Document:

EX-10.2

 

Exhibit 10.2

EXECUTIVE SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT AGREEMENT

     THIS SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), is entered into as of the 15th day
of November, 2006, by and between THE LAMSON & SESSIONS CO., an Ohio corporation with its principal
offices at Cleveland, Ohio (the “Company”), and Michael J. Merriman, Jr. (“Executive”);

WITNESSETH:

     WHEREAS, Executive is presently employed by the Company in a key executive position and
possesses substantial talent, ability and unique business experience which has been and will
continue to be of great value to the Company; and

     WHEREAS, the Company desires to supplement Executive’s retirement and disability benefits
commensurate with his experience and value to the Company;

     NOW, THEREFORE, the Company and the Executive hereby agree to the terms of the Agreement as
follows:

     1. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:

          1.1 A “Change of Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if any of the following events
shall occur, and if such event constitutes a change in the ownership or control of the Company, or
in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company (for purposes of Section
409A of the Code):

               (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
twenty percent (20%) or more of either: (A) the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the
Company (the “Company Common Stock”) or (B) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding
voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (“Voting
Stock”); provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (a), 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 subsidiary of the Company, or (iv) any acquisition by
any Person pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of subsection
(c) of this Section; or

               (b) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board of Directors of the Company
(the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason (other than death or disability) to constitute at
least a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company; 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 (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of
the Company in which such person is named as a nominee for

 

 

director, without objection to such nomination) 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 (within
the meaning of Rule 14a-11 of the Exchange Act) 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 of Directors of the Company; or

               (c) Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of
all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (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 Company Common Stock and Voting Stock
immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than
fifty percent (50%) 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 entity resulting from such Business Combination
(including, without limitation, an entity which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or
all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more
subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions relative to each other as their ownership,
immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the Company Common Stock and Voting Stock of the
Company, as the case may be, (ii) no Person (excluding any entity resulting from such Business
Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company
or such entity resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly,
twenty percent (20%) or more of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the
entity 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 of Directors of the Company, providing for such Business Combination; or

               (d) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of
the Company.

          1.2 “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor
thereto.

          1.3 “Company” shall mean the Company and any of its divisions and subsidiaries.

          1.4 “Eligible” shall mean that Executive shall have attained age fifty-five (55) and shall
have completed five (5) years of continuous employment with the Company; provided, however, that if
a Change of Control shall have occurred, Executive shall be deemed to be “Eligible” for all
purposes of this Agreement regardless of his age or length of employment with the Company.

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          1.5 Termination “For Cause” shall mean prior to any termination of employment by the Company,
Executive shall have committed:

               (a) an intentional act of fraud, embezzlement or theft in connection with his duties or in the
course of his employment with the Company;

               (b) intentional wrongful damage to property of the Company; or

               (c) intentional wrongful disclosure of secret processes or confidential information of the
Company;

and any such act shall have been materially harmful to the Company. For purposes of this
Agreement, no act, or failure to act, on the part of Executive shall be deemed “intentional” if it
was due primarily to an error in judgment or negligence, but shall be deemed “intentional” only if
done, or omitted to be done, by Executive not in good faith and without reasonable belief that his
action or omission was in the best interest of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Executive shall not be deemed to have been terminated “For Cause” hereunder unless and until there
shall have been delivered to Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote
of not less than three-quarters of the Board of Directors of the Company then in office at a
meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company called and held for such purpose (after reasonable
notice to Executive and an opportunity for Executive, together with his counsel, to be heard before
the Board of Directors of the Company), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board of
Directors of the Company, Executive had committed an act set forth above in this Section and
specifying the particulars thereof in detail. Nothing herein shall limit the right of Executive or
his beneficiaries to contest the validity or propriety of any such determination.

          1.6 “Key Employee” shall mean a key employee as defined in Section 409A of the Code and
Section 416(i) of the Code (without regard to paragraph (5) thereof) of the Company or a subsidiary
thereof.

          1.7 “Normal Retirement Date” shall mean the first day of the month coincident with or next
following Executive’s attainment of age sixty-five (65).

          1.8 “Other Plan Benefit” shall mean a benefit payable to Executive under any defined benefit
plan sponsored by the Company, any of its divisions or subsidiaries (“Other Plan”), calculated as
if payable to Executive on a life annuity basis commencing on the date supplemental benefits
commence to Executive under this Agreement (irrespective of any deferral of the commencement of
payment of such benefits thereunder).

          1.9 “Permanent Disability” shall mean permanent and total disability as determined under the
Company’s Long-Term Disability Plan (the “LTD Plan”).

          1.10 “Retirement Plan” shall mean The Lamson & Sessions Co. Salaried Employees’ Retirement
Plan, as amended from time to time.

          1.11 “Retirement Plan Benefit” shall mean the amount that would be payable to Executive under
the Retirement Plan pursuant to the terms thereof, assuming for purposes of this

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Agreement that Executive became a participant in such Retirement Plan on his date of hire, and
assuming further that the following Code limitations do not apply:

               (a) the limitations on the annual amount of benefits imposed by Section 415 of the Code, or

               (b) any limitation imposed by Section 401(a)(17) of the Code on the amount of compensation
taken into account under the Retirement Plan or any Other Plan.

Such benefit shall be determined on a life annuity basis, commencing on the date supplemental
benefits commence to Executive under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive
shall be credited with two (2) Years of Credited Service for every one (1) year, or part thereof,
of continuous employment he completes, until such time as the Executive is credited with a total of
twenty (20) Years of Credited Service. Thereafter, he shall be credited with one (1) Year of
Credited Service for every year, or part thereof, of continuous employment he completes.

          1.12 “Termination of Employment” shall mean a separation from service as defined under Section
409A of the Code, as amended, and the guidance issued thereunder.

          1.13 “Year of Credited Service” shall have the meaning set forth in the Retirement Plan.

     2. SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT BENEFITS

          2.1 Retirement at Normal Retirement Date. Upon Executive’s retirement on or after his
Normal Retirement Date, and provided he is Eligible on the date of such retirement, Executive shall
be entitled to receive a supplemental retirement benefit from the Company. Such supplemental
retirement benefit shall commence as soon as administratively possible following Executive’s
Termination of Employment subject to Section 4 of this Agreement and shall be paid, on a life
annuity basis, in an amount equal to the Retirement Plan Benefit (determined solely for purposes of
Sections 5.1(b), 5.2(a)(i)(A)(2), 5.2(a)(i)(B)(2), 5.2(a)(ii)(B) and 8.2 of the Retirement Plan as
if he had completed thirty (30) years of continuous employment with the Company on or as of the
date of his retirement) minus his Other Plan Benefit, if any.

          2.2 Termination of Employment Other Than For Cause Or As a Result of Death Or
Disability. In the event that Executive’s employment with the Company shall be terminated
prior to his Normal Retirement Date other than For Cause or by reason of his death or Permanent
Disability, and provided he is Eligible on the date of such termination, Executive shall be
entitled to receive a supplemental retirement benefit from the Company. Such supplemental
retirement benefit shall commence as soon as administratively possible following the earliest to
occur of (i) Executive’s Normal Retirement Date or (ii) his Termination of Employment after either
a Change of Control or Executive’s completion of five (5) years of continuous service and
attainment of age fifty-five (55), subject to Section 4 of this Agreement, and shall be paid, on a
life annuity basis, in an amount determined pursuant to the following formula:

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               (a) The Retirement Plan Benefit (determined solely for purposes of Sections 5.1(b),
5.2(a)(i)(A)(2), 5.2(a)(i)(B)(2), 5.2(a)(ii)(B) and 8.2 of the Retirement Plan as if he had
completed thirty (30) years of continuous employment with the Company on or as of the date of his
termination and as if his retirement benefits had commenced as of his Termination of Employment,
but extending the reduction table in Section 8.2 of the Retirement Plan from age fifty-five (55) to
Executive’s earlier age at Termination of Employment, if Executive’s employment is terminated
before he attains age fifty-five (55) following a Change of Control, such extension to provide for
a reduction of seven percent (7%) for each year that Executive’s age at the time he terminates
employment is less than age fifty-five (55), multiplied by

               (b) A fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of years of the Executive’s
continuous employment with the Company until his termination and the denominator of which shall be
the number of years of continuous employment Executive would have had if he had remained employed
by the Company until his Normal Retirement Date (provided, however, that if Executive shall have
attained age sixty-two (62), the fraction referred to in this Section shall be equal to one (1));
minus

               (c) Executive’s Other Plan Benefit, if any.

     3. DISABILITY BENEFITS.

          3.1 Pre-Retirement Disability Benefit. In the event that Executive incurs a
Termination of Employment with the Company by reason of his Permanent Disability and becomes
eligible for payments under the LTD Plan by reason of such Permanent Disability, and provided he is
Eligible on the date of his Termination of Employment, the Company shall pay Executive, commencing
on the date payments under the LTD Plan commence but subject to Section 4.1 below, a supplemental
disability benefit, on a monthly basis, in an amount determined pursuant to the following formula:

               (a) Sixty percent (60%) of the Executive’s basic monthly earnings (as defined in the LTD
Plan); minus

               (b) Monthly disability benefits paid under the LTD Plan; minus

               (c) Other income benefits (as defined in the LTD Plan), except family Social Security benefits
and the benefits payable to Executive under this Agreement.

Such supplemental disability payments shall continue until the cessation of disability benefits
under the LTD Plan.

          3.2 Post-Retirement Disability Benefit. In the event that Executive’s employment with
the Company shall be terminated by reason of his Permanent Disability and he would have thereafter
become eligible for a disability retirement benefit pursuant to Section 6.5 of the Retirement Plan
(assuming Executive was a participant therein), and provided he is Eligible on the date of
termination, the Company shall pay Executive, commencing upon the later of his Normal Retirement
Date or the date upon which pre-retirement disability benefits payable under Section 3.1 cease, a
supplemental retirement benefit, on a life annuity basis, in an amount determined pursuant to the
formula set forth in Section 2.1 of this Agreement.

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     4. TIME OF PAYMENT.

          4.1 Restriction On Key Employees. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to
the contrary, Executive’s status as a Key Employee requires the payment of Executive’s supplemental
retirement benefit received on account of Termination of Employment to commence on the first day of
the seventh month following such Termination of Employment (or, if earlier, the date of death).

          4.2 Acceleration Prohibited. The acceleration of the time or schedule of any payment
due under this Agreement is prohibited except as provided in regulations and administrative
guidance promulgated under Section 409A of the Code.

     5. METHODS OF PAYMENT. If on the date benefits under Section 2 commence Executive is
not married, such benefits shall be paid in the Life Annuity Form described in Article VII of the
Retirement Plan. If on the date such benefits commence Executive is married, such benefits shall
be paid in the Spouse’s Annuity Form described in Article VII of the Retirement Plan.

     6. POST-DEATH BENEFITS.

          6.1 Death of Executive After Commencement of Supplemental Retirement Benefits. In the
event of the death of Executive on or after the date benefits under Section 2 commence, the Company
shall pay to Executive’s beneficiary or beneficiaries the death benefit (including Spouse’s
Annuity), if any, provided under the form of payment pursuant to which Executive was receiving
benefits pursuant to Section 5, commencing on the first day of the month following the month in
which Executive dies.

          6.2 Death of Executive Prior to Retirement While Married. In the event of the death
of Executive while he is in the employment of the Company or a division or subsidiary thereof,
after attainment of age fifty-five (55), while he is married, and prior to his retirement, the
Company shall pay to Executive’s surviving spouse, commencing on the first day of the month
following the month in which Executive dies, a supplemental spouse’s benefit, on a life annuity
basis, in an amount determined and calculated as follows:

	 	(a)	 	(i)	 	The death benefit (including Spouse’s Annuity) which
would have been payable under Section 9.2 of the
Retirement Plan (assuming Executive was a Participant
therein), without regard, however, to

	 	(A)	 	the limitations
on the annual amount of benefits set forth in Article XV
of the Retirement Plan, or
	 
	 	(B)	 	any limitation
imposed by Section 401(a)(17) of the Code on the amount
of compensation taken into account under the Retirement
Plan or any Other Plan,

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	 	 	 	(determined solely for purposes of Sections 5.1(b),
5.2(a)(i)(A)(2), 5.2(a)(i)(B)(2), 5.2(a)(ii)(B), and 8.2 of
the Retirement Plan as if he had completed thirty (30) years
of continuous employment with the Company and had retired on
or as of the date of his death), multiplied by

	 	(ii)	 	A fraction, the numerator of
which shall be the number of years of the Executive’s continuous
employment with the Company until his date of death and the
denominator of which shall be the number of years of continuous
employment Executive would have had if he had remained employed
by the Company until his Normal Retirement Date (provided,
however, that if Executive shall have attained age sixty-two
(62)), the fraction referred to in this Section shall be equal
to one (1)); minus

	 	(b)	 	Any Other Plan Benefit payable to the surviving spouse.

     7. FORFEITURE OF BENEFITS.

          7.1 Termination For Cause. In the event that the Company shall at any time terminate
Executive’s employment For Cause, it is hereby agreed that the Company shall have no obligation
under this Agreement of any nature whatsoever and that Executive’s rights and the rights of his
beneficiary or beneficiaries hereunder shall be completely and totally forfeited.

          7.2 Termination of Employment Prior to Executive Becoming Eligible. In the event that
Executive’s employment with the Company shall be terminated for any reason prior to Executive’s
becoming Eligible, it is hereby agreed that the Company shall have no obligation under this
Agreement of any nature whatsoever and that Executive’s rights and the rights of his beneficiary or
beneficiaries hereunder shall be completely and totally forfeited.

          7.3 Violation of Noncompetition Clause. In the event that Executive shall engage in
conduct which constitutes a violation of Section 8 of this Agreement, the Company shall be free
from any obligation to make any payments provided for under this Agreement to Executive or to
Executive’s beneficiaries, and any and all such payments shall cease.

     8. LIMITATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS ON COMPETITION. During a period ending on the date of
the first to occur of either the attainment by Executive of age sixty-five (65) or one (1) year
following termination of Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, Executive shall
not, without the prior written consent of the Company, engage in any Competitive Activity. For
purposes of this Agreement, “Competitive Activity” shall mean Executive’s participation, without
the written consent of the Company, in the management of any business enterprise if such enterprise
engages in substantial and direct competition with the Company and such enterprise’s sales of any
product or service competitive with any product or service of the Company amount to twenty-five
percent (25%) of such enterprise’s net sales for its most recently completed fiscal year and if the
Company’s net sales of said product or service amounted to twenty-five percent (25%) of the
Company’s net sales for its most recently

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completed fiscal year. “Competitive Activity” shall not include (i) the mere ownership of
securities in any such enterprise and the exercise of rights appurtenant thereto or (ii)
participation in the management of any such enterprise other than in connection with the
competitive operations of such enterprise.

     9. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

          9.1 Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit
of the Company and its successors and assigns. No right or interest under this Agreement of
Executive (or any person claiming through or under Executive) other than the surviving spouse of
Executive after he is deceased shall be assignable or transferable in any manner or be subject to
alienation, anticipation, sale, pledge, encumbrance or other legal process or in any manner be
liable for or subject to the debts or liabilities of Executive.

          9.2 Interpretation. All questions of interpretation, construction or application
arising under this Agreement shall be decided by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose
decision shall be final and conclusive upon all persons.

          9.3 Savings Clause. In the event that any provision or term of this Agreement is
finally determined by any judicial, quasijudicial or administrative body to be void or not
enforceable for any reason, it is the intent of the parties hereto that all other provisions and
terms of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and that this Agreement shall be
enforceable as if such void or non-enforceable provision or term had never been a part hereof.

          9.4 Governing Law. This Agreement is executed in and shall be construed in accordance
with and governed by the laws of the State of Ohio without giving effect to any provision of such
laws regarding choice of laws or conflict of laws.

          9.5 No Rights in Any Property of Company. The undertakings of the Company herein
constitute merely the unsecured promise of the Company to make the payments as provided for herein;
no property of the Company is or shall, by reason of this Agreement, be held in trust for
Executive, any beneficiary or any other person; and neither Executive nor any beneficiary nor any
other person shall have by reason of this Agreement any right, title or interest of any kind in or
to any property of the Company. It is intended that (i) this Agreement shall be “unfunded” for
purposes of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, (ii)
nothing in this Agreement shall currently constitute a transfer of property for purposes of Section
83 of the Code, or any successor provision thereto, or shall cause a currently taxable benefit to
be realized by Executive or his beneficiaries pursuant to the “economic benefit” doctrine and (iii)
pursuant to Section 451 of the Code, or any successor provision thereto, amounts payable pursuant
to this Agreement will be includable in the gross income of Executive or his beneficiaries in the
taxable year or years in which such amounts are actually distributable or made available to
Executive or his beneficiaries.

          9.6 Employment of Executive by Company. Nothing herein shall be construed as an offer
or commitment by the Company to continue Executive’s employment with the Company for any period of
time.

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          9.7 Termination by the Company. The Company may terminate this Agreement at any time;
provided, however, that no such termination shall adversely affect the rights or benefits accrued
by Executive (whether or not vested) under this Agreement prior to his receipt of notice of such
termination.

          9.8 Taxes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to
guarantee any particular tax result for Executive with respect to any income recognized by
Executive in connection herewith, and Executive shall be responsible for any taxes imposed on
Executive in connection herewith.

          9.9 Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. It is intended that this Agreement
comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code. The Agreement shall be administered in a
manner consistent with this intent, and any provision that would cause the Agreement to fail to
satisfy Section 409A of the Code shall have no force and effect until amended to comply with
Section 409A of the Code (which amendment may be retroactive to the extent permitted by Section
409A of the Code and may be made by the Company without the consent of Executive).

          9.10 Notices. All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when received. All such
communications shall be addressed as follows:

     If to the Company, to:

The Lamson & Sessions Co.

25701 Science Park Drive

Cleveland, Ohio 44122

Attention: Secretary

     If to Executive, to:

The Lamson & Sessions Co.

25701 Science Park Drive

Cleveland, Ohio 44122

Attention: Michael J. Merriman

provided, however, that if any party or his or its successors shall have designated a different
address by written notice to the other party, then to the last address so designated.

[SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE]

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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have hereunto set their hands as of the day and year
first above written.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	THE LAMSON & SESSIONS CO.

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/  John B. Schulze
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	John B. Schulze 	 
	 	 	Title: 	Chairman of the Board 	 
	 
	 	 	 
	 	                                                  /s/  Michael J. Merriman, Jr.
 	 
	 	Michael J. Merriman, Jr. 	 
	 	 	 
	 

-10-EX-10.3

 

Exhibit 10.3

THE LAMSON & SESSIONS CO.

Appreciation Rights Agreement

     WHEREAS,                                         . (the “Grantee”) is an employee of The Lamson Sessions Co.
(the “Company”).

     WHEREAS, the execution of an agreement in the form hereof has been authorized by a resolution
of the Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of
Directors of the Company that was duly adopted on                          ,      .

     NOW, THEREFORE, the Company hereby grants to the Grantee effective as of                          ,      
(“Date of Grant”), pursuant to the 1998 Incentive Equity Plan (As Amended and Restated as of April
28, 2006) (the “Plan”),                      Free-standing Appreciation Rights (“SARs”) subject to the terms
and conditions of the Plan and the terms and conditions described in this agreement (this
“Agreement”).

     1. Definitions.

          As used in this Agreement:

          (a) “Base Price” means $___, which was the Market Price per Share of on the Date of
Grant.

