MUELLER

INDUSTRIES, INC.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE

SOLID GROWTH IN OPERATING RESULTS		RETURN ON AVERAGE EQUITY
Adjusted Operating Income CAGR of 10.8% since 2015

2015 -2019 CAPITAL RETURNED TO SHAREHOLDERS		2015 -2019 STRONG 5 YEAR CASH FLOW HISTORY

MESSAGE FROM  OUR CHAIRMAN

GREG CHRISTOPHER

CHAIRMAN AND

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

To Our Stockholders:

In 2019, Mueller Industries achieved its second consecutive year of double-digit operating income growth, a solid performance that puts us on track with our ambitious 2024 Strategic Plan. In total, Mueller earned $191.4 million in operating income and generated $200.5 million in cash from operations on the year. Net income for 2019 was $ 101.0 million, declining slightly from the prior year, primarily due to losses incurred related to our Tecumseh investment, which included restructuring charges.

Top-line, net sales ended at $2.4 billion, a 3.1% decline from 2018. Net sales, however, were dragged down by a decline in commodity prices and reduced volumes in our core U.S. tube and brass rod businesses. The average price of copper declined by 7.2% in 2019. Copper is the principal ingredient in products that make up 87% of Mueller’s net sales, and as such, declining copper prices had a predominant impact on net sales. Notwithstanding, our diversification strategy is paying off, as we have benefitted from growth in our value-added products and strategic acquisitions.

“Copper is the principal ingredient in products that make up 87% of Mueller’s net sales”

METAL PRICES

Continuous Improvement in Operations

The majority of our capital spending in 2019 was directed toward the general maintenance of business, as well as environmental, health, and safety initiatives. Such expenditures remain relatively stable and well below depreciation. Investments aimed at reducing costs or increasing capacity, such as evolving automation and new process technologies, remain vitally important, but were much lower in 2019. This spending tends to be more variable — i.e., higher in some years, and lower in others.

We strive to make our workplaces healthier and safer environments for our people and the communities in which we operate. Our safety record has continued to improve, as we reduced the number of accidents per hours worked by 1.7% in 2019. Our incidence rate has now been cut by more than half over the past ten years.

In other encouraging news, our modernization investments in our flagship U.S. operations —our copper tube mill in Fulton, Mississippi, and our brass rod mill in Port Huron, Michigan — are paying off. In addition to improving capacity, cost, yield and quality, we are achieving important environmental benefits. For example, at our copper tube mill in Fulton, where water is a critical component of the production process, our investments have yielded substantial reductions in consumption on a per unit of production basis. Furthermore, at both operations, we have achieved significant reductions in errant emissions, ranging from 10% up to 85% for greenhouse gases and certain contaminants found in scrap, which we recycle to produce the majority of our products.

RECYCLING OF COPPER

At Port Huron, the throughput and yield improvements enabled us to finally complete the consolidation of all brass rod production from two plants into the Port Huron facility during the latter part of 2019.

Capital Allocation

Strong cash generation has long been a hallmark of our financial performance. During the past five years, we have generated $730 million in cash from operations. For each of the past two years, we have achieved considerable growth in free cash flow. As a testament to the prudent and balanced manner in which we deploy cash, we have returned $600 million to our stockholders over the past five years, all while continuing to pay down debt, invest in operations, and fund acquisitions. 

Our balance sheet is solid, our debt modest, and we have even more opportunities to improve.

The Outlook

Our operations span seven countries, and our products are sold and distributed in more than a dozen more. Despite global uncertainties and geopolitical unrest, we believe that the construction markets — which are of particular importance to us — will fare better than the average economy in many of the regions we serve. The demand for investment in refrigeration/ food preservation and air conditioning/air quality, as well as the modernization of water management infrastructure, is on the upswing. These trends, if continued, will support Mueller’s long term growth, and the Company is well-positioned to take advantage of any such opportunities.

As noted above, our major investments are in the early stages of their life cycles, and still have room for further improvement. We will continue to strive for higher yields, and enhanced efficiency and safety as our people adapt to evolving technologies.

In Closing

We operate with a mindset that preparation equals opportunity. We understand that the future is uncertain and that there are many influences outside our control. That said, with our 2024

Strategic Plan as our roadmap, we will incrementally adjust our strategies and actions to maximize our performance and results, whatever the climate.

Although acquisitions will remain an important ingredient in our growth strategy, we will pursue them opportunistically, and with a sharp focus on value. We have built a solid foundation of well-capitalized businesses; our balance sheet and cash generation provide us strength and flexibility; and we have a diversity of talent, including both seasoned industry veterans and motivated, well-trained rising stars, driving our businesses. Mindful that wisdom is not something that is bought off the shelf, we are grateful for the longevity and loyalty of our long-serving employees. We encourage their continued stewardship of our Company, as well as their mentorship to our up and comers, the next generation of leaders who will propel us into the future.

We conclude 2019 laser-focused on executing our plans and generating even higher returns for our stockholders in the coming years. Although we have said it before, it bears repeating that the engine that makes all of this work is our people. Their commitment and work ethic are incredible, and we greatly appreciate them and their unending passion to make Mueller Industries the best of the best.

Very truly yours,

 

 

THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2020

10:00 A.M., Central Time

 

150 Schilling Boulevard, Second Floor

Collierville, Tennessee 38017

 

 

	REVIEW YOUR PROXY STATEMENT AND VOTE IN ONE OF FOUR WAYS:
	BY INTERNET
	http://www.proxyvote.com
	BY TELEPHONE
	Call the telephone number on your proxy card.
	BY MAIL
	Mark, date, sign and return your
	proxy card in the enclosed envelope.
	IN PERSON
	Attend the Annual meeting at the
	Company’s headquarters.
	It is important that your shares be represented at the Annual Meeting regardless of the size of your holdings. Whether or not you intend to be present at the meeting in person, we urge you to mark, date and sign the enclosed proxy card and return it in the enclosed self-addressed envelope, which requires no postage if mailed in the United States.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MUELLER INDUSTRIES ● 2020 PROXY STATEMENT    7

PROXY SUMMARY

THIS SUMMARY HIGHLIGHTS SELECTED INFORMATION IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENTIRE PROXY STATEMENT AND OUR ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K BEFORE VOTING YOUR SHARES.

— 2019 PERFORMANCE

OPERATING INCOME GROWTH			CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS
10.7%	12.4%		167.9M	200.5M		19.4%
REPORTED	ADJUSTED(1)		2018	2019	INCREASED
OPERATING INCOME	OPERATING INCOME

OPERATING PERFORMANCE	REPORTED DILUTED EPS

Adjusted operating income and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures which exclude certain items in order to better reflect results of on-going operations. See Appendix A for a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to our results reported under GAAP.

— ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Date and Time:	Place:	Record Date:
Thursday, May 7, 2020	150 Schilling Boulevard	March 20, 2020
10:00 A.M., Central Time	Second Floor
	Collierville, Tennessee 38017

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— AGENDA AND VOTING MATTERS

We are asking you to vote on the following proposals at the Annual Meeting:

— PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The following table provides summary information about each director nominee. The Board of Directors believes that these nominees reflect an appropriate composition to effectively oversee the performance of management in the execution of the Company’s strategy, and as such, recommends a vote “for” each of the eight nominees listed below.

