Notice of 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
Place
Live via the internet at https://www.proxydocs.com/GRC
Date and Time
April 23, 2026 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time
Record Date Close of business on February 23, 2026
Items of BusinessBoard Recommendation | Page | |
1. Fix the number of Directors of the Company at nine and to elect nine Directors to hold office until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their successors are elected and qualified; | FOR each of the nominees | 3 |
2. Approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company's named Executive Officers; | FOR | 30 |
3. Ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company for the year ending December 31, 2026; and | FOR | 31 |
4. Conduct any other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
Important Notice Regarding the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 23, 2026. The Company will hold the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of The Gorman-Rupp Company in a virtual meeting format only, via webcast. The Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT). To participate in and/or vote at the virtual Annual Meeting shareholders must pre-register at www.proxydocs.com/GRC by entering their control number found on their enclosed proxy card prior to the deadline specified thereon. Upon completing your pre-registration, you will receive further instructions via email, including your unique link that will allow you access to the Annual Meeting and will also permit you to submit questions prior to the Annual Meeting.
Important Notice Regarding the Internet Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 23, 2026 - This Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Proxy Statement and related Proxy Card and the Company's 2025 Annual Report to Shareholders are available at http://www.proxypush.com/GRC. To cast your vote, you will need to enter the 12-digit control number located on the proxy card.
Your vote is important. Even if you plan to participate in the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, please cast your vote at your earliest convenience before the Annual Meeting. You may vote by telephone or internet by following the instructions on the enclosed proxy card, or by signing and submitting your enclosed proxy card and returning it in the enclosed envelope (which requires no postage if mailed in the United States), regardless of whether you plan to participate in the Annual Meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors
BRIGETTE A. BURNELL
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary March 23, 2026
To Our Shareholders
Dear Shareholders:
It's a pleasure to invite you to our 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. We hope you can join us virtually on the webcast Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. (EDT).
Shareholders are provided an opportunity to ask questions about topics of importance to the business, to consider matters described in the proxy statement and to receive an update on the Company's activities and performance.
Your vote is important. Even if you are unable to participate, it is important that your shares be represented and voted. This proxy statement explains more about the matters to be voted on at the annual meeting, about proxy voting, and other information about how to participate. Please read it carefully. We look forward to your participation.
On behalf of the Board and all of our employees, thank you for your continued support. Sincerely,
Jeffrey S. Gorman Chairman
M. Ann Harlan
Lead Independent Director
Summary of Annual Meeting Proposals
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. It does not contain all of the information you should consider. You should read the entire Proxy Statement before voting.
Proposal
Recommendation of the Board
1. Election of Directors
Nine Director Nominees:
Donald H. Bullock, Jr. (Independent) Jeffrey S. Gorman, Chairman
M. Ann Harlan (Independent) Pamela A. Heminger (Independent)
Scott A. King, President and Chief Executive Officer Christopher H. Lake (Independent)
Sonja K. McClelland (Independent) Vincent K. Petrella (Independent) Kenneth R. Reynolds (Independent)
Director Term: One Year
Director Election: Plurality of votes cast
FOR each of the nominees
2.
Approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company's named Executive
Officers
FOR
3. Ratification of Appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the year ending December 31, 2026
FOR
PROXY STATEMENT
March 23, 2026
Solicitation and Revocation of ProxiesThis Proxy Statement is being furnished to shareholders of The Gorman-Rupp Company (the "Company") in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board of Directors" or "Board") of proxies for use at the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders (the "Meeting") to be held live virtually via webcast at https://www.proxydocs.com/GRC, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on Thursday, April 23, 2026. Holders of Common Shares of record at the close of business on February 23, 2026 are the only shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting.
A shareholder, without affecting any vote previously taken, may revoke their proxy by the execution and delivery to the Company of a later-dated proxy with respect to the same shares, or by giving notice of revocation to the Company in writing or at the Meeting. The attendance at the Meeting of the person appointing a proxy does not in and of itself revoke the appointment.
Outstanding Shares and Voting RightsAs of February 23, 2026, the record date for the determination of persons entitled to vote at the Meeting, there were 26,312,842 Common Shares outstanding. Each Common Share is entitled to one vote on each proposal.
The mailing address of the principal executive office of the Company is P.O. Box 1217, Mansfield, Ohio 44901-1217. This Proxy Statement and accompanying proxy card was first sent to shareholders on or about March 23, 2026.
A quorum will be present at the Meeting if there are, in attendance in person or by proxy, shareholders of record entitled to exercise at least 50% of the voting power of the Company with respect to at least one of the purposes for which the Meeting was called.
With respect to the election of Directors (Proposal No. 1), the nine nominees receiving the greatest number of votes will be elected. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be voted for or withheld from the election of directors and thus will have no effect on the election of directors.
If notice in writing is given by any shareholder to the President, a Vice President or the Secretary of the Company, not less than 48 hours before the time fixed for the holding of the Meeting, that such shareholder desires that the voting for the election of Directors be cumulative, and if announcement of the giving of such notice is made upon the convening of the Meeting by the Chairman or Secretary or by or on behalf of the shareholder giving such notice, each shareholder shall have the right to cumulate such voting power as the shareholder possesses at such election. Under cumulative voting, a shareholder controls voting power equal to the number of votes which the shareholder otherwise would have been entitled to cast multiplied by the number of Directors to be elected. All of such votes may be cast for a single nominee or may be distributed among any two or more nominees as the shareholder may desire. If cumulative voting is invoked, and unless contrary instructions are given by a shareholder who signs a proxy, all votes represented by such proxy will be divided evenly among the candidates nominated by the Board of Directors, except that if such voting should for any reason not be effective to elect all of the nominees named in this Proxy Statement, then such votes will be cast so as to maximize the number of the Board of Directors' nominees elected to the Board.
With respect to the advisory vote to approve the compensation of the Company's named Executive Officers (Proposal No. 2), and the ratification of the independent registered public accounting firm (Proposal No. 3), the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast is necessary to approve each such proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be voted for or against such proposals, will not be counted in the number of votes cast on such proposals and thus will have no effect on such proposals.
Brokerage firms have the authority to vote shares on certain "routine" matters when their customers do not provide voting instructions. However, on other matters, when the brokerage firm has not received voting instructions from its customers, the brokerage firm cannot vote the shares on that matter and a "broker non-vote" occurs. Proposal No. 3 is a routine matter, and thus brokers may vote without instructions on that proposal, but the other proposals in this Proxy Statement are non-routine matters.
Our Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR the election of each of the 2026 director nominees
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(Proposal No. 1)All Directors will be elected to hold office until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their successors are elected and qualified. Proxies received will be voted in the manner directed therein. If no such direction is provided, proxies received are intended to be voted in favor of fixing the number of Directors at nine and for the election of the nominees named below.
Each of the Director nominees has indicated a willingness to serve if elected. However, in the event that any of the nominees should become unavailable, which the Board of Directors does not anticipate, proxies are intended to be voted in favor of fixing the number of Directors at a lesser number equal to the number of available Board-designated nominees or for the election of a substitute nominee or nominees designated by the Board of Directors, in the discretion of the persons appointed as proxy holders. If cumulative voting in the election of directors is invoked at a time when any of the nominees become unavailable, unless contrary instructions are given by a shareholder who signs a proxy, all votes represented by such proxy will be divided evenly among the available candidates nominated by the Board, except that, the proxies may be voted cumulatively for less than the entire number of candidates nominated by the Board if any situation arises which, in the opinion of the proxy holders, makes such action necessary or desirable.
Director NomineesDonald H. Bullock, Jr.
Age: 66
Director of the Company since 2020 Independent
Donald H. Bullock Jr. is the retired Senior Vice President of Investor Relations of Eaton Corporation ("Eaton"), a New York Stock Exchange publicly-traded diversified industrial manufacturer that provides energy-efficient solutions to help customers manage electrical and mechanical power. Mr. Bullock worked for Eaton in various global business management, information technology and finance roles
from 1998 until his retirement in 2019, previously serving as Vice President and General Manager, General Products Divisions from 2006 to 2011; Corporate Vice President, Asia Pacific from 2003 to 2006; Chief Information Officer and Vice President, Information Technology from 2000 to 2003 and Director, Finance from 1998 to 2000. Prior to joining Eaton, Mr. Bullock was employed by the Index Group, a general management consulting firm.
Mr. Bullock is a senior executive with over 20 years of experience and qualifies as an "audit committee financial expert" under SEC rules. He has broad experience in international business operations, investor relations and information technology.
