DEF 14A 1 meritor3651748-def14a.htm DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.            )
 
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[X]   Definitive Proxy Statement
[   ]   Definitive Additional Materials
[   ]   Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

  Meritor, Inc.  
  (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)  
 
       
 
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
 

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Letter to
Shareholders
Notice of 2020
Annual Meeting
and
Proxy Statement


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Jeffrey A. Craig
Chief Executive Officer and President

December 13, 2019

Dear Fellow Meritor Shareholders,

Fiscal year 2019 was an excellent year for Meritor. We grew sales by $210 million, expanded our profitability, accelerated investments in electrification and significantly improved our ability to generate sustainable cash flow. Also this year, we:

Managed record Class 8 truck volumes while maintaining excellent safety, quality and delivery metrics;
  
Completed the acquisition of AxleTech enhancing Meritor’s growth platform with a complementary product portfolio, including a full line of independent suspensions, axles, braking solutions and drivetrain components;
  
Expanded Meritor’s electric drivetrain solutions with the 12Xe™ powertrain for Class 4, 5, 6 and 7 applications and introduced the 17Xe™ powertrain for heavy-duty 4x2 and 6x2 trucks;
  
Launched several new products in core and adjacent global markets; and
  
Announced that Steven Beringhause, CTO of Sensata Technologies, has joined Meritor’s board of directors.

With fiscal year 2019 now behind us, we have also concluded our three-year M2019 plan. We are pleased with our performance during M2019 in which we successfully completed our financial and non-financial targets. During this timeframe, we elevated our competencies in several areas that build upon our already solid foundation as we begin M2022, our next three-year plan. From strategic transactions, product launches and new business awards to exceptional operational management, diversification outside of the Class 8 linehaul market in North America, an improved balance sheet and a capital allocation plan that is returning value to our shareholders, we are positioned well for the future.

In fiscal year 2019, we also published Meritor’s first sustainability report. Through 110 years of innovation, sustainability has always been part of our company culture. As global transportation accelerates into a future increasingly shaped by electrification, we are moving toward a higher level of sustainability in every area of the company. As demand and desire grows to improve air quality, conserve natural resources and increase fuel efficiency and safety, our products are evolving to meet customers’ needs in diverse regions of the world.

I want to recognize our employees in every region of the world for their role in Meritor’s transformation. Each one of our more than 9,100 employees is responsible for our success. We also have excellent relationships with all of our stakeholders whose support we appreciate as we drive performance for our customers, opportunities for our employees and value for our shareholders.

Sincerely,

Jay Craig


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MERITOR, INC.
2135 West Maple Road
Troy, Michigan 48084-7186

___________________

Notice of 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

___________________

To the Shareholders of MERITOR, INC.:

Notice is Hereby Given that the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Meritor, Inc. (the “Company”) will be held at the Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport, 2501 World Gateway Place, in Detroit, Michigan 48242, on Thursday, January 23, 2020, at 9:30 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) for the following purposes:

1. to elect three members of the Board of Directors of the Company with terms expiring at the Annual Meeting in 2023;
  
2. to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement;
  
3. to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the selection by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP as auditors of the Company;
  
4. to consider and vote upon amendments to the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to declassify the Board of Directors;
  
5. to consider and vote upon amendments to the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to allow shareholders to amend the Company’s Amended and Restated By-Laws;
  
6. to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the adoption by the Board of Directors of the 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan; and
  
7. to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

Only shareholders of record at the close of business on November 15, 2019 will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting. 

By order of the Board of Directors,

April Miller Boise
Corporate Secretary
 
December 13, 2019


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PROXY STATEMENT
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VOTING SECURITIES 2
PROPOSAL 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS 4
BOARD AND COMMITTEES 12
DIRECTOR QUALIFICATIONS AND NOMINATING PROCEDURES 18
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION IN FISCAL YEAR 2019 19
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS 21
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AT MERITOR 22
CODE OF ETHICS 25
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 26
OWNERSHIP BY MANAGEMENT OF EQUITY SECURITIES 27
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 28
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS 28
FISCAL YEAR 2019 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE 42
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS IN FISCAL YEAR 2019 44
AGREEMENTS WITH NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS 46
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END 2019 48
OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED IN FISCAL YEAR 2019 50
FISCAL YEAR 2019 PENSION BENEFITS 50
NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION IN FISCAL YEAR 2019 52
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE OF CONTROL 53
CEO PAY RATIO 61
PROPOSAL 2 - ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION 62
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT 63
PROPOSAL 3 - APPROVE THE SELECTION OF AUDITORS 65
PROPOSAL 4 - APPROVE AMENDMENTS TO OUR AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO DECLASSIFY THE BOARD 66
PROPOSAL 5 - APPROVE AMENDMENTS TO OUR AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO ALLOW SHAREHOLDERS TO AMEND OUR AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS 67
PROPOSAL 6 - APPROVE ADOPTION OF THE 2020 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN 68
VOTE REQUIRED 79
OTHER MATTERS 80
APPENDIX A - AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF MERITOR, INC. 83
APPENDIX B - MERITOR, INC. 2020 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN 101


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PROXY STATEMENT

___________________

The 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Meritor, Inc., referred to as the Company or Meritor, will be held on January 23, 2020, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Board of Directors of Meritor is soliciting proxies to be used at the Annual Meeting, including any adjournment thereof, and is furnishing this proxy statement in connection with its solicitation.

As permitted by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, referred to as the SEC, Meritor is making this proxy statement, the proxy card and the annual report to shareholders, collectively referred to as proxy materials, available to you electronically via the Internet. On December 13, 2019, we mailed to our shareholders a notice, referred to as the Notice, containing instructions on how to access and review the proxy materials and how to vote online. If you received a Notice by mail, you will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials in the mail unless you request one. If you would like a printed copy of the proxy materials, follow the instructions for requesting them that are included in the Notice.

Shareholders of record may vote in any of three ways: (1) via the Internet; (2) by calling a toll-free telephone number; or (3) if you received your proxy materials by mail, by executing and returning a proxy card. Instructions for Internet voting are included in the Notice, and instructions for telephone and Internet voting are included on the proxy card. If you vote by telephone or Internet, it is not necessary to return a proxy card. If you properly give a proxy (including a written proxy or a proxy via telephone or Internet), your shares will be voted as you specify in the proxy. If no specification is made, the shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors. You may revoke your proxy prior to its exercise by delivering written notice of revocation to the Corporate Secretary of the Company, by giving a valid, later-dated proxy, by voting via telephone or Internet at a later date than the date of the proxy, or by attending the meeting and voting in person.

If your shares are held in “street name” by a bank, broker or other nominee holder on your behalf, you must follow the directions that you receive from your bank, broker or other nominee holder in order to direct the vote or change the vote of your shares. If you wish to vote in person at the meeting, you must obtain a legal proxy from the nominee holding your Meritor shares.

Our policy is to keep proxy cards, ballots and voting tabulations that identify individual shareholders confidential. However, exceptions to this policy may be necessary in some instances to comply with legal requirements and, in the case of any contested proxy solicitation, to verify the validity of proxies presented by any person and the results of the voting. Inspectors of election and any employees associated with processing proxy cards or ballots and tabulating the vote must acknowledge their responsibility to comply with this policy of confidentiality.

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Sunday nearest September 30. For example, fiscal year 2019 ended on September 29, 2019, fiscal year 2018 ended on September 30, 2018 and fiscal year 2017 ended on October 1, 2017. For ease of presentation, September 30 is utilized consistently throughout this proxy statement to represent the fiscal year end.

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VOTING SECURITIES

Only shareholders of record at the close of business on November 15, 2019 are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the meeting. On November 15, 2019, we had outstanding 78,128,244 shares of our Common Stock, par value $1 per share, referred to as Common Stock. Each holder of Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share held.

As of November 15, 2019, T. Rowe Price Trust Company, as directed trustee under the Meritor savings plans for its participating employees, owned the following shares of Common Stock:

Number of Percent of Outstanding
Name and Address       Shares       Common Stock
T. Rowe Price Trust Company 1,833,629 2.35%
4515 Painters Mill Road
Owings Mills, MD 21117

If you are a participant and hold shares of Common Stock in Meritor’s savings plans, your Internet or telephone vote or your proxy card will also serve as a voting instruction for the trustee with respect to shares held in your account. Shares held on account of participants in these plans will be voted by the trustee in accordance with instructions from the participants (either in writing or by means of telephone or Internet voting procedures). Where no instructions are received, shares will be voted by the trustee in the same manner and proportion as shares for which instructions are received.

In addition, the following entities reported beneficial ownership of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, calculated as of November 15, 2019. Each entity has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares of Common Stock listed unless otherwise indicated. This information is based on Schedules 13G that were filed with the SEC throughout fiscal 2019, unless otherwise known to us.

Number Percent of Outstanding
Name and Address       of Shares       Common Stock
The Vanguard Group (1) 11,440,468 14.64%
100 Vanguard Blvd.
Malvern, PA 19355
 
Glenview Capital Management, LLC (2) 7,207,435 9.23%
767 Fifth Avenue, 44th Floor
New York, NY 10153
 
BlackRock, Inc. (3) 6,234,628 7.98%
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055
 
Morgan Stanley (4) 6,003,882 7.68%
1585 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
 
LSV Asset Management (5) 4,753,055 6.08%
155 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 4600
Chicago, IL 60606
____________________

(1)      The Vanguard Group filed an amendment to its Schedule 13G reporting that it may be deemed beneficial owner of shares as a result of two of its subsidiaries acting as investment manager of collective trust accounts and investment offerings that own shares of Common Stock. The Vanguard Group has sole voting power with respect to 170,789 shares, shared voting power with respect to 13,789 shares, sole investment power with respect to 11,265,629 shares and shared investment power with respect to 174,839 shares.

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(2) Glenview Capital Management, LLC and Lawrence M. Robbins filed a Schedule 13G reporting that they may be deemed beneficial owners of shares of Common Stock held by various investment funds for which Glenview Capital Management, LLC serves as investment manager. Mr. Robbins is the Chief Executive Officer of Glenview Capital Management, LLC. Glenview Capital Management, LLC and Mr. Robbins have shared voting and investment power with respect to 7,207,435 shares.
   
(3) BlackRock, Inc. filed an amendment to its Schedule 13G as a parent holding company of thirteen subsidiaries, each of which acquired beneficial ownership of Common Stock that, in the aggregate, exceeds 5% of the total outstanding Common Stock. None of the persons deemed beneficial owners of these shares, individually, exceed the 5% threshold. BlackRock, Inc. has sole voting power with respect to 6,031,826 shares.
   
(4) Morgan Stanley filed an amendment to its Schedule 13G reporting ownership of shares of Common Stock by certain operating units of Morgan Stanley and its subsidiaries and affiliates. Morgan Stanley has shared voting power with respect to 5,904,827 shares and shared investment power with respect to 6,003,882 shares.
   
(5) LSV Asset Management filed a Schedule 13G reporting ownership of shares of Common Stock by investment funds and/or managed accounts for which it serves as investment advisor. LSV Asset Management has sole voting power with respect to 2,196,525 shares.

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PROPOSAL 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Meritor’s Restated Articles of Incorporation currently provide that the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) consists of three classes of directors with overlapping three-year terms, and that the three classes should be as nearly equal in number as possible. One class of directors is elected each year with terms extending to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held three years later.

The Board currently consists of ten members four directors in Class II, with terms expiring at the 2020 Annual Meeting; three directors in Class III, with terms expiring at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2021; and three directors in Class I, with terms expiring at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2022. William J. Lyons, a Class II director, will not be standing for re-election as a director of Meritor at the 2020 Annual Meeting, at which time the number of directors serving on the Board will be automatically reduced to nine three directors in Class II; three directors in Class III; and three directors in Class I.

Three current directors are standing for re-election at the 2020 Annual Meeting as Class II directors, for terms expiring at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2023.

Our corporate governance guidelines provide that directors should offer not to stand for re-election if they are age 72 or over at the time of re-election or will reach age 72 during their new term. The members of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee then decide whether continued Board service is appropriate and in the best interests of the Company. None of the current nominees standing for election at the 2020 Annual Meeting will be age 72 or over at the time of election or will reach age 72 during their new term.

The directors in Class III and the directors in Class I continue to serve terms expiring at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Proxies will be voted at the meeting (unless authority to do so is withheld) for the election as directors of the nominees specified in Class II Nominees for Director with Terms Expiring in 2023, under the heading Information as to Nominees for Director and Continuing Directors below. If for any reason any of the nominees is not a candidate (which is not expected) when the election occurs, it is likely that either (1) proxies would be voted for the election of the other nominees and a substitute nominee or (2) the Board would reduce the number of directors serving in Class II.

No director of Meritor was selected pursuant to any arrangement or understanding between him or her and any person other than Meritor. There are no family relationships, as defined in Item 401 of Regulation S-K, referred to as Regulation S-K, of the rules and regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, referred to as the Exchange Act, between any director, executive officer or person nominated to become a director or executive officer of Meritor. No person who has served as a director or executive officer of Meritor at any time since September 30, 2018 has any substantial interest, direct or indirect, in any matter to be acted on at the 2020 Annual Meeting, other than election of directors to office.

INFORMATION AS TO NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR AND CONTINUING DIRECTORS

Following are the biographies for our director nominees and our directors who will continue to serve after the 2020 Annual Meeting, including information concerning the particular experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that led the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and the Board to conclude that the nominee or director fulfills the Board’s membership criteria (discussed below under Director Qualifications and Nominating Procedures). Except as provided below, during the last five years, no director has held any directorships required to be disclosed pursuant to the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC. For a discussion of membership guidelines that outline the desired composition of the Board as a whole, see Director Qualifications and Nominating Procedures below.

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CLASS II NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR WITH TERMS EXPIRING IN 2023



STEVEN BERINGHAUSE

Executive Vice President, Chief
Technology Officer
Sensata Technologies Holding plc
(Electrical Sensors and Controls)
Age 54

     

Mr. Beringhause has been a director since December 2019. He has served as Chief Technology Officer of Sensata Technologies Holding plc since September 2015. He previously served Sensata as Executive Vice President, Performance Sensing Auto from April 2015 to December 2017; Senior Vice President, Sensors from January 2013 to March 2015; Vice President, Sensors, Asia from May 2010 to December 2012; and Vice President, Sensors, Americas from April 2006 to April 2010. From 1988 to 2006, he served in various technical roles of increasing responsibility for Texas Instruments (semiconductor design and manufacturing). He has also served as a director of Quanergy Systems, Inc. since March 2016 (private manufacturer of three dimensional sensors) and Lithium Balance A/S since July 2019 (private manufacturer of battery management systems). Mr. Beringhause holds a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science, both in mechanical engineering, from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Board Qualifications: Mr. Beringhause has extensive experience in managing advanced technology for commercial applications, including megatrend applications primarily in the areas of electrification and autonomous vehicles, and leading business operations, which provides useful insight into the future technological and product development challenges facing Meritor and its industry. He possesses the attributes to satisfy the Board’s basic membership criteria. He also possesses additional experience relevant to Board service, including knowledge of the transportation industry.

     

RHONDA L. BROOKS

President
R. Brooks Advisor
Business Consultant)

Age 67

 

Ms. Brooks, a director since July 2000 and a director of Meritor Automotive, Inc. from July 1999 until the merger of Meritor Automotive, Inc. and Arvin Industries, Inc., is a member of the Audit Committee and the Compensation and Management Development Committee. She is currently the President of R. Brooks Advisor, a consultant for start-up firms, specializing in corporate governance and marketing strategy. She served Owens Corning, Inc. (building materials and fiberglass composites) as President of the Exterior Systems Business from June 2000 to July 2002; as President of the Roofing Systems Business from December 1997 to June 2000; as Vice President, Investor Relations from January to December 1997; and as Vice President-Marketing of the Composites Division from 1995 to 1996. She served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of PlyGem Industries, Inc. (building and remodeling products) from 1994 to 1995, and as Vice President Oral Care and New Product Strategies, and Vice President Marketing and Sales of Warner Lambert Company (pharmaceuticals and consumer products) from 1990 to 1994. She was with General Electric Company from 1976 to 1990. She is also a former director of Menasha Corporation (plastics and packaging).

Board Qualifications: Ms. Brooks brings to our Board strong communication and leadership skills from an extensive career as an executive at several complex organizations, including General Electric and Owens Corning. Her business experience is diverse and well-rounded, encompassing marketing, finance and running global manufacturing businesses. She has over twenty years of service as a director and committee chair for public, private and start-up companies. This provides her with the skills, solid foundation and valuable business acumen that qualify her to sit on our Board. She possesses the attributes to satisfy the Board’s basic membership criteria. She also possesses additional experience relevant to Board service, including leadership expertise, knowledge of manufacturing industries and enhancement of the diversity of the Board.


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JEFFREY A. CRAIG

Chief Executive Officer and President
Meritor

Age 59

     

Mr. Craig, a director since April 2015, has served as Chief Executive Officer and President of Meritor since April 2015. He previously served Meritor as President and Chief Operating Officer from June 2014 to March 2015; Senior Vice President and President, Commercial Truck and Industrial from February 2013 to May 2014; Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from February 2009 to January 2013; Acting Controller from May 2008 to January 2009; Senior Vice President and Controller from May 2007 to April 2008; and Vice President and Controller from May 2006 to April 2007. Prior to joining Meritor, Mr. Craig served as President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Acceptance Corp. (“GMAC”) Commercial Finance (commercial lending service) from 2001 to April 2006. Prior to that, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of GMAC’s Business Credit division from 1999 to 2001. He joined GMAC as a general auditor in 1997 from Deloitte & Touche, where he served as an audit partner. Mr. Craig has been a director of Arcosa, Inc. (manufacturer of infrastructure-related products) since September 2018, where he serves as a member of the audit committee.

Board Qualifications: Mr. Craig’s qualifications to serve on our Board include his extensive financial and business experience. He has functioned in senior positions with involvement in and oversight of accounting services, financial reporting and controls and treasury operations, as well as leading Meritor’s global operations. This broad business and financial background, as well as his knowledge of Meritor from many perspectives, makes him invaluable as a Board member. He possesses the attributes to satisfy the Board’s basic membership criteria. He also possesses additional experience relevant to Board service, including leadership expertise, knowledge of the transportation industry in general and Meritor’s business in particular, and accounting and finance expertise.

The Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the election of these nominees.

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CLASS III CONTINUING DIRECTORS WITH TERMS EXPIRING IN 2021


JAN A. BERTSCH

Retired Chief Financial Officer
Owens-Illinois, Inc.
(Manufacturer of Glass
Containers)

Age 62

     

Ms. Bertsch, a director since September 2016, is a member of the Audit Committee and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. She will also begin serving as Chair of the Audit Committee effective January 1, 2020. She served as Chief Financial Officer of Owens-Illinois, Inc. from November 2015 until her retirement in May 2019. From 2012 to November 2015, she served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of Sigma-Aldrich Corporation (life science and biotechnology). From 2009 to February 2012, she served in various capacities as Vice President and Treasurer and subsequently Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer of BorgWarner, Inc. (automotive components). From 2001 to 2009, she served in various capacities for Chrysler Group LLC (automotive), ultimately serving as Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer and Treasurer of Chrysler LLC. Ms. Bertsch has been a director of BWX Technologies (nuclear components) since 2015 (where she is the chair of the audit committee and a member of the compensation committee) and its predecessor Babcock & Wilcox from 2013 to 2015 (where she served as a member of the audit and compensation committees), a director of Regal Beloit Corporation (electric motors) since June 2019 (where she is a member of the audit committee) and also served as chair of the Board of Visitors for the Wayne State University School of Medicine from 2003 to September 2016.

Board Qualifications: Ms. Bertsch has extensive financial acumen and expertise through her experience as Chief Financial Officer of a Fortune 500 company. She possesses the attributes to satisfy the Board’s basic membership criteria. She also possesses additional experience relevant to Board service, including leadership experience and expertise in the areas of manufacturing, accounting and finance, knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and familiarity with the SEC’s disclosure rules and practices. Additionally, she contributes to the diversity of the Board.

     

RODGER L. BOEHM

Retired Senior Partner
McKinsey & Company, Inc.
(Management Consultant)

Age 60

 

Mr. Boehm, a director as of December 2017, is a member of the Audit Committee. Until his retirement in September 2017, Mr. Boehm was a senior partner at McKinsey & Company, Inc. where he spent 31 years in a variety of roles with increasing responsibility. Mr. Boehm holds a Bachelor of Science degree in materials engineering from Purdue University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard University.

Board Qualifications: Mr. Boehm has extensive experience leading consulting engagements on long-term growth strategies and performance improvement combined with a strong engineering background, which provide useful insight into the strategic issues that global manufacturing companies like Meritor face. He possesses the attributes to satisfy the Board’s basic membership criteria. He also possesses additional experience relevant to Board service, including knowledge of the industrial products industry.


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LLOYD G. TROTTER

Managing Partner
GenNx360 Capital Partners
(Private Equity Firm)

Age 74

     

Mr. Trotter, a director since January 2015, is Chair of the Compensation and Management Development Committee and a member of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. He is a founder of GenNx360 Capital Partners, where he has been Managing Partner since February 2008. He served General Electric as Vice Chairman, and as President and Chief Executive Officer of GE Industrial, from 2006 until his retirement in February 2008. He previously held various leadership positions with General Electric, including Executive Vice President, Operations, from 2005 to 2006; President and Chief Executive Officer, GE Consumer and Industrial Systems, from 1998 to 2005; and President and Chief Executive Officer, Electrical Distribution and Control, from 1992 to 1998. Prior to that he held various positions in General Electric businesses from 1970, when he began his career with the company. Mr. Trotter is a director of Textron Inc. and chairs its compensation committee. He is a former director of Daimler AG and PepsiCo, Inc.

Board Qualifications: Mr. Trotter has extensive knowledge and experience, through his leadership roles at General Electric, in a variety of fields that are important to Meritor’s business, including business operations, finance, manufacturing, information technology, supply chain management and international business opportunities. He has experience with acquisitions and divestitures including from his current leadership of a private equity firm. He also has extensive corporate governance and executive compensation experience from serving on boards and committees of public companies, which further enhances his contributions and value to the Board and Meritor. He possesses the attributes to satisfy the Board’s basic membership criteria. He also possesses additional experience relevant to Board service, including leadership expertise, international experience and knowledge of the industrial products industry. Additionally, he contributes to the diversity of the Board.

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CLASS I CONTINUING DIRECTORS WITH TERMS EXPIRING IN 2022

IVOR J. EVANS

Former Executive Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President
Meritor
Age 77

     

Mr. Evans, a director since May 2005, is a member of the Compensation and Management Development Committee and a member of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. He previously served Meritor as Executive Chairman of the Board from April 2015 to April 2016; Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer from August 2013 to March 2015 (also serving as President from August 2013 to June 2014); and Executive Chairman of the Board and Interim Chief Executive Officer and President from May 2013 until July 2013. Prior to joining the Board, he served as Vice Chairman of Union Pacific Corporation (rail transportation) from January 2004 until his retirement in March 2005, and served as a member of the Union Pacific board of directors from 1999 to 2005. He had served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Union Pacific Railroad from 1998 until January 2004. From 1989 to 1998, he served in various executive positions at Emerson Electric Company (technology and engineering applications), including Senior Vice President, Industrial Components and Equipment. Prior to that, he was President of Blackstone Corp. (automotive components and systems) from 1985 to 1989 and, prior to that, spent 21 years serving in key operations roles for General Motors Corporation (automotive). He is also a former director of Textron Inc., Cooper Industries, Roadrunner Transportation Systems, Inc. and Spirit AeroSystems and a former operating partner of HCI Equity Partners (formerly named Thayer Capital Partners).

Board Qualifications: Mr. Evans’ qualifications include extensive operational and manufacturing experience from his years as a chief operating officer and senior executive of large public companies, including some in the automotive and transportation markets in which we operate. His leadership roles at these companies have provided him with extensive capital allocation experience, which is instrumental in planning how best to use resources to develop Meritor’s business and maximize profitability. He also has considerable transactional and corporate finance experience from his time as an operating partner of a private equity firm. Mr. Evans’ service as a director of other public companies also provides broad perspective with respect to capital allocation, corporate governance, audit issues, strategy and other matters that confront public companies. He possesses the attributes to satisfy the Board’s basic membership criteria. He also possesses additional experience relevant to Board service, including leadership expertise and knowledge of the transportation and other manufacturing industries and Meritor’s business in particular.

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WILLIAM R. NEWLIN

Chairman
Newlin Investment Company, LLC
(Equity Investment Firm)
Age 79

     

Mr. Newlin, a director since July 2003, has been the independent Chairman of the Board since April 2016 and is a member of the Compensation and Management Development Committee and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. He previously served as Lead Director of the Board from January 2015 to April 2016. He has been the Chairman and a director of Newlin Investment Company, LLC and lead investor and leader of early stage university spinout technology companies since April 2007. He served as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. (an NYSE listed sporting goods company) from October 2003 until his retirement in March 2007. He served as Chairman and CEO of Buchanan Ingersoll Professional Corporation (now Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC, a law firm) from 1980 to October 2003. He is a director of several private companies primarily specializing in technology or life science solutions, including Liquid X Printed Metals (metallic inks), Sharp Edge Labs (patient-driven drug discovery) and SpIntellx, Inc. (computational pathology). He is a former director of Calgon Carbon Corporation (an NYSE listed purification system company) and a former director and chairman of Kennametal Inc. (an NYSE listed materials science and tooling company).

Board Qualifications: Mr. Newlin’s broad experience in major corporate transactions and in serving as a counselor providing strategic advice to complex organizations qualifies him to sit on our Board. He has led and managed all or a major segment of large businesses such as a major retailer, professional service providers and other public and private companies, and has extensive experience analyzing and providing a balanced approach to capital allocation. His extensive executive leadership and entrepreneurial experience provide Mr. Newlin with the skills that make him an effective director. Mr. Newlin’s prior service as a director (and Chairman) of other public companies also affords our Board the benefit of his broader exposure to capital allocation, corporate governance issues, compensation issues and other matters facing public companies. He possesses the attributes to satisfy the Board’s basic membership criteria. He also possesses additional experience relevant to Board service, including leadership, governance, financing and specialized legal expertise, including transactional experience, experience in other strategic activities and knowledge of the federal securities laws and corporate governance matters.

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THOMAS L. PAJONAS

Retired Executive Vice President
and Chief Operating Officer
Flowserve Corporation
(Manufacturer of Flow Control
Products)
Age 64

     

Mr. Pajonas, a director since September 2013, is Chair of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and a member of the Audit Committee. He served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Flowserve Corp. from February 2014 until May 2017 when he announced his retirement and subsequent transition until December 2017. He also served as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Flowserve Corp. from January 2012 to January 2014. Prior to that, he served as President of the Flow Control Division from 2004 to 2012, holding the positions of Vice President from 2004 to 2006 and Senior Vice President from 2006 to 2012 as an officer of Flowserve Corp. Before joining Flowserve Corp., Mr. Pajonas was Managing Director of the U.S. rail products unit of Alstom Transport (supplier of rail products) from 2003 to 2004, and Senior Vice President of the Worldwide Power Boiler Business of Alstom, Inc. (power generation and transmission and rail infrastructure) from 1999 to 2003. Prior to that, he served in various capacities as Senior Vice President and General Manager, International Boiler Operations, and subsequently Senior Vice President and General Manager, Standard Boilers Worldwide, of Asea Brown Boveri (power and automation technologies), including supply chain, power products manufacturing, and strategic operations.

Board Qualifications: Mr. Pajonas has extensive global leadership and operational experience combined with a strong manufacturing and engineering background, which provide useful insight into the operational issues that engineering and manufacturing companies like Meritor face. He possesses the attributes to satisfy the Board’s basic membership criteria. He also possesses additional experience relevant to Board service, including knowledge of the industrial products industry and international background and experience.


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BOARD AND COMMITTEES

The Board directs or oversees the strategy and management of the business of Meritor. In fiscal year 2019, the Board held five regularly scheduled meetings and two special telephonic meetings. Each current director attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board (held during the period for which he or she was a director) and the standing and special committees on which he or she served in fiscal year 2019 (during the periods that he or she served). Meritor encourages each director to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. All of the then-serving directors attended the 2019 Annual Meeting.

The Board has established independence standards for directors, which are set forth in the Company’s Guidelines on Corporate Governance and are identical to the standards prescribed in the corporate governance rules of the New York Stock Exchange. The Board determined that Mses. Bertsch and Brooks, and Messrs. Beringhause, Boehm, Evans, Newlin, Pajonas and Trotter have no material relationship with Meritor, either directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with Meritor, and are therefore independent within the meaning of the Guidelines on Corporate Governance and the New York Stock Exchange listing standards.* There were no transactions, relationships or arrangements involving the Company and any director or nominee for director in fiscal year 2019 that were considered by the Board in determining the independence of these directors under the Guidelines on Corporate Governance or the New York Stock Exchange listing standards.

Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

While risk management is primarily the responsibility of the Company’s management, the Board provides overall risk oversight with a focus on the most significant risks facing the Company. Throughout the year, in conjunction with its regular business presentations to the Board and its committees, management highlights any significant related risks and provides updates on other relevant matters, including issues in the industries in which the Company operates, issues that may impact the Company, operations reviews, the Company’s short- and long-term strategies and treasury-related updates. The Board has delegated responsibility for the oversight of certain risks to the Audit Committee, which oversees the Company’s policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management, including financial and accounting risk exposures and management’s initiatives to monitor and control such exposures. In that role, the Audit Committee discusses with the Company’s management the Company’s major risk exposures and how these risks are managed, monitored and mitigated. The Audit Committee receives regular reports on the work of the Company’s Business Standards Compliance Committee from the Company’s General Auditor. In addition to receiving regular internal audit reports and updates on Sarbanes-Oxley Act compliance, the Audit Committee regularly meets in private session with our General Auditor and, separately, with our external auditors, which provides the opportunity for confidential discussion. The Audit Committee also receives reports on any fraud investigations that may arise. In addition, on an annual basis, management conducts an Enterprise Risk Assessment and provides a summary report to the Audit Committee. This assessment is reviewed by management and utilized with the Audit Committee throughout the year as circumstances change. Within the Company, risk responsibilities are managed by those with the relevant functional expertise and shared among the Company’s senior management.

Risk Assessment in Compensation Programs

Our compensation consultant, Pay Governance LLC, has been engaged to assess Meritor’s compensation programs and has concluded that our compensation policies and practices do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on Meritor. Representatives from Internal Audit, Human Resources and Legal, with the concurrence of the Compensation and Management Development Committee, developed and carried out a process for evaluation of compensation risks. The process assessed the Company’s executive and broad-based compensation and benefits programs to determine if the programs’ provisions and operations create undesired or unintentional risk of a material nature. The focus was on the programs with variability of payout, in which the participant can directly affect payout, and on the controls that exist on such participant action and payout. To the extent that risks were identified, controls or mitigation of such risks and their effectiveness were discussed. The representatives also took into account Meritor’s balance between short- and long-term incentives, the alignment of performance metrics with shareholder interests, the existence of share ownership guidelines and other considerations relevant to assessing risks. Based upon the foregoing, we believe that our compensation policies and practices do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

____________________

* The Board made the same determination of independence with respect to Mr. Lyons, who is not standing for re-election when his term ends at the 2020 Annual Meeting.

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Board Leadership Structure

The Board currently consists of ten members, all of whom, other than Mr. Craig, our CEO, are independent. Since April 2016, our Amended and Restated By-Laws, referred to as the By-Laws, and Guidelines on Corporate Governance have required the separation of the offices of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The Board believes this governance structure and the preponderance of outside directors represents a commitment to the independence of the Board and a focus on matters of importance to Meritor’s shareholders. The Board believes the structure also allows the Board to work effectively and properly oversee risk.

Committees

The Board currently has three standing committees (Audit; Compensation and Management Development; and Corporate Governance and Nominating), with the chairs, membership and principal functions detailed below. The charters of these committees are posted on our website, www.meritor.com, in the section headed “Investors – Corporate Governance.” The Board also establishes special committees from time to time for specific limited purposes or durations.

Compensation and Management Corporate Governance and
Audit Committee Development Committee Nominating Committee
William J. Lyons (Chair) Lloyd G. Trotter (Chair) Thomas L. Pajonas (Chair)
Jan A. Bertsch Rhonda L. Brooks Jan A. Bertsch
Rodger L. Boehm Ivor J. Evans Ivor J. Evans
Rhonda L. Brooks William J. Lyons William R. Newlin
Thomas L. Pajonas William R. Newlin Lloyd G. Trotter

Audit Committee

Meritor has a separately designated standing audit committee established in compliance with applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and New York Stock Exchange listing standards. The Audit Committee is currently composed of five non-employee directors: William J. Lyons (chair)*, Jan A. Bertsch, Rodger L. Boehm, Rhonda L. Brooks and Thomas L. Pajonas. Each of these directors meets the criteria for independence specified in the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. The Board has determined that Ms. Bertsch and Mr. Lyons qualify as “audit committee financial experts” (as defined by the SEC). The Board has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee, which is reviewed and reassessed annually for compliance with the New York Stock Exchange listing standards. The Audit Committee held five regularly scheduled meetings and one special meeting in fiscal year 2019.

____________________

* The Board has appointed Ms. Bertsch to serve as chair of the Audit Committee effective as of January 1, 2020.

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The Audit Committee is charged with monitoring the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, accounting and financial reporting processes and financial statement audits; compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; the independence and qualifications of the Company’s independent public accountants; the performance of the Company’s internal audit function and independent public accountants; and the Company’s systems of disclosure controls and procedures, internal controls over financial reporting and compliance with the Company’s ethical standards.

To carry out its responsibilities, the Audit Committee has authority under its charter and engages in the following activities:

Document and Information Review

review its charter annually and submit changes to the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and the Board for approval;
   
review the Company’s annual and quarterly financial statements, before their release, with the independent public accountants and senior management;
   
review the Company’s annual and quarterly earnings releases, including the use of pro forma or adjusted information that does not conform with generally accepted accounting principles;
   
review financial information and earnings guidance before they are provided by the Company to analysts and rating agencies;

Independent Public Accountants

select and employ (subject to approval of the shareholders), and terminate and replace where appropriate, the independent public accountants for the Company, and approve and cause the Company to pay all audit engagement fees;
   
review the performance and independence of the independent public accountants and remove them if circumstances warrant;
   
review and approve in advance the scope and extent of any non-audit services performed by the independent public accountants and the fees charged for these services, and receive and evaluate at least annually a report by the independent public accountants as to their independence, including consideration of whether provision of non-audit services is compatible with their independence;
   
review annually the experience and qualifications of the independent accountant’s lead partner and determine that all applicable partner rotation requirements are satisfied;
   
discuss with the independent public accountants the matters to be discussed under the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board;
   
review any significant issues related to the audit activities of the independent public accountants and oversee the resolution of any disagreements between them and management;
   
review with the independent public accountants critical accounting policies and practices; new accounting pronouncements; significant financial reporting issues and judgments, including alternative treatments of financial information, significant changes in application of accounting principles and treatment of complex or unusual transactions; significant internal control matters, including recommendations as to the adequacy of the Company’s system of internal controls; and material written communications between the independent public accountants and management;
   
review at least annually a report from the independent public accountants describing the firm’s internal quality control procedures, including material issues raised on review of such procedures and any investigations by governmental or professional authorities;
   
assess the objectivity and skepticism demonstrated by the independent public accountants in the performance of their work;

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establish the Company’s policies with respect to hiring former employees of the independent public accountants;
 
review critical audit matters and related disclosures;

Financial Reporting, Accounting Policies and Internal Control Structure

review the integrity of the Company’s financial reporting processes in consultation with the independent public accountants and the internal audit function;
 
understand the scope of the audit plan, including the independent public accountants’ review of internal control over financial reporting and procedures used in audits and reviews of the Company’s financial statements;
 
review any disclosure made in connection with annual and quarterly certifications by the chief executive officer and chief financial officer in filed documents with respect to internal controls over financial reporting, disclosure controls and procedures, and instances of fraud;
 
review issues regarding accounting principles and financial statement presentation;
 
review analyses prepared by management and the independent public accountants regarding significant financial reporting issues and judgments in connection with preparation of financial statements;
 
review the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives and off-balance sheet structures on the financial statements;
 
review and approve all related-party transactions, defined as those transactions required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K;
 
establish procedures for the receipt, retention and handling of complaints regarding accounting, internal controls or auditing matters, including procedures for the confidential and anonymous submission by employees;
 
recommend to the Board whether the Company’s annual financial statements be included in its annual report on Form 10-K;
 
prepare the report to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement;

Internal Audit

review and approve the internal audit charter, the scope of the annual internal audit plan and the results of internal audits, including management’s response to audit reports;
 
review the internal auditor’s comments on significant issues related to, and any restrictions on, internal audit activities;
 
review with the internal auditor significant internal control matters, including incidents of fraud;
 
review the composition and qualifications of the internal audit staff;
 
review and concur with management as to the appointment, reassignment, replacement, dismissal, and compensation of the internal auditor charged with auditing and evaluating the Company’s system of internal controls;
 
review the results of any quality assurance reviews;

Legal and Ethical Compliance and Risk Management

oversee and update the Company’s standards of business conduct policies, and monitor compliance by employees with these policies;

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review with the Company’s chief legal officer significant contingencies that could impact the financial statements and legal compliance matters;
 
monitor policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management, including financial and accounting risk and cybersecurity risk, and initiatives to control risk exposures;
 
review any findings by regulatory agencies with respect to the Company’s activities and management’s response;

General

review and consult with management concerning the composition and capability of the finance staff;
 
investigate matters brought to its attention within the scope of its duties;
 
engage outside consultants, independent counsel or other advisors;
 
review its performance annually; and
 
perform any other activities consistent with its charter, applicable law and the Company’s governing instruments.

