Document:

Filed by Bowne Pure Compliance

EXHIBIT 10.1

APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT BENEFITS PLAN

(Restated Post-2004 Terms)

WHEREAS, the Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Benefits
Plan (formerly known as the Bearings, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Benefits Plan and
hereinafter referred to as the “Plan”) was established on January 21, 1988, by Bearings, Inc., the
predecessor to Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as the “Company”) for
the benefit of certain officers and key executives; and

WHEREAS, the Plan was most recently restated as of January 1, 2002 and amended subsequently on
August 6, 2004; and

WHEREAS, in order to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(hereinafter referred to as “Section 409A”) and to facilitate the administration of certain
nonqualified deferrals thereunder, the Plan is hereby bifurcated effective January 1, 2005, into
two parts; namely, one part that consists of the Plan, as in effect on October 3, 2004, which is
hereby frozen and shall not be modified except as permitted under Section 409A so as to preserve
the grandfathered status of vested benefits thereunder (hereinafter referred to as the “Frozen
Terms”), and the second part that consists of the post-2004 terms of the Plan, as amended effective
January 1, 2005, for compliance with Section 409A (hereinafter referred to as the “Post-2004
Terms”); and

WHEREAS, Plan benefits accrued or vested after December 31, 2004, and prior to the Plan
bifurcation, have been administered in good faith in accordance with the requirements of Section
409A; and

WHEREAS, the Post-2004 Terms were adopted effective as of January 1, 2005; and

WHEREAS, it has been deemed appropriate to make certain revisions to such Post-2004 Terms;

NOW THEREFORE, effective as of January 1, 2005, the Post-2004 Terms of the Plan are hereby
restated as hereinafter set forth.

 

 

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

1.1 Definitions. For purposes of the Plan, each of the following words and phrases
shall have the meaning hereinafter set forth unless a different meaning is clearly required by the
context:

(1) The term “Accrued Portion” of a Participant’s supplemental normal
retirement benefit determined as of any given date occurring prior to his Normal
Retirement Date shall mean the amount of such Participant’s supplemental normal
retirement benefit determined pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.2, based upon
his Highest Monthly Final Average Compensation and years of Service on such date.

(2) The term “Affiliate” shall mean any member of a controlled group of
corporations (as determined under Section 414(b) of the Code) of which the Company
is a member; any member of a group of trades or businesses under common control (as
determined under Section 414(c) of the Code) with the Company; any member of an
affiliated service group (as determined under Section 414(m) of the Code) of which
the Company is a member; and any other entity which is required to be aggregated
with the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 414(o) of the Code.

(3) The term “Affiliated Group” shall mean the group of entities which are
Affiliates.

(4) The term “Beneficiary” shall mean the person or persons designated by a
Participant to receive a death benefit under the Plan pursuant to the provisions of
Article IX.

(5) The term “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

(6) The term “Cause” shall mean (i) the conviction of, or pleading guilty by, a
Participant to a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude; (ii) the
commission of an act of fraud, dishonesty or theft, or (iii) the commission of any
other intentional act (or failure to act) which is not in the best interests of the
Company, specifically including, but not limited to, those actions (or failures)
which the Company has previously notified the Participant in writing are contrary to
the best interests of the Company.

(7) The term “Change of Control” shall mean a change in the ownership or
effective control of the Company or a change in the ownership of a substantial
portion of the assets of the Company that constitutes a “change in control” under
Section 409A.

 

 

 

(8) The term “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
from time to time. Reference to a section of the Code shall include such section
and any comparable section or sections of any future legislation that amends,
supplements, or supersedes such section.

(9) The term “Committee” shall mean the Executive Organization & Compensation
Committee of the Board.

(10) The term “Company” shall mean Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc., its
corporate successors, and the surviving corporation resulting from any merger of
Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. with any other corporation or corporations.

(11) The term “Compensation” shall mean the total wages which are paid to or on
behalf of a Participant during a calendar year by an Affiliate for services rendered
as a common law employee, including base salary, annual incentive compensation,
commissions, bonuses, any base salary and annual incentive amounts deferred under
any non-qualified deferred compensation program of an Affiliate, and any elective
contributions that are made on behalf of such Participant under any plan maintained
by an Affiliate and that are not includible in gross income under Section 125, 129,
or 402(e)(3) of the Code, but excluding moving or educational reimbursement
expenses, amounts realized from the exercise of stock options, any long term
incentive compensation including, but not limited to, restricted stock, performance
grants and stock appreciation rights, severance benefits, and imputed income
attributable to any fringe benefit.

(12) The term “Comprehensive Plan” shall mean the Applied Industrial
Technologies, Inc. Deferred Compensation and Supplemental Benefit Plan (formerly
known as the Bearings, Inc. Comprehensive Deferred Compensation and Supplemental
Benefit Plan).

(13) The term “Disability” or “Disabled” shall mean a condition of a
Participant that meets the requirements of Section 409A Disability or Own Occ
Disability.

(14) The term “Election Form” shall mean the form which may be electronic,
telephonic or hard copy and on which a Participant elects the time and manner of
payment of his Plan benefits in accordance with the provisions of the Post-2004
Terms and Section 409A.

(15) The term “ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended from time to time. Reference to a section of ERISA shall include
such section and any comparable section or sections of any future legislation that
amends, supplements, or supersedes such action.

 

 

 

(16) The term “Executive Officer” shall mean an officer of the Company as
defined by Rule 3b-7 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(17) The term “Former Employer Plan” shall mean any defined benefit plan,
program or arrangement (qualified or non-qualified) maintained by a former employer
of a Participant and pursuant to which a Participant is, or ever was, eligible to
receive retirement income.

(18) The term “Frozen Benefit” shall mean the Accrued Portion of the
supplemental normal retirement benefit of a Participant who had attained age 55 and
was credited with at least ten years of Service as of December 31, 2004, determined
under the provisions of the Frozen Terms on such date.

(19) The term “Frozen Terms” shall mean the terms of the Plan as in effect on
October 3, 2004.

(20) The term “Highest Monthly Final Average Compensation” shall mean 1/12th of
the average of the Compensation of a Participant for any three calendar years during
the last ten calendar years of his employment with the Affiliated Group in which the
Participant had the greatest Compensation; provided, however, that if a Participant
did not receive Compensation for at least three calendar years, his Highest Monthly
Final Average Compensation shall be determined by dividing his average Compensation
for the calendar years in which he was employed by the Affiliated Group by 12.

(21) The term “Normal Retirement Date” shall mean the date on which a
Participant attains 65 years of age.

(22) The term “Own Occ Disability” shall mean the incapacity of a Participant
due to any physical or mental condition that is incurred while an Executive Officer
and that results in the Participant being unable to perform the duties of his most
recent position with the Affiliated Group and thereafter shall mean such continued
incapacity so that the Participant is prevented from resuming the duties and
responsibilities of his most recent position with the Affiliated Group or from
obtaining a comparable position with another employer.

(23) The term “Participant” shall mean, for purposes of the Post-2004 Terms, an
Executive Officer who is designated to participate in the Plan pursuant to the
provisions of Article II of the Plan.

(24) The term “Plan” shall mean the Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.
Supplemental Executive Retirement Benefits Plan which, effective as of January 1,
2005, shall consist of the Frozen Terms and the Post-2004 Terms, and which is part
of the Comprehensive Plan and listed on Exhibit A attached thereto. The Frozen
Terms shall be determinative solely with respect to Frozen Benefits and the
payment thereof. The Post-2004 Terms shall govern all other provisions of the Plan,
including Plan benefits accrued or vested on and after January 1, 2005.

 

 

 

(25) The term “Post-2004 Terms” shall mean the part of the bifurcated Plan that
contains the provisions of the Plan effective as of January 1, 2005 to comply with
Section 409A as set forth herein and as may be amended after such date from time to
time.

