SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Filed by the Registrant [X] Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ] Check the appropriate box: [ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement [X] Definitive Proxy Statement [ ] Definitive Additional Materials [ ] Soliciting Material pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12 MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) JAMES L. PARKER (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement) Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): [X] $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii),14a-6(j)(2). [ ] $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 14a- 6(i)(3). [ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11. 1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: ..................................................................... 2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: ..................................................................... 3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11: ..................................................................... 4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: ..................................................................... Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined. [ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. 1) Amount Previously Paid: ................................................................... 2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: ................................................................... 3) Filing Party: ................................................................... 4) Date Filed: ................................................................... MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION 1996 NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT Matthews International Corporation Corporate Office Two NorthShore Center Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212-5851 412.442.8200 Fax 412.442.8290 Notice of ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS To be held February 16, 1996 To Our Shareholders: The Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of Matthews International Corporation will be held at 6:00 PM on Friday, February 16, 1996 at the Health and Science Theater, Carnegie Science Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for the purpose of considering and acting upon the following: 1. To elect two Directors of the Company for a term of three years. 2. To ratify the appointment of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. as independent certified public accountants to audit the records of the Company for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1996. 3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting. Shareholders of record at the close of business on December 29, 1995 will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof. Please indicate on the enclosed proxy card whether you will or will not be able to attend this meeting. Return the card in the enclosed envelope as soon as possible. If you receive two proxies because you own both Class A and Class B Common Stock, please be sure to complete and return them both. We hope you can be with us for this important occasion. Sincerely, James L. Parker James L. Parker Corporate Secretary January 16, 1996 Matthews International Corporation Two NorthShore Center Pittsburgh, PA 15212 - 5851 412 / 442-8200 PROXY STATEMENT The accompanying proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of the Company whose principal executive offices are located at Two NorthShore Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212. This Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy were first released to shareholders on January 16, 1996. Execution of the proxy will not affect a shareholder's right to attend the meeting and vote in person. Any shareholder giving a proxy has the right to revoke it at any time before it is voted by giving notice to the Corporate Secretary or by attending the meeting and voting in person. Matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting are those set forth in the accompanying notice. Shares represented by proxy will be voted in accordance with instructions. In the absence of instructions to the contrary, the proxy solicited will be voted for the proposals set forth. Management does not intend to bring before the meeting any business other than that set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. If any other business should properly come before the meeting, it is the intention of Management that the persons named in the proxy will vote in accordance with their best judgment. OUTSTANDING STOCK AND VOTING RIGHTS The Company has two classes of stock outstanding: Class A Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, and Class B Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share. Together, these two classes are referred to as the "Common Stock." Each outstanding share of Class A Common Stock of the Company entitles the holder to one vote, and each outstanding share of Class B Common Stock entitles the holder to ten votes upon any business properly presented at the shareholders' meeting. Cumulative voting is not applicable to the election of directors. The Board of Directors of the Company has established December 29, 1995 as the record date for shareholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. The transfer books of the Company will not be closed. A total of 5,020,250 shares of Class A Common Stock, and 3,830,100 shares of Class B Common Stock are outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes have no effect on any proposal to be voted upon. Broker nonvotes as to any matter are shares held by brokers and other nominees which are voted at the meeting on matters as to