As part of each regularly scheduled meeting, the Audit Committee meets in separate executive sessions with the independent public accountants, the internal auditors and senior management, and as a committee without members of management present.

Compensation and Management Development Committee

The five current members of the Compensation and Management Development Committee, referred to as the Compensation Committee, are Lloyd G. Trotter (chair), Rhonda L. Brooks, Ivor J. Evans, William J. Lyons* and William R. Newlin. Each of these directors is a non-employee director who meets the criteria for independence specified in the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange (including those criteria specifically applicable to members of compensation committees) and the criteria for qualifying as a non-employee director specified under the Exchange Act. These directors are not eligible to participate in any of the plans or programs that are administered by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee held four regularly scheduled meetings and no special meetings in fiscal year 2019. To carry out its responsibilities, the Compensation Committee has authority under its charter and engages in the following activities:

review and approve the goals and objectives relevant to the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation, evaluate his performance against these goals and objectives, and set his compensation accordingly;
 
establish salaries and annual incentive opportunities of all of the Company’s other officers and review the salary plan and annual incentive opportunities for other Company executives;
 
evaluate the performance of the Company’s senior executives and plans for management succession and development;
 
review the design and competitiveness of the Company’s compensation plans and medical benefit plans, and make recommendations to the Board;
 
administer the Company’s incentive, deferred compensation, stock options and long-term incentives plans (except with respect to any equity grants to directors, which are administered by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee) and any employment, severance, change in control or similar agreements applicable to the Company’s senior executives;
 
review material amendments to the design and competitiveness of the Company’s medical benefit plans;
____________________

*       Mr. Lyons is not standing for re-election when his term ends at the 2020 Annual Meeting.

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review all material amendments to the Company’s pension and other retirement plans and make recommendations to the Board concerning these amendments;
 
hire outside consultants, independent counsel and other advisors and approve the terms of their engagement, after considering the advisors’ independence from management;
 
prepare the report to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement;
 
oversee the Company’s compliance with rules and regulations of the SEC and NYSE relating to shareholder approval of certain executive compensation matters; and
 
review its performance annually.

See Executive Compensation - Compensation Discussion and Analysis below for further information on the scope of authority of the Compensation Committee and the role of management and compensation consultants in determining or recommending the amount or form of executive compensation.

Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee

The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is currently composed of five non-employee directors, Thomas L. Pajonas (chair), Jan A. Bertsch, Ivor J. Evans, William R. Newlin and Lloyd G. Trotter, all of whom meet the criteria for independence specified in the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee held four regularly scheduled meetings and no special meetings in fiscal year 2019. To carry out its responsibilities, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee has authority under its charter and engages in the following activities:

screen and recommend to the Board qualified candidates for election as directors of the Company and for service as the Chairman;
 
periodically prepare and submit its selection criteria for director nominees to the Board for adoption;
 
oversee, with the assistance of management, a process for new Board member orientation;
 
annually assess the performance of the Board and each committee;
 
consider matters of corporate governance and Board practices, including oversight of the Company’s strategies and self-assessments related to environmental, social and governance matters that are material to the Company’s performance;
 
review periodically the Company’s articles of incorporation, by-laws and guidelines on corporate governance in light of statutory changes and current best practices;
 
review periodically the charter, responsibilities, membership and chair of each committee of the Board and recommend appropriate changes;
 
review periodically non-employee directors’ compensation and make recommendations to the Board;
 
review director independence, conflicts of interest, qualifications and conduct and recommend to the Board removal of a director when appropriate;
 
oversee engagement with shareholders and proxy advisory firms regarding corporate governance matters and establish protocols with respect to the Company’s overall shareholder engagement initiatives; and
 
engage search firms and other consultants and independent counsel.

See Director Qualifications and Nominating Procedures below for further information on the nominating process.

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In discharging its duties with respect to review of director compensation, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee from time to time retains a compensation consultant to provide information on current trends, develop market data and provide objective recommendations as to the amount and form of director compensation. In fiscal year 2019, the compensation consultant was Pay Governance. Management has no role in determining or recommending the amount or form of director compensation.

DIRECTOR QUALIFICATIONS AND NOMINATING PROCEDURES

As described above, Meritor has a standing nominating committee, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, currently composed of five non-employee directors who meet the criteria for independence specified in the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee’s charter is posted on our website, www.meritor.com, in the section headed “Investors – Corporate Governance.”

The Board has adopted guidelines that outline the desired composition of the Board as a whole and the criteria to be used in selecting director nominees. These guidelines provide that the Board should be composed of directors with a variety of experience and backgrounds, who have significant senior managerial experience in complex organizations and who represent the balanced interests of shareholders as a whole rather than those of special interest groups.

The basic selection criteria include: highest character and integrity; experience with and understanding of strategy and policy-setting; reputation for working constructively with others; sufficient time to devote to Board matters; no conflict of interest that would interfere with performance as a director; and financial acumen. Other important factors include: knowledge of the transportation and industrial products industry or another manufacturing industry; specialized expertise in a field with which the Board may be expected to interface; experience doing business abroad; and enhancement of the diversity of the Board (which the Board considers in terms of all aspects of diversity, such as diversity of experience, background and strengths, as well as diversity of gender and race). The Board does not, however, have a formal policy with regard to the consideration of diversity in identifying candidates. The guidelines also set forth examples, for illustrative purposes only, of candidates whose backgrounds would generally be considered to make them positive additions to the Board.

In considering candidates for the Board, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is guided by the criteria set forth above. The entirety of each candidate’s credentials is considered, and there are no specific minimum qualifications that must be met by a director nominee. The individual biographies of each of our current directors and nominees set forth above outline each individual’s specific experiences, attributes and skills that qualify that person to serve on our Board.

The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee has the authority under its charter to hire and pay a fee to consultants or search firms to assist in the process of identifying and evaluating candidates. In fiscal year 2019, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee paid Heidrick & Struggles $2,716 in reimbursed expenses in connection with identifying Board candidates for consideration, including Mr. Beringhause.

In July 2019, the Board amended our By-Laws to allow a shareholder, or group of up to 20 shareholders, to nominate up to two director candidates or, if greater, up to 20% of the number of directors then serving on the Board, if the shareholder or group meets the ownership requirement of 3% or more of our outstanding common stock held continuously for at least the previous three years. In order for such nominees to be included in our proxy materials, the shareholder(s) and nominee(s) must also satisfy the other requirements specified in our By-Laws and submit a notice of proxy access nomination together with certain related information required by our By-Laws. Shareholders may also recommend candidates for consideration by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee by writing to the Corporate Secretary of the Company at its headquarters in Troy, Michigan, giving the candidate’s name, biographical data and qualifications. A written statement from the candidate, consenting to be named as a candidate and, if nominated and elected, to serve as a director, should accompany any such recommendation. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee evaluates the qualifications of candidates properly submitted by shareholders using the same criteria and in the same manner as potential nominees identified by the Company. No candidates for Board membership have been put forward for election at the 2020 Annual Meeting by shareholders or groups of shareholders holding 3% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock who have held such shares for over three years.

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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION IN FISCAL YEAR 2019

The following table reflects compensation for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 awarded to, earned by or paid to each non-employee director who served during the fiscal year.

Fees Earned
or Paid in Stock
Name       Cash ($)(1)       Awards ($)(2)(3)       Total ($)
Jan A. Bertsch 234,942 234,942
Rodger L. Boehm 28,750 206,202 234,952
Rhonda L. Brooks 115,000 119,985 234,985
Ivor J. Evans 105,000 119,985 224,985
William J. Lyons(4) 97,500 152,479 249,979
William R. Newlin 255,000 119,985 374,985
Thomas L. Pajonas 125,000 119,985 244,985
Lloyd G. Trotter 239,958 239,958
____________________

(1)

This column includes retainer fees, committee chair fees and, for Mr. Newlin, the Chairman of the Board fee earned in fiscal year 2019. This column does not include cash amounts paid in 2019 if such amounts were earned and reported in prior years but deferred for future payment pursuant to the Deferred Compensation Policy for Non-Employee Directors.

     
(2)

This column includes the grant date fair value, computed in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718, of the following separate grants of restricted shares of Common Stock (“restricted shares”). Information on the assumptions used in valuation of the grants is included in Note 21 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 (the “Form 10-K”). These amounts may not reflect the actual value realized upon settlement or vesting.

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10/1/2018 1/1/2019 1/31/2019 4/1/2019 7/1/2019
Name       Grants       Grants       Grants       Grants       Grants
Jan A. Bertsch $28,740 $28,747 $119,985 $28,731 $28,738
Rodger L. Boehm 28,747 119,985 28,731 28,738
Rhonda L. Brooks 119,985
Ivor J. Evans 119,985
William J. Lyons 32,494 119,985
William R. Newlin 119,985
Thomas L. Pajonas 119,985
Lloyd G. Trotter 29,992 29,998 119,985 29,984 29,999

(3)      

In connection with their service on the Board, the current non-employee directors held the following restricted shares granted under the 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the “2010 LTIP”), and other former plans of the Company at fiscal year-end 2019. There were no stock options outstanding at fiscal year-end 2019.


Restricted
Name       Shares
Jan A. Bertsch 33,488
Rodger L. Boehm 14,749
Rhonda L. Brooks 17,327
Ivor J. Evans 17,327
William J. Lyons 23,559
William R. Newlin 22,538
Thomas L. Pajonas 17,327
Lloyd G. Trotter 34,364

(4)      

Mr. Lyons is not standing for re-election when his term ends at the 2020 Annual Meeting.

Narrative Description of Director Compensation

Only non-employee directors receive compensation for Board service. Directors who are also employees of Meritor or a subsidiary do not receive compensation for serving as a director. The Company also reimburses its directors for their travel and related expenses in connection with attending Board, committee and shareholders’ meetings.

The following types of compensation were earned by or paid to non-employee directors in fiscal year 2019:

Retainer Fees. Non-employee directors of Meritor received an annual cash retainer of $105,000 for Board service. Members of the Audit Committee also received an additional annual cash retainer of $10,000. The chairs of the standing Board committees received additional annual cash retainers in the following amounts: Audit Committee and Compensation Committee - $15,000; and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee - $10,000. In addition, the Chairman of the Board received an additional annual cash retainer in the amount of $150,000.

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Equity-Based Awards. As part of our director compensation, each non-employee director is entitled to receive, on or about the date of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, an equity grant with a value of approximately $120,000, in the form of restricted shares or restricted share units, at the director’s election. The restricted shares and restricted share units were granted under the 2010 LTIP and generally vest upon the earlier of (1) three years from the date of grant or (2) the date the director resigns or ceases to be a director by reason of the antitrust laws, compliance with the Company’s conflict of interest policies, or other circumstances the Board determines not to be adverse to the best interests of the Company, if the Board deems such restricted shares or restricted share units to be earned. Upon vesting, the holder of restricted share units is entitled to receive one share of Common Stock for each restricted share unit or its cash equivalent, and non-employee directors generally are entitled to receive a cash payment for dividend equivalents, if any dividends are paid, plus interest accrued during the vesting period. The equity grants to directors in 2019 were made on January 31, 2019 in the amount of 5,802 restricted shares or restricted share units per person, at the director’s election.

Deferrals. A director may elect to defer payment of all or part of the cash retainer and committee fees to a later date, with interest on deferred amounts accruing quarterly at a rate equal to 120% of the Federal long-term rate set each month by the Secretary of the Treasury. Each director also has the option each year (provided sufficient shares are available under a plan covering director equity grants to accommodate this deferral option at the time of the director’s election) to defer all or any portion of the cash retainer and meeting fees by electing to receive restricted shares or restricted share units that could be forfeited if certain conditions are not satisfied. The restricted shares or restricted share units in lieu of the cash retainer and committee fees are valued at the closing price of the Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Transactions reporting system, referred to as the NYSE Closing Price, on the date the fee payment would otherwise be made in cash. In fiscal year 2019, one director deferred cash payments to a later date and three directors elected to receive restricted shares in lieu of cash payments.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Since the beginning of fiscal year 2019, there have been no transactions, and there are no currently proposed transactions, in which the Company was or is to be a participant and the amount involved exceeds $120,000, and in which any director, officer or greater-than-5% beneficial owner of Common Stock, or any member of their immediate family, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

Various means are employed to solicit information about relationships or transactions involving officers and directors that could raise questions of conflict of interest. Annual questionnaires solicit information from directors and officers regarding transactions and relationships that could trigger SEC rules on disclosure of related-person transactions, as well as relationships and transactions that could impair a director’s independence under the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. Directors and officers have a continuing duty to update this information should any changes occur during the fiscal year. In addition, all salaried employees, including officers, and directors have a duty to report any known conflicts of interest that would violate the Company’s code of ethics (including policies regarding standards of business conduct and conflicts of interest; see Code of Ethics below). A toll-free ethics helpline is available for that purpose. Salaried employees, including officers, are also required to complete an annual certification that they are unaware of, or have reported, any such conflict of interest.

Although we have no written policy regarding review, approval or ratification of related-person transactions, the Audit Committee under its charter has the authority to review and approve all related-party transactions, defined as those transactions required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K. The Business Standards Compliance Committee (which is made up of management personnel) and the Audit Committee have responsibility for review of compliance by officers and other employees (including their immediate family members) with the code of ethics, including conflict of interest provisions, and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee has similar responsibility with respect to compliance by directors and director nominees (including their immediate family members). If a transaction or relationship involving an officer or director were to be reported through the toll-free ethics helpline, annual compliance certifications, questionnaires or otherwise, the Audit Committee, with the assistance of the Business Standards Compliance Committee, would investigate and consider all relevant facts and circumstances, including the nature, amount and terms of the transaction; the nature and amount of the related person’s interest in the transaction; the importance of the transaction to the related person and to the Company; whether the transaction would impair the judgment of a director or officer to act in the Company’s best interest; and any other facts involving the transaction that the Audit Committee deems significant, and would then take appropriate action. Transactions will not be approved under the code of ethics if they are not in the Company’s best interests. Any committee member who is a related person in connection with a transaction would not participate in consideration of that transaction.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AT MERITOR

The Company believes good corporate governance is critical to its stability and long-term success. The Board is committed to good governance policies and practices that serve the long-term interests of the Company and its shareholders, employees and other stakeholders. Highlighted below are some of our key corporate governance policies and practices.

Corporate Governance Highlights

Proactive Company proposals to declassify the Board and permit shareholder by-law amendments

     

Director resignation policy for directors who fail to obtain a majority vote

9 of 10 directors are independent under our corporate governance guidelines and the NYSE’s listing standards

Annual Board and committee evaluations

Independent Board Chair

Executive sessions of independent directors held at each regularly scheduled Board meeting

Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer roles separated

Commitment to corporate social responsibility

Proxy access right granted to shareholders

Share ownership guidelines for directors and executives

The foundation of our corporate governance principles and practices is the independent nature of our Board and its primary responsibility to Meritor’s shareholders. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines are reviewed periodically by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, and changes are recommended to the Board for approval as appropriate. We will continue to monitor developments and review our Corporate Governance Guidelines periodically, and will modify or supplement them when and as appropriate. Our current Corporate Governance Guidelines are posted on our website, www.meritor.com, in the section headed “Investors – Corporate Governance.” Our Corporate Governance Guidelines and practices are summarized below.

Board Independence

Independent directors must comprise at least a majority of the Board and, as a matter of policy, a substantial majority of the Board should be independent directors. The Board has adopted criteria for independence based on the definition used in the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange;
 
The Board reviews the independence of each director annually;
 
Only independent directors serve on the Board’s standing committees;

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Board Composition

The Board should consist of a sufficient number of directors to represent various viewpoints and areas of expertise, but not be so large as to impair its ability to function efficiently. In general, the Board consists of 9 to 13 members, but may be smaller or larger to address special circumstances;
 
Board membership criteria have been adopted by the Board and are reviewed for appropriateness at least every three years. Board nominees are screened and recommended by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and approved by the full Board (see Director Qualifications and Nominating Procedures above for information on Board selection criteria);
 
Committee membership is reviewed periodically to assure that each committee has the benefit of both experience and fresh perspectives;
 
Committee chair rotation is considered at least once every four years. A director usually serves on a committee at least 12 months before becoming its chair, and a former chair normally serves on a committee for at least 12 months after retiring as chair. Exceptions are made in appropriate circumstances. The Board may deviate from this policy where it determines that such deviation is in the best interest of the Board and of a particular committee;
 
Our directors generally should not serve on the boards of more than three other public companies, unless the Board has determined that such service does not impair the ability of the director to serve effectively on the Board;
 
The Chief Executive Officer should not ordinarily serve on the boards of any other public companies during the first two years of tenure as Chief Executive Officer and thereafter should not ordinarily serve on more than one other public company board, unless the Board, in each case, determines that such simultaneous service would not impair the ability of the Chief Executive Officer to serve the Company and the Board effectively and no director should join the board of another public company unless the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and the Board determine that such service would not conflict with service on the Board or a Company policy;
 
The Corporate Governance Guidelines establish the following expectations regarding director tenure:

Non-employee directors should offer not to stand for re-election if they are age 72 at the time of re-election or will reach age 72 during their new term. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee decides whether continued Board service is appropriate and, if so, the length of the next term;
 
Directors whose job responsibilities change significantly during their Board service, or who retire from the position they held when elected to the Board, are required to offer to resign upon such occurrence. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee reviews the appropriateness of continued Board membership;
 
When the Chief Executive Officer retires or resigns from that position, he or she is expected to offer his or her resignation from the Board. The Board and the successor Chief Executive Officer determine whether continued Board service is desirable and appropriate;
 
Under the Company’s majority vote policy, any nominee for director who receives a greater number of “withheld” votes than “for” votes in an uncontested election is required to tender his or her resignation after the certification of the election results. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee considers the resignation and recommends to the Board what action should be taken. The Board is required to take action and publicly disclose the decision and its underlying rationale within 90 days of certification of the election results;

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Key Responsibilities of the Board

The Company’s long-term strategic goals and plans are discussed in depth by the Board at least annually;
 
The non-employee directors select the Chief Executive Officer and meet at least annually to evaluate the Chief Executive Officer’s performance against long-term goals and objectives established by the Compensation Committee. This evaluation is used in the Compensation Committee’s consideration of the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation;
 
Management development and succession plans are reviewed annually, including Chief Executive Officer succession plans;

Board and Committee Meetings

The Board has appointed a Chairman who chairs executive sessions, serves as liaison with the Chief Executive Officer and participates in development of meeting agendas;
 
Board and committee meeting agendas are developed through discussions with management and the Chairman and/or committee chair, and are focused on business performance and strategic issues, leadership, and recent developments;
 
Agendas are distributed in advance so directors are aware of matters to be discussed and can recommend additional items;
 
Presentation materials are generally made available to Board and committee members for review in advance of each meeting. If the subject matter is too sensitive for advance distribution of materials, directors are advised in advance of the subject matter and issues to be considered and are given ample time to deliberate on proposed actions;
 
Directors are expected to attend, prepare for and participate in meetings. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee monitors each director’s attendance and addresses any issues that arise;
 
Non-employee directors meet in private executive sessions during each regular Board meeting. The Chairman chairs these meetings and communicates the results of the sessions to the Chief Executive Officer;
 
Minutes of each committee meeting are provided to each Board member, and the chair of each committee reports at Board meetings on significant committee matters;
 
Information and data important to understanding the Company’s business, including financial and operating information and factors affecting the Company’s strategic plans and outlook, are distributed regularly to the Board;

Board Performance and Committee Operations

The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, which is composed solely of independent directors, is responsible for corporate governance and Board practices, and formally evaluates these areas periodically;
 
Each Board committee has a detailed charter outlining its responsibilities, as described above under the heading Board and Committees – Committees;
 
The Board and its committees have the authority to hire such outside counsel, advisors and consultants as they choose with respect to any issue related to Board activities. Directors also have full access to Company officers and employees and the Company’s outside counsel and auditors;
 
To enhance Board effectiveness, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee reviews and assesses annual self-evaluations of the Board’s and each committee’s performance. In addition, informal reviews of individual performance are conducted periodically. Results are shared with the Board, and action plans are formulated to address any areas for improvement;

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Director Education

Each new director is provided a program of orientation to the Company’s business, which includes discussions with key members of management and background materials on the Company’s governance framework, financial results and business;
 
The continuing education process for Board members includes review of extensive informational materials and meetings with key management personnel;
 
Meeting agendas regularly include discussions of business environment, outlook, performance and action plans for the various business segments;
 
Board members may request presentations on particular topics and specific facility visits to educate themselves and update their knowledge as to the Company, its industry and markets, the responsibilities of directorship and other topics of interest;
 
Each director is encouraged to attend educational seminars and conferences to enhance his or her knowledge of the role and responsibilities of directors;
 
In each fiscal year, at least one director is required to attend a director education seminar. In fiscal year 2019, two directors each attended one or more of such seminars;

Alignment with Shareholder Interests

A portion of director compensation is equity-based and therefore tied to the Company’s stock performance. Directors can also elect to receive their cash retainer fees in the form of restricted shares or restricted share units;
 
The Compensation Committee and the Board oversee executive compensation programs to help ensure that they are linked to performance and increasing shareholder value. The Compensation Committee also monitors compliance by Company executives with stock ownership guidelines (see Executive Compensation – Compensation Discussion and Analysis below);
 
Senior management meets regularly with major institutional investors and shareholders and reports to the Board on analysts’ and shareholders’ views of the Company; and
 
The Board has adopted stock ownership guidelines for non-employee directors to further the direct alignment of directors’ and shareholders’ economic interests. Each non-employee director is required to own shares of Common Stock, restricted shares or restricted share units with a market value equal to at least five times the annual cash retainer, effective five years from the date of his or her initial election to the Board. As of the end of fiscal year 2019, all of the non-employee directors were in compliance with the ownership guidelines, taking into account permitted transition periods for newer directors.

CODE OF ETHICS

All Meritor employees, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and other executive officers and our Chief Accounting Officer, are required to comply with our corporate policies regarding standards of business conduct and conflicts of interest. The purpose of these corporate policies is to ensure to the greatest possible extent that our business is conducted in a consistently legal and ethical manner. The Audit Committee has oversight responsibility with respect to compliance by employees. The Board is also required to comply with these policies, and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for monitoring compliance by directors.

Employees are obligated to report any conduct that they believe in good faith to violate these policies. Employees may submit concerns or complaints regarding ethical issues on a confidential basis to our ethics helpline, by means of a toll-free telephone call or e-mail. The Office of the Chief Legal Officer investigates all concerns and complaints. Employees may also contact the Board or the Audit Committee directly on these issues (see Communications with the Board below).

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Meritor’s ethics manual, including the text of the policies on standards of business conduct and conflicts of interest, is posted in the section headed “Investors – Corporate Governance” on our website, www.meritor.com. We will post on our website any amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of our policies that applies to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Chief Accounting Officer, and that relates to any of the following elements of these policies: honest and ethical conduct; disclosure in reports or documents filed by the Company with the SEC and in other public communications; compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations; prompt internal reporting of code violations; and accountability for adherence to the policies.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Meritor’s and the Board’s commitment to sustainability, including beneficial environmental, social and governance-related business practices, is integral to how the Company conducts its business. Sustainability and good corporate stewardship have been a part of Meritor’s culture throughout its long history of innovative product design and manufacture. In fiscal year 2019, we published Meritor’s first sustainability report to share the work we have done in the areas of Advanced Technologies, Environment, Health and Safety, Manufacturing Initiatives, Human Capital, Social Responsibility and Corporate Governance with our stakeholders.

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OWNERSHIP BY MANAGEMENT OF EQUITY SECURITIES

The following table shows the beneficial ownership, reported to us as of October 31, 2019, of Common Stock of (1) each director; (2) each executive officer listed in the table under Executive Compensation – Fiscal Year 2019 Summary Compensation Table below; and (3) such persons and other executive officers as a group. See Voting Securities above for information on beneficial holders of more than 5% of outstanding Common Stock.

Beneficial Ownership as of October 31, 2019

Percent of Outstanding
Name       Number of Shares(1)       Common Stock(2)
Jan A. Bertsch 37,462(3) *
Steven Beringhause *
Rodger L. Boehm 18,358(3) *
Rhonda L. Brooks 126,761(3)(4) *
Ivor J. Evans 419,743(3) *
William J. Lyons 83,486(3) *
William R. Newlin 268,077(3)(5) *
Thomas L. Pajonas 53,664(3) *
Lloyd G. Trotter 57,921(3) *
Jeffrey A. Craig 1,020,464(6) 1.3%
Carl D. Anderson II 27,023(6)(7) *
Chris Villavarayan 115,890(6)(7) *
Joseph A. Plomin 194,918(6) *
Timothy J. Heffron 106,532(6)(7) *
Kevin A. Nowlan(8) 71,366 *
All of the above and other executive officers as a group (16) persons 2,710,053(3)(4)(5)(6)(7) 3.5%
____________________

*

Less than one percent.

 

(1)

Each person has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares of Common Stock listed unless otherwise indicated.

 

(2)

For purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding shares beneficially owned by each person, the number of shares of Common Stock owned by that person and the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding include shares as to which such person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days (for example, through the exercise of stock options, conversions of securities or through trust arrangements), in accordance with Rule 13d-3(d)(1) under the Exchange Act.

 
(3)

Includes restricted shares awarded under the Company’s long-term incentive plans. Restricted shares are held by the Company until certain conditions are satisfied.

 

(4)

Includes 109,434 shares of Common Stock held by a trust of which Ms. Brooks is trustee.

 

(5)

Includes 6,860 shares of Common Stock held by a trust of which Mr. Newlin’s spouse is beneficiary.

 

(6)

In accordance with Rule 13d-3(d)(1) under the Exchange Act, the number of shares of Common Stock owned includes the following numbers of shares of Common Stock that may be acquired upon vesting of restricted share units within 60 days: 389,148 restricted share units for Mr. Craig; 23,511 restricted share units for Mr. Anderson; 83,774 restricted share units for Mr. Villavarayan; 83,774 restricted share units for Mr. Plomin; 63,236 restricted share units for Mr. Heffron and 711,002 restricted share units for all directors and executive officers as a group. Does not include restricted share units or performance share units granted under the Company’s stock plans and held as of October 31, 2019 that do not vest within 60 days.

 

(7)

Includes shares beneficially owned under the Company’s Savings Plans.

 

(8)

Mr. Nowlan resigned as Chief Financial Officer effective March 11, 2019.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Compensation and Management Development Committee, referred to as the Compensation Committee, has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K, and based on such review and discussions, recommended to the Board that such Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement and the Form 10-K. The five independent directors listed below were the members of the Compensation Committee who participated in the review, discussions and recommendation with respect to the Compensation Discussion and Analysis for fiscal year 2019.

Compensation and Management Development Committee

Lloyd G. Trotter, Chair
Rhonda L. Brooks
Ivor J. Evans
William J. Lyons
William R. Newlin

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

No member of the Compensation Committee has served as an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries within the last three fiscal years. During fiscal year 2019, no member of the Compensation Committee had a relationship that must be described under SEC rules relating to disclosure of related-person transactions. In fiscal year 2019, none of the Company’s executive officers served on the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that had one or more of its executive officers serving on the Board or the Compensation Committee.

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

The purpose of this section of the proxy statement is to provide information about our executive compensation programs that relate to the compensation of the Named Executive Officers, as defined below. The Named Executive Officers are the senior members of management listed or discussed in the compensation tables included in this proxy statement. The qualitative information and rationales regarding our executive compensation policies and practices described below are intended to provide a better understanding of the quantitative information regarding each Named Executive Officer described in the tables and narratives that follow this section.

Executive Summary

We believe our executive compensation program represent best practices that serve the interests of shareholders. Highlighted below are some of our key practices.

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What We Do       What We Don't Do
Focus the majority of pay on performance-based elements Provide excessive perquisites
 
Retain an independent compensation consultant Pay excise tax gross-ups
 
Perform an annual peer review and risk assessment Promise multi-year salary increases
 
Target the median of our peer group when determining executive compensation Guarantee minimum bonuses
 
Maintain a clawback policy in cases of financial restatement Allow officers or employees to hedge or pledge company stock
 
Require double-trigger upon change in control in order to receive cash severance and for accelerated vesting to occur
 
Set rigorous stock ownership guidelines for officers and directors
 
Incentive payouts are capped at 200% of target
 
Request an annual say-on-pay shareholder vote

The main components of Meritor’s executive compensation program are annual salary, annual incentives and long-term incentives. The Compensation Committee believes in a “pay for performance” philosophy under which executives are rewarded for performance against objective standards and, as part of that philosophy, continues to examine the Company’s executive compensation program and make changes accordingly. The actions taken by the Compensation Committee in fiscal year 2019 reflect that philosophy.

Recent actions taken by the Compensation Committee to update and improve the Company’s compensation practices include:

Continued 100% Equity-Based Long-Term Incentives Going Forward. For the fiscal 2018-2020 and fiscal 2019-2021 performance cycles, the Compensation Committee made awards that were entirely equity-based. Awards for both fiscal 2018-2020 and fiscal 2019-2021 were 60% performance-based, in the form of performance share units, and 40% service-based, in the form of restricted share units, as described below. In November 2019, the Compensation Committee continued this practice, granting 100% equity-based long-term incentives for the fiscal 2020-2022 performance cycle. These awards are also 60% performance-based, in the form of performance share units, and 40% service-based, in the form of restricted share units. The Compensation Committee believes the mix of awards for our executives will promote achievement of performance goals and provide retention incentives to key management personnel.

   

Peer Group Analysis Review. The Compensation Committee annually assesses the competitiveness of the Company’s executive compensation compared to that of similar companies, as described below under the heading “Market Analysis and Benchmarking.” In July 2019, the Compensation Committee engaged its compensation consultant, Pay Governance, to evaluate the Company’s peer group to help ensure that it is appropriate in light of the Company’s current situation. This evaluation resulted in the removal of three peer companies, and the results of this evaluation were used in the Compensation Committee’s review of executive compensation in November 2019 for fiscal year 2020.

Administration of Executive Compensation Program

The Compensation Committee has overall responsibility for executive compensation, including administration of equity compensation plans (see Board and Committees above for information on the Compensation Committee’s members, charter and meetings in fiscal year 2019). As part of this responsibility, the Compensation Committee evaluates the performance of the Chief Executive Officer and determines his compensation in light of the goals and objectives of the Company and the executive compensation program.

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The Compensation Committee continued its retention of Pay Governance as a compensation consultant in fiscal year 2019. Prior to engaging Pay Governance, the Compensation Committee assessed Pay Governance’s independence under the standards set forth in the rules under the Exchange Act and the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. The Compensation Committee concluded that such standards were satisfied and no conflict of interest existed with respect to Pay Governance’s work.

Pay Governance provides information on current compensation trends, develops competitive market data and provides objective recommendations as to the design of the compensation program, including the form and mix of awards, the type of performance criteria and the level of award targets. The Compensation Committee directly engages Pay Governance, which also assists the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee with respect to directors’ compensation. Pay Governance performs no other services for the Company or management.

The Compensation Committee seeks and considers input from senior management in many of its decisions, and Pay Governance confers and collaborates with senior management in developing its compensation recommendations. Senior management regularly participates in the Compensation Committee’s activities in the following ways:

The Chief Executive Officer reports to the Compensation Committee with respect to his evaluation of the performance of the Company’s other senior executives, including the other Named Executive Officers that report to the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer, together with the Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Chief Information Officer, makes recommendations as to compensation decisions for these individuals, including base salary levels and the amount and mix of incentive awards.

   

The Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Chief Information Officer participates in the development of the executive compensation program, including formulation of performance objectives and targets for incentive compensation, and oversees its implementation and interpretation, in each case carrying out the direction of the Compensation Committee and the recommendations of Pay Governance. He also assists the Chair of the Compensation Committee in developing meeting agendas and oversees preparation and distribution of pre-meeting informational materials on the matters to be considered.

   

The Chief Financial Officer is responsible for evaluating the tax, financial and accounting aspects of certain compensation decisions, as appropriate. He participates in developing financial objectives and targets for performance-based incentive compensation and oversees calculation of payout and vesting levels, in accordance with plan design and the direction of the Compensation Committee.

Executive Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

The Compensation Committee’s compensation philosophy is to “pay for performance.” The fundamental objectives of the Company’s executive compensation program are to: (1) attract, retain and motivate high caliber executives necessary for Meritor’s leadership and growth; (2) recognize and reward company and individual performance through evaluation of each executive’s effectiveness in meeting strategic and operating plan goals; and (3) foster the creation of shareholder value through close alignment of the financial interests of executives with the investment interests of Meritor’s shareholders.

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The Compensation Committee uses several basic practices and policies to carry out its philosophy and to meet the objectives of Meritor’s executive compensation program:

Competitive Compensation Packages. In order to attract and retain talented executives, the Compensation Committee designs total compensation packages to be competitive with those of other companies with which Meritor competes for talent, using benchmarking studies to determine market levels of compensation, as described below.

   

Performance-Based Compensation. A significant portion of each Named Executive Officer’s total potential compensation is performance-based (in other words, the compensation is at risk because it is contingent on achieving strategic and operating plan goals that are intended to improve shareholder return). These goals are established to recognize Company performance against specified targets. The remainder of the compensation of the Named Executive Officers is comprised of base salary and service-based restricted share units. Annual incentives are 100% performance-based, as discussed in detail below under the heading “Elements of the Meritor Compensation Program – Components.” With respect to long-term incentives, for the three-year cycle beginning in fiscal 2019, 60% of the awards are performance-based, in the form of performance share units, and 40% of the awards are service-based, in the form of restricted share units. The Compensation Committee continued this approach for the three-year cycle beginning in fiscal 2020, keeping 60% of the awards performance-based, in the form of performance share units, with the remaining 40% of the awards service-based, in the form of restricted share units.

   

Equity Awards and Stock Ownership Requirements. A portion of incentive compensation for executives is often comprised of equity and equity-based awards, which are intended to align the interests of the Company’s executives with those of shareholders. As noted above, all of the awards for the long-term incentive cycles in fiscal 2018, 2019 and 2020 are equity-based, in the form of performance share units and restricted share units. In addition, metrics used for performance-based incentives are intended to align the interests of executives with those of shareholders. Senior executives are also required under the Company’s stock ownership guidelines to own shares of Common Stock (including share equivalents) with a value equal to a specified multiple of their salary.

Market Analysis and Benchmarking

The Compensation Committee assesses the competitiveness of Meritor’s compensation program using data and studies compiled and provided by Pay Governance. Pay Governance provides a detailed annual competitive pay study. As part of the assessment process, the Compensation Committee compares the amount of each component and the total amount of direct compensation (defined below) for each executive officer with that for comparable officers at peer companies in the durable goods manufacturing sector, including companies in the automotive sector that have executive officer positions comparable to the Company’s and with which the Company may compete for talented executives. The Compensation Committee reviewed the Company’s peer group with Pay Governance in July 2018 and determined that it was appropriate in light of the Company’s then current situation to remove one peer company and add four others. This updated peer group was used in the Compensation Committee’s review of executive compensation for fiscal year 2019.

The peer group for the competitive analysis for fiscal year 2019 included the following 23 companies:

AGCO Corporation         Navistar International Corporation
American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Oshkosh Corporation
BorgWarner Inc. Tenneco Inc.
Cooper-Standard Holdings, Inc. Terex Corporation
Dana Incorporated The Timken Company
Flowserve Corporation Tower International, Inc.
The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. Trinity Industries, Inc.
Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc. Visteon Corporation
ITT Inc. WABCO Holdings Inc.
Kennametal Inc. Wabash National Corporation
The Manitowoc Company, Inc. Wabtech Corporation
Modine Manufacturing Company

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See “Elements of the Meritor Compensation Program – Overview and Analysis” below for information on how the Compensation Committee uses this peer group data in setting compensation.

