SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Huttig Building Products, Inc.

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555 Maryville University Dr.
Suite 400
St. Louis, Missouri 63141

 

March 12, 2010

 

Dear Huttig Stockholder:

 

You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Huttig Building Products, Inc., to be held at 2:30 p.m., local time, on Monday, April 19, 2010 at the corporate headquarters of Crane Co., 100 First Stamford Place, Stamford, Connecticut.

 

The Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement on the following pages describe the matters to be presented at the meeting. Management will report on current operations and there will be an opportunity for discussion of the Company and its activities. Our 2009 Annual Report accompanies this Proxy Statement.

 

It is important that your shares be represented at the meeting regardless of the size of your holdings. If you are unable to attend in person, we urge you to participate by voting your shares by proxy. You may do so by filling out and returning the enclosed proxy card, or by using the Internet address or the toll-free telephone number on the proxy card.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Jon P. Vrabely

President and Chief Executive Officer

Huttig Building Products, Inc.
555 Maryville University Dr.
Suite 400
St. Louis, Missouri 63141

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON APRIL 19, 2010

 

March 12, 2010

 

Huttig Building Products, Inc. will hold its 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on Monday, April 19, 2010 at 2:30 p.m., local time, at the corporate headquarters of Crane Co., 100 First Stamford Place, Stamford, Connecticut for the following purposes:

 

1. To elect three directors to serve terms expiring in 2013;

 

2. To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2010; and

 

3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting and all adjournments and postponements thereof.

 

The Board of Directors has fixed February 19, 2010 as the record date for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the annual meeting and all adjournments thereof. A list of stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting will be available for ten days prior to the meeting at our executive offices at 555 Maryville University Drive, Suite 400, St. Louis, Missouri 63141.

 

In order to assure a quorum, it is important that stockholders who do not expect to attend the meeting in person fill in, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card in the accompanying envelope, or use the Internet address or toll-free telephone number set forth on the enclosed proxy card to vote their shares. Any stockholder attending the meeting may vote in person even if that stockholder has previously returned a proxy.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

 

Philip W. Keipp

Corporate Secretary

 

HUTTIG BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
555 Maryville University Dr.
Suite 400
St. Louis, Missouri 63141

 

PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON APRIL 19, 2010

 

The Board of Directors of Huttig Building Products, Inc. (“Huttig” or the “Company”) is soliciting the enclosed proxy for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at the corporate headquarters of Crane Co., 100 First Stamford Place, Stamford, Connecticut on Monday, April 19, 2010, at 2:30 p.m., local time, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof. Shares represented by the enclosed proxy, when it is properly executed and returned prior to the meeting and not revoked, will be voted in accordance with the directions thereon. If no directions are indicated on a proxy that is properly executed and returned prior to the meeting and not revoked, the shares represented by the proxy will be voted FOR each nominee for election as a director and FOR the proposal to ratify the selection of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2010. If any other matter should be presented at the Annual Meeting upon which a vote may properly be taken, the shares represented by the proxy will be voted with respect thereto in accordance with the discretion of the person or persons holding such proxy.

 

The first date on which this Proxy Statement and the enclosed proxy card are being sent to the Company’s stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting is on or about March 12, 2010.

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS
FOR THE STOCKHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON APRIL 19, 2010

 

This proxy statement and the 2009 Annual Report to Stockholders are available at www.edocumentview.com/HBP.

 

How to Vote

 

Stockholders may vote by marking their proxy, dating and signing it and returning it to the Corporate Secretary in the enclosed envelope. As an alternative to using the written form of proxy, stockholders may also vote their proxy by using the toll-free number listed on the proxy card or by voting via the Internet. The telephone voting and Internet voting procedures are designed to authenticate votes cast by use of a Personal Identification Number. The procedures allow stockholders to appoint a proxy to vote their shares and to confirm that their instructions have been properly recorded. Specific instructions to be followed by any stockholder of record interested in voting by telephone or the Internet are set forth on the enclosed proxy card. If your shares are held in the name of a bank or broker, follow the voting instructions on the form you receive from that firm. The availability of telephone or Internet voting will depend on that firm’s voting processes.

 

How to Revoke a Vote

 

Stockholders may revoke proxies at any time prior to the voting of the proxy by providing written notice to the Company, by submitting a new later-dated proxy via the Internet, by telephone or by mail, or by voting in person at the meeting.

 

Special Voting Rules for Participants in Huttig’s 401(k) Plan

 

If you participate in the Huttig Building Products, Inc. Savings and Profit Sharing Plan (the “401(k) Plan”), you will receive one proxy with respect to all of your shares of Huttig stock registered in the same name. If your accounts are not registered in the same name, you will receive a separate proxy with respect to each registered name for which you have accounts. Shares of Huttig common stock held in the 401(k) Plan will be voted by The Prudential Investment Company of America, as trustee of the 401(k) Plan, as directed by Plan participants.

Participants in the 401(k) Plan should indicate their voting instructions for each action to be taken under the Huttig proxy. All voting instructions from the 401(k) Plan participants will be kept confidential. If a participant fails to vote, the Huttig shares allocated to such participant will be voted in accordance with the pro rata vote of the participants in the 401(k) Plan who did provide instructions.

 

Outstanding Shares and Required Votes

 

As of the close of business on February 19, 2010, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting, the Company had issued and outstanding 22,982,259 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote on each matter to be voted on at the meeting. The presence in person or by proxy at the meeting of stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes that all holders of shares of common stock are entitled to cast will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted as present or represented for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the meeting. A broker non-vote occurs with respect to a particular matter when a broker returns a proxy card but does not vote on the matter because the broker does not have the discretionary authority to do so in the absence of voting instructions from the beneficial owner. Brokers have discretionary authority to vote on ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP; however, under a recent rule change, brokers no longer have discretionary authority to vote on the election of directors if the broker does not receive voting instructions from you. Shares represented by proxies that are marked “withhold” with respect to the election of one or more directors will be counted as present in determining whether there is a quorum.

 

Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by holders of shares of common stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting. Votes may be cast in favor of a director nominee or withheld, and the three persons receiving the highest number of favorable votes will be elected as directors of the Company. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of the election of directors.

 

A majority of shares entitled to vote and present in person or by proxy at the meeting must be voted in favor of the ratification of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2010 in order for that proposal to be approved. Abstentions will have the practical effect of voting against this proposal, and broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of the voting on this proposal.

 

ITEM 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

The Board of Directors of the Company is currently comprised of eight members divided into three classes with each director elected to serve for a three-year term. At the 2010 annual meeting, three directors will be elected to hold office until the 2013 annual meeting. If it is properly voted prior to the meeting, and not revoked, the enclosed proxy will be voted for the election of E. Thayer Bigelow, Richard S. Forté and Jon P. Vrabely, unless a stockholder indicates that a vote should be withheld with respect to one or more of such nominees. The election of all nominees has been recommended by the Board of Directors. Each of the nominees has consented to being named in this Proxy Statement and has indicated his willingness to serve if elected. If any nominee shall, prior to the meeting, become unavailable for election as a director, the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy will vote for such replacement nominee, if any, as may be recommended by the Board of Directors.

 

The Board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the election of Messrs. Bigelow, Forté and Vrabely as directors for terms expiring in 2013.

 

Please review the following information regarding Messrs. Bigelow, Forté and Vrabely and the other directors continuing in office.

