EX-10.9






Exhibit 10.9




EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT




     AGREEMENT by and between STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION, a Wisconsin corporation (the
“Company”) and Richard Messina (the “Executive”), dated as of the 1st day of December, 2008.



     The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), has determined that it is in the best
interests of the Company and its shareholders to assure that the Company will have the continued
dedication of the Executive, notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of
Control (as defined below) of the Company. The Board believes it is imperative to diminish the
inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of the personal uncertainties and risks created
by a pending or threatened Change of Control and to encourage the Executive’s full attention and
dedication to the Company currently and in the event of any threatened or pending Change of
Control, and to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements upon a Change of
Control which ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations of the Executive will be
satisfied and which are competitive with those of other corporations. Therefore, in order to
accomplish these objectives, the Board has caused the Company to enter into this Agreement.



     NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:



     1. Certain Definitions.


          (a) The “Effective Date” shall mean the first date during the Change of Control Period (as
defined in Section l(b)) on which a Change of Control (as defined in Section 2) occurs. Anything
in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if a Change of Control occurs and if the
Executive’s employment with the Company or this Agreement is terminated prior to the date on which
the Change of Control occurs, and if it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such
termination of employment or of this Agreement (i) was at the request of a third party who has
taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change of Control or (ii) otherwise arose in
connection with or anticipation of a Change of Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement the
“Effective Date” shall mean the date immediately prior to the date of such termination of
employment or purported termination of this Agreement.


          (b) The “Change of Control Period” shall mean the period commencing on the date hereof and
ending on the third anniversary of the date hereof; provided, however, that commencing on the date
one year after the date hereof, and on each annual anniversary of such date (such date and each
annual anniversary thereof shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Renewal Date”), unless
previously terminated, the Change of Control Period shall be automatically extended so as to
terminate three years from such Renewal Date, unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date the
Company shall give notice to the Executive that the Change of Control Period shall not be so
extended.





 









 








     2. Change of Control. For the purpose of this Agreement, a “Change of Control” shall
mean:


          (a) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3)
or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) (a “Person”)
of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of
20% or more of either (i) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the
“Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (ii) the combined voting power of the then outstanding
voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the
“Outstanding Company Voting Securities”); provided, however, that the following acquisitions shall
not constitute a Change of Control: (i) any acquisition directly from the Company, (ii) any
acquisition by the Company, (iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust)
sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company or (iv) any
acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (i), (ii) and
(iii) of subsection (c) of this Section 2; or


          (b) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease
for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any
individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for
election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the
directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a
member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial
assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to
the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or
consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or


          (c) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a reorganization, merger or consolidation
(a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination, (i) all or
substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of
the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to
such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 60% of, respectively,
the then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding
voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of
the corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a
corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company through one or more
subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such
Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting
Securities, as the case may be, (ii) no Person (excluding any employee benefit plan (or related
trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially
owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively, the then





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outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or
the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation except to
the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination and (iii) at least a
majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business
Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial
agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination; or



          (d) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of (i) a complete liquidation or dissolution
of the Company or (ii) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of
the Company, other than to a corporation, with respect to which following such sale or other
disposition, [a] more than 60% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of
such corporation and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such
corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is then beneficially owned,
directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the
beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and outstanding Company
Voting Securities immediately prior to such sale or other disposition in substantially the same
proportion as their ownership, immediately prior to such sale or other disposition, of the
Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, [b]
less than 20% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of such corporation and
the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by
any Person (excluding any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such
corporation), except to the extent that such Person owned 20% or more of the Outstanding Company
Common Stock or Outstanding Company Voting Securities prior to the sale or disposition, and [c] at
least a majority of the members of the board of directors of such corporation were members of the
Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the
Board, providing for such sale or other disposition of assets of the Company or were elected,
appointed or nominated by the Board.



     3. Employment Period. The Company hereby agrees to continue the Executive in its
employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain in the employ of the Company subject to the terms
and conditions of this Agreement, for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the
third anniversary of such date (the “Employment Period”).