A = Audit Committee

C = Compensation and Stock Option Committee

NCG = Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

* = Chair

— PROPOSAL 2: RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We ask our stockholders to approve the selection of Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”) as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 26, 2020. Below is summary information about fees paid to EY for services provided in 2019 and 2018:

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We are seeking your advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers (“NEOs”) as disclosed in this proxy statement. Our executive officers are responsible for achieving long-term strategic goals, and as such, their compensation is weighted toward rewarding long-term value creation for stockholders. Beyond base salary and traditional benefits, we maintain an annual cash incentive compensation program that is driven by a pay-for-performance philosophy and based on ambitious performance targets both at the Company and business line levels. We also maintain a long-term equity incentive compensation program, the primary objective of which is to motivate and retain top talent — a particularly vital goal given the uniquely competitive industry in which we operate. Accordingly, we utilize a combination of extended time-vesting schedules and performance-based vesting criteria to encourage executives and associates alike to enjoy lengthy tenures at the Company, develop industry expertise and relationships, and drive our long-term success.

Our emphasis on creating long-term stockholder value is best illustrated in the following charts, which show that long-term incentive compensation accounts for the largest percentage of the NEOs’ overall compensation for 2019. Moreover, a majority of the NEOs’ compensation — consisting of target long-term and short-term incentive compensation combined — is performance-based or “at risk.”

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PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Eight director nominees will be elected at the Annual Meeting, each to serve until the next annual meeting (tentatively scheduled for May 6, 2021), or until the election and qualification of their successors. At the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Board has nominated the following persons to serve as directors for the term beginning at the Annual Meeting: Gregory L. Christopher, Elizabeth Donovan, Gennaro J. Fulvio, Gary S. Gladstein, Scott J. Goldman, John B. Hansen, Terry Hermanson and Charles P. Herzog, Jr. (collectively, the “Nominees”). As previously disclosed by the Company on July 31, 2019, Paul J. Flaherty will be retiring from the Board of Directors at the conclusion of the current term, and contemporaneously therewith, the number of directors will be reduced to eight. All nominees have consented to stand for election and to serve if elected. However, if at the time of the Annual Meeting any nominee is unable or declines to serve, the individuals named in the proxy will vote the proxy for substitute nominees selected by them unless the number of directors has been reduced to the number of nominees willing and able to serve.

Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast, which means that the individuals who receive the greatest number of votes cast “For” are elected as directors up to the maximum number of directors to be chosen at the Annual Meeting. Consequently, any shares not voted “For” a particular director (whether as a result of a direction to withhold or a broker non-vote) will not be counted in such director’s favor.

The Board of Directors has adopted a majority vote policy in uncontested elections. An uncontested election means any stockholders meeting called for purposes of electing any director(s) in which (i) the number of director nominees for election is equal to the number of positions on the Board of Directors to be filled through the election to be conducted at such meeting, and/or (ii) proxies are being solicited for the election of directors solely by the Company.

The election of directors solicited by this Proxy Statement is an uncontested election. In the event that a nominee for election in an uncontested election receives a greater number of votes “Withheld” for his or her election than votes “For” such election, such nominee will tender an irrevocable resignation to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, which will decide whether to accept or reject the resignation and submit such recommendation for prompt consideration by the Board of Directors no later than ninety (90) days following the uncontested election.

— SELECTING NOMINEES TO THE BOARD

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers, among other things, the following criteria in selecting and reviewing director nominees:

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also assesses the contributions of the Company’s incumbent directors in connection with their potential re-nomination. In identifying and recommending director nominees, the Committee members take into account such factors as they determine appropriate, including recommendations made by the Board of Directors.

As reflected in its formal charter, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers the diversity of the Company’s Board and employees to be a tremendous asset. The Company is committed to maintaining a highly qualified and diverse Board, and as such, all candidates are considered regardless of their age, gender, race, color of skin, ethnic origin, political affiliation, religious preference, sexual orientation, country of origin, physical handicaps or any other category. These efforts to promote diversity are assessed annually to assure that the Board contains a balanced and effective mix of individuals capable of advancing the Company’s long-term interests.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not consider individuals nominated by stockholders for election to the Board. The Board believes that this is an appropriate policy because the Company’s Bylaws allow a qualifying stockholder to nominate an individual for election to the Board, said nomination of which can be brought directly before a meeting of stockholders.

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Procedures and deadlines for doing so are set forth in the Company’s Bylaws, the applicable provisions of which may be obtained, without charge, on the Company’s website or upon written request to the Secretary of the Company at the address set forth herein.

The presiding officer of the meeting may refuse to acknowledge the nomination of any person not made in compliance with the procedures set forth in the Bylaws. See “Stockholder Nominations for Board Membership and Other Proposals for the 2021 Annual Meeting.”

— DIRECTOR NOMINEE BIOGRAPHIES

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE THEIR SHARES FOR EACH OF THE NOMINEES.

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MUELLER INDUSTRIES ● 2020 PROXY STATEMENT    13

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The Company adheres to an established set of Corporate Governance Guidelines for purposes of defining director independence, assigning responsibilities, setting high standards of professional and personal conduct, and ensuring compliance with such responsibilities and standards. Such Guidelines are

periodically reviewed in light of evolving trends in corporate governance standards, regulations and related disclosure requirements, particularly as adopted by the NYSE and (with respect to the Audit Committee), the SEC.

— DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

In order for a director to qualify as “independent,” our Board of Directors must affirmatively determine, consistent with NYSE rules, that the director has no material relationship with the Company that would impair the director’s independence. Our Board of Directors undertook its annual review of director independence in February 2020. In applying the NYSE standards for independence, and after considering all relevant facts and circumstances, the Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that the Company’s current “independent” directors are: Elizabeth Donovan, Paul J. Flaherty, Gennaro J. Fulvio, Gary S. Gladstein, Scott J. Goldman, John B. Hansen, Terry Hermanson and Charles P. Herzog, Jr. In the course of the Board of Directors’ determination regarding the independence of each non-management director, the Board considered for:

— BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES

The Board of Directors and its committees meet regularly throughout the year, and may also hold special meetings and act by written consent from time to time. In 2019, the Board of Directors held four regularly scheduled meetings and two special meetings. During this time, our directors attended 100% of our Board of Directors meetings and meetings of the committees on which they served. The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that the Company’s non-management directors shall hold annually at least two formal meetings independent from management. Our Lead Independent Director presides at these executive sessions of the Board of Directors.

Three standing committees have been convened to assist the Board of Directors with various functions: the Audit Committee, the Compensation and Stock Option Committee, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Each committee operates pursuant to a formal charter that may be obtained, free of charge, at the Company’s website at www.muellerindustries.com, or by requesting a print copy from our Corporate Secretary at the address listed herein.

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— BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

The Board of Directors has currently implemented a leadership structure in which Mr. Christopher serves as both Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. The Board has determined that having Mr. Christopher serve in this dual capacity is in the best interest of stockholders at this time. The Company believes that this structure currently allows ultimate leadership and accountability to reside in a single individual, who has both extensive knowledge of the Company’s business and critical relationships with the Company’s customer base.

In order to coordinate the activities of the independent members of the Board of Directors, and to liaise between such directors and the Chairman of the Board, the Company has currently designated Mr. Hermanson to serve as Lead Independent Director. The Lead Independent Director’s responsibilities are set forth in a formal charter, which can be obtained free of charge from the Company’s website at www.muellerindustries.com, or may be requested in print by any stockholder.

— BOARD’S ROLE IN RISK OVERSIGHT

The Board of Directors is actively involved in oversight of risks that could affect the Company. These efforts can be summarized as follows:

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— STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

The Board of Directors has adopted various policies, including a comprehensive set of Corporate Governance Guidelines, by which the Company is governed. These policies are designed to promote sound corporate governance and prudent stewardship of the Company, both by the Board of Directors and management.