 

Director Nominees for Election at the 2010 Annual Meeting

 

E. THAYER BIGELOW

Age 68. Director since 1999. Managing Director of Bigelow Media, LLC (investment in media and entertainment companies) since September 2000. Currently also a director of Crane Co. and Lord Abbett & Co. Mutual Funds (42 funds). Formerly a director of Adelphia Communications Corp. and R. H. Donnelley

Corporation. Mr. Bigelow’s qualifications to serve on the Board include his extensive executive experience, his financial acumen and experience as a chief financial officer, an in-depth understanding of the Company and its industry due to his long service on the Board, and significant public company board experience, particularly audit committee and compensation committee experience.

 

RICHARD S. FORTÉ

Age 65. Director since 1999. Retired. Chairman of Forté Cashmere Company LLC (importer and manufacturer) from 2002 to 2004. President of Dawson Forté Cashmere Company (importer) from 1997 to 2001. Currently also a director of Crane Co. Mr. Forté’s qualifications to serve on the Board include his executive experience, an in-depth understanding of the Company and its industry due to his long service on the Board, and over 25 years of other public company board experience, including audit committee experience.

 

JON P. VRABELY

Age 44. Director since 2007. President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since January 2007. Vice President, Chief Operating Officer from November 2005 to January 2007. Vice President of Operations from December 2004 to November 2005. Mr. Vrabely’s qualifications to serve on the Board include his extensive knowledge of the Company’s operations, strategy and financial position through his service as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer as well as through his prior positions in his over ten years of service with the Company.

 

Continuing Directors:

 

Directors Whose Terms Expire in 2011

 

R. S. EVANS

Age 65. Director since 1972. Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company. Chairman of Crane Co. (diversified manufacturer of engineered industrial products) since 1984. Chief Executive Officer of Crane Co. from 1984 through 2001. Currently also a director of Crane Co. and HBD Industries, Inc. Mr. Evans’ qualifications to serve on the Board include his experience as the chief executive officer of a large public company, an in-depth understanding of the Company and its industry from over 35 years of service on the Board, and other public company board experience, including over 25 years of service as chairman of the board of a large public company.

 

J. KEITH MATHENEY

Age 61. Director since 2004. Managing member of Matheney and Matheney, CPAs PLLC (accounting and tax consulting) since June 2004. Executive Vice President of Louisiana Pacific Corporation (manufacturer of forest products) from 2002 to 2003 and Vice President from 1997 to 2002. Formerly a director of Pope & Talbot, Inc. Mr. Matheney’s qualifications to serve on the Board include his executive experience in a large public company in the building products industry, his financial expertise and his experience on another public company board, including audit committee experience.

 

STEVEN A. WISE

Age 49. Director since 2005. Western Region President for CEMEX S.A.B. de C.V.’s (cement and building materials producer) U.S. operations since 2008. Pacific Regional President for CEMEX’s U.S. operations from 2007 to 2008. Executive Vice President, Ready-Mix and Aggregates for CEMEX’s U.S. operations from 2003 to 2007. Mr. Wise’s qualifications to serve on the Board include his years of executive experience in a large public company in the building products industry.

 

Directors Whose Terms Expire in 2012

 

DONALD L. GLASS

Age 61. Director since 2004. Retired. President and Chief Executive Officer of The Timber Company (timber producer) from 1997 to 2001. Executive Vice President of Georgia-Pacific Corporation (building products manufacturer) from 1996 to 2001. Mr. Glass’s qualifications to serve on the Board include his executive experience in a large public company in the building products industry, including his experience as the chief executive officer of one of its operating units.

 

DELBERT H. TANNER

Age 58. Director since 2001. Chief Executive Officer of Anderson Group, Inc. (manufacturer of welding equipment and industrial fans) from June 2005 to June 2008. President and Chief Executive Officer of RMC Industries Corporation (ready-mix concrete and building materials producer) from 2002 to May 2005. Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President in 2002 and Senior Vice President from 1998 to 2002 of RMC Industries Corporation. Mr. Tanner’s qualifications to serve on the Board include his experience as the chief executive officer of a multi-national equipment manufacturer and his experience as the chief executive officer of large cement and buildings material producer.

 

Pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement entered into by the Company and The Rugby Group Limited in 1999, so long as the Company common stock owned by Rugby and received in the 1999 sale of Rugby’s U.S. building products business to the Company constitutes at least 30%, 20% and 10% of the Company’s outstanding common stock, Rugby is entitled to designate for nomination by the Board of Directors three, two or one director(s), respectively. If shares of common stock beneficially owned by Rugby and its affiliates in the aggregate at any time would constitute less than 30% of the Company’s outstanding stock solely as a result of Rugby’s sale of shares to the Company in August 2001, Rugby will continue to have the right to nominate three directors so long as the common stock received in the December 1999 transaction and held by Rugby and its affiliates in the aggregate constitutes at least Rugby’s new ownership percentage after giving effect to the Company’s repurchase of these shares, as this percentage may increase from time to time as a result of the Company’s repurchase of common stock. So long as the Company common stock owned by Rugby and received in the 1999 transaction constitutes 10% or more of the Company’s outstanding common stock, Rugby is required to be present at all meetings of the Company’s stockholders and to vote its shares in favor of the Board’s nominees for election to the Board of Directors.

 

Based on information as of February 15, 2010, Rugby beneficially owns 25.05% of the Company’s common stock. Rugby is an indirect subsidiary of CEMEX S.A.B. de C.V. Messrs. Glass and Wise are Rugby’s current designees on the Board of Directors. See “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” in this Proxy Statement.

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Board of Directors

 

The Board of Directors is currently comprised of eight directors. During 2009, the Board of Directors held eight meetings and all directors attended at least 75% of the Board meetings and meetings of the committees on which they served. The Company’s directors are encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. All of our directors attended the 2009 annual meeting, except for Mr. Wise, who was unable to attend.

 

Director Independence

 

The Company’s common stock is not listed on a national securities exchange or an inter-dealer quotation system which has requirements that a majority of its board of directors be independent. While not required, the Board of Directors determined the independence of the directors using the definition of independence set forth in the standards established by the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on which the Company’s common stock previously was listed.

 

The Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that seven of the Company’s eight directors — Messrs. Bigelow, Evans, Forté, Glass, Matheney, Tanner and Wise — are independent in accordance with the standards established by the New York Stock Exchange and that none of such directors has a material relationship with the Company. In reaching its determination, the Board considered the status of Messrs. Glass and Wise as designees of The Rugby Group Limited, the Company’s principal stockholder. The Board considered the NYSE’s view that ownership of even a significant amount of stock, by itself, does not bar an independence finding. The

Board determined that because neither Mr. Glass nor Mr. Wise is an executive officer or director of CEMEX S.A.B. de C.V., which indirectly owns 100% of the outstanding capital stock of Rugby, and, therefore, neither has a beneficial interest in the Company shares owned by Rugby, each such director’s status as a designee of Rugby Group is not a relationship that precludes him from exercising independent judgment in carrying out his responsibilities. Mr. Vrabely does not meet the independence standards because he is an employee of the Company

 

The Board of Directors has also affirmatively determined that:

 

 

Corporate Governance

 

The Company has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines. The Company has also adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to all directors, officers and employees. The Corporate Governance Guidelines and the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics are available on the Company’s website at www.huttig.com. Information on, or accessible through, this website is not a part of, and is not incorporated into, this proxy statement. The Company intends to post on its website any amendments to, or waivers from, its Code of Business Conduct and Ethics within two days of such amendment or waiver.