     4. Terms of Employment.


          (a) Position and Duties.



               (i) During the Employment Period, [a] the Executive’s position (including status, offices,
titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties and responsibilities shall be at least
commensurate in all material respects with the most



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significant of those held, exercised and assigned at any time during the 120-day period immediately
preceding the Effective Date and [b] the Executive’s services shall be performed at the location
where the Executive was employed immediately preceding the Effective Date or any office or location
less than 35 miles from such location.




               (ii) During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to
which the Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees to devote reasonable attention and time
during normal business hours to the business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent
necessary to discharge the responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the
Executive’s reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such responsibilities.
During the Employment Period it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for the Executive to [a]
serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees, [b] deliver lectures, fulfill
speaking engagements or teach at educational institutions and [c] manage personal investments, so
long as such activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of the Executive’s
responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance with this Agreement. It is expressly
understood and agreed that to the extent that any such activities have been conducted by the
Executive prior to the Effective Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of
activities similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not
thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of the Executive’s responsibilities to the
Company.


          (b) Compensation.



               (i) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall receive an annual
base salary (“Annual Base Salary”), which shall be paid at a monthly rate, at least equal to twelve
times the highest monthly base salary paid or payable, including any base salary which has been
earned but deferred, to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies in respect of the
12-month period immediately preceding the month in which the Effective Date occurs. During the
Employment Period, the Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed no more than 12 months after the last
salary increase awarded to the Executive prior to the Effective Date and thereafter at least
annually and shall be first increased no more than 12 months after the last salary increase awarded
to the Executive prior to the Effective Date and thereafter at least annually by the higher of (x)
the average increase (excluding promotional increases) in base salary awarded to the Executive for
each of the three full fiscal years (annualized in the case of any fiscal year consisting of less
than twelve full months or during which the Executive was employed for less than twelve months)
prior to the Effective Date, and (y) the percentage increase (excluding promotional increases) in
base salary generally awarded to peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies for
the year of determination. Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall not serve to limit or reduce
any other obligation to the Executive under this Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not be
reduced after any such increase and the term Annual Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement shall
refer to Annual Base Salary as so increased. As used in this Agreement, the term “affiliated
companies” shall include any company controlled by, controlling or under common control with the
Company.



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               (ii) Annual Bonus. In addition to Annual Base Salary, the Executive shall be awarded,
for each fiscal year ending during the Employment Period, an annual bonus (the “Annual Bonus”) in
cash at least equal to the higher of (x) the average of the three highest bonuses paid or payable,
including any bonus or portion thereof which has been earned but deferred, to the Executive by the
Company and its affiliated companies in respect of the five fiscal years (or such shorter period
during which the Executive has been employed by the Company) immediately preceding the fiscal year
in which the Effective Date occurs (annualized for any fiscal year during such period consisting of
less than twelve full months or with respect to which the Executive has been employed by the
Company for less than twelve full months) and (y) the bonus paid or payable (annualized as
described above), including any bonus or portion thereof which has been earned but deferred, to the
Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies in respect of the most recently completed
fiscal year prior to the Effective Date (such higher amount being referred to as the “Recent Annual
Bonus”). Each such Annual Bonus shall be paid no later than the end of the third month of the
fiscal year next following the fiscal year for which the Annual Bonus is awarded, unless the
Executive shall elect to defer the receipt of such Annual Bonus.



               (iii) Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to participate in all incentive, savings and retirement plans,
practices, policies and programs applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company and
its affiliated companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs
provide the Executive with incentive opportunities (measured with respect to both regular and
special incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that such distinction is applicable),
savings opportunities and retirement benefit opportunities, in each case, less favorable, in the
aggregate, than the most favorable of those provided by the Company and its affiliated companies
for the Executive under such plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect at any time
during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or if more favorable to the
Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to other peer executives
of the Company and its affiliated companies.



               (iv) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Employment Period, the Executive and/or the
Executive’s family, as the case may be, shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive
all benefits under welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company
and its affiliated companies (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental,
disability, salary continuance, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel accident
insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable generally to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and
programs provide the Executive with benefits which are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the
most favorable of such plans, practices, policies and programs in effect for the Executive at any
time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to
the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.