Jeffrey S. Gorman is Chairman of the Board, having served in that role since 2025. Mr. Gorman previously served as Executive Chairman of the Board since 2019 and as Chief Executive Officer of the Company from 1998 to 2021. He also served as President from 1998 to 2020 after having served as Senior Vice President since 1996. He also served as General Manager of Gorman-Rupp Pumps USA
from 1989 through 2005 after service as Assistant General Manager from 1986 to 1988. Additionally, he held the office of Corporate Secretary from 1982 to 1990. Mr. Gorman is a member of the Board of Directors of Mechanics Bank, Mansfield, Ohio and former Chairman of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Gorman has been instrumental in continuing the Company's development and growth for more than 30 years, especially with respect to its acquisitions and its international growth. He is highly knowledgeable about the pump industry and the Company's products, customers and competitors.
Jeffrey S. Gorman
Age: 74
Director of the Company since 1989 Chairman
M. Ann Harlan
Age: 66
Director of the Company since 2009 Independent
M. Ann Harlan is the retired Vice President and General Counsel of The J.M. Smucker Company ("Smucker"), a New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") publicly-traded food manufacturer. From January 1998 to January 2011, Ms. Harlan was a member of the Smucker executive management team responsible for setting and implementing corporate strategy and has broad experience
with corporate governance issues and requirements of the NYSE, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. In addition, from 2010 until 2023, Ms. Harlan served on the Board of University Hospitals Health System, Inc. From 2012 until 2019, she was a member of the Advisory Board of Gates Group Capital Partners. From 2010 until its sale to Archer Daniels Midland in 2015, Ms. Harlan was also a Director of Eatem Foods Company. Ms. Harlan also previously served on the Board of Directors of privately held FlavorX Corporation and on the Board of Directors of Cleveland Cliffs Inc., a NYSE listed steel and mining company (NYSE: CLF).
Ms. Harlan has 13 years of experience as senior legal counsel at Smucker, which has significant family ownership and family senior management generally comparable to the ownership structure of the Company. She has extensive mergers and acquisition experience with Smucker and 15 years prior related experience with a major law firm. She also has broad experience with public company governance issues, audit matters, executive compensation and equity compensation plan development and administration as well as human resources issues.
Pamela A. Heminger
Age: 58
Director of the Company since 2025 Independent
Ms. Pamela Heminger is a senior vice president of Caterpillar Inc., (NYSE:CAT), a NYSE publicly traded leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. As a member of Caterpillar's Operating Council, Ms. Heminger has responsibility for the Strategic Procurement & Planning
Division, where she leads a team responsible for designing, developing, and connecting world-class capabilities to create value across the entire ecosystem - from the supply base through the manufacturing process - ensuring dealer and customer success.
Prior to joining Caterpillar in 2020, she spent 24-years in a variety of procurement and business operations roles at Honda Motor Company (NYSE: HMC), a NYSE publicly traded global automotive manufacturer, including vice president of Honda North America Purchasing. Ms. Heminger also held various supply chain and materials management roles with Lennox International (NYSE: LII), a NYSE publicly traded designer, manufacturer, and marketer of products to support the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration markets.
Ms. Heminger possesses deep expertise and knowledge of procurement and supply chain operations gained through progressive leadership responsibilities.
Scott A. King
Age: 51
Director of the Company since 2021 President and Chief Executive Officer
Scott A. King is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. In 2004, he joined Gorman-Rupp Pumps USA as Manufacturing Manager and progressed through multiple positions including Director of Manufacturing, Vice President of Operations, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. King served in various capacities with Fortune 500 diversified
industrial manufacturers. He is the past President of the Regional Manufacturing Coalition and a past chairman of the Board of Directors for the Hydraulic Institute.
Mr. King has been instrumental in the operational leadership of the Company for more than 20 years. He is highly knowledgeable about the pump industry and the Company's products, customers and competitors.
Christopher H. Lake
Age: 61
Director of the Company since 2000 Independent
Christopher H. Lake was President and Chief Operating Officer of SRI Quality System Registrar, an international third-party management system registrar and certification audit firm, from January 2006 until its sale in 2023, after having served as Vice President of Sales from February to December 2005. The firm had operations in the United States, Asia and the European Union. Mr. Lake led a
regional consulting group that focused on operations and organizational development from 2001 through 2004 for banking, communications, and consumer product companies. Prior to 2001, Mr. Lake was also Principal and Industry Executive for two Fortune 500 companies.
Mr. Lake has major corporate service and operations experience with large service, manufacturing, and technology companies. He also has extensive experience providing information technology management, marketing strategy, and business development services to large domestic and international corporations.
Sonja K. McClelland
Age: 54
Director of the Company since 2019 Independent
Sonja K. McClelland is the Executive Vice President, Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer of Hurco Companies, Inc. ("Hurco"), a NASDAQ publicly-traded international industrial technology company that designs, manufactures and sells computerized machine tools. Ms. McClelland has worked for Hurco in various finance and accounting roles since September 1996 most recently serving as Executive
Vice President since 2017; Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer since March 2014, Corporate Secretary from March 2014 to March 2021, and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer since her appointment as Corporate Controller and Assistant Secretary in November 2004. Prior to joining Hurco, Ms. McClelland was employed by Arthur Anderson LLP following her graduation from college.
Ms. McClelland is a senior financial executive with over 30 years of experience in public accounting and financial reporting responsibilities and qualifies as an "audit committee financial expert" under SEC rules for service on the Audit Committee. She is a versatile business professional with a diverse background in corporate accounting and finance, manufacturing operations, investor relations, strategic planning, acquisitions and divestitures, complex international organizational structures, transfer-pricing and international tax strategies, foreign currency risk management, SEC reporting, compliance risk management, systems implementations, and corporate governance matters.
Vincent K. Petrella
Age: 65
Director of the Company since 2020 Independent
Vincent K. Petrella is the retired Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:LECO) - a role he held from 2004 to 2020. He held prior roles within the finance and internal audit functions at Lincoln Electric from 1995 through 2003 and began his career at an international public accounting firm. Lincoln Electric engages in the design, manufacture,
and sale of welding, cutting, and brazing products worldwide. Mr. Petrella is currently a Director of Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:AIT), a publicly-traded value-added distributor of industrial supplies, and Sotera Health Company (NASDAQ:SHC), a publicly-traded healthcare supplier.
Mr. Petrella qualifies as an "audit committee financial expert" under SEC rules with his extensive experience in public accounting and financial reporting responsibilities. He also has broad experience with international acquisitions, business strategy and manufacturing operations.
Kenneth R. Reynolds
Age: 67
Director of the Company since 2014 Independent
Kenneth R. Reynolds serves on the Board of Directors of Ariel Corporation and, in 2020 retired from being Ariel's Executive Vice President and Treasurer. He previously served as its Chief Financial Officer from 1997 to 2016. Ariel has been a major designer and manufacturer of a wide variety of compressors for diverse global petroleum markets for over 50 years. Its compressors are in service
worldwide in refineries, gas fields, pipeline service and gas gathering, making it a world leader in gas compression. Previously, Mr. Reynolds, a Certified Public Accountant, was a partner with a regional public accounting firm which he joined following his college graduation.
Mr. Reynolds has over 30 years of financial systems management and reporting experience and qualifies as an "audit committee financial expert" under SEC rules for service on the Audit Committee. Additionally, Mr. Reynolds has extensive international Fortune 500 customer experience with major petroleum producers and capital goods manufacturers.
Director QualificationsAs reflected in the chart below, the Board believes the seven independent director nominees offer a range of key skills and experience to provide effective oversight of the Company and create long-term sustainable growth through successful execution of the Company's strategic initiatives.
Donald H. Bullock, Jr. | M. Ann Pamela A. Harlan Heminger | Christopher Sonja K. H. Lake McClelland | Vincent K. Petrella | Kenneth R. Reynolds |
Board of Directors Experience (other current or prior public company Boards) | X | X | ||
Manufacturing X | X X | X X | X | X |
International X | X X | X X | X | X |
Operational X | X | X X | X | X |
Business Development and Strategy X | X X | X X | X | X |
Sales and Marketing | X | |||
Audit Committee Financial Expert X | X | X | X | |
Information Technology X | X | X X | X | |
Board Composition | ||||
Donald H. Jeffrey S. M. Ann Bullock, Jr. Gorman Harlan | Pamela A. Scott A. Heminger King | Christopher Sonja K. H. Lake McClelland | Vincent K. Petrella | Kenneth R. Reynolds |
Gender | ||||
Male X X | X | X | X | X |
Female X | X | X |
Race/Ethnicity
African American
Asian, Pacific Islander X
White/ Caucasian X X X X X X X X
Hispanic/Latino Native American
Non-Employee Director CompensationThe Compensation Committee is charged with oversight and periodic review of Non-Employee Director compensation and with recommending any changes to the entire Board of Directors. Directors who are employees of the Company (Mr. Scott A. King) do not receive any compensation for service as Directors. Non-Employee Directors are compensated by the Company for their services as Directors through a combination of annual cash retainers and stock awards.