 

In accordance with our Corporate Governance Guidelines, non-management directors regularly hold executive sessions without management present. During 2009, one Board meeting included an executive session from which management was excused. Mr. R. S. Evans, Chairman of the Board, presided at that executive session.

 

Board Leadership Structure

 

The Board has chosen to separate the positions of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer at this time — Mr. R. S. Evans, a non-employee independent director, serves as Chairman, and Mr. Jon P. Vrabely serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer. Separating these positions allows our Chief Executive Officer to focus on setting the strategic direction of the Company and on our day-to-day business, and allows the Chairman to lead the Board in its fundamental role of providing advice to and independent oversight of management. While our bylaws and corporate governance guidelines do not require that our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions be separate, the Board believes that having separate positions and having an independent outside director serve as Chairman is the appropriate leadership structure for the Company at this time. The Company has had this leadership structure since prior to its spin-off in 1999 as a separate, publicly-traded company. The Board retains the discretion to assess whether the positions should be combined or separated at any given time based upon its evaluation of, among other things, the composition of the Board and the circumstances facing the Company at the time.

 

Board Role in Risk Oversight

 

The Board believes that an important part of its responsibilities is to review the Company’s assessment of the major risks the Company faces and its policies for monitoring and controlling these risks. The Audit Committee has specific responsibility for oversight of risks associated with financial accounting and audits, as well as internal control over financial reporting. Management regularly reports to the Audit Committee on the Company’s risk assessment and management policies, the Company’s major financial risk exposure and the steps taken by management to monitor and mitigate such exposure. The Management Organization and Compensation Committee oversees the risks relating to the Company’s compensation policies and practices as well as management development and leadership succession. In addition to periodic reports from the two committees about risks, the Board as a whole examines specific business risks as part of its regular strategic reviews. In addition,

management periodically reviews with the Board matters of particular importance or concern, including any significant areas of risk requiring Board attention.

 

Board Committees

 

The Board of Directors has four standing committees:  (1) Executive, (2) Audit, (3) Management Organization and Compensation, and (4) Nominating and Governance. The Executive Committee meets when a quorum of the full Board of Directors cannot be readily obtained. In 2009, the Executive Committee held no meetings and took action only by written consent.

 

Each of the other committees operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. All of the committee charters are available on the Company’s website at www.huttig.com. Information on, or accessible through, this website is not a part of, and is not incorporated into, this proxy statement.

 

The memberships of Board committees as of the date of this Proxy Statement are as follows:

 

 

Audit Committee

 

The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling the Board’s oversight responsibility with respect to the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, the qualification and independence of the Company’s independent auditors, the performance of the Company’s internal audit function and its internal auditors, the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and the Company’s risk assessment and risk management policies. The Audit Committee has the sole authority to select, evaluate and, where appropriate, replace the independent auditors. The Audit Committee meets periodically with representatives from the Company’s internal auditors and independent auditors separate from management. The Audit Committee also is responsible for reviewing compliance with the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics policy, and for administering and enforcing the Company’s accounting and auditing compliance procedures adopted in accordance with Section 301 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

In discharging its oversight responsibility as to the audit process, the Audit Committee obtained from the independent auditors a formal written statement confirming the absence of any relationships between the auditors and the Company that might bear on the auditors’ independence consistent with applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence. The Audit Committee discussed with the independent auditors any activities that may impact their objectivity and independence, including fees for non-audit services, and satisfied itself as to the auditors’ independence. The Audit Committee also received a report on the quality control procedures of the independent auditors as well as the most recent peer review conducted under guidelines of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The Audit Committee also discussed with management, the internal auditors and the independent auditors the quality and adequacy of the Company’s internal controls and the internal audit function’s organization, responsibilities, budget and staffing, and results of the internal audit examinations. The Audit Committee reviewed with the independent auditors and the internal auditors their audit plan and audit scope and the independent auditors’ examination of the financial statements.

 

The Board of Directors has determined that J. Keith Matheney meets the requirements of an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in regulations of the SEC. During 2009, the Audit Committee held six meetings.

 

The report of the Audit Committee is included under “Report of the Audit Committee” in this Proxy Statement.

Management Organization and Compensation Committee

 

The Management Organization and Compensation Committee oversees the Company’s compensation plans and practices, including its executive compensation plans and director compensation plans, reviews and evaluates the performance of the Chief Executive Officer, reviews with the Chief Executive Officer his evaluation of the performance of other members of senior management, administers the Company’s restricted stock and other stock-based compensation plans and programs, reviews management development and succession planning policies and produces the annual report on executive compensation for inclusion in the Company’s annual proxy statement. During 2009, the Management Organization and Compensation Committee held four meetings.

 

The report of the Management Organization and Compensation Committee on executive compensation is included under “Report on Executive Compensation by the Management Organization and Compensation Committee of the Company” in this Proxy Statement.

 

Nominating and Governance Committee

 

The Nominating and Governance Committee’s duties include assisting the Board by identifying individuals qualified to become members of the Board, recommending to the Board the director nominees for election at the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders, advising the Board with respect to Board composition and procedures, advising the Board with respect to corporate governance principles and overseeing the evaluation of the Board. During 2009, the Nominating and Governance Committee held no meetings; instead, its duties were handled by the Board as a whole.

 

Director Qualifications and Nominating Procedures

 

The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that the Board should generally have from seven to eleven directors, a substantial majority of whom must qualify as independent directors as defined under the listing standards of the NYSE. The Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that a director who serves as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer should not serve on more than two public company boards in addition to the Board, other directors should not serve on more than four public company boards in addition to the Board and members of the Audit Committee should not serve on more than two other public company audit committees.

 

The Board seeks to identify and recruit the best available director candidates to sustain and enhance the composition of the Board with the appropriate balance of knowledge, experience, skills, expertise and diversity. Characteristics required for service on the Company’s Board include integrity, an understanding of the workings of large business organizations such as the Company, senior level executive experience, the ability to make independent, analytical judgments, the ability to be an effective communicator, and the ability and willingness to devote the time and effort to be an effective and contributing member of the Board. The Board will consider potential director candidates proposed by other members of the Board, by management or by stockholders.

 

Although the Company does not have a formal written diversity policy for the Board, the Board determines the most appropriate mix of characteristics, skills and experiences for the Board as a whole to possess at any given time, with the objective of having a Board with adequately diverse backgrounds and experiences in light of the circumstances existing at that time. The Board evaluates each individual in the context of the individual’s potential contribution to the Board as a whole, with the objective of recommending a collective group that can best promote the success of the Company’s business, represent stockholder interests through the exercise of sound judgment and allow the Board as a whole to benefit from the group’s varying backgrounds and experiences. The Board applies the same criteria to all candidates that it considers, including any candidates submitted by stockholders.

 

To have a candidate considered by the Board, a stockholder must submit the recommendation in writing to the Company addressed to the Office of the Corporate Secretary at 555 Maryville University Dr., Suite 400, St. Louis, MO 63141 and must supply the following information:

 

 

 

Stockholders may submit potential director candidates at any time pursuant to these procedures. The Board will consider such candidates in connection with annual elections of directors or the filling of any director vacancies. Any stockholder nominations for the 2011 annual meeting, together with the information described above, must be submitted in accordance with the procedures described under “Miscellaneous — Next Annual Meeting; Stockholder Proposals” in this Proxy Statement.