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               (v) Expenses. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to
receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in accordance
with the most favorable policies, practices and procedures of the Company and the affiliated
companies in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding
the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time
thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.



               (vi) Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled
to fringe benefits, including, without limitation, tax and financial planning services, payment of
club dues, and, if applicable, use of automobile and payment of related expenses, in accordance
with the most favorable plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company and its affiliated
companies in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding
the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time
thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.



               (vii) Office and Support Staff. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to an office or offices of a size and with furnishings and other appointments, and to
exclusive personal secretarial and other assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the
foregoing provided to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies at any time during
the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive,
as provided generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company
and its affiliated companies.



               (viii) Vacation. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to
paid vacation in accordance with the most favorable plans, policies, programs and practices of the
Company and its affiliated companies as in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day
period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in
effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and
its affiliated companies.



     5. Termination of Employment.


          (a) Death or Disability. The Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically
upon the Executive’s death during the Employment Period. If the Company determines in good faith
that the Disability of the Executive has occurred during the Employment Period (pursuant to the
definition of Disability set forth below), it may give to the Executive written notice in
accordance with Section 12(b) of this Agreement of its intention to terminate the Executive’s
employment. In such event, the Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate effective
on the 30th day after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the “Disability Effective Date”),
provided that, within the 30 days after such receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to
full-time





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performance of the Executive’s duties. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean the
absence of the Executive from the Executive’s duties with the Company on a full-time basis for 180
consecutive business days as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness which is
determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and
acceptable to the Executive or the Executive’s legal representative (such agreement as to
acceptability not to be withheld unreasonably).



          (b) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment during the Employment
Period for Cause. For the sole and exclusive purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean:



               (i) The willful and continued failure of the Executive to perform substantially the
Executive’s duties with the Company or one of its affiliates (other than any such failure resulting
from incapacity due to physical or mental illness), after a written demand for substantial
performance is delivered to the Executive by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board or Chief Executive Officer
believes that the Executive has not substantially performed the Executive’s duties, or



               (ii) The willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is
materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company.



For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part of the Executive, shall be
considered “willful” unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in bad faith or
without reasonable belief that the Executive’s action or omission was in the best interests of the
Company. Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly
adopted by the Board or upon the instructions of the Chief Executive Officer or a senior officer of
the Company or based upon the advice of counsel for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to
be done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the
Company. The cessation of employment of the Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless
and until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by
the affirmative vote of not less than three-quarters of the entire membership of the Board at a
meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to the
Executive and the Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard before the
Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the Executive is guilty of the
conduct described in subparagraph (i) or (ii) above, and specifying the particulars thereof in
detail.



          (c) Good Reason. The Executive’s employment may be terminated by the Executive for
Good Reason. For the sole and exclusive purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean:



               (i) The assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in any respect with the
Executive’s position (including status, offices, titles



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and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by Section 4(a)
of this Agreement, or any other action by the Company which results in a diminution in such
position, authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated,
insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company
promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;




               (ii) Any failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions of Section 4(b) of this
Agreement, other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith
and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the
Executive;



               (iii) The Company’s requiring the Executive to be based at any office or location other than
as provided in Section 4(a)(i)(b) hereof or the Company’s requiring the Executive to travel on
Company business to a substantially greater extent than required immediately prior to the Effective
Date;



               (iv) Any purported termination by the Company of the Executive’s employment otherwise than as
expressly permitted by this Agreement; or



               (v) Any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy Section 11(c) of this Agreement.



For purposes of this Section 5(c), any good faith determination of “Good Reason” made by the
Executive shall be conclusive. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, a
termination by the Executive for any reason during the 30-day period immediately following the
first anniversary of the Effective Date shall be deemed to be a termination for Good Reason for all
purposes of this Agreement.