The Company's Non-Employee Directors compensation for 2025 consisted of annual cash retainers of $55,000 each and
$90,000 in restricted stock awards (excluding the Chairman of Board, who instead received an additional $90,000 cash retainer). To reflect their additional responsibilities, the Chairman of the Board received an additional retainer fee of
$100,000, the Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee received an additional retainer fee of $10,000, the Chair of the Compensation Committee received an additional retainer fee of $12,500, and the Chair of the Audit Committee received an additional retainer fee of $15,000. The Lead Independent Director received an additional retainer fee of $15,000.
The Company has a stock ownership policy for its Non-Employee Directors to encourage meaningful stock ownership in the Company. The policy requires each Non-Employee Director to own shares of stock equal in value to five times his or her annual cash retainer, and prohibits most sales of shares unless the applicable minimum stock ownership requirement is met.
Non-Employee Director Compensation Table
The table below summarizes the total compensation paid for service by each of the Non-Employee Directors of the Company for the year 2025.
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash | Stock Awards | Total | |
Name | ($) | ($) (1) | ($) |
Donald H. Bullock, Jr. (2) | $ 65,000 | $ 90,000 | $ 155,000 |
Jeffrey S. Gorman (3) | 245,000 | - | 245,000 |
M. Ann Harlan (4) | 70,000 | 90,000 | 160,000 |
Pamela A. Heminger (5) | 37,775 | 90,000 | 127,775 |
Christopher H. Lake | 55,000 | 90,000 | 145,000 |
Sonja K. McClelland (6) | 70,000 | 90,000 | 160,000 |
Vincent K. Petrella (7) | 67,500 | 90,000 | 157,500 |
Kenneth R. Reynolds | 55,000 | 90,000 | 145,000 |
Each Non-Employee Director (excluding the Chairman of the Board) received an award of $90,000 of restricted stock under The Gorman-Rupp Company 2024 Omnibus Incentive Plan. Each award consisted of 2,553 restricted Common Shares granted on April 25, 2025 and had a fair value of $35.25 per share as of the grant date, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The restricted stock vests in full on the date immediately preceding the Meeting, subject to the Director's continued service with the Company.
Mr. Bullock's "Fees Earned or Paid in Cash" includes additional retainer fees of $10,000 for service as Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee.
Mr. Gorman's "Fees Earned or Paid in Cash" includes additional retainer fees of $100,000 for service as Chairman of the Board and $90,000 in lieu of a Director restricted stock award.
Ms. Harlan's "Fees Earned or Paid in Cash" includes additional retainer fees of $15,000 for service as Lead Independent Director.
Ms. Heminger's "Fees Earned or Paid in Cash" were a prorated portion of the annual cash retainer amount, based on her partial year of service from her election as a Director on April 24, 2025 to December 31, 2025.
Ms. McClelland's "Fees Earned or Paid in Cash" includes additional retainer fees of $15,000 for service as Chair of the Audit Committee.
Mr. Petrella's "Fees Earned or Paid in Cash" includes additional retainer fees of $12,500 for service as Chair of the Compensation Committee.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE Board Composition and Practices
Board of Directors and Board CommitteesAnnual Election of Directors
✓
Executive Sessions of the Board
✓
Lead Independent Director
✓
Over Boarding Policy
✓
Committee Independence
100%
Mandatory Board Retirement Age
✓
Independent Director Gender Diversity
42%
Board and Committee Self-Evaluations
✓
New Directors Since 2020
4
Board Member Candidate Guidelines
✓
Number of Financial Experts
4
Stock Ownership Policy for Directors
✓
Strategy, Environmental and Risk Management Oversight
✓
The Company requires that a majority of its Directors must be "independent" as required by the listing standards of the NYSE and SEC rules, or by other regulatory or legislative bodies as may be applicable to the Company. The Board, on an annual basis, makes a determination as to the independence of each Director in accordance with applicable listing standards, rules and regulations. In general, "independent" means that a Director has no "material relationship" with the Company or any of its subsidiaries, other than through his or her service as a Director. The existence of a material relationship must be determined based upon a review of all relevant facts and circumstances, and generally is a relationship that might reasonably be expected to compromise the Director's ability to maintain his or her independence from management in connection with the Director's duties.
The Board has approved Corporate Governance Guidelines and a Code of Ethics to provide guidance for the governance of the Company. The Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for monitoring these guidelines and code of ethics and reviews them on an annual basis and, subject to Board approval, makes such revisions as may be necessary or appropriate to reflect new regulatory requirements and evolving corporate governance practices. The Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Ethics are available in their entirety on the Company's website at http://www.gormanrupp.com.
Based on an annual review by the Governance and Nominating Committee, the Committee affirmatively determined, after considering all relevant facts and circumstances known to it, that other than Jeffrey S. Gorman and Scott A. King, no Director has a material relationship with the Company and that all Directors other than Jeffrey S. Gorman and Scott A. King, meet the independence standards of the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines, as well as the current independence standards of the NYSE and SEC corporate governance requirements for listed companies, and have no relationships or transactions required to be reported by Item 404 of Regulation S-K.
During 2025, five meetings of the Board of Directors (all regularly scheduled, and at least one each quarter) and five meetings of each standing Board Committee were held. All Directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings held by the Board of Directors and the respective Committees on which they served. In 2025, the independent Directors met at every regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors in executive session without the presence of the non-independent Directors and any members of the Company's management. The Lead Independent Director, who is currently M. Ann Harlan, generally presides at these non-management executive sessions. Members of the Board of Directors are expected to attend the Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and all Directors were in attendance at the 2025 annual meeting.
At the April 24, 2025 annual reorganizational meeting of the Board of Directors, M. Ann Harlan was re-elected by the independent Directors as Lead Independent Director, to serve for an additional one-year term. The Lead Independent Director is responsible for coordinating the activities of the other independent Directors and has the authority to preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors at which the Chairman of the Board is not present. The Lead Independent Director serves as principal liaison on Board-wide issues between the independent Directors and the Chairman of the Board, approves meeting schedules and agendas and monitors the quality of information sent to the Board. The Lead
Independent Director also may recommend the retention of outside advisors and consultants who report directly to the Board of Directors. If requested by shareholders, when appropriate, the Lead Independent Director also will be available for consultation and direct communication.
The Board completes annual performance evaluations of the Board, as well as the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Governance and Nominating Committee, to assist in determining whether the Board and its Committees are functioning effectively. Annually, the Board and each of its Committees complete self-evaluations and review and discuss the results. The Governance and Nominating Committee oversees this process.
The Board of Directors has three standing Committees: (1) Audit Committee; (2) Compensation Committee; and (3) Governance and Nominating Committee. All members of each Committee are independent Directors. Each Committee is governed by a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors detailing its authority and responsibilities. These charters are reviewed and updated periodically as legislative and regulatory developments and business circumstances warrant. Complete copies of each Committee charter are available on the Company's website at http://www.gormanrupp.com.
The table below shows the current members of each Committee and the number of meetings held by each Committee in 2025.
Name Audit Committee
Compensation Committee
Governance and Nominating Committee
Donald H. Bullock, Jr.
M. Ann Harlan
✓
Pamela A. Heminger
✓
✓
Christopher H. Lake
✓
✓
Sonja K. McClellan
Chair
✓
Vincent K. Petrella
Kenneth R. Reynolds
Number of Meetings
5
5
5
Chair
Chair
Audit Committee
The principal functions of the Audit Committee include the authority and responsibility to:
Oversee the integrity of the financial statements of the Company;
Engage the Company's independent registered public accounting firm and review the scope of the audit of the Company's consolidated financial statements;
Evaluate auditor qualification, performance, and independence;
Approve fees to be paid to the independent registered accounting firm for the agreed-upon-services;
Consider comments made by the independent registered public accountants with respect to internal controls and financial reporting and related actions taken by management;
Review internal accounting systems, procedures and controls with the Company's internal auditor and financial staff;
Review and pre-approve any non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm;
Provide organizational oversight of the Company's enterprise risk management plan including cybersecurity and disaster recovery;
Oversee the Company's hedging strategies;
Oversee the Company's internal audit function, including approving the annual internal audit plan: and
Oversee compliance with legal and regulatory requirements that may have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.
Compensation Committee
The principal functions of the Compensation Committee include the authority and responsibility to:
Evaluate, develop and monitor compensation policies and programs for the Company's officers and Non-Employee Directors;
Recommend the salaries, profit sharing and long-term incentive compensation for the officers; and
Oversee the administration, funding and investment performance of the defined benefit pension plan and the defined contribution retirement plans of the Company.
A more comprehensive description of the Compensation Committee's functions regarding the consideration and determination of officer compensation is set forth under the caption "Compensation Discussion and Analysis."