Anti-Pledging Policy

The Corporate Governance Guidelines include amendments adopted in February 2020 that prohibit the future pledging of the Company’s common stock as security under any obligation by our directors and executive officers.

Insider Trading and Anti-Hedging Policies

The Company maintains a policy which mandates compliance with insider trading laws and institutes safeguards to mitigate the risk of insider trading. Further, the Corporate Governance Guidelines prohibit any director, officer or employee of the Company from engaging in short sales, transactions in derivative securities (including put and call options), or other forms of hedging and monetization transactions, such as zero -cost collars, equity swaps, exchange funds and forward sale contracts, that allow the holder to limit or eliminate the risk of a decrease in the value of the Company’s securities.

Clawback Policy

Under the Corporate Governance Guidelines, if the Company is required to restate its financial results due to material noncompliance with financial reporting requirements under the securities laws as a result of an executive’s (i.e., a President or Vice President level officer’s) willful, knowing or intentional misconduct or gross negligence (as determined by the Compensation and Stock Option Committee), the Company may take action to recoup from the executive all or any portion of an incentive award received by the executive, the amount of which had been determined in whole or in part upon specific performance targets relating to the restated financial results. In such an event, the Company shall be entitled to recoup up to the amount, if any, by which the incentive award actually received by the executive exceeded the payment that would have been received based on the restated financial results, as determined by the Compensation and Stock Option Committee. The Company’s right of recoupment pursuant to this policy applies to incentive awards received during the three-year period preceding the date on which the Company is required to prepare the restatement, based on the determination of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which is designed to help officers, directors and employees resolve ethical issues in an increasingly complex business environment. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is applicable to all of the Company’s officers, directors and employees, including the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller and other persons performing similar functions. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics covers topics, including but not limited to, conflicts of interest, confidentiality of information and compliance with laws and regulations.

Director Responsibilities

It is the duty of the Board of Directors to serve as prudent fiduciaries for stockholders and to oversee the management of the Company’s business. Accordingly, the Corporate Governance Guidelines include specifications for director quali fication and responsibility, attendance, access to offi cers and employees, compensation, orientation, continuing education and self-evaluation.

The Company’s policy is that all members of the Board of Directors attend annual meetings of stockholders, except where the failure to attend is due to unavoidable circumstances or conflicts discussed in advance with the Chairman of the Board. All members of the Board of Directors attended the Company’s 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

MUELLER INDUSTRIES ● 2020 PROXY STATEMENT    17

— COMMUNICATION WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Any stockholder or interested party who wishes to communicate with the Board of Directors, or specific individual directors, including the non-management directors as a group, may do so by directing a written request addressed to such directors or director in care of the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, Mueller Industries, Inc., 150 Schilling Boulevard, Suite 100, Collierville, Tennessee 38017. Communication(s) directed to the Chairman will be relayed to him, except to the extent that it is deemed unnecessary or inappropriate to do so pursuant to the procedures established by a majority of the independent directors. Communications directed to non-management directors will be relayed to the intended director except to the extent that doing so would be contrary to the instructions of the non-management directors. Any communication so withheld will nevertheless be made available to any non-management director who wishes to review it.

— RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Related party transactions may present potential or actual conflicts of interest, and create the appearance that Company decisions are based on considerations other than the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. Management carefully reviews all proposed related party transactions (if any), other than routine banking transactions, to determine if the transaction is on terms comparable to those that could be obtained in an arms-length transaction with an unrelated third party. Management reports to the Audit Committee, and then to the Board of Directors on all proposed material related party transactions. Upon the presentation of a proposed related party transaction to the Audit Committee or the Board of Directors, the related party is excused from participation in discussion and voting on the matter.

— CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

The Company assesses and manages environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) considerations that may be material to the long-term sustainability of our business. Among other matters, we focus on such issues as workplace health and safety, environmental stewardship, business ethics and compliance, supply chain management and the development of human capital.

We also focus outwardly on the communities in which we operate, including through a foundation that makes charitable contributions to various causes and organizations. ESG-related risks and opportunities are integral to our strategic decision-making. Such matters are addressed by senior management and subject to the oversight of the Board of Directors and its committees.

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2019 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

— ELEMENTS OF DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Our non-employee director compensation for 2019 was awarded in a combination of cash and equity, as shown below.*

*In his capacity as Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Christopher received neither a retainer nor any meeting fees.

In addition, each director received reimbursement for such director’s expenses incurred in connection with any such Board or Committee meeting, and each Committee fee was paid whether or not such committee meeting was held in conjunction with a Board of Directors meeting.

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— 2019 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

The table below summarizes the total compensation we paid to our non-employee directors for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2019.

— STOCK OWNERSHIP POLICY FOR DIRECTORS

To further align the Company’s goal of aligning directors’ economic interests with those of stockholders, the Company has adopted stock ownership guidelines for its non-employee directors recommending that they hold equity interests of the Company (including vested and unvested interests, provided that with respect to options, only vested options that are exercisable within 60 days of the applicable measurement date will be counted) with a value equal to three times the annual cash director fee payable to each such director. All directors are expected to comply with the stock ownership guidelines within five years of being elected to the Board of Directors, and current directors should comply as soon as practicable. Director compliance with the stock ownership guidelines is monitored on an ongoing basis by the Company’s General Counsel.

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PROPOSAL 2

APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT

REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee has reappointed Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”) to audit and certify the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 26, 2020, subject to ratification by the Company’s stockholders, which requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company present in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting. If the appointment of EY is not so ratified, the Audit Committee will reconsider its action and will appoint auditors for the 2020 fiscal year without further stockholder action. Notwithstanding, the Audit Committee may at any time in the future in its discretion reconsider the appointment without submitting the matter to a vote of stockholders. Representatives of EY are expected to attend the Annual Meeting to answer questions and make a statement if they so choose.

Fees for EY’s audit and other services for each of the two fiscal years ended December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018 are set forth below:

The Audit Committee’s policy is to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent auditors. Pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year, and any such pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services. The Audit Committee has delegated pre-approval authority to its Chairman when expedition of services is necessary. The independent auditors and management are required periodically to report to the full Audit Committee regarding the extent of services provided by the independent auditors in accordance with this pre-approval, and the fees for the services performed to date. All of the services provided by the independent auditors during fiscal years 2019 and 2018, respectively, under the categories Audit Fees, Audit-Related Fees, Tax Fees and All Other Fees described above were pre-approved.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE THEIR SHARES FOR THE APPROVAL OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM.

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— REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Audit Committee oversees the Company’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process, including the systems of internal controls. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed the audited financial statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K with management, including a discussion of the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements.

The Audit Committee reviewed with the independent auditors, who are responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles, their judgments as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of the Company’s accounting principles and such other matters as are required to be discussed with the Audit Committee under Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s (PCAOB) Auditing Standard No. 1301. In addition, the Audit Committee discussed with the independent auditors the auditors’ independence from management and the Company, including the matters in the written disclosures required by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s Rule 3526, and considered the compatibility of non-audit services provided by the independent auditors with the auditor’s independence.

The Audit Committee discussed with the Company’s internal and independent auditors the overall scope and plans for their respective audits. The Audit Committee meets with the internal and independent auditors, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of the Company’s internal controls, and the overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting.