          (d) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto
given in accordance with Section 12(b) of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a
“Notice of Termination” means a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination
provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable
detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s
employment under the provision so indicated, and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined
below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date (which date
shall be not more than thirty days after the giving of such notice). The failure by the Executive
or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes
to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or the Company,
respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company, respectively, from asserting such
fact or circumstance in enforcing the Executive’s or the Company’s rights hereunder.






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          (e) Date of Termination. “Date of Termination” means (i) if the Executive’s
employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, the date of
receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later date specified therein, as the case may be, (ii)
if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or Disability, the
Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Company notifies the Executive of such
termination, and (iii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of death or
Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date of death of the Executive or the Disability
Effective Date, as the case may be.



     6. Obligations of the Company upon Termination.


          (a) Good Reason; Other Than for Cause, Death or Disability. If, during the Employment
Period, the Company shall terminate the Executive’s employment other than for Cause, death or
Disability or the Executive shall terminate employment for Good Reason:



               (i) The Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Date
of Termination the aggregate of the following amounts:



                    [a] The sum of [i] the Executive’s Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination to the
extent not theretofore paid, [ii] the product of (x) the higher of [A] the Recent Annual Bonus and
[B] the Annual Bonus paid or payable, including any bonus or portion thereof which has been earned
but deferred (and annualized for any fiscal year consisting of less than 12 full months or during
which the Executive was employed for less than 12 full months), for the most recently completed
fiscal year during the Employment Period, if any (such higher amount being referred to as the
“Highest Annual Bonus”) and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the
current fiscal year through the Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365 and [iii]
any compensation previously deferred by the Executive (together with any accrued interest or
earnings thereon) and any accrued vacation pay, in each case to the extent not theretofore paid
(the sum of the amounts described in clauses [i], [ii] and [iii] shall be hereinafter referred to
as the “Accrued Obligations”); and



                    [b] The amount equal to the product of [i] three and [ii] the sum of (x) the Executive’s
Annual Base Salary and (y) the Highest Annual Bonus; and



                    [c] An amount equal to the difference between [i] the actuarial equivalent of the benefit
(utilizing actuarial assumptions no less favorable to the Executive than those in effect under the
Retirement Plan (as defined below) immediately prior to the Effective Date, except as specified
below with respect to increases in base salary and annual bonus) under the qualified defined
benefit retirement plan in which the Executive participates (the “Retirement Plan”) and any excess
or supplemental retirement plan in which the Executive participates (together, the “SERP”)



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which the Executive would receive if the Executive’s employment continued for three years after the
Date of Termination assuming for this purpose that all accrued benefits are fully vested, and,
assuming that (x) the Executive’s base salary increased in each of the three years by the amount
required by Section 4(b)(i) (in the case of Section 4-(b)(i)(y) based on increases (excluding
promotional increases) in base salary for the most recently completed fiscal year prior to the Date
of Termination) had the Executive remained employed, and (y) the Executive’s annual bonus
(annualized for any fiscal year consisting of less than twelve full months or during which the
Executive was employed for less than twelve full months) in each of the three years bears the same
proportion to the Executive’s base salary in such year or fraction thereof as it did for the last
full year prior to the Date of Termination, and [ii] the actuarial equivalent of the Executive’s
actual benefit (paid or payable), if any, under the Retirement Plan and the SERP as of the Date of
Termination;




               (ii) For three years after the Executive’s Date of Termination, or such longer period as may
be provided by the terms of the appropriate plan, program, practice or policy, the Company shall
continue benefits to the Executive and/or the Executive’s family at least equal to those which
would have been provided to them in accordance with the plans, programs, practices and policies
described in Section 4(b)(iv) of this Agreement if the Executive’s employment had not been
terminated in accordance with the most favorable plans, practices, programs or policies of the
Company and its affiliated companies applicable generally to other peer executives and their
families during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable
to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families, provided, however, that
if the Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive medical or
other welfare benefits under another employer provided plan, the medical and other welfare benefits
described herein shall be secondary to those provided under such other plan during such applicable
period of eligibility. For purposes of determining eligibility (but not the time of commencement
of benefits) of the Executive for retiree benefits pursuant to such plans, practices, programs and
policies, the Executive shall be considered to have remained employed until two and one-half years
after the Date of Termination and to have retired on the last day of such period;



               (iii) The Company shall, at its sole expense as incurred, provide the Executive with
outplacement services the scope and provider of which shall be selected by the Executive in his
sole discretion; and



               (iv) To the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company shall timely pay or provide
to the Executive any other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or which the
Executive is eligible to receive under any plan, program, policy or practice or contract or
agreement of the Company and its affiliated companies (such other amounts and benefits shall be
hereinafter referred to as the “Other Benefits”).



