans of the Company.

Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

The following table includes information regarding the estimated amount of payments and other benefits each named executive officer shown would receive if his employment with the Company was terminated on April 30, 2016.


Name and Benefits	For Cause or Voluntary Termination other than for Good Reason ($)			Termination Without Cause and no Change in Control ($) (1)			Termination Without Cause after Change in Control ($) (2)
David M. Rausch
Base salary		—		$	360,000		$	720,000
Annual bonus	$	31,080	⁽⁴⁾		31,080	⁽⁴⁾		50,967
401(k)/401 Plus Deferred Compensation Plans (3)		2,020			25,420			50,113
Life insurance benefit (5)		—			—			58,066
Medical & disability insurance (6)		—			4,704			9,408

Total	$	33,100		$	421,204		$	888,554


Thomas D. Hull III
Base salary		—		$	250,000		$	500,000
Annual bonus	$	43,750	⁽⁴⁾		43,750	⁽⁴⁾		14,583
401(k)/401 Plus Deferred Compensation Plans (3)		2,844			19,094			33,448
Life insurance benefit (5)		—			—			26,155
Medical & disability insurance (6)		—			15,390			30,779

Total	$	46,594		$	328,234		$	604,965


Keith D. Smith
Base salary		—		$	206,914		$	206,914
Annual bonus	$	17,089	⁽⁴⁾		17,089	⁽⁴⁾		16,225
401(k)/401 Plus Deferred Compensation Plans (3)		1,111			14,560			14,504
Life insurance benefit (5)		—			—			36,550
Medical & disability insurance (6)		—			15,390			15,390

Total	$	18,200		$	253,953		$	289,583

(1)	Amounts listed below are consistent with the Company’s historical severance practices.

(2)	Amounts listed below represent amounts payable to each named executive officer shown pursuant to the terms of his respective change of control agreement with the Company.

(3)	Represents the additional Company matching contributions the executive officer would have earned under both the 401 Plus Deferred Compensation Plan and the 401(k) Incentive Savings Plan for the base salary and annual bonus amounts shown.

(4)	Annual bonus earned in fiscal year 2016, but paid after April 30, 2016.

(5)	Represents the present value of the death benefit under the executive officer’s applicable life insurance program, pursuant to the terms of the executive officer’s change of control agreement.

(6)	Represents the Company’s share of premiums for medical and disability coverage during the relevant periods.

AGREEMENTS WITH CERTAIN EXECUTIVES

The Company entered into a Restated and Amended Change of Control Agreement with Mr. Rausch in fiscal year 2015, and Change of Control Employment Agreements (i) with Mr. Hull as of November 2, 2015; (ii) Mr. Kurt P. Rindoks, Vice President of Engineering and Product Development, in fiscal year 2000, (iii) with Messrs. Smith and Dana L. Dahlgren, Vice President of Sales and Marketing – Americas, in fiscal year 2005, and (iv) with Ms. Elizabeth D. Phillips, Vice President of Human Resources, in fiscal year 2010 (collectively, the “Agreements”). These Agreements provide for the payment of compensation and benefits in the event of termination of the executive officer’s employment within three years following a Change of Control of the Company, as defined in the Agreements. Each executive officer whose employment is so terminated will receive compensation if the termination of his or her employment was by the Company or its successor without cause, or by the executive officer for good reason, as defined in the Agreements. Upon such a termination of employment within one year following a Change of Control, the Company or its successor will be required to make, in addition to unpaid ordinary compensation and a lump-sum cash payment for certain benefits, a lump-sum cash payment equal to the executive officer’s annual compensation with respect to Messrs. Rindoks, Smith, and Dahlgren and Ms. Phillips, and two (2) times the executive officer’s annual compensation with respect to Messrs. Rausch and Hull. Upon a termination of employment occurring after the first anniversary, but within three years, of the date of the Change of Control, in addition to unpaid ordinary compensation and a lump-sum cash payment for certain benefits, Messrs. Rindoks, Smith, and Dahlgren and Ms. Phillips will be entitled to a lump-sum payment equal to one-half (1/2) of their annual compensation and Messrs. Rausch and Hull will be entitled to a lump-sum payment equal to their annual compensation. See “Compensation Tables – Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” for other entitlements for the named executive officers under terms of the Agreements.