which the nominee has discretionary authority, but which are not voted on the matter in question because the nominee does not have discretionary voting authority as to such matter. GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING CORPORATE GOVERNANCE Board of Directors The Board of Directors is the ultimate governing body of the Company. As such, it functions within a framework of duties and requirements established by statute, government regulations and court decisions. In carrying out their responsibilities, directors are expected to perform their duties in good faith and with the diligence, care and skill which ordinarily prudent people would exercise under similar circumstances. Generally, the Board of Directors reviews and confirms the basic objectives and broad policies of the Company, approves various important transactions, appoints the officers of the Company and monitors Company performance in key results areas. Management is accountable to the Board of Directors for the satisfactory conduct of the day-to-day business of the Company. Management is responsible for providing the Board of Directors with adequate support, services and resources, together with thorough information, reports and analyses concerning the Company's principal activities and plans. In addition, the Board of Directors has the power, in its discretion, to employ the services of outside consultants and is free to have discussions and interviews with personnel of the Company and others as it deems appropriate and helpful to its work. Board Composition The Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company provide that the Board of Directors has the power to set the number of Directors constituting the full Board, provided that such number shall not be less than five nor more than 15. Until further action, the Board of Directors has fixed the number of directors constituting the full Board at nine, divided into three classes. The terms of office of the three classes of Directors end in successive years. During fiscal year 1995, there were 4 regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Directors. Board Committees There are three standing committees appointed by the Board of Directors -- the Executive, Audit and Compensation Committees. Management has the same responsibility to each committee as it does to the Board of Directors with respect to providing adequate staff services and information. Furthermore, each committee has the same power as the Board of Directors to employ the services of outside consultants and to have discussions and interviews with personnel of the Company and others. The principal functions of the three standing committees are summarized as follows: Executive Committee The Executive Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors to have and exercise during periods between Board meetings all of the powers of the Board of Directors, except that the Executive Committee may not elect directors, change the membership of or fill vacancies in the Executive Committee, change the By-Laws of the Company or exercise any authority specifically reserved by the Board of Directors. Among the functions customarily performed by the Executive Committee during periods between Board meetings are the approval, within limitations previously established by the Board of Directors, of the principal terms involved in sales of securities of the Company, and such reviews as may be necessary of significant developments in major events and litigation involving the Company. In addition, the Executive Committee is called upon periodically to provide advice and counsel in the formulation of corporate policy changes and, where it deems advisable, make recommendations to the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee holds meetings at such times as are required. During fiscal year 1995, the Executive Committee met a total of 11 times. The Chairman of the Executive Committee is David M. Kelly. The other Committee members are James L. Parker, David J. DeCarlo and Geoffrey D. Barefoot. The membership of the Executive Committee since October 1, 1994 consisted of the following: Oct. 1, 1994 to Oct. 1, 1995 Messrs. Hauber, Parker and Kennedy Oct. 1, 1995 to Dec. 1, 1995 Messrs. Kelly, Parker, Kennedy, DeCarlo and Barefoot Dec. 1, 1995 to the date of this proxy Messrs. Kelly, Parker, DeCarlo and Barefoot Audit Committee The principal function of the Audit Committee is to endeavor to assure the integrity and adequacy of financial statements issued by the Company. It is intended that the Audit Committee will review internal auditing systems and procedures as well as the activities of the public accounting firm performing the external audit. The Committee members are William J. Stallkamp (Chairman) and John P. O'Leary, Jr. During fiscal year 1995, the Audit Committee met twice. Compensation Committee The principal function of the Compensation Committee is to review periodically the suitability of the remuneration arrangements (including benefits) for the officers of the Company. The Committee members are William A. Coates (Chairman), William J. Stallkamp and, effective October 1, 1995, William M. Hauber. The Compensation Committee met three times in fiscal year 1995. Meeting Attendance Under the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company's Proxy Statement is required to name those directors who during the preceding year attended fewer than 75% of the total number of meetings held by the Board and by the Committees of which they are members. During fiscal year 1995, all directors attended more than 75% of such meetings for which they were eligible. Compensation of Directors A fee plan for directors of the Company was approved by the shareholders at the annual meeting held February 17, 1995. Pursuant to such plan, directors who are not also officers of the Company receive 