Governance and Nominating Committee
The principal functions of the Governance and Nominating Committee include the authority and responsibility to:
Identify, evaluate and recommend individuals for nomination as members of the Board of Directors;
Develop a succession plan for the Company's Chief Executive Officer and other Executive Officers;
Develop a succession plan for other corporate officers and operating executives;
Oversee the annual evaluation of the performance of the Board and its Committees;
Periodically review the Board Committees' charters and the Corporate Governance Guidelines for compliance with evolving regulations and Board-desired corporate goals;
Monitor the availability of training and professional education programs suitable for Directors for enhancement of their Board and Committee responsibilities;
At least annually, review potential conflicts of interest of Directors and Officers of the Company; and
Periodically review the Company's environmental, social and sustainability programs and activities.
The Governance and Nominating Committee charter incorporates the Company's policies and procedures by which to consider recommendations from shareholders for Director nominees. Any shareholder wishing to propose a candidate may do so by delivering a typewritten or legible hand-written communication to the Company's Corporate Secretary. The submission should provide detailed business and personal biographical data about the candidate, and include a brief analysis explaining why the individual is well-qualified to become a Director nominee. All recommendations will be acknowledged by the Corporate Secretary and promptly referred to the Governance and Nominating Committee for evaluation.
The Governance and Nominating Committee has not specified any particular set of skills or qualities that is required for a Director candidate. All Director candidates, including any recommended by shareholders, are first evaluated based upon their (i) integrity, strength of character, practical wisdom and mature judgment; (ii) business and financial expertise and experience; (iii) intellect to comprehend the issues confronting the Company; and (iv) availability of adequate time to devote to the affairs of the Company and attend Board and Committee meetings. New Director candidates are subject to a background check performed on behalf of the Governance and Nominating Committee. In addition, the candidate will be personally interviewed by one or more Governance and Nominating Committee members before he or she is nominated for election to the Board of Directors. In considering candidates for the Board, the Governance and Nominating Committee considers the entirety of each candidate's credentials in the context of their skills and qualities. With respect to the nomination of continuing Directors for re-election, the individual's historical contributions to the Board are also considered. Third-party search firms may be retained by the Board from time to time to identify individuals that meet the director candidate criteria established by the Governance and Nominating Committee.
Risk OversightThe Board of Directors believes that control and management of risk are primary responsibilities of senior management of the Company. As a general matter, the entire Board of Directors is responsible for oversight of this important senior management function. The Audit Committee is responsible to the Board for the organizational oversight of the Company's
comprehensive enterprise risk management plan. Additional oversight of some functional risks is performed by specific Board Committees, e.g., financial reporting risks and cyber risks are overseen by the Audit Committee; personnel selection, evaluation, retention and compensation risks and benefit plan investment risks are overseen by the Compensation Committee; and Chief Executive Officer, Executive Officer, other corporate officer, key operating executive and Director succession planning risks are overseen by the Governance and Nominating Committee. The results of each Committee's oversight are reported regularly to the entire Board of Directors.
The Company's comprehensive enterprise risk management plan, including cyber risks, is overseen by the Audit Committee. Senior management plays a pivotal role in informing the Audit Committee on cybersecurity risks. The information technology department regularly informs the senior management team of all aspects related to cybersecurity risks and incidents. This ensures that senior management is kept abreast of the cybersecurity posture and potential risks. The senior management team presents updates to the Audit Committee quarterly and, as necessary, to the full Board.
The Board of Directors and the Company's management are committed to operating in a manner that upholds the reputation of the Company. The Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for periodically reviewing the Company's environmental, social and sustainability programs and activities, in addition to assuring compliance with the governance principles applicable to the Company.
With regard to environmental, social and governance ("ESG") issues, the Board of Directors receives regular updates on such issues from management, recognizing a range of stakeholders that includes employees and the communities where the Company's facilities are located. Among other things, management regularly discusses with the Board legal, compliance and ethical issues related to ESG matters and the specific ways that the Company acts upon its commitment to ESG principles. The Company's actions related to ESG are summarized in the Company's 2025 Sustainability Report (https://www.gormanrupp.com/en/sustainability).
Company Leadership OrganizationWith respect to the roles of Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, the Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that the roles may be separated or combined, and the Board exercises its discretion in combining or separating these positions as it deems appropriate in light of prevailing circumstances.
Upon election of Mr. Scott A. King as Chief Executive Officer of the Company on January 1, 2022, the Company separated the offices of Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer because it believes this division more clearly delineates their respective responsibilities and capitalizes on the respective skills, expertise and experience of each of Mr. Gorman and Mr. King. This separation currently provides for the Chairman to focus on Board of Directors responsibilities, while continuing to contribute to the Company in areas where he is particularly qualified, and for the Chief Executive Officer to focus on the Company's executive, administrative and operating responsibilities. Given Mr. Gorman's and Mr. King's respective years of service with the Company, the Company believes this structure is most appropriate for conducting its business and its responsibilities to its employees, customers, suppliers, shareholders, Directors, communities, and regulatory agencies. Pursuant to the Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Board believes that the combination or separation of these offices should continue to be considered periodically as necessary or advisable.
Related Party TransactionsThe Company has no relationships or transactions required to be reported by Item 404 of Regulation S-K. Although the Company does not have a specific written policy regarding review, approval or ratification of related party transactions, the Company has a formal annual review process for such transactions at all locations, and the Board of Directors has the authority to review and approve all related party transactions defined as those transactions required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K. Review and approval of related party transactions also would be evidenced through the Company's Code of Ethics compliance, annual completion of the Company's Directors & Officers Questionnaires and discussion at Board meetings, or addressed in unanimous written actions in lieu of a Board meeting, if applicable.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The Audit Committee has submitted the following report to the Board of Directors:
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the Company's audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 and the assessment of the Company's internal controls over financial reporting with the Company's management and the Company's independent registered public accountants, Ernst & Young LLP;
The Audit Committee has discussed with the Company's independent registered public accountants the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 1301, Communications with Audit Committees, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ("PCAOB");
The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the Company's independent registered public accountants required by PCAOB Rule 3526 (Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence), and has discussed the issue of independence, including the provision of non-audit services to the Company, with the independent registered public accountants;
With respect to the provision of non-audit services to the Company, the Audit Committee has obtained a written statement from the Company's independent registered public accountants that they have not rendered any non-audit services prohibited by SEC and PCAOB rules relating to auditor independence, and that the delivery of any permitted non-audit services has not and will not impair their independence;
Based upon the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Company's audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, to be filed with the SEC; and
In general, the Audit Committee has fulfilled its commitments in accordance with its charter.
Members of the Audit Committee are also "independent" in accordance with the corporate governance standards of the NYSE, and all of the members (including the Chair) qualify as an "audit committee financial expert" in accordance with SEC rules.
The foregoing report has been furnished by members of the Audit Committee:
Sonja K. McClelland, Chair Donald H. Bullock, Jr.
Vincent K. Petrella Kenneth R. Reynolds
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider ParticipationEach of the following Directors served as a member of the Compensation Committee during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025: M. Ann Harlan, Pamela A. Heminger, Christopher H. Lake, Sonja K. McClelland, and Vincent K. Petrella. During 2025, no Company Executive Officer or Director was a member of the board of directors of any other company where the relationship would be construed to constitute a committee interlock within the meaning of the rules of the SEC.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee has submitted the following report to the Board of Directors:
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the following Compensation Discussion and Analysis with the Company's management; and
Based on the review and discussions referred to in the preceding paragraph, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Company's Proxy Statement in connection with the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Company's Shareholders.
The foregoing report has been furnished by members of the Compensation Committee: Vincent K. Petrella, Chair
M. Ann Harlan Pamela A. Heminger Christopher H. Lake Sonja K. McClelland
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and AnalysisThis Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes the Company's officer compensation program and how it applies to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and its other officers (collectively, the "Officers"), including its four named executive officers ("Executive Officers") identified in the Summary Compensation Table included in this Proxy Statement.
Compensation HighlightsAnnual Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
Annual Peer Group Compensation Market Assessments
Pay for Performance
Utilize Performance Based and Service Based Restricted Shares
Stock Ownership Policy
Prohibit Pledging and Hedging of Company Shares
Clawback Policy
Insider Trading Policy
No Excessive Perquisites
No Employment Contracts
OverviewThe Gorman-Rupp Company has a long and continuing focus on building profitability and consistently delivering increased value to our shareholders. To accomplish this goal, the Company's Officer compensation program is designed to encourage and reward leadership, initiative, teamwork and top-quality performances among the Officers.
The Compensation Committee (the "Committee") of the Board of Directors is authorized to:
Review and evaluate the compensation policies and programs for the Officers;
Review, at least annually, the Chief Executive Officer's progress assessments of the other Officers and to evaluate the Chief Executive Officer's progress assessment;
Review and recommend the annual salaries, annual profit sharing and long-term incentive compensation determinations for the Executive Officers to the Board of Directors; and
Review the compensation of Non-Employee Directors ("Directors") and submit any suggested recommendations for changes to the Directors for review.