 

Stockholder Communications with Directors

 

The Board has established a process to receive communications from stockholders and other interested parties. Stockholders and other interested parties may contact any member (or all members) of the Board, any Board committee or any Chairman of any such committee by mail or electronically. To communicate with the Board of Directors, any individual director or any group or committee of directors, correspondence should be addressed to the Board of Directors or any such individual director or group or committee of directors by either name or title. All such correspondence should be sent to the Company “c/o Corporate Secretary” at 555 Maryville University Dr., Suite 400, St. Louis, Missouri 63141. To communicate with any of our directors electronically, stockholders should use the following e-mail address: corporatesecretary@huttig.com.

 

The office of the Corporate Secretary will open all communications received as set forth in the preceding paragraph for the sole purpose of determining whether the contents represent a message to our directors. Any contents that are not in the nature of advertising, promotions of a product or service, or patently offensive or irrelevant material will be forwarded promptly to the addressee. To the extent that the communication involves a request for information, such as an inquiry about Huttig or stock-related matters, the Corporate Secretary’s office may handle the inquiry directly. In the case of communications to the Board or any group or committee of directors, the Corporate Secretary’s office will make sufficient copies of the contents to send to each director who is a member of the group or committee to which the envelope or email is addressed.

Compensation of Directors

 

Shown below is information concerning the compensation for service as a director for each member of our Board of Directors for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

 

 

 

In December 2009, the Board approved an amendment to the 2005 Directors Plan to increase the shares authorized for issuance thereunder by 200,000 shares, to 275,000 shares. In December 2009, the Board also approved a revision to the non-employee directors’ stock compensation program so that, beginning in 2010, each outside director will be awarded annually, on the date of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, RSUs for a number of shares equal to the lesser of (i) shares valued at $15,000, or (ii) 7,500 shares.

 

The aggregate number of RSUs held by each non-employee director at December 31, 2009 is as follows: Mr. Evans — 5,661; each of Messrs. Bigelow, Forté, Glass, Matheney, Tanner and Wise — 9,099.

 

 

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

 

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the financial statements for fiscal year 2009 audited by KPMG LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee has discussed with KPMG LLP various matters related to the financial statements, including those matters required to be discussed by SAS 61 (Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, AU 380). The Audit Committee has also received the written disclosures and the letter from KPMG LLP required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with KPMG LLP its independence. Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of the Company’s financial statements, the Company’s internal controls and financial reporting process and procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. The Company’s independent auditors are responsible for performing an independent audit of the Company’s financial statements and expressing an opinion as to their conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Based upon such review and discussions, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Other than Mr. Matheney, who is a practicing certified public accountant, the members of the Audit Committee are not professionally engaged in the practice of auditing or accounting. The members of the Audit Committee are not, and do not represent themselves to be, performing the functions of auditors or accountants. Members of the Audit Committee may rely without independent verification on the information provided to them and on representations made by management and the independent auditors. Accordingly, the Audit Committee’s oversight does not provide an independent basis to determine that management has maintained appropriate accounting and financial reporting principles or appropriate internal controls and procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. Furthermore, the Audit Committee’s considerations and discussions referred to above do not assure that the audit of the Company’s financial statements has been carried out in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, that the financial statements are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or that the Company’s auditors are in fact “independent.”

 

This report is not to be deemed “soliciting material” or deemed to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or subject to Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that the Company specifically requests that this report be treated as “soliciting material” or specifically incorporates it by reference into a document filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Submitted by:

 

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Huttig Building Products, Inc.

 

J. Keith Matheney — Chairman
E. Thayer Bigelow
Richard S. Forté

 

REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION BY THE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION AND
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE COMPANY

 

The Management Organization and Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) has reviewed and discussed with management the disclosures contained in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement. Based upon this review and its discussions, the Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement be included in the Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the Company’s 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed with the SEC.

 

Submitted by:

 

The Management Organization and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Huttig Building Products, Inc.

 

E. Thayer Bigelow — Chairman
Donald L. Glass
Delbert H. Tanner

 

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

Huttig’s executive officers as of March 12, 2010 and their respective ages and positions are set forth below:

 

 

Set forth below are the positions held with the Company and the principal occupations and employment during the past five years of Huttig’s executive officers.

 

Jon P. Vrabely was named President and Chief Executive Officer in January 2007. He was also appointed to the Board of Directors in January 2007. He served as Vice President, Chief Operating Officer from November 2005 to January 2007 and as Vice President of Operations from 2004 to November 2005.

 

Philip W. Keipp joined the Company in July 2009 as its Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary. Prior to joining Huttig, Mr. Keipp was employed at HD Supply Waterworks, Ltd., a leading distributor of water and wastewater transmission products, and its predecessor companies from 1996 to February 2008, serving as the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer from January 2007 to February 2008 and as the Chief Financial Officer from 2005 to January 2007.

 

Richard A. Baltz was named Vice President, Internal Audit in 2004.

 

Gregory W. Gurley was named Vice President, Product Management and Marketing in January 2007. Prior to joining Huttig, Mr. Gurley served as the Vice President of Residential New Business Development with Therma-Tru Corp., a manufacturer of entry and patio door systems, from May 2006 until December 2006 and as Vice President and General Manager of Wholesale Distribution Business with Therma-Tru from 2004 until May 2006.

 

Brian D. Robinson was named Vice President, Chief Information Officer in July 2006. Prior to joining Huttig, Mr. Robinson was the owner and operator of BDR Holdings, Inc., a residential and commercial painting business serving Atlanta, Georgia, from September 2005 to July 2006. From 2001 to June 2005, Mr. Robinson was Vice President, Chief Information Officer for RMC USA, Inc., a producer of ready-mix concrete and building materials.

 

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK
BY DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT

 

The following table sets forth the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company’s directors, the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table and all of the Company’s directors and executive officers as a group, as of February 28, 2010. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and includes voting or investment power with respect to the Company’s securities. Except as indicated in footnotes to this table, the Company believes that the stockholders named in this table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown to be beneficially owned by them.

 

 

 

 

PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY

 

The following table sets forth the ownership of common stock by each person known by the Company to beneficially own more than 5% of the common stock based on the number of shares of common stock outstanding as of February 15, 2010. Except as indicated in footnotes to this table, the Company believes that the stockholders named in this table have sole voting and dispositive power with respect to all shares of common stock shown to be beneficially owned by them.

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

The Management Organization and Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors of the Company is responsible for overseeing the Company’s executive compensation programs.

 

Philosophy

 

The primary objective of our executive compensation program is to attract and retain qualified employees. Our compensation program is designed to reward individual performance, Company performance and increases in Company stockholder value.

 

Overview

 

Executive compensation is comprised of the following components:

 

 

Each of these components represents a portion of each executive officer’s total compensation package, although participation in the defined contribution plan and the deferred compensation plan is at the option of the executive officer. Our policy for allocating between long-term and currently paid compensation is to ensure

adequate base compensation to attract and retain qualified personnel, while providing incentives to maximize long-term value for the Company and its stockholders. There is no pre-established policy or formula for the allocation between either cash and non-cash or short-term and long-term incentive compensation.

 

Impact of Market Conditions

 

The prolonged, severe decline in the housing market has had a significant impact on the Company’s business, which in turn has affected the compensation of the Company’s executive officers as described below:

 

 

Process

 

On an annual basis, the Committee reviews and evaluates the performance and leadership of the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and recommends to the Board of Directors all compensation actions affecting the CEO. The Committee also annually reviews with the CEO his evaluation of the performance of the other executive officers and his recommendations regarding compensation actions for such officers.