          (b) “Change in Control” For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change in Control” shall
be deemed to have occurred if any of the following events shall occur:

	 	i)	 	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 “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
(“Voting Stock”); provided, however, that for purposes of this
subsection (a), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a
Change of Control: (1) any acquisition directly from the Company, (2)
any acquisition by the Company, (3) any acquisition by any employee
benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company
or any Subsidiary of the Company, or (4) any acquisition by any Person
pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (i), (ii) and
(iii) of subsection (c) of this Section 14; or
	 
	 	ii)	 	Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board
of Directors of the Company (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any
reason (other than death or disability) to constitute at least a
majority of the Board of Directors of the Company; 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 (either by a specific vote or by approval of the
proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as a
nominee for director, without objection to such nomination) 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 (within the meaning of Rule 14a-11 of the
Exchange Act) 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 of Directors of the
Company; or

	 	iii)	 	Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or
sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of
the Company (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 Company Common Stock and Voting Stock immediately prior to such
Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more
than 50% 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 entity resulting from such Business Combination
(including, without limitation, an entity which as a result of such
transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the
Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries)
in substantially the same proportions relative to each other as their
ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the
Company Common Stock and Voting Stock of the Company, as the case may
be, (ii) no Person (excluding any entity resulting from such Business
Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored
or maintained by the Company or such entity resulting from such
Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or
more of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock of
the entity 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
of Directors of the Company, providing for such Business Combination;
or
	 
	 	iv)	 	Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

          (c) “Cause” means a felony conviction of the Grantee or the failure of Grantee to
contest prosecution for a felony, or Grantee’s willful misconduct or dishonesty, any of which is
directly and materially harmful to the business or reputation of the Company or any Subsidiary.

          (d) “Disability” means permanent and total disability as determined under the
Company’s long term disability program.

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          (e) “Family Members” means family members as defined in General Instruction
A(1)(a)(5) to Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

          (f) “Market Price per Share” means, as of any particular date, an amount equal to
the mean between the high and low selling prices of the Common Shares on the New York Stock
Exchange or if the Common Shares are not traded on the New York Stock Exchange, the principal
national securities exchange on which the Common Shares are traded.

          (g) “Retirement” means retirement from active employment with the Company or any
Subsidiary at age 65, or at an earlier age with the consent of the Committee.

          (h) “Spread” means the excess of the Market Price per Share on the date when a SAR
is exercised over the Base Price.

          (i) Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings
assigned to them in the Plan.

     2. Grant of SARs.

          The Company hereby grants to the Grantee the number of SARs set forth above. The SARs are a
right to receive Common Shares in an amount equal to 100% of the Spread at the time of exercise.

     3. Vesting of SARs.

          The SARs granted hereby shall become exercisable if the Grantee shall have remained in the
continuous employ of the Company or any Subsidiary as follows:

	 	(a)	 	one-third of the SARs hereinabove specified shall become
exercisable one year from the Date of Grant;
	 
	 	(b)	 	one-third of such SARs (cumulative total of two-thirds) shall
become exercisable two years from the Date of Grant; and
	 
	 	(c)	 	the remaining one-third of such SARs shall become exercisable
in the third year from the Date of Grant;

In calculating the one-thirds for the first two (2) years, the total shares shall be rounded down
to the nearest whole share and the remaining Common Share(s) shall be included with those Common
Shares exercisable at the end of the third year. To the extent exercisable, the SARs may be
exercised from time to time.

     4. Effect of Change in Control.

          In the event of a Change in Control, the SARs granted under this Agreement shall become
immediately exercisable.

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     5. Effect of Death, Disability or Retirement.

          If the Grantee’s employment with the Company or one of its Subsidiaries should terminate
because of death, Disability or Retirement, the SARs granted under this Agreement shall become
immediately exercisable.

     6. Termination of SARs.

     The SARs granted hereunder shall terminate upon the earliest to occur of the following:

          (a) three months following the date of the Grantee’s termination of employment with
the Company or any Subsidiary, if such termination of employment is other than by reason of the
Grantee’s death, Disability or Retirement or for Cause;

          (b) three years from the date of the Grantee’s termination of employment with the
Company or any Subsidiary, if such termination of employment is by reason of the Grantee’s
Retirement or Disability;

          (c) one year from the date of the Grantee’s termination of employment with the
Company or any Subsidiary, if such termination of employment is by reason of the Grantee’s death;

          (d) one year from the date of Grantee’s death if the grantee dies within the
three-year period referred to in Section 6(b) above.

          (e) contemporaneously with the termination of the Grantee’s employment with the
Company or any Subsidiary, if such termination of employment is for Cause; or

          (f) November 15, 2016 (ten years from the Date of Grant).