Five independent Directors comprise the Committee. Their responsibilities are carried out pursuant to authority delegated by the Board of Directors and in accordance with the federal securities laws and other applicable laws and regulations and the Committee's charter.
Philosophy and ObjectivesUnder the Committee's oversight, the Company has formulated a compensation philosophy that is intended to assure the provision of fair, competitive and performance-based compensation to the Officers. This philosophy reflects the belief that compensation of the Officers should be consistent with the Company's historical compensation practices, its culture, its profitability and its long-term shareholder value.
The implementation of the Company's Officer compensation philosophy seeks (i) to attract and retain a group of talented individuals with the education, experience, skill sets and professional presence deemed best suited for the respective Officer positions; and (ii) to continually motivate those individuals to help the Company achieve its strategic goals and enhance profitability by offering them incentive compensation in the form of profit sharing and equity-based compensation awards driven by the Company's results of operations and financial condition.
Elements of CompensationThe Company's Officer compensation program consists of four elements: base salary, profit sharing, long-term incentive equity awards and a component of modest miscellaneous benefits. The Company has not entered into employment contracts with any of the Officers.
Ownership of the Company's Common Shares by the Officers has continually been considered a worthy goal within the Company to further align Officers' interests with those of Shareholders. Toward that end, the Company sponsors opportunities to purchase Common Shares, including a partial Company match, aimed at encouraging the Officers, and substantially all other employees, to voluntarily invest in the Common Shares.
The Company has a stock ownership policy which establishes minimum stock ownership requirements for its Officers, group presidents and other corporate and operating officers to encourage meaningful stock ownership in the Company. The policy requires each executive, operating president and designated key employees to own shares of stock equal in value ranging from multiples of one times to three times his or her base salary, and prohibits most sales of shares unless the applicable minimum stock ownership requirement is met.
Base Salary - Base salaries are premised upon the relative responsibilities of the given Officers and industry surveys and related data. Initial salaries generally are set at competitive levels paid to comparable officers at other entities engaged in the same or similar businesses as the Company based upon publicly-available peer data, discussed below under "Annual Review", and Company philosophy. Subsequently, actual salaries are adjusted periodically based on judgments of each person's performance, qualifications, accomplishments and expected future contributions in his or her Officer role.
Profit Sharing - The Company intentionally relies to a significant degree on annual incentive compensation in the form of profit sharing to attract and retain the Officers. This profit sharing opportunity, which is based on annual operating income, provides motivation for them to perform to the full extent of their individual abilities and as a team to build total Company profitability and shareholder value on a continuing, long-term basis.
Long-term Incentive Equity Awards - Pursuant to the Company's employee equity compensation plan, long-term equity incentive compensation is an element of compensation used to enhance the Company's compensation program in combination with its succession planning for key personnel and to further align the interests of award recipients with shareholders. Equity incentive compensation has also been selected to facilitate the accumulation of additional Company shares of stock by those most accountable for the Company's operating results and shareholder value. The Compensation Committee may grant equity awards conditioned upon achievement of appropriate performance metrics (Performance Stock Units or PSUs), as well as service-based awards (Restricted Stock Units or RSUs) to certain employees. Recipients of grants of PSU's receive a target award of performance-based shares that vest at the end of a three year period, based on the levels of achievement of the performance goals established by the Compensation Committee, which may range from 0% to 150% of the target number of performance-based shares. The performance goals for performance-based shares granted during 2025 are based on targeted adjusted operating income growth and average operating working capital to sales, weighted 67% and 33%, respectively. The Committee believes the combination of these performance goals provides an appropriate balance between earnings-related and growth goals while also focusing on managing working capital. Service based restricted stock units enhance the Company's ability to retain executives and provide value based on the Company's stock price performance. In determining the mix of performance share units and service based restricted share units included in annual award grants, greater emphasis is placed on performance share units to further motivate executives to pursue goals associated with the Company's financial performance. Each vested PSU and RSU represents the right to receive one Common Share of the Company.
In determining the target amount of PSUs, the number of RSUs and the relative mix of the two awards to be granted to our Executive Officers, the Compensation Committee takes into account several factors, including our Chief Executive
Officer's recommendation for the other Executive Officers, our short-term and long-term financial and strategic objectives, the Executive Officer's relative job scope, individual performance history and prior and anticipated future contributions to the Company. After considering these factors, the Compensation Committee determines the amount of PSUs and RSUs to be granted at levels it considers appropriate to create a meaningful opportunity for reward predicated on the creation of long-term stockholder value.
The two-year performance period for PSUs granted to the Officers in 2024 concluded on December 31, 2025. The performance goals for the 2024-2025 performance period were based on compound annual growth for adjusted operating income and average operating working capital to sales, weighted 67% and 33% respectively. On February 25, 2026, the Compensation Committee reviewed the Company's financial results for the two-year period ended December 31, 2025 as compared to the performance goals, and determined that adjusted operating income growth exceeded the minimum but was below target and average operating working capital to sales was below the minimum threshold goal. Accordingly, if the Officers remain in service to the Company through the December 31, 2026 vesting date, performance-based shares will be awarded to the Officers at 56% of the target under the 2024 grants with amounts as follows: Scott A. King- 6,167 Common Shares; James C. Kerr- 3,160 Common Shares; and Brigette A. Burnell- 2,852 Common Shares.
Other Compensation - The Officers receive a variety of miscellaneous benefits, the value of which is represented for the named Executive Officers under the caption "All Other Compensation" in the Summary Compensation Table. These benefits include taxable life insurance, and Company contributions to the Christmas Savings Plan, the 401(k) Plan, and certain partial matching contribution opportunities under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The Company also sponsors a defined benefit pension plan in which one of the Company's Executive Officers participate as explained under the caption "Pension Benefits."
Stock Ownership - The Company has long encouraged the Officers to voluntarily invest in the Company's Common Shares. As a consequence, the Company makes the purchase of its Common Shares convenient, in some cases with partial cash matching contributions from the Company, and in all cases without brokers' fees or commissions, under an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, a 401(k) Plan and a Dividend Reinvestment Plan. Although the purchase opportunities available through these plans do not constitute elements of Officer compensation, all of the current Officers are shareholders and participate in one or more of the foregoing plans.
Clawback Policy - Under certain circumstances, including a restatement of financial results by the Company, the grantee may be required to return to the Company share awards and/or pretax income derived from any disposition of shares previously received if the performance shares would not have been earned based upon the restated financial results. To this end, the Board of Directors approved a Clawback Policy which is included as an exhibit in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.
Insider Trading Policies and Procedures - The Company has an Insider Trading Policy that governs the purchase, sale and other disposition of the Company's common stock by our directors, officers and employees and certain of their family members and related parties, that we believe are reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules, and regulations, including applicable stock exchange listing standards. The policy prohibits buying or selling the Company's common stock while in possession of material non-public information about the Company and from disclosing such information to others. The policy imposes trading "black-out" periods and requires that certain officers of the Company and other designated employees only transact in Company stock during an open window period, subject to limited exceptions. In addition, certain officers and directors of the Company are required to obtain approval in advance of transactions in Company stock. A copy of our Insider Trading Policy is included as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. It is the Company's practice to comply with all applicable securities and corporate laws when engaging in transactions in the Company's securities.
Directors, Officers and certain other employees may not engage in hedging transactions related to the Company's securities, may not engage in short sales, may not purchase or sell put options, call options or other such derivative securities, and may not hold Company securities in a margin account or pledge Company securities as collateral for a loan.
Annual Reviews
The Committee's current objective is for the Company's Executive Officers to be compensated at a total level of compensation commensurate with the 50th percentile of compensation of comparable capital goods manufacturing
companies. The Committee additionally evaluates the Executive Officers' progress assessments and the Company's financial performance in performing its compensation review responsibilities. The Committee also takes into account the outcome of prior shareholders' advisory votes on executive compensation.
The Committee has the authority if needed to consult with outside accounting, legal and compensation advisors as appropriate in arriving at compensation recommendations, subject to approval by the Board of Directors. The compensation advisors report directly to the Compensation Committee, and the Compensation Committee may replace the advisors or hire additional advisors if needed. The advisors attend meetings of the Compensation Committee, as requested, and communicate with the Compensation Committee between meetings; however, the Compensation Committee makes all decisions regarding the compensation of the Company's Executive Officers.
In 2025, the Compensation Committee retained independent compensation advisor Semler Brossy Consulting Group ("Semler Brossy"). Semler Brossy provided market compensation information from public proxy data, and analysis regarding the Company's compensation of Executive Officers relative to peers, including low, mean, median and high compensation ranges.
The Compensation Committee reviews the services provided by its third-party advisor and believes that Semler Brossy is independent in providing executive compensation consulting services. The Compensation Committee conducted a specific review of its relationship with Semler Brossy and determined that Semler Brossy's work for the Committee in 2025 did not raise any conflicts of interest, consistent with the guidance provided under the Dodd-Frank Act, or under applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and NYSE.