 

To assist it in its review of executive compensation, the Committee periodically engages outside consultants to provide competitive compensation information. The Committee retained Hewitt Associates, an independent consulting firm, to prepare an executive compensation competitive study in 2006. The Committee reviewed the data from this study, after adjustment for inflation, in its assessment of executive compensation for 2009. The study included competitive information for two peer groups of companies — a group of nine distributorship companies and a group of ten companies with similar market capitalization to the Company. The companies included in the distributorship group are: Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.; Audiovox Corporation; Bell Microproducts, Inc.; BlueLinx Holdings, Inc.; Building Materials Holding Corporation; Kaman Corporation; Keystone Automotive Industries, Inc.; Navarre Corporation; and Richardson Electronics, Inc. The companies included in the group with similar market capitalization are: Bell Microproducts, Inc.; BFC Financial Corporation; Dura Automotive Systems, Inc.; Exide Technologies; Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.; PC Connection, Inc.; Salton, Inc.; Stepan Company; Wellman, Inc.; and Wheeling-Pittsburgh Corporation. The study also included information on a broad all-industry group comprised of companies with similar revenues to the Company. The study included base compensation, annual incentives and long-term incentives, including stock-based compensation.

 

The Committee used the peer group compensation data to inform its decisions; however, the Committee did not, for 2009, target elements of the executives’ compensation to be competitive with the peer group. The 2009 compensation decisions were heavily focused on cost control, as described above under “Impact of Market Conditions”.

Base Salaries

 

Each year, the Committee reviews the base salaries of each executive officer and the Board approves all salary actions affecting the CEO. In connection with the Company’s cost control efforts in response to the prolonged, severe decline in the housing market, in January 2009, the Committee and the Board approved management’s recommendation that the executive officers receive no increase in their base salaries for 2009. In addition, in September 2009, the Company instituted a temporary 10% reduction in the base salaries of certain employees, including each of the executive officers. The temporary reductions were made to mitigate the impact of seasonal decreases in construction activity, which generally adversely affect the Company’s first and fourth quarters. The temporary reductions remained in effect through the end of 2009.

 

The unreduced base salary in 2009 for each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table (the “named executive officers”) and the base salary for each such officer after giving effect to the temporary salary reduction described above are as follows:

 

 

 

 

The Company believes that all of the base salaries of the Company’s executive officers are at levels that are appropriate for executives of a public corporation of the Company’s size and industry category.

 

Annual Incentive Compensation

 

The Company’s annual incentive compensation program is based on the principle of economic value added (“EVA”). EVA is a measurement of the amount by which the Company’s after-tax profits, after certain adjustments, exceed the cost of capital employed by the Company. The Company believes that, as compared to other common performance measures such as return on equity or growth in earnings per share, EVA has a higher correlation with the Company’s overall financial performance and the creation of long-term stockholder value. Although the plan is formula driven, the Committee retains discretion to review and adjust the calculation and its impact on individuals for reasonableness.

 

All of the Company’s executive officers participate in the Company’s EVA Incentive Compensation Plan, which the Committee administers. Each year, the Committee approves the cost of capital used in the EVA formula. The amount of the EVA bonus pool available for awards is determined after the end of each year and has two components: a percentage of the absolute EVA generated for the year and a percentage of the change in EVA from the prior year. Thirty percent of the EVA bonus pool is allocated to the CEO and the remaining 70% is allocated among the other executive officers based on their relative base salaries. The EVA bonus pool can be positive or negative. If positive, EVA awards are paid 50% when awarded and the remaining 50% is banked to be paid evenly in

each of the next two years, plus interest. The banked amounts for each of the executive officers are at risk because, if the EVA award for a subsequent year is negative, banked amounts and related accrued interest scheduled to be paid to such officers for such year are reduced dollar-for-dollar, but not below zero. The Company believes that the bank account concept, with the deferred payout at risk, gives the plan a longer term perspective than annual cash bonus programs.

 

In January 2010, the Committee approved the EVA bonus pool calculation for the Company for 2009. In calculating the 2009 bonus pool, the Committee used a weighted average cost of capital of 8.27%. The bonus pool for 2009 was negative — although EVA improved over 2008, this was more than offset by the effect of negative EVA for 2009, which resulted primarily due to the incurrence by the Company of a loss in 2009. As a result, none of the named executive officers earned any EVA bonus for 2009. In addition, because the EVA bonus pool has been negative for several years, none of the named executive officers received a bonus payment in 2009 for prior years and none has any remaining banked bonus amounts.

 

Equity Incentive Awards

 

The Company’s equity award program is a long-term incentive program which the Company considers to be a key retention tool. In making decisions regarding long-term equity incentive awards for executive officers, the Committee reviews the comparable equity award data from the compensation survey and also considers other factors, such as each individual’s performance and responsibilities. In 2009, each of the executive officers of the Company received grants of restricted stock under the Company’s 2005 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Executive Equity Plan”). The awards vest ratably over three years assuming the executive’s continued employment and vest immediately in the event of the executive’s death, permanent disability, retirement or upon a change in control of the Company.

 

In 2009, the Committee awarded a total of 698,500 shares of restricted stock, including 420,000 shares awarded to the named executive officers of the Company. The number of shares of restricted stock granted to the named executive officers in 2009 and 2008 is as follows:

 

 

 

 

The Committee granted a greater number of restricted shares to each of the named executive officers in 2009 than in 2008. In making these grants, the Committee considered that none of the named executive officers received a base salary increase in 2009 or 2008 and that none has earned an EVA bonus for several years. With respect to Mr. Young, the increased grant also reflected his promotion in January 2009 to Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary — Mr. Young’s January 2009 grant was forfeited in full when he resigned from the Company effective April 2009. As a result, each of the named executive officers’ compensation is now more heavily weighted toward long-term equity incentive compensation than in prior years. The Committee believes this provides an

appropriate incentive to the executive officers that aligns their interests with those of the Company’s shareholders, while controlling the direct costs to the Company for nonequity compensation.

 

Timing of Equity Awards

 

The Committee grants stock awards to the Company’s executive officers and other key employees annually at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Committee. The Committee generally grants stock awards at its January or February meeting. Grants to newly hired employees are effective on the later of the employee’s first day of employment or the date the grant is approved.

 

The exercise price of all stock options is set at the market price of our common stock on the date of grant, although no stock options were granted to any of the named executive officers in 2009. See the “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End” below for the terms of outstanding options granted to the named executive officers in prior years.

 

Defined Contribution Plan

 

The Company provides retirement benefits to the named executive officers under the terms of its tax-qualified 401(k) defined contribution plan. In prior years, the Company has made matching contributions to the plan; however, in connection with the Company’s cost control initiatives, the Company match was suspended at the beginning of 2009. The named executive officers participate in the plan on substantially the same terms as our other participating employees. The Company does not maintain any defined benefit or supplemental retirement plans.

 

Deferred Compensation Plan

 

Due to limits on the amounts that can be contributed to the 401(k) plan under the Internal Revenue Code, the named executive officers are permitted to defer up to 50% of their base salaries and bonuses under the Company’s deferred compensation plan and 401(k) plan combined. The Company also makes a matching contribution to the plan on behalf of participants equal to 50% of compensation deferred, up to 6% of a participant’s annual base salary, but only to the extent such amount exceeds the maximum matching contribution the participant could have received in the 401(k) plan at a 6% contribution rate. In 2009, the Company made no matching contributions to the plan. Participation in the deferred compensation plan is available to the Company’s executive officers and certain other key employees. See the “Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation” table and related narrative section below for a description of the Company’s deferred compensation plan and the benefits thereunder.