The Compensation Committee (or the Board, as appropriate) may also consider practices at other companies with respect to other elements of compensation, such as perquisites, retirement plans and health and welfare benefits, in assessing the competitiveness and cost effectiveness of the Company’s compensation programs. Any such studies are done on a case-by-case basis, as needed, and may use a group of comparable companies identified at the time by Pay Governance or other advisors.

As noted in “Peer Group Analysis Review” above, in connection with the Compensation Committees review of executive compensation for fiscal year 2020, Tenneco Inc., WABCO Holdings Inc. and Tower International, Inc. were removed from the Company’s peer group.

Elements of the Meritor Compensation Program

Overview and Analysis

The primary components of Meritor’s executive compensation program are base salary, annual incentives and long-term incentives, collectively referred to herein as direct compensation. The aggregate of these components (in other words, the total compensation package), and the relative levels of equity and non-equity compensation that comprise direct compensation, are generally targeted in relation to competitive market rates among peer group companies, as described above. Although the Compensation Committee targets the median for the total package of direct compensation for an individual, particular elements of direct compensation may be either below or above the median.

With this principle in mind, the Compensation Committee approves variations from the peer group median (adjusted for each individual based on the revenue responsibility of their respective operating units), or 50th percentile, base salary levels for some individuals based on their responsibilities, experience, expertise and performance. In addition, when recruiting new executives, base salary may be set at a premium above the median of the peer group in order to attract the most qualified candidates.

The Compensation Committee also believes that individuals should have an opportunity to earn above-median rewards for superior performance. Therefore, while the Compensation Committee looks at the median of the peer group in terms of the target annual and long-term incentive award for each position, it identifies a maximum potential payout for each position that would be significantly above median if maximum performance objectives are achieved. The range of potential payouts on annual and long-term incentives is described below, under the heading “Components.”

Each year, the Compensation Committee determines the appropriate mix among the components of direct compensation, and the appropriate mix of equity versus non-equity awards and performance-based versus service-based awards. However, the compensation program contemplates that a significant portion of each executive’s direct compensation is performance-based and therefore is at risk. Performance-based awards, whether in the form of equity or non-equity awards, are tied to achievement of goals that are intended to improve, or reflect improvements in, shareholder value (see the performance-based awards described under the heading “Components” below). In fiscal year 2019, 85% of our CEO’s target compensation and 70% of the average target compensation of our other Named Executive Officers was at risk.

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Chief Executive Officer       Other NEOs
 


 

In conjunction with setting compensation for fiscal year 2019, the Compensation Committee reviewed past pay-for-performance results over the tenure of each officer. The Compensation Committee was also aware of the potential value of outstanding long-term incentives, including the likelihood of their payout and vesting (based on achievement of performance objectives to date and on the levels of payout and vesting of past awards). This information was also implicit in the overall plan design used by Pay Governance in making recommendations for fiscal year 2019 compensation.

In addition to direct compensation, special hiring or retention incentives have been put in place for certain executives to motivate them to join the Company or to continue their employment. Named Executive Officers also receive health and welfare benefits and are entitled to participate in the Company’s pension plans and savings plans on substantially the same basis as other employees.

Each component of the executive compensation program is discussed below.

Components

Base Salary. The Compensation Committee generally reviews and sets base salaries for the executive officers each fiscal year, customarily at its November meeting. Annual salary increases, if any, for executive officers are based on evaluation of each individual’s performance and on his or her level of pay compared to that for similar positions at peer group companies, as indicated by Pay Governance’s reports and survey data. The Compensation Committee from time to time also reviews and adjusts base salaries for executive officers at the time of any promotion or change in responsibilities. All of the Named Executive Officers received routine salary adjustments in October or December 2018. In addition, each of Messrs. Anderson and Plomin received salary adjustments in connection with increases in their responsibilities in March 2019.

Annual Incentives. The Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended, referred to as the ICP, was last approved by the Company’s shareholders in January 2015. At that time, the ICP was amended and restated to (1) add a clawback provision applicable to awards that are subsequently the subject of a restatement of financial statements within one year due to misconduct or culpable conduct and (2) reflect the change in the name of “ArvinMeritor, Inc.” to “Meritor, Inc.”

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Under the ICP, most employees (including the Named Executive Officers) can earn annual incentive payouts based on Company and/or business segment performance against goals established by the Compensation Committee at the beginning of the Company’s fiscal year. The annual incentive goals for fiscal year 2019 were based on the following two performance measures, which are defined as set forth below:

Adjusted EBITDA Margin            =      

income (loss) from continuing operations before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, non-controlling interest in consolidated joint ventures, loss on sale of receivables, restructuring expenses, asset impairment charges and other special items approved by the Compensation Committee divided by sales

 
Free Cash Flow =

cash flows provided by (used for) operating activities from continuing operations, less capital expenditures of continuing operations, excluding all restructuring payments and other special items as approved by the Compensation Committee

These two performance measures are equally weighted for the purposes of potential annual incentives, and each measure is independent of the other. The Compensation Committee chose these measures because adjusted EBITDA margin and free cash flow align with the Company’s financial objectives, and also because they are commonly used by the investment community to analyze operating performance and entity valuation and, as such, are factors in the value of shareholders’ investment in the Company.

In November 2018 and March 2019, the Compensation Committee also established target awards, stated as a percentage of base salary, for executive officers, including Messrs. Craig, Anderson, Villavarayan, Plomin, Heffron and Nowlan. Target awards for fiscal year 2019 were 120% for Mr. Craig; 75% for Mr. Anderson; 80% for Mr. Villavarayan; 75% for Mr. Plomin; 65% for Mr. Heffron; and 85% for Mr. Nowlan*. See the table under the heading Grants of Plan-Based Awards in Fiscal Year 2019 below for information on the target, minimum and maximum awards for each Named Executive Officer for fiscal year 2019.

To determine whether annual incentive awards are paid, performance for the year is measured against specified target levels for each performance measure. The target for 100% annual incentive achievement was based on achieving the levels of adjusted EBITDA margin and free cash flow defined in the Company’s annual operating plan. Performance of greater than 10.7% for adjusted EBITDA margin and generating greater than $100 million of free cash flow were required to achieve a payout for that particular performance measure.

The following chart summarizes payout calculations for each portion of the incentive payment:

Adjusted EBITDA Payout (% of
      Margin       Target Award)       Free Cash Flow
Maximum 12.2% 200% $260 million
Target 11.5% 100% $196 million
Threshold >10.7% 0% >$100 million

The calculated award for an individual cannot exceed 200% of his or her target award. The Compensation Committee has discretion to adjust an award once it is calculated (either upward by up to 50% or downward by up to 100%) or to make an additional award to reflect individual performance or special achievements. However, for Named Executive Officers, only downward adjustments are permitted under the ICP. Under the terms of the ICP, no discretionary increase in an award may be made for a Named Executive Officer.

____________________

*       Mr. Nowlan’s award was forfeited in connection with his resignation.

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In fiscal year 2019, the Company exceeded the target levels for both measures, achieving adjusted EBITDA margin of 11.9% and free cash flow of $212 million. The calculations of 2019 performance excluded the impacts of the Company’s acquisition of AxleTech in July 2019 and the Company’s cash contribution to fund a 524(g) trust in accordance with the court approved reorganization plan of the Company’s non-operating subsidiary, Maremont Corporation. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee approved annual incentive payouts to the Named Executive Officers at 163.8% payout of the target award for the adjusted EBITDA margin performance measure and at 136.7% payout of the target award for the free cash flow performance measure for fiscal year 2019, for a combined payout at 150.2% of target awards. See the column headed “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” and the related footnote in the table under the heading Fiscal Year 2019 Summary Compensation Table below for total payouts of annual incentives to the Named Executive Officers for fiscal year 2019.

Long-Term Incentives

Overview. The Compensation Committee provides long-term incentives to key employees, including the Named Executive Officers, which are tied to various performance or service objectives over three-year cycles. Each year, the Compensation Committee considers the types of awards to be used and the performance or service objectives and targets on which payout of each type of award depends. The Company has used a number of long-term incentive plans for awards in the past, most recently the 2010 LTIP.

Types of Awards. The Compensation Committee selects the types and mix of awards for long-term incentives each year after reviewing Pay Governance’s report and survey data on peer group compensation, market practices, shares available for grant under the Company’s long-term incentive plans, and goals to be achieved. The Compensation Committee has used two types of awards in the past three years: awards under performance plans and restricted share units, as further described below. Both are intended to align management’s interests with those of shareholders, either through performance objectives tied to metrics that reward creation of shareholder value, or equity and equity-based awards, or both.

Awards under Performance Plans. In the last three fiscal years, the Compensation Committee has established performance plans with three-year performance periods and established performance measures, and related goals, at the beginning of each three-year performance cycle. The following awards were made for performance cycles in fiscal 2017, 2018 and 2019:
 
Fiscal 2017-2019 performance cycle: Awards were 100% equity-based, of which 60% were performance-based, in the form of performance share units. Payouts on awards are generally based on achieving targets over the three-year performance cycle related to three performance measures used for the Company’s M2019 strategic plan: adjusted diluted earnings per share (reported diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations before restructuring expenses, asset impairment charges, non-cash tax expense related to the use of deferred tax assets in jurisdictions with net operating loss carry forwards and other special items as approved by the Compensation Committee); revenue growth above market (the percentage increase of fiscal 2019 revenue above pro forma fiscal 2015 revenue, where pro forma fiscal 2015 revenue is fiscal 2015 revenue adjusted to take into account (1) changes in end market production (in major, measurable markets) and (2) currency translation, in each case from fiscal 2015 to fiscal 2019); and net debt to adjusted EBITDA (total short-term and long-term debt less cash and cash equivalents divided by income (loss) from continuing operations before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, non-controlling interests in consolidated joint ventures, loss on sale of receivables, restructuring expenses and asset impairment charges, as adjusted for other special items as approved by the Compensation Committee), in each case subject to certain terms and conditions. The remaining 40% of the awards for this cycle were service-based, in the form of restricted share units, the terms of which are described below under the heading “Restricted Shares or Restricted Share Units”.

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Fiscal 2018-2020 performance cycle: Awards were 100% equity-based, of which 60% were performance-based, in the form of performance share units. Payouts on the awards are generally based on achieving targets over the three-year performance cycle related to the following performance measures: adjusted EBITDA margin (as defined above) and adjusted diluted earnings per share (as defined above), in each case subject to certain terms and conditions. The remaining 40% of the awards for this cycle were service-based, in the form of restricted share units, the terms of which are described below under the heading “Restricted Shares or Restricted Share Units”.
 
Fiscal 2019-2021 performance cycle: Awards were 100% equity-based, of which 60% were performance-based, in the form of performance share units. Payouts on the awards are generally based on achieving targets over the three-year performance cycle related to the following performance measures: adjusted EBITDA margin (as defined above) and adjusted diluted earnings per share (reported diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations before restructuring expenses, asset impairment charges, non-cash tax expense related to the use of deferred tax assets in jurisdictions with net operating loss carry forwards or tax credits and other special items as approved by the Compensation Committee), in each case subject to certain terms and conditions. The remaining 40% of the awards for this cycle were service-based, in the form of restricted share units, the terms of which are described below under the heading “Restricted Shares or Restricted Share Units”.

For each performance cycle, the Compensation Committee also establishes target awards, stated as dollar amounts, for each of the Named Executive Officers. Participants can earn awards at the end of the three-year performance period from 0% to 200% of target awards based on actual performance against specified goals. No awards for any performance measure may be earned unless the applicable threshold for payout over the period is met as set forth below. No earnings are accrued or paid on these awards. For the performance share units awarded for the fiscal 2017-2019, fiscal 2018-2020 and fiscal 2019-2021 cycles, payouts are intended to be in the form of Common Stock. However, in all cases, payout will be in the form of cash, not in the form of shares of Common Stock, if there is an insufficient number of authorized shares remaining for awards under the 2010 LTIP to make such payouts, or if applicable grant limitations in the 2010 LTIP restrict payout in shares.

Fiscal 2017 – 2019 Performance Period

The weighting, targets and potential payouts for the fiscal 2017-2019 cycle were as follows:

Adjusted Diluted Revenue Net Debt to
Earnings per Growth Above Adjusted % of Award
Share Market EBITDA Earned
      (50% of award)       (25% of award)       (25% of award)       and Paid Out
Maximum Payout $3.25 27.5% 1.1 200%
Target Payout $2.84 20.0% <1.5 100%
Threshold Payout >$1.60 >0.0% ≤3.1 0%

See “Fiscal Year 2019 Long-term Incentive Payouts” below for information on achievement of targets and actual payouts for this cycle.

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For cycles in progress for which it is still possible to earn an award, but for which no award has yet been earned, the following charts summarize the weighting, targets and potential payouts at different levels of performance of the applicable objective:

Fiscal 2018 – 2020 Performance Period


Adjusted Diluted
Adjusted Earnings per % of Award
EBITDA Margin Share Earned
      (50% of award)       (50% of award)       and Paid Out
Maximum Payout 12.3% $3.35 200%
Target Payout 11.5% $2.84 100%
Threshold Payout >10.5% >$1.85 0%

Fiscal 2019 – 2021 Performance Period*


Adjusted Diluted
Adjusted Earnings per % of Award
EBITDA Margin Share Earned
      (50% of award)       (50% of award)       and Paid Out
Maximum Payout 12.3% $3.35 200%
Target Payout 11.5% $2.85 100%
Threshold Payout >10.5% >$1.85 0%

Restricted Shares or Restricted Share Units. As part of long-term incentive awards, the Compensation Committee grants restricted shares or restricted share units that are generally subject to forfeiture if the grantee does not continue as an employee of Meritor or a subsidiary or affiliate of Meritor for a restricted period of at least three years (subject to certain exceptions in the event of death, disability or retirement). Restricted shares have all the attributes of outstanding shares of Common Stock during the restricted period, including voting and dividend rights, except that the shares are held by the Company and cannot be transferred by the grantee. Cash dividends, if any, during the restricted period are reinvested in additional restricted shares, which will vest or be forfeited at the same time as the underlying shares. Restricted share units represent the right to receive one share of Common Stock or its cash equivalent upon the vesting date, subject to certain terms and conditions. Dividends during the restricted period are not paid or accrued on restricted share units and restricted share units have no voting rights unless and until paid out in shares of Common Stock.

As described above, with respect to each of the fiscal 2017-2019 cycle, the 2018-2020 cycle and the 2019-2021 cycle, 40% of the total awards were in the form of service-based restricted share units.

The Compensation Committee’s practice in recent years with respect to timing of annual equity-based awards has been to establish December 1 as the standard grant date, whenever possible. If a special meeting is required in December in order to approve the grants for the three-year cycle, the date of grant may be delayed until the first business day in January. The timing of the grant date does not impact the terms of the grant of restricted share units. However, under the FASB’s compensation guidance, the Company measures the fair value of stock-based awards, which is recognized in the Company’s financial statements, based on the NYSE Closing Price on the grant date. The purpose of establishing a standard grant date for the Company’s grant of equity-based long-term incentive awards is to avoid any issue of whether a grant precedes or follows public disclosure of material information. The Company normally announces its fiscal year earnings in mid-November, and use of December 1 (or the first business day in January, as the case may be) as a standard grant date provides the market sufficient time to absorb and reflect the information, whether positive or negative, prior to measurement of fair value for accounting purposes.

____________________

*       The financial targets for the fiscal 2019 – 2021 performance period assumed that the Company would exercise its option to terminate a distribution arrangement between one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries and a subsidiary of WABCO Holdings Inc. in exchange for a cash payment. The termination of the distribution arrangement was expected to be decretive to adjusted EBITDA margin and adjusted diluted earnings per share, which resulted in the targets being set to account for the lost distribution business. The Company exercised the option effective September 13, 2019.

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Fiscal Year 2019 Long-term Incentive Payouts. In fiscal year 2017, the Compensation Committee provided long-term incentives to the Named Executive Officers under the 2010 LTIP in the form of target awards of performance share units under a performance plan for the three-year period ended September 30, 2019, as described above. The awards, which vested on December 1, 2019, were based on an assumed share price of $12.77 per share, which was the NYSE Closing Price on the date of grant.

For the three-year performance period ended September 30, 2019, the Company exceeded the target levels for the adjusted diluted earnings per share and net debt to adjusted EBITDA performance measures and exceeded the minimum threshold for the revenue growth above market performance measure. The calculations of performance over the three-year period with respect to the performance measures established by the Compensation Committee excluded the impacts of the Company’s acquisition of AxleTech in July 2019. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee approved long-term incentive payouts to the Named Executive Officers at 200% payout of the target award for the adjusted diluted earnings per share performance measure; at 160% payout of the target award for the net debt to adjusted EBITDA performance measure; and at 93.7% payout of the target award for the revenue growth above market performance measure for fiscal year 2019, for a combined payout of 163.4% of target performance share units. See the table under the heading Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2019 and related footnotes below for information with respect to the performance share units that vested on December 1, 2019 for these individuals.

Fiscal Year 2019 Long-term Incentive Awards. In fiscal year 2019, long-term incentives granted to the Named Executive Officers were 100% equity-based in the form of grants of performance share units (60% of the award) and service-based restricted share units (40% of the award). The performance share units will be earned generally based upon achievement of specific measures and goals over the fiscal 2019-2021 performance period as described above. The Compensation Committee established target awards, stated as dollar amounts, for all of the Named Executive Officers in November 2018. The number of units in each grant was determined by dividing these dollar amounts by an assumed share price of $16.50, which was the NYSE Closing Price on the date of grant. See “Types of Awards–Awards under Performance Plans” above for more information on the metrics and other terms applicable to these awards, and see Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal Year 2019 below for information on the specific awards made to the Named Executive Officers.

Pension and Retirement Plans. The Company maintains a tax-qualified defined contribution 401(k) savings plan, referred to as the Savings Plan, as well as a non-qualified supplemental savings plan, referred to as the Supplemental Savings Plan, that provides for contributions without regard to the limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “IRC”), on the Savings Plan. All of the Named Executive Officers may participate in the Company’s Savings Plan and Supplemental Savings Plan on the same basis as other eligible employees.

Under the Savings Plan, a participant can defer up to 50% of eligible pay, on a before-tax basis, subject to annual IRC limits, and the Company matches deferrals at the rate of 100% on the first 3% and 50% on the next 3% of eligible pay. “Eligible pay” includes base salary and annual incentives under the ICP. If an executive elects to participate in the Supplemental Savings Plan, he or she can continue to contribute up to 20% of eligible pay on a before-tax basis, even though his or her Savings Plan contributions or eligible pay have reached the annual IRC limits. Both participant contributions and Company matching contributions to the Savings Plan and Supplemental Savings Plan are always 100% vested.

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Contributions made by Named Executive Officers to the Savings Plan and Supplemental Savings Plan in fiscal year 2019 are included in the column headed “Salary,” and the Company’s matching contributions are included in the column headed “All Other Compensation,” in each case in the table under the heading Fiscal Year 2019 Summary Compensation Table below.

The Company maintains a tax-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plan, referred to as the Pension Plan, that covers eligible employees hired before October 1, 2005, and a non-qualified supplemental pension plan, referred to as the Supplemental Pension Plan, that provides benefits to the participants without regard to the limitations imposed by the IRC on qualified pension plans. Mr. Villavarayan participates in the Pension Plan. Mr. Villavarayan also participates in a Canadian defined benefit pension plan (see Fiscal Year 2019 Pension Benefits below). When information with respect to Mr. Villavarayan’s Pension Plan participation is provided, it includes his participation in the Canadian plan. The present value of accumulated pension benefit for Mr. Villavarayan is reported in the table under the heading Fiscal Year 2019 Pension Benefits below.

Employees hired on or after October 1, 2005 are not eligible to participate in the Pension Plan or the Supplemental Pension Plan, and the Company instead makes additional contributions each year (ranging from 2% to 4% of base salary plus annual incentive, depending on age) to their accounts under the Savings Plan or Supplemental Savings Plan. Benefits under the Pension Plan and Supplemental Pension Plan were frozen beginning January 1, 2008 and replaced with additional annual Company contributions (ranging from 2% to 4% of base salary plus annual incentive, depending on age) to the Savings Plan and Supplemental Savings Plan for the accounts of eligible employees (see Fiscal Year 2019 Pension Benefits below for further information). The amounts contributed by the Company under the Savings Plan or Supplemental Savings Plan on behalf of Named Executive Officers as pension contributions are included in the column headed “All Other Compensation” in the table under the heading Fiscal Year 2019 Summary Compensation Table below.

Perquisites. In fiscal year 2006, the Compensation Committee determined to eliminate most perquisite programs (including company cars, club memberships, and reimbursement for financial services) and related gross-ups for payment of income taxes, and replace some of them with uniform cash payments. As a result, outside of these uniform cash payments, the value of total perquisites provided in fiscal year 2019 for each Named Executive Officer was less than $10,000 (see the column headed “All Other Compensation” and footnote 6 in the table under the heading Fiscal Year 2019 Summary Compensation Table below).

Health and Welfare Benefits. The Company maintains health and welfare benefits, including medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance programs, and the Named Executive Officers are entitled to participate in these programs on the same basis as other employees. Providing these benefits is necessary for the Company to remain competitive with other employers.

Employment Agreements. The Company entered into agreements with Mr. Craig in fiscal year 2015, with Mr. Anderson in March 2019, with Mr. Villavarayan in February 2016, with Mr. Plomin and Mr. Heffron in December 2015 and with Mr. Nowlan in fiscal year 2013, relating to certain terms of their employment (including the effects of termination without cause). The purpose of these agreements was to provide incentives to retain these individuals in officer positions. The current employment agreements with the Named Executive Officers are described below under the heading Agreements with Named Executive Officers - Employment Agreements.

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Stock Ownership Guidelines

As noted above, alignment of the financial interests of Meritor’s key executives with those of its shareholders is a fundamental objective of the Compensation Committee’s compensation program and its “pay for performance” philosophy. Accordingly, Meritor has for many years set ownership guidelines that require each Named Executive Officer and other executives to own a minimum number of shares of Common Stock or share equivalents. The current guidelines require ownership of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the following:

Minimum Value of
Position Held                                                           Shares Owned
Chief Executive Officer 6 times Annual Base Salary
Chief Financial Officer and Business Unit Presidents 3 times Annual Base Salary
SVP, HR and CIO and Other Executive Officers 1.5 times Annual Base Salary
Other Executives subject to the guidelines 0.5 times Annual Base Salary

Shares owned directly (including unvested restricted shares) or through the Savings Plan and Supplemental Savings Plan and unvested restricted share units are considered in determining whether an executive meets the ownership guidelines. Shares of Common Stock subject to performance share units are not considered. The ownership guidelines prohibit all sales of Common Stock by an executive until they achieve compliance with their requirements. As of the end of fiscal year 2019, Mr. Anderson was the only Named Executive Officer not yet compliant with his ownership requirement, which was increased in March 2019 when Mr. Anderson was promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

Clawback Policy

The Company’s 2010 LTIP and ICP both have a clawback provision applicable to awards that are calculated based upon the achievement of financial results that are subsequently the subject of a restatement of financial statements within one year following the payment or settlement of the award due to misconduct or culpable conduct by the participant who received the award. The Compensation Committee will review the Company’s clawback policy in light of the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act concerning executive compensation policies when applicable regulations are issued.

Anti-Hedging and Anti-Pledging Policies

The Board has adopted, as part of the Company’s insider trading policy, prohibitions against directors, officers and other employees, and certain related persons, from (1) selling Company securities “short; (2) trading in exchange-traded or other third party options, warrants, puts, calls or similar instruments on Company securities; (3) holding Company securities in margin accounts; or (4) engaging in any hedging transactions involving Company securities, including through the use of financial instruments such as forward sales contracts, equity swaps, collars and certain exchange funds designed to hedge or offset any decrease in the market value of Company securities. Transactions involving a broad-based index or a broad-based fund that include Company securities in addition to securities of other companies, including, for example, transactions involving exchange funds pursuant to which an insider divests Company securities, are not considered hedging transactions.

The Board has also adopted, as part of the Company’s insider trading policy, (1) a prohibition against officers, other employees and certain related persons pledging Company securities as collateral for a loan or other financing arrangement and (2) a provision permitting independent directors to pledge Company securities as collateral for a loan or other financing arrangement with the approval of both the Company’s Chief Legal Officer and Chairman. Approval of pledging of securities by independent directors is based on the circumstances of the request, including: the percentage of securities held by the individual that is currently pledged; compelling need that would justify the pledge; and the magnitude of aggregate pledged shares in relation to total shares outstanding, market value or trading volume. In any event, pledging transactions are prohibited during “blackout” periods, when all transactions in Company securities are prohibited. During fiscal year 2019, one independent director pledged approximately 51% of their Company securities as collateral while still remaining in compliance with the director stock ownership requirement, which does not count pledged shares as owned under the policy.

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Consideration of Shareholder Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

At the Company’s 2019 Annual Meeting held on January 24, 2019, more than 97% of the voting shareholders approved, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the executive officers named in the proxy statement for that meeting, with 65,675,464 shares voting for approval, 1,599,008 shares voting against approval and 417,440 shares abstaining. The Compensation Committee considers this annual vote in its deliberations with respect to the future direction of executive compensation. The Compensation Committee believes the advisory vote results demonstrate significant, continuing support for the Company’s executive compensation program, and it chose not to make any substantial changes to the existing program for fiscal year 2020 specifically in response to the 2019 advisory vote results.

Tax Considerations

Section 162(m) of the IRC generally limits the deductibility of compensation paid to certain “covered employees” to $1,000,000 per year. For fiscal year 2017, these covered employees included the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the three most highly compensated executive officers other than the Chief Financial Officer. For fiscal year 2018 and certain prior years, there was an exemption from the Section 162(m) limit for certain “performance-based” compensation, as defined under Section 162(m).

Effective for taxable years beginning on and after January 1, 2018, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 repealed the performance-based compensation exemption. This repeal was effective beginning in fiscal year 2019. Certain transitional relief applies to performance-based compensation provided pursuant to a binding written agreement that was in effect on November 2, 2017 and not materially modified after that date, provided that certain requirements are met.

Annual incentive awards and certain long-term incentive awards for fiscal year 2018 and certain earlier fiscal years were generally intended to be “performance-based,” (as then defined under Section 162(m)) but depending upon factors including the design of the plan, may or may not have been subject to the deductibility limit. However, salaries, service-based restricted shares and restricted share units did not qualify as performance-based compensation for this purpose.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 also expanded the definition of covered employee effective for taxable years beginning on and after January 1, 2018. Beginning with fiscal year 2019, “covered employees” will include the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, the three other most highly compensated executive officers of the Company required to be included in the Summary Compensation Table and any individual who was considered a covered employee for fiscal year 2018.

The Compensation Committee believes that Section 162(m) is only one of several relevant considerations in setting compensation. The Compensation Committee also believes that Section 162(m) should not be permitted to compromise its ability to design and maintain executive compensation arrangements that, among other things, are intended to attract, motivate and help retain a highly qualified and successful management team to lead Meritor. As a result, the Compensation Committee retains the flexibility to provide compensation it determines to be in the best interests of Meritor and its shareholders even if that compensation ultimately is not deductible for tax purposes.

Cautionary Statement

The information appearing in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis and elsewhere in this proxy statement as to performance metrics, objectives and targets relates only to incentives established for the purpose of motivating executives to achieve results that will help to enhance shareholder value. This information is not related to the Company’s expectations of future financial performance, and should not be considered as or correlated with any guidance issued by the Company regarding its future earnings, free cash flow or other financial or performance measures.

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FISCAL YEAR 2019 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

The information set forth below reflects compensation, from all sources, awarded to, earned by or paid to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the three other most highly compensated executive officers of the Company serving on September 30, 2019, and Mr. Nowlan, who served as Chief Financial Officer for part of fiscal year 2019, who we refer to collectively as the Named Executive Officers, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2018 and 2019, as applicable (except as noted). The compensation reported below is for services rendered in all capacities to Meritor and its subsidiaries.

Change in
Pension Value
and Non-
qualified
Non-Equity Deferred
Fiscal Stock Incentive Plan Compensation All Other
Name and Principal Position(1)     Year     Salary ($)(2)     Bonus ($)     Awards ($)(3)     Compensation ($)(4)     Earnings ($)(5)     Compensation ($)(6)     Total ($)
Jeffrey A. Craig 2019 1,000,000 0 4,349,994 1,802,400 0 246,723 7,399,117
Chief Executive Officer and 2018 900,000 0 4,099,993 2,624,455 0 218,199 7,842,647
President 2017 900,000 0 3,599,991 1,377,900 0 184,359 6,062,250
 
Carl D. Anderson II 2019 422,027 0 749,972 546,352 0 73,704 1,792,055
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
 
Chris Villavarayan 2019 575,000 0 1,099,989 708,944 26,557 120,835 2,531,325
Senior Vice President and 2018 480,833 0 899,981 644,625 0 96,792 2,122,231
President, Global Truck 2017 435,000 0 774,999 432,890 0 83,268 1,726,157
 
Joseph A. Plomin 2019 490,818 0 799,986 573,388 0 116,484 1,980,676
Senior Vice President and 2018 447,500 0 799,998 580,162 0 1,306,509 3,134,169
President Aftermarket & Industrial 2017 435,000 0 774,999 432,890 0 212,399 1,855,288
and Trailer
 
Timothy J. Heffron 2019 452,499 0 660,000 444,216 0 104,967 1,661,682
Senior Vice President, Human
Resources and Chief Information
Officer
 
Kevin A. Nowlan 2019 310,000 0 1,099,989(5)   0 0 54,443 1,464,432
Former Senior Vice President and 2018 566,666 0 1,099,972 773,550 0 73,025 2,513,213
Chief Financial Officer 2017 500,000 0 964,991 574,125 0 67,400 2,106,516

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(1)

The table reflects the positions held with Meritor at September 30, 2019.

 

Information for Messrs. Anderson and Heffron is provided for less than three fiscal years, as permitted by SEC Regulation S-K, because Mr. Anderson and Mr. Heffron were not named executive officers in either of the prior two fiscal years.

 

(2)

This column includes for fiscal year 2019 amounts contributed by the Named Executive Officers to the Company’s Savings Plan and Supplemental Savings Plan (see Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation in Fiscal Year 2019 below).

 

(3)

Represents for fiscal year 2019 the grant date fair value of restricted share units and performance share units (assuming achievement of the performance criteria at the target levels), computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Information on the assumptions used in valuation of the grants is included in Note 21 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Form 10-K. Assuming achievement of the performance criteria at the maximum levels, the grant date fair value of the restricted share units and performance share units for fiscal year 2019, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, would be $6,959,997 for Mr. Craig; $1,199,946 for Mr. Anderson; $1,759,989 for Mr. Villavarayan; $1,279,988 for Mr. Plomin; $1,056,000 for Mr. Heffron; and $1,759,989 for Mr. Nowlan. These amounts may not reflect the actual value realized upon vesting or settlement, if any.

 

(4)

This column includes for fiscal year 2019 payouts earned by the Named Executive Officers under the ICP. See Compensation Discussion and Analysis above for information on the terms of these awards.

 

(5)

For fiscal year 2019, this column reflects the change in actuarial present value of accumulated pension benefits of Mr. Villavarayan under the Pension Plan and Supplemental Pension Plan accrued during the period between the measurement dates used for financial statement reporting purposes for fiscal year 2019 and the prior year. See Fiscal Year 2019 Pension Benefits below for information on the Named Executive Officers’ years of service and accumulated pension benefits. The other Named Executive Officers were not eligible to participate in the Pension Plan and Supplemental Pension Plan and, therefore, there are no changes in the accumulated pension benefits reported for them in this column for fiscal year 2019. In addition, for fiscal year 2019 there were no above-market or preferential earnings on compensation that was deferred on a basis that is not tax-qualified for the Named Executive Officers.

 

(6)

This column includes the following items for fiscal year 2019, as set forth in the table below: (a) amounts contributed by the Company to the accounts of the Named Executive Officers under the Savings Plan and Supplemental Savings Plan, as well as contributions to health savings accounts; (b) cash allowances in lieu of perquisites (see Compensation Discussion and Analysis Elements of the Meritor Compensation Program Components Perquisites above); (c) group excess liability insurance premiums; and (d) in the case of Mr. Plomin, expenses related to foreign tax payments while on assignment. Perquisites are valued at actual cost to the Company.

   

Jeffrey A. Carl D. Chris Joseph A. Timothy J. Kevin A.
Type of Compensation       Craig       Anderson II       Villavarayan       Plomin       Heffron       Nowlan
Employer savings plan
contributions $211,006 $50,787 $92,521 $87,078 $76,930 $40,199
Cash allowances in lieu
of perquisites 33,996 21,958 27,000 27,000 27,000 13,500
Group excess liability
insurance premium 1,721 959 1,314 1,122 1,037 744
Miscellaneous expenses
related to foreign
assignment 1,284

(5)

In connection with Mr. Nowlan’s resignation, the performance share units and restricted share units underlying the amount presented in the Stock Awards column above for fiscal year 2019 were forfeited.

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GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS IN FISCAL YEAR 2019

The Compensation Committee made the following grants to the Named Executive Officers under the ICP and the 2010 LTIP in fiscal year 2019. No consideration was paid by the Named Executive Officers for these awards. No stock options were granted in fiscal year 2019.

Estimated Future Payouts Under Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1) Equity Incentive Plan Awards(2)
All Other
Stock Grant Date
Date of Awards: Fair Value of
Compensation Number of Stock and
Plan Grant Committee Type of Threshold Target Maximum Threshold Target Maximum Shares of Stock Option
Name Name Date Action Award ($) ($) ($) (#) (#) (#) or Units (#)(3) Awards ($)(4)
Jeffrey A. Craig       2010       12/1/2018       11/1/2018       Performance                               158,182       316,364             2,610,003
LTIP share units
2010 12/1/2018 11/1/2018 Restricted 105,454 1,739,991
LTIP share units
ICP 12/1/2018 11/1/2018 Annual 1,200,000 2,400,000
incentive
plan target
 
Carl D. Anderson II 2010 4/1/2019 3/15/2019 Performance 14,367 28,734 299,983
LTIP share units
2010 4/1/2019 3/15/2019 Restricted 9,579 200,010
LTIP share units
2010 1/31/2019 11/1/2018 Performance 1,450 2,900 29,986
LTIP share units
2010 1/31/2019 11/1/2018 Restricted 967 19,998
LTIP share units
2010 12/1/2018 11/1/2018 Performance 7,273 14,546 120,005
LTIP share units
2010 12/1/2018 11/1/2018 Restricted 4,848 79,992
LTIP share units
ICP 11/1/2018 11/1/2018 and Annual 363,750 727,500
3/15/2019 incentive
plan target
 
Chris Villavarayan 2010 12/1/2018 11/1/2018 Performance 40,000 80,000 660,000
LTIP share units
2010 12/1/2018 11/1/2018 Restricted 26,666 439,989
LTIP share units
ICP 11/1/2018 11/1/2018 Annual 472,000 944,000
incentive
plan target
 
Joseph A. Plomin 2010 12/1/2018 11/1/2018 Performance 29,091 58,182 480,002
LTIP share units
2010 12/1/2018 11/1/2018 Restricted 19,393 319,985
LTIP share units
ICP 11/1/2018 11/1/2018 Annual 381,750 763,500
                incentive                                
                plan target                                
Timothy J. Heffron       2010       12/1/2018       11/1/2018       Performance                               24,000       48,000             396,000
LTIP share units  
2010 12/1/2018 11/1/2018 Restricted   16,000 264,000
LTIP share units  
ICP 11/1/2018 11/1/2018 Annual   295,750 591,500
incentive  
plan target  
   
Kevin A. Nowlan(5) 2010 12/1/2018 11/1/2018 Performance   40,000 80,000 660,000
LTIP share units  
2010 12/1/2018 11/1/2018 Restricted   26,666 439,989
LTIP share units  
ICP 11/1/2018 11/1/2018 Annual   535,500 1,071,000
incentive  
plan target  

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(1)

These columns include target amounts for annual incentive awards under the ICP for each of the Named Executive Officers. Potential payout amounts for threshold, target and maximum performance are expressed as dollar amounts. Awards may, at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, be paid out in the form of shares of Common Stock, with the number of shares determined based on their market price at the time of payout. See Compensation Discussion and Analysis above for further information on the terms of ICP awards in fiscal year 2019. Actual ICP payouts for fiscal year 2019 are reported in the column headed “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” and the related footnote in the table under the heading Fiscal Year 2019 Summary Compensation Table above.

 

(2)

These columns include target amounts for awards under a three-year performance plan established with respect to performance share units granted to the Named Executive Officers under the 2010 LTIP. In each case, potential payout amounts for threshold, target and maximum performance are expressed as numbers of units. Awards will be paid out in the form of shares of Common Stock to the extent that shares are available for issuance under the 2010 LTIP at the time of payout, subject to any applicable limitations on equity grants under the 2010 LTIP. If there are insufficient shares available to fund the entire payout, or if such limitations are applicable, some or all of the awards would be paid out in cash. See Compensation Discussion and Analysis above for further information on the terms of the LTIP awards in fiscal year 2019.