In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors (and the Board of Directors has approved) that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2019 for filing with the SEC. The Audit Committee and the Board has re-appointed, subject to stockholder approval, Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, to audit the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 26, 2020.

The Audit Committee is governed by a formal charter which can be accessed from the Company’s website at www.muellerindustries. com, or may be requested in print by any stockholder. The members of the Audit Committee are considered independent because they satisfy the independence requirements for Board members prescribed by the NYSE listing standards and Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act.

Gennaro J. Fulvio, Chairman

Scott J. Goldman

John B. Hansen

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PROPOSAL 3

ADVISORY VOTE ON APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

In accordance with Section 14A of the Exchange Act, stockholders are being asked to vote on an advisory, non-binding basis, on the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers. Specifically, the following resolution will be submitted for a stockholder vote at the Annual Meeting, the approval of which will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company present in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote thereon:

“RESOLVED, that the stockholders of the Company approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers listed in the 2019 Summary Compensation Table included in the proxy statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting, as such compensation is disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K in this proxy statement under the section titled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” as well as the compensation tables and other narrative executive compensation disclosures thereafter.”

Although the stockholder vote is not binding on either the Board of Directors or the Company, the views of stockholders on these matters are valued and will be taken into account in addressing future compensation policies and decisions.

The Company’s Compensation and Stock Option Committee is comprised of knowledgeable and experienced independent directors, who are committed to regular review and effective oversight of our compensation programs. The Company’s executive compensation program is grounded in a pay for performance philosophy, and accordingly, has been designed to motivate the Company’s key employees to achieve the Company’s strategic and financial goals, and to support the creation of long-term value for stockholders. Moreover, given the particularly competitive markets in which we operate and nature of our business, a principal goal underlying the Company’s long-term incentive compensation program specifically is the long-term retention and motivation of critical executives and business leaders. The Company’s success depends upon their leadership, judgment and experience, and as such, our compensation program is designed to promote their enduring commitment to the Company. We encourage stockholders to read the Executive Compensation section of this proxy statement, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A) and compensation tables, for a more detailed discussion of the Company’s compensation programs and policies, and how they are appropriate and effective in promoting growth, creating value, and retaining key members of our team.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE THEIR SHARES FOR THE APPROVAL, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, OF THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

— EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) provides an overview of how our named executive officers were compensated in 2019, as well as how this compensation furthers our established compensation philosophy and objectives.

Our Named Executive Officers

The Company’s NEOs for fiscal year 2019 were:

(1)  Effective, January 1, 2020, Mr. Moss assumed the title of President – New Business Development.

Our Compensation Philosophy and Guiding Principles

We believe in a pay for performance philosophy, such that a material portion of a named executive officer’s compensation is dependent upon both the short -term and long-term strategic and financial performance of the Company, considered in light of general economic and specific Company, industry, and competitive conditions. For 2019, we continued to reward named executive officers in a manner consistent with this philosophy by setting annual incentive targets based on the Company’s achievement of certain levels of operating income. While also rooted in a pay for performance philosophy, our long-term equity incentive compensation focused primarily on promoting the retention of key executives and business leaders in our industry, where the competition for leadership talent is a foremost concern. Accordingly, we continued to grant equity awards, such that any long-term compensation opportunity will be directly tied to stock performance, and will only be received by key executives and business leaders who remain with and make long-term commitments to the Company’s success. The Compensation and Stock Option Committee (hereinafter referred to as “the Committee” for purposes of this CD&A section) evaluates, on an annual basis, the overall structure and design of our program, and believes it has and continues to reflect the best balance of the Company’s priorities.

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OUR COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Our Compensation Practices At a Glance

Our pay and equity programs are designed to align executives’ interests with those of our stockholders, and to motivate and retain critical leaders. Below is a snapshot of our compensation practices:

	WHAT WE DO			WHAT WE DON’T DO
	We maintain a fully independent Compensation and Stock Option Committee.			We do not provide for single trigger severance upon a change in control.
	A higher percentage of our executives’ compensation is variable than fixed.			We do not permit gross-up payments to cover excise taxes or perquisites.
	We utilize varying performance metrics under our short-term and long-term incentive plans.			We do not permit the pledging or hedging of our common stock.
	Our annual incentive program is based on earnings performance and capped for maximum payouts.			We do not support compensation programs or policies that reward material or excessive risk taking.
	Our equity awards include extended vesting schedules and performance-based criteria.			We do not maintain any supplemental executive retirement plans.
	We have a clawback policy applicable to all senior employees, including all President and Vice President level personnel.

2019 Say-on-Pay Vote and Stockholder Engagement

At our 2019 Annual Meeting, we held our annual non-binding stockholder advisory vote on executive compensation. Approximately 73% of our shares voted (excluding abstentions and broker non-votes) were in favor of the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in the proxy statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting.

In response to the results of the 2019 say-on-pay vote, the Company’s management and Committee Chairman held in-person meetings with various stockholders to discuss the Company’s compensation practices and the philosophies underlying them. Those discussions afforded stockholders the opportunity to raise questions and concerns regarding the executive compensation program as presented in last year’s proxy solicitation. Through productive and informative engagement with its stockholders, the Company learned that the manner in which the Company had historically communicated

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and presented its executive compensation program in its proxy solicitations was unclear, and did not adequately convey the Company’s compensation philosophy, priorities and the market and strategic considerations that support them. One specific aspect of the compensation program for which this was particularly true was the Company’s long-term equity incentive awards, and how the performance-based criterion underlying those equity awards were chosen to emphasize long-term strategic growth and to serve as a complement to the Company’s ambitious targets underlying its annual cash incentive program, in an effort to create a balanced and well-rounded incentive structure.

As part of its robust response to the results of the 2019 say-on-pay vote, the Company has determined that in 2020, the long-term equity incentive awards given to its operational business leaders will, for the first time, be tied to achievement of the ambitious targets set forth in the Company’s 2024 Strategic Growth Plan. These awards will be made later in 2020 and discussed in next year’s proxy statement. We believe that this step will further align pay and performance, focus our operational leadership on long-term value creation, and be a strong motivating incentive and tool for retention.

Further, in response to feedback received from stockholders following the 2019 say-on-pay vote, the Company has not only endeavored this year to more clearly and fully present its compensation program, but to dramatically revamp the look, format and substance of this year’s proxy statement. Our goal in doing so was to provide a more useful, appealing and granular tool to assist stockholders in evaluating our compensation program, including pay-for-performance alignment and whether it serves the vital strategic goal of attracting and retaining key executives in the competitive markets in which we participate.

The Committee will consider the outcome of this year’s stockholder advisory vote on executive compensation as it makes future compensation decisions.

— DETERMINATION OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Guided by the philosophy and design outlined above, the Committee determines the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer. In turn, our Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations to the Committee regarding all components of our other NEOs’ compensation, including base salary, annual cash incentive compensation, and long-term equity incentive compensation. The Committee considers and acts upon those recommendations in setting the compensation of our other NEOs.

In determining compensation, we generally do not rely upon hierarchical or seniority-based levels or guidelines, nor did the Committee formally benchmark executive compensation (or any component thereof) against any particular peer group. Instead, we utilize a more flexible approach that allows us to adapt components and levels of compensation to motivate and reward individual executives within the context of our broader strategic and financial goals. This requires that we consider subjective factors including, but not limited to the following: 

In making compensation decisions, the Committee relies on the members’ general knowledge of our industry, supplemented by advice from our Chief Executive Officer based on his knowledge of our industry and the markets in which we participate. From time to time, we conduct informal analyses of compensation practices and our Compensation and Stock Option Committee may review broad-based third-party surveys to obtain a general understanding of current compensation practices.