 

Defined Benefit Plan

 

The Company does not sponsor a defined benefit pension plan for salaried employees.

 

Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits

 

The Company provides the named executive officers with perquisites and other personal benefits that the Company believes are reasonable and consistent with its overall compensation program to better enable the Company to attract and retain superior employees for key positions. The Committee periodically reviews the levels of perquisites and other personal benefits provided to named executive officers. The named executive officers are provided term life insurance coverage and reimbursement for relocation expenses, if applicable. Certain named executive officers are provided use of a leased Company automobile or a car allowance. In certain instances, as determined on a case-by-case basis, the Company provides signing bonuses for new hires and reimbursement for spouse travel in connection with business functions.

 

Costs of the perquisites and personal benefits described above for the named executive officers for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009, December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 that meet the threshold established by SEC regulations are included in the Summary Compensation Table below in the “All Other Compensation” column.

Change of Control Agreements

 

The Company has entered into change of control agreements with certain key employees, including the named executive officers. The change of control agreements are designed to promote stability and continuity of senior management. The change of control agreements provide benefits only upon an involuntary termination or constructive termination of the officer within three years following a change-in-control. In addition, the Company’s equity incentive plans and the award agreements under such plans provide that all restrictions on restricted stock lapse in the event of a change in control of the Company, and that all stock options become fully vested and exercisable either immediately upon a change in control or in the event that the employee is terminated following a change of control, depending on the plan. Further, the EVA Incentive Compensation Plan provides that the participants’ entire deferred balances, if any, become payable upon a change in control. Information regarding payments and benefits that would accrue to the named executive officers under such arrangements is provided under the heading “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” below.

 

Employment Agreements

 

During 2009, no named executive officer was party to a written employment agreement, except Mr. Vrabely, whose compensation is discussed below under “Compensation of Chief Executive Officer”.

 

Compensation of Chief Executive Officer

 

Term of Employment

 

Effective January 1, 2007, Jon P. Vrabely was appointed as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. In connection with such appointment, the Company entered into a written employment agreement with Mr. Vrabely. The current term of the agreement expires on December 31, 2010; however, the agreement automatically extends for an additional year on that date and on each succeeding December 31 unless either Mr. Vrabely or the Company provides written notice of their intent to terminate at least 90 days prior to December 31.

 

Base Salary

 

Mr. Vrabely’s employment agreement provides for an initial base salary of $400,000 per year beginning January 1, 2007. In connection with the Company’s cost control efforts, the executive officers, including Mr. Vrabely, received no base salary increases for 2008 or 2009. In addition, in September 2009, the Company instituted a temporary 10% reduction in the base salaries of the executive officers, including Mr. Vrabely, which temporary reduction remains in effect. This temporary reduction has resulted in a reduction of Mr. Vrabely’s annual base salary to $360,000 from $400,000.

 

Annual Incentive Compensation

 

Mr. Vrabely’s employment agreement provides that he is to receive a 30% allocation of the EVA bonus pool under the Company’s EVA Incentive Compensation Plan; however, because the EVA bonus pool was negative in 2009, Mr. Vrabely did not earn any EVA bonus for 2009.

 

Equity Incentive Compensation

 

Mr. Vrabely received an initial grant of 75,000 shares of restricted stock pursuant to his employment agreement and, in addition, the Board granted Mr. Vrabely 100,000 shares of restricted stock in January 2008, 150,000 shares of restricted stock in January 2009 and 200,000 shares of restricted stock in January 2010. All of the restricted shares vest one-third on the first anniversary of the date of grant, one-third on the second anniversary of the date of grant, and one-third on the third anniversary of the date of grant.

 

Severance/Change of Control

 

Mr. Vrabely’s employment agreement also provides that he is to receive a severance payment of twice his current salary (without regard to the temporary salary reduction) and average bonus for the past 3 years if the

Company terminates him without cause during term of the agreement or fails to renew his employment at the end of the term. The agreement also includes change of control provisions with the same terms as the change of control agreements with the other named executive officers. The change of control agreement terms are described below under “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control — Change in Control Arrangements”.

 

Perquisites and Other Benefits

 

Finally, Mr. Vrabely’s employment agreement states that he is to be provided use of a Company-provided automobile and is to receive other employee benefits provided by the Company and generally available to executive officers.

 

The Committee believes that Mr. Vrabely’s compensation, while higher than that of our other executive officers, is commensurate with such officers’ compensation, taking into consideration the level of Mr. Vrabely’s responsibilities with the Company. The Committee’s goals in setting Mr. Vrabely’s compensation are similar to its goals for compensation to our executive officers generally: provide compensation that is competitive with that of the peer companies with which we compete for talent; align his interests with those of our stockholders through annual incentive compensation with the deferred payout at risk; and promote his retention through long-term equity incentives.

 

Post Year-End Compensation Actions

 

In January 2010, the Board, upon recommendation of the Committee, granted the President and Chief Executive Officer, Jon P. Vrabely, 200,000 shares of restricted stock, and the Committee granted restricted stock to the other named executive officers as follows: Philip W. Keipp — Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary (80,000 shares); Gregory W. Gurley — Vice President, Product Management and Marketing (60,000 shares); Brian Robinson — Vice President, Chief Information Officer (60,000 shares) and Richard A. Baltz — Vice President, Internal Audit (60,000 shares).

 

In January 2010, the Board, with respect to Mr. Vrabely, and the Committee, with respect to the other executive officers, approved management’s recommendation that the Company’s executive officers receive no increase in base salaries in 2010 as part of the Company’s cost control efforts in response to the continued difficult conditions in the housing market.

 

Accounting and Tax Considerations

 

The Committee generally considers the accounting implications of stock awards and other compensation to the Company’s executive officers in evaluating and establishing the Company’s compensation policies and practices. In addition, Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) limits the deductibility of annual compensation paid to certain executive officers to $1 million per employee unless the compensation meets certain specific requirements. The Company’s EVA Incentive Compensation Plan is designed to meet the performance-based compensation exception to the Section 162(m) deductibility limit. As a matter of policy, the Committee attempts to develop and administer compensation programs that maintain deductibility under Section 162(m) for all executive compensation, except in circumstances where the materiality of the deduction is in the judgment of the Committee significantly outweighed by the incentive value of the compensation.

Summary Compensation Table

 

Shown below is information concerning the compensation for services rendered in all capacities to the Company for the years ended December 31, 2009, December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 for Jon P. Vrabely, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Philip W. Keipp, the Company’s Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, the other three most highly compensated individuals who served as executive officers of the Company at December 31, 2009 and a former executive officer (collectively, the “named executive officers”).

 

 

 

 

Grants of Plan-Based Awards — 2009

 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to equity awards granted during 2009 to each of the executive officers listed in the Summary Compensation Table.

 

 

 

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2009

 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to unexercised stock options and unvested shares of restricted stock held at December 31, 2009 by each of the executive officers listed in the Summary Compensation Table.

 

 

 

 

 

Option Exercises and Stock Vested — 2009

 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to shares of restricted stock which vested during the year ended December 31, 2009 for each of the executive officers listed in the Summary Compensation Table.

 

 

 

 

Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation — 2009

 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to participation in the Company’s non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plan during the year ended December 31, 2009 for each of the executive officers listed in the Summary Compensation Table.