 

(3)

This column includes grants of service-based restricted share units to the Named Executive Officers as part of long-term incentive awards under the 2010 LTIP. See Compensation Discussion and Analysis above for further information on the terms of the LTIP awards in fiscal year 2019.

 

(4)

This column includes the grant date fair value of restricted share units and performance share units granted in fiscal year 2019, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Information on the assumptions used in valuation of the grants is included in Note 21 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Form 10-K. There were no dividends paid by the Company on its Common Stock in 2019.

 

(5)

In connection with Mr. Nowlan’s resignation, the performance share units, restricted share units and his participation in the ICP were forfeited.

 

See Compensation Discussion and Analysis Elements of the Meritor Compensation Program Overview and Analysis above for information on the proportion of total compensation that is comprised of salary.

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AGREEMENTS WITH NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Employment Agreements

Mr. Craig’s Employment Agreement. Mr. Craig entered into a new employment agreement with the Company in April 2015 in connection with his assumption of the role of Chief Executive Officer, which replaced his previous employment agreement with the Company. Under the terms of this agreement, if the Company terminates Mr. Craig’s employment without cause, he would receive:

any accrued and unpaid compensation;
   
monthly severance base pay for a period of 12 months;
   
participation in the current year annual incentive as if he had been employed for the entire year;
   
continuation of health and welfare benefits (other than accidental death and dismemberment, referred to as AD&D, and long-term and short-term disability coverage) throughout the 12-month severance period (or until the executive becomes subsequently employed and covered by the health plan of the new employer);
   
continued life insurance coverage through the end of the severance period;
   
vesting or forfeiture of special or other long-term incentive awards, restricted shares, restricted share units, performance shares and cash payouts of long-term incentive awards as determined under the terms of the 2010 LTIP or the agreement relating to the grant (the 2010 LTIP provides for prorated equity vestings and cash payouts for only those existing long-term incentive cycles that began more than a year before the last day employed); and
   
outplacement services for twelve months the value of which may not exceed $10,000.

Mr. Craig’s employment agreement also provides for vesting in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans for all equity grants in the event of a change of control (as defined in those plans). The agreement also provides for severance benefits as described above if a separation of service results from a change of control or within one year thereafter (provided the severance period would be 24 months rather than 12 months, and the full target amount of his annual incentive would be paid in that event rather than the actual amount of the annual incentive payout). The agreement also provides for payments in the event of death or disability (described further under Potential Payments Upon Termination below) and a non-compete agreement for the duration of the severance period in the event of involuntary termination of employment.

Other Executives’ Employment Agreements. Other executives of the Company, including Messrs. Anderson, Villavarayan, Plomin and Heffron, entered into employment agreements with the Company in March 2019, February 2016, December 2015 and December 2015, respectively. These agreements contain provisions with respect to termination without cause and severance in the event of a change of control similar to those contained in Mr. Craig’s employment agreement (except that (1) the severance period would be 18 months in both cases and (2) the provisions also apply to a termination of employment within two years after a change of control). The agreements also provide for a 12-month non-compete agreement in the event of voluntary termination of employment.

Mr. Nowlan’s Employment Agreement. Mr. Nowlan resigned as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective March 11, 2019. Pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement with the Company, Mr. Nowlan received accrued and unpaid compensation. Mr. Nowlan’s participation in the Company’s annual and long-term incentive performance plans, as well as all unvested restricted share units and performance share units, were forfeited.

See Potential Payments Upon Termination below for information on the amounts that would be payable to Messrs. Craig, Anderson, Villavarayan, Plomin and Heffron if their employment had been terminated at the end of fiscal year 2019.

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Description of Plan-Based Awards

See Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Elements of the Meritor Compensation Program -Components - Annual Incentives and - Long-Term Incentives above for information on the types of plan-based awards that were made in fiscal year 2019 and are reported in the table above, the applicable performance measures, and how payouts are calculated. See the column headed “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” and the related footnote in the table under the heading Fiscal Year 2019 Summary Compensation Table above for information on actual annual incentive payments made with respect to fiscal year 2019.

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OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END 2019

The following unvested restricted share units and performance share units were held by the Named Executive Officers as of September 30, 2019.

Stock Awards
Equity Incentive Plan Equity Incentive Plan
Market Value of Awards: Number of Awards: Market or Payout
Number of Shares or Shares or Units of Unearned Shares, Units Value of Unearned Shares,
Units of Stock That Stock That Have Not or Other Rights That Units or Other Rights That
Name       Have Not Vested (#)(1)      Vested ($)(2)      Have Not Vested (#)(3)      Have Not Vested ($)(2)
Jeffrey A. Craig 560,758 10,020,745 514,830 9,200,012
 
Carl D. Anderson II 44,858 801,612 56,538 1,010,334
 
Chris Villavarayan 124,765 2,229,551 122,978 2,197,617
 
Joseph A. Plomin 116,075 2,074,260 96,908 1,731,746
 
Timothy J. Heffron 88,675 1,584,622 76,318 1,363,803
 
Kevin A. Nowlan

(1)

This column includes the following separate grants of restricted share units that vest upon continuation of employment through the end of the restricted period. This column also includes performance share units subject to continued service vesting requirements following satisfaction of the performance criteria as of fiscal year-end 2019 that vest in December 2019.


Number of Shares/Units
Name       Type of Grant       Grant Date       Vesting Date       Held as of 9/30/2019
Jeffrey A. Craig Restricted share units 12/1/2018 12/1/2021 105,454
Restricted share units 12/1/2017 12/1/2020 66,156
Restricted share units 12/1/2016 12/1/2019 112,764
Performance share units 12/1/2016 12/1/2019 276,384(A)
 
Carl D. Anderson II Restricted share units 4/1/2019 4/1/2022 9,579
Restricted share units 1/31/2019 1/31/2022 967
Restricted share units 12/1/2018 12/1/2021 4,848
Restricted share units 5/7/2018 5/7/2021 1,436
Restricted share units 12/1/2017 12/1/2020 4,517
Restricted share units 12/1/2016 12/1/2019 13,915
Performance share units 12/1/2016 12/1/2019 9,596(A)
 
Chris Villavarayan Restricted share units 12/1/2018 12/1/2021 26,666
Restricted share units 2/2/2018 2/2/2021 1,417
Restricted share units 12/1/2017 12/1/2020 12,908
Restricted share units 12/1/2016 12/1/2019 24,276
Performance share units 12/1/2016 12/1/2019 59,498(A)
                 
Joseph A. Plomin       Restricted share units       12/1/2018       12/1/2021       19,393
Restricted share units 12/1/2017 12/1/2020 12,908
Restricted share units 12/1/2016 12/1/2019 24,276
Performance share units 12/1/2016 12/1/2019 59,498(A)
 
Timothy J. Heffron Restricted share units 12/1/2018 12/1/2021 16,000
Restricted share units 12/1/2017 12/1/2020 9,439
Restricted share units 12/1/2016 12/1/2019 18,324
Performance share units 12/1/2016 12/1/2019 44,912(A)

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(A)

Performance share units subject to continued service vesting requirements following satisfaction of the performance criteria as of fiscal year-end 2019. The number of performance share units shown is based on the actual performance level achieved (see Compensation Discussion and Analysis above for information on the performance goals and levels of payout of these awards).


(2)

Based on the number of shares or units multiplied by the NYSE Closing Price on September 27, 2019, the last trading day of fiscal year 2019 ($17.87).

 

 

(3)

This column includes the following separate grants of performance share units that are earned at the end of the applicable performance periods, upon the achievement of stated performance goals. The number of performance share units is reported at the maximum level of performance in accordance with SEC Regulation S-K based on the performance for the portion of the performance period through fiscal year-end 2019 exceeding the target level with respect to such performance share units (see Compensation Discussion and Analysis above for information on the performance goals and levels of potential payout of these awards).


Number of Shares/Units
Name       Type of Grant       Grant Date       Vesting Date       Held as of 9/30/2019
Jeffrey A. Craig Performance share units 12/1/2018 12/1/2021 316,364
Performance share units 12/1/2017 12/1/2020 198,466
 
Carl D. Anderson II Performance share units 4/1/2019 4/1/2022 28,734
Performance share units 1/31/2019 1/31/2022 2,900
Performance share units 12/1/2018 12/1/2021 14,546
Performance share units 5/7/2018 5/7/2021 4,308
Performance share units 12/1/2017 12/1/2020 6,050
 
Chris Villavarayan Performance share units 12/1/2018 12/1/2021 80,000
Performance share units 2/2/2018 2/2/2021 4,252
Performance share units 12/1/2017 12/1/2020 38,726
 
Joseph A. Plomin Performance share units 12/1/2018 12/1/2021 58,182
Performance share units 12/1/2017 12/1/2020 38,726
 
Timothy J. Heffron Performance share units 12/1/2018 12/1/2021 48,000
Performance share units 12/1/2017 12/1/2020 28,318

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OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED IN FISCAL YEAR 2019

The following table includes information with respect to service-based restricted share units and restricted shares held by the Named Executive Officers that vested during fiscal year 2019. None of the Named Executive Officers holds any stock options and accordingly no stock options were exercised by the Named Executive Officers during fiscal year 2019.

Stock Awards
Number of Shares Value Realized on
Name       Acquired on Vesting (#)       Vesting ($)
Jeffrey A. Craig 546,630 9,019,395
 
Carl D. Anderson II 19,029 313,978
 
Chris Villavarayan 90,803 1,843,269
 
Joseph A. Plomin 81,445 1,343,842
 
Timothy J. Heffron 66,983 1,105,219
 
Kevin A. Nowlan 129,400 2,135,100

FISCAL YEAR 2019 PENSION BENEFITS

Meritor has a tax-qualified defined benefit retirement plan, the Pension Plan, covering salaried and non-represented U.S. employees hired prior to October 1, 2005. Sections 401(a)(17) and 415 of the IRC limit the annual benefits that may be paid from a tax-qualified defined benefit retirement plan. As permitted by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, the Company has established a non-qualified supplemental plan, the Supplemental Pension Plan, that authorizes the payment out of the Company’s general funds of any benefits calculated under provisions of the Pension Plan that may be above limits under these sections. Participation by new participants in the Pension Plan and Supplemental Pension Plan was terminated on December 31, 2007 and benefits were frozen as of a specified date, as described below.

Mr. Villavarayan participates in the Pension Plan but does not participate in the Supplemental Pension Plan. Mr. Villavarayan is also a member of the Pension Plan for Eligible Non-Union Salaried Commercial Vehicle Aftermarket and Commercial Vehicle Systems Driveline Employees of Meritor Aftermarket Canada Inc., referred to as the Canadian Pension Plan. The Canadian Pension Plan provides a defined benefit pension entitlement based on earnings and service while he was a Canadian employee. Mr. Villavarayan’s benefit under the Canadian Pension Plan is included in the actuarial present value of the accumulated benefit under the Pension Plan because his benefit under the Canadian Pension Plan is a direct offset to the benefit under the Pension Plan. Messrs. Craig, Anderson, Plomin, Heffron and Nowlan were not eligible to participate in the Pension Plan and Supplemental Pension Plan because they were hired after October 1, 2005.

The following table shows the years of credited service and the actuarial present value of the accumulated benefit under the Pension Plan for Mr. Villavarayan. This information is provided as of September 30, 2019 (the measurement date used for financial statement reporting purposes), assuming retirement at age 62. No payments were made to Mr. Villavarayan under the Pension Plan during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019.

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Number of Present Value of
Years Credited Accumulated
Name       Plan Name       Service (#)       Benefit(1) ($)
Jeffrey A. Craig Meritor Retirement Plan
Meritor Supplemental Retirement Plan
 
Carl D. Anderson II Meritor Retirement Plan
Meritor Supplemental Retirement Plan
 
Chris Villavarayan Meritor Retirement Plan 7.58 99,714
Meritor Supplemental Retirement Plan
 
Joseph A. Plomin Meritor Retirement Plan
Meritor Supplemental Retirement Plan
 
Timothy J. Heffron Meritor Retirement Plan
Meritor Supplemental Retirement Plan
 
Kevin A. Nowlan Meritor Retirement Plan
Meritor Supplemental Retirement Plan
____________________

(1)      Information on the valuation method and material assumptions applied in quantifying the present value of the current accrued benefits is included in Note 23 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Form 10-K.

The Pension Plan and the Supplemental Pension Plan provide for annual retirement benefits payable on a straight life annuity basis to participating employees, reduced to reflect the cost of Social Security benefits related to service with the Company. The amount of a participant’s annual benefit generally is calculated as 1.5% of the number that is the average of covered compensation for the highest five consecutive years of the ten years preceding retirement, multiplied by years of service, less the Social Security reduction. Covered compensation includes salary and annual incentive award payout under the ICP (see the column headed “Salary” and footnote 4 to the column headed “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” in the table under the heading Fiscal Year 2019 Summary Compensation Table above).

The Pension Plan and the Supplemental Pension Plan credit participants with service earned with Meritor and its predecessor companies, as applicable. The Pension Plan and the Supplemental Pension Plan also include “grandfathering” provisions under which the retirement benefits payable to certain long-term employees will be adjusted in some cases to reflect differences between the benefits earned under the plan and those earned under predecessor plans of Arvin Industries, Inc., Meritor Automotive, Inc. or Rockwell International Corporation.

Participants may generally elect to retire under the Pension Plan and the Supplemental Pension Plan any time after reaching age 55, with the annual benefit reduced by 6% for each year that the participant receives benefit payments prior to his or her reaching age 62. As of the last day of fiscal year 2019, Mr. Villavarayan was not eligible for early retirement under this provision. In the event of the participant’s death, the Pension Plan and the Supplemental Pension Plan also provide for the payment of benefits to an employee’s surviving spouse or other beneficiary. The amount of the survivor’s benefit is 60% of the participant’s benefit under the Supplemental Pension Plan, and can range from 0% to 100% of the participant’s benefit under the Pension Plan, depending on the participant’s election as to benefit payment options.

See Note 23 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Form 10-K for information on the funded status of the Pension Plan. The Supplemental Pension Plan is currently unfunded.

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Non-union employees hired on or after October 1, 2005, including Messrs. Craig, Anderson, Plomin, Heffron and Nowlan, are not eligible to participate in the Pension Plan or the Supplemental Pension Plan. In addition, the Pension Plan and the Supplemental Pension Plan were amended, effective December 31, 2007, to provide that benefits are frozen for all participating employees, including Mr. Villavarayan, as of specified dates. Most participating employees ceased accruing benefits effective January 1, 2008. Some participating employees, who either had at least 20 years of service or were age 50 or older with at least 10 years of service, continued to accrue benefits for an additional transition period that ended June 30, 2011. Mr. Villavarayan did not qualify for this transitional accrual period.

For those not eligible to participate in, or whose benefits have been frozen under, the Pension Plan and the Supplemental Pension Plan, the Company makes additional defined contributions to the Savings Plan or Supplemental Savings Plan on behalf of these individuals, with the amount of the contribution depending on the individual’s salary and age. In fiscal year 2019, the Company contributed the following additional amounts to the Savings Plan and Supplemental Savings Plan under this provision on behalf of the Named Executive Officers: Mr. Craig - $91,856; Mr. Anderson - $20,545; Mr. Villavarayan - $36,589; Mr. Plomin -$37,484; Mr. Heffron - $33,045; and Mr. Nowlan - $32,749. Both participant contributions and Company matching contributions to the Savings Plan and Supplemental Savings Plan are always 100% vested. These amounts are included in the amounts reported in the column headed “All Other Compensation” and the related footnote under Fiscal Year 2019 Summary Compensation Table above.

The Company has in the past provided for extra years of credited service under the Pension Plan or Supplemental Pension Plan or additional payments to the Savings Plan or Supplemental Savings Plan in lieu of pension payments in employment agreements for some individuals. None of the Named Executive Officers is entitled to any additional years of credited service or additional payments.

NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION IN FISCAL YEAR 2019

The following table reflects contributions made by the Named Executive Officers and the Company to the Company’s Supplemental Savings Plan in fiscal year 2019, together with earnings on the accounts of the Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year. There were no withdrawals or distributions to the Named Executive Officers under that plan in fiscal year 2019.

Executive Registrant Aggregate Aggregate
Contributions Contributions Earnings In Balance At
In Last Fiscal In Last Fiscal Last Fiscal Last Fiscal
Name       Year ($)(1)       Year ($)(2)       Year ($)(3)       Year-End ($)(4)
Jeffrey A. Craig 499,891 194,531 117,760 3,472,993
Carl D. Anderson II 64,073 31,194 15,049 316,826
Chris Villavarayan 127,355 75,947 26,603 682,670
Joseph A. Plomin 47,459 63,125 30,833 575,951
Timothy J. Heffron 59,972 53,131 34,267 646,915
Kevin A. Nowlan 27,781 9,986 204,039
____________________

(1)      The amounts reported in this column are included in the amounts reported in the column headed “Salary” for 2019 in the table under the heading Fiscal Year 2019 Summary Compensation Table above.
   
(2)      The amounts reported in this column are included in the amounts reported in the column headed “All Other Compensation” for 2019 in the table under the heading Fiscal Year 2019 Summary Compensation Table above.

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(3)      “Earnings” reflects changes in aggregate account value at the end of fiscal year 2019 compared to fiscal year 2018 that do not result from contributions or distributions, including interest, dividends, appreciation or depreciation in stock price and similar items. None of these earnings are reported in the table under the heading Fiscal Year 2019 Summary Compensation Table above.
   
(4)      Amounts in this column include executive contributions and registrant contributions that were reported as compensation in the Summary Compensation Table for previous years in which the individual in question was a Named Executive Officer.

Description of Non-Qualified Supplemental Savings Plan

Meritor’s Supplemental Savings Plan allows certain executives of the Company, including the Named Executive Officers, to defer amounts that cannot be contributed to the Savings Plan due to deferral and compensation limits imposed by the IRC. Under the Savings Plan, a participant can defer up to 50% of his or her eligible pay, on a before-tax basis, subject to IRC limits, and the Company matches deferrals at the rate of 100% on the first 3% and 50% on the next 3% of eligible pay. Eligible pay includes base salary, annual incentive payout under the ICP and other eligible bonuses. If an executive elects to participate in the Supplemental Savings Plan, he or she can continue to contribute up to 20% of eligible pay on a before-tax basis, even though his or her Savings Plan contributions or eligible pay have reached the annual IRC limits. Both participant contributions and Company matching contributions to the Supplemental Savings Plan are always 100% vested.

The Company also makes non-elective retirement contributions in lieu of pension payments to the Savings Plan, and these contributions would be made to the Supplemental Savings Plan when eligible pay reaches statutory limits. Company pension contributions to the Supplemental Savings Plan vest 20% after two years of employment and 20% each year thereafter, with full vesting occurring after six years of employment.

The plan administrator keeps track of contributions under the Supplemental Savings Plan as if they were invested in investment options selected by the participant. These options include a variety of mutual funds and Common Stock. Growth of the participant’s account depends on the investment results of the selected mutual funds and/or on the market price of, and the payment of dividends on, Common Stock.

Distributions from the Supplemental Savings Plan are made in cash under one of five options, as elected annually by the participant: (1) a lump sum payment six months following termination of employment; (2) a lump sum payment at the later of age 55 or six months following termination of employment; (3) ten annual installments payable in January of each year beginning the year after the later of age 55 or six months after termination of employment; (4) a lump sum payable five years and six months following termination of employment; or (5) three annual installments paid beginning six months following termination of employment.

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE OF CONTROL

The narrative and tables below describe and quantify potential compensation that could be paid to each of the Named Executive Officers by the Company upon termination of employment as of September 29, 2019, voluntarily or with cause, without cause, upon a change of control (or within stated periods thereafter), and upon retirement, death or disability. Except as noted below, the amounts disclosed in the table are based on actual compensation through September 29, 2019 and estimates of future compensation. The actual amounts that could be paid to the Named Executive Officers upon a termination event are subject to a number of variables and can only be determined after occurrence of a termination event.

Voluntary Termination of Employment or Involuntary Termination of Employment with Cause

A Named Executive Officer would be entitled to the following under the Company’s current policies, plans and any applicable employment agreements upon voluntary termination of employment or involuntary termination of employment with cause. “Cause” is defined generally as a continued and willful failure to perform duties; gross misconduct that is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company; or conviction of or pleading guilty (or no contest) to a felony or to another crime that materially and adversely affects the Company.

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Compensation and Benefits. If a Named Executive Officer were to voluntarily resign from his or her position or be terminated for cause, he or she would be entitled only to accrued and unpaid compensation. Participation in benefit plans would cease upon termination.

Incentive Plan Payments and Equity Awards. Upon voluntary termination or termination with cause, a Named Executive Officer would not be entitled to annual incentive or long-term incentive performance plan participation and all unvested equity grants (including unvested restricted shares, restricted share units and performance share units) would be forfeited.

Savings Plan Distributions. Participants in the Savings Plan are generally entitled to a lump sum distribution of the vested interest in their Savings Plan accounts upon any termination of service. Participants in the Supplemental Savings Plan are entitled to receive distributions of the vested portion of their accounts, either in a lump sum or in ten annual installments, at age 55 or six months after any termination of employment, depending on the election made by the participant. All participant contributions and Company matching contributions to the Savings Plan and Supplemental Savings Plan and any related earnings are immediately 100% vested. Retirement contributions made by the Company to the Savings Plan and Supplemental Savings Plan in lieu of participation in the Pension Plan or Supplemental Pension Plan vest 20% for each full year of the participant’s employment beginning with the second year, with full vesting of accounts after completion of six years of service.

The Named Executive Officers would be entitled to receive a distribution of all of their employee and Company-matching contributions and any related earnings from their Savings Plan and Supplemental Savings Plan accounts upon voluntary termination or termination with cause. The Company also makes retirement contributions to the Savings Plan and Supplemental Savings Plan on behalf of the Named Executive Officers in lieu of participation in the Pension Plan and Supplemental Pension Plan. As of September 29, 2019, these additional retirement contributions had vested 100% for all of the Named Executive Officers, and they are eligible to receive a distribution of 100% of their accounts with respect to these contributions upon voluntary termination or termination with cause.

Termination of Employment without Cause

Upon termination without cause, a Named Executive Officer’s compensation and benefits would be governed by the terms of his or her employment letter or agreement, as follows:

Mr. Craig’s Employment Agreement. Mr. Craig entered into an employment agreement with the Company in April 2015, which superseded his previous employment agreement. Under the terms of this agreement, if the Company terminates his employment without cause, he would receive any accrued and unpaid compensation, together with the following severance payments and benefits:

Severance pay: He would receive severance pay, at his then-current salary, for a severance period of 12 months.
  
Annual incentive: He would participate in the current year annual incentive as if he had been employed for the entire year, based on actual performance.
  
Long-term incentives (see Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2019 and Compensation Discussion and Analysis above for further information on the different types of long-term incentive awards that are currently outstanding): Vesting or forfeiture of special or other long-term incentive awards, including restricted shares, restricted share units, performance shares and payouts under performance plans would be determined under the terms of the 2010 LTIP or the applicable grant agreement. The 2010 LTIP provides for prorated equity vestings and cash payouts for only those existing long-term incentive cycles that began more than a year before the last day employed.

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Benefits: He would be entitled to continuation of health and welfare benefits (other than AD&D and long-term and short-term disability coverage) throughout the severance period (or until he becomes subsequently employed and covered by the health plan of the new employer). He also would receive continued life insurance coverage through the end of the severance period.
  
Retirement plans: Savings Plan and Supplemental Savings Plan participation would cease at the end of active employment.
  
Outplacement services: He would receive outplacement services at the Company’s expense for twelve months in an amount not to exceed $10,000.

No perquisites or allowances would be provided to him or paid for by the Company during the severance period. Annual incentive and long-term incentive payouts would occur at the time applicable for all participating employees. All other amounts would be payable periodically over the severance period, with timing of some payments delayed to comply with Section 409A of the IRC.

Other Named Executive Officers’ Employment Agreements. Messrs. Anderson, Villavarayan, Plomin and Heffron entered into employment agreements with the Company in March 2019, February 2016, December 2015 and December 2015, respectively. These agreements have substantially the same provisions with respect to termination without cause as Mr. Craig’s employment agreement, described above, except that severance pay would be for a period of 18 months and annual incentive payments would be prorated for the portion of the year during which they were actively employed.

Savings Plan Distributions. Upon termination without cause, the Named Executive Officers would also be entitled to a distribution of certain amounts in their Savings Plan and Supplemental Savings Plan accounts, as described above under “Voluntary Termination of Employment or Involuntary Termination of Employment with Cause.”

Termination of Employment upon Change of Control

Under his employment agreement, Mr. Craig would receive substantially the same salary payments and benefits in the case of a termination of employment upon change of control (or within one year thereafter) as those outlined above for a termination of employment without cause, except that: (1) the severance period for salary and benefits would be 24 months and (2) annual incentives for the current year would be paid out at target.

With respect to Messrs. Anderson, Villavarayan, Plomin and Heffron, their employment agreements have substantially the same provisions with respect to termination of employment upon a change of control as Mr. Craig’s employment agreement, described above, except that (1) severance pay would be for a period of 18 months; and (2) the provisions also apply to a termination of employment within two years after a change of control.

Vesting of equity and equity-based awards, payouts with respect to performance plans and treatment of stock options are governed by the provisions of the long-term incentive plan under which they were granted. Pursuant to the terms of awards outstanding under the 2010 LTIP, awards do not vest solely upon a change of control. However, upon a termination of employment other than for cause (including retirement, death, disability, termination without cause or termination for good reason) within two years after a change of control, awards vest in full and are deemed fully earned on the termination date, and performance-based awards are paid out at the target amount as of the date of the change of control.

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The amounts in the tables below with respect to termination upon change of control reflect the provisions applicable to each grant, as described above, as if the triggering event had occurred on the last day of fiscal year 2019.

Retirement

Upon retirement, a Named Executive Officer may be eligible for the following payments and benefits:

Defined Benefit Pension Plans. Mr. Villavarayan participates in the Pension Plan. The present value of his accumulated benefits is disclosed above in the table under the heading Fiscal Year 2019 Pension Benefits. He was not eligible to retire under the Pension Plan as of the last day of fiscal year 2019, and therefore no amounts are included in the table below. The other Named Executive Officers do not participate in the Pension Plan or Supplemental Pension Plan, and no benefits under those plans would be paid to them, even if they were eligible for retirement.

Savings Plan Distributions. Upon retirement, the Named Executive Officers would be entitled to a distribution of amounts in their Savings Plan and Supplemental Savings Plan accounts, including any vested Company contributions in lieu of Pension Plan or Supplemental Pension Plan participation, as described above under “Voluntary Termination of Employment or Involuntary Termination of Employment with Cause.”

Incentive Plan Payments and Equity Awards. Messrs. Craig, Plomin and Heffron are eligible to retire and would be entitled to pro rata participation in the annual incentive plan based on the portion of the year employed. They would also be entitled to participation in each outstanding three-year performance cycle on the same basis and to the same extent as if employed for the entire period. Equity and equity-based awards, including restricted shares, restricted share units and performance share units, would continue to vest in accordance with their terms as if still employed if granted at least one year prior to retirement, but would be forfeited if granted less than a year prior to retirement.

The other Named Executive Officers are not eligible to retire under the Company’s retirement plans at the end of fiscal year 2019 and, therefore, would not be entitled to the vesting and payouts described above.

See “Termination of Employment upon Change of Control” above for information on additional provisions that would apply with respect to long-term incentive awards upon retirement within two years after a change of control.

Death

In the event of death, a Named Executive Officer’s beneficiary would receive the following benefits:

Insurance. The Named Executive Officer’s beneficiary would be entitled to the proceeds of Company-sponsored life insurance policies.

Compensation and Benefits. In addition to any accrued and unpaid compensation, the Named Executive Officer’s spouse and other dependents would be eligible for one month of salary and continuation of medical benefits for a period of six months.

Incentive Plan Payments and Equity Awards. The Named Executive Officer’s beneficiary would be entitled to a pro rata portion of any annual incentive based on the portion of the year that the Named Executive Officer was employed. He or she would also be entitled to pro rata payouts under the long-term incentive plan for each three-year performance cycle, and vesting of a pro rata portion of unvested restricted shares, restricted share units and performance share units, based on actual time worked.

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See “Termination of Employment upon Change of Control” above for information on additional provisions that would apply with respect to long-term incentive awards upon death within two years after a change of control.

Savings Plan Distributions. Upon the death of a Named Executive Officer, his or her beneficiary would be entitled to distribution of amounts in the Named Executive Officer’s Savings Plan and Supplemental Savings Plan accounts, including any vested Company contributions in lieu of Pension Plan or Supplemental Pension Plan participation, as described above under “Voluntary Termination of Employment or Involuntary Termination of Employment with Cause.”

Disability

In the event of disability of a Named Executive Officer, which is defined generally as the inability to perform the duties of his or her current job as a result of disease or injury, he or she would be entitled to the following benefits:

Compensation and Benefits. The Named Executive Officer would be entitled to continuation of full or partial salary (depending on years of service) for a period of six months, as short-term disability benefits, after which the Named Executive Officer would receive either 50% of salary (subject to tax and with a monthly maximum of $3,000) or 60% of salary (untaxed and with a monthly maximum of $20,000), depending on the benefit election made under the long-term disability program. After 1.5 years on long-term disability benefits, continued eligibility would be based on the inability to perform any job for which the Named Executive Officer is qualified by education, training or experience. Medical, dental, vision and life insurance benefits would continue during the period of receipt of long-term disability benefits as if still employed.

Incentive Plan Payments and Equity Awards. The Named Executive Officer would be entitled to a pro rata portion of any annual incentive based on the portion of the year during which he or she was employed. He or she would also be entitled to pro rata payouts under the long-term incentive plan for each three-year performance cycle and vesting of a pro rata portion of unvested restricted shares, restricted share units and performance share units, based on actual time worked.

See “Termination of Employment upon Change of Control” above for information on additional provisions that would apply with respect to long-term incentive awards upon disability within two years after a change of control.

Savings Plan Distributions. A Named Executive Officer would be entitled to distributions under the savings plans, as described above under “Voluntary Termination of Employment or Involuntary Termination of Employment with Cause.”

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Potential Payments at Fiscal Year-End 2019

Assuming termination for the stated reasons on the last business day of fiscal year 2019, and giving effect to the agreements and plan provisions described above, Messrs. Craig, Anderson, Villavarayan, Plomin and Heffron would receive the following estimated payments and benefits under the agreements and plans in effect on September 29, 2019 described above. Mr. Nowlan received no payments or benefits following his resignation as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer as of March 11, 2019. Amounts attributable to savings plan distributions, life and disability insurance, and health and welfare benefits in the event of death or disability are not included in the tables below because they are available to the Named Executive Officers on the same basis as other salaried employees.

Jeffrey A. Craig
Vesting of
Restricted
Shares, Health and
Severance Annual RSUs and Welfare Outplacement
Termination Event      Pay ($)(1)      Incentive ($)(2)      PSUs ($)(3)      Benefits ($)      Services ($)      Total ($)
Voluntary Termination or Termination with Cause
Termination without Cause 1,000,000 1,802,400 5,621,217 20,638 10,000 8,454,255
Termination Upon Change of Control
-Termination without cause 2,000,000 1,200,000 14,620,752 41,276 10,000 17,872,028
-Death 1,200,000 14,620,752 10,319 15,831,071
-Disability 1,200,000 14,620,752 15,820,752
Retirement 1,802,400 9,909,576 11,711,976
Death 83,333 1,802,400 9,682,537 10,319 11,578,589
Disability 1,802,400 9,682,537 11,484,937
 
Carl D. Anderson II
Vesting of
Restricted
Shares, Health and
Severance Annual RSUs and Welfare Outplacement
Termination Event Pay ($)(1) Incentive ($)(2) PSUs ($)(3) Benefits ($) Services ($) Total ($)
Voluntary Termination or Termination with Cause
Termination without Cause 727,500 546,353 346,404 30,957 10,000 1,661,214
Termination Upon Change of Control
-Termination without cause 727,500 363,750 1,306,779 30,957 10,000 2,438,986
-Death 363,750 1,306,779 10,319 1,680,848
-Disability 363,750 1,306,779 1,670,529
Retirement
Death 40,417 546,353 650,542 10,319 1,247,631
Disability 546,353 650,542 1,196,895

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Chris Villavarayan
Vesting of
Restricted
Shares, Health and
Severance Annual RSUs and Welfare Outplacement
Termination Event      Pay ($)(1)      Incentive ($)(2)      PSUs ($)(3)      Benefits ($)      Services ($)      Total ($)
Voluntary Termination or Termination with Cause
Termination without Cause 885,000 708,944 1,211,360 14,432 10,000 2,829,736
Termination Upon Change of Control
-Termination without cause 885,000 472,000 3,328,359 14,432 10,000 4,709,791
-Death 472,000 3,328,359 4,811 3,805,170
-Disability 472,000 3,328,359 3,800,359
Retirement
Death 49,167 708,944 2,132,386 4,811 2,895,308
Disability 708,994 2,132,386 2,841,330
 
Joseph A. Plomin
Vesting of
Restricted
Shares, Health and
Severance Annual RSUs and Welfare Outplacement
Termination Event Pay ($)(1) Incentive ($)(2) PSUs ($)(3) Benefits ($) Services ($) Total ($)
Voluntary Termination or Termination with Cause
Termination without Cause 763,500 573,389 1,190,255 30,957 10,000 2,568,101
Termination Upon Change of Control
-Termination without cause 763,500 381,750 2,940,133 30,957 10,000 4,126,340
-Death 381,750 2,940,133 10,319 3,332,202
-Disability 381,750 2,940,133 3,321,883
Retirement 573,389 2,073,724 2,647,113
Death 42,417 573,389 2,006,959 10,319 2,633,084
Disability 573,389 2,006,959 2,580,348
 
Timothy J. Heffron
Vesting of
Restricted
Shares, Health and
Severance Annual RSUs and Welfare Outplacement
Termination Event Pay ($)(1) Incentive ($)(2) PSUs ($)(3) Benefits ($) Services ($) Total ($)
Voluntary Termination or Termination with Cause
Termination without Cause 682,500 444,217 893,917 30,957 10,000 2,061,591
Termination Upon Change of Control
-Termination without cause 682,500 295,750 2,266,524 30,957 10,000 3,285,731
-Death 295,750 2,266,524 10,319 2,572,593
-Disability 295,750 2,266,524 2,562,274
Retirement 444,217 1,551,723 1,995,940
Death 37,917 444,217 1,523,507 10,319 2,015,953
Disability 444,217 1,523,507 1,967,724

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(1) Based on annual salary as of the last day of fiscal year 2019. For Messrs. Craig, Anderson, Villavarayan, Plomin and Heffron, severance pay in the event of involuntary termination of employment without cause would be contingent on compliance with the non-compete provisions in their employment agreements.
   
(2) The executive would be entitled to annual incentive participation for fiscal year 2019 in accordance with the terms of the ICP. For this purpose, actual incentive compensation paid for fiscal year 2019 has been included, except in the case of termination upon change of control, in which case the target annual incentive compensation amount has been included.
   
(3) Based, as applicable, on the number of unvested shares of restricted stock, unvested restricted share units and unvested performance share units (reported at the actual performance level achieved for the fiscal 2017-2019 performance cycle and achievement at the target levels for the fiscal 2018-2020 and fiscal 2019-2021 performance cycles), as follows:

in the case of termination upon change of control, the total number granted;

   

in the case of termination without cause, a prorated number of shares of restricted stock, restricted share units and performance share units for only those existing long-term incentive cycles that began more than a year before the last day employed; and

   

in the case of death and disability, a prorated number of shares of restricted stock, restricted share units and performance share units, based on active time worked prior to the date of the death or disability.

In each case, the applicable numbers are multiplied by the NYSE Closing Price on September 27, 2019 ($17.87), the last trading day of fiscal year 2019.

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CEO PAY RATIO

Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, we are required to disclose the median of the annual total compensation of our employees (excluding our CEO), the annual total compensation of our CEO, Mr. Craig, and the ratio of these two amounts. To identify our median employee, we utilized the consistently applied compensation measure of total direct compensation (“TDC”) for the period from October 1, 2018 to September 29, 2019, which consisted of the sum of annual base pay and the value of annual and target long-term incentives. For hourly workers, annual base pay was calculated using standard hours worked during 2019 multiplied by the applicable hourly rate. In addition, we annualized the total compensation for any employees (full-time and part-time) that began employment with the Company after October 1, 2018. Also, for employees compensated in non-U.S. currencies, TDC was converted to U.S. dollars based on exchange rates as of September 29, 2019.