The Committee has chosen incentive operating income targets as the metric to measure performance for each named executive officer. The compensation of Messrs. Christopher and Martin is based upon their oversight of and responsibility for the entire Company. Accordingly, their compensation levels are reflective of the scope and breadth of their management responsibility, and the performance of the Company on a consolidated basis. For Messrs. Sigloch, Moss, and Westermeyer, a portion of their compensation is based upon the performance of specific business lines within their purviews. Notwithstanding, a portion of their compensation is still based upon consolidated Company performance to discourage parochialism and align their interests with those of our stockholders.

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— ELEMENTS OF COMPENSATION

As outlined below, our compensation program for our NEOs is comprised of three primary elements: (i) base salary and traditional benefits, (ii) annual incentive compensation, and (iii) long-term equity incentive compensation. Each element plays an integral role in our overall compensation strategy. Moreover, the Committee has approved certain executive perquisites and post-employment change-in-control compensation to our NEOs for purposes of motivating them and retaining their services. 

Pay-for-Performance and At-Risk Compensation

Base Salary and Traditional Benefits

Base salaries paid to our NEOs are set forth in the “Summary Compensation Table for 2019.” Base salary adjustments are determined by making reasoned subjective determinations about current economic conditions such as general wage inflation as well as the executive’s qualifications, experience, responsibilities, and past performance. In addition to base salaries, we provide traditional benefits such as group health, disability, and life insurance benefits, as well as matching contributions to our 401(k) plan.

Annual Incentive Compensation

Each of our NEOs received annual incentive compensation for 2019, based upon the actual performance of the Company and, for Messrs. Moss, Sigloch and Westermeyer, the performance of the business lines which they oversee, relative to the performance targets (as described below) established by the Committee on February 4, 2019. The table below shows the target annual incentive award for each of our NEOs.

For 2019, the amount of incentive compensation payable to each of our named executive officers was calculated as follows:

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INCENTIVE GRADE LEVEL FACTOR

Set forth below are the incentive grade level factors for each of our NEOs:

PERFORMANCE FACTOR

Set forth below are the corresponding payout percentages tied to various levels of achievement above or below pre -approved operating income performance targets. To promote alignment between pay and performance, incentive compensation amounts are not paid to NEOs when the achievement level of the operating income performance target is less than 80%.

Based on their incentive grade level factors, certain NEOs are entitled to an additional payout percentage of 10% for each additional percentage of achievement between 115% and 120% of the target, thereby resulting in a maximum payout percentage of 200%. For more information, please see the “2019 Grants of Plan Based Awards Table.”

The performance factor applicable to each of the NEOs was determined based on the achievement level of the consolidated Company incentive operating income target, as shown in the following table:

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2019 NEO ANNUAL INCENTIVE CALCULATIONS

As a result of 2019 performance, the annual incentive payments for the NEOs were calculated as follows: 

MR. CHRISTOPHER

MR. MARTIN

MR. MOSS

MR. SIGLOCH

MR. WESTERMEYER

Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation Program

OVERVIEW

Our long-term equity-based incentive compensation program serves three goals:

The Committee has made the retention of executives and key employees a particular focus of the long-term equity incentive compensation program in recent years.

The Committee has decided that the best way to meet the objectives of our long-term incentive program is to award a combination of time-based restricted stock and performance-based restricted stock, allocated as shown below. To promote our goal of executive and key employee retention, time -based restricted stock awards vest over the course of a five-year period, on one of two vesting schedules: (i) 30% after three years; 30% after four years; and 40% after five years, or (ii) 100% cliff vesting after five years. Performance-based restricted stock is also awarded, and provided performance criteria are met over a five year performance period, cliff vests 100% after approximately four and a half years. Unvested shares are generally forfeited if the recipient leaves the Company employ prior to the vesting date.

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NEO LONG-TERM EQUITY MIX	ALL LONG-TERM EQUITY MIX

The Committee believes that the extended and cliff vesting schedules, and performance criteria described below will motivate our NEOs and key employees to remain with the Company and make long-term contributions to stockholder value generation.

FIVE-YEAR VESTING SCHEDULE FOR TIME-BASED AND PERFORMANCE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK

To foster retention, the 2019 time-based restricted stock awards vest over the course of a five year period (i.e., either (i) 30% after three years; 30% after four years; and 40% after five years, or (ii) 100% after five years). For performance-based awards, the performance period is five years, and vesting occurs approximately four and a half years from the grant date. No portion of the equity awards granted to our executives or employees vest in less than three years. The Committee elected to use a long-term vesting schedule to promote executive retention in our competitive industry and to incentivize performance. However, given the importance of long-term equity incentive awards in our compensation program, the Committee provided for accelerated vesting in the event of death, disability or a change in control (as explained in more detail in the “2019 Grant of Plan Based Awards Table”). The Committee believes that accelerated vesting would be appropriate in those circumstances to encourage our executives to focus on the potential benefits of a change in control transaction for our stockholders without harboring concerns for their financial security.

TIME-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK

Five-Year Vesting Schedule

PERFORMANCE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK

Five-Year Vesting Schedule

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PERFORMANCE CRITERIA FOR PERFORMANCE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK

A portion of the long-term equity awards granted to our NEOs and key employees are performance-based, and vesting is contingent upon the Company’s performance on two metrics: total stockholder return (TSR) and diluted earnings per share (EPS). Using these two metrics ensures that performance-based awards will not vest unless the Company achieves specified growth targets over a five-year performance period, which for the 2019 grants, was December 30, 2018 to December 30, 2023. For this purpose, total stockholder return will be determined by dividing (i) an amount equal to the 30-day trailing average closing price of a share of stock at the end of the performance period, minus $ 23.44 (the 30-day trailing average closing price of a share of stock as of December 30, 2018), plus the value of any dividends and distributions paid during the performance period, by (ii) $23.44, and multiplying such amount by 100.

To be clear, the growth targets established for our long-term equity incentive awards (i.e., a 3.5% compounded annual growth rate in TSR or EPS) are just one of a number of different, yet complementary performance metrics utilized by the Company in its efforts to design an overall compensation program that is appropriately balanced and furthers its underlying aims. For example, the Company’s performance-based compensation program also incorporates the ambitious short and long-term operating targets that underlie the Company’s annual cash incentive compensation program and long-term aspirations for strategic growth. Indeed, and as previously noted, the Company has determined that in 2020, the long- term equity incentive awards given to its operational business leaders will be tied to achievement of the ambitious targets set forth in the Company’s 2024 Strategic Growth Plan.

The Company has traditionally maintained, and will continue to maintain lofty expectations and goals with respect to stockholder value creation. Nevertheless, given the primary retention aim of the long-term equity incentive compensation program, the Committee has concluded that the performance-based criterion for the equity awards granted to our NEOs are appropriate in the context of our well-balanced overall executive compensation program.

TIMING OF LONG-TERM EQUITY AWARD GRANTS

Long-term equity incentive awards to our Chief Executive Officer are granted annually, typically in July, based on the determinations of the Committee. Long-term equity incentive awards to our other NEOs have traditionally been granted by the Committee (upon our Chief Executive Officer’s recommendation) following the release of the Company’s second quarter and six-month operating results. In 2019, the NEOs received their annual grants in August 2019.