Prior to the Company's annual February Board meeting, the Committee reviews with the Chief Executive Officer the recommended annual base salary for each of the Executive Officers (other than the Chief Executive Officer). The Committee independently reviews the base salary for the Chief Executive Officer and develops a recommendation therefor. These salary reviews include consideration of the fact that a significant component of total compensation is variable, performance-based profit sharing. The Committee then reports the results of its Executive Officer compensation reviews and recommendations to the Board of Directors.
During October 2025, the Committee reviewed updated peer information compensation details provided by Semler Brossy for 15 other capital goods manufacturing companies listed below. The companies in this peer group are reviewed from time to time and may be changed to account for differences between the Company and specific peers. The peer group remains largely unchanged from the peer group used in 2024, except for the removal of one company due to its size and two new additions to the peer group based on size and business operations.
Alamo Group Inc. Mueller Water Products
Badger Meter, Inc. NN, Inc.
DMC Global Inc. NWPX Infrastructure
Franklin Electric Standex Intl.
Helios Tech Tennant Company
Kadant Inc. Thermon Group
L.B. Foster Twin Disc, Incorporated
Lindsay Corporation
These peer companies reflect similar size, with median revenue of approximately $782 million and annual revenue ranging from approximately $341 million to $2 billion, with The Gorman-Rupp Company ranking in the 41stpercentile in annual revenue. In developing its recommendation regarding Executive Officer base salaries, the Committee took into account the peer companies compensation information and the favorable outcome of the shareholders' advisory vote on executive compensation at the Company's 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Board, based on the Committee's recommendation, approved base salary increases for Executive Officers reflecting the Board's assessment of all the factors described above.
Following the end of each year and the final preparation of the Company's audited financial statements, management calculates the total amount of profit sharing available for awarding to the Executive Officers based on the Company's achieved operating income. The Chief Executive Officer then determines a recommended allocation of the available profit
sharing award pool among the Executive Officers based on the respective Executive Officer's prior profit sharing award history and their current year progress assessment.
The Committee reviews with the Chief Executive Officer the recommended profit sharing award for each of the Executive Officers (other than the Chief Executive Officer). The Committee independently reviews the profit sharing award for the Chief Executive Officer and develops a recommendation therefor. These profit sharing reviews include consideration of the Chief Executive Officer's progress assessments of the other Officers, and the Committee's independent progress assessment of the Chief Executive Officer and the Company's prior profit sharing award history. The Committee then reports the results of its profit sharing reviews and recommendations for the Executive Officers to the Board of Directors for its consideration and approval.
During 2025, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approved grants of PSUs for the Company's Executive Officers with target amounts as follows: Scott A. King - 11,615 performance-based Common Shares; James C. Kerr - 5,291 performance-based Common Shares; and Brigette A. Burnell - 4,904 performance-based Common Shares. At the time of the 2025 grant, the Compensation Committee established two-year performance goals for the period ending December 31, 2026 based on compound annual growth for adjusted operating income and average operating working capital to sales, weighted 67% and 33% respectively. These PSUs have a three-year vesting period ending December 31, 2027.
On February 26, 2025, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approved RSU awards for the Company's Executive Officers with amounts as follows: Scott A. King - 7,743 Common Shares; James C. Kerr - 2,452 Common Shares; and Brigette A. Burnell - 2,194 Common Shares. These RSUs vest in annual installments over a three-year vesting period based on continued service of the grantee.
The PSU and RSU awards also may vest to a certain extent in the event of a Change of Control (as defined in the Company's equity compensation plan) of the Company or the death, disability or retirement of the grantee. See "Post-Employment Value of Equity Incentive Compensation."
Summary Compensation TableThe table below contains information pertaining to the annual compensation of the Company's principal executive officer, its principal financial officer, and its other named Executive Officers for fiscal years 2025, 2024, and 2023.
Change in | |||||||
Pension Value | |||||||
and | |||||||
Nonqualified | |||||||
Deferred | |||||||
Stock | Compensation | All Other | |||||
Salary | Bonus | Awards | Earnings | Compensation | Total | ||
Name and Principal Position | Year | ($) | ($) (1) | ($) (2) | ($) (3) | ($) (4) | ($) |
Scott A. King | 2025 | 717,500 | 608,583 | 750,000 | 98,032 | 13,537 | 2,187,652 |
President and | 2024 | 683,333 | 572,542 | 650,000 | 35,416 | 13,470 | 1,954,761 |
Chief Executive Officer | 2023 | 583,333 | 537,900 | 500,000 | 75,629 | 10,986 | 1,707,848 |
James C. Kerr (5) | 2025 | 393,583 | 420,024 | 300,000 | - | 37,024 | 1,150,631 |
Executive Vice President and | 2024 | 381,533 | 397,789 | 295,000 | - | 35,970 | 1,110,292 |
Chief Financial Officer | 2023 | 366,833 | 371,151 | 275,000 | - | 32,031 | 1,045,015 |
Brigette A. Burnell (6) | 2025 | 360,250 | 359,199 | 275,000 | - | 31,874 | 1,026,323 |
Executive Vice President, | 2024 | 349,250 | 341,417 | 265,000 | - | 30,543 | 986,210 |
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary | 2023 | 335,833 | 317,361 | 250,000 | - | 25,487 | 928,681 |
Jeffrey S. Gorman (7) | 2025 | 50,521 | - | - | - | 17,251 | 67,772 |
Former Executive Chairman | 2024 | 375,000 | 196,729 | - | 133,638 | 24,052 | 729,419 |
2023 | 379,167 | 179,300 | - | 125,609 | 25,256 | 709,332 | |
The amounts in this column reflect the Executive Officer's annual profit sharing compensation based on operating income.
The amounts in this column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718 of the shares underlying PSUs and RSUs granted during the reported years. For the PSU amounts reported in this column, such amounts are based on the probable outcome of the relevant performance conditions as of the grant date and may not reflect the value that is ultimately received by the named Executive Officer in respect of such grants. The aggregate grant date fair value of the 2025 PSU awards reported in this column is: Scott A. King,
$450,000; James C. Kerr, $205,000; and Brigette A. Burnell, $190,000. Assuming that the highest level of performance conditions is achieved, the aggregate grant date fair value of the 2025 PSU awards reported in this column would be: Scott A. King, $675,000; James C. Kerr, $307,500; and Brigette A. Burnell, $285,000.
The amounts reflect the non-cash change in pension value recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, in accordance with SEC Release Nos. 33-8732A; 34-54302A. In computing the change in pension value, the Company applies the assumptions used for financial reporting purposes and a measurement date of December 31 for benefit plan determinations. The change in pension value is the aggregate increase(decrease) in the actuarial present value of the respective Executive Officer's accumulated benefit measured on an annual basis from the plan measurement date in the prior fiscal year to the measurement date in each fiscal year. The Company does not offer nonqualified deferred compensation earnings to any of its employees.
Amounts include taxable life insurance and tax preparation fees, as well as Company contributions to the Company's 401(k) Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Health Savings Account and Christmas Savings Plan.
Mr. Kerr's "All Other Compensation" includes $30,446, $29,392, and $25,253 for calendar years 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively for the Company's contributions to his account in the enhanced 401(k) Plan.
Ms. Burnell's "All Other Compensation" includes $26,802, $25,807, and $21,052 for calendar years 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively, for the Company's contributions to her account in the enhanced 401(k) Plan.
Mr. Gorman's salary amount is a prorated portion of his annual salary for his services from January 1, 2025 to January 3, 2025 when he transitioned from Executive Chairman to Chairman as well as $46,000 paid out for accrued vacation. Mr Gorman's "All Other Compensation" includes $16,300, $11,750 and $19,250 for calendar years 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively, for tax planning and preparation fees. Mr. Gorman's compensation for his service as a Director after his transition to Chairman is disclosed in the "Non-Employee Director Compensation" section of this proxy statement.
The following table sets forth information regarding the PSU and RSU awards made during 2025 to the Company's named Executive Officers.
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1) (2) Performance Based | ||||||
All other Stock | Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and | |||||
Grant | Threshold | Maximum | Awards: Number of Shares of Stock | Options Awards | ||
Name | Date | (#) | Target (#) | (#) | units (#) (3) | ($) (4) |
Scott A. King | 2/26/25 | 5,807 | 11,615 | 17,422 | 7,743 | 750,000 |
James C. Kerr | 2/26/25 | 2,645 | 5,291 | 7,936 | 2,452 | 300,000 |
Brigette A. Burnell | 2/26/25 | 2,452 | 4,904 | 7,356 | 2,194 | 275,000 |
These amounts reflect the threshold, target and maximum number of performance-based share units granted on February 26, 2025 under The Gorman-Rupp Company 2024 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the "2024 Incentive Plan"). These shares vest on December 31, 2027 based upon the achievement of pre-determined financial performance goals for adjusted operating income growth and average operating working capital to sales over a two-year performance period ending December 31, 2026 and the grantee's continued service through the end of the vesting period.