For 2019, as a result of the acquisition of AxleTech, the Company determined it was appropriate to identify a new median employee. The Company believes this change was required given the impact the acquisition had on the global workforce. The median TDC of all employees of the Company (other than the CEO), was $36,966. The total compensation of the CEO was $7,399,118. Based on this information, the ratio of the annual total compensation of the Company’s CEO to the median of the annual total compensation of all employees was approximately 200 to 1. This pay ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K. Because the SEC rules for identifying the median employee and calculating the pay ratio permit companies to use various methodologies and assumptions, to apply certain exclusions and to make reasonable estimates that reflect their employee populations and compensation practices, the pay ratio reported by other companies may not be comparable to the pay ratio we have reported.

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PROPOSAL 2 - ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION

As required pursuant to Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are providing our shareholders with the opportunity to vote to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with the SEC’s compensation disclosure rules. We provide this advisory vote on an annual basis, and the next such vote will occur at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2021.

As described in detail under the heading Executive Compensation - Compensation Discussion and Analysis, we believe our executive compensation program is balanced, seeks to closely align the interests of our Named Executive Officers with the long-term interests of our shareholders, and is focused on pay for performance in support of Meritor’s business objectives. As you review the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this proxy statement and the other sections related to executive compensation, you should note the following:

The Company’s annual incentive compensation and long-term incentive compensation are both based on the achievement of business objectives that support Meritor’s long-term success.

   

A substantial portion of our Named Executive Officers’ compensation is tied to Meritor’s stock performance (including the equity-based awards reflected in the tables under the headings Executive Compensation Fiscal Year 2019 Summary Compensation Table and -Grants of Plan-Based Awards in Fiscal Year 2019 above), which aligns executive and shareholder interests.

   

We utilize three-year vesting cycles for service-based restricted shares and restricted share units and for performance-based long-term incentive awards to promote a longer-term focus.

   

Our compensation actions show that we maintain a pay-for-performance culture by basing a significant portion of payments under our incentive plans on achievement of measurable business objectives.

The vote on this resolution is not intended to address any specific element of compensation; rather, the vote relates to the compensation of our Named Executive Officers, as described in this proxy statement, in accordance with the SEC’s compensation disclosure rules. The vote is advisory, which means that the vote is not binding on the Company, our Board or the Compensation Committee.

Accordingly, we ask our shareholders to vote on the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:

“RESOLVED, that the Company’s shareholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers, as disclosed in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Fiscal Year 2019 Summary Compensation Table and the other related tables and disclosure in the Proxy Statement.”

The Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the approval of the compensation of our Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement.

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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The Audit Committee, in accordance with its written charter, assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for monitoring the integrity of the accounting, auditing and financial reporting practices of Meritor. The Audit Committee’s function is more fully described in its charter, which is summarized above under the heading Board and Committees Committees Audit Committee and is available in the section headed “Investors – Corporate Governance” on the Meritor website (www.meritor.com). The five directors listed below were the members of the Audit Committee who participated in the review, discussions and recommendation with respect to the Audit Committee Report for fiscal year 2019.

The Board has determined that (1) all of the members of the Audit Committee meet the criteria for independence specified in the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange; (2) all of the members of the Audit Committee are “financially literate,” and one or more members of the Audit Committee possess accounting or related financial management expertise (as these qualifications are interpreted in the business judgment of the Board), in each case as required by the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange; and (3) Jan A. Bertsch and William J. Lyons qualify as “audit committee financial experts,” as required by the SEC and defined in Regulation S-K. Each member of the Audit Committee has either education and high-level experience in financial matters, or an extensive working knowledge of financial matters acquired through operational experience leading significant businesses. This mix of financial and operational expertise provides the Audit Committee with diverse viewpoints on financial matters and enhances its effectiveness. The qualifications of each Audit Committee member are disclosed under the heading Election of Directors Information as to Nominees for Director and Continuing Directors above.

The Audit Committee is responsible for annual selection and overseeing the independence, qualifications and performance of the independent auditors. The criteria considered by the Audit Committee in carrying out this responsibility are discussed below under the heading Proposal to Approve the Selection of Auditors. The Audit Committee is also responsible for approval of the independent auditor’s compensation and, as a policy, all services provided and the related budgets are pre-approved. The procedure for approval of independent auditor compensation is discussed in more detail under the heading Independent Accountants’ Fees below.

The Audit Committee is also responsible for reviewing significant internal control matters, the adequacy of the system of internal controls, the internal audit charter, the scope of the annual internal audit plan and the results of internal audits. The Audit Committee also consults with management as to appointment, reassignment, replacement, dismissal and compensation of the internal auditor.

Management is responsible for the financial reporting process, including the system of internal controls and disclosure controls, and for the preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). The independent auditors are responsible for auditing these financial statements and expressing an opinion as to their conformity to GAAP. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to monitor and review these processes, acting in an oversight capacity. The Audit Committee does not certify the financial statements or guarantee the independent auditor’s report. The Audit Committee relies, without independent verification, on the information provided to it, the representations made by management and the independent auditors and the report of the independent auditors.

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 with the Company’s management and with Deloitte & Touche LLP (Deloitte), the Company’s independent auditors. The Audit Committee has also reviewed and discussed communications from both management and Deloitte regarding internal controls over financial reporting, as required by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s Auditing Standard No. 5, “An Audit of Internal Control over Financial Reporting That is Integrated with an Audit of Financial Statements,” and applicable SEC rules.

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The discussions with Deloitte also included the overall scope of and plans for the audit and the matters required to be discussed under Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Auditing Standard No. 16, Communications with Audit Committees.In addition, Deloitte has provided the Audit Committee with the written disclosures and the letter required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding Deloitte’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and the Audit Committee has discussed with Deloitte their independence.

Based on the foregoing reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in Meritor’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Audit Committee

William J. Lyons, Chair
Jan A. Bertsch
Rodger L. Boehm
Rhonda L. Brooks
Thomas L. Pajonas

INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS’ FEES

During the last two fiscal years, Deloitte billed Meritor and its subsidiaries the following fees for its services:

Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
2018       2019
Audit fees(a) $5,024,000 $4,706,000
Audit-related fees(b) 28,000 26,000
Tax fees(c) 460,000 355,000
All other fees
TOTAL $5,512,000 $5,087,000
____________________

(a) Includes fees related to compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
(b) Audit-related fees were for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our consolidated financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees.” Audit-related fees principally include amounts for the services provided in connection with our securities offerings.
   
(c) Includes fees for tax consulting and compliance.

Pursuant to its charter, the Audit Committee is responsible for selecting, approving compensation and overseeing the independence, qualifications and performance of the independent accountants. The Audit Committee’s policy is to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent accountants. Pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year, is detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is generally subject to a specific budget. The Audit Committee may also pre-approve particular services on a case-by-case basis. In assessing requests for services by the independent accountants, the Audit Committee considers whether such services are consistent with the auditor’s independence; whether the independent accountants are likely to provide the most effective and efficient service based upon their familiarity with the Company; and whether the service could enhance the Company’s ability to manage or control risk or improve audit quality.

All of the audit-related and tax services provided by Deloitte in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (described in the footnotes to the table above) and related fees were approved in advance by the Audit Committee.

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PROPOSAL 3 - APPROVE THE SELECTION OF AUDITORS

The Audit Committee has selected the firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the auditors of the Company, subject to the approval of the shareholders. Deloitte & Touche LLP has acted as auditors for Meritor and its predecessor company, Meritor Automotive, Inc., since 1996.

Before the Audit Committee appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP, it carefully considered, among other things, the qualifications of that firm and the quality of its work, including its performance for Meritor, its ability and expertise in handling the breadth and complexity of Meritor’s world-wide operations, the appropriateness of its fees and its reputation for integrity and for competence in the fields of accounting and auditing. The members of the Audit Committee and the Board currently believe that the continued retention of Deloitte & Touche LLP to serve as the Company’s independent external auditor is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. Representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP are expected to attend the 2020 Annual Meeting, are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so.

The Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the proposal to approve the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP to act as auditors for Meritor.

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PROPOSAL 4 - APPROVE AMENDMENTS TO OUR AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF
INCORPORATION TO DECLASSIFY THE BOARD

Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, referred to as the Articles, currently provide for our Board to be classified into three classes of directors, with only one class of directors elected at each annual meeting of shareholders to serve for a three-year term. Our Board has unanimously approved, and recommends that our shareholders approve, amendments to our Articles to provide for the phased-in declassification of our Board culminating in the annual election of all directors. Under Indiana law and our Articles, the affirmative vote of holders representing at least 80% of the voting power of our Common Stock is required to approve these proposed amendments to our Articles. The amendments that are the subject of this Proposal 4 are limited to the amendments to Section 7.02 of the Articles, as provided in Appendix A.

Historically, our Board determined that a classified board structure was advantageous as it provided for increased director independence, continuity and stability, as well as afforded us certain protections against hostile takeovers. However, the corporate governance trend in recent years has been away from classified boards and in favor of electing all directors annually. After weighing the various considerations, and upon the recommendation of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, the Board concluded that a phased-in declassification of the board over a three-year period is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

The amendments that are the subject of this Proposal 4 will not affect the existing terms of our directors, and the directors who are up for election at the 2020 Annual Meeting will still be elected for three-year terms, even if Proposal 4 is approved. If the proposed amendments are approved, our Articles would be amended after the 2020 Annual Meeting to eliminate the classified structure of the Board over a three-year period. Specifically, our Articles, as amended, would provide that (i) the directors standing for election at our 2021 annual meeting would stand for election for one-year terms; (ii) the directors standing for election at our 2022 annual meeting, which would include the directors elected in 2021, would stand for election for one-year terms; and (iii) beginning in 2023, all directors would stand for election for one-year terms at the Annual Meeting. Culminating in 2023, our Board would be fully declassified.

If the amendments to Section 7.02 of our Articles are approved by our shareholders, management will file amended and restated Articles with the Indiana Secretary of State following the annual meeting to incorporate the approved amendments. The amended and restated Articles would become effective upon acceptance of the filing by the Indiana Secretary of State. Upon the approval of this proposal and the acceptance of the amended and restated Articles by the Indiana Secretary of State, corresponding amendments to our By-Laws would also be made.

If this proposal is not approved by our shareholders, the proposed amendments to Section 7.02 of our Articles will not be made and the existing Section 7.02 of our Articles, including the provisions that provide for a classified board, will remain in effect.

The Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the proposal to approve the amendments to our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to declassify the Board.

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PROPOSAL 5 - APPROVE AMENDMENTS TO OUR AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF
INCORPORATION TO ALLOW SHAREHOLDERS TO AMEND OUR AMENDED AND

RESTATED BY-LAWS

Our Board has unanimously approved, and recommends that our shareholders approve, amendments to our Articles to provide shareholders with the ability to amend our By-Laws. Under Indiana law and our Articles, the affirmative vote of holders representing at least 80% of the voting power of our Common Stock is required to approve these proposed amendments to our Articles. The amendments that are the subject of this Proposal 5 are limited to the amendments to Section 7.04 of the Articles, as provided in Appendix A.

Indiana law provides that, unless otherwise specified by the articles of incorporation, only a corporation’s board of directors may amend or repeal the by-laws. Our Articles currently provide our Board with the exclusive power to make, alter, amend or repeal the By-Laws.

Our Board is committed to good corporate governance and has carefully considered the advantages and disadvantages of adopting a change to our Articles to provide our shareholders with the ability to amend our By-Laws. After weighing these considerations, and upon the recommendation of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, the Board has concluded that amending the Articles to allow shareholders to amend our By-Laws will enhance our corporate governance practices by giving shareholders a say in important governance principles.

If the amendments to Section 7.04 of our Articles are approved by our shareholders, management will file amended and restated Articles with the Indiana Secretary of State following the annual meeting to incorporate the approved amendments. The amended and restated Articles would become effective upon acceptance of the filing by the Indiana Secretary of State. Upon the approval of this proposal and the acceptance of the amended and restated Articles by the Indiana Secretary of State, corresponding amendments to our By-Laws would also be made.

If this proposal is not approved by our shareholders, the proposed amendments to Section 7.04 of our Articles will not be made and the existing Section 7.04 of our Articles, including the default position under Indiana law reserving authority to amend our By-Laws solely to the Board, will remain in effect.

The Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the proposal to approve the amendments to our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to allow shareholders to amend our Amended and Restated By-Laws.

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PROPOSAL 6 - APPROVE ADOPTION OF THE 2020 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

At the annual meeting, the shareholders will be asked to approve the 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the 2020 LTIP”). The Company’s current long-term incentive plan, the 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2010 LTIP”), is set to expire on January 28, 2020. As a result, at the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, the Board approved the 2020 LTIP on November 7, 2019, subject to the approval of Company’s shareholders at the annual meeting. In consultation with Pay Governance, the Compensation Committee determined the share request amount and believes the total shares available (if the 2020 LTIP is approved by shareholders) should be sufficient to cover grants for the next three years.

The Compensation Committee and the Board believe that the number of shares of Common Stock to be made available for issuance under the 2020 LTIP represents a reasonable amount of potential additional equity dilution and allows the Company to continue awarding equity incentives, which have been an important component of our compensation program. The Company expects to seek shareholder approval periodically in the future for additional shares to continue the program. In accordance with the applicable rules of The New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), the Board is asking shareholders to approve the 2020 LTIP. If the plan is not approved, the 2010 LTIP will remain in effect until its expiration on January 28, 2020. Without the ability to grant future equity awards, we believe the Company will be unable to offer competitive compensation terms to attract and retain key personnel and further align executives’ interests with those of shareholders.

Significant Features of the 2020 LTIP

The complete text of the 2020 LTIP is set forth in Appendix B to this proxy statement, and we urge you to review it carefully along with the following information. The following is a summary of the material features of the 2020 LTIP, which is qualified by reference to Appendix B.

Like the 2010 LTIP, the proposed 2020 LTIP is an “omnibus” plan that provides for several different kinds of awards. The 2020 LTIP authorizes the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), stock awards (including restricted shares and restricted share units), other stock-based awards (including performance-based awards) and cash awards. Its adoption will enable the Company to continue our practice of linking the compensation of executives, directors and other key personnel to increases in the price of Meritor stock and the achievement of other performance objectives. Significant features of the 2020 LTIP include the following:

The proposed maximum aggregate number of shares which may be subject to or delivered under Awards granted under the 2020 LTIP shall not exceed the sum of (i) 4,100,000 shares and (ii) any shares under the 2010 LTIP subject to awards that, after the effective date of the 2020 LTIP, are forfeited, terminated or lapsed. The 2020 LTIP does not have an “evergreen” feature, and any increase in the number of authorized shares would require shareholder approval. Upon shareholder approval of the 2020 LTIP, no new awards will be granted under the 2010 LTIP. However, any awards outstanding under the 2010 LTIP will continue to be outstanding and governed by the provisions of the applicable plan.
  
Of the maximum shares available, only 500,000 in the aggregate may be granted as incentive stock options. While it is not expected that incentive stock options will be awarded as a regular feature of the Company’s compensation strategy, maintaining the flexibility to do so is desirable.
  
Limits on awards per person are (i) 1,500,000 shares in a single fiscal year, and (ii) $10,000,000 relative to the portion of a performance award earned with respect to any single fiscal year.
  
The limit on awards per non-employee director during any fiscal year is 100,000 shares.
  
Re-pricing of stock option or SARs is prohibited without shareholder approval. Stock options or SARs being cancelled in exchange for cash or other awards permitted under the 2020 LTIP is also prohibited without shareholder approval.

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Discounted stock options and SARs (except in the limited case of conversion awards in merger transactions) and reload option grants are prohibited.
  
Up to 5% of the share authorization in the aggregate may be utilized generally for stock awards to employees with no minimum vesting restriction. All other equity and equity-based awards to employees under the 2020 LTIP that are subject to restrictions and vesting conditions include minimum vesting periods of 1 year for performance-based awards and 3 years for options, SARs, and time- or service-based restricted shares and restricted share units. The 2020 LTIP prohibits the administrator from waiving these minimum vesting periods, except in the case of death, disability, retirement and change in control.
  
Dividends and dividend equivalents may be accrued on unvested awards, but in no case will dividends be paid prior to the vesting of the award.

Summary of the 2020 LTIP

General

The purpose of the 2020 LTIP is to enhance shareholder value by aligning the compensation of directors, officers and other key employees of the Company with increases in the price of Common Stock and the achievement of other performance objectives, and to encourage ownership in the Company by key personnel whose long-term employment is considered essential to the Company’s continued progress and success. The 2020 LTIP is also intended to assist in the recruitment of new employees and to motivate, retain and encourage such personnel to act in our shareholders’ interest and share in the Company’s success.

Employees of the Company and its affiliates, including all of the Company’s executive officers and approximately 190 other employees, are eligible to receive awards under the 2020 LTIP. Non-employee directors are also eligible for awards under the plan. Incentive stock options may be granted only to employees of the Company and of other entities in which the Company, directly or indirectly, holds more than 50% of the total outstanding voting power.

The 2020 LTIP authorizes the issuance or transfer of the sum of (i) 4,100,000 shares and (ii) any shares under the 2010 LTIP subject to awards that, after the effective date of the 2020 LTIP, are forfeited, terminated or lapsed, subject to certain limitations discussed below. Upon shareholder approval of the 2020 LTIP, no new awards will be granted under the 2010 LTIP. The 2020 LTIP permits grants to be made from time to time as nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, SARs, stock awards (including restricted shares and performance shares), other stock-based awards (such as restricted share units and performance share units) and cash awards, each as described below. The 2020 LTIP will become effective as of January 23, 2020 upon approval by the Company’s shareholders, and will terminate ten years after such approval.

Shares canceled, forfeited, expired or settled in cash will be added back to the shares available for issuance under the 2020 LTIP. Shares retained by the Company in payment of an award exercise price or tax withholding obligation, shares repurchased on the open market with proceeds received by the Company from shares issued upon exercise of an option and shares reserved for issuance upon grant of a stock-settled SAR, including any shares that are not issued upon exercise of the SAR, will not be added back to the shares available for issuance under the 2020 LTIP.

The 2020 LTIP will be administered by the Board, a committee designated by the Board and/or their respective delegates. The Board has designated the Compensation Committee to administer the plan with respect to employee grants and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee to administer the plan with respect to director grants (as applicable, the “administrator”). Each of these committees consists of at least three and not more than six members of the Board who are independent under the rules of the NYSE. The administrator has the authority, among other things, to determine the individuals to whom awards may be granted, make awards, determine the cash targets or number of shares subject to each award, determine the type and the terms of any award to be granted (consistent with the provisions of the 2020 LTIP), approve forms of award agreements, construe and interpret the terms of the 2020 LTIP, adopt rules and procedures for administration of the plan, and modify or amend awards, subject to certain limitations. The administrator may delegate day-to-day administration of the 2020 LTIP to one or more individuals.

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In order to meet the requirements of the rules under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, awards to covered individualsunder the 2020 LTIP will be made by a committee comprised solely of two or more “non-employee directors” as defined for purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. The authority to approve awards to employees, other than employees subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, may be delegated to one or more directors or officers of the Company.

Types of Awards

Stock Options and SARs. The 2020 LTIP authorizes grants of stock options (which may be either incentive stock options eligible for special tax treatment or nonqualified stock options) and SARs. No more than 500,000 shares in the aggregate may be issued pursuant to incentive stock options. In addition, the aggregate fair market value of shares of Common Stock for which any employee may be granted incentive stock options which are exercisable for the first time in any calendar year may not exceed $100,000.

Under the provisions of the 2020 LTIP authorizing the grant of stock options, the term of the option cannot be longer than 10 years after the date of grant, and the exercise price may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock on the date of grant. With limited exceptions in the case of death or disability of the participant or certain separations from service following a change of control of the Company (as discussed below), stock options may not be fully exercised prior to three years after the date of grant. At the time of exercise of a stock option, the option exercise price must be paid in full in cash, by check or wire transfer, in shares of Common Stock that are transferred to or withheld by the Company, or any combination of these methods. Repricing of options (i.e., reducing the exercise price) is not permitted under the 2020 LTIP without approval of the Company’s shareholders.

The 2020 LTIP permits the grant of SARs related to a stock option (a “tandem SAR”), either at the time of the option grant or thereafter during the term of the option, or the grant of SARs separate and apart from the grant of an option (a “freestanding SAR”). Tandem SARs permit an optionee, upon exercise of such rights and surrender of the related option to the extent of an equivalent number of shares of Common Stock, to receive a payment equal to the excess of the fair market value (on the date of exercise) of the portion of the option so surrendered over the option exercise price of such shares of Common Stock. Freestanding SARs entitle the grantee, upon exercise of the SARs, to receive a payment equal to the excess of the fair market value (on the date of exercise) of all or part of a designated number of shares of Common Stock over the fair market value of such shares of Common Stock on the date the SARs were granted. Payments by Meritor in respect of tandem SARs or freestanding SARs may be made in shares of Common Stock, in cash, or partly in cash and partly in shares of Common Stock, as the administrator may determine.

Stock Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards. Under the 2020 LTIP, the administrator may grant to participants stock awards, which in the case of employees are generally in the form of restricted shares of Common Stock or restricted share units. Restricted shares have all the attributes of outstanding shares of Common Stock, except that the shares are delivered to and held by Meritor for the participant’s account. Restricted share units are units granted to a participant valued by reference to a designated number of shares of Common Stock, which value may be paid upon vesting by delivery of shares of Common Stock (which may be restricted shares), cash or a combination of shares of Common Stock and cash, as the administrator may determine. Restricted share units represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company, except as otherwise provided for by the administrator. The administrator may also grant to participants any other type of equity-based or equity-related award, including the grant of unrestricted shares of Common Stock.

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Stock awards and other stock-based awards are subject to terms and conditions determined by the administrator and set forth in an award agreement, including conditions on vesting. These conditions may include continued employment with the Company or an affiliate, or achievement of performance conditions specified by the administrator. The period during which a stock award or other stock-based award is restricted and subject to forfeiture may not be less than three years for time- or service-based restricted shares and restricted share units or one year for performance-based awards, except in limited circumstances, including retirement, death or disability of the employee or upon certain separations from service following a change of control (as discussed below). However, the 2020 LTIP provides that awards of up to 5% of the share authorization may be subject to stock awards and other stock-based awards with no minimum vesting period.

Cash Awards. The 2020 LTIP authorizes the administrator to make cash awards, pursuant to which the participant can earn a future payment tied to the level of achievement with respect to performance criteria over a specific performance period. At the time of grant, the administrator will establish the performance criteria and the level of achievement compared to these criteria that will determine the amount payable under a cash award. Payment of cash awards may be in the form of cash or property, including shares of Common Stock. The maximum amount payable pursuant to that portion of a cash award earned with respect to any fiscal year to any one individual employee may not exceed $10,000,000.

Performance-Criteria

Under the 2020 LTIP, the term “performance criteria” means any one or more of the following performance criteria, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to either the Company as a whole or to a business unit, affiliate or business segment, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, and measured either annually or cumulatively over a period of years, on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous years’ results or to a designated comparison group, in each case as specified by the Compensation Committee in the award: (i) sales, sales growth or cash return on sales; (ii) cash flow or free cash flow, net cash from operating activity or cash flow ratios or conversion metrics; (iii) earnings (including gross margin, earnings before or after interest and taxes, earnings before taxes, net earnings, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and EBITDA divided by sales); (iv) basic or diluted earnings per share; (v) growth in earnings or earnings per share; (vi) stock price; (vii) return on equity or average shareholders’ equity; (viii) total shareholder return; (ix) return on capital; (x) return on assets or net assets; (xi) return on investments; (xii) revenue or gross profits; (xiii) income before or after interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or net income; (xiv) pretax income before allocation of corporate overhead and bonus; (xv) operating income or net operating income; (xvi) operating profit or net operating profit (whether before or after taxes); (xvii) operating margin; (xviii) return on operating revenue; (xix) working capital or net working capital; (xx) debt and debt ratios; (xxi) market share; (xxii) asset velocity index; (xxiii) contract awards or backlog; (xxiv) overhead or other expense or cost reduction; (xxv) growth in shareholder value relative to the moving average of the S&P 500 Index or a peer group index; (xxvi) credit rating; (xxvii) strategic plan development and implementation; (xxviii) improvement in workforce diversity; (xxix) customer satisfaction; (xxx) employee satisfaction; (xxxi) management succession plan development and implementation; (xxxii) employee retention; and (xxxiii) any other performance criteria determined by the Compensation Committee and specified in an award. The Compensation Committee will establish in writing a definition or procedure for calculating or measuring any performance criteria at the time any performance criteria are established.

Dividends

The administrator may provide for payment of dividends, dividend equivalents or other distributions on the shares of Common Stock subject to an award (other than options and SARs and performance-based awards) to be accumulated during the restricted period of such award (and held subject to the same restrictions as such shares) but not paid until such time as the award vests and is no longer restricted. These payments or distributions may be made in cash, shares of Common Stock or units, or may be credited to an employee’s account and later settled upon vesting of the underlying award. The administrator may, in its discretion, make such payments subject to specified conditions and contingencies.

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Transferability

Unless the administrator provides otherwise in the award agreement, awards are not transferable, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

Limitation on Awards to Non-Employee Directors

The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be granted as part of regular annual awards during any fiscal year to any non-employee director is limited to 100,000.

Termination of Board Membership or Employment (Other Than Certain Qualifying Terminations Following a Change of Control)

The administrator may specify the effect a termination of membership on the Board or a termination of employment of an employee will have on an award at the time it makes a grant. Unless otherwise determined by the administrator and specified in the award agreement, the 2020 LTIP provides that the following occurs upon a termination of membership on the Board or of employment by an employee other than certain qualifying terminations following a change of control (as defined in the 2020 LTIP). The administrator may also modify these provisions in its discretion after the grant date.

Stock Options and SARs. Upon termination of membership on the Board by a director, any unvested options or SARs shall be cancelled and any vested options and SARs shall remain exercisable for a period of five years thereafter, or the remaining term of the award, if less. If termination of membership on the Board is due to the death of the director, any outstanding option or SAR shall immediately vest and remain exercisable for a period of three years thereafter, or the remaining term of the award, if less. In the case of an employee, if the employee’s employment terminates due to:

Death or disability - outstanding stock options and SARs vest in full and remain exercisable until the earlier of three years after the termination or expiration of their term.
  
Retirement - stock options and SARs that have been outstanding for at least one year after the grant date remain outstanding for the lesser of five years or the expiration of their term and continue to vest as though the employee were still employed.
  
Any other reason - outstanding unvested stock options and SARs are cancelled and forfeited; outstanding stock options and SARs that have vested prior to termination remain exercisable for 90 days after the date of termination, or their remaining term if less, and thereafter are cancelled and forfeited unless otherwise provided for in the award agreement.

Stock and Other Stock-Based Awards. Upon termination of membership on the Board by a director, any unvested stock awards and unvested other stock-based awards shall be cancelled. However, if termination of membership on the Board is due to the disability or death of the director, any outstanding stock awards shall also immediately vest. In the case of an employee, if the employee’s employment terminates due to:

Death or disability - a pro-rated portion of outstanding unvested stock awards and other stock-based awards will vest, based on the number of full months of the applicable performance or vesting period that have elapsed as of the end of the month in which the date of termination occurs.

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Retirement - unvested stock awards and other stock-based awards that have been outstanding for at least one year after the grant date will remain outstanding for the lesser of five years or the expiration of their term and will continue to vest as though the employee were still employed.
   
Any other reason - outstanding unvested stock awards and other stock-based awards will be cancelled and forfeited upon termination unless otherwise provided for in the award agreement.

The amount of any performance-based award that vests will not be determined, and stock awards and other stock-based awards will not be paid, until after the vesting or performance period has ended.

Cash Awards. Upon termination of membership on the Board by a director, any unvested cash awards shall be cancelled. However, if termination of membership on the Board is due to the disability or death of the director, any outstanding cash awards shall immediately vest. In the case of an employee, if the employee’s employment terminates due to:

Death or disability - a pro-rated portion of outstanding cash awards will be paid, based on the number of full months of the applicable performance cycle that have elapsed as of the date of termination.
  
Retirement - outstanding cash awards that have been outstanding for at least one year after the beginning of the performance period will remain outstanding for the lesser of five years or the expiration of the performance period and will be paid as though the employee had been employed during that entire period.
  
Involuntary termination other than termination for cause - a pro-rated portion of an award that has been outstanding for at least one year after the beginning of the performance period will be paid, based on the number of full months of the applicable performance cycle that have elapsed as of the end of the month in which the date of termination occurs.
  
Any other reason - outstanding unvested cash awards will be cancelled and forfeited.

In each case, the amount of any cash award that is paid will not be determined, and payment on any such award will not be made, until after the applicable performance period has ended.

Certain Qualifying Terminations Following a Change of Control

In the event that a qualifying termination occurs within the two-year period immediately following a change of control (as defined in the 2020 LTIP), unless the administrator has determined otherwise with respect to a particular award as of the grant date:

All outstanding unvested stock options and SARs become fully vested and exercisable on the date of such qualifying termination.
  
All restrictions on outstanding unvested stock awards, other stock-based awards and cash awards lapse and these awards become fully vested, and any such awards that are performance-based will be deemed fully earned at the target amount on the date of such qualifying termination.

In addition, in the event that a qualifying termination occurs within the two-year period immediately following a change of control (as defined in the 2020 LTIP) each outstanding stock option or SAR that is vested at the time of termination will remain exercisable until the earlier of the third anniversary of termination or the expiration of the term of the stock option or SAR.

For purposes of the 2020 LTIP, a “qualifying termination” means a (i) termination of the employee’s employment by the Company other than for cause, (ii) a termination of the employee’s employment by the employee for “good reason” (as defined in the 2020 LTIP) or (iii) termination of membership on the Board by a non-employee director.

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Amendment and Termination of 2020 LTIP

The administrator of the 2020 LTIP may at any time amend, alter or discontinue the 2020 LTIP or any award made thereunder, subject to approval by the Company’s shareholders to the extent required by applicable law. Unless approved by the Company’s shareholders, the administrator may not increase the maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to awards granted under the 2020 LTIP, reduce the minimum exercise price for stock options or SARs or reduce the exercise price of outstanding stock options or SARs. No amendment, suspension or termination of the 2020 LTIP will impair the rights of any employee with respect to an outstanding award without the employee’s consent, unless the administrator determines that (i) the amendment is required or advisable under applicable law, stock exchange requirements or accounting standards, (ii) the amendment is not likely to significantly diminish the benefits provided under the award, or (iii) the employee is adequately compensated for any reduction in benefits.

Capitalization Adjustments

Upon the occurrence of an event that affects the capital structure of the Company (such as a stock dividend, stock split or recapitalization), or a merger, consolidation, reorganization or similar event affecting the Company or its subsidiaries, the Board or the administrator shall make such substitutions or adjustments as it deems appropriate and equitable. Such adjustments shall include, without limitation, such proportionate adjustments that it deems appropriate to reflect such change, including to the share reserve, the share limitations, and the exercise price of, and number of shares of Common Stock subject to, outstanding equity or equity-based awards.

Deferred Compensation

Unless the administrator determines otherwise, it is intended that no award will be “deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A of the IRC. If the administrator determines that an award is subject to Section 409A of the IRC, the terms and conditions governing that award, including rules for elective or mandatory deferral of delivery of cash or shares of Common Stock and rules relating to treatment of awards in the event of a change of control of the Company, will be set forth in the applicable award agreement and will comply with Section 409A of the IRC.

Shares Available for Grant under Company Plans; Overhang

The following table provides the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding and the number of shares available for future grant under all Company plans as of December 2, 2019:

Number of Stock Options Outstanding(1) 0
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Weighted Average Term (in years)
Number of Full-Value Remaining Equity Awards Outstanding(2)(3) 2,400,603
Number of Shares Remaining for Future Grant(3) 1,853,421
Meritor, Inc. 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan (2010 LTIP)
Common Stock Outstanding 78,217,467
____________________

(1)      All of our equity compensation plans under which grants are outstanding as shown above were approved by the Company’s shareholders.
   
(2)      Equity awards outstanding under all of the Company’s equity plans were approximately: 180,761 unvested restricted shares; 1,052,696 unvested restricted share units; and 1,167,146 unvested performance share units.
   
(3)      The number of performance share units included in the calculation assumes payout at the target level of performance.

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The approximately 2,400,603 awards outstanding plus the 1,853,421 shares available for future grants as of December 2, 2019 represented approximately 5.4% of our Common Stock outstanding (commonly referred to as “overhang”).

Except as provided above, there are no other shares remaining available for grant under any other Company plans or programs. Upon the initial approval by the shareholders of the 2010 LTIP on January 28, 2010, the Company committed to grant no further awards under the Company’s 2007 Long-Term Incentives Plan, as amended, or 2004 Directors Plan or any stock awards under the Incentive Compensation Plan.

There are no other shares remaining available for grant under any other Company plans or programs. If the 2020 LTIP is approved, no further awards will be granted under the 2010 LTIP.

The Company continues to grant awards under its plans at levels that it believes are reasonable in light of its business objectives, appropriate for attracting and retaining top talent and consistent with the long-term interests of its shareholders.

The following table sets forth information regarding awards granted and vested/earned for each of the last three fiscal years.

Fiscal Year Ended September 30,       2017       2018       2019
Stock options granted
Service-based restricted share and restricted share units granted 600,589 355,214 523,669
Actual service-based restricted share and restricted share units vested 217,659 361,434 562,965
Performance-based restricted share units granted 627,073 362,116 556,218(1)
Actual performance-based restricted share units earned 1,409,065 411,476 1,305,288
Weighted-average basic common shares outstanding during the fiscal year 88,027,536 87,544,863 83,229,899
____________________

(1)      This number represents the newly awarded performance-based restricted share units granted in fiscal year 2019. The Form 10-K references 1.172 million performance-based restricted share units granted during fiscal year 2019, which includes an additional 616,000 performance-based restricted share units related to the actual performance achieved for the fiscal 2016-2018 performance cycle.

New Plan Benefits

The Compensation Committee and the full Board believes the number of shares remaining under the 2010 LTIP should be sufficient to cover anticipated grants until its termination on January 28, 2020. If the 2020 LTIP is approved by the shareholders, non-executive directors will be granted equity awards under the 2020 LTIP on January 31, 2020, and the number of units or shares underlying such awards will be based on the share price on such date.

Further grants may be made in the discretion of the administrator, and the amounts to be awarded in any future year are not determinable at this time. As a result, benefits under the 2020 LTIP will depend on the administrator’s actions as well as the fair market value of Common Stock at various future dates. It is not possible at this time to determine the benefits that will be received by directors, executive officers and other employees in the future if the 2020 LTIP is approved by shareholders.

Tax Matters

The United States federal income tax consequences applicable to the Company and participants in connection with awards under the 2020 LTIP are complex and depend, in large part, on surrounding facts and circumstances. Under current federal income tax laws, an employee will generally recognize income, and the Company will be entitled to a deduction, with respect to stock options, SARs, stock awards and other stock-based awards as follows:

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Incentive Stock Options (ISOs)

With respect to ISOs, in general, for federal income tax purposes under the present law:

(i) Neither the grant nor the exercise of an ISO, by itself, results in income to the employee; however, the excess of the fair market value of the Common Stock at the time of exercise over the option exercise price is includable in alternative minimum taxable income (unless there is a disposition of the Common Stock acquired upon exercise of the ISO in the taxable year of exercise) which may, under certain circumstances, result in an alternative minimum tax liability to the employee.

(ii) If the Common Stock acquired upon exercise of an ISO is disposed of in a taxable transaction after the later of two years from the date on which the ISO is granted or one year from the date on which such Common Stock is transferred to the employee, long-term capital gain or loss will be realized by the employee in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized by the employee and the employee’s basis which, except as provided in (v) below, is the exercise price.

(iii) Except as provided in (v) below, if the Common Stock acquired upon the exercise of an ISO is disposed of within (A) the two-year period from the date of grant or (B) the one-year period after the transfer of the Common Stock to the employee (a “disqualifying disposition”):

(a) Ordinary income will be realized by the employee at the time of such disposition in the amount of the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the Common Stock at the time of such exercise over the option exercise price, but not in an amount exceeding the excess, if any, of the amount realized by the employee over the option exercise price.
   
(b) Short-term or long-term capital gain will be realized by the employee at the time of any such taxable disposition in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the amount realized over the fair market value of the Common Stock at the time of such exercise.
   
(c) Short-term or long-term capital loss will be realized by the employee at the time of any such taxable disposition in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the option exercise price over the amount realized.

(iv) No deduction will be allowed to the Company with respect to ISOs granted or Common Stock transferred upon exercise thereof, except that if a disqualifying disposition is made by the employee, the Company will be entitled to a deduction in the taxable year in which the disposition occurred in an amount equal to the amount of ordinary income realized by the employee making the disposition.