In granting long-term equity awards to our NEOs, the Committee applied no set formula for allocating awards, and instead made reasoned, subjective determinations based upon their performance, the importance of retaining their services, and their role in helping us achieve our long-term goals. In 2019, we granted shares of restricted stock to our NEOs covering an aggregate of 217,000 shares.

In addition to Mr. Christopher’s annual grant, the Committee determined to grant him a special performance-based restricted stock award (conditioned on achievement of the performance-based criteria discussed above) in July 2019, in recognition of his outstanding service, leadership and commitment to the future and well-being of the Company.

Perquisites

We offer perquisites to our NEOs, which we view as an added element of our executive compensation program designed not only to attract, retain and reward our NEOs, but also to facilitate their performance of their duties on behalf of the Company. The perquisites we provided to our NEOs in fiscal year 2019 are set forth in the “Summary Compensation Table for 2019”, and included, among others, estate and tax planning, personal use of our Company airplane, and reimbursement of the income tax liabilities associated with certain perquisites. Estate and tax planning is provided to certain NEOs to complement our various compensation elements for the purpose of ensuring the NEOs understand the complexity of the long-term equity incentives and are thereby able to maximize the value of such benefits. We maintain a Company-owned airplane primarily to provide efficient transportation for executives, employees and customers to our geographically dispersed operations. From time to time, when our plane is not being used for business purposes, we allow certain NEOs to use the plane for personal travel. We have also provided executive physicals as a risk management tool and to ensure our NEOs are mindful of their personal health. Certain club memberships are provided, and serve the primary aim of facilitating networking with business clients.

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— COMPENSATION RISK MANAGEMENT

In connection with its continued appraisal of our compensation program, management, with oversight from the Committee, reviews our compensation policies and practices, and the overall compensation program with respect to our risk management practices and any potential risk-taking incentives. This assessment includes a review of the primary elements of our compensation in light of potential risks:

COMPENSATION PROGRAM RISK CONSIDERATIONS 

As previously detailed (see page 17), the Company has adopted a series of policies, including bans on pledging and hedging, and a clawback policy, to further mitigate risk taking behaviors. Beyond our Company clawback policy, which applies to all President and Vice President- level executives, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer are subject to clawback provisions under the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002. For these reasons, we believe that our compensation policies and practices are not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Tax Considerations

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) generally disallows a tax deduction to public companies for compensation in excess of $1,000,000 paid to certain executive officers, subject historically to an exception for qualifying “performance-based compensation.” The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, enacted on December 22, 2017, substantially modified Section 162(m) of the Code and, among other things, eliminated the performance-based exception to the $1,000,000 deduction limit effective as of January 1, 2018. As a result, as of 2018, compensation paid to certain executive officers in excess of $1,000,000 is nondeductible, whether or not it is performance-based. In addition, beginning in 2018, the executive officers subject to Section 162(m) of the Code (the “Covered Employees”) will include any individual who served as the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer at any time during the taxable year and the three other most highly compensated officers (other than the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer) for the taxable year, and once an individual becomes a Covered Employee for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2016, that individual will remain a Covered Employee for all future years, including following any termination of employment.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act includes a transition rule under which the changes to Section 162(m) of the Code described above will not apply to compensation payable pursuant to a written binding contract that was in effect on November 2, 2017 and is not materially modified after that date. To the extent applicable to our existing contracts and awards, we may avail ourselves of this transition rule. However, because of uncertainties as to the application and interpretation of the transition rule, no assurances can be given at this time that our existing contracts and awards, even if in place on November 2, 2017, will meet the requirements of the transition rule. Moreover, to maintain flexibility in compensating executive officers in a manner designed to promote varying corporate goals in the best interest of the company, we do not limit our actions with respect to executive compensation to preserve deductibility under Section 162(m) of the Code if we determine that doing so is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

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The Compensation and Stock Option Committee has reviewed and discussed with the Company’s management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K. Based on such review and discussions, the Compensation and Stock Option Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

During fiscal year 2019, Gennaro J. Fulvio, Scott J. Goldman and Charles P. Herzog, Jr. served on the Compensation and Stock Option Committee. No member of the Compensation and Stock Option Committee was, during fiscal year 2019, an officer or employee of the Company or was formerly an officer of the Company. In addition, no member of the Compensation and Stock Option Committee, during fiscal year 2019, had any relationship requiring disclosure by the Company as a related party transaction under Item 404 of Regulation S-K. No executive officer of the Company served on any board of directors or compensation committee of any other company for which any of the Company’s directors served as an executive officer at any time during fiscal year 2019.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES

— SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE FOR 2019

The following table shows compensation of our principal executive officer, our principal financial officer, and other named executive officers for the 2019, 2018 and 2017 fiscal years, as applicable. 

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Pay Ratio

In 2019, the total compensation of Mr. Christopher, our Chief Executive Officer, was $8,064,706, as reported in the “Summary Compensation Table for 2019.” Based on the methodology described below, we determined that the median employee in terms of total 2019 compensation of all of our employees (other than Mr. Christopher) received an estimated $36,709 in total compensation for 2019. Therefore, the estimated ratio of 2019 total compensation of Mr. Christopher to the median employee was 220:1.

In general, we offer employees base salary, company retirement plan contributions, the opportunity to receive incentive awards for performance, and other benefits. In accordance with SEC rules, the median employee compensation provided above reflects Company retirement plan contributions, incentive awards for 2019 performance and other benefits, but does not reflect benefits relating to group life or health plans generally available to all salaried employees.

To determine median employee compensation, we took the following steps: 

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— 2019 GRANTS OF PLAN BASED AWARDS TABLE

The following table sets forth summary information regarding all grants of plan-based awards made to our named executive officers for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2019.

Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and Grant of Plan Based Awards Table

Employment Agreement with Mr. Christopher

On March 15, 2018, we entered into an indefinite term employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) with Mr. Christopher, pursuant to which he will continue to serve as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, reporting directly to the Board. The Employment Agreement replaced Mr. Christopher’s prior employment agreement and, in so doing, eliminated the “single-trigger” severance to which Mr. Christopher would have been entitled upon the occurrence of a change in control of the Company.

The Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Christopher will receive a base salary of not less than $1,100,000 per year and will be eligible to receive an annual bonus award. For each fiscal year,

Mr. Christopher’s target annual bonus will be 125% of his base salary upon achievement of target performance levels, and he will be eligible for a maximum annual bonus of 250% of base salary when performance equals or exceeds 125% of the applicable performance objectives. The actual annual bonus payable to Mr. Christopher will be based upon the actual level of achievement of annual Company and individual performance objectives for the applicable year, as determined by the Committee. In addition, during the term of Mr. Christopher’s employment, the Company will maintain a term life insurance policy for him with a face value of at least $5 million, and Mr. Christopher will have the right to name the beneficiary of such term life insurance policy.

In the event that Mr. Christopher’s employment is terminated for any reason (other than by the Company for “cause” (as defined in the Employment Agreement)), he will, subject to his execution of a general release in favor of the Company and his continued compliance with certain restrictive covenants (the “Conditions”), be entitled to receive the following: (i) any accrued but unpaid compensation and benefits; (ii) any unpaid annual bonus with

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respect to the previously completed fiscal year; (iii) subject to achievement of the applicable performance objectives for the fiscal year in which the termination occurs, payment of a prorated annual bonus for such fiscal year; and (iv) continued medical, dental and hospitalization coverage (or payment in lieu of coverage if coverage is not permitted by applicable law or the terms of the applicable plan) for Mr. Christopher, his spouse and covered dependents until the latest of Mr. Christopher’s 70th birthday, his spouse’s 70th birthday, and the 3rd anniversary of such termination.