 

 

 

 

The Deferred Compensation Plan (“DCP”) permits eligible employees who elect to participate to defer receipt and taxation of a portion of their annual salary, bonuses and commission. Eligibility to participate in the DCP is limited to management and “highly compensated employees” as defined in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. The amount of annual salary, bonus and commission that may be deferred under the DCP and the 401(k) plan combined is 50%. The Company also makes a matching contribution to the DCP on behalf of participants equal to 50% of compensation deferred, up to 6% of a participant’s annual base salary, but only to the extent such amount exceeds the maximum matching contribution the participant could have received in the 401(k) plan at a 6% contribution rate. In 2009, the Company made no matching contributions to the DCP.

 

The Company chooses the available investment options for the participant’s deferrals, with varying degrees of risk, and the participant selects specific funds from among the available options. The participant bears the investment risk. The participant’s deferrals and earnings vest immediately. The participant’s vested interest in the Company matching contributions and earnings is based on the participant’s years of service, with the Company matching contributions and earnings being fully vested after 5 years of service.

 

A participant may elect to receive payment of the vested amount credited to his or her deferral account in a single lump sum or in 5, 10 or 15 annual installments. No payments may commence in less than 5 years following the date of the deferral election, except in the case of retirement.

 

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

 

Change of Control Arrangements

 

The Company has entered into separate change of control agreements with each of its named executive officers, except for Mr. Vrabely. The Company’s change of control agreement with Mr. Vrabely is contained in his employment agreement, the current term of which expires on December 31, 2010 and which is automatically extended for additional one-year periods unless either the Company or Mr. Vrabely gives the other party notice at least 90 days prior to expiration that the period will not be extended. The change of control agreements with the other named executive officers are for an initial three-year period and are automatically extended for an additional year on each anniversary date of the agreement unless the Company gives notice that the period will not be extended.

 

Each agreement provides that if, within three years following a change of control of the Company, as defined below, the employee is terminated without cause or voluntarily terminates for good reason, as defined below, the employee will be entitled to the following, in addition to salary due at the date of termination: (i) a pro rata portion of

the employee’s highest annual bonus (the highest annual bonus is the greater of the annual bonus for the prior year or the average annual bonus for the prior three years), (ii) a lump sum payment equal to two times the employee’s annual salary and average bonus for the prior three years, (iii) the payment of deferred compensation, and (iv) continuation of benefits under the Company’s welfare benefit plans for two years after termination. The foregoing amounts (other than the continuation of benefits) are to be paid in cash in a lump sum within 30 days following the employee’s termination, except that, to the extent necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, payments will be withheld until the first day of the seventh month following termination.

 

The change in control agreements define a change in control to mean, generally:

 

 

The change in control agreements define “cause” to mean, generally:

 

 

The change in control agreements define “good reason” to mean, generally:

 

 

If the Company’s tax counsel determines that any economic benefit or payment or distribution by the Company to the employee pursuant to the agreement is subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Company will reduce the aggregate payments due to the employee under the agreement and any other agreement, plan or program of the Company to an amount that is one dollar less than the maximum amount allowable without becoming subject to the excise tax.

 

The change of control agreements prohibit the officer from doing the following during employment with the Company and for one year following termination: (i) engaging in any business that is competitive with the Company, (ii) soliciting for employment any current employee of the Company or any individual who had been employed by the Company in the one year prior thereto, and (iii) soliciting the business of the Company or doing business with any actual or prospective customer or supplier of the Company. The change of control agreements also prohibit the officer from disclosing any confidential information of the Company at any time.

The Company’s equity incentive plans and the award agreements under such plans provide that all restrictions on restricted stock lapse in the event of a change in control of the Company, as defined below. In addition, the EVA Incentive Compensation Plan provides that the participants’ entire deferred balances become payable upon a change in control.

 

The Company’s equity incentive plans define a change in control to mean, generally:

 

 

Potential Payments to Named Executive Officers Upon Qualifying Termination Following a Change in Control

 

Based on the above, each incumbent named executive officer would have been entitled to the following estimated payments and benefits from the Company or its successor if a change in control under the change in control agreements and equity incentive plans occurred on December 31, 2009 and each such officer was terminated without cause or terminated his employment for good reason immediately following the change in control.

 

 

 

 

Potential Payments to Named Executive Officers Upon a Change in Control With No Qualifying Termination

 

As noted above, under the Company’s equity incentive plans, all restricted stock awards vest immediately upon a change in control. Therefore, if a change in control occurred on December 31, 2009, each named executive officer would be entitled to realization of the amount set forth in the preceding table under the caption “Early Vesting — Restricted Stock” even if no qualifying termination — a termination by the Company without cause or by the employee for good reason — occurred.

 

The Company’s EVA Incentive Compensation Plan also provides that the participants’ deferred balances become payable upon a change in control; however, none of the named executive officers had a deferred balance under the EVA Incentive Compensation Plan at December 31, 2009.

 

Potential Payment to Chief Executive Officer Upon Termination Not Involving a Change in Control

 

Jon P. Vrabely, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, has a written employment agreement with the Company, the current term of which expires on December 31, 2010. Under Mr. Vrabely’s employment agreement, if no change of control has occurred and the Company terminates Mr. Vrabely without cause (as defined in the agreement) during the term of his agreement or fails to renew his employment at the end of the term for reasons that do not constitute cause, the Company shall pay Mr. Vrabely a severance payment equal to two times Mr. Vrabely’s current salary (without regard to the temporary 10% salary reduction instituted in September 2009) plus two times Mr. Vrabely’s average bonus for the last three years. The severance payment is to be paid to Mr. Vrabely in 24 equal monthly installments. In exchange for the severance payment, Mr. Vrabely is to release all claims that he may have against the Company. If Mr. Vrabely had been terminated without cause on December 31, 2009, he would have been entitled to a severance payment of $800,000 — twice his annual salary of $400,000. He has not earned a bonus in the last three years.

 

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

 

Based solely upon a review of the forms furnished to the Company or written representations of certain persons, each director, officer and beneficial owner of 10% of the outstanding shares of the Company timely filed all required reports under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for fiscal 2009.

 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

 

Policies with Respect to Related Party Transactions

 

The Company’s Audit Committee charter requires that the Audit Committee, which is comprised entirely of independent directors, review all related party transactions and potential conflict of interest situations involving members of the Board of Directors or senior management. Current SEC rules define a related party transaction to include any transaction, arrangement or relationship in which the Company is a participant and the related party has a direct or indirect interest.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

 

Rugby Board Representation

 

In connection with the Company’s purchase of the U.S. residential building products business of The Rugby Group Ltd. (“Rugby”) in December 1999, the Company entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with Rugby. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, so long as the shares of common stock owned by Rugby and received in the December 1999 transaction constitute at least 30%, 20%, or 10%, respectively, of the Company’s outstanding common stock, Rugby has the right to designate for nomination by the Board of Directors of the Company three, two and one director(s), respectively. So long as the common stock owned by Rugby and received in the 1999 transaction constitutes 10% or more of the Company’s outstanding common stock, Rugby is required to be present at all meetings of the Company’s stockholders and to vote its shares of common stock in favor of the Board’s nominees for election to the Board of Directors.