(v) With respect to the exercise of an ISO and the payment of the option exercise price by the delivery of Common Stock, to the extent that the number of shares received does not exceed the number of shares surrendered, (A) no taxable income will be realized by the employee at that time; (B) the tax basis of the Common Stock received will be the same as the tax basis of the Common Stock surrendered; and (C) the holding period (except for purposes of the one-year period referred to in (iii) above) of the employee in Common Stock received will include the holding period in the Common Stock surrendered. To the extent that the number of shares received exceeds the number of shares surrendered, (x) no taxable income will be realized by the employee at that time; (y) such excess Common Stock will be considered ISO stock with a zero basis; and (z) the holding period of the employee in such Common Stock will begin on the date such shares are transferred to the employee. If the Common Stock surrendered was acquired as the result of the exercise of an ISO and the surrender takes place within two years from the date the ISO relating to the surrendered Common Stock was granted or within one year from the date of such exercise, the surrender will result in a disqualifying disposition and the employee will realize ordinary income at that time in the amount of the excess, if any, of the fair market value at the time of exercise of the Common Stock surrendered over the basis of such Common Stock. If any of the shares received are disposed of in a disqualifying disposition, the employee will be treated as first disposing of the Common Stock with a zero basis.

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Nonqualified Stock Options (NQSOs)

With respect to NQSOs, in general, for federal income tax purposes under present law:

(i) The grant of a NQSO by itself does not result in income to the grantee.

(ii) Except as provided in (v) below, the exercise of a NQSO (in whole or in part, according to its terms) results in ordinary income to the grantee at that time in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of exercise over the option exercise price.

(iii) Except as provided in (v) below, the grantee’s tax basis in the Common Stock acquired upon exercise of a NQSO, which is used to determine the amount of any capital gain or loss on a future taxable disposition of such shares, is the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of exercise.

(iv) A deduction is allowable to the Company upon the exercise of a NQSO in an amount equal to the ordinary income realized by the grantee upon exercise.

(v) With respect to the exercise of a NQSO and the payment of the option exercise price by the delivery of Common Stock, to the extent that the number of shares received does not exceed the number of shares surrendered, (A) no taxable income will be realized by the grantee at that time; (B) the tax basis of the Common Stock received will be the same as the tax basis of the Common Stock surrendered; and (C) the holding period of the grantee in the Common Stock received will include the holding period in the Common Stock surrendered. To the extent that the number of shares received exceeds the number of shares surrendered, (x) ordinary income will be realized by the grantee at that time in the amount of the fair market value of such excess Common Stock; (y) the tax basis of such excess Common Stock will be equal to the fair market value of such Common Stock at the time of exercise; and (z) the holding period of the grantee in such Common Stock will begin on the date such Common Stock is transferred to the grantee.

SARs

The grant of either a tandem SAR or a freestanding SAR will not result in any immediate tax consequences to the Company or the grantee. Upon the exercise of either a tandem SAR or a freestanding SAR, any cash received and the fair market value on the exercise date of any shares of Common Stock received will constitute ordinary income to the grantee. The Company will be entitled to a deduction in the same amount and at the same time.

Restricted Shares

A grantee generally will not realize income upon an award of restricted shares. However, a grantee who receives restricted shares will realize as ordinary income at the time of the lapse of the applicable restrictions an amount equal to the fair market value of the restricted shares at the time of such lapse. Alternatively, a grantee may elect within 30 days of receipt to include as ordinary income on the date of receipt of the restricted shares an amount equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock underlying such award at that time. At the time the grantee realizes ordinary income, the Company will be entitled to deduct the same amount as the ordinary income realized by the grantee.

Restricted Share Units

The grant of a restricted share unit will not result in any immediate tax consequences to the Company or the grantee. When a restricted share unit is paid out, the grantee will recognize ordinary taxable income in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares received at that time. The Company will be entitled to a deduction in the same amount and at the same time, subject to the limitations of Section 162(m), as applicable.

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Performance Share Units

The grant of a performance share unit will not result in any immediate tax consequences to the Company or the grantee. When a performance share unit is paid out, the grantee will recognize ordinary taxable income in an amount equal to any cash and the fair market value of any shares received at that time. The Company will be entitled to a deduction in the same amount and at the same time, subject to the limitations of Section 162(m), as applicable.

Cash Awards under Performance Plans

Any cash and the fair market value of any property, including shares of Common Stock (other than restricted shares or restricted share units as described above), received as payments under performance plans established in accordance with the 2020 LTIP will constitute ordinary income to the grantee in the year in which paid, and the Company will be entitled to a deduction in the same amount and at the same time.

Section 162(m) of the IRC

As discussed above, Section 162(m) generally disallows a tax deduction to public companies for compensation in excess of $1,000,000 paid to a company’s chief executive officer, chief financial officer and the next three most highly compensated executive officers.

Dividend Equivalents

Dividend equivalents generally will be taxed at ordinary income rates when paid. In most instances, they will be treated as additional compensation that the Company will be able to deduct at that time, subject to the limitations of Section 162(m), as applicable.

Code Section 409A

Unless the administrator determines otherwise, it is intended that no award will be “deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A. If the administrator determines that an award is subject to Code Section 409A, the terms and conditions governing that award, including rules for elective or mandatory deferral of delivery of cash or shares of common stock and rules relating to treatment of awards in the event of a change of control of the Company, will be set forth in the applicable award agreement and will comply with Code Section 409A. To the extent that any award under the 2020 LTIP is or may be considered to involve a nonqualified deferred compensation plan or deferral subject to Code Section 409A, the Company intends that the terms and administration of such award will comply with the provisions of such section, applicable Internal Revenue Service guidance and good faith reasonable interpretations thereof.

Withholding

Applicable taxes will be withheld from all amounts paid in satisfaction of an award to the extent required by law. A participant may satisfy the withholding obligation by paying the amount of any taxes in cash or, unless otherwise determined by the Company, shares may be delivered to satisfy the obligation in full or in part. With respect to equity-based awards, the amount of the withholding will generally be determined with reference to the NYSE Closing Price on the date of determination.

The foregoing is only a summary of the effect of U.S. federal income taxation upon grantees and the Company with respect to the grant and exercise of stock options, stock awards, other stock-based awards and cash awards under the 2020 LTIP. It is not intended as tax advice to grantees participating in the 2020 LTIP, who should consult their own tax advisors. It does not purport to be a complete description of the tax consequences under all circumstances, nor does it describe the tax laws of any municipality, state or foreign country in which the grantee’s income or gain may be taxable.

The Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the proposal to approve the 2020 LTIP.

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VOTE REQUIRED

The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of Common Stock entitled to be cast on any matter to be acted on at the 2020 Annual Meeting is necessary to have a quorum. Once a share is represented with respect to any matter, it is deemed present for quorum purposes for the remainder of the meeting. Assuming a quorum is present, the vote required for approval of each proposal is as follows:

Proposal 1: Election of Directors

   

Plurality. Under Indiana law and our By-Laws, the three nominees who receive the greatest number of votes for election as Class II directors cast by the holders of our Common Stock entitled to vote at the meeting will become directors at the conclusion of the tabulation of votes. A properly executed proxy marked “withhold” with respect to the election of one or more directors will not be voted with respect to the director or directors indicated.

 

Majority Vote Policy. Under the Company’s majority vote policy (as described above under the heading Corporate Governance at Meritor Board Composition), any nominee for director who is elected but who receives a greater number of “withhold” votes than “for” votes in an uncontested election is required to tender his or her resignation promptly after the certification of the election results. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will consider the matter and recommend to the Board what action should be taken. The Board is required to take action and publicly disclose its decision, including the underlying rationale, within 90 days of certification of the election results.

   

Proposal 2: Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation The proposal relating to the advisory vote on executive compensation will be considered approved if more votes are cast in favor of the proposal than are cast against it. This proposal is advisory in nature, which means that it is not binding on the Board or the Compensation Committee. However, the Board and the Compensation Committee will review the voting results and take them into consideration when making future decisions regarding executive compensation.

   

Proposal 3: Selection of Auditors Under Indiana law and our By-Laws, more votes must be cast in favor of the proposal to approve the selection of auditors than are cast against it.

   

Proposal 4: Amendments to Articles to Declassify the Board Under Indiana law and our Articles, the affirmative vote of holders representing at least 80 percent of the voting power of our Common Stock is required to approve the proposed amendments to our Articles to declassify our Board.

   

Proposal 5: Amendments to Articles to Allow Shareholders to Amend our By-Laws Under Indiana law and our Articles, the affirmative vote of holders representing at least 80 percent of the voting power of our Common Stock is required to approve the proposed amendments to our Articles to allow shareholders to amend our By-Laws.

   

Proposal 6: 2020 LTIP Approval Under Indiana law and our By-Laws, more votes must be cast in favor of the proposal to approve the 2020 LTIP than are cast against it. However, the listing standards of the NYSE require that the number of votes cast on the proposal represent more than 50% of the total votes entitled to be cast on the proposal and a majority of the votes cast must vote in favor.

Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the following effects on the outcome of the proposals:

Effect of Abstentions Under Indiana law, an abstention from voting on a matter by a shareholder present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting will not affect the outcome of the election of directors, the advisory vote on executive compensation or the proposal to approve the selection of auditors. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against the proposal to amend our Articles to declassify our Board and the proposal to amend our Articles to allow shareholders to amend our By-Laws. For purposes of the NYSE listing standards, abstentions will be counted as votes cast on the proposal to approve the 2020 LTIP and so will have the same effect as votes against the proposal.

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Effect of Broker Non-Votes — If your shares of Common Stock are held in “street name” and you do not give your broker voting instructions, your broker will have discretion to vote your shares only for the proposal to approve the selection of auditors. With respect to all other matters to be voted on at the 2020 Annual Meeting, the votes associated with shares held in “street name” for which you do not give your broker voting instructions will be considered “broker non-votes,” which means your broker will not have discretion to vote your shares on those matters. Broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of the election of directors or the advisory vote on executive compensation. Broker non- votes will have the same effect as a vote against the proposal to amend our Articles to declassify our Board and the proposal to amend our Articles to allow shareholders to amend our By-Laws. Broker non-votes could affect the requirement of the NYSE listing standards that the number of votes cast on the proposal to approve the 2020 LTIP must represent more than 50% of the votes entitled to be cast.

OTHER MATTERS

The Board does not know of any other matters that may be presented at the meeting. In the event of a vote on any matters other than those referred to in items (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) of the accompanying Notice of 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, it is intended that properly given proxies will be voted on the additional matters in accordance with the judgment of the person or persons voting such proxies.

DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) REPORTS

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of Meritor equity securities, to file reports of beneficial ownership and changes in beneficial ownership on Forms 3, 4 and 5 with the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange. Officers, directors and greater-than-ten percent shareholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all Forms 3, 4 and 5 they file.

Based solely on our review of the copies of such forms we have received and information and representations furnished by our officers and directors, we believe that all our officers, directors and greater-than-ten percent beneficial owners have filed with the SEC on a timely basis all required forms with respect to transactions in Meritor securities in fiscal year 2019, except that Mr. Bialy did not timely file one Form 4 in fiscal year 2019 reflecting one transaction.

ANNUAL REPORTS

Our Annual Report to Shareholders, including the Form 10-K and financial statements, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, was either made available electronically or mailed to shareholders with this proxy statement.

EXPENSES OF SOLICITATION

Meritor will bear the cost of the solicitation of proxies. In addition to the use of the mails and use of a website to make proxy materials available electronically, proxies may be solicited personally, or by telephone, telegraph, telecopy, Internet or other means of communication by our directors, officers and employees without additional compensation and by the Company’s outside proxy solicitor, Innisfree M&A Incorporated (Innisfree). Meritor will pay Innisfree a fee of up to $20,000 plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. As usual, we will also reimburse brokers and other persons holding stock in their names, or in the names of nominees, for their expenses of resending proxy materials to principals and obtaining their proxies.

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SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2021 ANNUAL MEETING

Under the SEC’s rules and regulations, shareholder proposals for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received on or before August 15, 2020, at the Office of the Corporate Secretary at our headquarters, 2135 West Maple Road, Troy, Michigan 48084-7186, in order to be eligible for inclusion in our proxy materials.

The proxy access provision of our By-Laws adopted by the Board of Director in July 2019 allows a shareholder, or group of up to 20 shareholders, to nominate up to two director candidates or, if greater, up to 20% of the number of directors then serving on our Board, if the shareholder or group meets the ownership requirement of 3% or more of our outstanding common stock held continuously for at least the previous three years. In order for such nominees to be included in our proxy materials, the shareholder(s) and nominee(s) must also satisfy the other requirements specified in our By-Laws and submit a notice of proxy access nomination together with certain related information required by our By-Laws to our Corporate Secretary in writing at the above address on or after September 25, 2020 and on or before October 25, 2020.

Our By-Laws require a shareholder desiring to propose any matter for consideration at the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, other than through inclusion in our proxy materials, to notify our Corporate Secretary in writing at the above address on or after September 25, 2020 and on or before October 25, 2020.

COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD

We have established procedures for shareholders and other interested parties to communicate directly with non-management members of the Board. You can contact the Board by mail at: Meritor Board of Directors, 33717 Woodward Ave., PMB 335, Birmingham, MI 48009.

If you have concerns involving internal controls, accounting or auditing, you can contact the Audit Committee directly by mail at: Meritor Audit Committee, 33717 Woodward Ave., PMB 407, Birmingham, MI 48009.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This proxy statement contains statements and estimates relating to future compensation of the Named Executive Officers that are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual compensation may differ materially from that projected as a result of certain facts and uncertainties, including but not limited to timing of and reason for termination of employment; compensation levels and outstanding equity and incentive awards at the time of termination; and age and length of service at the time of termination; as well as other facts and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed herein and from time to time in other filings of the Company with the SEC. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

December 13, 2019

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If your Meritor shares are registered in your name and you plan to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at the Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport, 2501 World Gateway Place, in Detroit, Michigan 48242 on January 23, 2020, please be sure to:

indicate your desire to attend the meeting when you grant your proxy via our Internet or telephone voting procedures; or

   

mark the appropriate box on the proxy card and mail the card using the enclosed envelope.

If your shares are not registered in your own name and you would like to attend the meeting, please bring evidence of your Meritor share ownership with you to the meeting. You should be able to obtain evidence of your Meritor share ownership from the broker, trustee, bank or other nominee who holds your shares on your behalf.

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Appendix A

AMENDED AND RESTATED
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
MERITOR, INC.

ARTICLE 1

IDENTIFICATION

The name of the Corporation is Meritor, Inc. (the “Corporation” or the “Company”).

ARTICLE 2

PURPOSE, POWERS AND DURATION

Section 2.01 Purpose. The purpose for which the Corporation is formed is the transaction of any or all lawful business for which corporations may be incorporated under the Indiana Business Corporation Law, as the same may, from time to time, be amended (the “Act”).

Section 2.02 Powers. The Corporation, subject to any limitations or restrictions imposed by the Act, other law or these Articles of Incorporation, as the same may, from time to time, be amended (these “Articles”), shall have the same powers as an individual to do all things necessary or convenient to carry out its business and affairs, including without limitation all powers enumerated in the Act as examples of corporate powers.

Section 2.03 Duration. The Corporation is to have perpetual existence.

ARTICLE 3

REGISTERED OFFICE AND REGISTERED AGENT

The street address of the registered office of the Corporation is:

150 West Market Street
Suite 800
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

and the name and business office of its registered agent in charge of such office are:

CT Corporation System
150 West Market Street
Suite 800
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

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The undersigned represents that the registered agent named above has consented to the appointment of registered agent.

ARTICLE 4

NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES

The Corporation shall have authority to issue a total of Five Hundred Thirty Million (530,000,000) shares of the Corporation (“Shares”).

ARTICLE 5

GENERAL PROVISIONS REGARDING SHARES

Section 5.01 Common Stock.

(a) Five Hundred Million (500,000,000) of the Shares that the Corporation has authority to issue constitute a separate and single class of Shares designated as “Common Stock”, which shall have a par value of One Dollar ($1.00) per share and shall not be issued in series, with all shares of Common Stock having identical rights, preferences and limitations.

(b) The Common Stock shall have the following voting powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof:

(i) Dividends. Whenever the full dividends upon any outstanding Preferred Stock for all past dividend periods shall have been paid and the full dividends thereon for the then current respective dividend periods shall have been paid, or declared and a sum sufficient for the respective payments thereof set apart, the holders of shares of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends and distributions in equal amounts per share, payable in cash or otherwise, as may be declared thereon by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) from time to time out of assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor.

(ii) Rights on Liquidation. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, after the payment or setting apart for payment to the holders of any outstanding Preferred Stock of the full preferential amounts to which such holders are entitled as herein provided or referred to, all of the remaining assets of the Corporation shall belong to and be distributable in equal amounts per share to the holders of the Common Stock. For purposes of this Section 5.01(b)(ii), a consolidation or merger of the Corporation with any other corporation, or the sale, transfer or lease of all or substantially all its assets shall not constitute or be deemed a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation.

(iii) Voting. Subject to the rights of holders of Preferred Stock of any series, the holders of Common Stock shall have the right to cast one vote for each duly authorized, issued and outstanding share of Common Stock held by them upon each question or matter submitted generally to the Shareholders.

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Section 5.02 Preferred Stock. Thirty Million (30,000,000) of the Shares that the Corporation has authority to issue constitute a separate and single class of Shares designated as “Preferred Stock”, which shall be without par value, shall rank prior to and be preferred over Common Stock as to assets and dividends, and may be issued in series as follows, with all shares of Preferred Stock of the same series having identical rights, preferences and limitations:

(a) Two Million (2,000,000) shares of Preferred Stock (or such greater or lesser number as may be established pursuant to Section 6.01 of these Articles) constitute a separate and single series designated as “Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock”, which shall have the relative rights, preferences and limitations set forth in this Article 5 and in Article 6 of these Articles.

(b) The remainder of the Preferred Stock (“Other Preferred Stock”) may be issued in one or more series. Subject to the rights of the holders of any then outstanding Preferred Stock, the Board is vested with authority to determine and state the designations and the relative rights (including voting rights, if any), preferences and limitations of any such series of Other Preferred Stock by the adoption and filing in accordance with the Act, before the issuance of any Shares of such series, of an amendment or amendments to these Articles determining the terms of such series (a “Preferred Stock Amendment”). The authority of the Board with respect to each series shall include, but not be limited to, determination of the following:

(i) the designation of the series, which may be by distinguishing number, letter or title;

(ii) the number of shares of the series, which number the Board of Directors may thereafter (except where otherwise provided in the Preferred Stock Amendment) increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding);

(iii) whether dividends, if any, shall be cumulative or noncumulative and the dividend rate of the series;

(iv) the dates at which dividends, if any, shall be payable;

(v) the redemption rights and price or prices, if any, for shares of the series;

(vi) the terms and amount of any sinking fund provided for the purchase or redemption of shares of the series;

(vii) the amounts payable on shares of the series in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation;

(viii) whether the shares of the series shall be convertible into shares of any other class or series, or any other security, of the Corporation or any other corporation, and, if so, the specification of such other class or series or such other security, the conversion price or prices or rate or rates, any adjustments thereof, the date or dates as of which such shares shall be convertible and all other terms and conditions upon which such conversion may be made;

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(ix) restrictions on the issuance of shares of the same series or of any other class or series; and

(x) the voting rights, if any, of the holders of shares of the series.

Except as may be provided in these Articles or in a Preferred Stock Amendment, the Common Stock shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and for all other purposes, and except as may be required by the Act, holders of Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to receive notice of any meeting of Shareholders at which they are not entitled to vote. Subject to the requirements of the Act, the number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Common Stock.

Section 5.03 Issuance of Shares. Subject to the rights of any then outstanding Preferred Stock, the Board has authority to authorize and direct the issuance by the Corporation of Shares on such terms and conditions as it may, from time to time, determine, subject only to the restrictions, limitations, conditions and requirements imposed by the Act, other applicable laws and these Articles.

Section 5.04 Distributions Upon Shares. Subject to the rights of any then outstanding Preferred Stock, the Board has authority to authorize and direct in respect of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock (i) the payment of dividends and the making of other distributions by the Corporation at such times, in such amounts and forms, from such sources and upon such terms and conditions as it may, from time to time, determine, subject only to the restrictions, limitations, conditions and requirements imposed by the Act, other applicable laws and these Articles, and (ii) the making by the Corporation of Share dividends and Share splits, pro rata and without consideration, in Shares of the same class or series or in Shares of any other class or series, and without obtaining the affirmative vote or the written consent of the holders of the Shares of the class or series in respect of which the payment or distribution is to be made.

Section 5.05 Preemptive Rights. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, no holder of Shares shall, as such holder, have any right to purchase or subscribe for any Shares of any class which the Corporation may issue or sell, whether or not exchangeable for any Shares of any class or classes and whether out of unissued shares authorized by these Articles as originally filed or by any amendment thereof or out of Shares acquired by it after the issue thereof.

Section 5.06 Acquisition of Shares. Subject to the rights of any then outstanding Preferred Stock, the Board has authority to authorize and direct the acquisition by the Corporation of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock, in such amounts, from such persons, for such considerations, from such sources and upon such terms and conditions as it may, from time to time, determine, subject only to the restrictions, limitations, conditions and requirements imposed by the Act, other applicable laws and these Articles.

Section 5.07 Issuance of Rights, Options and Warrants. Subject to the rights of any then outstanding Preferred Stock, the Board has authority to create and to authorize and direct the issuance (on either a pro rata or a non-pro rata basis) by the Corporation of rights, options and warrants for the purchase of Shares, other securities of the Corporation, or shares or other securities of any successor in interest of the Corporation (a “Successor”), at such times, in such amounts, to such persons, for such consideration (if any), with such form and content (including without limitation the consideration for which any Shares, other securities of the Corporation, or shares or other securities of any Successor are to be issued) and upon such terms and conditions as it may, from time to time, determine, subject only to the restrictions, limitations, conditions and requirements imposed by the Act, other applicable laws and these Articles.

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Section 5.08 Record Ownership of Shares. The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record (according to the books of the Corporation) of any Share or Shares (including any holder registered in a book-entry or direct registration system maintained by the Corporation or a transfer agent or a registrar designated by the Board of Directors) as the holder in fact thereof and owner for all purposes and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to, or interest in, such Share or Shares on the part of any other person, whether or not the Corporation shall have express or other notice thereof, except as expressly provided by applicable law.

Section 5.09 Recognition Procedure for Beneficial Ownership of Shares. The Board may establish a recognition procedure, which may be included in the By-Laws of the Corporation (as the same may be amended from time to time, the “By-Laws”), by which the beneficial owner of any Share registered on the books of the Corporation in the name of a nominee is recognized by the Corporation, to the extent provided in any such recognition procedure, as the owner thereof.

Section 5.10 Disclosure Procedure for Beneficial Ownership of Shares. The Board may establish a disclosure procedure, which may be included in the By-Laws, by which the name of the beneficial owner of any Share registered on the books of the Corporation in the name of a nominee shall, to the extent not prohibited by the Act or other applicable laws, be disclosed to the Corporation. Any disclosure procedure established by the Board may include reasonable sanctions to ensure compliance therewith, including without limitation (i) prohibiting the voting of, (ii) providing for mandatory or optional reacquisition by the Corporation of, and (iii) the withholding or payment into escrow of any dividend or other distribution in respect of, any Share of which the name of the beneficial owner is not disclosed to the Corporation as required by such disclosure procedure.

Section 5.11 Liability of Shareholders. The private property of the Shareholders of the Corporation shall not be subject to the payment of corporate debts to any extent whatever.

ARTICLE 6

SERIES A JUNIOR PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK

The Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall have the designation and the relative rights, preferences and limitations set forth in this Article 6.

Section 6.01 Designation and Amount. The shares of such series shall be designated as “Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock” (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) and the number of shares constituting the Series A Preferred Stock shall be Two Million (2,000,000). Such number of shares may be increased or decreased by resolution of the Board; provided, that no decrease shall reduce the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock to a number less than the number of shares then outstanding plus the number of shares reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding options, rights or warrants or upon the conversion of any outstanding securities issued by the Corporation convertible into Series A Preferred Stock.

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Section 6.02 Dividends and Distributions.

(a) Subject to the rights of the holders of any shares of any series of Preferred Stock (or any similar stock) ranking prior and superior to the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividends, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock, in preference to the holders of Common Stock, and of any other junior stock of the Corporation, shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board out of funds legally available for the purpose, quarterly dividends payable in cash on the second Monday of March, June, September and December in each year (each such date being referred to herein as a “Quarterly Dividend Payment Date”), commencing on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the first issuance of a share or fraction of a share of Series A Preferred Stock, in an amount per share (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to the greater of (i) $1.00 or (ii) subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, 100 times the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, and 100 times the aggregate per share amount (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other distributions, other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock or a subdivision of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise), declared on the Common Stock since the immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or, with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of Series A Preferred Stock. In the event the Corporation shall at any time declare or pay any dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect a subdivision or combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a dividend in shares of Common Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then in each such case the amount to which holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to such event under clause (ii) of the preceding sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

(b) The Corporation shall declare a dividend or distribution on the Series A Preferred Stock as provided in Section 6.02(a) immediately after it declares a dividend or distribution on the Common Stock (other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock); provided that, in the event no dividend or distribution shall have been declared on the Common Stock during the period between any Quarterly Dividend Payment Date and the next subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, a dividend of $1.00 per share on the Series A Preferred Stock shall nevertheless be payable on such subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date.

(c) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock from the Quarterly Dividend Payment Date next preceding the date of issue of such shares, unless the date of issue of such shares is prior to the record date for the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in which case dividends on such shares shall begin to accrue from the date of issue of such shares, or unless the date of issue is a Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or is a date after the record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock entitled to receive a quarterly dividend and before such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in either of which events such dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative from such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. Accrued but unpaid dividends shall not bear interest. Dividends paid on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock in an amount less than the total amount of such dividends at the time accrued and payable on such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all such shares at the time outstanding. The Board of Directors may fix a record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock entitled to receive payment of a dividend or distribution declared thereon, which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the payment thereof.

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Section 6.03 Voting Rights. The holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have the following voting rights:

(a) Subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to 100 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the Shareholders of the Corporation. In the event the Corporation shall at any time declare or pay any dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect a subdivision or combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a dividend in shares of Common Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then in each such case the number of votes per share to which holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted by multiplying such number by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

(b) Except as otherwise provided herein, in any other Preferred Stock Amendment creating a series of Preferred Stock or any similar stock, or by law, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock and the holders of shares of Common Stock and any other capital stock of the Corporation having general voting rights shall vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote of Shareholders of the Corporation.

(c) Except as set forth herein, or as otherwise provided by law, holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall have no special voting rights and their consent shall not be required (except to the extent they are entitled to vote with holders of Common Stock as set forth herein) for taking any corporate action.

Section 6.04 Certain Restrictions.

(a) Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or distributions payable on the Series A Preferred Stock as provided in Section 6.02 are in arrears, thereafter and until all accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions, whether or not declared, on shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding shall have been paid in full, the Corporation shall not:

(i) declare or pay dividends, or make any other distributions, on any shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Preferred Stock;

(ii) declare or pay dividends, or make any other distributions, on any shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Preferred Stock, except dividends paid ratably on the Series A Preferred Stock and all such parity stock on which dividends are payable or in arrears in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are then entitled;

(iii) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration shares of any stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Preferred Stock, provided that the Corporation may at any time redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire shares of any such junior stock in exchange for shares of any stock of the Corporation ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up) to the Series A Preferred Stock; or

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(iv) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of Series A Preferred Stock, or any shares of stock ranking on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock, except in accordance with a purchase offer made in writing or by publication (as determined by the Board of Directors) to all holders of such shares upon such terms as the Board of Directors, after consideration of the respective annual dividend rates and other relative rights and preferences of the respective series and classes, shall determine in good faith will result in fair and equitable treatment among the respective series or classes.

(b) The Corporation shall not permit any subsidiary of the Corporation to purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock of the Corporation unless the Corporation could, under Section 6.04(a)(iii), purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in such manner.

Section 6.05 Reacquired Shares. Any shares of Series A Preferred Stock purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner whatsoever shall be retired and cancelled promptly after the acquisition thereof. All such shares shall upon their cancellation become authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock and may be reissued as part of a new series of Preferred Stock subject to the conditions and restrictions on issuance set forth in these Articles, or in any Preferred Stock Amendment creating a series of Preferred Stock or any similar stock or as otherwise required by law.

Section 6.06 Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up. Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, no distribution shall be made (a) to the holders of shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have received $100 per share, plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not declared, to the date of such payment, provided that the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive an aggregate amount per share, subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, equal to 100 times the aggregate amount to be distributed per share to holders of shares of Common Stock, or (b) to the holders of shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Preferred Stock, except distributions made ratably on the Series A Preferred Stock and all such parity stock in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are entitled upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding up. In the event the Corporation shall at any time declare or pay any dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect a subdivision or combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a dividend in shares of Common Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then in each such case the aggregate amount to which holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to such event under the proviso in clause (a) of the preceding sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

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Section 6.07 Consolidation, Merger, etc. In case the Corporation shall enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which the shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or securities, cash and or any other property, then in any such case each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or changed into an amount per share, subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, equal to 100 times the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash and/or any other property (payable in kind), as the case may be into which or for which each share of Common Stock is changed or exchanged. In the event the Corporation shall at any time declare or pay any dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect a subdivision or combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a dividend in shares of Common Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then in each such case the amount set forth in the preceding sentence with respect to the exchange or change of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

Section 6.08 No Redemption. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not be redeemable.

Section 6.09 Rank. The Series A Preferred Stock shall rank, with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets, junior to all series of any other class of the Corporation’s Preferred Stock.

Section 6.10 Amendment. These Articles shall not be amended in any manner which would materially alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series A Preferred Stock so as to affect them adversely without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class.

ARTICLE 7

DIRECTORS, BY-LAWS AND ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

Section 7.01 Number of Directors. The number of Directors of the Corporation shall be fixed from time to time by the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the whole Board, provided that such number shall not be less than three (3). A director need not be a Shareholder. The election of directors need not be by ballot unless the By-Laws so require.

Section 7.02 Terms of Directors.

(a) Until the election of directors at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2023, the Directors, other than those who may be elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock or any other series or class of Shares, as provided in these Articles or in any Preferred Stock Amendment, shall be divided, with respect to the time for which they severally hold office, into classes, with Directors in each class having the terms of office specified in this Section 7.02. The term of office for the class of Directors elected in 2018 shall expire at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2021, the term of office for the class of Directors elected in 2019 shall expire at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2022, and the term of office for the class of Directors elected in 2020 shall expire at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2023, with each Director to hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. Commencing at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2021, Directors whose terms expire at such meeting (or such Directors’ successors) shall be elected to hold office for a one-year term expiring at the next annual meeting of shareholders, with each Director to hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. Commencing with the election of Directors at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2023, the classification of the Board shall terminate and all Directors shall thereupon be elected for a one-year term expiring at the next annual meeting of shareholders.

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(b) Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, and unless the Board otherwise determines, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of Directors or any vacancies on the Board resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause may be filled only by a majority vote of the Directors then in office, though less than a quorum, and any Director so chosen shall hold office (i) prior to the election of Directors at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2023, for a term expiring at the annual meeting of shareholders at which the term of office of the class of Directors to which such Director has been elected expires or (ii) commencing with the election of Directors at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2023, for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of such shareholders, and in each case until such Director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of authorized Directors constituting the whole Board shall shorten the term of any incumbent Director.

Section 7.03 Removal for Cause. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock or any other series or class of Shares, as provided in these Articles or in any Preferred Stock Amendment, to elect additional Directors under specific circumstances, no Director of the Corporation shall be removed from his or her office as a Director by vote or other action of Shareholders or otherwise except for cause and in no event without the affirmative vote of at least 80 percent of the voting power of the Shares of the Corporation then entitled to vote at an election of Directors (the “Voting Shares”), voting together as a single class.

Section 7.04 By-Laws. Except as otherwise expressly provided in these Articles or the Act, the By-laws of the Corporation may from time to time be altered, amended or repealed, or new By-laws may be adopted, by either (a) the Board by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of Directors at the time, or (b) the affirmative vote, at a meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation, of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the Voting Shares, voting together as a single class.

Section 7.05 Articles of Incorporation. From time to time any of the provisions of these Articles may be amended, altered or repealed, and other provisions authorized by the statutes of the State of Indiana at the time in force may be added or inserted in the manner at the time prescribed by said statutes, and all rights at any time conferred upon the Shareholders of the Corporation by its Articles of Incorporation are granted subject to the provisions of this Section 7.05. Notwithstanding anything contained in these Articles to the contrary, none of Article 7, Article 9 or the last sentence of Section 8.01 may be amended or repealed, and no provision inconsistent with this Article 7, Article 9 or the last sentence of Section 8.01 may be adopted, except by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80 percent of the voting power of the Voting Shares, voting together as a single class.

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ARTICLE 8

PROVISIONS FOR REGULATIONS OF BUSINESS
AND CONDUCT OF AFFAIRS OF CORPORATION

Section 8.01 Meetings of Shareholders. Meetings of the Shareholders shall be held at such place, within or without the State of Indiana, as may be provided in the By-Laws or in the respective notices, or waivers of notice, thereof. In the absence of any such provision, all Shareholders’ meetings shall be held at the principal office of the Corporation. Special meetings of the Shareholders for any purpose or purposes shall be called only by the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of Directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies.

Section 8.02 Action by Directors. Meetings of the Board or any committee of the Board (a “Committee”) shall be held at such place, within or without the State of Indiana, as may be specified in the By-Laws or in the respective notices, or waivers of notice, thereof and shall be conducted in such manner as may be specified in the By-Laws or permitted by the Act. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or a Committee may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by all members of the Board or such Committee, and such written consent is filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board or such Committee.

Section 8.03 Board Committees. Unless the By-Laws otherwise provide, the Board may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the whole Board of Directors, designate from among its members one or more Committees, each of which shall, to the extent provided in the resolution or By-Laws and not prohibited by the Act and other applicable laws, have and exercise all of the authority of the Board in the management of the Corporation.

Section 8.04 Places of Keeping of Corporate Records. The Corporation shall keep at its principal office a copy of (i) these Articles, and all amendments thereto currently in effect; (ii) the By-Laws, and all amendments thereto currently in effect; (iii) minutes of all meetings of the Shareholders (“Shareholders Minutes”) for the prior three years; (iv) all written communications by the Corporation to the Shareholders, including the financial statements furnished by the Corporation to the Shareholders for the prior three years; (v) a list of the names and business addresses of the current Directors and the current officers of the Corporation (“Officers”); and (vi) the most recent Annual Report of the Corporation as filed with the Secretary of State of Indiana. The Corporation shall also keep and maintain at its principal office, or at such other place or places within or without the State of Indiana as may be provided, from time to time, in the By-Laws, (i) minutes of all meetings of the Board and of each Committee, and records of all actions taken by the Board and by each Committee without a meeting; (ii) appropriate accounting records of the Corporation; (iii) a record of the Shareholders in a form that permits preparation of a list of the names and addresses of all the Shareholders, in alphabetical order by class of Shares, stating the number and class of Shares held by each Shareholder; and (iv) Shareholders Minutes for periods preceding the prior three years. All of the records of the Corporation described in this Section 8.04 (collectively, the “Corporate Records”) shall be maintained in written form or in another form capable of conversion into written form within a reasonable time.

Section 8.05 Limitation of Liability of Directors, Officers and Others.

(a) No Director, member of any Committee, member of another committee appointed by the Board (an “Appointed Committee”), Officer, employee or agent of the Corporation (collectively, “Corporate Person”) shall be liable for any loss or damage suffered on account of any action taken or omitted to be taken by such Corporate Person if, in taking or omitting to take any action causing such loss or damage, either (i) such Corporate Person acted (A) in good faith, (B) with the care an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would have exercised under similar circumstances, and (C) in a manner such Corporate Person reasonably believed was in the best interests of the Corporation, or (ii) such Corporate Person’s breach of or failure to act in accordance with the standards of conduct set forth in clause (i) above (the “Standards of Conduct”) did not constitute willful misconduct or recklessness.

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(b) Any Corporate Person shall be fully protected, and shall be deemed to have complied with the Standards of Conduct, in relying in good faith, with respect to any information contained therein, upon (i) the Corporate Records, or (ii) information, opinions, reports or statements (including financial statements and other financial data) prepared or presented by (A) one or more other Corporate Persons whom such Corporate Person reasonably believes to be competent in the matters presented, (B) legal counsel, public accountants or other persons as to matters that such Corporate Person reasonably believes are within such person’s professional or expert competence, (C) a Committee or an Appointed Committee, of which such Corporate Person is not a member, if such Corporate Person reasonably believes such Committee or Appointed Committee merits confidence, or (D) the Board, if such Corporate Person is not a Director and reasonably believes that the Board merits confidence.