Additionally, if Mr. Christopher’s employment is terminated by the Company without “cause” or by Mr. Christopher for “good reason” (as defined in the Employment Agreement), and there has not been a “change in control” (as defined in the Employment Agreement) in the past 24 months, Mr. Christopher will, subject to the Conditions, be entitled to (i) continued payment of his base salary for 36 months; and (ii) an amount equal to 3 times Mr. Christopher’s target annual bonus in respect of the fiscal year in which such termination occurs (or prior fiscal year, if greater), such amount to be paid in equal installments over the 3 -year period following such termination at the same time such amounts would otherwise have been paid had no termination occurred. If Mr. Christopher’s employment is terminated by the Company without “cause” or by Mr. Christopher for “good reason” within 24 months of a “change in control,” Mr. Christopher will, subject to the Conditions, be entitled to (i) payment of his base salary for 36 months in a lump sum on the first regularly-scheduled payroll date following the 60th day following such termination; and (ii) an amount equal to 3 times Mr. Christopher’s target annual bonus in respect of the fiscal year in which such termination occurs (or prior fiscal year, if greater), paid in a lump sum on the first regularly-scheduled payroll date following the 60th day following such termination. The Employment Agreement does not provide for any “single-trigger” severance payments or benefits.

The Employment Agreement does not provide any gross-up or tax assistance on the severance benefits. Instead, the Employment Agreement contains a “modified cutback” provision, which would act to reduce the benefits payable to Mr. Christopher to the extent necessary to avoid a “golden parachute excise tax,” but only if such reduction would result in Mr. Christopher retaining a larger after-tax amount.

Mr. Christopher is subject to certain restrictive covenants during the term of his employment and thereafter, including customary non-compete restrictions that apply for one year post-termination and customary non-solicitation restrictions with respect to current and prospective employees that apply for one year post-termination. In addition, during the term of his employment and for one year thereafter, Mr. Christopher is prohibited from contacting any customer or prospective customer of the Company, or any representative of the same, for the purpose of providing any service or product competitive with any service or product sold or provided by the Company.

Change in Control Agreements with Mssrs. Martin, Moss and Sigloch

On July 26, 2016, the Company entered into change in control agreements with certain key members of the management team, including Messrs. Martin, Moss and Sigloch. Pursuant to those agreements, if, upon or within two years following a “change in control”, the executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without “cause” (other than on account of death or Disability), or by the executive for “good reason”, subject to execution of a general release of claims, the executive will be entitled to: (i) an amount equal to two times the executive’s base salary (as in effect immediately prior to the change in control or, if greater, the date of such termination); and (ii) an amount equal to two times the average annual bonus paid to the executive (including, for this purpose only, any amounts deferred) in respect of the three calendar years immediately preceding the calendar year in which the change in control occurs (or the three calendar years immediately preceding the calendar year of such termination, if greater). The terms “change in control” and “cause” are defined in the 2014 Incentive Plan and the term “good reason” is defined in each executive’s change in control agreement. The agreements also provide that for two years following termination under the circumstances described above, each of Messrs. Martin, Moss and Sigloch will receive (subject to the executive’s election of COBRA continuation coverage under the Company’s group health plan) continued coverage under the Company’s group health plan at the Company’s cost (or at the direction of the Company, reimbursement for COBRA premiums) for two years following such termination. We are not party to an employment or change in control agreement with Mr. Westermeyer.

2019 and 2014 Incentive Plans

In 2019, we maintained the 2019 Incentive Plan and 2014 Incentive Plan (together, the “Plans”), which were approved by our stockholders at our Annual Meetings held in May 2019 and May 2014 respectively. The Committee administers the Plans and is authorized to, among other things, designate participants, grant awards, including cash-based awards that historically were intended to qualify as performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by awards and determine the terms and conditions of any awards, and construe and interpret the Plans and award agreements issued pursuant thereto. The 2014 Incentive Plan reserved 1,500,000 shares of our Common Stock for issuance, subject to adjustment in the event of any change in the outstanding Common Stock or the capital structure of the Company or any other similar corporate transaction or event. The 2019 Plan reserved 2,000,000 shares of our Common Stock for issuance, subject to adjustments under similar circumstances. A previously authorized 2009 Incentive Plan expired in February 2019. No remaining shares are authorized to be issued under that 2009 Incentive Plan.

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— OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL 2019 YEAR-END

The following table sets forth summary information regarding the outstanding equity awards held by our named executive officers as of December 28, 2019.

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— 2019 STOCK VESTED AND OPTIONS EXERCISED

The following table sets forth the value realized by each of our named executive officers as a result of the vesting of restricted stock and exercise of stock options during the fiscal year ended December 28, 2019.

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— POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR CHANGE IN CONTROL AS OF THE END OF 2019

Pursuant to the employment agreement with our Chief Executive Officer, and the equity award and change in control agreements with our other named executive officers, upon a change in control or certain terminations of employment, our named executive officers are entitled to payments of compensation and benefits and/or accelerated vesting of equity awards, in each case as described below. The table below reflects the amount of compensation and benefits payable to each named executive officer in the event of (i) a change in control, (ii) an involuntary termination without cause or a resignation for good reason (specifically, for Messrs. Martin, Moss, and Sigloch, the occurrence of such a termination upon or within two years following a change in control), and (iii) a termination by reason of death or disability. The named executive officers are not entitled to any payments in connection with a termination for cause.

The amounts shown assume the applicable triggering event occurred on December 28, 2019, and are estimates of the amounts that would be paid to the named executive officers upon the occurrence of such triggering event.

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PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

As of March 20, 2020, the following parties were known by the Company to be the “beneficial owner” of more than five percent of the Common Stock:

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BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK BY INSIDERS

The following table sets forth, as of the close of business on March 20, 2020, information about the 1,634,107 shares of Common Stock (calculated based on 56,754,990 shares outstanding) beneficially owned by each of the Company’s current directors, nominees for director, executive officers and named executive officers. The “named executive officers” are those individuals set forth in the “Summary Compensation Table for 2019” included herein. Unless otherwise indicated, all directors, nominees for director, executive officers and named executive officers have sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares of Common Stock reported. The table and the accompanying footnotes set forth the foregoing persons’ current positions with the Company, principal occupations and employment over the preceding five years, age and directorships held in certain other publicly-owned companies.

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On June 27, 2017, pursuant to an Offer of Settlement, and without admitting or denying the findings contained therein, the PCAOB issued an Order Instituting Disciplinary Proceedings, Making Findings and Imposing Sanctions against Fulvio & Associates LLP (the “Firm”), Mr. Fulvio and certain other named affiliates of the Firm (collectively, “Respondents”) for Respondents’ having allegedly “violated PCAOB rules and standards in connection with their audit and examination engagement for a broker-dealer client, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014.” See PCAOB Release No. 105-2017-029 dated June 27, 2017. The Firm is currently registered with the PCAOB, and Mr. Fulvio may participate in audits pursuant to PCAOB standards.

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— DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) REPORTS

Based solely upon its review of Forms 3 and 4 received by it, and written representations from certain reporting persons about whether any Form 5 filings were required, the Company believes that during 2019, all filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and ten percent stockholders were complied with, except as follows:

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INFORMATION ABOUT VOTING AND THE ANNUAL MEETING

We are providing you with these proxy materials in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of Mueller Industries, Inc. (the “Company”) of proxies for our 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”), which will be held at 10:00 A.M., Central time on Thursday, May 7, 2020, at our corporate headquarters located at 150 Schilling Boulevard, Collierville, Tennessee 38017, in the second floor conference room.