On July 15, 2015, the Company entered into a Separation Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Mr. Parker in conjunction with his planned retirement from the Company. Under the Agreement, contingent upon Mr. Parker continuing to perform his job duties and any requested transition duties, as defined in the Agreement, through December 31, 2015, his execution of certain releases as described in the Agreement, and his compliance with certain confidentiality obligations, he will receive payments in 18 equal monthly installments of $15,904 beginning January 2016 and continuing through June 30, 2017, and he will be able to participate in the Company’s group medical and dental insurance plans through June 30, 2017 at the same cost as an active employee of the Company.

William A. Shumaker retired as Chief Executive Officer of the Company on June 30, 2013 and continues to serve as a non-executive Chairman of the Board of Directors. On July 10, 2013, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Mr. Shumaker whereby Mr. Shumaker provided certain consulting and advisory services to the Company during a twelve-month period beginning August 1, 2013 through July 31, 2014, which was subsequently extended through July 31, 2015, for a basic fee of $5,000 per calendar quarter. The consulting agreement includes typical terms regarding non-competition, confidentiality, and expense reimbursements.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following table contains information with respect to the “beneficial ownership” (as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission) of shares of the Company’s common stock, as of June 21, 2016, by (i) each director and director nominee, (ii) each of the named executive officers and (iii) all directors and executive officers as a group. Except as otherwise indicated by footnote, the shares shown are held directly with sole voting and investment power.


Name	Shares beneficially owned (1)		Percent of class
Margaret B. Pyle (2)		58,134		2.2	%
Keith M. Gehl		2,500		*
David M. Rausch		27,078		*
Thomas D. Hull III		—		*
David S. Rhind (3)		341,898		12.7	%
John D. Russell		14,500		*
Donald F. Shaw		20,000		*
William A. Shumaker (4)		47,763		1.8	%
D. Michael Parker (5)		21,538		*
Keith D. Smith		12,145		*
Directors and executive officers as a group (14 persons)		583,715		21.1	%

*	Percentage of class is less than 1%.

(1)	Includes shares which may be acquired within sixty (60) days from June 21, 2016 upon exercise of options by: Messrs. Gehl and Shaw – 2,500 each; Mr. Rausch – 18,250; Mr. Shumaker – 7,500; Mr. Parker – 10,500; Mr. Smith – 1,000; and all officers and directors as a group – 68,350.

(2)	Includes 53,134 shares owned by Ms. Pyle as trustee of a trust and 5,000 shares held by Ms. Pyle’s spouse, as to which shares she disclaims beneficial ownership.

(3)

Includes 5,456 shares held in a trust of which Mr. Rhind is a co-trustee and a beneficiary, 85,908 shares held in trusts of which Mr. Rhind is a co-trustee but not a beneficiary, and 228,079 shares owned by the Estate of Laura Campbell Rhind, of which Mr. Rhind is the executor. Mr. Rhind disclaims beneficial ownership of all of the shares held by the Estate and the shares held in trusts of which Mr. Rhind is a co-trustee but not a beneficiary. Mr. Rhind shares voting and investment power with respect to all shares held in the aforementioned trusts.

(4)	Includes 38,187 shares in which Mr. Shumaker shares voting and investment power.

(5)	Includes 11,038 shares in which Mr. Parker shares voting and investment power.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

The following table contains information with respect to the “beneficial ownership” (as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission) of shares of the Company’s common stock, as of June 21, 2016, by each person who is known by management of the Company to have been the “beneficial owner” of more than five percent of such stock as of such date. Except as otherwise indicated by footnote, the shares shown are held with sole voting and investment power.