(c) No repeal or modification of this Section 8.05, directly or by adoption of an inconsistent provision of these Articles, by the Shareholders of the Corporation shall be effective with respect to any cause of action, suit, claim or other matter that, but for this Section 8.05, would accrue or arise prior to such repeal or modification.

Section 8.06 Indemnification of Directors, Officers and Others. To the extent permitted by the Act and the By-Laws, the Corporation may:

(a) indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil or criminal, administrative or investigative, formal or informal (an “Action”), by reason of the fact that such person is or was a Corporate Person, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, agent, partner, trustee or member or in another authorized capacity (collectively, an “Authorized Capacity”) of or for another corporation, unincorporated association, business trust, estate, partnership, trust, joint venture, individual or other legal entity, whether or not organized or formed for profit (collectively, “Another Entity”), against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) (“Expenses”) and judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such Action;

(b) pay, in advance of the final disposition of an Action, the Expenses reasonably incurred in defending such action by a person who may be entitled to indemnification by the Corporation; and

(c) purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Corporate Person, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation in an Authorized Capacity of or for Another Entity, against any liability asserted against and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability.

The indemnification and advance of Expenses authorized by this Section 8.06 shall (i) not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which a person may be entitled under any law, any resolution of the Board or the Shareholders, any other authorization, whenever adopted, after notice, by a majority vote of all then outstanding Shares entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors, or the articles of incorporation, by-laws or other governing documents, or any resolution of or other authorization by the directors, shareholders, partners, trustees, members, owners or governing body, of Another Entity; (ii) inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such person; and (iii) continue as to any such person who has ceased to be a Corporate Person or to be serving in an Authorized Capacity of or for Another Entity.

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Section 8.07 Compensation of Directors. The Board is hereby specifically authorized, in and by the By-Laws, or by resolution duly adopted by the Board, to make provision for reasonable compensation to its members for their services as Directors, and to fix the basis and conditions upon which such compensation shall be paid. Any Director may also serve the Corporation in any other capacity and receive compensation therefor in any form.

Section 8.08 Direction of Purposes and Exercise of Powers by Directors. The Board, subject to any specific limitations or restrictions imposed by the Act or these Articles, shall direct the carrying out of the purposes and exercise the powers of the Corporation, without previous authorization or subsequent approval by the Shareholders.

ARTICLE 9

SHAREHOLDER VOTE REQUIRED FOR
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

Section 9.01 Higher Vote for Business Combinations. In addition to any affirmative vote required by law, these Articles or the By-Laws of the Corporation, and except as otherwise expressly provided in Section 9.02, a Business Combination (as hereinafter defined) shall not be consummated without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80 percent of the Voting Shares, voting together as a single class. Such affirmative vote shall be required notwithstanding the fact that no vote may be required, or that a lesser percentage or separate class vote may be specified, by law or in any agreement with any national securities exchange or otherwise.

Section 9.02 When Higher Vote Is Not Required. The provisions of Section 9.01 shall not be applicable to a Business Combination if the conditions specified in either of the following paragraphs (a) or (b) are met.

(a) Approval by Continuing Directors. The Business Combination shall have been approved by at least two-thirds of the Continuing Directors (as hereinafter defined), whether such approval is made prior to or subsequent to the date on which the Interested Shareholder (as hereinafter defined) became an Interested Shareholder (the “Determination Date”).

(b) Price and Procedure Requirements. Each of the seven conditions specified in the following subparagraphs (i) through (vii) shall have been met:

(i) The aggregate amount of the cash and the Fair Market Value (as hereinafter defined) as of the date of the consummation of the Business Combination (the “Consummation Date”) of any consideration other than cash to be received per share by holders of Common Stock in such Business Combination shall be an amount at least equal to the higher amount determined under clauses (A) and (B) below (the requirements of this paragraph (b)(i) shall be applicable with respect to all shares of Common Stock outstanding, whether or not the Interested Shareholder has previously acquired any shares of the Common Stock): (A) the highest per share price (including any brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and soliciting dealers’ fees) paid by or on behalf of the Interested Shareholder for any shares of Common Stock acquired beneficially by it (1) within the two-year period immediately prior to the first public announcement of the proposal of the Business Combination (the “Announcement Date”) or (2) in the transaction in which it became an Interested Shareholder, whichever is higher, plus interest compounded annually from the Determination Date through the Consummation Date at the prime rate of interest of Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York (or of such other major bank headquartered in New York City selected by at least two-thirds of the Continuing Directors) from time to time in effect in New York City, less the aggregate amount of any cash dividends paid, and the Fair Market Value of any dividends paid in other than cash, per share of Common Stock from the Determination Date through the Consummation Date in an amount up to but not exceeding the amount of such interest payable per share of Common Stock; and (B) the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the Announcement Date or on the Determination Date, whichever is higher.

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(ii) The aggregate amount of the cash and the Fair Market Value as of the Consummation Date of any consideration other than cash to be received per share by holders of outstanding Shares of any class or series, other than the Common Stock, in such Business Combination shall be an amount at least equal to the highest amount determined under clauses (A), (B) and (C) below (the requirements of this paragraph (b)(ii) shall be applicable with respect to all outstanding Shares of every class or series, other than the Common Stock, whether or not the Interested Shareholder has previously acquired any Shares of a particular class or series):

(A) the highest per share price (including any brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and soliciting dealers’ fees) paid by or on behalf of the Interested Shareholder for any Shares of such class or series acquired beneficially by it (1) within the two-year period immediately prior to the Announcement Date or (2) in the transaction in which it became an Interested Shareholder, whichever is higher, plus interest compounded annually from the Determination Date through the Consummation Date at the prime rate of interest of Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York (or of such other major bank headquartered in New York City selected by at least two-thirds of the Continuing Directors) from time to time in effect in New York City, less the aggregate amount of any cash dividends paid, and the Fair Market Value of any dividends paid in other than cash, per share of such class or series of Shares from the Determination Date through the Consummation Date in an amount up to but not exceeding the amount of such interest payable per share of such class or series of Shares; and

(B) the Fair Market Value per share of such class or series of Shares on the Announcement Date or on the Determination Date, whichever is higher; and

(C) the highest preferential amount per share to which the holders of Shares of such class or series would be entitled in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, regardless of whether the Business Combination to be consummated constitutes such an event.

(iii) The consideration to be received by holders of a particular class or series of outstanding Shares (including Common Stock) shall be in cash or in the same form as previously has been paid by or on behalf of the Interested Shareholder in its direct or indirect acquisition of beneficial ownership of Shares of such class or series. If the consideration so paid for Shares of any class or series varied as to form, the form of consideration for such class or series of Shares shall be either cash or the form used to acquire beneficial ownership of the largest number of Shares of such class or series previously acquired by the Interested Shareholder.

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(iv) After such Interested Shareholder has become an Interested Shareholder and prior to the consummation of such Business Combination, such Interested Shareholder shall not have become the beneficial owner of any additional Shares except as part of the transaction that results in such Interested Shareholder becoming an Interested Shareholder and except in a transaction that, after giving effect thereto, would not result in any increase in the Interested Shareholder’s percentage beneficial ownership of any class or series of Shares; and, except as approved by at least two-thirds of the Continuing Directors: (A) there shall have been no failure to declare and pay at the regular date therefor any full quarterly dividends (whether or not cumulative) payable in accordance with the terms of any outstanding Shares; (B) there shall have been no reduction in the annual rate of dividends paid on the Common Stock (except as necessary to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or subdivision of the Common Stock); and (C) there shall have been an increase in the annual rate of dividends paid on the Common Stock as necessary to reflect any reclassification (including any reverse stock split), recapitalization, reorganization or any similar transaction which has the effect of reducing the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock.

(v) After such Interested Shareholder has become an Interested Shareholder, such Interested Shareholder shall not have received the benefit, directly or indirectly (except proportionately as a Shareholder of the Corporation), of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial assistance or any tax credits or other tax advantages provided by the Corporation, whether in anticipation of or in connection with such Business Combination or otherwise.

(vi) A proxy or information statement describing the proposed Business Combination and complying with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations thereunder (or any subsequent provisions replacing such Act, rules or regulations) shall be mailed to all Shareholders of the Corporation at least 30 days prior to the consummation of such Business Combination (whether or not such proxy or information statement is required to be mailed pursuant to such Act or subsequent provisions). The proxy or information statement shall contain on the first page thereof, in a prominent place, any statement as to the advisability of the Business Combination that the Continuing Directors, or any of them, may choose to make and, if deemed advisable by at least two-thirds of the Continuing Directors, the opinion of an investment banking firm selected for and on behalf of the Corporation by at least two-thirds of the Continuing Directors as to the fairness of the terms of the Business Combination from a financial point of view to the holders of the outstanding Shares other than the Interested Shareholder and its Affiliates or Associates (as hereinafter defined).

(vii) Such Interested Shareholder shall not have made any material change in the Corporation’s business or equity capital structure without the approval of at least two-thirds of the Continuing Directors.

Any Business Combination to which Section 9.01 shall not apply by reason of this Section 9.02 shall require only such affirmative vote as is required by law, any other provision of these Articles, the By-Laws of the Corporation or any agreement with any national securities exchange.

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Section 9.03 Certain Definitions. For the purposes of this Article 9:

(a) A “Business Combination” shall mean:

(i) any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any Subsidiary (as hereinafter defined) with (A) any Interested Shareholder or (B) any other corporation (whether or not itself an Interested Shareholder) which is, or after such merger or consolidation would be, an Affiliate or Associate of an Interested Shareholder; or

(ii) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) to or with any Interested Shareholder or any Affiliate or Associate of any Interested Shareholder involving any assets or securities of the Corporation, any Subsidiary or any Interested Shareholder or any Affiliate or Associate of any Interested Shareholder having an aggregate Fair Market Value of $25,000,000 or more; or

(iii) the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation proposed by or on behalf of an Interested Shareholder or any Affiliate or Associate of any Interested Shareholder; or

(iv) any reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock split), or recapitalization of the Corporation, or any merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any of its Subsidiaries or any other transaction (whether or not with or into or otherwise involving an Interested Shareholder) that has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of any class or series of Shares, or any securities convertible into Shares or into equity securities of any Subsidiary, that is beneficially owned by any Interested Shareholder or any Affiliate or Associate of any Interested Shareholder; or

(v) any agreement, contract, arrangement or other understanding providing for any one or more of the actions specified in clauses (i) through (iv) above.

(b) A “person” shall mean any individual, firm, corporation or other entity and shall include any group composed of any person and any other person with whom such person or any Affiliate or Associate of such person has any agreement, arrangement or understanding, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of Shares.

(c) “Interested Shareholder” shall mean any person (other than the Corporation or any Subsidiary and other than any profit-sharing, employee stock ownership or other employee benefit plan of the Corporation, any Subsidiary or any trustee of or fiduciary with respect to any such plan when acting in such capacity) who or which:

(i) is the beneficial owner of Voting Shares having 10 percent or more of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of all then outstanding Voting Shares; or

(ii) is an Affiliate or Associate of the Corporation and at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question was the beneficial owner of Voting Shares having 10 percent or more of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of all then outstanding Voting Shares; or

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(iii) is an assignee of or has otherwise succeeded to any Voting Shares which were at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question beneficially owned by any Interested Shareholder, if such assignment or succession shall have occurred in the course of a transaction or series of transactions not involving a public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933;

provided, however, that neither Meritor Automotive, Inc. nor Arvin Industries, Inc. shall be deemed an Interested Shareholder as a result of any ownership of Shares or otherwise prior to the mergers of such corporations with and into the Corporation.

(d) A person shall be a “beneficial owner” of any Shares:

(i) which such person or any Affiliate or Associate of such person beneficially owns, directly or indirectly; or

(ii) which such person or any Affiliate or Associate of such person has, directly or indirectly, (A) the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise, or (B) the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; or

(iii) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other person with which such person or any Affiliate or Associate of such person has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any Shares.

(e) For the purposes of determining whether a person is an Interested Shareholder pursuant to Section 9.03(c), the number of Shares deemed to be outstanding shall include shares deemed owned by the Interested Shareholder through application of Section 9.03(d) but shall not include any other Shares that may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise.

(f) “Affiliate” and “Associate” shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on July 7, 2000 (the term “registrant” in such Rule 12b-2 meaning in this case the Corporation).

(g) “Subsidiary” means any corporation of which a majority of any class of equity security is beneficially owned by the Corporation; provided, however, that for the purposes of the definition of Interested Shareholder set forth in Section 9.03(c), the term “Subsidiary” shall mean only a corporation of which a majority of each class of equity security is beneficially owned by the Corporation.

(h) “Continuing Director” means any member of the Board who is not an Affiliate or Associate or representative of the Interested Shareholder and was a member of the Board prior to the time that the Interested Shareholder became an Interested Shareholder, and any successor of a Continuing Director who is not an Affiliate or Associate or representative of the Interested Shareholder and is recommended or elected to succeed a Continuing Director by at least two-thirds of the Continuing Directors then members of the Board.

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(i) “Fair Market Value” means: (i) in the case of cash, the amount of such cash; (ii) in the case of stock, the highest closing sale price during the 30-day period immediately preceding the date in question of a share of such stock on the Composite Tape for New York Stock Exchange-Listed Stocks, or, if such stock is not quoted on the Composite Tape, on the New York Stock Exchange, or, if such stock is not listed on such Exchange, on the principal United States securities exchange registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on which such stock is listed, or, if such stock is not listed on any such exchange, the highest closing bid quotation with respect to a share of such stock during the 30-day period immediately preceding the date in question on the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotations System or any system then in use, or if no such quotations are available, the fair market value on the date in question of a share of such stock as determined in good faith by at least two-thirds of the Continuing Directors; and (iii) in the case of property other than cash or stock, the fair market value of such property on the date in question as determined in good faith by at least two-thirds of the Continuing Directors.

(j) In the event of any Business Combination in which the Corporation survives, the phrase “consideration other than cash to be received” as used in Sections 9.02(b)(i) and (ii) shall include the shares of Common Stock and/or the shares of any other class or series of Shares retained by the holders of such shares.

Section 9.04 Powers of Continuing Directors. Any determination as to compliance with this Article 9, including without limitation (a) whether a person is an Interested Shareholder, (b) the number of Shares or other securities beneficially owned by any person, (c) whether a person is an Affiliate or Associate of another, (d) whether the requirements of Section 9.02(b)(ii) have been met with respect to any Business Combination, and (e) whether the assets that are the subject of any Business Combination have, or the consideration to be received for the issuance or transfer of securities by the Corporation or any Subsidiary in any Business Combination has, an aggregate Fair Market Value of $25,000,000 or more shall be made only upon action by not less than two-thirds of the Continuing Directors of the Corporation; and the good faith determination of at least two-thirds of the Continuing Directors on such matters shall be conclusive and binding for all the purposes of this Article 9.

Section 9.05 No Effect on Fiduciary Obligations. Nothing contained in this Article 9 shall be construed to relieve the Board or any Interested Shareholder from any fiduciary obligation imposed by law.

Section 9.06 Amendment, Repeal, etc. Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Articles or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and notwithstanding the fact that a lesser percentage or separate class vote may be specified by law, these Articles or the By-Laws of the Corporation), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80 percent of the voting power of the Voting Shares, voting together as a single class, shall be required to amend or repeal, or adopt any provisions inconsistent with, this Article 9; provided, however, that the preceding provisions of this Section 9.06 shall not apply to any amendment to this Article 9, and such amendment shall require only such affirmative vote as is required by law and any other provisions of these Articles or the By-Laws of the Corporation, if such amendment shall have been approved by at least two-thirds of the members of the Board who are persons who would be eligible to serve as Continuing Directors.

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Appendix B

MERITOR, INC.
2020 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

1. Plan Introduction

(a) Establishment of the Plan

The Company hereby establishes this Meritor, Inc. 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as set forth in this document and as may be amended from time to time (the “Plan”). The Plan permits the grant of Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares, Performance Units and other cash and stock-based Awards. Following the effective date of the Plan, no new awards will be granted under the Meritor, Inc. 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Prior Plan”). For the avoidance of doubt, the Prior Plan and any applicable award agreements issued thereunder will continue to govern any awards that remain outstanding thereunder on and after the effective date of the Plan.

(b) Purpose of the Plan.

The purpose of this Plan is to enhance shareholder value by linking the compensation of officers, directors, and key employees of the Company to increases in the price of Meritor stock and the achievement of other performance objectives, and to encourage ownership in the Company by key personnel whose long-term employment is considered essential to the Company’s continued progress and success. The Plan is also intended to assist the Company in the recruitment of new employees and to motivate, retain and encourage such employees and directors to act in the shareholders’ interest and share in the Company’s success.

2. Definitions.

As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:

(a) “Administrator” means the Board, any Committee or such delegates as shall be administering the Plan in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

(b) “Affiliate” means any Subsidiary or other entity that is directly or indirectly controlled by the Company or any entity in which the Company has a significant ownership interest as determined by the Administrator. The Administrator shall, in its sole discretion, determine which entities are classified as Affiliates and designated as eligible to participate in this Plan.

(c) “Applicable Law” means the requirements relating to the administration of stock option plans under U.S. federal and state laws, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Company has listed or submitted for quotation the Common Shares to the extent provided under the terms of the Company’s agreement with such exchange or quotation system and, with respect to Awards subject to the laws of any foreign jurisdiction where Awards are, or will be, granted under the Plan, the laws of such jurisdiction.

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(d) “Award” means a Cash Award, Stock Award, Option, Stock Appreciation Right or Other Stock-Based Award granted in accordance with the terms of the Plan.

(e) “Awardee” means an Employee or Non-employee Director who has been granted an Award under the Plan.

(f) “Award Agreement” means a Cash Award Agreement, Stock Award Agreement, Option Agreement, Stock Appreciation Right Agreement and/or Other Stock-Based Award Agreement, which may be in written or electronic format, in such form and with such terms as may be specified by the Administrator, evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Award. Each Award Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(g) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(h) “Cash Award” means a bonus opportunity awarded under Section 13 of the Plan pursuant to which a Participant may become entitled to receive an amount based on the satisfaction of such performance criteria as are specified in the agreement or, if no agreement is entered into with respect to the Cash Award, other documents evidencing the Award (the “Cash Award Agreement”).

(i) “Change of Control” means one of the following shall have taken place after the date of this Plan:

(i) the acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of thirty-five percent (35%) or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”) or of such other amount that, together with Common Shares already held by such Person, constitutes more than fifty percent (50%) of either (x) the Outstanding Company Voting Securities, or (y) the then outstanding Common Shares of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Shares”). However, for purposes of this subsection (i), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (A) any acquisition directly from the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company; (B) any acquisition by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company; (C) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company; or (D) any acquisition by any corporation that is a Non-Control Acquisition (as defined in subsection (iii) of this Section 2(i)); or

(ii) individuals who, as of the effective date of this Plan, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board within a twelve (12) month period; provided, however, that any individual becoming a Director subsequent to the effective date whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board; or

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(iii) consummation of a reorganization, merger, consolidation, or sale or other disposition of all or a substantial portion of the assets of the Company, or the acquisition by the Company of assets or shares of another corporation (a “Business Combination”), unless, such Business Combination is a Non-Control Acquisition. For the purpose of this provision, “substantial portion of the assets of the Company” is defined as assets having a gross fair market value, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets, of forty percent (40%) or more of the total assets of the Company. A “Non-Control Acquisition” shall mean a Business Combination where: (x) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Shares and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, at least fifty percent (50%) of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation which, as a result of such transaction, owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Shares and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be; or (y) a transfer of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company is made to a Person beneficially owning, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of, respectively, the Outstanding Company Common Shares or Outstanding Company Voting Securities (“Control Person”), as the case may be, or to another entity in which either such Control Person or the Company beneficially owns fifty percent (50%) or more of the total value or voting power of such entity’s outstanding voting securities; or

(iv) approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any payment or distribution event applicable to an Award is subject to the requirements of Section 409A(a)(2)(A) of the Code, the determination of the occurrence of a Change of Control shall be governed by applicable provisions of Section 409A(a)(2)(A) of the Code and regulations and rulings issued thereunder for purposes of determining whether such payment or distribution may then occur.

(j) “Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(k) “Committee” means one or more committees of Directors appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan or, in the absence of any such special appointment, the Compensation and Management Development Committee of the Board.

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(l) “Common Shares” means the common shares, par value $1 per share, of the Company.

(m) “Company” means Meritor, Inc., an Indiana corporation, or, except as utilized in the definition of Change of Control, its successor.

(n) “Conversion Award” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(b)(xii) of the Plan.

(o) “Director” means a member of the Board who is an Employee or a Non-employee Director.

(p) “Disability,” has the meaning specified in the Company’s long-term disability plan applicable to the Participant at the time of the disability. If the Participant is not covered by a long-term disability plan, then the definition applicable under the plan covering salaried U.S. Employees shall apply.

(q) “Disaffiliation” means a Subsidiary’s or Affiliate’s ceasing to be a Subsidiary or Affiliate for any reason (including, without limitation, as a result of a public offering, or a spin-off or sale by the Company, of the stock of the Subsidiary or Affiliate) or a sale of a division of the Company and its Affiliates.

(r) “Employee” means a regular, active employee of the Company or any Affiliate, including an Officer and/or Director who is also a regular, active employee of the Company or any Affiliate. The Administrator shall determine whether the Chairman of the Board qualifies as an “Employee.” For any and all purposes under the Plan, the term “Employee” shall not include a person hired as an independent contractor, leased employee, consultant or a person otherwise designated by the Administrator, the Company or an Affiliate at the time of hire as not eligible to participate in or receive benefits under the Plan or not on the payroll, even if such ineligible person is subsequently determined to be a common law employee of the Company or an Affiliate or otherwise an employee by any governmental or judicial authority. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion, for purposes of the Plan, an Employee shall be considered to have terminated employment and to have ceased to be an Employee if his or her employer ceases to be an Affiliate, even if he or she continues to be employed by such employer.

(s) “Exchange Act” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(t) “Grant Date” means, with respect to each Award, the date upon which the Award is granted to an Awardee pursuant to this Plan, which may be a designated future date as of which such Award will be effective.

(u) “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option that is identified in the Option Agreement as intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, and that actually does so qualify.

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(v) “Fair Market Value” means the closing price for the Common Shares reported on a consolidated basis on the New York Stock Exchange on the relevant date or, if there were no sales on such date, the closing price on the nearest preceding date on which sales occurred.

(w) “Non-employee Director” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a)(iv) of the Plan.

(x) “Nonqualified Stock Option” means an Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

(y) “Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(z) “Option” means a right granted under Section 8 of the Plan to purchase a number of Shares or Stock Units at such exercise price, at such times, and on such other terms and conditions as are specified in the agreement or other documents evidencing the Award (the “Option Agreement”). Both Incentive Stock Options and Nonqualified Stock Options may be granted under the Plan.

(aa) “Other Stock-Based Award” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 12 of the Plan on such terms and conditions as are specified in the agreement or other documents evidencing the Award (the “Other Stock- Based Award Agreement”).

(bb) “Participant” means the Awardee or any person (including any estate) to whom an Award has been assigned or transferred as permitted hereunder.

(cc) “Performance Criteria” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14(b) of the Plan.

(dd) “Plan” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1(a) of the Plan.

(ee) “Prior Plan” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1(a) of the Plan.

(ff) “Qualifying Termination” shall mean a Termination of Employment due to death, Disability, Retirement, Termination Without Cause or Termination for Good Reason or a termination of Board membership for a Non-employee Director for any reason.

(gg) “Retirement” means, unless the Administrator determines otherwise, voluntary Termination of Employment by a Participant from the Company and its Affiliates after attaining age fifty-five (55) and having at least five (5) years of service with the Company and its Affiliates, excluding service with an Affiliate of the Company prior to the time that such Affiliate became an Affiliate of the Company.

(hh) “Securities Act” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

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(ii) “Share” means a Common Share, as adjusted in accordance with Section 16 of the Plan.

(jj) “Stock Appreciation Right” means a right granted under Section 10 of the Plan on such terms and conditions as are specified in the agreement or other documents evidencing the Award (the “Stock Appreciation Right Agreement”).

(kk) “Stock Award” means an award or issuance of Shares or Stock Units made under Section 11 of the Plan, the grant, issuance, retention, vesting and/or transferability of which is subject during specified periods of time to such conditions (including, without limitation, continued employment or performance conditions) and terms as are expressed in the agreement or other documents evidencing the Award (the “Stock Award Agreement”).

(ll) “Stock Unit” means a bookkeeping entry representing an amount equivalent to the Fair Market Value of one Share, payable in cash, property or Shares. Stock Units represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company, except as otherwise provided for by the Administrator.

(mm) “Subsidiary” means any company (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of companies beginning with the Company, provided each company in the unbroken chain (other than the Company) owns, at the time of determination, stock possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other companies in such chain.

(nn) “Termination for Cause” means, unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, Termination of Employment on account of any act of fraud or intentional misrepresentation or embezzlement, misappropriation or conversion of assets of the Company or any Affiliate, or the intentional and repeated violation of the written policies or procedures of the Company; provided, however, that, for an Employee who is party to an individual severance or employment agreement defining Cause, “Cause” shall have the meaning set forth in such agreement except as may be otherwise provided in such agreement. For purposes of this Plan, a Participant’s Termination of Employment shall be deemed to be a Termination for Cause if, after the Participant’s employment has terminated, facts and circumstances are discovered that would have justified, in the opinion of the Committee, a Termination for Cause.

(oo) “Termination for Good Reason” means for purposes of this Plan, unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, the occurrence of any of the following events without the Awardee’s written consent: (i) a material diminution in the Awardee’s base salary; (ii) a relocation of the Awardee’s principal place of employment by more than fifty (50) miles; (iii) any material breach by the Company of any material provision of this Plan; or (iv) a material diminution in the Awardee’s authority, duties or responsibilities. No Termination for Good Reason shall be deemed to occur until the Awardee has furnished written notice to the Company of the existence of the circumstances providing grounds for termination for such good reason within ninety (90) days of the date of the initial existence of such grounds and the Company has had at least thirty (30) days from the date on which such notice is provided to cure such circumstances. If the Awardee does not terminate his or her employment for such good reason within two (2) years after the first occurrence of such grounds, then the Awardee will be deemed to have waived his or her right to terminate for good reason with respect to such grounds.

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(pp) “Termination of Employment” means for purposes of this Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, ceasing to be an Employee (as determined in accordance with Section 3401(c) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder) of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries. In addition, Termination of Employment shall mean a “separation from service” as defined in regulations issued under Code Section 409A whenever necessary to ensure compliance therewith for any payment or settlement of a benefit conferred under this Plan that is subject to such Code section, and, for such purposes, shall be determined based upon a reduction in the bona fide level of services performed to a level equal to twenty percent (20%) or less of the average level of services performed by the Employee during the immediately preceding thirty-six (36)-month period.

(qq) “Termination Without Cause” means for purposes of this Plan, unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, involuntary Termination of Employment by the Company other than due to the Awardee’s death, Disability or Termination for Cause.

3. Stock Subject to the Plan.

(a) Aggregate Limit. Subject to the provisions of Section 16(a) of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be subject to or delivered under Awards granted under the Plan shall not exceed the sum of (i) 4,100,000 Shares and (ii) any Shares under the Prior Plan subject to awards that, after the effective date of the Plan, are forfeited, terminated or lapsed. Shares subject to or delivered under Conversion Awards shall not reduce the aggregate number of Shares which may be subject to or delivered under Awards granted under this Plan. The Shares issued under the Plan may be either Shares reacquired by the Company, Shares purchased in the open market, or authorized but unissued Shares.

(b) Code Section 422 Limits; Other Share Limitations. Subject to the provisions of Section 16(a) of the Plan, the aggregate number of Shares subject to Awards granted under this Plan during any fiscal year to any one Awardee shall not exceed 1,500,000. Subject to the provisions of Section 16(a) of the Plan, the aggregate number of Shares that may be subject to all Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan is 500,000 Shares.

(c) Share Counting Rules.

(i) Except as otherwise provided in Section 3(c)(ii) below, for purposes of this Section 3 of the Plan, Shares subject to Awards that have been canceled, expired, settled in cash, or not issued or forfeited for any reason shall not reduce the aggregate number of Shares which may be subject to or delivered under Awards granted under this Plan and shall be available for future Awards granted under this Plan. In addition, except as otherwise provided in Section 3(c)(ii) below, Shares subject to Awards that have been canceled, expired, settled in cash, or not issued or forfeited for any reason shall not reduce any other limitation on Shares to which such Shares were subject at the time of the Award, and shall be available for future Awards of the type subject to such limitations.

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(ii) The following Shares shall not become available for Awards under this Plan: (A) all Shares issued upon exercise of an Option, including Shares that have been retained by the Company in payment or satisfaction of the purchase price of an Award or the tax withholding obligation of an Awardee; (B) Shares repurchased on the open market with proceeds received by the Company from Shares issued upon exercise of an Option, as described in subclause (A) hereof; or (C) Shares reserved for issuance upon a grant of Stock Appreciation Rights which are able to be exercised and settled in Shares, including Shares that are not issued upon the exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right.

4. Administration of the Plan.

(a) Procedure.

(i) Multiple Administrative Bodies. The Plan shall be administered by the Board, a Committee designated by the Board to so administer this Plan and/or their respective delegates.

(ii) Rule 16b-3. To the extent desirable to qualify transactions hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act (“Rule 16b-3”), Awards to Officers and Directors shall be made by the entire Board or a Committee composed solely of two or more “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3.

(iii) Other Administration. Except to the extent prohibited by Applicable Law, the Board or a Committee may delegate to a Committee of one or more Directors or to authorized officers of the Company the power to approve Awards to persons eligible to receive Awards under the Plan who are not (A) subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act or (B) at the time of such approval, “covered employees” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

(iv) Awards to Directors. The Board shall have the power and authority to grant Awards to Directors who do not serve as employees of the Company (“Non-employee Directors”), including the authority to determine the number and type of Awards to be granted; determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan, of any Award; and to take any other actions the Board considers appropriate in connection with the administration of the Plan. The aggregate number of Shares subject to Awards granted under this Plan during any fiscal year to a Non-employee Director, that is part of regular annual grants of Awards to eligible Non-employee Directors, shall not exceed 100,000.

(v) Delegation of Authority for the Day-to-Day Administration of the Plan. Except to the extent prohibited by Applicable Law, the Administrator may delegate to one or more individuals the day-to-day administration of the Plan and any of the functions assigned to it in this Plan. Such delegation may be revoked at any time.

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(b) Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the Plan and, in the case of a Committee or delegates acting as the Administrator, subject to the specific duties delegated to such Committee or delegates, the Administrator shall have the authority, in its discretion:

(i) to select the Non-employee Directors and Employees of the Company or its Affiliates to whom Awards are to be granted hereunder;

(ii) to determine Cash Award targets and the number of Common Shares to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;

(iii) to determine the type of Award to be granted to the selected Employees and Non-employee Directors;

(iv) to approve forms of Award Agreements;

(v) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder. Such terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise and/or purchase price, the time or times when an Award may be exercised (which may or may not be based on performance criteria), the vesting schedule, any vesting and/or exercisability provisions, terms regarding acceleration of Awards or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, the acceptable forms of consideration for payment for an Award, the term, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Award or the Shares relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine and may be established at the time an Award is granted or thereafter;

(vi) to correct administrative errors;

(vii) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan (including sub-plans and Plan addenda) and Awards granted pursuant to the Plan;

(viii) to adopt rules and procedures relating to the operation and administration of the Plan to accommodate the specific requirements of local laws and procedures. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrator is specifically authorized (A) to adopt rules and procedures regarding the conversion of local currency, the shift of tax liability from employer to employee (where legally permitted) and withholding procedures and handling of stock certificates which vary with local requirements, and (B) to adopt sub-plans and Plan addenda as the Administrator deems desirable, to accommodate foreign laws, regulations and practice;

(ix) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans and Plan addenda;

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(x) to modify or amend each Award, including, but not limited to, the acceleration of vesting and/ or exercisability; provided, however, that any such modification or amendment (A) is subject to the minimum vesting provisions set forth in Sections 8(e), 11(a) and 12(a) of the Plan and the plan amendment provisions set forth in Section 17 of the Plan, and (B) may not impair any outstanding Award unless agreed to in writing by the Participant to whom such Award was granted, except that such agreement shall not be required if the Administrator determines in its sole discretion that such modification or amendment either (Y) is required or advisable in order for the Company, the Plan or the Award to satisfy any Applicable Law or to meet the requirements of any accounting standard, or (Z) is not reasonably likely to significantly diminish the benefits provided under such Award, or that adequate compensation has been provided for any such diminishment, except following a Change of Control;

(xi) to allow or require Participants to satisfy withholding tax amounts by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued upon exercise of a Nonqualified Stock Option or vesting of a Stock Award that number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld shall be determined in such manner and on such date that the Administrator shall determine or, in the absence of provision otherwise, on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. All elections by a Participant to have Shares withheld for this purpose shall be made in such form and under such conditions as the Administrator may provide;

(xii) to authorize conversion or substitution under the Plan of any or all stock options, stock appreciation rights or other stock awards held by awardees of an entity acquired by the Company (the “Conversion Awards”). Any conversion or substitution shall be effective as of the close of the merger or acquisition. The Conversion Awards may be Nonqualified Stock Options or Incentive Stock Options, as determined by the Administrator, with respect to options granted by the acquired entity;

(xiii) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Award previously granted by the Administrator;

(xiv) to impose such restrictions, conditions or limitations as it determines appropriate as to the timing and manner of any resale by a Participant or of other subsequent transfers by the Participant of any Shares issued as a result of or under an Award or upon the exercise of an Award, including without limitation, (A) restrictions under an insider trading policy, (B) restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm for such resale or other transfers, and (C) institution of “blackout” periods on exercises of Awards;

(xv) to provide, either at the time an Award is granted or by subsequent action, that an Award shall contain as a term thereof, a right, either in tandem with the other rights under the Award or as an alternative thereto, of the Participant to receive, without payment to the Company, a number of Shares, cash or a combination thereof, the amount of which is determined by reference to the value of the Award; and

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(xvi) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan and any Award granted hereunder.

(c) Effect of Administrator’s Decision. All questions arising under the Plan or under any Award shall be decided by the Administrator in its total and absolute discretion. All decisions, determinations and interpretations by the Administrator regarding the Plan, any rules and regulations under the Plan and the terms and conditions of any Award granted hereunder, shall be final and binding on all Participants. The Administrator shall consider such factors as it deems relevant, in its sole and absolute discretion, to making such decisions, determinations and interpretations, including, without limitation, the recommendations or advice of any officer or other employee of the Company and such attorneys, consultants and accountants as it may select.

5. Eligibility.

Awards may be granted only to Directors and Employees of the Company or any of its Affiliates.

6. Term of Plan.

The Plan was adopted by the Board on November 6, 2019 and will become effective upon its approval by shareholders of the Company on January 23, 2020. It shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years from that date unless terminated earlier under Section 17 of the Plan. No Awards may be granted under the Plan subsequent to the tenth (10th) anniversary of the effective date of the Plan. Awards granted under the Plan on or prior to the tenth (10th) anniversary of the effective date of the Plan will remain outstanding beyond that date in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreements.

7. Term of Award.

Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the term of each Award shall be determined by the Administrator and stated in the Award Agreement, and may extend beyond the termination of the Plan. In the case of an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right, the term shall be ten (10) years from the Grant Date or such shorter term as may be provided in the Award Agreement.

8. Options.

The Administrator may grant an Option or provide for the grant of an Option, either from time to time in the discretion of the Administrator or automatically upon the occurrence of specified events, including, without limitation, the achievement of performance goals or the satisfaction of an event or condition within the control of the Awardee or within the control of others.

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(a) Option Agreement. Each Option Agreement shall contain provisions regarding (i) the number of Shares that may be issued upon exercise of the Option, (ii) the type of Option, (iii) the exercise price of the Option and the means of payment of such exercise price, (iv) the term of the Option, (v) such terms and conditions regarding the vesting and/or exercisability of an Option as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator, (vi) restrictions on the transfer of the Option and forfeiture provisions, and (vii) such further terms and conditions, in each case not inconsistent with this Plan, as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator.

(b) Exercise Price. The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued upon exercise of an Option shall be determined by the Administrator, except that the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the Grant Date.

(c) No Option Repricings. Subject to Section 16(a) of the Plan, the exercise price of an Option may not be reduced without shareholder approval, nor may outstanding Options be cancelled in exchange for cash, other Awards or Options with an exercise price that is less than the exercise price of the original Option without shareholder approval.