800 shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock as an annual retainer fee. Each director may elect to be paid these shares on a current basis or have such shares credited to a deferred stock account as phantom stock, with such shares to be paid to the director subsequent to leaving the Board. In addition, each such director is paid $800 for every meeting of the Board of Directors attended and (other than a Chairman) $500 for every committee meeting attended. The Chairman of a committee of the Board of Directors is paid $700 for every committee meeting attended. No other remuneration is otherwise paid by the Company to any director for services as a director. Prior to fiscal year 1995, directors who were not also officers of the Company were paid directors' fees of $12,000 per year. Members of the Audit and Compensation Committees who were not also officers of the Company received $100 for each meeting of such committee held in conjunction with a meeting of the Board of Directors and $250 for each meeting of such committee held otherwise. No other remuneration was otherwise paid by the Company to any director for services as a director. Prior to and during fiscal year 1993, directors who were also officers of the Company were paid directors' fees of $5,250 per year. For fiscal 1994 and thereafter, such directors are no longer paid directors' fees. PROPOSAL 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS Nominations for election to the Board of Directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by the shareholders. Mr. Parker, whose term of office is expiring, and Mr. Kelly, who was elected as a new member by the Board in May 1995, have been nominated by the Board to serve for three-year terms that will end in 1999. Nominations made by the shareholders shall be made in writing in accordance with Section 6.1 of the Articles. No such nominations have been received. The Board of Directors has no reason to believe that either of the nominees will become unavailable for election. If a nominee should become unavailable prior to the meeting, the accompanying proxy will be voted for the election in his place of such other person as the Board of Directors may recommend. The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR the election of Directors. The following information is furnished with respect to the two persons nominated by the Board of Directors for election as a director and with respect to the continuing directors. The Nominees David M. Kelly, age 53, joined Matthews on April 3, 1995 as President and Chief Operating Officer. He was appointed Chief Executive Officer October 1, 1995. Prior to his employment with Matthews, Mr. Kelly was employed by Carrier Corporation for 22 years. During that time his positions included Marketing Vice President for Asia Pacific; President of Japanese Operations; Vice President, Manufacturing; and President of North American Operations. Most recently, he had global responsibility for Carrier's residential and light commercial businesses. Mr. Kelly received a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Boston College in 1964, a Master of Science degree in Molecular Biophysics from Yale University in 1966, and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School in 1968. He is chairman of the Executive Committee and the Jas. H. Matthews & Co. Educational and Charitable Trust and a member of the Pension Board. Mr. Kelly also serves on the boards of various subsidiaries of Matthews International Corporation. James L. Parker, age 57, is Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company and has been a Director of the Company since 1981. Mr. Parker has been employed by the Company since 1967. He was appointed Vice President and General Counsel in 1973 and Corporate Secretary in 1976. Mr. Parker received a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1963. He earned a Juris Doctor Degree from Case-- Western Reserve University in 1967. He is admitted to practice as an attorney before the Supreme Court of Ohio, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and the United States Supreme Court. He was elected and currently serves as a councilman in the Borough of Fox Chapel, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Mr. Parker is Chairman of the Fox Chapel Zoning Committee and a member of the Borough Planning Commission. He is also a Director of the Fox Chapel Land Trust Corporation. He serves as a Trustee of the Jas. H. Matthews & Co. Educational and Charitable Trust and is a member of the Matthews Pension Board, as well as Director and Secretary of various subsidiaries of Matthews International Corporation. Mr. Parker serves as Secretary of the Executive Committee. Continuing Directors Geoffrey D. Barefoot, age 49, is President, Graphic Systems Division and has been a Director since 1990. Mr. Barefoot has been employed by the Company since 1975 and has held various management positions, both in Corporate Personnel and the Graphic Systems Division. He was appointed Pittsburgh Branch Manager in November 1979, Eastern Regional Manager for the Graphic Systems Division in July 1984 and Division Manager in March 1986. He was subsequently elected Vice President in March 1988 and elected President, Graphic Systems Division in November 1993. Mr. Barefoot received a B.S. Degree in Business Administration from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1968 and holds an M.A. Degree in Industrial Relations from St. Francis College. Prior to joining Matthews, Mr. Barefoot served as an aviator in the United States Navy from 1968 to 1974. William A. Coates, age 66, worked for the Westinghouse Electric Corporation for 37 years where he managed a variety of businesses, both domestic and foreign, and served in various corporate assignments. At the time of his retirement in 1989, he held the position of Executive Vice President, Technology, Quality and Operations Services. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Westminster College. Mr. Coates has previously served on the boards of numerous foreign and domestic Westinghouse subsidiaries and on the boards of Pacific Electronics, the YMCA of Metropolitan Pittsburgh, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of International Visitors. He is currently a member of the Boards of Directors of the Pittsburgh High Technology Council, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center, and the Pittsburgh Biotechnical Corp. David J. DeCarlo, age 50, is President, Bronze Division and has been a Director of the Company since 1987. He was hired by the Company in 1985 as Director of Financial Planning and Analysis. He was named Division Manager of the Bronze Division and was appointed Vice President in 1986. He was elected President, Bronze Division in November 1993. Mr. DeCarlo received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Management from West Virginia University in 1967, a Master of Arts Degree in Economics and Statistics from the University of Pennsylvania in 1970, and an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Finance in 1971 where he also completed all the required courses for a Ph.D. in Applied Economics and Finance. Prior to joining Matthews, Mr. DeCarlo held various management positions with Reynolds Aluminum Company, Westinghouse Electric Corporation, and Joy Manufacturing Company where his last position was Vice President of Field Operations. William M. Hauber, age 67, has been Chairman of the Board since 1987 and has been a Director of the Company since 1973. Mr. Hauber, who retired in October 1995 as Chief Executive Officer, had been employed by Matthews since 1951. He held a wide variety of management positions during his 44 year career. Mr. Hauber attended Robert Morris College and the University of Pittsburgh. He is a past president of St. Clair Country Club and serves on the Boards of the Pittsburgh Blind Association, the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh, and the YMCA of Metropolitan Pittsburgh. Thomas N. Kennedy, age 60, was elected a Director in 1987. He was Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company until his retirement from Matthews which became effective December 1, 1995. Mr. Kennedy has been employed by the Company since 1972. He was elected Treasurer in 1974 and Vice President--Treasurer in 1986. Mr. Kennedy received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh in 1958. Mr. Kennedy is a member of the Financial Executives Institute. Prior to joining Matthews, Mr. Kennedy held various management positions at Rust Engineering Company with his last position being Controller. John P. O'Leary, Jr., age 48, is President and Chief Executive Officer of Tuscarora Incorporated, the nation's largest producer of custom-molded foam plastic products. He also serves as a member of Tuscarora's Board of Directors. Immediately prior to taking over as President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. O'Leary served as President of Western Division operations and was responsible for overseeing the operation of 12 profit centers located throughout the Midwest and South. Mr. O'Leary holds a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business and received a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from Gettysburg College. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Medical Center, Beaver, Pa., the Beaver County Corporation of Economic Development, First Western Bancorp, Inc., Southwestern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center, and Gateway Rehabilitation Center. Mr. O'Leary is a Trustee of Gettysburg College. William J. Stallkamp, age 56, has been a Director of the Company since 1981. Mr. Stallkamp is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mellon PSFS in Philadelphia. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Miami University of Oxford, Ohio in 1961. He serves as a Director of Yoder Brothers, Inc., Veritus Inc. and its subsidiaries, Blue Cross of Western Pennsylvania, Trans General Life and Casualty Group and Alliance Health Ventures, YMCA of Philadelphia and Vicinity and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross. See "Certain Reportable Transactions" below. The term for each nominee and each Director is listed below: Term to expire at Annual Nominees Meeting of Shareholders in: David M. Kelly 1999 James L. Parker 1999 Continuing Directors Thomas N. Kennedy 1997 William J. Stallkamp 1997 Geoffrey D. Barefoot 1997 William M. Hauber 1998 William A. Coates 1998 John P. O'Leary, Jr. 1998 David J. DeCarlo 1998 PROPOSAL 2 SELECTION OF AUDITORS The Board of Directors of the Company, upon recommendation of the Audit Committee, has appointed Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. as independent certified public accountants to audit the records of the Company for the year ending September 30, 1996. The Board of Directors has determined that it would be desirable to request an expression of opinion from the shareholders on the appointment. Ratification of the appointment of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. requires the affirmative vote of a majority of all the votes cast by shareholders of Common Stock entitled to vote at the meeting. If the shareholders do not ratify the selection of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., the selection of alternative independent certified public accountants will be considered by the Board of Directors. It is not expected that any representative of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. will be present at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. OTHER INFORMATION Certain Reportable Transactions The Securities and Exchange Commission requires