(26) The term “Primary Social Security Benefit” shall mean the monthly benefit
which a Participant would be entitled to receive as a primary insurance amount under
the U.S. Social Security Act, as amended, and in effect (and at the rate in effect)
on the January 1 coincident with or next preceding the date his Service under the
Plan ceases (regardless of any retroactive changes made by legislation enacted after
said January 1) under the assumptions described below (whether he applies for such
benefit or not, and even though he may lose part or all of such benefit for any
reason). The amount of said Primary Social Security Benefit shall be estimated and
computed by the Company for the purposes of the Plan on the assumption that such
Participant shall have no further employment or Compensation after the date his
Service under the Plan ceases and that his benefit commences at the later of his
62nd birthday or the date his Service under the Plan ceases.

(27) The term “Section 409A” shall mean Section 409A of the Code and the
Treasury regulations and rulings thereunder.

(28) The term “Section 409A Disability” shall mean a condition of a Participant
that constitutes a “disability” under Section 409A, including a determination by the
Social Security Administration that such Participant is totally disabled.

(29) The term “Separation from Service” shall mean the termination of the
employment of a Participant with the Company and all Affiliates for any reason other
than death; provided, however, that a Company-approved leave of absence shall not be
considered a termination of employment if the leave does not exceed six months, or
if longer, so long as the Participant’s right to reemployment is provided either by
statute or by contract. Notwithstanding the foregoing, whether a Participant has
incurred a Separation from Service shall be determined in accordance with the
provisions of Section 409A.

(30) The term “Service” shall mean the aggregate period of time that a
Participant is employed as a common law employee by the Company and any Affiliate or
for which he is given credit pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2.

 

 

 

(31) The term “Specified Employee” shall mean a key employee of the Company who
is a specified employee under Section 409A and the Company’s Specified Employee
identification policy.

1.2 Construction. Where necessary or appropriate to the meaning hereof, the singular
shall be deemed to include the plural, the plural to include the singular, the masculine to include
the feminine, and the feminine to include the masculine.

ARTICLE II

PARTICIPATION

2.1 Participants. Each Executive Officer of the Company who was participating in the
Plan under the Frozen Terms as of December 31, 2004, and who continues to be an active Executive
Officer of the Company shall continue to be a Participant in the Plan under the Post-2004 Terms as
of January 1, 2005. Any Executive Officer of the Company who was not participating in the Plan
under the Frozen Terms as of December 31, 2004, and who becomes an Executive Officer of the Company
on or after January 1, 2005, and who is designated as a Participant pursuant to the provisions of
Section 2.2, shall become a Participant in the Plan under the Post-2004 Terms as of the date of
such designation. Each Executive Officer shall be considered a Specified Employee and shall be
subject to the rules relating to Specified Employees under Section 409A.

2.2 Designation of Participants. The designation of an Executive Officer of the
Company as a Participant shall be made by action of the Board or the Committee. In addition, the
Board or the Committee may award Service credit, not in excess of five years, to any Executive
Officer of the Company at the time of such designation.

ARTICLE III

SUPPLEMENTAL NORMAL RETIREMENT BENEFITS

3.1 Eligibility. Any Participant, who incurs a Separation from Service on or after
his Normal Retirement Date and who is credited with at least five years of Service as an Executive
Officer, shall be eligible to receive a supplemental normal retirement benefit determined in
accordance with the provisions of Section 3.2.

 

 

 

3.2 Amount. Subject to the provisions of Article VIII and except as specifically
provided otherwise in this Section 3.2, the supplemental normal retirement benefit of an eligible
Participant shall be equal to 45 percent of his Highest Monthly Final Average Compensation, reduced
by 1/20th for each full year that his years of Service are less than 20 and further reduced by his
Frozen Benefit, if any, as well as the actuarial equivalency of any supplemental awards paid to a
Participant under the Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. Vice President Supplemental Incentive
Plan, as may be amended, or any successor thereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as
provided in Article VIII, in the event that D. L. Pugh is credited with at least 10 years of
Service under the Plan, including Service credited in the event of a Change of Control under
Article VIII, his supplemental normal retirement benefit shall be equal to 60 percent of his
Highest Monthly Final Average Compensation reduced by the monthly benefit payable to him at age 65
in a single life form under all Former Employer Plans and then reduced further by 50 percent of his
monthly Primary Social Security Benefit.

3.3 Payment. Subject to the provisions of Article VIII, the payment of the
supplemental normal retirement benefit determined under the provisions of Section 3.2 to an
eligible Participant shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Article VII.

ARTICLE IV

SUPPLEMENTAL EARLY RETIREMENT BENEFITS

4.1 Eligibility. Any Participant, who incurs a Separation from Service prior to his
Normal Retirement Date, but after (i) attaining age 55, (ii) being credited with at least 10 years
of Service and (iii) being credited with at least five years of Service as an Executive Officer,
shall be eligible to receive a supplemental early retirement benefit determined in accordance with
the provisions of Section 4.2.

4.2 Amount. The supplemental early retirement benefit payable to an eligible
Participant shall be equal to the Accrued Portion of his monthly supplemental normal retirement
benefit determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.2 on the date of his Separation
from Service, reduced by .4166% for each full month that actual commencement of such benefit
precedes his Normal Retirement Date. Therefore, in the event that the payment of any supplemental
early retirement benefit is delayed in order to comply with the six-month delay rule applicable to
a Participant who is a Specified Employee, the amount of such benefit shall be determined hereunder
using the date on which the delayed benefit begins to be paid to such Participant.

4.3 Payment. Subject to the provisions of Article VIII, the payment of a supplemental
early retirement benefit determined under the provisions of Section 4.2 shall be made to an
eligible Participant pursuant to the provisions of Article VII.

 

 

 

ARTICLE V

SUPPLEMENTAL DISABILITY BENEFITS

5.1 Eligibility. Any Participant who incurs a Separation from Service due to
Disability after being credited with at least five years of Service as an Executive Officer, shall
be eligible to receive a monthly supplemental disability benefit determined in accordance with the
provisions of Section 5.2.

5.2 Amount. The monthly supplemental disability benefit of an eligible Disabled
Participant shall be an amount which when added to any long term disability benefits payable to
such Participant under any other plan or program maintained by an Affiliate (regardless of the
source of contributions and converted, if necessary, into a monthly benefit for purposes hereunder)
equals 60% of such Disabled Participant’s Highest Monthly Final Average Compensation.

5.3 Payment. Subject to the provisions of Section 5.4 and Article VIII, a monthly
supplemental disability benefit shall be paid to an eligible Disabled Participant who incurs a
Section 409A Disability commencing 180 days after the onset of a Participant’s Disability and shall
be payable monthly thereafter until the earlier of (i) the Participant’s Normal Retirement Date, or
(ii) the Participant’s death. Subject to the provisions of Section 5.4 and Article VIII, a monthly
supplemental disability benefit shall be paid to an eligible Disabled Participant who incurs an Own
Occ Disability (but not a Section 409A Disability) as of the first day of the seventh month
following such Participant’s Separation from Service due to Disability; provided, however, that if
any payments to which the Participant would have been entitled during the first six months
following the date of his Separation from Service, if he had a Section 409A Disability shall be
accumulated and paid to such Participant on the first day of the seventh month following his
Separation from Service. Upon attaining Normal Retirement Date, any such Disabled Participant shall
be entitled to receive a supplemental normal retirement benefit determined in accordance with the
provisions of Section 3.2, based upon his years of Service and Highest Monthly Final Average
Compensation as of the time of his Separation from Service due to his Disability, and payable in
accordance with the provisions of Section 3.3.

5.4 Termination and Adjustment of Supplemental Disability Benefits. Monthly
supplemental disability benefits being paid to a Participant shall terminate, if prior to the
Participant’s Normal Retirement Date, such Participant no longer has an Own OCC Disability. In
addition, monthly supplemental disability benefits being paid to a Participant shall be reduced in
the manner set forth below, if prior to the Participant’s Normal Retirement Date, such Participant
engages in regular gainful employment and earns income.

(a) Determine Loss of Income by subtracting the monthly income earned by the Participant from
the Participant’s Highest Monthly Final Average Compensation used under
Section 5.2.

 

 

 

(b) Determine the percentage of such Loss of Income by dividing the amount calculated in (a)
above by the Participant’s Highest Monthly Final Average Compensation.

(c) Determine the amount of the reduced supplemental disability benefit as follows:

	 	 	 
	Percentage of Loss of Income	 	Supplemental Disability Benefit
	[(b) above]	 	[(c) above]
	 
	 	 
	75% or more

	 	Section 5.2 Benefit
	 
	 	 
	20% — 74%

	 	Section 5.2 Benefit times Percentage of
Loss of Income
	 
	 	 
	Under 20%

	 	— $0 — No Supplemental Disability Benefit
Payable

5.5 Medical Examinations. The Company may, in its discretion, require a Participant
who is applying for a monthly supplemental disability benefit or who is receiving a monthly
supplemental disability benefit to submit to such medical examinations as it may deem reasonably
necessary; provided, however, that no Participant shall be required to undergo such examinations
more than once a year. In the event a Participant refuses to submit to any such examination, his
monthly supplemental disability benefit shall be suspended by the Company.

ARTICLE VI

SUPPLEMENTAL DEFERRED RETIREMENT BENEFITS

6.1 Eligibility. Any Participant who incurs a Separation from Service prior to
attainment of age 55 for reasons other than Cause or Disability, but after being credited with at
least ten years of Service, five of which were credited while an Executive Officer, shall be
eligible to receive upon attainment of age 65 (or a Change in Control, if earlier) a supplemental
deferred retirement benefit determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.2.

6.2 Amount. The supplemental deferred retirement benefit of an eligible Participant
shall be equal to 25% of the Accrued Portion of his supplemental normal retirement benefit
determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.2 on the date of his Separation from
Service.

6.3 Payment. Subject to the provisions of Article VIII, the payment of the
supplemental deferred retirement benefit determined under the provisions of Section 6.2 shall be
made to an eligible Participant pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.2.

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII

PAYMENT OF BENEFITS

7.1 Payment of Supplemental Normal and Early Retirement Benefits. The supplemental
normal or early retirement benefit payable to an eligible Participant pursuant to the provisions of
Section 3.3 or 4.3, respectively, shall be determined pursuant to Section 3.2 or 4.2, respectively,
and paid to such eligible Participant pursuant to Option A, B, C or D as set forth below and
indicated on the Election Form of such Participant; provided, however, if a Participant has elected
to receive his supplemental normal or early retirement benefit pursuant to Option E, the present
value of his supplemental normal or early retirement benefit shall be determined under the
provisions of Section 7.6 and shall be paid under the provisions of Option E.

Option A. A single life annuity for the life of the Participant. Due
to the six-month delay rule applicable to Specified Employees under Section 409A,
the first annuity payment shall be made on the first day of the seventh month
following the date that the Participant incurs a Separation from Service. The
amount of such first payment shall include the accumulated amount of the payments
that would otherwise have been made during the first six months after the
Participant’s Separation from Service but for the fact that the Participant is a
Specified Employee.

Option B. A reduced monthly supplemental retirement benefit payable to
such Participant for his lifetime following his Separation from Service with the
continuance of a monthly benefit equal to one-half of such reduced amount after his
death to his Contingent Annuitant during the lifetime of the Contingent Annuitant,
provided that such Contingent Annuitant is living at the time such Participant’s
benefit commences. Due to the six-month delay rule applicable to Specified
Employees under Section 409A, the first annuity payment shall be made on the first
day of the seventh month following the date that the Participant incurs a Separation
from Service. The amount of such first payment shall include the accumulated amount
of the payments that would otherwise have been made during the first six months
after the Participant’s Separation from Service but for the fact that the
Participant is a Specified Employee.

Option C. A reduced monthly supplemental retirement benefit payable to
such Participant for his lifetime following his Separation from Service with the
continuance of a monthly benefit equal to three-quarters of such reduced amount
after his death to his Contingent Annuitant during the lifetime of the Contingent
Annuitant, provided such Contingent Annuitant is living at the time such
Participant’s benefit commences. Due to the six-month delay rule applicable to
Specified Employees under Section 409A, the first annuity payment shall be made on
the first day of the seventh month following the date that the Participant incurs a
Separation from Service. The amount of such first payment shall include the
accumulated amount of the payments that would otherwise have been made during the
first six months after the Participant’s Separation from Service but for the fact
that the Participant is a Specified Employee.

 

 

 

Option D. A reduced monthly supplemental retirement benefit payable to
such Participant for his lifetime following his Separation from Service with the
continuance of a monthly benefit equal to such reduced amount after his death to his
Contingent Annuitant during the lifetime of the Contingent Annuitant, provided such
Contingent Annuitant is living at the time such Participant’s benefit commences.
Due to the six-month delay rule applicable to Specified Employees under Section
409A, the first annuity payment shall be made on the first day of the seventh month
following the date that the Participant incurs a Separation from Service. The
amount of such first payment shall include the accumulated amount of the payments
that would otherwise have been made during the first six months after the
Participant’s Separation from Service but for the fact that the Participant is a
Specified Employee.

Option E. Substantially equal annual installment payments for a
specified number of years on his Election Form, not to exceed ten, but in no event
less than a minimum of three years (five years for any Participant who at the time
of his Separation from Service is or was the Chairman or the Chief Executive Officer
of the Company). Due to the six-month delay rule applicable to Specified Employees
under Section 409A, the initial installment payment shall be made on the first day
of the seventh month following the date that the Participant incurs a Separation
from Service. The remaining installment payments shall be made on the first day of
the succeeding fiscal years of the Company after the fiscal year in which the first
installment payment is made to the Participant. In addition, the portion of a
benefit which is payable after the initial installment payment is made to a
Participant shall accrue interest until paid in accordance with the foregoing
provisions at the applicable interest rate under Section 417(e)(3) of the Code
utilized by the actuary to calculate the present value of such Participant’s
supplemental normal or early retirement benefit pursuant to the provisions of
Section 7.6.

7.2 Payment of Supplemental Deferred Retirement Benefits. The present value of the
supplemental deferred retirement benefits payable to an eligible Participant pursuant to the
provisions of Section 6.3 shall be determined pursuant to Sections 6.2 and 7.6 and paid to such
eligible Participant in three substantially equal payments with the first payment being made on the
first day of the fiscal year of the Company following the Participant’s attainment of age 65. The
remaining two payments shall be made on the first of the next two succeeding fiscal years of the
Company after the fiscal year in which the first payment is made to such Participant. In addition,
the portion of a benefit which is payable after the initial installment payment is made to a
Participant shall accrue interest until paid in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this
Section 7.2 at the applicable interest rate under Section 417(e)(3) of the Code utilized by the
actuary to calculate the present value of such Participant’s supplemental deferred retirement
benefits under Section 7.6.

 

 

 

7.3 Changing Time or Form of Payment. A Participant may elect to delay payment or to
change the form of payment if all the following conditions are met:

(i) Such election will not take effect until at least twelve months after the
date on which the election is made; and

(ii) The payment with respect to which such election is made is deferred for a
period of not less than five years from the date such payment would otherwise be
made; and

(iii) Any election for a “specified time (or pursuant to a fixed schedule)”
within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(iv) of the Code, may not be made less
than twelve months prior to the date of the first scheduled payment.

To the extent permitted under Section 409A, installment payments shall be treated as a single
payment.

7.4 Acceleration of Distributions. Except as provided in Articles VIII or IX or in
Section 7.3 and as permitted under Section 409A, no acceleration of the time or form of payment of
any supplemental retirement benefit under the Plan shall be permitted.

7.5 Deduction Limitation. To the extent allowed under Section 409A, the following
described limitation on a distribution that is otherwise payable pursuant to the provisions of the
Post-2004 Terms shall be applicable. If the Company determines in good faith that there is a
reasonable likelihood that a distribution under the Post-2004 Terms would not be deductible by the
Company when paid solely by reason of the limitation under Section 162(m) of the Code (“Section
162”), the Company may defer that amount of the distribution to the extent deemed necessary to
ensure deductibility; provided, however, that (i) such deduction limitation shall be applied to all
payments to similarly situated Participants on a reasonably consistent basis; (ii) the payment must
be made by the earliest of (x) during the Company’s first taxable year in which the Company
reasonably anticipates, or should reasonably anticipate, that if the payment is made during such
year, the deduction of such payment will not be barred by application of Section 162(m) of the Code
or (y) during the period beginning with the date of the Participant’s Separation from Service and
ending on the later of the last day of the taxable year of the Company in which the Participant
incurs a Separation from Service or the 15th day of the third month following the
Participant’s Separation from Service; (iii) where any scheduled payment to a particular
Participant in the Company’s taxable year is delayed because of Section 162(m), the delay in
payment will be treated as a subsequent deferral election unless all scheduled payments to such
Participant that could be delayed are also delayed; (iv) where a payment is delayed to a date on or
after the Participant’s Separation from Service, the payment will be considered a payment upon a
Separation from Service for purposes of the six-month delay for Specified Employees; and (v) no
election may be provided to a Participant with respect to the timing of payment hereunder;
provided, further, that such deduction limitation shall not be applied to any distribution made
after a Change in Control; and provided further, that the amounts deferred (and amounts credited
thereon) because of Section 162(m) shall be distributed to the Participant (or Beneficiary in the
event of the Participant’s death) at the earlier of (i) the earliest possible date that it is
deductible as set forth above, or (ii) a Change in Control. Any amounts deferred pursuant to such
deduction limitation shall continue to be credited with interest at the rate under
Section 417(e)(3) of the Code for the January immediately preceding the month in which the
supplemental retirement benefit of the Participant was to (or actually did) commence.

 

 

 

7.6 Actuarial Factors. The present value of the supplemental normal or early
retirement benefits of a Participant that are payable under the Plan pursuant to the provisions of
Section 7.1 shall be determined by using the applicable interest rate and applicable mortality
table specified under Section 417(e)(3) of the Code for the January immediately preceding the month
in which the Participant incurs a Separation from Service. The present value of the supplemental
deferred retirement benefits of a Participant that are payable under the Plan pursuant to the
provisions of Section 7.2 shall be determined by using the applicable interest rate and applicable
mortality table specified under Section 417(e)(3) of the Code for the January immediately preceding
the month in which such supplemental deferred retirement benefit of the Participant is to commence
to be paid. The present value of supplemental normal, early and deferred retirement benefits of
Participants that are payable under Section 8.2 shall be determined by using the applicable
interest rate and applicable mortality table specified under Section 417(e)(3) of the Code for the
January immediately preceding the month in which such present value is to be paid. Actuarial
equivalency under the Plan (except for the calculation of the present value of benefits for
purposes of Sections 7.1, 7.2 and 8.2) shall be determined using the actuarial factors utilized to
determine the Company’s projected benefit obligations under FAS 87 for the fiscal year in which
such benefit is to commence to be paid.

7.7 Cessation of Payments Due to Competition. Except in the event of a Change of
Control, each payment of supplemental retirement benefits under the Plan to a Participant shall be
subject to the condition that the Participant has not engaged in Competition with the Affiliated
Group, as defined in Section 7.8 below, at any time prior to the date of such payment.

7.8 Competition. Competition for purposes of the Plan shall mean assuming an
ownership position or a position as an employee, consultant, agent, or director with a business
engaged in the manufacture, processing, purchase, sale, design, or distribution of the same
products manufactured, sold, designed, or distributed by an Affiliate during the calendar year
prior to the date of termination of the Participant’s employment; provided, however, that in no
event shall ownership of less than two percent of the outstanding capital stock entitled to vote
for the election of directors of a corporation with a class of equity securities held of record by
more than 500 persons in itself be deemed Competition; and provided further, that all of the
following events shall have taken place:

(i) The Board shall have given written notice to the Participant that,
in the opinion of the Board, the Participant is engaged in Competition
within the meaning of the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.8,
specifying the details thereof;

(ii) The Participant shall have been given a reasonable opportunity,
upon receipt of such notice, to appear before and to be heard by the Board
with respect to his views regarding the opinion of the Board that the
Participant engaged in competition;

 

 

 

(iii) The Board shall have given written notice to the Participant that
the Board determined that the Participant is engaged in Competition; and

(iv) The Participant neither shall have ceased to engage in such
Competition within 30 days from his receipt of notice of such determination
nor shall have taken all reasonable steps to that end during such 30-day
period and thereafter.

7.9 Taxes. In the event any taxes are required by law to be withheld or paid from any
payments under the Plan, the Committee shall cause such amounts to be withheld from other income or
from such payments and shall transmit the withheld amounts to the appropriate taxing authority.

ARTICLE VIII

CHANGE IN CONTROL

8.1 Eligibility for Supplemental Retirement Benefit. In the event of a Change of
Control and regardless of any Service or age requirement otherwise applicable under the Plan as
well as the provisions of Article VII, each Participant who is employed by an Affiliate or who is
Disabled, or who has separated from service with the Affiliated Group and is eligible for a
supplemental deferred retirement benefit, shall be eligible to receive a supplemental retirement
benefit determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.2 and paid pursuant to the
provisions of Section 8.3 in lieu of any other benefit under the Plan.

8.2 Computation of Benefits Upon a Change of Control. In the event of a Change of
Control, the supplemental retirement benefit of an eligible Participant who is employed by an
Affiliate or who is Disabled shall be equal to the Accrued Portion of his supplemental normal
retirement benefit determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.2; provided, however,
that for purposes of calculating such supplemental retirement benefit, each Participant who has not
yet attained age 65 shall be credited with additional years of Service and age equal to one-half of
the difference between 65 and his age on the date of such Change of Control, but not in excess of
10; and provided further, that notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall D. L. Pugh be
credited with less than 10 years of Service for purposes of Section 3.2 or be deemed to be less
than age 60 for purposes of Section 4.2. In addition, in the event of a Change of Control, the
supplemental retirement benefit of a Participant who has separated from service with the Affiliated
Group and who is eligible for a supplemental deferred retirement benefit shall be to his benefit
determined under Section 6.2.

 

 

 

8.3 Payment of Benefits Upon a Change of Control. Except as otherwise provided in
this Section 8.3, any supplemental retirement benefit which is calculated under Section 8.2 shall
be paid in a single sum determined using the actuarial factors and interest rate set forth in
Section 7.6. Moreover, in the event of a Change of Control, each Participant and each Contingent
Annuitant of a deceased Participant, who is receiving supplemental retirement benefits under the
Plan, shall receive the actuarial present value of future payments of such benefits in a single sum
determined pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.6. Any such single sum payment payable under
this Section 8.3 shall be made to an eligible Participant or an eligible Contingent Annuitant as
soon as reasonably practicable but in no event later than 30 days after such Change of Control.

ARTICLE IX

DEATH BENEFITS

9.1 Designation of Beneficiary. Each Participant may designate a Beneficiary to whom
death benefits determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.2 shall be payable. In
the event a Participant does not designate a Beneficiary or the designated Beneficiary of a
Participant does not survive the Participant, then the Beneficiary of such Participant shall be the
estate of such Participant. If any Beneficiary designated hereunder dies after becoming entitled
to receive a distribution from the Plan and before such distribution is made to him in full, and if
no other person or persons have been designated to receive such distribution upon the happening of
such contingency, the estate of such deceased Beneficiary shall become the Beneficiary as to such
distribution.

9.2 Death Benefit. Upon the death of a Participant to whom supplemental normal,
early, or deferred retirement benefits under the Plan have not yet commenced to be paid or upon the
death of a Participant to whom supplemental normal, early, or deferred retirement benefits under
the Plan have commenced to be paid, the Beneficiary of such Participant shall receive the present
actuarial equivalent of the Accrued Portion of the Participant’s supplemental normal, early, or
deferred retirement benefit as of the earlier of the date benefits under the Plan commenced to be
paid to the Participant or his death minus the aggregate benefit payments, if any, made to such
Participant under the Plan. Any such death benefit shall be determined pursuant to the provisions
of Section 7.6 and paid in a single sum as soon as reasonably possible. Notwithstanding the
foregoing provisions of this Article IX, no death benefit shall be reduced due to the payment of
supplemental disability benefits under the Plan.