(d) No Reload Grants. Options shall not be granted under the Plan in consideration for and shall not be conditioned upon the delivery of Shares to the Company in payment of the exercise price and/or tax withholding obligation under any other employee stock option.

(e) Vesting Period and Exercise Dates. Options granted under this Plan shall vest and/or be exercisable at such time and in such installments during the period prior to the expiration of the Option’s term as determined by the Administrator, except that no Option granted to a Participant shall first become fully exercisable before the three (3) year anniversary of its Grant Date (provided, however, that an Option may become partially exercisable within the three (3) year period immediately following its Grant Date; provided, further that no more than 50% shall become exercisable in any one (1) year during such three (3) year period and in no event will Options become exercisable within the first year immediately following the Grant Date), other than (i) upon a Qualifying Termination within the two (2) year period immediately following a Change of Control as specified in Section 16(b) of the Plan, or (ii) upon the death or Disability of the Awardee, in each case as specified in the Option Agreement. The Administrator shall have the right to make the timing of the ability to exercise any Option granted under this Plan subject to continued active employment, the passage of time and/or such performance requirements as deemed appropriate by the Administrator. At any time after the grant of an Option, the Administrator may reduce or eliminate any restrictions surrounding any Participant’s right to exercise all or part of the Option, subject to the restrictions set forth above.

(f) Form of Consideration. The Administrator shall determine the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment, either through the terms of the Option Agreement or at the time of exercise of an Option. Acceptable forms of consideration may include:

(i) cash;

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(ii) check or wire transfer (denominated in U.S. Dollars);

(iii) subject to any conditions or limitations established by the Administrator, other Shares which (A) in the case of Shares acquired from the Company (whether upon the exercise of an Option or otherwise), have been owned by the Participant for more than six (6) months on the date of surrender (unless this condition is waived by the Administrator), and (B) have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to or greater than the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option shall be exercised (it being agreed that the excess of the Fair Market Value over the aggregate exercise price shall be refunded to the Awardee in cash);

(iv) subject to any conditions or limitations established by the Administrator, the Company withholding shares otherwise issuable upon exercise of an Option;

(v) consideration received by the Company under a broker-assisted sale and remittance program acceptable to the Administrator and in compliance with Applicable Law;

(vi) such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Law; or

(vii) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment.

(g) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Shareholder.

(i) Any Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the applicable Option Agreement.

(ii) An Option shall be deemed exercised when (A) the Company receives (1) written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with the Option Agreement or procedures established by the Administrator) from the person entitled to exercise the Option and (2) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the related Option is exercised, and (B) with respect to Nonqualified Stock Options, provisions acceptable to the Administrator have been made for payment of all applicable withholding taxes.

(iii) Unless provided otherwise by the Administrator or pursuant to this Plan, until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect to the Shares subject to an Option, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option.

(iv) The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares as soon as administratively practicable after the Option is exercised. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

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(h) Termination of Employment or Board Membership. The Administrator shall determine as of the Grant Date (subject to modification subsequent to the Grant Date) the effect a termination from membership on the Board by a Director for any reason or a Termination of Employment due to (i) Disability, (ii) Retirement, (iii) death, or (iv) otherwise (including Termination for Cause) shall have on any Option. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement and except as otherwise provided in Section 16(b) herein, (A) upon termination from membership on the Board by a Director, any Option held by such Director that (1) has not vested and is not exercisable as of the effective date of such termination from membership on the Board shall be subject to immediate cancellation and forfeiture or (2) is vested and exercisable as of the effective date of such termination shall remain exercisable for five (5) years thereafter, or the remaining term of the Option, if less; (B) a Termination of Employment due to Disability or death or the termination of a Director due to death shall result in immediate vesting of any Option, which shall remain exercisable for three (3) years thereafter, or the remaining term of the Option, if less; (C) provided that Retirement occurs at least one (1) year after the Grant Date, an Option held by an Awardee at Retirement will remain outstanding for the lesser of five (5) years or the remaining term of the Option and will continue to vest in accordance with the terms of the Option Agreement as though the Awardee were still employed; and (D) any other Termination of Employment shall result in immediate cancellation and forfeiture of all outstanding Options that have not vested as of the effective date of such Termination of Employment, and any vested and exercisable Options held at the time of such Termination of Employment shall remain exercisable for ninety (90) days thereafter, or the remaining term of the Option, if less.

9. Incentive Stock Option Limitations/Terms.

(a) Eligibility. Only employees (as determined in accordance with Section 3401(c) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may be granted Incentive Stock Options. No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to any such employee who as of the Grant Date owns stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of the Company.

(b) $100,000 Limitation. Notwithstanding the designation “Incentive Stock Option” in an Option Agreement, if and to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Awardee during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any of its Subsidiaries) exceeds U.S. $100,000, such Options shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 9(b) of the Plan, Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be determined as of the Grant Date.

(c) Transferability. The Option Agreement must provide that an Incentive Stock Option is not transferable by the Awardee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and, during the lifetime of such Awardee, must not be exercisable by any other person. If the terms of an Incentive Stock Option are amended to permit transferability, the Option will be treated for tax purposes as a Nonqualified Stock Option.

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(d) Exercise Price. The per Share exercise price of an Incentive Stock Option shall in no event be inconsistent with the requirements for qualification of the Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code.

(e) Other Terms. Option Agreements evidencing Incentive Stock Options shall contain such other terms and conditions as may be necessary to qualify, to the extent determined desirable by the Administrator, with the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code.

10. Stock Appreciation Rights.

A “Stock Appreciation Right” is a right that entitles the Awardee to receive, in cash or Shares (as determined by the Administrator), value equal to or otherwise based on the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of a specified number of Shares at the time of exercise over (ii) the aggregate exercise price of the right, as established by the Administrator on the Grant Date. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted to Awardees either alone (“freestanding”) or in addition to or in tandem with other Awards granted under the Plan and may, but need not, relate to a specific Option granted under Section 8 of the Plan. Any Stock Appreciation Right granted in tandem with an Option may be granted at the same time such Option is granted or at any time thereafter before exercise or expiration of such Option. All Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan shall be granted subject to the same terms and conditions applicable to Options as set forth in Section 8 of the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 8 of the Plan, the Administrator may impose such other conditions or restrictions on any Stock Appreciation Right as it shall deem appropriate. Stock Appreciation Rights may be settled in Shares or cash as determined by the Administrator.

11. Stock Awards.

(a) Stock Award Agreement. Each Stock Award Agreement shall contain provisions regarding (i) the number of Shares subject to such Stock Award or a formula for determining such number, (ii) the purchase price of the Shares, if any, and the means of payment for the Shares, (iii) the performance criteria, if any, and level of achievement versus these criteria that shall determine the number of Shares granted, issued, retainable and/or vested, (iv) such terms and conditions on the grant, issuance, vesting and/or forfeiture of the Shares as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator, (v) restrictions on the transferability of the Stock Award, and (vi) such further terms and conditions, in each case not inconsistent with this Plan, as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator. No condition that is based upon performance criteria and level of achievement versus such criteria shall be based on performance over a period of less than one (1) year, and no condition that is based upon continued employment or the passage of time shall provide for vesting in full of a Stock Award in less than three (3) years from the date the Stock Award is made and in no event will Stock Awards vest within the first year immediately following the Grant Date, other than (A) with respect to such Stock Awards that are issued upon the exercise or settlement of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, (B) upon a Change of Control as specified in Section 16(b) of the Plan, (C) upon the death, Disability or Retirement of the Awardee, in each case as specified in the Stock Award Agreement, or (D) as otherwise determined appropriate by the Administrator. The Administrator shall be prohibited from waiving the minimum vesting conditions set forth above except under the circumstances in clauses (A) through (D) of the immediately preceding sentence subject to a maximum exemption of up to five percent (5%) of the total Shares authorized to be issued under the Plan.

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(b) Restrictions and Performance Criteria. The grant, issuance, retention and/or vesting of Stock Awards issued to Employees may be subject to such performance criteria and level of achievement versus these criteria as the Administrator shall determine, which criteria may be based on financial performance, personal performance evaluations and/or completion of service by the Awardee.

(c) Termination of Employment or Board Membership. The Administrator shall determine as of the Grant Date (subject to modification subsequent to the Grant Date) the effect a termination from membership on the Board by a Director for any reason or a Termination of Employment due to (i) Disability, (ii) Retirement, (iii) death, or (iv) otherwise (including Termination for Cause) shall have on any Stock Award. Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement and except as otherwise provided in Section 16(b) herein, (A) a termination from membership on the Board by a Director due to Disability or death shall result in immediate vesting of a Stock Award; (B) a Termination of Employment due to Disability or death shall result in vesting of a prorated portion of any Stock Award, effective as of the end of the applicable performance or vesting period or other period of restriction, based upon the full months of the applicable performance period, vesting period or other period of restriction elapsed as of the end of the month in which the Termination of Employment due to Disability or death occurs over the total number of months in such period; (C) provided that Retirement occurs at least one (1) year after the Grant Date, an Award held by an Awardee at Retirement will remain outstanding for the lesser of five (5) years or the remaining term of the Award and will continue to vest in accordance with the terms of the Award Agreement as though the Awardee were still employed, subject to the requirement that the amount of any Award shall not be determined before the end of the applicable performance or vesting period or other period of restriction; and (D) any other Termination of Employment or termination from membership on the Board by a Director (including, but not limited to, Retirement before the one (1) year anniversary of the Grant Date) shall result in immediate cancellation and forfeiture of all outstanding, unvested Stock Awards unless as otherwise provided for in the Award Agreement.

(d) Rights as a Shareholder. Unless otherwise provided for by the Administrator, the Participant shall have the rights equivalent to those of a shareholder and shall be a shareholder only after Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company) to the Participant.

12. Other Stock-Based Awards.

(a) Other Stock-Based Awards. An “Other Stock-Based Award” means any other type of equity-based or equity-related Award not otherwise described by the terms of this Plan (including the grant or offer for sale of unrestricted Shares) in such amount and subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine. Such Awards may involve the transfer of actual Shares to Participants, or payment in cash or otherwise of amounts based on the value of Shares. Each Other Stock-Based Award will be evidenced by an Award Agreement containing such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Administrator. No condition that is based upon performance criteria and level of achievement versus such criteria shall be based on performance over a period of less than one (1) year and no condition that is based upon continued employment or the passage of time shall provide for vesting in full of an Other Stock-Based Award in less than three (3) years from the date the Other Stock-Based Award is made and in no event will Other Stock-Based Awards vest within the first year immediately following the Grant Date, other than (i) with respect to such Other Stock-Based Awards that are issued upon the exercise or settlement of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, (ii) upon a Change of Control as specified in Section 16(b) of the Plan, (iii) upon the death, Disability or Retirement of the Awardee, in each case as specified in the Other Stock-Based Award Agreement, or (iv) as otherwise determined appropriate by the Administrator. The Administrator shall be prohibited from waiving the minimum vesting conditions set forth above except under the circumstances in clauses (i) through (iv) of the immediately preceding sentence subject to a maximum exemption of up to five percent (5%) of the total Shares authorized to be issued under the Plan. Any Award issued in the form of unrestricted Shares would be subject to the maximum exemption of up to five percent (5%) of the total Shares authorized.

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(b) Value of Other Stock-Based Awards. Each Other Stock-Based Award shall be expressed in terms of Shares or units based on Shares, as determined by the Administrator. The Administrator may establish performance goals in its discretion. If the Administrator exercises its discretion to establish performance goals, the number and/or value of Other Stock-Based Awards that will be paid out to the Participant will depend on the extent to which the performance goals are met.

(c) Payment of Other Stock-Based Awards. Payment, if any, with respect to Other Stock-Based Awards shall be made in accordance with the terms of the Award, in cash or Shares as the Administrator determines.

(d) Termination of Employment or Board Membership. The Administrator shall determine as of the Grant Date (subject to modification subsequent to the Grant Date) the effect a termination from membership on the Board by a Director for any reason or a Termination of Employment due to (i) Disability, (ii) Retirement, (iii) death, or (iv) otherwise (including Termination for Cause) shall have on any Other Stock-Based Award. Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement and except as otherwise provided in Section 16(b) herein, (A) the termination from membership on the Board of a Director for any reason shall result in immediate vesting; (B) a Termination of Employment due to Disability or death shall result in vesting of a prorated portion of any Other Stock-Based Award, effective as of the end of the applicable performance or vesting period or other period of restriction, based upon the full months of the applicable performance period, vesting period or other period of restriction elapsed as of the end of the month in which the Termination of Employment due to Disability or death occurs over the total number of months in such period; (C) provided that Retirement occurs at least one (1) year after the Grant Date, an Award held by an Awardee at Retirement will remain outstanding for the lesser of five (5) years or the remaining term of the Award and will continue to vest in accordance with the terms of the Award Agreement as though the Awardee were still employed, subject to the requirement that the amount of any Award shall not be determined before the end of the applicable performance or vesting period or other period of restriction; and (D) any other Termination of Employment (including but not limited to Retirement before the one (1) year anniversary of the Grant Date) shall result in immediate cancellation and forfeiture of all outstanding, unvested Other Stock-Based Awards unless as otherwise provided for in the Award Agreement.

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13. Cash Awards.

Each Cash Award will confer upon the Participant the opportunity to earn a future payment tied to the level of achievement with respect to one or more performance criteria established for a performance period.

(a) Cash Award. Each Cash Award may contain provisions regarding (i) the amounts potentially payable to the Participant as a Cash Award, (ii) the performance criteria and level of achievement versus these criteria which shall determine the amount of such payment, (iii) the period as to which performance shall be measured for establishing the amount of any payment, (iv) the timing of any payment earned by virtue of performance, (v) restrictions on the alienation or transfer of the Cash Award prior to actual payment, (vi) forfeiture provisions, and (vii) such further terms and conditions, in each case not inconsistent with the Plan, as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator. The maximum amount payable as a Cash Award that is settled for cash may be a multiple of the target amount payable, but the maximum amount payable pursuant to portions of Cash Awards earned with respect to any fiscal year to any Awardee shall not exceed U.S. $10,000,000.

(b) Performance Criteria. The Administrator shall establish the performance criteria and level of achievement versus these criteria which shall determine the amounts payable under a Cash Award, which criteria may be based on financial performance and/or personal performance evaluations.

(c) Timing and Form of Payment. The Administrator shall determine the time of payment of any Cash Award. The Administrator may provide for or, subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator may specify, may permit an Awardee to elect for the payment of any Cash Award to be deferred to a specified date or event. The Administrator may specify the form of payment of Cash Awards, which may be cash or other property, including Shares, or may provide for an Awardee to have the option for his or her Cash Award, or such portion thereof as the Administrator may specify, to be paid in whole or in part in cash or other property, including Shares. To the extent that a Cash Award is in the form of cash, the Administrator may determine whether a payment is in U.S. dollars or foreign currency.

(d) Termination of Employment or Board Membership. The Administrator shall determine as of the Grant Date (subject to modification subsequent to the Grant Date) the effect a termination from membership on the Board by a Director for any reason or a Termination of Employment due to (i) Disability, (ii) Retirement, (iii) death, or (iv) otherwise (including Termination for Cause) shall have on any Cash Award. Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement and except as otherwise provided in Section 16(b) herein, (A) termination from membership on the Board by a Director due to Disability or death shall result in immediate vesting of any Cash Award; (B) a Termination of Employment due to Disability or death shall result in vesting of a prorated portion of any Cash Award, effective as of the end of the applicable performance period, based upon the full months of the applicable performance period elapsed as of the end of the month in which the Termination of Employment due to Disability or death occurs over the total number of months in such period; (C) provided that Retirement occurs at least one (1) year after the first day of the performance period, an Award held by an Awardee at Retirement will remain outstanding for the lesser of five (5) years or the remaining term of the Award and will continue to vest in accordance with the terms of the Award Agreement as though the Awardee were still employed, subject to the requirement that the amount of any Award shall not be determined before the end of the applicable performance period; and (D) any other Termination of Employment or termination from Board membership (including but not limited to Retirement before the one (1) year anniversary of the first day of the performance period) shall result in immediate cancellation and forfeiture of all outstanding, unvested Cash Awards; provided, however, that an Awardee who incurs a Termination Without Cause at least one year after the beginning of an applicable performance cycle for a performance based Award shall receive a partial Award, subject to the requirement that the amount of such performance-based Award shall not be determined before the end of the applicable performance period, and shall be prorated based upon the full months of the applicable performance period elapsed as of the end of the month in which such Termination Without Cause occurs over the total number of months in the performance period.

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14. Other Provisions Applicable to Awards.

(a) Non-Transferability of Awards. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, an Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred or disposed of in any manner other than by beneficiary designation, will or by the laws of descent or distribution. The Administrator may make an Award transferable to an Awardee’s family member or any other person or entity. If the Administrator makes an Award transferable, either as of the Grant Date or thereafter, such Award shall contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate, and any transferee shall be deemed to be bound by such terms upon acceptance of such transfer.

(b) Performance Criteria. For purposes of this Plan, the term “Performance Criteria” shall mean any one or more of the following performance criteria, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to either the Company as a whole or to a business unit, Affiliate or business segment, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, and measured either annually or cumulatively over a period of years, on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous years’ results or to a designated comparison group, in each case as specified by the Committee in the Award: (i) sales, sales growth or cash return on sales; (ii) cash flow or free cash flow, net cash from operating activity or cash flow ratios or conversion metrics; (iii) earnings (including gross margin, earnings before or after interest and taxes, earnings before taxes, net earnings, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) and EBITDA divided by sales); (iv) basic or diluted earnings per share; (v) growth in earnings or earnings per share; (vi) stock price; (vii) return on equity or average shareholders’ equity; (viii) total shareholder return; (ix) return on capital; (x) return on assets or net assets; (xi) return on investments; (xii) revenue or gross profits; (xiii) income before or after interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or net income; (xiv) pretax income before allocation of corporate overhead and bonus; (xv) operating income or net operating income; (xvi) operating profit or net operating profit (whether before or after taxes); (xvii) operating margin; (xviii) return on operating revenue; (xix) working capital or net working capital; (xx) debt and debt ratios, (xxi) market share; (xxii) asset velocity index; (xxiii) contract awards or backlog; (xxiv) overhead or other expense or cost reduction; (xxv) growth in shareholder value relative to the moving average of the S&P 500 Index or a peer group index; (xxvi) credit rating; (xxvii) strategic plan development and implementation; (xxviii) improvement in workforce diversity; (xxix) customer satisfaction; (xxx) employee satisfaction; (xxxi) management succession plan development and implementation; (xxxii) employee retention; and (xxxiii) any other performance criteria determined by the Committee and specified in an Award. The Committee will establish in writing a definition or procedure for calculating or measuring any Performance Criteria at the time any Performance Criteria are established.

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(c) Discretionary Adjustments. Notwithstanding satisfaction or completion of any Performance Criteria, to the extent specified as of the Grant Date, the number of Shares, Options or other benefits granted, issued, retainable and/or vested under an Award on account of satisfaction of such Performance Criteria may be increased or reduced by the Administrator on the basis of such further considerations as the Administrator in its sole discretion shall determine.

(d) Other Forfeiture Events. The Administrator may, in its discretion, also require repayment to the Company of all or any portion of an Award if the amount of the Award was calculated based upon the achievement of certain financial results that were subsequently the subject of a restatement of the Company’s financial statements within a period of one (1) year after the payment or settlement of the Award, the Participant engaged in misconduct or other culpable conduct (as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion) that caused or contributed to the need for the restatement of the financial statements, and the amount of the Award would have been lower than the amount actually awarded to the Participant had the financial results been properly reported. This provision shall not be the Company’s exclusive remedy with respect to such matters.

15. Dividends and Dividend Equivalents.

Awards (other than Awards of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights and performance-based Awards) may provide that any dividend or dividend equivalent payments or other distributions paid with respect to the Shares subject to such Award will be accumulated and held subject to the same restrictions as such Shares; provided, however, that no such dividend or dividend equivalent payment or other distribution will be paid to any Awardee prior to the vesting of the applicable Award on which such payments or distributions have accrued. Such payments or distributions may be made in cash, Shares or Stock Units or may be credited as cash or Stock Units to an Awardee’s account and later settled in cash or Shares or a combination thereof, as determined by the Administrator. Such payments and credits may be subject to such conditions and contingencies as the Administrator may establish.

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16. Adjustments upon Changes in Capitalization, Organic Change or Change of Control.

(a) Adjustment Clause. In the event of (i) a stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, share combination, or recapitalization or similar event affecting the capital structure of the Company (each, a “Share Change”), or (ii) a merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or shares, separation, spin-off, reorganization, stock rights offering, liquidation, Disaffiliation, or similar event affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (each, an “Organic Change”), the Administrator or the Board shall make such substitutions or adjustments to outstanding Awards as it deems appropriate and equitable. In its discretion, such adjustments may include, without limitation, such proportionate adjustments that it deems appropriate to reflect such change with respect to (A) the Share limitations set forth in Sections 3, 11(a) and 12(a) of the Plan, (B) the number and kind of Shares covered by each outstanding Award, and (C) the price per Share subject to each such outstanding Award. In the case of Organic Changes, such adjustments may include, without limitation, (1) the cancellation of outstanding Awards in exchange for payments of cash, property or a combination thereof having an aggregate value equal to the value of such Awards, as determined by the Administrator or the Board in its sole discretion (it being understood that in the case of an Organic Change with respect to which shareholders receive consideration other than publicly traded equity securities of the ultimate surviving entity, any such determination by the Administrator that the value of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall for this purpose be deemed to equal the excess, if any, of the value of the consideration being paid for each Share pursuant to such Organic Change over the exercise price of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall conclusively be deemed valid); (2) the substitution of other property (including, without limitation, cash or other securities of the Company and securities of entities other than the Company) for the Shares subject to outstanding Awards; and (3) in connection with any Disaffiliation, arranging for the assumption of Awards, or replacement of Awards with new awards based on other property or other securities (including, without limitation, other securities of the Company and securities of entities other than the Company), by the affected Subsidiary, Affiliate, or division or by the entity that controls such Subsidiary, Affiliate, or division following such Disaffiliation (as well as any corresponding adjustments to Awards that remain based upon Company securities).

(b) Termination Following Change of Control. Except as may be provided in an individual severance or employment agreement (or severance plan) to which an Awardee is a party and unless otherwise determined by the Administrator as of the Grant Date of a particular Award (or subsequent to the Grant Date), in the event of a Qualifying Termination within the two (2) year period immediately following a Change of Control, the following acceleration, exercisability and valuation provisions shall apply:

(i) On the date that such Qualifying Termination occurs, any or all Options and Stock Appreciation Rights awarded under this Plan not previously exercisable and vested shall become fully exercisable and vested. In the event of a Qualifying Termination due to Termination Without Cause or Termination for Good Reason or termination of Board membership for a Non-employee Director, each Option and Stock Appreciation Right held by the Awardee (or a transferee) that is vested following such Termination of Employment shall remain exercisable until the earlier of the third (3rd) anniversary of such Termination of Employment (or any later date until which it would remain exercisable under such circumstances by its terms) or the expiration of its original term. In the event of an Awardee’s Termination of Employment or termination of Board membership for a Non-employee Director more than two (2) years after a Change of Control, or any Termination of Employment other than a Termination of Employment Without Cause or Termination for Good Reason or termination of Board membership for a Non-employee Director within the two (2)-year period immediately following a Change of Control, the provisions of Sections 8(h) and 10 of the Plan shall govern (as applicable).

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(ii) On the date that such Qualifying Termination occurs, the restrictions and conditions applicable to any or all Stock Awards, Other Stock-Based Awards and Cash Awards shall lapse and such Awards shall be fully vested.

(iii) On the date that such Qualifying Termination occurs, any performance based Award shall be deemed fully earned at the target amount as of the date on which the Change of Control occurs. All Stock Awards, Other Stock-Based Awards and Cash Awards shall be settled or paid within thirty (30) days of vesting hereunder.

(c) Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing: (i) any adjustments made pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Plan to Awards that are considered “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code shall be made in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code; (ii) any adjustments made pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Plan to Awards that are not considered “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be made in such a manner as to ensure that after such adjustment, the Awards either continue not to be subject to Section 409A of the Code or comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code; (iii) the Administrator shall not have the authority to make any adjustments pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Plan to the extent that the existence of such authority would cause an Award that is not intended to be subject to Section 409A of the Code to be subject thereto; and (iv) if any Award is subject to Section 409A of the Code, Section 16(b) of the Plan shall be applicable only to the extent specifically provided in the Award Agreement and permitted pursuant to Section 25 of the Plan in order to ensure that such Award complies with Code Section 409A.

17. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

(a) Amendment and Termination. The Administrator may amend, alter or discontinue the Plan or any Award Agreement, but any such amendment shall be subject to approval of the shareholders of the Company in the manner and to the extent required by Applicable Law. In addition, without limiting the foregoing, unless approved by the shareholders of the Company and subject to Section 16(a), no such amendment shall be made that would:

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(i) increase the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be subject to Awards granted under the Plan;

(ii) reduce the minimum exercise price for Options or Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan;

(iii) reduce the exercise price of outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights; or

(iv) result in outstanding Options or Stock Appreciations Rights being cancelled in exchange for cash, other Awards, or Options or Stock Appreciation Rights with an exercise price that is less than the exercise price of the original Options or Stock Appreciation Rights.

(b) Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair the rights of any Participant with respect to an outstanding Award, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Participant and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Participant and the Company, except that no such agreement shall be required if the Administrator determines in its sole discretion that such amendment either (i) is required or advisable in order for the Company, the Plan or the Award to satisfy any Applicable Law (including any listing standard of any securities exchange on which the Common Shares may be listed from time to time) or to meet the requirements of any accounting standard, or (ii) is not reasonably likely to significantly diminish the benefits provided under such Award, or that any such diminishment has been adequately compensated, except following a Change of Control. Termination of the Plan shall not affect the Administrator’s ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Awards granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination.

(c) Effect of the Plan on Other Arrangements. Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board or a Committee nor the submission of the Plan to the shareholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board or any Committee to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it or they may deem desirable, including without limitation, the granting of restricted shares or restricted share units or stock options otherwise than under the Plan, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

18. Designation of Beneficiary.

(a) An Awardee may file a written designation of a beneficiary who is to receive the Awardee’s rights pursuant to Awardee’s Award or the Awardee may include his or her Awards in an omnibus beneficiary designation for all benefits under the Plan. To the extent that Awardee has completed a designation of beneficiary while employed with the Company, such beneficiary designation shall remain in effect with respect to any Award hereunder until changed by the Awardee to the extent enforceable under Applicable Law.

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(b) Such designation of beneficiary may be changed by the Awardee at any time by written notice. In the event of the death of an Awardee and in the absence of a beneficiary validly designated under the Plan who is living at the time of such Awardee’s death, the Company shall allow the legal representative of the Awardee’s estate to exercise the Award.

19. No Right to Awards or to Employment.

No person shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award and the grant of any Award shall not be construed as giving an Awardee the right to continue in the employ of the Company or its Affiliates. Further, the Company and its Affiliates expressly reserve the right, at any time, to dismiss any Employee or Awardee at any time without liability or any claim under the Plan, except as provided herein or in any Award Agreement entered into hereunder.

20. Legal Compliance.

Shares shall not be issued pursuant to an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Stock Award or Other Stock-Based Award unless such Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Stock Award or Other Stock-Based Award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares shall comply with Applicable Law and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance. Unless the Awards and Shares covered by this Plan have been registered under the Securities Act or the Company has determined that such registration is unnecessary, each person receiving an Award and/or Shares pursuant to any Award may be required by the Company to give a representation in writing that such person is acquiring such Shares for his or her own account for investment and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, the distribution of any part thereof.

21. Inability to Obtain Authority.

To the extent the Company is unable to or the Administrator deems it unfeasible to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be advisable or necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, the Company shall be relieved of any liability with respect to the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.

22. Reservation of Shares.

The Company, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

23. Notice.

Any written notice to the Company required by any provisions of this Plan shall be addressed to the Secretary of the Company and shall be effective when received.

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24. Governing Law; Interpretation of Plan and Awards.

(a) This Plan and all determinations made and actions taken pursuant hereto shall be governed by the substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of the state of Indiana, except as to matters governed by U.S. federal law.

(b) In the event that any provision of the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan is declared to be illegal, invalid or otherwise unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be reformed, if possible, to the extent necessary to render it legal, valid and enforceable, or otherwise deleted, and the remainder of the terms of the Plan and/or Award shall not be affected except to the extent necessary to reform or delete such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision.

(c) The headings preceding the text of the sections hereof are inserted solely for convenience of reference, and shall not constitute a part of the Plan, nor shall they affect its meaning, construction or effect.

(d) The terms of the Plan and any Award shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective permitted heirs, beneficiaries, successors and assigns.

25. Section 409A.

It is the intention of the Company that no Award shall be “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code, unless and to the extent that the Administrator specifically determines otherwise, and the Plan and the terms and conditions of all Awards shall be interpreted accordingly. The terms and conditions governing any Awards that the Administrator determines will be subject to Section 409A of the Code, including any rules for elective or mandatory deferral of the delivery of cash or Shares pursuant thereto and any rules regarding treatment of such Awards in the event of a Change of Control, shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, deferral election forms and procedures, and rules established by the Administrator, and shall comply in all respects with Section 409A of the Code. The following rules will apply to Awards intended to be subject to Section 409A of the Code (“409A Awards”):

(a) If a Participant is permitted to elect to defer an Award or any payment under an Award, such election will be permitted only at times in compliance with Code Section 409A, including applicable transition rules thereunder.

(b) The Company shall have no authority to accelerate distributions relating to 409A Awards in excess of the authority permitted under Section 409A.

(c) Any distribution of a 409A Award following a Termination of Employment that would be subject to Code Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) as a distribution following a separation from service of a “specified employee” as defined under Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i), shall occur no earlier than the expiration of the six-month period following such Termination of Employment.

(d) In the case of any distribution of a 409A Award, if the timing of such distribution is not otherwise specified in the Plan or an Award Agreement or other governing document, the distribution shall be made not later than the end of the calendar year during which the settlement of the 409A Award is specified to occur.

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(e) In the case of an Award providing for distribution or settlement upon vesting or the lapse of a risk of forfeiture, if the time of such distribution or settlement is not otherwise specified in the Plan or an Award Agreement or other governing document, the distribution or settlement shall be made not later than March 15 of the year following the year in which the Award vested or the risk of forfeiture lapsed.

26. Limitation on Liability.

The Company and any Affiliate which is in existence or hereafter comes into existence shall not be liable to a Participant, an Employee, an Awardee or any other persons as to:

(a) The Non-Issuance of Shares. The non-issuance or sale of Shares as to which the Company has been unable to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares hereunder; and

(b) Tax or Exchange Control Consequences. Any tax consequence expected, but not realized, or any exchange control obligation owed, by any Participant, Employee, Awardee or other person due to the receipt, exercise or settlement of any Option or other Award granted hereunder.

27. Unfunded Plan.

Insofar as it provides for Awards, the Plan shall be unfunded. Although bookkeeping accounts may be established with respect to Awardees who are granted Stock Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards under this Plan, any such accounts will be used merely as a bookkeeping convenience. The Company shall not be required to segregate any assets which may at any time be represented by Awards, nor shall this Plan be construed as providing for such segregation. Neither the Company nor the Administrator shall be deemed to be a trustee of stock or cash to be awarded under the Plan. Any liability of the Company to any Participant with respect to an Award shall be based solely upon any contractual obligations which may be created by the Plan; no such obligation of the Company shall be deemed to be secured by any pledge or other encumbrance on any property of the Company. Neither the Company nor the Administrator shall be required to give any security or bond for the performance of any obligation which may be created by this Plan.

28. Foreign Employees.

Awards may be granted hereunder to Employees who are foreign nationals, who are located outside the United States or who are not compensated from a payroll maintained in the United States, or who are otherwise subject to (or could cause the Company to be subject to) legal or regulatory provisions of countries or jurisdictions outside the United States, on such terms and conditions different from those specified in the Plan as may, in the judgment of the Administrator, be necessary or desirable to foster and promote achievement of the purposes of the Plan, and, in furtherance of such purposes, the Administrator may make such modifications, amendments, procedures, or subplans as may be necessary or advisable to comply with such legal or regulatory provisions.

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29. Tax Withholding.

Each Participant shall pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding the payment of, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to any Award under the Plan no later than the date as of which any amount under such Award first becomes includible in the gross income of the Participant for any tax purposes with respect to which the Company has a tax withholding obligation. Unless otherwise determined by the Company, withholding obligations may be settled with Shares, including Shares that are part of the Award that gives rise to the withholding requirement; provided, however, that not more than the legally required minimum withholding may be settled with Shares. The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be conditional on such payment or arrangements, and the Company and its Affiliates shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any vested Shares or any other payment due to the Participant at that time or at any future time. The Administrator may establish such procedures as it deems appropriate, including making irrevocable elections, for the settlement of withholding obligations with Shares.

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MERITOR, INC.
2135 W. MAPLE RD.
TROY, MI 48084

VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com
Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information. Vote by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on January 22, 2020 for shares held directly and by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on January 21, 2020 for shares held in a Plan. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.

ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS
If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years.

VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903
Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions. Vote by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on January 22, 2020 for shares held directly and by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on January 21, 2020 for shares held in a Plan. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.

VOTE BY MAIL
Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.

TO REQUEST PAPER COPIES OF PROXY MATERIALS: If you want to receive a paper or e-mail copy of these documents, you must request one. There is no charge to you for requesting a copy. Please make your request for a copy as instructed on the reverse side on or before January 9, 2020 to facilitate timely delivery.





TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:

E87178-P30586                       KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS
DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY

THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.

MERITOR, INC.

    

For
All

  

Withhold
All

  

For All
Except

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR the following:

Proposal 1 -     The election of directors - nominees for a term expiring in 2023:
Nominees:
01)    Steven Beringhause
02) Rhonda L. Brooks
03) Jeffrey A. Craig

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR the following proposals:

For

Against

Abstain

Proposal 2 -

To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers as disclosed in the proxy statement;

               
Proposal 3 -

To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the selection by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP as auditors of the Company;

 

For address changes and/or comments, please check this box and write them on the back where indicated.

Please indicate if you plan to attend this meeting.

Yes

No

To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark "For All Except" and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below.                       
   


 

    

For

  

Against

  

Abstain

Proposal 4 -    

To consider and vote upon amendments to the Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to declassify the Board of Directors;

 
Proposal 5 -    

To consider and vote upon amendments to the Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to allow shareholders to amend the Company's Amended and Restated By-Laws;

               
Proposal 6 -

To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the adoption by the Board of Directors of the 2020 Long - Term Incentive Plan;

               
Proposal 7 -

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



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


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IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE MERITOR, INC. ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 23, 2020.

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2020, at 9:30 a.m., at The Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport, 2501 World Gateway Place, Detroit, Michigan 48242.

Under Securities and Exchange Commission rules, you are receiving this notice that the proxy materials for the annual meeting are available on the Internet. Follow the instructions below to view the materials and vote online or request printed copies. The items to be voted on are provided on the reverse side of this notice.

This communication presents only a brief overview of the more complete proxy materials that are available to you on the Internet. We encourage you to access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials before voting.

Important Notice Regarding Internet Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:
The Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com.



E87179-P30586

MERITOR, INC.

PROXY CARD SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

DIRECTION CARD TO T. ROWE PRICE TRUST COMPANY, DIRECTED TRUSTEE

The undersigned hereby appoints Rhonda L. Brooks, William R. Newlin and Lloyd G. Trotter, jointly and severally, proxies, with full power of substitution, to vote shares of common stock of the Company owned of record by the undersigned and which the undersigned is entitled to vote, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at The Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport, 2501 World Gateway Place, Detroit, MI 48242, on January 23, 2020 or any adjournment thereof, as specified on the reverse side of this card, and to vote in accordance with their discretion on such other matters as may properly come before the meeting.

The undersigned also provides directions to T. Rowe Price Trust Company, Directed Trustee, to vote shares of common stock of the Company allocated, respectively, to accounts of the undersigned under the Meritor, Inc. Savings Plan and the Meritor, Inc. Hourly Employees Savings Plan, and which are entitled to be voted, at the aforesaid Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof, as specified on the reverse side of this card.

Where a vote is not specified:

The proxies will vote all such shares owned of record FOR the election of directors and FOR proposals (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) and will vote as they deem proper on such other matters as may properly come before the meeting; and

 

T. Rowe Price Trust Company, as Directed Trustee, will vote all such shares allocated to the Meritor, Inc. Savings Plan and Hourly Employees Savings Plan accounts of the undersigned on proposals (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) in the same manner and proportion as shares for which voting instructions are received.


Address Changes/Comments:   
 

(If you noted any Address Changes/Comments above, please mark corresponding box on the reverse side.)

Mark, Sign, Date and Return the Proxy Card Promptly Using the Enclosed Envelope