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          (b) Death. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the Executive’s
death during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to
the Executive’s legal representatives under this Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued
Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. Accrued Obligations shall be
paid to the Executive’s estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days
of the Date of Termination. With respect to the provision of Other Benefits, the term Other
Benefits as utilized in this Section 6(b) shall include, without limitation, and the Executives
estate and/or beneficiaries shall be entitled to receive, benefits at least equal to the most
favorable benefits provided by the Company and affiliated companies to the estates and
beneficiaries of peer executives of the Company and such affiliated companies under such plans,
programs, practices and policies relating to death benefits, if any, as in effect with respect to
other peer executives and their beneficiaries at any time during the 120-day period immediately
preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive’s estate and/or the Executive’s
beneficiaries, as in effect on the date of the Executive’s death with respect to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their beneficiaries.


          (c) Disability. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the
Executive’s Disability during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further
obligations to the Executive, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment
or provision of Other Benefits. Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum
in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination. With respect to the provision of Other
Benefits, the term Other Benefits as utilized in this Section 6(c) shall include, and the Executive
shall be entitled after the Disability Effective Date to receive, disability and other benefits at
least equal to the most favorable of those generally provided by the Company and its affiliated
companies to disabled executives and/or their families in accordance with such plans, programs,
practices and policies relating to disability, if any, as in effect generally with respect to other
peer executives and their families at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive and/or the Executive’s family, as in effect
at any time thereafter generally with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies and their families.


          (d) Cause; Other than for Good Reason. If the Executive’s employment shall be
terminated for Cause during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further
obligations to the Executive other than the obligation to pay to the Executive (i) his Annual Base
Salary through the Date of Termination, (ii) the amount of any compensation previously deferred by
the Executive, and (iii) Other Benefits, in each case to the extent theretofore unpaid. If the
Executive voluntarily terminates employment during the Employment Period, excluding a termination
for Good Reason, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other
than for Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. In such case,
all Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the
Date of Termination.






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     7. Nonexclusivity of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit the
Executive’s continuing or future participation in any plan, program, policy or practice provided by
the Company or any of its affiliated companies and for which the Executive may qualify, nor shall
anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as the Executive may have under any contract
or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated companies. Amounts which are vested
benefits or which the Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice
or program of or any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated companies at
or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with such plan, policy,
practice or program or contract or agreement except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.



     8. Full Settlement. The Company’s obligation to make the payments provided for in
this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any
set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may
have against the Executive or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other
employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Executive
under any of the provisions of this Agreement and such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not
the Executive obtains other employment. The Company agrees to pay as incurred, to the full extent
permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses which the Executive may reasonably incur as a result
of any contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company, the Executive or others of the
validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of this Agreement or any guarantee
of performance thereof (including as a result of any contest by the Executive about the amount of
any payment pursuant to this Agreement), plus in each case interest on any delayed payment at the
applicable Federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the “Code”).



     9. Certain Additional Payments by the Company.


          (a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event it shall be
determined that any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive
(whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or
otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments required under this Section 9)
(a “Payment”) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any
interest or penalties are incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise
tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the
“Excise Tax”), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a “Gross-Up
Payment”) in an amount such that after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any
interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any
income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed
upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the
Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.