Except for certain limited circumstances as set forth in the 2024 Incentive Plan (such as death or a Change in Control), all PSUs granted under the 2024 Incentive Plan vest at the end of a three-year period, and the amount vested and paid is based on the levels of achievement of performance goals established by the Compensation Committee over a two-year performance period and the grantee's continued service though the end of the vesting period. For the 2025 PSU grants, the two performance goals established for the January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2026 performance period are specific ranges of adjusted operating income growth and average operating working capital to sales, weighted 67% and 33%, respectively. The range of future payouts is 0% to 150% for each performance goal, with the threshold payout occurring at 50%, the target payout occurring at 100% and the maximum payout occurring at 150%. Grantees under the 2024 Incentive Plan do not have any of the rights of a shareholder with respect to any shares underlying PSUs, including the right to vote or receive dividends, until determination of the achievement of the performance goals and payment of the applicable shares after the end of the vesting period in accordance with the 2024 Incentive Plan.
These amounts represent service-based restricted share units (RSUs) granted under the 2024 Incentive Plan. Except for certain limited circumstances as set forth in the 2024 Incentive Plan (such as death or a Change in Control), these RSUs vest in annual installments over a three year vesting period based on the continued service of the grantee.
The value of PSUs is calculated assuming achievement of the target level of performance based on the closing market value of the Company's Common Shares on the grant date in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.
The following table sets forth information regarding the number and value of performance-based share units and service-based restricted share units granted to the Company's named Executive Officers and outstanding on December 31, 2025.
Stock Awards | ||||||
Equity Incentive Plan | ||||||
Equity Incentive Plan | Awards: Market or | |||||
Number of Shares | Awards: Number of | Payout Value of | ||||
of Units of Stock | Market Value of | Unearned Shares, Units or | Unearned Shares, | |||
That Have Not | Shares or Units of | Other Rights That Have | Units or Other Rights | |||
Been Vested | Stock That Have Not | Not Vested | That Have Not Vested | |||
Name | Grant Date | (#) (1) | Vested ($) (3) | (#) (2) | ($) (3) | |
Scott A. King | 2/26/25 | 7,743 | 369,728 | 5,807 | (4) | 277,284 |
2/22/24 | 4,589 | 219,125 | 6,167 | (5) | 294,474 | |
2/22/23 | 2,330 | 111,258 | 15,727 | (6) | 750,964 | |
James C. Kerr | 2/26/25 | 2,452 | 117,083 | 2,645 | (4) | 126,299 |
2/22/24 | 1,652 | 78,883 | 3,160 | (5) | 150,890 | |
2/22/23 | 932 | 44,503 | 10,222 | (6) | 488,101 | |
Brigette A. Burnell | 2/26/25 | 2,194 | 104,764 | 2,452 | (4) | 117,083 |
2/22/24 | 1,468 | 70,097 | 2,852 | (5) | 136,183 | |
2/22/23 | 875 | 41,781 | 9,174 | (6) | 438,059 | |
Amounts shown in this column represent RSU awards. Subject to certain exceptions (such as death or a Change in Control), the RSU awards vest in annual installments over a period of three years based on the continued service of the grantee.
Amounts shown in this column represent PSU awards.
The values equal the number of shares underlying the RSUs and PSUs indicated, multiplied by the closing price per share of the Company's Common Shares of $47.75 on December 31, 2025.
Represents 2025 PSU grants. These PSU's vest on December 31, 2027 based upon the continued service of the grantee and achievement of pre-determined performance goals for the performance period ending December 31, 2026. The number and value of the shares underlying the PSUs reflected in the table are based on achievement of the threshold level of performance.
Represents 2024 PSU grants. These PSU's vest on December 31, 2026 based upon the continued service of the grantee and achievement of pre-determined performance goals for the performance period ending December 31, 2025. On February 26, 2025, the Compensation Committee reviewed the Company's financial results over the performance period compared to the performance goals and determined that adjusted operating income growth exceeded the minimum but was below target and average operating working capital to sales was below the minimum threshold goal. The number and value of the shares underlying the PSUs reflected in the table are based on 56% of the target.
Represents 2023 PSU grants. These PSU's vested on December 31, 2025. On February 26, 2025, the Compensation Committee reviewed the Company's financial results over the performance period compared to the performance goals and determined that both adjusted operating income growth as well as shareholder's equity growth were achieved at levels above maximum goals. The number and value of the shares underlying the PSUs reflected in the table are based on achievement of the maximum level of performance.
The following table sets forth the number of shares underlying restricted stock units and performance shares that became vested and payable to the Company's Executive Officers during 2025 and the value of such based on the closing market price of the Company's Common Shares on the applicable vesting date.
Stock Awards Number of Shares Value Realized on Name Acquired on Vesting Vesting ($) | ||
Scott A. King | 19,237 | $ 730,429 |
James C. Kerr | 9,838 | $ 373,549 |
Brigette A. Burnell | 10,024 | $ 380,611 |
The following table sets forth estimates of the potential value of the aggregate number of unvested, outstanding equity grants that would become vested and payable to the Company's Executive Officers upon the specified termination events, assuming that each such event took place on December 31, 2025.
Scott A. King | James C. Kerr | Brigette A. Burnell | |
Change in control followed by a qualifying termination of | |||
the Executive Officers' employment | $ 2,281,256 | $ 1,088,032 | $ 1,021,086 |
Death or disability (these estimated values are based on | |||
achievement of 150% of the performance targets under | |||
the 2023 PSU grants, 56% of target performance under | |||
the 2024 PSU grants, and target performance under the | |||
2025 PSU grants) | 1,418,865 | 775,372 | 699,975 |
Retirement (these estimated values are based on | |||
achievement of 150% of the performance targets under | |||
the 2023 PSU grants, 56% of target performance under | |||
the 2024 PSU grants, and target performance under the | |||
2025 PSU grants) | 1,132,153 | 672,909 | 606,903 |
The pension plan in which one of the Company's Executive Officers currently participates is a defined benefit plan covering certain U.S. employees of the Company. New entry into this plan terminated as of December 31, 2007 and, effective January 1, 2008, an enhanced 401(k) Plan benefit was adopted for new employees hired thereafter.
The pension plan offers participants upon retirement the option to choose between monthly benefits or a single lump sum payment. The monthly pension benefits are equal to the product of 1.1% of the participant's final average monthly earnings (based on compensation during the final ten years of service) and the number of years of credited service. A single lump sum amount is equal to the present value of the final monthly pension benefit multiplied by a single premium immediate annuity rate as defined by the plan. Historically, nearly all participants in the plan elect the single lump sum amount at retirement. The single lump sum payment option is used for financial reporting purposes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, computed as of the plan measurement date of December 31, 2025.
Actuarial assumptions used by the Company in determining the present value of the accumulated benefit amount consist of a 2.0% ultimate rate, a 5.02% discount rate and the Pri-2012 Total Dataset Employee Mortality with Scale MP-2021 for 12/31/25 remeasurement. Base compensation in excess of $350,000 is not taken into account under the plan. Vesting occurs after five years of credited service.
Pension Benefits TableThe table below summarizes the number of years of credited service and the present value of accumulated pension benefit for the named Executive Officers of the Company who participated in the pension plan for fiscal year 2025.
Number of Years Credited Service | Present Value of Accumulated Benefit | Payments During Last Fiscal Year | |||
Name | Plan Name | Year | (1) (#) | ($) (2) | ($) |
Scott A. King | The Gorman-Rupp Company Retirement Plan | 2025 | 21 | 520,071 | - |
Jeffrey S. Gorman (3) | The Gorman-Rupp Company Retirement Plan | 2025 | - | - | 2,453,968 |
The credited years of service are determined as of a measurement date of December 31, 2025.
The amount represents the actuarial present value of accumulated benefit based on a single sum payment computed as of the plan measurement date of December 31, 2025. The retirement age is assumed to be the normal retirement age of 65 as defined in the plan.
Mr. Gorman transitioned from Executive Chairman to Chairman on January 3, 2025 and subsequently received a lump sum payment of his accumulated pension benefit under the plan.