disclosure of certain business transactions or relationships between the Company, or its subsidiaries, and other organizations with which any of the Company's directors are affiliated as an owner, partner, director, officer or employee. Briefly, disclosure is required where such a business transaction or relationship meets the standards of significance established by the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the types and amounts of business transacted. The Company is aware of no transaction requiring disclosure pursuant to this item during the past fiscal year. Mellon Bank, N.A., of which Mr. Stallkamp is an officer, is the Company's principal bank. During the past year, the Company engaged in banking transactions with such bank, and it is anticipated that the Company may make secured or unsecured loans and engage in other banking transactions with Mellon Bank, N.A. in the future. The Company has a Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement with Mellon Bank, N.A. Under terms of the agreement, the Company may borrow principal amounts up to $6 million at various interest rate options approximating current market rates. The Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement requires the Company to maintain minimum levels of consolidated working capital and tangible net worth. This agreement will expire March 31, 1996 unless extended by the parties. At December 31, 1995, no amounts were outstanding under this agreement. Stock Ownership The Company's Articles of Incorporation divide its voting stock into three classes: Preferred Stock and Class A and Class B Common Stock. At the present time, none of the Preferred Stock is issued or outstanding. The following information is furnished with respect to persons who the Company believes, based on its records, beneficially own more than five percent of the outstanding shares of Class A and Class B Common Stock of the Company, and with respect to nominees for election to and continuing members of the Board of Directors. Those individuals with more than five percent of such shares could be deemed to be "control persons" of the Company. This information is as of November 30, 1995. Number of Number of Class A Shares Class B Shares Name of Beneficially Percent Beneficially Percent Beneficial Owner (1) Owned (2) of Class Owned (2) of Class - ---------------- -------------- -------- -------------- -------- Directors and Officers: - ---------------------- W.M. Hauber (3) 473,675 9.5% None - D.M. Kelly 17,000 0.3 23,000 0.6% G.D. Barefoot None - 104,500 2.7 W.A. Coates 11,700 0.2 None - D.J. DeCarlo None - 194,995 5.0 T.N. Kennedy (3) 145,490 2.9 None - G.C. Oehmler 500 * None - J.P. O'Leary, Jr. 5,000 0.1 None - J.L. Parker (3) 45,000 0.9 672,760 17.3 W.J. Stallkamp 2,000 * None - All directors and officers as a group 704,865 14.9 1,129,505 29.0 Other: - ----- W. Witte None - 267,840 6.9 * Less than 0.1% (1) The mailing address of each beneficial owner is the same as that of the Registrant. (2) The nature of the beneficial ownership for all shares is sole voting and investment power, except those of Mr. Oehmler, whose shares were owned jointly with his spouse, and as to which voting and investment power were shared. Mr. Oehmler passed away on December 10, 1995. (3) On November 22, 1995, a Registration Statement on Form S-3 was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on behalf of Messrs. Hauber, Kennedy and Parker for the sale of 800,000 shares of Class A Common Stock. Of the 800,000 shares, 600,000 shares are being offered by Mr. Parker, 100,000 shares are being offered by Mr. Hauber and 100,000 shares are being offered by Mr. Kennedy. As of December 15, 1995, the sale of such shares had not occurred. Changes in Control The Company knows of no arrangement which may, at a subsequent date, result in a change in control of the Company. Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act: On June 2, 1995, David M. Kelly filed an amended Form 3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission, reporting ownership of the Company's stock as of his employment commencement date, April 3, 1995. Former officer and director, R.T. Busteed also did not file with the Company a Form 5 with respect to his stock options. Apart from such matters, the Company is aware of no delinquent filings of Securities and Exchange Commission Forms 3, 4 or 5 during the period September 30, 1994 through November 30, 1995 by any holder of the registrant's equity securities. Executive Officers The Executive Officers of the Company as of December 31, 1995 are the following: Year First Elected as Name Age an Officer Positions with Registrant - ---- --- ---------- ------------------------- David M. Kelly 53 1995 President and Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey D. Barefoot 49 1988 President, Graphic Systems Division Edward J. Boyle 49 1991 Vice President, Accounting & Finance David J. DeCarlo 50 1986 President, Bronze Division Richard C. Johnson 49 1991 Vice President, Corporate Development and Human Resources Steven F. Nicola 35 1995 Controller James L. Parker 57 1973 Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary During the past five years, the business experience of each executive officer named has been as reflected above or in a management capacity with the Company, except for Mr. Kelly, who was an officer of Carrier Corporation prior to April 1995, and Mr. Nicola, who was a manager with Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P. prior to November 1992. Compensation of Executive Officers and Retirement Benefits The following table sets forth the individual compensation information for the fiscal years ended September 30, 1995, 1994, and 1993 for the Company's Chief Executive Officer and the four most highly compensated executive officers. SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE