defa14a
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Filed by the Registrant þ |
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o |
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Check the appropriate box: |
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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April 20, 2009
Dear Fellow Federal Signal Stockholder:
TWO LEADING PROXY ADVISORY FIRMS RECOMMEND STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR
ALL THREE FEDERAL SIGNAL DIRECTOR NOMINEES
Federal Signals April 29th Annual Meeting of Stockholders is just days away and your
vote is very important. We want to make you aware of an important new development. RiskMetrics
Group/ISS Governance Services and Glass Lewis & Co., widely recognized as the nations two leading
independent proxy advisory firms, recommend that Federal Signal stockholders support all three of
the Companys director nominees. The enclosed press release provides additional information about
these recommendations.
PROTECT THE VALUE OF YOUR INVESTMENT: VOTE FOR YOUR BOARDS NOMINEES
ON THE WHITE PROXY CARD TODAY
Our strategic and operational achievements and newly-installed management team, led by president
and CEO, Bill Osborne, demonstrate that Federal Signal has the right plan and the right team in
place to reach our goals and create stockholder value. We urge you to follow the RiskMetrics and
Glass Lewis recommendations and vote FOR your Boards nominees on the WHITE proxy card today.
On behalf of your Board, I thank you for your continued support of Federal Signal.
Sincerely,
John McCartney
Director
Federal Signal Corporation
TIME IS SHORT AND YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!
To ensure that your vote is represented at the meeting, we urge you to vote TODAY
by Internet or telephone by following the simple instructions
on your WHITE proxy card
If you have questions about how to vote your shares, or need additional assistance, please contact
the firm
assisting us in the solicitation of proxies:
INNISFREE M&A INCORPORATED
Stockholders Call Toll-Free: (877) 800-5186
Banks and Brokers Call Collect: (212) 750-5833
News From
REGENCY TOWERS, 1415 W. 22ND ST., OAK BROOK, ILLINOIS 60523
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GLASS LEWIS & CO. RECOMMENDS FEDERAL SIGNAL STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR
ALL THREE OF FEDERAL SIGNALS DIRECTOR NOMINEES ON THE WHITE PROXY
CARD
Second Leading Independent Proxy Advisory Firm Endorses Federal Signals Director Nominees
OAK BROOK, Ill., April 20 Federal Signal Corporation (NYSE: FSS), a leader in advancing security
and well-being, today announced that Glass Lewis & Co., a leading independent proxy advisory firm,
recommends that Federal Signal stockholders support all three of the Companys director nominees at
Federal Signals 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 29, 2009.
As previously announced, RiskMetrics Group/ISS Governance Services, another leading independent
proxy advisory firm, also recommended that Federal Signal stockholders vote FOR all the Boards
director nominees. Glass Lewis and RiskMetrics are widely recognized as the nations two leading
independent proxy voting and corporate governance advisory firms. The analyses and recommendations
of Glass Lewis and RiskMetrics are relied upon by hundreds of major institutional investment firms,
mutual funds and fiduciaries throughout the United States.
In its April 20, 2009, report recommending that Federal Signal stockholders elect all three of the
Boards nominees, Glass Lewis stated that it ... believe[s] that the current board members have
the appropriate background and independence to oversee the executive team and Company going forward
and that the participation of the Dissident on the board is unwarranted at this time.1
Glass Lewis also states that new CEO, Bill Osborne, has been in place for only a short time and
that the board has a new strategic plan in place.1
We are pleased that two of the nations leading independent proxy advisory firms -
RiskMetrics and now Glass Lewis recommend that Federal Signal stockholders vote FOR all the
Boards director nominees, said John McCartney, an independent director speaking on behalf of
Federal Signals Board. Glass Lewis and RiskMetrics share our long-held belief that Federal
Signal has the right plan and the right Board and management team to lead the Company and
create stockholder value.
As previously announced, RiskMetrics stated the following in its April 17, 2009 report recommending
that Federal Signal stockholders elect all three of the Boards nominees1:
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... we note that since the removal of the previous management team in Dec. 2007, the
company has not only performed largely in line with its peer group in terms of share price
performance but also has substantially improved its operating metrics. |
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Permission to use quotations was neither sought nor
obtained. |
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With respect to election of three directors to a ten member classified board, we note
that two of the three company nominees, Joseph Wright and William Osborne are new and
joined the board in 2008. Moreover, five of the nine non-executive directors have been on
the board since 2005 ... Meanwhile, Mr. Gerbsman, the third dissident nominee does not seem
to have any direct industry/sector operating or public board experience. |
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...we note that [Kanders] applied for the CEO position and only after his candidacy was
turned down, he initiated the proxy contest. As such, even though Mr. Kanders has publicly
stated that he is no longer interested in the CEO position and would work with the new
management, we believe that the being disruptive argument may have some merit in this
case. |
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Regarding the new management team, we note that analyst reports had a favorable opinion
of Mr. Osborne at the time of his appointment. |
Federal Signal urges stockholders to follow the RiskMetrics and Glass Lewis recommendations by
signing, dating and returning the WHITE proxy card today. For additional information on how to
vote their shares, stockholders should call Innisfree M&A Incorporated, toll-free, at (877)
800-5186.
About Federal Signal
Federal Signal Corporation (NYSE: FSS) enhances the safety, security and well-being of communities
and workplaces around the world. Founded in 1901, Federal Signal is a leading global designer and
manufacturer of products and total solutions that serve municipal, governmental, industrial and
institutional customers. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., with manufacturing facilities
worldwide, the Company operates three groups: Safety and Security Systems, Environmental Solutions
and Fire Rescue. For more information on Federal Signal, visit: http://www.federalsignal.com.
Forward-Looking Language
This news release may contain words such as may, will, believe, expect, anticipate,
intend, plan, project, estimate and objective or the negative thereof or similar
terminology concerning Federal Signals future financial performance, business strategy, plans,
goals and objectives. These expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements
include information concerning Federal Signals possible or assumed future performance or results
of operations and are not guarantees. While these statements are based on assumptions and judgments
that management has made in light of industry experience as well as perceptions of historical
trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors believed to be
appropriate under the circumstances, they are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors
that may cause Federal Signals actual results, performance or achievements to be materially
different from those stated. Such risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: economic
conditions in various regions, product and price competition, supplier and raw material prices,
foreign currency exchange rate changes, interest rate changes, increased legal expenses and
litigation results, legal and regulatory developments and other risks and uncertainties described
in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Important Information
In connection with the solicitation of proxies, on March 30, 2009, Federal Signal filed with the
SEC and, on March 31, 2009, mailed to stockholders a definitive proxy statement and a WHITE proxy
card for its 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Stockholders may obtain Federal Signals proxy
statement, a WHITE proxy card and any amendments or supplements and other documents for free by
contacting Innisfree M&A Incorporated toll-free at (877) 800-5186.