As part of the Company’s former $15 million stock repurchase program, on August 20, 2001, the Company purchased 790,484 shares of its common stock from Rugby for a cash purchase price of $4,735,000, or a per share price of $5.99, the closing sales price of the Company’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of purchase. Pursuant to the repurchase agreement, Rugby and the Company agreed that, if solely as a result of Rugby’s sale of these shares to the Company shares of common stock beneficially owned by Rugby and its affiliates in the aggregate at any time would constitute less than 30% of the Company’s outstanding stock, the Registration Rights Agreement would be deemed to be amended so that Rugby would maintain its right to designate for nomination three directors to be elected to the Board. As a result, Rugby will continue to have the right to nominate three directors so long as the common stock received in the exchange transaction and held by Rugby and its affiliates in the aggregate constitutes at least Rugby’s new ownership percentage after giving effect to the Company’s repurchase of these shares, as this percentage may increase from time to time as a result of the Company’s repurchase of common stock pursuant to its stock repurchase program.

 

Messrs. Glass and Wise are Rugby’s current designees on the Board. Mr. Wise has agreed with Rugby to transfer to Rugby all cash compensation paid to him for his services as a director.

 

Joint Defense Agreement with Rugby

 

Under the terms of a joint defense agreement entered into by the Company and Rugby on January 19, 2005, the parties agreed to jointly defend certain future claims relating to the business acquired by Rugby Building Products, Inc. in 1994. Any covered claim against the Company not related to that business is not covered by the joint defense agreement. The Company acquired Rugby Building Products, Inc. in 1999. The joint defense agreement was entered into in settlement of a lawsuit which had been instituted by the Company against Rugby alleging that Rugby violated its contractual obligations to indemnify and defend the Company against certain claims arising out of the afore-mentioned business.

 

The parties have established a joint defense fund to which the Company and Rugby will contribute specified amounts in equal shares from time to time and from which they will pay amounts incurred in connection with covered claims. The joint defense agreement has a term of ten years and may be terminated by the Company or Rugby if either of their respective contributions to the joint defense fund exceeds a specified cap. The Company believes that it is unlikely that a termination right will occur during the term of the joint defense agreement, but there can be no assurances that will be the case. In the event of a termination of the joint defense agreement, the settlement agreement will be deemed to have been rescinded, and the Company, or, in certain circumstances, Rugby, may reinstitute the litigation between the parties. While the Company believes that its factual allegations and legal claims are meritorious, there can be no assurance at this time that, if this litigation is renewed, the Company will recover any of its costs related to future covered claims from Rugby or from insurance carriers or that such costs will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business or financial condition.

 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

 

The Management Organization and Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) is comprised of Messrs. E. Thayer Bigelow, Donald L. Glass, and Delbert H. Tanner. Mr. Glass is one of three designees of The Rugby Group Ltd. (“Rugby”) on the Company’s Board of Directors. For a description of certain transactions and arrangements between the Company and Rugby, see “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” above.

 

No member of the Compensation Committee is or has ever been an officer or employee of the Company and no executive officer of the Company has served as a director or member of a compensation committee of another company of which any member of the Board of Directors is an executive officer.

 

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FIRM SERVICES AND FEES

 

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 by KPMG LLP, the Company’s principal accounting firm during those years.

 

 

 

 

The Audit Committee has adopted a policy under which the independent auditors are prohibited from performing certain services in accordance with Section 202 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Audit Committee pre-approves all services to be provided by the independent auditors. The Audit Committee pre-approves the annual audit engagement terms and fees at the beginning of the year and pre-approves, if necessary, any changes in terms or fees resulting from changes in audit scope, Company structure or other matters. For services other than the annual audit engagement, if pre-approval by the full Audit Committee at a regularly scheduled meeting is not practical due to time limitations or otherwise, the Chairman of the Audit Committee may pre-approve such services and shall report any such pre-approval decision to the Audit Committee at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

 

ITEM 2 — RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF KPMG LLP AS INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2010

 

The Audit Committee has appointed KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2010. KPMG LLP served as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2009. A representative of KPMG LLP will be present, in person or via telephone, at the Company’s 2010 Annual Stockholders Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement, if desired, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.

 

Although this appointment is not required to be submitted to a vote of stockholders, the Board of Directors believes it is appropriate to request that the stockholders ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2010. If the stockholders do not so ratify, the Audit Committee will investigate the reasons for stockholder rejection and will reconsider the appointment.

 

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2010.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Solicitation of Proxies.

 

This solicitation of proxies for use at the Annual Meeting is being made by the Company, and the Company will bear all of the costs of the solicitation. In addition to the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited by personal interview, telephone and fax by directors, officers and employees of the Company, who will undertake such activities without additional compensation. Banks, brokerage houses and other institutions, nominees and fiduciaries will be requested to forward the proxy materials to the beneficial owners of the common stock held of record by such persons and entities and will be reimbursed for their reasonable expenses in forwarding such material.

Incorporation by Reference

 

The Report on Executive Compensation by the Management Organization and Compensation Committee of the Company, appearing in this Proxy Statement, will not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates the report by reference, and the report will not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.

 

Next Annual Meeting; Stockholder Proposals

 

The Company’s By-Laws provide that the Annual Meeting of stockholders of the Company will be held on the fourth Monday in April in each year unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors. Appropriate proposals of stockholders intended to be presented at the 2011 Annual Meeting must be received by the Company for inclusion in the Company’s Proxy Statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting on or before November 12, 2010. In addition, the Company’s By-Laws provide that if stockholders intend to nominate directors or present proposals at the 2011 Annual Meeting other than through inclusion of such proposals in the Company’s proxy materials for that meeting, then the Company must receive notice of such nominations or proposals no earlier than January 19, 2011 and no later than February 19, 2011. If the Company does not receive notice by that date, then such proposals may not be presented at the 2011 Annual Meeting.

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

Annual Meeting Proxy Card

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

	A		Proposals — The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all nominees and FOR Proposal 2.

1.

Election of Directors:

For

Withhold

For

Withhold

For

Withhold

01 - E. Thayer Bigelow

o

o

02 - Richard S. Forté

o

o

03 - Jon P. Vrabely

o

o

					For		Against		Abstain
	2.		Ratification of appointment of KPMG LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for 2010.		o		o		o

	B		Non-Voting Items

	Change of Address — Please print your new address below.		Comments — Please print your comments below.		Meeting Attendance
					Mark the box to the right if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting.		o

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

Note: Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such.

PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT

Regardless of whether you plan to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, you can be sure your shares are represented at the meeting by promptly returning your proxy in the enclosed envelope.

Proxy card must be signed and dated on the reverse side.

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

Proxy — Huttig Building Products, Inc.

Annual Meeting of Stockholders to Be Held on April 19, 2010

This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors

The undersigned does hereby appoint and constitute Jon P. Vrabely and Philip W. Keipp, and each of them, true and lawful agents and proxies of the undersigned, with power of substitution, and hereby authorizes each of them to vote, as directed on the reverse side of this card, or, if not so directed, in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendation, all shares of Huttig Building Products, Inc. held of record by the undersigned at the close of business on February 19, 2010 at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Huttig Building Products, Inc. to be held at the corporate headquarters of Crane Co., 100 First Stamford Place, Stamford, Connecticut on Monday, April 19, 2010 at 2:30 p.m., local time, or at any adjournment or postponement thereof, with all the powers the undersigned would possess if then and there personally present, and to vote, in their discretion, upon such other matters as may come before said meeting.

The signer hereby revokes all proxies heretofore given by the signer to vote at said meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

You are encouraged to specify your choices by marking the appropriate boxes, but you need not mark any boxes if you wish to vote in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendations. The proxies cannot vote your shares unless you sign and return this card or use the toll-free telephone number or the Internet as instructed on the reverse side. This Proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted FOR each nominee for election as a director and FOR proposal 2.

(Continued, and to be signed, on the reverse side.)