Name	Shares beneficially owned			Percent of class
Gardner Family Preferred Equity LLC		135,051	(1)		5.0	%
Estate of Laura Campbell Rhind		228,079	(2)		8.5	%
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP		198,715	(3)		7.4	%

(1)	The Gardner Family Preferred Equity LLC’s address is 2020 Chestnut Ave., #204, Glenview, IL 60025.

(2)	The shares owned by the Estate of Laura Campbell Rhind listed in the table above are shown as being owned in a Schedule 13D filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 11, 2015. The address of the Estate is 641 West Willow Street, No. 139, Chicago, IL 60014.

(3)

The shares owned by Dimensional Fund Advisors listed in the table are shown as being owned as of December 31, 2015 according to a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 9, 2016. Dimensional Fund Advisors’ address is Palisades West, Building One, 6300 Bee Cave Road, Austin, TX 78746.

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 10% stockholders to file reports of ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such persons also are required to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on its review of copies of such forms received by it and inquiries of such persons, the Company believes that all such filing requirements applicable to its executive officers, directors and 10% stockholders were complied within fiscal year 2016.

PROXIES AND VOTING AT THE MEETING

The expense of solicitation of proxies is to be paid by the Company. The Company will also reimburse brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries for their reasonable expenses in sending proxies and proxy material to the beneficial owners of the Company’s common stock. To obtain directions to attend the annual meeting, please contact the Secretary of the Company. This Proxy Statement and the 2016 Annual Report to Stockholders are available at http://www.edocumentview.com/kequ.

At the close of business on July 11, 2016, the record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting, there were 2,696,703 shares of common stock of the Company outstanding and entitled to vote.

Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote. Any stockholder giving a proxy has the power to revoke it at any time before it is voted, by written notice to the Secretary, by delivery of a later-dated proxy or in person at the meeting.

The holders of a majority of the total shares of common stock issued and outstanding, whether present in person or represented by proxy, will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the meeting. The vote of a plurality of the shares represented at the meeting, in person or by proxy, is required to elect the two nominees for director. Approval of Item 2 (ratification of appointment of independent registered public accounting firm) and approval of Item 3 (advisory vote on executive compensation) submitted to the stockholders for their consideration at the meeting each requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock represented at the meeting, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote. However, Item 3 is an advisory vote only. Abstentions, directions to withhold authority, and broker non-votes are counted as shares present in the determination of whether the shares of stock represented at the meeting constitute a quorum. Abstentions, directions to withhold authority, and broker non-votes are not counted in tabulations of the votes cast on proposals presented to stockholders. Thus, an abstention, direction to withhold authority, or broker non-vote with respect to a matter other than the election of directors may have the same legal effect as a vote against the matter. With respect to the election of directors, an abstention, direction to withhold authority or broker non-vote will have no effect. An automated system administered by the Company’s transfer agent will be used to tabulate votes.

A stockholder entitled to vote for the election of directors can withhold authority to vote for any of the nominees.

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

The deadline for receipt of stockholder proposals for inclusion in the Company’s 2017 proxy material is March 24, 2017. Any stockholder proposal should be submitted in writing to the Secretary of the Company at its principal executive offices. The stockholder proposal must include the stockholder’s name and address as it appears on the Company’s records and the number of shares of the Company’s common stock beneficially owned by such stockholder. In addition, (i) for proposals other than nominations for the election of directors, such notice must include a description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for presenting such business at the meeting, and any material interest of the stockholder in such business, and (ii) for proposals relating to stockholder nominations for the election of directors, such notice must also include, with respect to each person nominated, the information required by Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act. All other proposals to be presented at the meeting must be delivered to the Secretary of the Company, in writing, by June 7, 2017.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company has enclosed its Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2016 with this Proxy Statement. Stockholders are referred to the report for financial and other information about the Company, but such report is not incorporated in this Proxy Statement and is not a part of the proxy soliciting material.