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          (b) Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all determinations required to be made under
this Section 9, including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such
Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be
made by Arthur Andersen & Co. or such other certified public accounting firm as may be designated
by the Executive (the “Accounting Firm”) which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both
to the Company and the Executive within 15 business days of the receipt of notice from the
Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. In
the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity
or group effecting the Change of Control, the Executive shall appoint another nationally recognized
accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be
referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall
be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 9,
shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within five days of the receipt of the Accounting
Firm’s determination. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by the
Executive, it shall furnish the Executive with a written opinion that failure to report the Excise
Tax on the Executive’s applicable federal income tax return would not result in the imposition of a
negligence or similar penalty. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the
Company and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of
the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible
that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made
(“Underpayment”), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event
that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 9(c) and the Executive thereafter is
required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the
Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to
or for the benefit of the Executive.


          (c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue
Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment.
Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten business days after
the Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of
such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay
such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which it gives such
notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with
respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the
expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:



               (i) Give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such
claim,



               (ii) Take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably
request in writing from time to time, including,



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without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney
reasonably selected by the Company,




               (iii) Cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to contest such claim, and



               (iv) Permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim; provided,
however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional
interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the
Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and
penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and
expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(c), the Company shall
control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue
or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing
authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct the Executive to pay
the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the
Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal,
in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall
determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the Executive to pay such claim and sue
for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to the Executive, on an
interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis,
from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed
with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance;
and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes
for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be
due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company’s control of the contest
shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and
the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by
the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.


          (d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to
Section 9(c), the Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, the
Executive shall (subject to the Company’s complying with the requirements of Section 9(c)) promptly
pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon
after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by
the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), a determination is made that the Executive shall not be
entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in
writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after
such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and
the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment
required to be paid.






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     10. Confidential Information. The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for
the benefit of the Company all secret or confidential information, knowledge or data relating to
the Company or any of its affiliated companies, and their respective businesses, which shall have
been obtained by the Executive during the Executive’s employment by the Company or any of its
affiliated companies and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other than by acts by the
Executive or representatives of the Executive in violation of this Agreement). After termination
of the Executive’s employment with the Company, the Executive shall not, without the prior written
consent of the Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate or
divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the Company and those
designated by it. In no event shall an asserted violation of the provisions of this Section 10
constitute a basis for deferring or withholding any amounts otherwise payable to the Executive
under this Agreement.



     11. Successors.


          (a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the prior written consent of the
Company shall not be assignable by the Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s
legal representatives.


          (b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its
successors and assigns.


          (c) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger,
consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the
Company to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same
extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As
used in this Agreement, “Company” shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor
to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by
operation of law, or otherwise.



     12. Miscellaneous.


          (a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State
of Wisconsin, without reference to principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement
are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement may not be
amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or their
respective successors and legal representatives.







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          (b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by
hand delivery to the other party or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid, addressed as follows:



If to the Executive, to his address appearing on the records of the Company.




If to the Company:




STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION

3333 West Good Hope Road

Milwaukee, WI 53209

Attn: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer



or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance
herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective when actually received by the addressee.



          (c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the
validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.


          (d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such Federal,
state, local or foreign taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or
regulation.


          (e) The Executive’s or the Company’s failure to insist upon strict compliance with any
provision hereof or any other provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any right the
Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including, without limitation, the right of the
Executive to terminate employment for Good Reason pursuant to Section 5(c)(i)-(v) of this
Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or
right of this Agreement.


          (f) The Executive and the Company acknowledge that, except as may otherwise be provided under
any other written agreement between the Executive and the Company, the employment of the Executive
by the Company is “at will” and, prior to the Effective Date, the Executive’s employment and this
Agreement may be terminated by either the Executive or the Company at any time prior to the
Effective Date, in which case the Executive shall have no further rights under this Agreement.
From and after the Effective Date this Agreement shall supersede any other agreement between the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.






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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive’s hand and, pursuant to the
authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company has caused these presents to be executed in
its name on its behalf, all as of the day and year first above written.



	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	                                              /s/ Richard Messina
 	 
	 	Richard Messina 	 
	 	 	 
	 
	 	STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION

 	 
	 	BY 	 /s/ Harold M. Stratton II
 	 
	 	 	Harold M. Stratton, II, 	 
	 	 	Chairman of the Board

and Chief Executive Officer 	 
	 




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