ARTICLE X

ADMINISTRATION

10.1 Authority of the Company. The Company shall be responsible for the general
administration of the Plan, for carrying out the provisions hereof, and for making, or causing a
grantor trust to make, any required supplemental benefit payments under the Plan. The Company
shall have all such powers as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of the Plan, including
the power to determine all questions relating to eligibility for and the amount of any supplemental
retirement benefit and all questions pertaining to claims for benefits and procedures for claim
review; to resolve all other questions arising under the Plan, including any questions of
construction; and to take such further action as the Company shall deem advisable in the
administration of the Plan. The Company may delegate any of its powers, authorities, or
responsibilities for the operation and administration of the Plan to any person or committee so
designated in writing by it and may employ such attorneys, agents, and accountants as it may deem
necessary or advisable to assist it in carrying out its duties hereunder. The actions taken and
the decisions made by the Company hereunder shall be final and binding upon all interested parties.

 

 

 

10.2 Claims Procedure. Generally benefits shall be paid under the Post-2004 Terms
without the necessity of filing a claim. A Participant, Beneficiary, or other person who believes
he is entitled to a benefit under the Post-2004 Terms (hereinafter referred to as the “Claimant”)
may file a written claim with the Company. A claim must state with specificity the determination
desired by the Claimant.

The Company shall consider the Claimant’s claim within a reasonable time, but no later than 90
days of receipt of the claim. If the Company determines that special circumstances require an
extension of time for processing the claim, the Company shall notify the Claimant in writing of the
extension before the end of the initial 90-day period and the written notice shall indicate the
special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Company expects to
make a decision. The extension of time shall not exceed 90 days from the end of the initial 90-day
period.

The Company shall notify the Claimant (in writing or electronically) that a determination has
been made and that the claim is either allowed in full or denied in whole or in part. If the claim
is denied in whole or in part, the Company shall notify (in writing or electronically) such
Claimant or an authorized representative of the Claimant, as applicable, of any adverse benefit
determination within 90 days of receipt of the claim. Any adverse benefit determination notice
shall describe the specific reason or reasons for the denial, refer to the specific Plan provisions
on which the determination was based, describe any additional material or information necessary for
the Claimant to perfect his claim and explain why that material or information is necessary,
describe the Plan’s review procedures and the time limits applicable to those procedures, including
a statement of the Claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following
a denial upon review. If the notification is made electronically, it must comply with applicable
Department of Labor Regulations.

Upon receipt of an adverse benefit determination, a Claimant may, within 60 days after
receiving notification of that determination, submit a written request asking the Board to review
the Claimant’s claim. Each Claimant, when making his request for review of his adverse benefit
determination, shall have the opportunity to submit written comments, documents, records, and any
other information relating to the claim for benefits. Each Claimant shall also be provided, upon
request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other
information relevant to such Claimant’s claim for benefits. The review shall take into account all
comments, documents, records, and other information submitted by the Claimant relating to the
claim, regardless of whether the information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit
determination. If a Claimant does not submit his request for
review in writing within the 60-day period described above, his claim shall be deemed to have
been conclusively determined for all purposes of the Plan and the adverse benefit determination
will be deemed to be correct.

 

 

 

If the Claimant submits in writing a request for review of the adverse benefit determination
within the 60-day period described above, the Board (or its designee) shall notify (in writing or
electronically) him of its determination on review within a reasonable period of time but not later
than 60 days from the date of receipt of his request for review, unless the Board (or its designee)
determines that special circumstances require an extension of time. If the Board (or its designee)
determines that an extension of time for processing a Claimant’s request for review is required,
the Board (or its designee) shall notify him in writing before the end of the initial 60-day period
and inform him of the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which
the Board (or its designee) expects to render its determination on review. The extension of time
will not exceed 60 days from the end of the initial 60-day period.

If the Board (or its designee) confirms the adverse benefit determination upon review, the
notification will describe the specific reason or reasons for the adverse determination, refer to
the specific Plan provisions on which the benefit determination is based, include a statement that
the Claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and
copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the Claimant’s claim and
include a statement describing the Claimant’s right to bring an action under Section 502(a) of
ERISA, and any other required information under applicable Department of Labor Regulations. The
claims procedure described above shall be administered in a manner not inconsistent with Section
503 of ERISA and applicable Department of Labor Regulations.

A Claimant’s compliance with the foregoing claims procedures shall be a mandatory prerequisite
to the Claimant’s right to commence any legal action with respect to any claim for benefits under
the Plan.

ARTICLE XI

AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

The Company reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan at any time by action of the
Committee; provided, however, that no such action shall adversely affect any Participant who is
receiving supplemental retirement benefits or supplemental disability benefits under the Plan or
who has accrued a supplemental retirement benefit under the Plan, unless an equivalent benefit is
provided under another plan sponsored by the Company.

 

 

 

ARTICLE XII

MISCELLANEOUS

12.1 Non-Alienation of Benefits. No benefit under the Plan shall at any time be
subject in any manner to alienation or encumbrance. If any Participant shall attempt to, or shall,
alienate or in any way encumber his rights or benefits under the Plan, or any part thereof, or if
by reason of his bankruptcy or other event happening at any time any such benefits would otherwise
be received by anyone else or would not be enjoyed by him, his interest in all such benefits shall
automatically terminate and the same shall be held or applied to or for the benefit of such person,
his spouse, children, or other dependents as the Company may select.

12.2 Payment of Benefits to Others. If any Participant to whom a benefit is payable
under the Plan is unable to care for his affairs because of illness or accident, any payment due
(unless prior claim therefor shall have been made by a duly qualified guardian or other legal
representative) may be paid to the spouse, parent, brother, sister, adult child, or any other
individual deemed by the Company to be maintaining or responsible for the maintenance of such
person. Any payment made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 12.2 shall be a
complete discharge of any liability of the Plan with respect to the benefit so paid.

12.3 Plan Non-Contractual. Nothing herein contained shall be construed as a
commitment or agreement on the part of any Participant to continue his employment with the Company,
and nothing herein contained shall be construed as a commitment on the part of the Company to
continue the employment or the annual rate of compensation of any Participant for any period, and
all Participants shall remain subject to discharge to the same extent as if the Plan had never been
established.

12.4 Trust. In order to provide a source of payment for its obligations under the
Plan, the Company may establish a grantor trust.

12.5 Interest of a Participant. The obligation of the Company under the Plan to
provide a Participant with supplemental retirement benefits or supplemental disability benefits
constitutes the unsecured promise of the Company to make payments as provided herein, and no person
shall have any interest in, or a lien or prior claim upon, any property of the Company.

12.6 Claims of Other Persons. The provisions of the Plan shall in no event be
construed as giving any person, firm or corporation any legal or equitable right against the
Company, its officers, employees, or directors, except any such rights as are specifically provided
for in the Plan or are hereafter created in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Plan.

 

 

 

12.7 Section 409A. Although the Company shall use its best efforts to avoid the
imposition of taxation, penalties and/or interest under Section 409A, tax treatment of benefits
under the Plan is not warranted or guaranteed. No liability shall attach to the Company, any
Affiliate, the Board, or any delegate thereof, for any tax, penalty, interest or other monetary
amounts owed by any Participant, Beneficiary or other person as a result of the accrual or
payment of a benefit under the Plan (whether the Frozen Terms or the Post-2004 Terms) or as a
result of the administration of amounts subject to the Plan (whether the Frozen Terms or the
Post-2004 Terms).

12.8 Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any particular provision of
the Plan shall not affect any other provision hereof, and the Plan shall be construed in all
respects as if such invalid or unenforceable provision were omitted herefrom.

12.9 Governing Law. The provisions of the Plan shall be governed and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio.

Executed at Cleveland, Ohio, this 11 day of December, 2008.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ David L. Pugh
 	 
	 	 	Title:  Chairman & CEOFiled by Bowne Pure Compliance

EXHIBIT 10.2

APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN FOR NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS

(Post-2004 Terms)

WHEREAS, the Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee
Directors (formerly known as the Bearings, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee
Directors and hereinafter referred to as the “Plan”) was established effective as of July 1, 1991,
by Bearings, Inc., the predecessor to Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (hereinafter referred
to as the “Company”) to provide non-employee members of the Board of Directors of the Company
(hereinafter referred to as “Directors”) with a means by which to defer receipt of all or a portion
of the compensation payable to them for their services as Directors; and

WHEREAS, the Plan was most recently restated as of September 1, 2003; and

WHEREAS, in order to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(hereinafter referred to as “Section 409A”) and to facilitate administration of certain
nonqualified deferrals thereunder, the Plan is hereby bifurcated effective January 1, 2005, into
two parts; namely, one part consists of the Plan, as in effect on October 3, 2004 (hereinafter
referred to as the “Frozen Terms”), and which is frozen and shall not be modified except as
permitted under Section 409A so as to preserve the grandfathered status of deferrals and related
earnings thereunder, and the second part which consists of the post-2004 terms of the Plan, as
amended effective January 1, 2005, for compliance with Section 409A (hereinafter referred to as the
“Post-2004 Terms”); and

WHEREAS, deferrals earned or vested after December 31, 2004, and before the Plan was
bifurcated and amended have been made and administered in good faith in accordance with the
requirements of Section 409A;

NOW, THEREFORE, effective January 1, 2005, the Post-2004 Terms of the Plan are hereinafter set
forth.

 

 

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

1.1 Definitions. As used herein, the following words shall have the meanings
hereinafter set forth unless otherwise specifically provided.

(1) The term “Beneficiary” shall mean the person or persons who, in
accordance with the provisions of Article V, is entitled to distribution
hereunder in the event a Participant dies before his interest under the Plan
has been distributed to him in full.

(2) The term “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

(3) The term “Change in Control” shall mean a change in the ownership
or effective control of the Company or a change in the ownership of a
substantial portion of the assets of the Company that constitutes a “change
in control” under Section 409A.

(4) The term “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended from time to time. Reference to a section of the Code shall include
such section and any comparable section or sections of any future
legislation that amends, supplements, or supersedes such section.

(5) The term “Committee” shall mean the Corporate Governance Committee
of the Board, or such other committee of the Board that is designated by the
Board to administer the Plan. The Committee shall be constituted so as to
satisfy any applicable legal requirements including the requirements of Rule
16b-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any similar
rule which may subsequently be in effect. The members shall be appointed
by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Board and any vacancy on the Committee
shall be filled by the Board.

(6) The term “Common Shares” shall mean the common stock of the
Company.

(7) The term “Company” shall mean Applied Industrial Technologies,
Inc., its corporate successors, and any corporation into or with which it is
merged or consolidated.

(8) The term “Compensation” shall mean the retainer and fees paid by
the Company to a Director for his services as a Director.

 

 

 

(9) The term “Deferral” shall mean that portion of the Compensation
which a Participant elects to defer pursuant to the terms of the Post-2004
Terms.

(10) The term “Deferral Account” shall mean the bookkeeping account
established under the Plan in the name of each Participant to reflect the
Deferrals of such Participant.

(11) The term “Director” shall mean any non-employee member of the
Board of Directors of the Company.

(12) The term “Election Form” shall mean the form which may be
electronic, telephonic or hard copy and on which a Director elects to defer
compensation under the Post-2004 Terms as provided in Section 2.1.

(13) The term “ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time. Reference to a section
of ERISA shall include such section and any comparable section or sections
of any future legislation that amends, supplements, or supersedes such
section.

(14) The term “Fair Market Value” shall mean the average of the high
and low prices of a Common Share as reported on the composite tape for
securities listed on the New York Stock Exchange for the date in question,
provided that if no sales of Common Shares were made on said exchange on
that date, the average of the high and low prices of a Common Share as
reported on said composite tape for the nearest preceding day on which sales
of Common Shares were made on said Exchange.

(15) The term “Fiscal Year” shall mean the fiscal year of the Company,
which begins on each July 1 and ends on the subsequent June 30.

(16) The term “Frozen Terms” shall mean the terms of the Plan, as in
effect on October 3, 2004.

(17) The term “Fund” shall mean any investment fund designated by the
Committee in which Deferrals are deemed to be invested; provided, however,
that one such Fund shall be deemed to be invested in Common Shares.

(18) The term “Participant” shall mean a Director who elects to defer
all or any portion of his Compensation under the Plan pursuant to the
provisions of Article II.

 

 

 

(19) The term “Plan” shall mean the Applied Industrial Technologies,
Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors which, effective
as of January 1, 2005, shall consist of the Frozen Terms and the Post-2004
Terms.

(20) The term “Post-2004 Terms” shall mean the portion of the Plan as
set forth herein with respect to Deferrals earned or vested after December
31, 2004, with all amendments, supplements, and modifications hereafter
made.

(21) The term “Section 409A” shall mean Section 409A of the Code, and
the regulations and rulings promulgated thereunder.

(22) The term “Separation from Service” shall mean the termination of
services for the Company by a Participant for any reason other than death.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, whether or not a Participant has incurred a
Separation from Service shall be determined in accordance with the
provisions of Section 409A.

(23) The term “Trust” shall mean the trust maintained pursuant to the
terms of the Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. Non-Employee Directors
Deferred Compensation Grantor Trust Agreement, with all amendments,
supplements, and modifications.

(24) The term “Unforeseeable Emergency” shall be defined and determined
in accordance with the provisions of Section 409A, which include a severe
financial hardship of a Participant resulting from an illness or accident of
the Participant, the Participant’s spouse, or the Participant’s dependent
(as defined in Section 152 of the Code (without regard to Sections
152(b)(1), (b)(2), and (d)(1)(B) of the Code); a loss of the Participant’s
property due to casualty (including the need to rebuild a home following
damage to the home by natural disaster not otherwise covered by insurance);
or other similar or extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as
a result of events beyond the control of the Participant.

(25) The term “Valuation Date” shall mean the last day of each Fiscal
Year quarter and any other date as may be designated as such by the
Committee.

1.2 Construction. Where necessary or appropriate to the meaning herein, the singular
shall be deemed to include the plural and the masculine pronoun to include the feminine.

 

 

 

ARTICLE II

DEFERRAL ELECTIONS 

2.1 Participation and Elections to Defer. Each Director who was participating in the
Plan under the Frozen Terms as of December 31, 2004, and who continues to serve as an active
Director shall be eligible to continue to participate in the Plan under the Post-2004 Terms as of
January 1, 2005. Directors who were not participating in the Plan under the Frozen Terms and
Directors who were elected to the Board on or after January 1, 2005, shall be eligible to
participate in the Plan under the Post-2004 Terms for services performed after December 31, 2004.
As a condition of participation in the Plan, a Director must complete, sign, and return to the
Committee an Election Form, within the time permitted under Section 2.2 for making elections. A
Participant’s Election Form shall specify the amount or percentage of the Compensation being
deferred and the time and form of payment in accordance with Article IV. The election to defer,
including the election of the time and form of payment, shall be irrevocable as of the date
specified in Section 2.2. Pursuant to Article IV, a Participant may make a subsequent election to
delay payment and change the form of payment of a Deferral.

2.2 Time of Elections. On or before each December 31 immediately preceding the first
day of the calendar year during which services giving rise to Compensation will be performed, a
Director may elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of such Compensation that he is eligible to
receive from the Company as a Deferral under the Plan for such calendar year. Such election shall
be irrevocable, upon delivery of the Election Form to the Committee, as of the end of such December
31 with respect to the Compensation for which an election has been made. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, a Director who has not previously been eligible to participate in the Plan or in any
other nonqualified account balance plan of the Company that is required to be aggregated with the
Plan pursuant to Section 409A, may file an Election Form with the Committee prior to, or within 30
days of, the date on which he first becomes a Director to participate in the Plan and to defer all
or a portion of his Compensation to be earned for services to be performed subsequent to the filing
of the Election Form and ending on December 31 of the calendar year in which such filing occurs.