OTHER MATTERS

Management of the Company knows of no other matters which are likely to be brought before the annual meeting. If any such matters are brought before the meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote thereon according to their judgment.

By Order of the Board of Directors

LOGO

THOMAS D. HULL III

Secretary

July 22, 2016


KEWAUNEE SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION

	*IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION*











Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas.		x


Annual Meeting Proxy Card

q PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q


A		Proposals —		The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed and FOR Proposals 2 & 3.

Election of Class III Directors:

01 - Margaret B. Pyle

02 - Donald F. Shaw

Mark here to vote

FOR all nominees

Mark here to WITHHOLD

vote from all nominees

For All EXCEPT - To withhold authority to vote for any

nominee(s), write the name(s) of such nominee(s) below.

For

Against

Abstain

Ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent auditors for fiscal year 2017.

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

Approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executives.

You are urged to date, sign and return promptly this proxy in the envelope provided. It is important for you to be represented at the Annual Meeting. The execution of this proxy will not affect your right to vote in person if you are present at the Annual Meeting and wish to so vote.


B		Authorized Signatures —		This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below

IMPORTANT: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear hereon. If signing as an attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, or in some other representative capacity, or as an officer of a corporation, please indicate your capacity or full title. If stock is held jointly, each joint owner should sign.


Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below.	Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box.		Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box.
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Important notice regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials for the Annual Meeting of stockholders. The Proxy Statement and the 2016 Annual Report to Stockholders are available at: http://www.edocumentview.com/KEQU

q PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q

Proxy — KEWAUNEE SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION

2700 WEST FRONT STREET

STATESVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA 28677-2927

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The undersigned hereby appoints Keith M. Gehl, David S. Rhind, and John D. Russell as Proxies, each with power of substitution, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side hereof, all the shares of common stock of Kewaunee Scientific Corporation held of record by the undersigned on July 11, 2016 at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 10:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time on August 31, 2016 and at any adjournment thereof.

Your vote for two directors may be indicated on the reverse side. Margaret B. Pyle and Donald F. Shaw have been nominated for election as Class III Directors. Your votes for the ratification of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, and for approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executives, may also be indicated on the reverse side.

This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed by the undersigned stockholder. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted FOR the election of the nominees named in Item 1 on the reverse side, FOR the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent auditors for fiscal year 2017, FOR approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executives, and with discretionary authority upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

(Continued and to be marked, dated and signed on the other side)


KEWAUNEE SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION
*IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION*


		Electronic Voting Instructions
		Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
		Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose one of the voting methods outlined below to vote your proxy.
		VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR.
		Proxies submitted by the Internet or telephone must be received by 1:00 a.m. Central Time on August 31, 2016.
			Vote by Internet
			• Go to www.investorvote.com/KEQU
			• Or scan the QR code with your smartphone
			• Follow the steps outlined on the secure website
		Vote by telephone
		• Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories & Canada on a touch tone telephone
Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas.	x	• Follow the instructions provided by the recorded message

LOGO

q IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q


A		Proposals —		The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed and FOR Proposals 2 & 3.

Election of Class III Directors:

01 - Margaret B. Pyle

02 - Donald F. Shaw

Mark here to vote

FOR all nominees

Mark here to WITHHOLD

vote from all nominees

For All EXCEPT - To withhold authority to vote for any

nominee(s), write the name(s) of such nominee(s) below.

For

Against

Abstain

Ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent auditors for fiscal year 2017.

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

Approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executives.


B		Non-Voting Items

Change of Address — Please print your new address below.

Comments — Please print your comments below.

Meeting Attendance

Mark the box to the right if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting.


C		Authorized Signatures —		This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below

Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below.

Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box.

Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box.

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q IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q

Proxy — KEWAUNEE SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION

2700 WEST FRONT STREET

STATESVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA 28677-2927

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

(Continued and to be marked, dated and signed on the other side)