     7. Exercise of SARs.

          (a) To the extent exercisable as provided in Section 3 of this Agreement, SARs may
be exercised in whole or in part by giving written notice to the Company specifying the number of
SARs to be exercised.

          (b) The Company will issue to the Grantee the number of Common Shares that equals
the Market Price per Share divided into the Spread on the date of exercise rounded down to the
nearest whole share.

     8. Transferability.

          (a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 8(a) below, no SAR granted hereunder may
be transferred by the Grantee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and may be
exercised during a Grantee’s lifetime only by the Grantee or, in the event of the Grantee’s legal
incapacity, by the Grantee’s guardian or legal representative acting in a fiduciary capacity on
behalf of the Grantee under state law and court supervision.

          (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8(a), the SARs granted hereunder will
be transferable by the Grantee, without payment of consideration therefore by the transferee, to
any one or more Family Members of the Grantee’s, except that (i) no such transfer will be effective
unless reasonable prior notice of such transfer is delivered to the Company and such transfer is
thereafter

4

 

effected in accordance with any terms and conditions that have been made applicable to such
transfer by the Company or the Committee and (ii) any such transferee will be subject to the same
terms and conditions under this Agreement and the Plan as the Grantee.

     9. Adjustments.

          In the event of any change in the aggregate number of outstanding Common Shares by reason of
(a) any stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares, recapitalization or other change in the
capital structure of the Company, or (b) any merger, consolidation, spin-off, split-off, spin-out,
split-up, reorganization, partial or complete liquidation of the Company or other distribution of
assets, issuance of rights or warrants to purchase securities of the Company, or (c) any other
corporate transaction or event having an effect similar to any of the foregoing, then the Committee
shall adjust the number of SARs covered by this Agreement and the Base Price in such manner as may
be appropriate to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the rights of the Grantee that would
otherwise result from such event.

     10. Withholding Taxes.

          To the extent that the Company is required to withhold federal, state, local or foreign taxes
in connection with the exercise of the SARs, and the amounts available to the Company for such
withholding are insufficient, it shall be a condition to such exercise that the Grantee make
arrangements satisfactory to the Company for payment of the balance of such taxes required to be
withheld. All or any part of such withholding requirement may be satisfied, at the election of the
Grantee, by the retention by the Company of a portion of the Common Shares that have vested
pursuant to this Agreement. Common Shares retained by the Company to satisfy the withholding
requirements pursuant to this Section 10 shall be credited against such withholding requirements at
the Market Price per Share on the date of such exercise, and the value of such Common Shares
retained shall not exceed the minimum amount of taxes required to be withheld by the Company.

     11. Employment Rights.

          Neither this Agreement nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as giving the Grantee
any right to be retained in the employ of the Company, nor shall any action taken hereunder be
construed as entitling the Company to the services of the Grantee for any period of time. For
purposes of this Agreement, the continuous employ of the Grantee with the Company or a Subsidiary
shall not be deemed interrupted, and the Grantee shall not be deemed to have ceased to be an
associate of the Company or any Subsidiary, by reason of the transfer of his or her employment
among the Company and its Subsidiaries.

     12. Amendments.

          Any amendment to the Plan shall be deemed to be an amendment to this Agreement to the extent
that the amendment is applicable hereto; provided, however, that no amendment shall
adversely affect the rights of the Grantee with respect to the SARs without the Grantee’s consent.

     13. Severability.

          In the event that one or more of the provisions of this Agreement shall be invalidated for any
reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, any provision so invalidated shall be deemed to be
separable from the other provisions hereof, and the remaining provisions hereof shall continue to
be valid and fully enforceable.

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     14. Governing Law.

          This Agreement is made under, and shall be construed in accordance with the internal
substantive laws of the State of Ohio.

     The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of an executed original of this Agreement and
accepts the SARs granted hereunder on the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Plan.

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Date: 	                                                        	 	 	 

          Executed in the name and on behalf of the Company at Cleveland, Ohio as of the ___ day of
                    ,        .

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	THE LAMSON & SESSIONS CO.

 	 
	 	By:  	 	 
	 	 	Name:  	 	 
	 	 	Title:  	 	 
	 

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