2.3 Special Transition Elections.

(a) Changes in Payment Elections. During 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008, a Participant
may make elections to receive payment of his Deferrals without complying with the requirements of
Section 4.3; provided that any such election shall only be effective as follows:

(i) If made in 2006, it shall be applicable only with respect to amounts that would
not otherwise be payable in 2006 and shall not cause an amount to be paid in 2006 that
would not otherwise be payable in 2006; and

(ii) If made in 2007, it shall be applicable only with respect to amounts that
would not otherwise be payable in 2007 and shall not cause an amount to be paid in 2007
that would not otherwise be payable in 2007; and

 

 

 

(iii) If made in 2008, it shall be applicable only with respect to amounts that
would not otherwise be payable in 2008 and shall not cause an amount to be paid in 2008
that would not otherwise be payable in 2008.

(b) 2005 Deferral Elections. In accordance with Q&A-21 of Notice 2005 — 1 and Section
3.06 of Notice 2006-79, initial deferral elections for calendar year 2005 were permitted to be made
on or before March 15, 2005, with respect to amounts that were not paid or payable at the time of
such election.

2.4 Other Election Provisions. Each Participant shall indicate on his Election Form
the allocation of the Deferral to be deemed invested in the Funds. Subject to the provisions of
Article IV and Section 5.7, amounts deferred pursuant to an election made under the Plan shall be
deemed invested in the Funds and shall be distributed in the manner and at the time set forth on
the applicable Election Form.

ARTICLE III

ACCOUNTS AND INVESTMENTS

3.1 Establishment and Crediting of Accounts. The Deferral Account of each Participant
shall have subaccounts that shall reflect the Funds into which Deferrals are deemed invested and
credited pursuant to the applicable Election Form filed by the Participant with the Committee.

3.2 Amount of Deferrals. If a Participant elects to have Compensation deferred under
the Plan as a Deferral and invested in a Fund, other than a Fund comprised of Common Shares, 100%
of the amount of such Deferral deemed so invested in such Fund shall be credited to his Deferral
Account and subaccounts in accordance with his duly filed Election Form. If the Participant elects
to have some or all of his compensation deferred under the Plan as a Deferral and invested in a
Fund comprised of Common Shares, prior to January 1, 2009, 125% of the amount of such Deferral, and
on and after January 1, 2009, 100% of the amount of such Deferral, deemed so invested in such Fund
shall be credited to his Deferral Account and subaccounts in accordance with the terms of his duly
filed Election Form. Any such Deferral shall be credited to the Deferral Account of a Participant
as of the last day of the Fiscal Year quarter during which the Deferral would have otherwise been
payable to such Participant.

3.3 Adjustment of Accounts. As of each Valuation Date, the value of each Deferral
Account shall be adjusted to reflect deemed earnings, losses, dividends, distributions, and credits
in accordance with procedures adopted by the Committee or the Board. Common Shares of a Fund
credited to any Deferral Account shall be valued at Fair Market Value.

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

DISTRIBUTION OF ACCOUNTS

4.1 Form of Payments. The value of a Participant’s Deferral deemed invested in a Fund
comprised of Common Shares shall be distributed in Common Shares and the value of a Participant’s
Deferral deemed otherwise invested shall be distributed in cash. Such value shall be determined as
of the most recent Valuation Date. Subject to the provisions of Section 4.2, a distribution of the
value of a Deferral from a Participant’s Deferral Account shall be made either in a lump sum or in
substantially equal annual installments over a period of not more than ten years and commencing as
of a date specified in such Participant’s Election Form with respect to such Deferral.

4.2 Time of Payments. In accordance with the provisions of Section 409A, a
Participant shall specify on his Election Form, at the time he defers Compensation, an objectively
determinable payment date, which may include attainment of a specific age, a date certain, or
Separation from Service. Except as otherwise provided in this Article IV, distribution of the
value of a Deferral (and related earnings and losses) from a Participant’s Deferral Account shall
commence within 60 days of the date specified for commencement on his applicable Election Form;
provided, however, that if such 60-day period begins in one calendar year and ends in another, the
Participant shall not have a right to designate the calendar year of payment.

4.3 Changing Time or Form of Payments. A Participant may elect to delay payment or to
change the form of payment of the value of a Deferral, if all the following conditions are met:

(i) Such election will not take effect until at least twelve months after the
date on which the election is made; and

(ii) The payment with respect to which such election is made is deferred for a
period of not less than five years from the date such payment would otherwise be
made; and

(iii) Any election for a “specified time (or pursuant to a fixed schedule)”
within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(iv) of the Code, may not be made less
than twelve (12) months prior to the date of the first scheduled payment.

To the extent permitted under Section 409A, installment payments shall be treated as a single
payment.

4.4 No Acceleration. Except as permitted under Section 409A, no acceleration of the
time or form of payment of a Participant’s Deferral from his Deferral Account shall be permitted.

 

 

 

4.5 Emergency Distribution. Upon the written request of a Participant and the showing
of an Unforeseeable Emergency, the Committee may, upon its determination that such an emergency
exists, direct that an amount of such Participant’s Deferral Account be paid to him. The amount
that can be paid shall not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy the Unforeseeable Emergency plus
an amount necessary to pay taxes reasonably anticipated because of such distribution, after taking
into account the extent to which such emergency is or may be relieved through reimbursement or
compensation by insurance or otherwise or by liquidation of the Participant’s assets (to the extent
the liquidation would not itself cause severe financial hardship). Payment shall be made within 30
days of the Committee’s determination that an Unforeseeable Emergency exists.

4.6 Distribution Upon Death. In the event that a Participant dies prior to
commencement of payments or while receiving payments under the Post-2004 Terms, the Company shall
pay his Beneficiary the remainder of his Deferral Account under the Post-2004 Terms in a single sum
within 60 days of the Participant’s death. The Company shall provide each Participant with the
form for designating his Beneficiary. A Participant may change his Beneficiary designation at any
time (without the prior consent of any prior Beneficiary) by executing a revised Beneficiary
designation form and delivering it to the Company before his death. If no Beneficiary is
designated or if the Beneficiary predeceases the Participant or cannot be located, the
Participant’s Deferral Account shall be paid to the Participant’s estate.

4.7 Distribution in the Event of a Change in Control. Notwithstanding any other
provision of the Post-2004 Terms to the contrary, to the extent permitted under Section 409A, the
Deferral Account of a Participant under the Post-2004 Terms shall be distributed to such
Participant within ten days following the Change of Control or deferred for payment at a later
specified date pursuant to the election made by the Participant on his Election Form.

4.8 Taxes. In the event any taxes are required by law to be withheld or paid from any
Deferrals or payments under the Plan, the Committee shall cause such amounts to be withheld from
other income or from such payments and shall transmit the withheld amounts to the appropriate
taxing authority.

ARTICLE V

MISCELLANEOUS

5.1 Amendment and Termination of Plan. The Company reserves the right to amend or
terminate the Plan at any time; provided, however, that no amendment or termination shall affect
the rights of Participants to amounts previously credited to their Deferral Accounts pursuant to
Section 3.2.

 

 

 

5.2 Non-Alienation. No benefit under the Plan shall at any time be subject in any
manner to alienation or encumbrance. If any Participant or Beneficiary shall attempt to, or shall,
alienate or in any way encumber his rights or benefits under the Plan, or any part thereof, or if
by
reason of his bankruptcy or other event happening at any time any such benefits would otherwise be
received by anyone else or would not be enjoyed by him, his interest in all such benefits shall
automatically terminate and the same shall be held or applied to or for the benefit of such person,
his spouse, children, or other dependents as the Committee may select.

5.3 Payment of Benefits to Others. If any Participant or Beneficiary to whom a
benefit is payable under the Plan is unable to care for his affairs because of illness or accident,
any payment due (unless prior claim therefor shall have been made by a duly qualified guardian or
other legal representative) may be paid to the spouse, parent, brother, sister, adult child, or any
other individual deemed by the Company to be maintaining or responsible for the maintenance of such
person. Any payment made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.3 shall be a complete
discharge of any liability of the Plan with respect to the benefit so paid.