The following table summarizes compensation paid to the Company's principal executive officer ("PEO") as set forth in the Summary Compensation Table, compensation actually paid to the PEO, average compensation paid to the Company's Non-PEO named executive officers ("NEOs") as set forth in the Summary Compensation Table, and average compensation actually paid to the Company's Non-PEO NEOs, each as calculated in accordance with SEC rules, and certain Company and peer group performance measures for the periods indicated:
Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based on (3): | 000's | ||||||
Year | Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO ($) (1) | Compensation Actually Paid to PEO ($) (2) | Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs ($)(1) | Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs ($)(2) | Peer Group Total Total Shareholder Shareholder Return ($) Return ($) | Net Income ($)(4) | Operating Income ($)(4) |
2025 | 2,187,652 | 2,397,455 | 1,088,477 | 1,215,324 | 163.00 | 159.55 | 53,017 | 95,363 |
2024 | 1,954,761 | 2,259,586 | 941,974 | 1,014,820 | 127.10 | 146.60 | 40,115 | 91,443 |
2023 | 1,707,848 | 2,109,366 | 894,343 | 1,029,150 | 116.78 | 131.90 | 34,951 | 87,041 |
2022 | 1,712,818 | 1,231,468 | 781,145 | 450,930 | 82.17 | 104.62 | 11,195 | 40,183 |
2021 | 1,078,110 | 920,864 | 835,208 | 823,730 | 139.69 | 122.96 | 29,851 | 39,356 |
For 2021, the PEO was Jeffrey S. Gorman. Scott A. King was promoted to Chief Executive Officer on January 1, 2022 and was the PEO for 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. For 2021, Non-PEO NEOs include Scott A. King, James C. Kerr and Brigette A. Burnell. For 2022, 2023, and 2024, Non-PEO NEOs include Jeffrey S. Gorman, James C. Kerr and Brigette A. Burnell. For 2025, Non-PEO NEO's include James C. Kerr and Brigette A. Burnell.
The "Reconciliation of Actual Compensation Paid" table below details the additions to and deductions from the Summary Compensation Table totals to calculate the Compensation Actually Paid amounts.
Represents cumulative shareholder total returns (assuming reinvestment of dividends) on $100 invested on December 31, 2020 through December 31, 2025 in the Company's common shares and the Peer Group, S&P Industrial Machinery index.
2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 results include the acquisition of Fill-Rite, a division of Tuthill, which was acquired on May 31, 2022. As further described in the Company's Form 10-K, Fill-Rite's results are included in the Company's results beginning June 1, 2022. Certain one-time acquisition costs, as well as amortization of the set up in value of acquired inventories and backlog, are also included in the 2022 results.
The following table reconciles the PEO Summary Compensation Table total and the Non-PEO NEOs average Summary Compensation Table total to PEO Compensation Actually Paid and NEOs average Compensation Actually Paid for the periods indicated:
Increase (Decrease) in Value of Total Compensation | |||||||
Paid from | Grants | Grants from | Change in | ||||
Summary | Vesting in | Prior Years | Pension Value, | Compensation | |||
Compensation | Current Year | Prior Year | Current Year | Forfeited in | net of Service | Actually Paid | |
Table ($) | Grants ($) | Grants ($) | ($) | Current Year ($) | Cost ($) | ($) | |
PEO | |||||||
2025 | 2,187,652 | 174,345 | 283,236 | 962 | (183,750 ) | (64,990 ) | 2,397,455 |
2024 | 1,954,761 | 28,616 | 269,916 | 6,467 | - | (173 ) | 2,259,586 |
2023 | 1,707,848 | 120,887 | 276,954 | 44,399 | - | (40,722 ) | 2,109,366 |
2022 | 1,712,818 | (242,563 ) | (126,506 ) | - | (148,648 ) | 36,367 | 1,231,468 |
2021 | 1,078,110 | 82,833 | 72,757 | 766 | (188,535 ) | (125,067 ) | 920,864 |
NEO Average 2025 | 1,088,477 | 66,829 | 149,093 | 497 | (89,572 ) | - | 1,215,324 |
2024 | 941,974 | 8,191 | 108,045 | 1,156 | - | (44,546 ) | 1,014,820 |
2023 | 894,343 | 42,301 | 102,519 | 31,857 | - | (41,870 ) | 1,029,150 |
2022 | 781,145 | (59,617 ) | (121,939 ) | - | (148,659 ) | - | 450,930 |
2021 | 835,208 | 63,501 | 48,497 | 447 | (125,679 ) | 1,757 | 823,730 |
12/31/25 12/31/24 12/31/23 12/31/22 12/31/21
Closing Share Price $47.75 $37.92 $35.53 $25.62 $44.55
Relationship Between Compensation Paid and Performance MeasuresThe tables presented below describe the relationship between PEO Compensation Actually Paid and Non-PEO NEOs Average Compensation Actually Paid, and their respective relationships to (1) total shareholder return (TSR) and peer group TSR and (2) net income and operating income, and illustrate how compensation fluctuates as Company performance changes.
The three items listed below are, in the Company's assessment, the most important financial performance measures used by the Company to link Compensation Actually Paid for 2025 to Company performance:
Operating income
Adjusted operating income
Average operating working capital to sales
Below is: (i) the 2025 annual total compensation of our CEO as reflected in the Summary Compensation Table in this Proxy Statement; (ii) the 2025 annual total compensation of our median employee; (iii) the ratio of the annual total compensation of our CEO to that of our median employee; and (iv) the methodology the Company used to calculate the CEO pay ratio:
CEO Pay Ratio
CEO Annual Total Compensation $ 2,187,652
Median Employee Annual Total Compensation $ 63,570
CEO to Median Employee Pay Ratio 34.4 to 1
MethodologyThe Company believes that its CEO pay ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with SEC rules. The Company's methodology and process is explained below:
Determined Employee Population - The employee population included all global employees, excluding our CEO, who were employed by the Company on December 31, 2025, whether employed on a full-time, part-time, or seasonal basis.
Identified the Median Employee - The Company examined the 2025 total cash compensation of the employee population. The Company did not make any assumptions, adjustments, or estimates with respect to total cash compensation, and did not annualize the compensation for any full-time employees that were not employed by the Company for all of 2025. The Company believes the use of total cash compensation for all employees is a consistently applied compensation measure because it does not widely distribute annual equity awards to employees. Less than five percent of the Company's employees receive annual equity awards.
Calculated CEO Pay Ratio - After identifying the median employee based on total cash compensation, the Company calculated annual total compensation for such employee using the same methodology used for the CEO for 2025 as set forth in the Summary Compensation Table in this Proxy Statement.
The Company believes its executive compensation program must be consistent and internally equitable to motivate our employees to perform in ways that enhance shareholder value and demonstrate a commitment to internal pay equity. The Compensation Committee monitors the relationship between the pay of our Executive Officers and the pay of our non-executive employees.
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SHARES
The following table sets forth information pertaining to the beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Shares as of February 1, 2026, except as otherwise noted, by (i) each Director and each person nominated for election as a Director,
(ii) each Officer named in the summary compensation table, (iii) Directors and Executive Officers of the Company as a group, and (iv) any person who is known to the Company to be a beneficial owner of more than five percent of the Company's outstanding Common Shares. The address of each of the Company's Directors, nominees for Director and Executive Officers is in care of The Gorman-Rupp Company, P.O. Box 1217, Mansfield, Ohio 44901.
Percent of Amount and Nature of Outstanding Name and Address Beneficial Ownership(1) Shares | |||
Directors and Nominees: | |||
Donald H. Bullock, Jr. | 14,812 | * | |
Jeffrey S. Gorman | 2,753,533 | (2) | 10.5% |
M. Ann Harlan | 31,235 | * | |
Pamela A. Heminger | 3,571 | * | |
Christopher H. Lake | 42,601 | * | |
Sonja K. McClelland | 14,482 | * | |
Vincent K. Petrella | 15,512 | * | |
Kenneth R. Reynolds | 34,062 | * | |
Named Executive Officers: | |||
Scott A. King | 58,942 | (3) | * |
James C. Kerr | 38,827 | (4) | * |
Brigette A. Burnell | 34,037 | (5) | * |
All Directors and Executive Officers as a group (11 persons): | 3,041,444 | (6)(7) | 11.6% |
Other Principal Beneficial Owners: | |||
Gayle G. Green(8)(13) | 2,500,510 | 9.5% | |
PO Box 222 | |||
Wooster, OH 44691 | |||
The Vanguard Group(9)(13) 100 Vanguard Blvd. | 2,292,231 | 8.7% | |
Malvern, PA 19355 | |||
Blackrock, Inc.(10)(13) 55 East 52nd Street | 1,709,735 | 6.5% | |
New York, NY 10055 | |||
GAMCO Investors, Inc.(11)(13) 1,335,838 5.1%
One Corporate Center Rye, NY 10580
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP(12)(13)
Building One
6300 Bee Cave Road Austin, TX 78746
1,314,577
5.0%
* Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares.
(1) Reported in accordance with the beneficial ownership rules of the SEC under which a person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of a security if he or she has or shares voting power or investment power in respect of such security. Accordingly, the amounts shown in the table do not purport
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The Gorman-Rupp Company published this content on March 20, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 23, 2026 at 16:23 UTC.

