We intend to hold our Annual Meeting in person. However, we are actively monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19); we are sensitive to the public health and travel concerns our shareholders may have and the protocols that federal, state, and local governments may impose. In the event it is not possible or advisable to hold our Annual Meeting in person, we will announce alternative arrangements for the meeting as promptly as practicable, which may include holding the meeting solely by means of remote communication. Please monitor our Annual Meeting website at www.muellerindustries.com for updated information. If you are planning to attend our meeting, please check the website one week prior to the meeting date. As always, we encourage you to vote your shares prior to the Annual Meeting.

This Proxy Statement, together with the Company’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2019, is first being mailed to stockholders on or about April 2, 2020. Pursuant to rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company is providing access to its proxy materials over the Internet at http://www.proxyvote.com.

Record Date: March 20, 2020

When a proxy card is returned properly signed, the shares represented thereby will be voted in accordance with the stockholder’s directions appearing on the card. If the proxy card is signed and returned without directions, the shares will be voted for the nominees named herein and in accordance with the recommendations of the Company’s Board of Directors as set forth herein. A stockholder giving a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is voted at the Annual Meeting by giving written notice to the secretary of the Annual Meeting or by casting a ballot at the Annual Meeting. Votes cast by proxy or in person at the Annual Meeting will be tabulated by election inspectors appointed for the Annual Meeting. The election inspectors will also determine whether a quorum is present. The holders of a majority of the shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share (“Common Stock”), outstanding and entitled to vote who are present either in person or represented by proxy will constitute a quorum for the Annual Meeting.

The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. In addition to solicitation by mail, directors, officers and employees of the Company may solicit proxies by telephone or otherwise. The Company will reimburse brokers or other persons holding stock in their names or in the names of their nominees for their charges and expenses in forwarding proxies and proxy material to the beneficial owners of such stock.

At the close of business on the Record Date, there were 56,754,990 shares of Common Stock outstanding, which are the only shares entitled to be voted at the Annual Meeting. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. The Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-laws (“Bylaws”) do not provide for cumulative voting for the election of directors.

On March 9, 2017, the Company paid a special dividend (the “Special Dividend”) consisting of $3.00 in cash and $5.00 in principal amount of the Company’s 6% Subordinated Debentures due 2027 (the “Debentures”) for each share of Common Stock outstanding as of the close of business on February 28, 2017. In connection with the Special Dividend, in accordance with the Company’s outstanding stock option plans and agreements, the Company adjusted the shares subject to and the per share exercise price with respect to outstanding options. This adjustment resulted in an increase in the number of shares subject to each outstanding option and an adjustment to the option purchase price designed to maintain the option holders’ intrinsic value following issuance of the Special Dividend. References in this Proxy Statement to beneficial stock ownership or outstanding options for periods following March 9, 2017 reflect the equitable adjustment made to options outstanding on February 28, 2017.

MUELLER INDUSTRIES ● 2020 PROXY STATEMENT    45

It is anticipated that the next Annual Meeting after the one scheduled for May 7, 2020 will be held on or about May 6, 2021. The Company’s Bylaws require that, for nominations of directors or other business to be properly brought before an Annual Meeting, written notice of such nomination or proposal for other business must be furnished to the Company. Such notice must contain certain information concerning the nominating or proposing stockholder and information concerning the nominee and must be furnished by the stockholder (who must be entitled to vote at the meeting) to the Secretary of the Company, in the case of the Annual Meeting to be held in 2021, no earlier than December 8, 2020 and no later than January 7, 2021. A copy of the applicable provisions of the Bylaws may be obtained by any stockholder, without charge, upon written request to the Secretary of the Company at the address set forth below.

In addition to the foregoing, and in accordance with the rules of the SEC, in order for a stockholder proposal, relating to a proper subject, to be considered for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement and form of proxy relating to the Annual Meeting to be held in 2021, such proposal must be received by the Secretary of the Company by December 3, 2020 in the form required under and subject to the other requirements of the applicable rules of the SEC. If the date of the Annual Meeting to be held in 2021 is changed to a date more than 30 days earlier or later than May 6, 2021, the Company will inform the stockholders in a timely fashion of such change and the date by which proposals of stockholders must be received for inclusion in the proxy materials. Any such proposal should be submitted by certified mail, return receipt requested, or other means, including electronic means, that allow the stockholder to prove the date of delivery.

MUELLER INDUSTRIES ● 2020 PROXY STATEMENT    46

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

If any matter not described herein should properly come before the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the proxy will vote the shares represented by them as they deem appropriate. At the date of this Proxy Statement, the Company knew of no other matters which might be presented for stockholder action at the Annual Meeting.

Consolidated financial statements for the Company are included in the Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 28, 2019 that accompanies this Proxy Statement. These financial statements are also on file with the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549 and with the NYSE. The Company’s SEC filings are also available at the Company’s website at www.muellerindustries.com or the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

A COPY OF THE COMPANY’S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K AS FILED FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 28, 2019 (EXCLUDING EXHIBITS) OR, AS NOTED HEREIN, ANY OF THE COMPANY’S BOARD COMMITTEE CHARTERS, CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES, OR CODE OF ETHICS WILL BE FURNISHED, WITHOUT CHARGE, BY WRITING TO CHRISTOPHER J. MIRITELLO, CORPORATE SECRETARY, MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC., AT THE COMPANY’S PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS (150 SCHILLING BOULEVARD, SUITE 100, COLLIERVILLE, TENNESSEE 38017). UPON RECEIPT BY WRITING TO THE FOREGOING ADDRESS, THE COMPANY WILL ALSO FURNISH ANY OTHER EXHIBIT OF THE ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K UPON ADVANCE PAYMENT OF THE REASONABLE OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES OF THE COMPANY RELATED TO THE COMPANY’S FURNISHING OF SUCH EXHIBIT.

The Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at: http://www.proxyvote.com

You will need the Control Number included on your proxy card. For the date, time, and location of the Annual General Meeting, please refer to “Solicitation of Proxies.” For information on how to attend and vote in person at the Annual General Meeting, an identification of the matters to be voted upon at the Annual General Meeting and the Board’s recommendations regarding those matters, please refer to “Solicitation of Proxies,” “Election of Directors,” “Appointment of Independent Registered Accounting Firm”, and “Approval of the Compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers.”

The SEC has enacted a rule that allows multiple investors residing at the same address the convenience of receiving a single copy of annual reports, proxy statements, prospectuses and other disclosure documents if they consent to do so. This is known as “Householding.” Please note, if you do not respond, Householding will start 60 days after the mailing of this notice. We will allow Householding only upon certain conditions. Some of those conditions are:

If these conditions are met, and SEC regulations allow, your household will receive a single copy of annual reports, proxy statements, prospectuses and other disclosure documents.

You may revoke a prior Householding consent at any time by contacting Broadridge, either by calling toll-free at (800) 542-1061, or by writing to Broadridge, Householding Department, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York, 11717. We will remove you from the Householding program within 30 days of receipt of your response, following which you will receive an individual copy of our disclosure document.

By order of the Board of Directors

Christopher J. Miritello

Corporate Secretary

MUELLER INDUSTRIES ● 2020 PROXY STATEMENT    47

150 Schilling Blvd., Suite 100

Collierville, TN 38017

(901) 753-3200

www.muellerindustries.com