5.4 Taxability of Plan Benefits. The Plan is intended to be treated as an unfunded
deferred compensation plan under the Code. If, at any time, it is determined that amounts deferred
pursuant to the Plan are currently taxable to a Participant or his Beneficiary under Section 409A,
the amounts credited to such Participant’s Deferral Account which become so taxable shall be
distributed immediately to him; provided, however, that in no event shall amounts so payable under
the Plan to a Participant exceed the value of his Deferral Account.

5.5 Funding. The Company may cause Plan benefits to be paid from the Trust which is a
grantor trust that may provide full funding of the Plan benefits in the event of a potential Change
in Control or Change in Control. Subject to the provisions of the Trust, the obligation of the
Company under the Plan to provide a Participant or Beneficiary with a benefit constitutes the
unsecured promise of the Company to make payments as provided herein, and no person shall have any
interest in, or a lien or prior claim upon, any property of the Company. Notwithstanding any other
provision of the Plan, Plan benefits shall be limited to the balance of a Participant’s Deferral
Account.

5.6 Section 16b Procedures. In conjunction with rules promulgated by the Securities
and Exchange Commission under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the
Company has established Section 16b Procedures which affect certain transactions under the Plan
involving Employer Securities held for the benefit of a Director. Such Procedures, which are
hereby incorporated into the Plan shall constitute for all purposes a part of the Plan. In the
event that the Procedures conflict with any other provision of the Plan, the Procedures shall
override such other provision and shall be controlling. For purposes of this Section, the
following terms shall have the meaning hereinafter set forth.

(a) The term “Employer Security” shall mean any qualifying employer security as defined
in Section 407(d)(5) of ERISA which is also an equity security as defined under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(b) The term “Officer” shall mean any person who is designated as an “Officer” of the
Company for purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

 

 

(c) The term “Section 16b Procedures” or “Procedures” shall mean the Administrative
Procedures Applicable to Officers and Directors Under Employee Benefit Plans Maintained by
Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc., effective as of January 1, 1997, with all amendments,
supplements, and modifications thereafter made.

5.7 Interpretation. The Board and the Committee shall have full power and authority
to interpret, construe, and administer the Post-2004 Terms, and the interpretation and construction
thereof and actions thereunder by the Board or the Committee, including any valuation of a
Participant’s Deferral Account and the amount or recipient of the payments to be made from such
Deferral Account, shall be binding and conclusive on all persons for all purposes. No member of
the Board and no designee shall be liable to any person for any action taken or omitted in
connection with the interpretation and administration of the Plan.

5.8 Claims Procedures. Generally, benefits shall be paid under the Post-2004 Terms
without the necessity of filing a claim. Any Director, Participant, Beneficiary, or other person
who believes he is entitled to a benefit under the Post-2004 Terms (hereinafter referred to as the
“Claimant”) may file a written claim with the Company. A claim must state with specificity the
determination desired by the Claimant.

The Company shall consider the Claimant’s claim within a reasonable time, but no later than 90
days of receipt of the claim. If the Company determines that special circumstances require an
extension of time for processing the claim, the Company shall notify the Claimant in writing of the
extension before the end of the initial 90-day period and the written notice shall indicate the
special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Company expects to
make a decision. The extension of time shall not exceed 90 days from the end of the initial 90-day
period.

The Company shall notify the Claimant (in writing or electronically) that a determination has
been made and that the claim is either allowed in full or denied in whole or in part. If the claim
is denied in whole or in part, the Company shall notify (in writing or electronically) such
Claimant or an authorized representative of the Claimant, as applicable, of any adverse benefit
determination within 90 days of receipt of the claim. Any adverse benefit determination notice
shall describe the specific reason or reasons for the denial, refer to the specific Plan provisions
on which the determination was based, describe any additional material or information necessary for
the Claimant to perfect his claim and explain why that material or information is necessary,
describe the Plan’s review procedures and the time limits applicable to those procedures, including
a statement of the Claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following
a denial upon review. If the notification is made electronically, it must comply with applicable
Department of Labor Regulations.

 

 

 

Upon receipt of an adverse benefit determination, a Claimant may, within 60 days after
receiving notification of that determination, submit a written request asking the Board to review
the Claimant’s claim. Each Claimant, when making his request for review of his adverse benefit
determination, shall have the opportunity to submit written comments, documents, records, and
any other information relating to the claim for benefits. Each Claimant shall also be provided,
upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and
other information relevant to such Claimant’s claim for benefits. The review shall take into
account all comments, documents, records, and other information submitted by the Claimant relating
to the claim, regardless of whether the information was submitted or considered in the initial
benefit determination. If a Claimant does not submit his request for review in writing within the
60-day period described above, his claim shall be deemed to have been conclusively determined for
all purposes of the Plan and the adverse benefit determination will be deemed to be correct.

If the Claimant submits in writing a request for review of the adverse benefit determination
within the 60-day period described above, the Company (or its designee) shall notify (in writing or
electronically) him of its determination on review within a reasonable period of time but not later
than 60 days from the date of receipt of his request for review, unless the Company (or its
designee) determines that special circumstances require an extension of time. If the Company (or
its designee) determines that an extension of time for processing a Claimant’s request for review
is required, the Company (or its designee) shall notify him in writing before the end of the
initial 60-day period and inform him of the special circumstances requiring an extension of time
and the date by which the Company (or its designee) expects to render its determination on review.
The extension of time will not exceed 60 days from the end of the initial 60-day period.

If the Company (or its designee) confirms the adverse benefit determination upon review, the
notification will describe the specific reason or reasons for the adverse determination, refer to
the specific Plan provisions on which the benefit determination is based, include a statement that
the Claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and
copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the Claimant’s claim and
include a statement describing the Claimant’s right to bring an action under Section 502(a) of
ERISA, and any other required information under applicable Department of Labor Regulations. The
claims procedure described above shall be administered in a manner not inconsistent with Section
503 of ERISA and applicable Department of Labor Regulations.

A Claimant’s compliance with the foregoing claims procedures shall be a mandatory prerequisite
to the Claimant’s right to commence any legal action with respect to any claim for benefits under
the Plan.

5.9 Section 409A. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the Plan, nothing
shall restrict the Company’s right to amend the Plan, the Post-2004 Terms, the Frozen Terms, any
deferral agreement, and/or any deferral Election Form, without the consent of Participants and
without additional consideration to affected Participants, to the extent necessary to avoid
taxation, penalties, and/or interest arising under Section 409A, even if such amendments reduce,
restrict, or eliminate rights granted thereunder before such amendments. Although the Company
shall use its best efforts to avoid the imposition of taxation, penalties, and/or interest under
Section 409A, tax treatment of deferrals and other credits under the Plan (whether the Frozen

 

 

 

Terms
or the Post-2004 Terms) is not warranted or guaranteed. If, at any time, it is determined
that amounts deferred pursuant to the Plan are currently taxable to a Participant or his
Beneficiary under Section 409A, the amounts credited to such Participant’s Deferral Account which
become so taxable shall be distributed immediately to him; provided, however, that in no event
shall amounts so payable under the Plan to a Participant exceed the value of his Deferral Account.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company, the Board, any Affiliate, or any delegatee shall not be
held liable for any taxes, penalties, interest, or other monetary amounts owed by any Participant,
Director, Beneficiary, or other person as a result of the deferral or payment of any amounts under
the Plan (whether the Frozen Terms or the Post-2004 Terms) or as a result of the administration of
amounts subject to the Plan (whether the Frozen Terms or the Post-2004 Terms).

5.10 Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any particular provision of
the Plan shall not affect any other provision hereof, and the Plan shall be construed in all
respects as if such invalid or unenforceable provision were omitted herefrom.

5.11 Governing Law. The provisions of the Plan shall be governed and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio, without regard to its conflict or choice of law
principles.

Executed at Cleveland, Ohio, this 11 day of December, 2008.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ David L. Pugh
 	 
	 	 	Title:  Chairman & CEO

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