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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
 
Filed by the Registrant ☒
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
 
Preliminary Proxy Statement
 
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
 
Definitive Proxy Statement
 
Definitive Additional Materials
 
Soliciting Material Pursuant to
§240.14a-12
CRANE COMPANY
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
 
No fee required.
 
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
 
Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules
14a-6(i)(1)
and
0-11.
 
 
 


Table of Contents

LOGO

CRANE 2025 NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT


Table of Contents

 

LOGO    

 

CRANE COMPANY

 

100 FIRST STAMFORD PLACE

 

STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06902

 

Dear Fellow Stockholders:

     

This Proxy Statement and the 2024 Annual Report to Stockholders are available at www.investors.craneco.com

 

   

Crane Company cordially invites you to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on Monday, April 28, 2025, at 100 First Stamford Place, Ground Floor Conference Room, Stamford, CT.

The Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement on the following pages describe the matters to be presented at the meeting. Management will report on current operations, and there will be an opportunity to ask questions regarding Crane Company and its activities.

It is important that your shares be represented at the meeting, regardless of the size of your holdings. If you are unable to attend, I urge you to participate by voting your shares by proxy. You may do so by using the internet address or the toll-free telephone number set forth in this Proxy Statement, or by requesting a printed copy of the proxy materials and completing and returning by mail the proxy card you receive in response to your request.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Max H. Mitchell

Chairman of the Board,

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

  1


Table of Contents
     
                 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

APRIL 28, 2025

                 

To the Stockholders of Crane Company:

The 2025 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF CRANE COMPANY will be held for the following purposes:

 

 

 

   LOGO

 

 

WHEN:

  April 28, 2025

  Monday 10:00 a.m.

  Eastern Daylight Time

 

   LOGO  

 

WHERE:

  100 First Stamford Place

  Ground Floor Conference   Room

  Stamford, CT

  HOW TO VOTE:

 

   LOGO  

 

By Phone

  800-652-VOTE (8683)

  in the United States,

  United States territories,

  and Canada

 

   LOGO  

 

By Mail

  Complete, sign, and return

  the proxy card.

 

   LOGO  

 

By Internet

www.envisionreports.com/cr

 

   LOGO  

 

By Scanning

  You can vote your shares

  online by scanning the QR

  code on your proxy card.

 

 

 

Proposal

   Board
Recommendation

Item 1

  To elect nine directors to serve for one-year terms until the annual meeting of stockholders in 2026   

FOR each director

u  Page 9

Item 2

  To consider and vote on a proposal to ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent auditors for Crane Company for 2025   

FOR

u  Page 34

Item 3

  To consider and vote on a proposal to approve, by a non-binding advisory vote, the compensation paid by the Company to certain executive officers   

FOR

u  Page 38

In addition, any other business properly presented may be acted upon at the meeting.

In order to assure a quorum at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Crane Company (the “Annual Meeting”), it is important that stockholders who do not expect to attend in person vote by using the internet address or the toll-free telephone number listed in this Proxy Statement. If you have requested paper copies of the proxy materials, you can vote by completing and returning the proxy card enclosed in those materials.

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 3, 2025, as the record date for the meeting. Stockholders at that date and time are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any postponement or adjournment of the Annual Meeting. Each share is entitled to one vote.

This Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and related Proxy Statement are first being distributed or made available to stockholders on or about March 14, 2025.

We previously mailed a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to all Crane Company stockholders as of the record date. The notice advised such stockholders that they could view the Proxy Statement and Annual Report online at www.envisionreports.com/cr, or request in writing a paper or e-mail copy of the proxy materials at no cost.

A complete list of stockholders as of the record date will be open to examination by any stockholder during regular business hours at the offices of Crane Company, 100 First Stamford Place, Stamford, CT 06902, on the day of the Annual Meeting, as well as at the Annual Meeting.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

 

LOGO

Anthony M. D’Iorio

Secretary

March 14, 2025

 

 

2  


Table of Contents
     
                 

PROXY SUMMARY

                 

 

Director Nominees

 

   

Name and Profession

   Age   

Crane
Company

Director

Since

          Crane Company Committees
  

 

  AC   NGC   EC   MOCC
       

 

LOGO

 

Martin R. Benante

Retired Chairman of the Board and

Chief Executive Officer,

Curtiss-Wright Corporation

   72    2023       

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

       

 

LOGO

 

Sanjay Kapoor

Retired Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer,

Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.

   64    2023       

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

       

 

LOGO

 

 

Ronald C. Lindsay

Retired Chief Operating Officer,
Eastman Chemical Company

   66    2023       

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

       

 

LOGO

 

 

Susan D. Lynch

Retired Chief Financial Officer,

V2X

   63    2024       

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

       

 

LOGO

 

 

Ellen McClain

Chief Executive Officer and President,

Year Up United

   60    2023       

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

       

 

LOGO

 

 

Charles G. McClure, Jr.

Managing Partner,

Michigan Capital Advisors

   71    2023       

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

       

 

LOGO

 

 

Max H. Mitchell

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Crane Company

   61    2023       

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

       

 

LOGO

 

 

Jennifer M. Pollino

Executive Coach and Consultant,

JM Pollino LLC

   60    2023       

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

       

 

LOGO

 

 

James L. L. Tullis

Chairman,

Tullis Health Investors, Inc.

   77    2023       

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

 

AC   Audit Committee    NGC   Nominating and Governance Committee            LOGO  Chair    LOGO  Member
EC   Executive Committee    MOCC   Management Organization and Compensation Committee

 

  3

 


Table of Contents

Proxy Summary

 

Corporate Governance Highlights

Recent Governance Enhancements

As stated in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Board is responsible for helping to create a culture of high ethical standards and is committed to continually improving its corporate governance process, practices, and procedures. Accordingly, the Board has adopted the following best practices in corporate governance:

Board renewal and composition: The Board, specifically through the Nominating and Governance Committee, continually evaluates the skills, expertise, integrity, diversity, and other qualities believed to enhance the Board’s ability to manage and direct the affairs and business of the Company. Since the Company separated from Crane Holdings, Co. (“Crane Holdings”) in 2023, the Board has added two new directors to accomplish these goals. See additional information beginning on page 12 about our Board nominees.

Lead Independent Director role: At a regular Board meeting in January 2024, the Board unanimously determined that it would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to combine the Chairman and CEO roles and to appoint a Lead Independent Director, both effective at the April 2024 annual meeting. In making this determination, the Board considered the Company’s recent separation from Crane Holdings, and the benefit of Board leadership under Mr. Mitchell, who has served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer since 2014 (inclusive of his time as Chief Executive Officer of Crane Holdings), accumulated extensive day-to-day knowledge of the Company’s operations and long term needs, and driven its successful portfolio reshaping, strategic plan, and growth initiatives during his tenure.

 

                
 
 

 

  Ongoing Board Governance Practices  

 

   

 

  Lead Independent Director role to ensure independent oversight under a combined Chairman/CEO structure

 

  100% independent Audit, Nominating and Governance, and Management Organization and Compensation committees

 

  Regular executive sessions of non-management directors

 

  Annual Board and committee performance self-evaluations

 

  100% Board and committee attendance in 2024

 

  Offer of resignation upon significant change in primary job responsibilities

 

  Directors are elected to one-year terms

 

  

 

  Majority voting and director resignation policy for directors in uncontested elections

 

  Stringent conflict of interest policies

 

  Directors subject to stock ownership guidelines and anti-hedging and pledging policies

 

  Director retirement policy

 

  Strict over-boarding policy for directors

 

  Diverse Board with the appropriate mix of skills, experience, and perspective

 

  Comprehensive director nomination and Board refreshment process

 

  Oversight of cybersecurity, sustainability and human capital matters impacting our business

 

 

4  

 


Table of Contents

Proxy Summary

 

2024 Performance Highlights

Strong Financial Performance Results Despite Macro Volatility

Final 2024 financial and operational results, adjusted for strategic actions, were substantially above our original financial targets for the year driven by a combination of a better-than-expected recovery in certain end markets, consistent and strong operational execution, and substantial benefits from strategic growth investments. Our businesses continued to execute at a high level, while further innovating and investing to drive durable, long-term growth. Specifically:

 

 

At Aerospace & Electronics, 2024 sales increased 18% compared to 2023, with core sales growth of 13% and a 5% contribution from the acquisition of Vian Enterprises, Inc. Segment operating margins were up 230 basis points to 22.4% in 2024. Adjusted Segment operating margins increased 310 basis points to 23.2% in 2024. These results reflect strong performance, particularly given challenges our commercial OEM customers faced in the Aerospace, Defense and Electronics markets.

 

 

At Process Flow Technologies, 2024 sales increased 12% compared to 2023, with core sales growth of 5%, and a 7% contribution in the aggregate from the Baum, CryoWorks and Technifab acquisitions. Segment operating margins reached a record level of 20.1%, up 70 basis points compared to 2023, and adjusted Segment operating margins reached a record 20.9%, up 100 basis points compared to 2023. These results reflect record performance for the Segment despite ongoing macro pressures.

 

See “Non-GAAP Reconciliation” beginning on page 84 for more detail regarding Special Items impacting adjusted Segment operating margins, as well as a reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures used herein.

Today, Crane Company is a streamlined and more focused business, better positioned to tailor investment and capital allocation strategies to our two strategic growth platforms and to attract an investor base fully aligned with our strong growth and exceptional financial profile. Mr. Mitchell, along with the Board of Directors, executed on a series of major strategic actions over the last four years which served to evolve and simplify the portfolio and focus the Company’s resources on its two strategic growth platforms – Aerospace & Electronics and Process Flow Technologies. Combined with the strong operating performance that Mr. Mitchell drove in the Company’s businesses, significant value for equity investors in both Crane Company and Crane Holdings has been created. Specifically, these actions generated approximately $7.6 billion in equity value (market capitalization) comparing Crane Holdings’ equity value on December 31, 2020, to the combined equity value of both post-separation companies (Crane Company and Crane NXT, Co.) on December 31, 2024, an increase of 167%.

Crane Company Market Capitalization

 

LOGO

 

 

  5

 


Table of Contents

Proxy Summary

 

We believe this equity value creation is attributable to strategic actions from 2022 through 2024:

 

 

On March 30, 2022, Crane Holdings announced its intention to separate into two independent, publicly traded companies to optimize investment and capital allocation in order to accelerate growth. Crane Holdings’ board of directors and management believed that the creation of two market focused companies with distinct product and service offerings and strong balance sheets better positioned each business to deliver long-term growth and create value for all stakeholders, including customers, investors and our associates. The separation was completed on April 3, 2023.

 

 

On May 31, 2022, Crane Holdings completed the sale of Crane Supply, its Canadian distribution business.

 

 

On August 15, 2022, Crane Holdings announced the sale of a subsidiary holding all asbestos liabilities and related insurance assets to permanently remove all asbestos related liabilities and obligations from the Company’s balance sheet.

 

 

On October 23, 2023, Crane Company announced the acquisition of Baum lined piping GmbH for approximately $91 million as a strategic bolt-on for the Company’s Chemical business within the Process Flow Technologies Segment.

 

 

On January 3, 2024, Crane Company announced the acquisition of Vian Enterprises, Inc. for approximately $103 million as a strategic bolt-on for the Company’s Fluid Management solution within the Aerospace & Electronics Segment.

 

 

On May 1, 2024, Crane Company completed the acquisition of CryoWorks, Inc. for approximately $61 million, a strategic bolt-on for the Company’s growing cryogenics platform within the Process Flow Technologies Segment.

 

 

On November 4, 2024, Crane Company announced the acquisition of Technifab Products, Inc. for approximately $40.5 million as a strategic bolt-on for the Company’s growing cryogenics platform within the Process Flow Technologies Segment.

 

 

On December 2, 2024, Crane Company announced that it had reached an agreement to divest its Engineered Materials business. The divestiture announcement reflects management and the Board’s commitment to portfolio simplification and enhancement. This transaction closed effective on January 1, 2025.

 

 

Throughout 2024, Crane Company also made progress pursuing a number of other strategic acquisitions, one or more of which may be completed in future years.

 

6  

 


Table of Contents

Proxy Summary

 

2024 Compensation Highlights

Compensation Best Practices

The Management Organization and Compensation Committee is firmly committed to implementing an executive compensation program that aligns management and stockholder interests, encourages executives to drive sustainable stockholder value creation, and helps retain key personnel. Key elements of our pay practices are as follows:

 

 

 

LOGO  WHAT WE DO

 

  Pay for performance, aligning executive pay with Company results and stockholder returns

 

  Require significant stock ownership by executives, including an above-market 6x base salary requirement for the CEO and 5x base salary requirement for the CFO

 

  Majority of executive variable pay is delivered in long-term equity-based awards

 

  Appropriate mix of fixed and variable pay to balance employee retention with Company goals, both annual and long-term

 

  Incentive compensation subject to “no-fault” clawback

 

  Management Organization and Compensation Committee advised by independent compensation consultant

 

    

 

LOGO  WHAT WE DON’T DO

 

•  No excise tax gross-ups upon change in control

 

•  No multi-year guaranteed incentive awards

 

•  No fixed-duration employment contracts for executive officers

 

•  No hedging or pledging of Company stock permitted

 

•  No excessive perquisites for executives

 

•  No supplemental executive retirement plan (SERP) benefits, and no further pension benefit accruals for executives

 

•  No repricing of options

 

•  No discounted stock options

Pay for Performance Alignment

85% of CEO Target Pay is Performance-Based

The following table summarizes the major elements of our CEO compensation program, which is designed to link pay and performance.

 

 

LOGO

*  Totals may not sum due to rounding.

 

  7

 


Table of Contents
     
                  PROXY STATEMENT                  

Table of Contents

 

ITEM 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS      9  

Crane Company Board Composition

     9  

Board of Directors Nominees

     12  

Board’s Role and Responsibilities

     21  

Board Structure

     25  

Board Processes

     28  

Corporate Governance and Sustainability

     29  

Compensation of Directors

     31  
ITEM 2: RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF AUDITORS      34  

Annual Evaluation and Selection of Auditors

     34  

Principal Accounting Firm Fees

     35  

Pre-Approval Policy and Procedures

     35  

Report of the Audit Committee

     36  
ITEM 3: ADVISORY VOTE ON COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS      38  
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS      39  

Executive Summary

     40  

Compensation Principles

     45  

Elements of Compensation and 2024 Decisions

     45  

Compensation Decision-Making Process

     51  

Policies and Practices Related to Our Executive Compensation Program

     54  

Other Arrangements with Our Named Executive Officers

     56  

Management Organization and Compensation Committee Report

     58  
2024 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES      59  

Annual Compensation of the Named Executive Officers

     59  

2024 Summary Compensation Table

     60  

2024 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

     62  

2024 Option Exercises and Stock Vested

     63  

2024 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

     64  

Retirement Benefits

     66  

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Benefits

     67  

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

     68  

Equity Compensation Plan Table

     71  

Executive Compensation – Relative Measurements Pay Ratio

     71  

Pay Versus Performance

     73  
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK BY DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT      82  
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS OF CRANE COMPANY      83  
NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION      84  
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS AND THE ANNUAL MEETING      86  

 

8  


Table of Contents
     
                  ITEM 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS                  

 

 

 

LOGO

 

PROPOSAL 1

The Board recommends voting FOR each of the Director Nominees

Crane Company Board Composition

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that the Board should generally have from nine to twelve directors, a substantial majority of whom must qualify as independent directors under the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). In addition, the Guidelines provide that any director who has attained the age of 75 as of the record date for the annual meeting of stockholders shall tender his/her resignation for consideration by the Board.

The Board currently consists of nine members, eight of whom are independent. James L.L. Tullis, who has served as Lead Independent Director since the April 2024 annual meeting (and Chairman prior to that), will be above the age of 75 as of the record date. The Company’s Director retirement policy mandates that when a Director reaches that age, they offer their resignation for the Board’s consideration. In accordance with the Company’s policy, Mr. Tullis offered his resignation, effective as of the 2025 Annual Meeting. The Board reviewed and considered Mr. Tullis’ proposed resignation, particularly in light of the Company’s recent separation transaction and its announced strategy to accelerate growth organically and inorganically, and the benefit the Company and its stockholders realize from his extensive M&A experience, independent leadership and valuable insights and governance expertise as a longer-tenured Director. The Board rejected his resignation and requested that Mr. Tullis stand for re-election as a director for an additional one-year term at the Annual Meeting.

The Company believes a board with between nine to twelve directors is appropriate to generate a manageable diversity of thought, perspective, and insight in a cost-efficient manner.

The nine directors whose terms will expire at the time of the Annual Meeting but will serve until their successors are duly elected and qualified, are Martin R. Benante, Sanjay Kapoor, Ronald C. Lindsay, Susan D. Lynch, Ellen McClain, Charles G. McClure, Jr., Max H. Mitchell, Jennifer M. Pollino, and James L. L. Tullis.

The Board has nominated each of the nine directors for re-election by the stockholders for a one-year term to expire at the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders. The Board has determined that all directors other than Mr. Mitchell are independent directors.

Director Nominating Procedures

The Board believes that a company’s directors should possess and demonstrate, individually and as a group, an effective and diverse combination of skills and experience to guide the management and direction of the Company’s business and affairs and to align with our long-term strategic vision. The Board has charged the Nominating and Governance Committee with responsibility for evaluating the mix of skills, experience and diversity of background of the Company’s directors and director nominees, as well as leading the evaluation process for the Board and its committees.

Criteria for Board membership take into account skills, expertise, integrity, diversity in thought, ethnicity, and gender, and other qualities which are expected to enhance the Board’s ability to manage and direct Crane Company’s business and affairs. In general, nominees for director should have an understanding of the workings of large business organizations such as Crane Company and possess senior level executive leadership experience. In addition, nominees should have the ability to make independent, analytical judgments, and they should be effective communicators with the ability and willingness to devote the time and effort required to be an effective and contributing member of the Board.

 

  9


Table of Contents

Item 1: Election of Directors

 

Overboarding Policy

Our policy requires that a director who serves as a chief executive officer may not serve on more than two public company boards in addition to our Board, and other directors should not sit on more than four public company boards in addition to our Board. The members of the Audit Committee may not serve on more than two other audit committees of public companies. All of the director nominees are in compliance with these requirements.

Board Composition

Our Board takes an active and thoughtful approach to board composition and is focused on building and maintaining a diverse board. In conducting its annual review of director skills and Board composition, the Nominating and Governance Committee determined and reported to the Board its judgment that the Board, as a whole, demonstrates a diversity of organizational and professional experience, education, skills, and other personal qualities and attributes that enable the Board to perform its duties in a highly effective manner. The Company is proud to have such a diverse Board, including with respect to gender and ethnicity.

Board Snapshot

 

Age

 

LOGO

 

Diversity

 

LOGO

Board Skills and Experience

Our individual Board members have a wide range of skills and experience from within and outside our industry, giving them diverse perspectives from which to oversee the Company’s strategy of being a manufacturer of highly engineered industrial products in a broad range of markets where we have competitive differentiation and scale, and growing the business globally organically and through acquisitions. Our Board members possess expertise in, among other things, mergers and acquisitions and other business combinations, diversified industrial operations and manufacturing, international business, corporate finance, human capital management, cybersecurity, and organizational leadership.

 

10  


Table of Contents

Item 1: Election of Directors

 

Summary of Board Skills and Experience

 

  

 

  LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO

Public company multinational CEO experience

     

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

       

 

   

 

Public company multinational CFO experience

   

 

     

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

General finance acumen

                 

Corporate governance/board experience

                 

Mergers & Acquisitions

                 

Manufacturing operations

           

 

         

 

Expertise with one or more of Crane Company’s end markets

           

 

         

 

Intellectual capital development (human capital)

                 

Cyber/Information Security skills

             

 

       

 

Independent

  LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO    

 

  LOGO   LOGO

Self-Identified Race/Ethnicity

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

African American

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

Indian/South Asian

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

White Caucasian

     

 

       

 

       

Self-Identified Gender

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

Male

         

 

   

 

       

 

 

Female

   

 

   

 

   

 

       

 

   

 

     

 

 

*

The Board Composition and Board Skills and Experience sections above reflect the Board’s nine director nominees.

The Nominating and Governance Committee has proposed, and the Board recommends that each of the nine nominees be elected to the Board. If, before the Annual Meeting, any nominee becomes unavailable for election as a director, the elected directors may make an interim vacancy appointment to the Board after the Annual Meeting, or the Board may reduce the number of directors to eliminate the vacancy.

 

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Board of Directors Nominees

Nominees to be Elected for Terms to Expire in 2026

 

         

  

  LOGO  

MARTIN R. BENANTE

 

Age: 72

 

Director Since: 2023

 

 

Crane Company Committees: Audit (Chair); Nominating and Governance

    
   

 

Retired Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Curtiss-Wright Corporation, Charlotte, NC (supplier of highly engineered products and services to commercial, industrial, aerospace, defense, and energy markets), having served from 2000 to 2015.

 

Other Directorships:

 

  Crane NXT, Co. (formerly Crane Holdings, Co.) from 2015 to 2023

 

  Curtiss-Wright Corporation from 1999 to 2015

 

 

   
            
   

Relevant Skills and Experience:

 

  Strategic, operational, and managerial expertise gained through a more than 35-year career with a leading industrial manufacturer of highly engineered products in critical service applications, serving aerospace and process flow markets similar to those of the Company.

 

  CEO of a publicly traded company with international operations.

 

  Substantial expertise in driving growth through domestic and international mergers and acquisitions, and in the global integration of acquired companies.

   
                  

 

         

  

  LOGO  

SANJAY KAPOOR

 

Age: 64

 

Director Since: 2023

 

 

Crane Company Committees: Audit; Management Organization and Compensation

    
   

 

Retired Executive Vice President and CFO of Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., Wichita, KS (manufacturer of aerostructures for commercial airplanes, defense platforms and business/regional jets) having served in that role from 2013 to 2019. Prior to joining Spirit AeroSystems, Mr. Kapoor spent more than two decades with industry-leading defense and aviation sector companies Raytheon (2004-2013) and United Technologies (1990-2004), holding senior management positions overseeing significant aerospace and defense related programs.

 

Other Directorships:

 

  Saab, Inc. (US subsidiary of SAAB, AB) since 2021

 

  Black & Veatch (an EPC company under an ESOP) since 2018

 

   
            
   

Relevant Skills and Experience:

 

  Financial and operational expertise gained through extensive senior executive positions with publicly-traded manufacturing companies.

 

  Substantial experience driving inorganic growth in the aerospace and defense markets, and successfully integrating acquired companies.

   
                  

 

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  LOGO  

RONALD C. LINDSAY

 

Age: 66

 

Director Since: 2023

 

 

Crane Company Committees: Audit; Nominating and Governance (Chair)

    
   

 

Retired Chief Operating Officer of Eastman Chemical Company, Kingsport, TN (manufacturer of specialty chemicals, plastics, and fibers). Chief Operating Officer from 2013 to 2016, and Executive Vice President, Specialty Fluids and Intermediates, Fibers, Adhesives and Plasticizers Worldwide Engineering, Construction and Manufacturing Support, from 2011 to 2013. Positions of increasing responsibility with Eastman Chemical Company from 1980, including Senior Vice President from 2006 to 2009 and Executive Vice President from 2009 to 2013.

 

Other Directorships:

 

  Crane NXT, Co. (formerly Crane Holdings, Co.) from 2013 to 2023

 

   
            
   

Relevant Skills and Experience:

 

  Corporate strategy, operations, sales, and manufacturing expertise gained by extensive senior executive experience with Eastman Chemical Company, a leading chemical manufacturer served by the Company’s Process Flow Technologies segment.

   
                  

 

         

  

  LOGO  

SUSAN D. LYNCH

 

Age: 63

 

Director Since: 2024

 

 

Crane Company Committees: Audit

    
   

 

Retired Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for V2X (formerly Vectrus, Inc.) having served from August 2019 to September 2023. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Sungard Availability Services from April 2016 to July 2019, and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Hitachi Vantara (formerly Hitachi Data Systems) from 2007 to 2015. Various senior leadership positions with Raytheon Technical Services and Honeywell International. 2023 Northern Virginia CFO of the Year and Annual Corporate Growth Award.

 

Other Directorships:

 

  Allegro MicroSystems since 2021

 

  Onto Innovation Inc. since 2024

 

   
            
   

Relevant Skills and Experience:

 

  More than 35 years of financial and leadership experience in the technology, aerospace and defense and industrial manufacturing industries.

 

  Former CFO of a publicly traded company with global operations.

 

  Expertise in information technology, domestic and international mergers and acquisitions and in the integration of acquired companies, capital markets, and enterprise risk management.

   
                  

 

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  LOGO  

ELLEN MCCLAIN

 

Age: 60

 

Director Since: 2023

 

 

 

Crane Company Committees: Audit; Management Organization and Compensation

    
   

 

Chief Executive Officer and President since December 2023, President since 2022, Chief Operating Officer from 2021 to 2022, and Chief Financial Officer from 2015 to 2021, Year Up United, Boston, MA (a national workforce development training organization, which owns YUPRO Placement, a skills-first staffing firm). Senior management and finance positions with New York Racing Association, Inc., Ozone Park, NY (operator of thoroughbred racetracks), including President from 2012 to 2013. Vice President, Finance of Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc., New York, NY (operator of local television stations) from 2004 to 2009.

 

Other Directorships:

 

  Crane NXT, Co. (formerly Crane Holdings, Co.) since 2013

 

  Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority from 2021 to 2023

 

   
            
   

Relevant Skills and Experience:

 

  Financial, operational and organizational expertise gained as chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief operating officer, and president of public and private enterprises.

 

  Broad experience as a senior executive with responsibility for organizational direction and development, financial expertise, and intellectual capital (human capital).

   
                  

 

         

  

  LOGO  

CHARLES G. MCCLURE, JR.

 

Age: 71

 

Director Since: 2023

 

 

 

Crane Company Committees: Management Organization and Compensation; Nominating and Governance

    
   

 

Managing Partner of Michigan Capital Advisors, Birmingham, MI (private equity firm investing in Tier 2 and 3 global automotive and transportation suppliers). Prior to co-founding Michigan Capital Advisors in 2014, served from 2004 to 2013 as Chairman of the Board, CEO and President of Meritor, Inc., Troy, MI (leading global supplier of drivetrain, mobility, braking, and aftermarket solutions for commercial vehicle and industrial markets).

 

Other Directorships:

 

  Crane NXT, Co. (formerly Crane Holdings, Co.) from 2017 to 2023

 

  3D Systems since 2017; Chairman since 2018

 

  Penske Corporation since 2013

 

  DTE Energy Company since 2012

 

   
            
   

Relevant Skills and Experience:

 

  More than 35 years of experience in corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, manufacturing, sales, operations, and intellectual capital (human capital) expertise in various industries, including transportation.

 

  Proven leadership skills and corporate governance expertise with over 20 years of experience as chief executive officer, president, and director of major domestic and international public corporations, as well as a member of the boards of various industry organizations.

   
                  

 

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  LOGO  

MAX H. MITCHELL

 

Age: 61

 

Director Since: 2023

 

 

 

Crane Company Committees: Executive

    
   

 

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Crane Company (a global manufacturer of highly engineered products in the Aerospace and Electronics, and Process and Flow Technologies industries) and President and Chief Executive Officer of its former parent company, Crane Holdings, Co. since 2014; President and Chief Operating Officer of Crane Co. (prior to its reorganization into Crane Holdings, Co.) from 2013 to 2014; Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Crane Co. from 2011 to 2013; Group President, Process Flow Technologies Segment of Crane Co., from 2005 to 2012.

 

Other Directorships:

 

  Crane NXT, Co. (formerly Crane Holdings, Co.) from 2014 to 2024

 

  Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company since 2023

 

  Lennox International, Inc. from 2016 to 2022

 

  Manufacturers Alliance

 

   
            
   

Relevant Skills and Experience:

 

  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of a global publicly-traded company.

 

  Comprehensive knowledge of the Company’s culture and operations gained from successive leadership positions of increasing responsibility.

 

  Demonstrated expertise in developing and driving corporate strategy and optimizing portfolio results, including extensive portfolio reshaping.

 

  Extensive knowledge of, and experience with, the global end markets in which the Company trades.

 

  Broad international and domestic mergers & acquisitions expertise, including driving growth inorganically, and successful integration of acquired companies.

 

  Extensive experience with intellectual/human capital management processes to drive a performance-based culture.

 

  Substantial experience managing cyber and information technology personnel and programs.

   
                  

 

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  LOGO  

JENNIFER M. POLLINO

 

Age: 60

 

Director Since: 2023

 

 

 

Crane Company Committees: Executive; Management Organization and Compensation (Chair); Nominating and Governance

    
   

 

Executive Coach and Consultant, JM Pollino LLC, Charlotte, NC since 2012. Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Communications, Goodrich Corporation, Charlotte, NC (aerospace products manufacturer) from 2005 to 2012. Prior positions at Goodrich included President and General Manager of Goodrich Aerospace’s Aircraft Wheels & Brakes Division and of its Turbomachinery Products Division, and Vice President and General Manager of Goodrich Aerospace, Aircraft Seating Products.

 

Other Directorships:

 

  Hubbell Incorporated since 2020

 

  Kaman Corporation from 2015 to 2024; Lead Independent Director from 2021 to 2024

 

  Crane NXT, Co. (formerly Crane Holdings, Co.) from 2013 to 2023

 

  National Association of Corporate Directors since 2021

 

   
            
   

Relevant Skills and Experience:

 

  Broad experience as an aerospace industry senior executive with responsibility for corporate governance, intellectual capital (human capital), and organizational issues, as well as finance and operational expertise, gained in over 20 years as senior executive and general manager with a leading aerospace products company.

 

  Financial expertise gained as controller of savings and loan association and field accounting officer at Resolution Trust Corporation.

 

  Certified Public Accountant.

   
                  

 

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  LOGO  

JAMES L. L. TULLIS

 

Age: 77

 

Director Since: 2023

 

 

 

Crane Company Committees: Executive (Chair); Management Organization and Compensation

    
   

 

Chairman, Tullis Health Investors, LLC, Palm Beach Gardens, FL (venture capital investments in the health care industry) from 1988 to the present.

 

Other Directorships:

 

  Crane NXT, Co. (formerly Crane Holdings, Co.) since 1998

 

  Alphatec Holdings, Inc. from 2018 to 2024

 

  Exagen Diagnostics, Inc. from 2015 to 2023

 

  Lord Abbett & Co. Mutual Funds from 2006 to 2024; Chairman from 2017 to 2023

 

   
            
   

Relevant Skills and Experience:

 

  Executive leadership, financial and organizational expertise gained as chief executive officer of venture capital investment group, driving growth through M&A and strategic portfolio development.

 

  Significant experience and expertise in management, strategy and governance matters gained as director of several public and private companies, including serving as chairman and on the compensation, nominating and governance, audit and executive committees of public companies.

   
                  

Age calculations for all directors are as of the record date.

 

LOGO

VOTE REQUIRED

Our by-laws provide that nominees for director and directors running for re-election to the Board without opposition must receive the affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast. Any director who fails to receive the required number of votes for re-election is required by Crane Company policy to tender his or her written resignation to the Chairman of the Board for consideration by the Nominating and Governance Committee.

 



 

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Independent Status of Directors

Standards for Director Independence

The listing standards of the NYSE, as well as Crane Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, require that a majority of the Board be comprised of independent directors. In order for a director to qualify as independent, the Board must affirmatively determine that the director has no material relationship with Crane Company. The Board has adopted the standards set forth below in order to assist the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Board itself in making determinations of director independence. Any of the following relationships would preclude a director from qualifying as an independent director:

 

 

The director is or was an employee, other than as an interim CEO, or the director’s immediate family member is or was an executive officer, of Crane Company, unless at least three years have passed since the end of such employment relationship.

 

 

The director is an employee of, or the director’s immediate family member is an executive officer of, an organization (other than a charitable organization) that in any of the last three completed fiscal years made payments to, or received payments from, Crane Company for property or services, if the amount of such payments exceeded the greater of $1 million or 2% of the other organization’s consolidated gross revenues.

 

 

The director has received, or the director’s immediate family member has received, direct compensation from Crane Company, if the director is a member of the Audit Committee or the amount of such direct compensation received during any twelve-month period within the preceding three years has exceeded $120,000 per year, excluding (i) director and committee fees ; (ii) compensation received as interim CEO; or (iii) compensation received by an immediate family member for service as a non-executive employee of Crane Company.

 

 

The director is a current partner of or employed by, or the director’s immediate family member is a current partner of, or an employee who personally works on the financial audit of Crane Company at a firm that is the internal or external auditor of Crane Company, or the director was, or the director’s immediate family member was, within the last three years a partner or employee of such a firm and personally worked on the Crane Company audit at that time.

 

 

The director is or was employed, or the director’s immediate family member is or was employed, as an executive officer of another organization, and any of Crane Company’s present executive officers serves or served on that other organization’s compensation committee, unless at least three years have passed since the end of such service or the employment relationship.

 

 

The director is a member of a law firm, or a partner or executive officer of any investment banking firm, that has provided services to Crane Company, if the director is a member of the Audit Committee or the fees paid in any of the last three completed fiscal years or anticipated for the current fiscal year exceed the greater of $1 million or 2% of such firm’s consolidated gross revenues.

The existence of any relationship of the type referred to above, but at a level lower than the thresholds referred to, does not, if entered into in the ordinary course of business, preclude a director from being independent. The Nominating and Governance Committee and the Board review all relevant facts and circumstances before concluding that a relationship is not material or that a director is independent. Specifically, the Nominating and Governance Committee reviews annually (i) the direct and indirect relationships between directors and the Company, (ii) a report of transactions with director affiliated entities, (iii) director responses to annual questionnaires, and (iv) Code of Business Conduct and Ethics compliance certifications. In addition, the Nominating and Governance Committee reviews and must approve all charitable contributions in excess of $10,000 made by the Company or through one of the following three independent charitable funds: Crane Fund, Crane Fund for Widows and Children, or Crane Foundation, to any organization for which a director or his or her spouse or other immediate family member serves as a trustee, director, or officer or in any similar capacity. There were no such contributions in 2024.

Crane Company’s Standards for Director Independence, along with its Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which apply to Crane Company’s directors and to all officers and other employees, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Controller, are available on our website at www.investors.craneco.com/investors/corporate-governance. See “Code of Business Conduct and Ethics” on page 28.

 

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Independence of Directors

The Nominating and Governance Committee has reviewed whether any of the directors other than Mr. Mitchell, who is the current Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, has any relationship that, in the opinion of the Committee, (i) is material (either directly or as a partner, stockholder, director, or officer of an organization that has a relationship with Crane Company) and, as such, would be reasonably likely to interfere with the exercise by such person of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director or (ii) would otherwise cause such person not to qualify as an “independent” director under the rules of the NYSE and, in the case of members of the Audit Committee and the Management Organization and Compensation Committee, the additional requirements under Sections 10A and 10C, respectively, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the associated rules. The Nominating and Governance Committee determined that, other than Mr. Mitchell, all of Crane Company’s directors are independent in accordance with the foregoing standards, and the Board has reviewed and accepted the determinations of the Nominating and Governance Committee.

In evaluating the independence of all directors, the Board considered all transactions in which the Company and any director had an interest, including all purchases and sales with other companies on which a director served on that company’s board. The Board determined in each case that such purchases and sales were de minimis, comprising less than 0.01% of the Company’s revenues. The Board evaluated these transactions and determined that they arose in the ordinary course of business and on the same terms and conditions available to other customers and suppliers. With regard to our directors also serving as directors of Crane NXT, Co., the Board considered the payments made to the Company by, and the payments made by the Company to, Crane NXT, Co. for transition services and tax-related obligations under agreements entered into in connection with the separation transaction. Among other things, the Board concluded that those individuals do not exert influence on the transition services or indemnification processes and that such payments were on standard, previously negotiated terms that are consistent with terms involved in similar separation transactions. Furthermore, in reaching their determinations regarding the independence of the directors (other than Mr. Mitchell), the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Board applied the Standards for Director Independence described above and determined that there were no transactions that were likely to affect the independence of any director’s judgment.

Board Refreshment

Under the Corporate Governance Guidelines, a director who has attained the age of 75 as of the record date for an annual meeting of stockholders is required to tender his or her resignation for the Board’s consideration. The Corporate Governance Guidelines also require a director to tender his or her resignation for the Board’s consideration if there is a significant change in his or her primary job responsibilities that could impact the skills or perspectives they bring to the Board. The Nominating and Governance Committee then makes a recommendation to the Board, based on a review of all relevant circumstances, whether the Board should accept the resignation or ask the director to continue on the Board.

The Board currently consists of nine members, eight of whom are independent. James L.L. Tullis, who has served as Lead Independent Director since the April 2024 annual meeting (and Chairman prior to that), will be above the age of 75 as of the record date. The Company’s director retirement policy mandates that when a director reaches that age, they offer their resignation for the Board’s consideration. In accordance with the Company’s policy, Mr. Tullis offered his resignation, effective as of the 2025 Annual Meeting. The Board reviewed and considered Mr. Tullis’ proposed resignation, particularly in light of the Company’s recent separation transaction and its announced strategy to accelerate growth organically and inorganically, and the benefit the Company and its stockholders realize from his extensive M&A experience, independent leadership and valuable insights and governance expertise as a longer-tenured director. The Board rejected his resignation and requested that Mr. Tullis stand for re-election as a director for an additional one-year term at the Annual Meeting.

The Nominating and Governance Committee will, from time to time, seek to identify potential candidates for director to sustain and enhance the composition of the Board with an appropriate balance of knowledge, experience, skills, expertise, and diversity of thought, ethnicity, and gender, to enable Crane Company to formulate and implement its strategic plan.

In this process, the Committee will consider potential candidates proposed by other members of the Board, by management, or by stockholders, and the Committee has the sole authority to retain a search firm to assist in this process, at Crane Company’s expense.

 

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Once a person has been identified by the Nominating and Governance Committee as a potential candidate, the Committee, as an initial matter, may collect and review publicly available information regarding the person to assess whether the person should be considered further. Generally, if the person expresses a willingness to be considered to serve on the Board, and the Committee believes that the person has the potential to be a good candidate, the Committee would seek to gather additional information from or about the person, review the person’s accomplishments and qualifications in light of any other candidates that the Committee might be considering, and, as appropriate, conduct one or more interviews with the person. In certain instances, Committee members may contact one or more references provided by the candidate or may contact other members of the business community or other persons that may have first-hand knowledge of the candidate’s background, skills and accomplishments. The Committee’s evaluation process does not vary based on whether or not a prospective candidate is recommended by a stockholder.

Board Effectiveness

Our Board, in a process led by our Nominating and Governance Committee, evaluates the size and composition of our Board at least annually, giving consideration to evolving skills, diversity, perspective, and experience needed on our Board to perform its governance and oversight role as the business grows and evolves and the underlying risks change over time. Below are steps our Board has taken to proactively improve our Board effectiveness.

 

                
     

 

PRACTICES TO MAINTAIN BOARD EFFECTIVENESS

 

  Identify director candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences

 

  Annual Board and committee performance self-evaluations

 

  Alignment of director strengths with the Company’s strategic goals and objectives

 

  Director retirement policy

 

  Strict over-boarding policy for directors

 

  Adjust the size of the Board as appropriate to meet the governance needs of the Company

 

     
        LOGO         
              
     

 

OUTCOMES

 

LOGO  Expandedqualifications and diversity of thought, including an increase in the number of women and ethnically diverse directors

 

LOGO  Twonew directors added since our separation transaction

 

LOGO  Furtherskills added to the board include:

 

  Significant international mergers & acquisitions experience in the Company’s core markets

 

  Public company CEO experience

 

  Public company CFO experience

 

  Experience in the aerospace/defense sector

 

  Cyber/Information security skills and experience

 

  Intellectual capital (human capital) development

 

     
                

Nominations by Stockholders

In considering candidates submitted by stockholders, the Nominating and Governance Committee will take into consideration the needs of the Board and the qualifications of the candidate. A stockholder proposing to nominate a director must provide certain information about the nominating stockholder and the director nominee, including the following information, and must update such information as of the record date for the meeting:

 

 

the number of shares of Company stock, including details regarding any derivative securities, held by the nominating stockholder and the director nominee and any of their respective affiliates or associates;

 

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a description of any agreement regarding how the director nominee would vote, if elected, on a particular matter, including a representation that there are no other understandings, obligations or commitments;

 

 

a description of any agreement with respect to compensation as a director from any person other than the Company, including a representation that there are no other understandings, obligations or commitments;

 

 

a representation that the director nominee will comply with all publicly disclosed Board policies, including those relating to confidentiality;

 

 

a completed questionnaire similar to the one required of existing directors, a copy of which the Corporate Secretary will provide upon request;

 

 

a description of any material interest the nominating stockholder has in any such nomination; and

 

 

any other information about the proposed candidate that would, under the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), be required to be included in our proxy statement if the person were a nominee.

Such notice must also be accompanied by a written consent of each proposed nominee to being named as a nominee and to serve as a director, if elected. A complete description of the requirements relating to a stockholder nomination is set forth in our by-laws.

Any stockholder recommendation for next year’s annual meeting, together with the information described above, must be sent to the Corporate Secretary at 100 First Stamford Place, 4th Floor, Stamford, CT 06902 and, in order to allow for timely consideration, must be received by the Corporate Secretary not less than 90 days, and not more than 120 days prior to April 28, 2026.

Majority Voting for Directors and Resignation Policy

Our by-laws provide that nominees for director and directors running for re-election to the Board without opposition must receive a majority of votes cast. Any director who fails to receive the required number of votes for re-election is required by Crane Company policy to tender his or her written resignation to the Chairman of the Board for consideration by the Nominating and Governance Committee. The Committee will consider such tendered resignation and make a recommendation to the Board concerning the acceptance or rejection of the resignation. In determining its recommendation to the Board, the Committee will consider all factors deemed relevant by the members of the Committee including, without limitation, the stated reason or reasons why stockholders voted against such director’s re-election, the qualifications of the director, and whether the director’s resignation from the Board would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

Board’s Role and Responsibilities

The Board is responsible for, and is committed to, overseeing the business and affairs of the Company and providing guidance for sound decision making, accountability and ethical professional conduct. It reviews the performance of our management and establishes guidelines and performance targets for our executive compensation program. The Board has adopted a comprehensive set of Corporate Governance Guidelines that set forth the Company’s governance philosophy, policies, and practices, and provide a framework for the conduct of the Board’s business.

Strategic Oversight

Our Board takes an active role in overseeing management’s formulation and implementation of its strategic plan. It receives a comprehensive overview of management’s strategic plan for all of the Company’s businesses at least annually, receives regular updates from consultants, financial advisors, and other experts on the global capital markets and the industrial manufacturing environment, and receives periodic updates from individual businesses on their strategic plans at other regularly scheduled Board meetings throughout the year. The Board provides insight and feedback to senior management, and, if necessary, challenges management on the Company’s strategic direction. The Board also monitors and evaluates, with the assistance of the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, the Company’s strategic results, and approves all material capital allocation decisions.

 

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Management Succession Planning and Intellectual Capital

We have a comprehensive Intellectual Capital (“IC”) process at Crane Company that encompasses careful and rigorous talent selection, systematic training and personalized development, and an annual assessment of performance and potential. Our Board and the Management Organization and Compensation Committee take an important role in our human capital management and the IC process. The Management Organization and Compensation Committee has the primary responsibilities for (i) assuring that the Company’s management development and succession planning policies and procedures are sound and effective, (ii) evaluating the performance of the Chief Executive Officer and other members of senior management, and (iii) regularly reporting its findings and recommendations to the Board. A key element of the IC process is the identification of management succession needs and opportunities, whether arising from natural career growth and development, voluntary turnover, retirements, or other causes. Such management succession planning forms part of our annual strategy review process for each of our businesses, and the senior management levels are reviewed with the Board at least annually. The Board’s oversight and involvement in the annual review of senior management level succession needs and opportunities promotes the identification and development of a pipeline of strong performance-focused senior leaders that possess diverse skills and talents.

Risk Oversight

The Board recognizes its duty to assure itself that the Company has effective procedures for assessing and managing risks to the Company’s operations, financial position, and reputation, including compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The Board has charged the Audit Committee with responsibility for monitoring the Company’s processes and procedures for risk assessment, risk management, and compliance, which includes receiving regular reports on material litigation, environmental remediation activities, and on any violations of law or Company policies and resultant corrective action. The Audit Committee receives regular reports regarding these matters from management (at least quarterly). The Company’s Director of Compliance and Ethics, as well as the Chief Audit Executive, have regular independent communications with the Audit Committee. The Chair of the Audit Committee reports any significant matters to the Board as part of his briefing on the Committee’s meetings and activities.

The Board receives an annual presentation by management on the Company’s risk management practices. The Board also receives reports from management at each meeting regarding operating results, pending and proposed acquisition and divestiture transactions (each of which must be approved by the Board before completion), capital expenditures (material capital expenditures above $5 million require Board approval), and other matters.

In addition, the Management Organization and Compensation Committee of the Board has established a process for assessing the potential that the Company’s compensation plans and practices may encourage executives to take risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. The conclusions of this assessment are set forth in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section under the heading “Compensation Risk Assessment” on page 54.

 

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Coordination Among Board Committees Regarding Risk Oversight

 

 

LOGO

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE    MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE   

NOMINATING AND

GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

 

  Financial reporting risk

 

  Legal and compliance risk

 

  Selection, performance assessment and compensation of the independent auditor

 

  Cyber/Information security risk

 

  Fraud risk

 

  Environmental risk

  

  Performance assessment and compensation of the CEO and other executive officers

 

  Management succession planning and intellectual capital (human capital) development

 

  Risk review of incentive compensation arrangements

  

  Governance risk

 

  Independence of directors

 

  Board succession planning

 

  Board and committee performance evaluations

 

 

Cyber and Information Security Risk Oversight

Governance and Approach

Our cybersecurity program is led by Crane Company’s Chief Information Security Officer, who regularly reports to our executive team about our program, including a review of cyber threat trends, our information security organization and staffing, and the status of ongoing efforts and investments to strengthen our cybersecurity defenses.

We utilize a risk-based, multi-layered information security framework following the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) and the Center for Internet Security (CIS) critical security controls. We have adopted and implemented a systematic approach measuring ourselves against this multi-layered framework which we formally review on a quarterly basis (with more frequent updates as necessary) to identify and mitigate security risks that we believe are commercially reasonable for manufacturing companies of our size and scope and commensurate with the risks we face. In addition, we provide a minimum of two formal program updates each year to the Audit Committee.

Our Team and Capabilities

Our cybersecurity program is staffed by a team of skilled cybersecurity professionals, including approximately 20 dedicated internal cybersecurity resources. Three members of the security team currently have Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) credentials, many hold one or more Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC)/The Sans Institute (SANS) cybersecurity certificates, and in total the team has over 70 security and network certifications. Our response team members are in various global locations to ensure 24/7 monitoring and response capabilities and are backed by a 24/7 Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) who monitors cybersecurity alerts.

 

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Education and Awareness

We educate and share best practices globally with our employees to raise awareness of cybersecurity threats. As part of our internal training process, we maintain annual training for all employees on cybersecurity standards, as well provide monthly trainings on how to recognize and properly respond to phishing, social engineering schemes and other cyber threats. The Company uses advanced systems to block and analyze all email for threats, as well as equip our employees with an intuitive mechanism to easily report suspicious emails which are analyzed by our security systems and dedicated incident response team. Monthly “test” phishing emails are sent to our associates. Any failures trigger a retraining exercise if not properly reported and a monthly training vignette on cybersecurity awareness. To round out our robust awareness program, we have specific and regular training for our IT professionals, and we regularly engage independent third parties to test our information security processes and systems as part of our overall enterprise risk management program.

Our Program Results

Crane Company was separated from its parent company, Crane Holdings, on April 3, 2023, and since the separation and during the preceding 5 years as Crane Holdings, no attempted cyber-attack or other attempted intrusion on our information technology networks has resulted in a material adverse impact on our operations or financial results, in any penalties or settlements, or in the loss or exfiltration of material or sensitive Company data. Crane has not experienced a material third-party security breach, but recognizes the inherent cyber risks associated with relying on third-party vendors such as cloud service providers, software vendors, data processors, and IT service providers with access to company information, systems, or processes. Crane is committed to managing these risks responsibly and transparently and has an active process in place to assess and reduce that risk, including performing due diligence on third-party vendors before onboarding and evaluation and assessing their cybersecurity policies. In the event an attack or other intrusion were to be successful, we have a response team of internal and external resources engaged and prepared to respond. The Company maintains cyber risk and related insurance policies as a measure of added protection.

Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) Oversight

ESG, or as we call it at Crane, Philanthropy, Sustainability, and Equality (“PSE”), has been among the cornerstone principles of the Company since its founding 170 years ago. Long before “ESG” became a notable movement, the Company already embraced philanthropy for its people and the communities where it operated, sustainable practices designed to promote efficiency and reduce waste, and equality among its employees. The Board takes an active role in overseeing our PSE strategies and initiatives by reviewing matters relevant to the Company’s business, including environmental, sustainability, corporate governance and diversity, equality, and inclusion. At least annually, the Board receives a comprehensive review of management’s plan for the Company with respect to philanthropy, sustainability, and equality initiatives and reviews the Company’s prior year initiatives and performance on these important issues. (See “Corporate Governance and Sustainability” beginning on page 29). Our Board also receives periodic reports from management regarding the Company’s efforts, initiatives, and performance with respect to these metrics. Beyond overseeing performance, the Board also reviews the Company’s policies regarding PSE.

Stockholder Communications with Directors

The Board has established a process to receive communications from stockholders and other interested parties. Stockholders and other interested parties may contact any member (or all members) of the Board, any Board committee, or any Chair of any such committee by mail or electronically. To communicate with the Board, any individual director or any group or committee of directors, correspondence should be addressed to the Board or any individual director or group or committee of directors by either name or title. All such correspondence should be sent to Crane Company c/o Corporate Secretary, 100 First Stamford Place, 4th Floor, Stamford, CT 06902. To communicate with any of our directors electronically, stockholders should use the following e-mail address: corpsec@craneco.com.

All communications received as set forth in the preceding paragraph will be opened by the office of the Corporate Secretary for the sole purpose of determining whether they contain a message to our directors. Any contents will be forwarded promptly to the addressee unless they are in the nature of advertising or promotion of a product or service or are patently offensive or irrelevant. To the extent that the communication involves a request for information, such as an

 

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inquiry about the Company or stock-related matters, the Corporate Secretary’s office may handle the inquiry directly. In the case of communications to the Board or any group or committee of directors, the Corporate Secretary’s office will make sufficient copies of the contents to send to each director who is a member of the group or committee to which the communication is addressed.

Board Structure

Board Leadership Structure

Consistent with its belief that an effective board leadership structure can be highly dependent on the experience, skills, and personal interaction between persons in leadership roles and the strategic direction the Company, the Board, at a regular Board Meeting in January 2024, unanimously approved combining the Chairman and CEO roles. Given Mr. Mitchell’s extensive knowledge and successful tenure, the Board appointed Mr. Mitchell to his new roles as Chairman and CEO, effective as of the 2024 annual meeting. Furthermore, to provide for the continued independent oversight of management and the Chairman/CEO, also effective as of the 2024 annual meeting, the Board established the position of a Lead Independent Director, which is to be appointed by the Board annually.

The Board will continue to monitor and assess its leadership structure to ensure it best serves the needs of the Company and its stockholders.

Stockholder Engagement

Crane Company regularly meets with current and potential stockholders, both to provide transparency about its operations and results, and to better understand the investment community’s perception of the Company’s performance and corporate strategy. Crane Company typically hosts an annual investor day event to provide a thorough review of the prior year’s results, to discuss the Company’s outlook for the current year, and to review the Company’s portfolio and capital allocation strategies, as well as its long-term strategic growth opportunities. In 2024, our investor day event was held on May 14.

During 2024, the Company also participated in meetings, phone calls and video conference calls with approximately 250 different investors at conferences, during investor roadshows, and in response to direct investor inquiries, a decrease of approximately 24% from the prior year. The decrease in investor interaction during 2024 reflects a normalization of interest following heightened activity related to the Company’s 2023 separation transaction, partially offset by our continued efforts to ensure thorough and transparent communications and to educate investors about post-separation Crane.

Our Vice President of Investor Relations, Senior Vice President of Investor Relations, Treasury and Tax, and our Chief Financial Officer provide feedback from the investor and analyst meetings formally to the Board on at least a quarterly basis. Additional viewpoints and commentary from investors and analysts are incorporated into our comprehensive strategic review which is presented to the Board at least annually, and on an ad hoc basis as appropriate.

 

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Committees of the Board

The Board has established an Audit Committee, a Management Organization and Compensation Committee, and a Nominating and Governance Committee. The Board also established an Executive Committee, which meets when a quorum of the full Board cannot be readily convened. The memberships of these committees are as follows:

 

                

 

Roles and Responsibilities

The Audit Committee is the Board’s principal agent in fulfilling legal and fiduciary obligations with respect to matters involving the Company’s accounting, auditing, financial reporting, internal control, legal compliance functions, risk management and conflicts of interest. The Audit Committee has the authority and responsibility for the appointment, retention, compensation, and oversight of our independent auditors.

 

Independence

All members of the Audit Committee meet the independence and expertise requirements of the NYSE, and all qualify as “independent” under the provisions of SEC Rule 10A-3. In addition, the Board has determined that each member of the Committee is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in regulations of the SEC. The Audit Committee met four times in 2024. The Audit Committee’s report appears beginning on page 36.

    

Audit Committee

 

 

LOGO

Chair

M. R. Benante

 

Members

S. Kapoor

R.C. Lindsay

S. D. Lynch

E. McClain

 

 

   

 

 

 

                

 

Roles and Responsibilities

The duties of the Management Organization and Compensation Committee include: coordinating the annual evaluation of the Chief Executive Officer; recommending to the Board all actions regarding compensation of the Chief Executive Officer; approving the compensation of other executive officers and reviewing the compensation of other officers and business unit presidents; reviewing director compensation; administering the annual incentive compensation plan and stock incentive plan; reviewing and approving any significant changes in, or additions to, compensation policies and practices, including benefit plans; and reviewing management development and succession planning policies.

 

Independence

All members of the Management Organization and Compensation Committee meet the independence requirements of the NYSE, and qualify as “independent” under the provisions of SEC Rule 10C. The Management Organization and Compensation Committee met four times in 2024. The Management Organization and Compensation Committee’s report appears on page 58.

    

Management Organization and Compensation Committee

 

 

LOGO

Chair

J.M. Pollino

 

Members

S. Kapoor

E. McClain

C.G. McClure, Jr.

J.L.L. Tullis

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Roles and Responsibilities

The duties of the Nominating and Governance Committee include developing criteria for the selection of and identifying potential candidates for service as directors, overseeing policies regarding tenure of service and retirement for members of the Board, and responsibility for and oversight of corporate governance matters, including director independence and Board and Committee evaluations.

 

Independence

All members of the Nominating and Governance Committee meet the independence requirements of the NYSE. The Nominating and Governance Committee met four times in 2024, including one special meeting.

    

Nominating and Governance Committee

 

LOGO

 

Chair

R. C. Lindsay

 

Members

M.R. Benante

C.G. McClure, Jr.

J.M. Pollino

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

               

 

Roles and Responsibilities

The Board has also established an Executive Committee, which meets when a quorum of the full Board cannot be readily convened. The Executive Committee may exercise any of the powers of the Board, except for approving an amendment of the certificate of incorporation or by-laws; adopting an agreement of merger or sale of all or substantially all of Crane Company’s assets or dissolution of Crane Company; filling vacancies on the Board or any committee thereof; or electing or removing officers. The Executive Committee did not hold any meetings during 2024.

    

Executive Committee

 

LOGO

 

Chair

J.L.L. Tullis

 

Members

M.H. Mitchell

J.M. Pollino

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

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Executive Sessions of Non-Management Directors

All of the meetings of the Board during 2024 included executive sessions without management present. All such meetings were presided over by James L. L. Tullis, Lead Independent Director. Crane’s Corporate Governance Guidelines require our non-management directors to meet in executive session without management on a regularly scheduled basis, but not less than two times a year. The Lead Independent Director presides at executive sessions, unless he or she is unavailable, in which case the presiding person at executive sessions rotates on an annual basis among the Chairs of the Nominating and Governance Committee, the Audit Committee, and the Management Organization and Compensation Committee. If the designated person is not available to chair an executive session, then the non-management directors select a non-management director to preside.

Board Meetings and Attendance

The Board of Directors met seven times during 2024, including one special meeting. Each director attended 100% of the Board and committee meetings held in the period during which he or she was a director and committee member. In addition, it is Crane’s policy that each of our directors attend our annual meetings either in person, virtually or telephonically. All members of the Board were present at the 2024 annual stockholder meeting.

Board Governance Policies and Practices

Board and Committee Evaluation Process

Board and committee evaluations play a critical role in ensuring the effective functioning of the Board. It is essential to monitor the Board, committee, and individual directors’ performance and consider and act upon the feedback provided by each Board member. The Nominating and Governance Committee, in consultation with the Chairman of the Board and the Lead Independent Director, is charged with facilitating an annual self-assessment of the Board’s performance, as well as an annual self-assessment undertaken by each committee of the Board. The multistep evaluation process begins with a questionnaire and may include discussions with the Chairman of the Board and the Lead Independent Director and Board members, and discussions between Committee Chairs and the members of their respective committee. The results are provided to the full Board, and the Board’s policies and practices are updated as appropriate to reflect director feedback.

Director Education

It is important for directors to stay current and informed on developments in corporate governance best practices in order to effectively discharge their duties. Our directors are provided updates on corporate governance developments at regularly scheduled Board meetings and are encouraged to participate in programs offered by nationally recognized organizations that specialize in director education. The Company reimburses its directors for their reasonable costs and attendance fees to participate in such programs.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Crane Company is committed to conducting its business in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations and in accordance with the highest standards of business ethics. Accordingly, the directors, officers and all Company employees are required to act in accordance with Crane Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics covers many areas of professional ethical conduct, including the protection and proper use of Company assets, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, compliance with laws and fair dealing with competitors, employees and other Company stakeholders. A copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on our website at www.craneco.com/investors/corporate-governance.

 

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Conflicts of Interest; Transactions with Related Persons

Crane Company has established two written Conflict of Interest Policies: CP-103, to which all officers and salaried employees are subject, and CP-103D, to which non-employee directors are subject. Those who are subject to the policies are required to disclose to the General Counsel in writing each outside relationship, activity, and interest that creates a potential conflict of interest, including prior disclosure of transactions with third parties. The General Counsel will determine whether the matter does or does not constitute an impermissible conflict of interest or may in his or her discretion refer the question to the Audit Committee, which is responsible for reviewing significant conflicts of interest involving directors or executive officers and/or the Nominating and Governance Committee, which is responsible for reviewing director nominee independence requirements. The respective Committees will review the facts and make a recommendation to the Board. All directors, executive officers, and other salaried employees are required to certify in writing each year whether they are personally in compliance with CP-103 or CP-103D, as applicable, and whether they have knowledge of any other person’s failure to comply. In addition, each director and executive officer is required to complete an annual questionnaire which calls for disclosure of any transactions above a stated amount in which the director or officer or any member of his or her family has a direct or indirect material interest. The Board is of the opinion that these procedures in the aggregate are sufficient to allow for the review, approval, or ratification of any “Transactions with Related Persons” that would be required to be disclosed under applicable SEC rules.

Company Policy Regarding Hedging Transactions

The Company’s Policy on Trading in Company Stock prohibits members of the Board of Directors, executive officers, and certain other employees designated as “Employee Insiders” (generally, employees involved in compiling or having access to monthly operating forecasts or other Company-wide financially sensitive or confidential information) from engaging in any hedging transactions. The policy applies to any transaction that allows the individual to continue to own the covered securities, but without the full risks and rewards of ownership, such as zero-cost collars and forward sale contracts. The policy applies to any Company stock owned by the individual, whether acquired through equity compensation awards or otherwise.

Corporate Governance Documents

The Board has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines which reflect the Board’s commitment to monitor the effectiveness of policy-making and decision-making at both the Board and management levels, with a view to enhancing long-term stockholder value. The Corporate Governance Guidelines are available on our website at www.investors.craneco.com/investors/corporate-governance.

Copies of the charters of the Board committees are available on our website at www.investors.craneco.com/investors/corporate-governance/Audit Committee; www.investors.craneco.com/investors/corporate-governance/Management Organization and Compensation; and www.investors.craneco.com/investors/corporate-governance /Nominating and Governance, respectively.

Corporate Governance and Sustainability

Crane has a long legacy of philanthropy, sustainability, equality, and good corporate governance that is measured in deeds rather than words. The Company’s commitment to supporting its people and the communities where we operate, through volunteer hours performed by our associates and money sponsored through the Crane Charitable Funds, continues to grow every year. In furtherance of our commitment to these important objectives, we have established an executive management committee and created a management position with supporting analysts to identify and track metrics on philanthropy, sustainability, and equality, and to ensure compliance with all relevant sustainability regulations. This committee publishes a separate report on the Company’s efforts and performance against established targets with respect to philanthropy, sustainability, and equality, which can be found at www.craneco.com/pse. The following are summarized examples of our actions and policies aimed at health and safety, philanthropy, diversity and

 

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inclusion, protecting the environment, governance and ethics, and supply chain management, as well as certain PSE performance highlights.

 

   

 

LOGO

Health &

Safety

  

  Strongly committed to the physical and mental health and safety of our associates

  Strive to continuously reduce the incidence and severity of job-related injuries

  Utilize effective risk management practices, advanced safety technology, and frequent training programs to minimize risk to our associates

  All safety incidents are investigated to determine root cause using the “5 Why” methodology and all findings are distributed to all global sites for learning and awareness

 

LOGO

Philanthropy

  

  Embrace philanthropy around the world, providing paid time off during the workday for our associates to volunteer and support charitable causes important to them

  Annually facilitate the donation of approximately $25 million through three independent charitable funds (the largest of which is also our largest shareholder), to former associates in need, to local organizations in the communities in which our businesses operate, and in support of important global relief efforts

  Support over 1,000 former Crane associates who are in need and their families who are in need

  Partner with charitable or educational organizations making a difference in Chicago where the Company was founded

 

LOGO

Diversity &
Inclusion

  

  Commitment to diversity on our Board, and across our global workforce, with a focus on developing an inclusive and high-performance culture with trust and respect

  Focused development for our associates leveraging a structured intellectual capital process with constructive reviews and various talent/leadership development initiatives endorsed by the executive management team

 

LOGO

Protecting the
Environment

  

  Comply with all applicable environmental laws governing the use, storage, discharge, and disposal of hazardous or toxic material

  Seek to improve the sustainable operation of our facilities through the efficient use of energy, and commitment to reducing emissions, waste and water consumption

 

LOGO

Governance &

Ethics

  

  Annual review of Corporate Governance Guidelines by the Board and outside experts

  Code of Business Conduct and Ethics adopted by our Board, as well as anti-bribery policies, and policies prohibiting the Company from engaging in the political process (associates, however, are encouraged to participate in the political process privately if they wish, on their own time and using their own resources)

  Mandatory annual training for associates on ethics and anti-bribery

  Maintain an actively managed ethics hotline, with dedicated investigative resources to promptly and thoroughly review and resolve all hotline submissions

 

LOGO

Supply Chain

Management

  

  Regularly audit and assess our supply chain

  Maintain a strict supplier code of conduct that sets expectations about supplier behavior with respect to compensation, hours of labor, coercion and harassment, discrimination, workplace safety, environmental protection, and commercial bribery

 

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Our Philanthropy, Sustainability and Equality Highlights

 

 

LOGO

See additional details on the Company’s efforts and performance with respect to philanthropy, sustainability, and equality, at www.craneco.com/pse.

Compensation of Directors

Director Compensation Program

Our director compensation program is reviewed annually by the Management Organization and Compensation Committee’s independent consultant and all changes are intended to align the program generally with the peer group median. The members of the Board, other than Mr. Mitchell (who does not receive compensation for his service as a director for Crane Company), receive the following compensation:

 

 

A retainer of $230,000 ($240,000 beginning with the 2025 Annual Meeting) per year, payable $90,000 in cash and $140,000 ($150,000 beginning with the 2025 Annual Meeting) in the form of Deferred Stock Units (“DSUs”) of equivalent value; the terms of DSUs are described below. A director may also elect to receive all or a portion of the cash retainer in additional DSUs or in fully vested shares of Crane Company stock;

 

 

A retainer of $25,000 per year for the Chair of the Audit Committee, payable in cash;

 

 

A retainer of $17,500 per year for each of the Chair of the Management Organization and Compensation Committee and the Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee, payable in cash; and

 

 

A retainer of $10,000 per year for each member of the Audit Committee other than the Chair; $7,500 per year for each member of the Management Organization and Compensation Committee or the Nominating and Governance Committee other than the Chair; and $2,000 per year for each member of the Executive Committee other than the Chief Executive Officer, in each case, payable in cash;

 

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No meeting fees will be paid unless the total number of meetings exceeds three more than the regularly scheduled meetings of the Board and the relevant committees. The compensation of Mr. Mitchell, who is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, in addition to being the Chairman of the Board, is shown in the 2024 Summary Compensation Table on page 60.

Mr. Tullis, the Lead Independent Director, received the same annual retainer as a non-employee director plus an incremental retainer of $135,000 per year, payable in cash (or all or a portion of the incremental retainer in additional DSUs or fully vested shares of Crane Company stock, at his election). Beginning with the 2025 Annual Meeting, the Lead Independent Director’s incremental retainer will be reduced to $50,000 per year. The Company also has a time-sharing agreement with Mr. Tullis under which he is permitted personal use of the corporate aircraft, for which he reimbursed Crane Company the aggregate incremental cost. See “Other Arrangements with our Named Executive Officers—Use of Company Aircraft” beginning on page 57.

The Management Organization and Compensation Committee, which is composed solely of independent directors, has the primary responsibility for reviewing and considering any revisions to our director compensation program. In December 2024, the Management Organization and Compensation Committee undertook its annual review of the type and form of compensation paid to our non-employee directors in connection with their service on the Board and its committees for fiscal year 2025 and considered the results of an independent analysis completed by Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. (“FW Cook”). As part of this analysis, FW Cook reviewed non-employee director compensation trends and data from companies comprising the same compensation peer group used by the Management Organization and Compensation Committee in connection with its review of executive compensation. Pursuant to this compensation review process, and after considering FW Cook’s advice on industry best practice regarding the timing of equity grants, the Committee determined that only modest changes to the Directors’ Board retainers were warranted, all as reflected above. No changes were made to the Committee fees.

DSUs are issued each year, generally as of the date of the annual meeting and pro-rated, if necessary; are forfeitable if the director ceases to remain a director until Crane Company’s next annual meeting, except in the case of death, disability, or change in control; and entitle the director to receive an equivalent number of shares of Crane Company stock, plus accumulated dividends, upon the director’s ceasing to be a member of the Board. On April 22, 2024, each non-employee Company director received DSUs pursuant to the Crane Company 2023 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Stock Incentive Plan”) as follows: Messrs. Benante, Lindsay and Tullis, and Ms. Pollino, each received 1,071 DSUs, Mr. Kapoor received 1,759 DSUs, Ms. McClain received 1,209 DSUs, and Mr. McClure, Jr., received 1,415 DSUs.

Stock Ownership Guidelines for Directors

The Board has adopted stock ownership guidelines that require each director to hold shares of Crane Company stock having a fair market value not less than five times the cash portion of the annual retainer for directors (currently $90,000). A director must have attained this ownership level by the fifth anniversary of his or her first election as a director. No directors have attained their fifth anniversary of service, however, as of the Record Date, all Directors have attained the required ownership levels except Ms. Lynch, who joined the Board in August 2024.

 

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Director Compensation in 2024

The following table shows the actual compensation earned in 2024 of all directors, except for Mr. Mitchell, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, who does not receive compensation as a director and whose compensation is shown in the 2024 Summary Compensation Table on page 60.

 

Name

  Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash(1)
($)
     Stock
Awards(2)
($)
    

Total

($)

 

M. R. Benante

    122,500        153,543        276,043  

S. Kapoor

    10,625        233,638        244,263  

R. C. Lindsay

    117,500        159,772        277,272  

S. D. Lynch

    23,334        100,017        123,351  

E. McClain

    89,500        174,965        264,465  

C. G. McClure, Jr.

    60,000        197,718        257,718  

J. M. Pollino

    117,000        156,371        273,371  

J. S. Stroup*

    89,584        144,023        233,607  

J. L. L. Tullis

    234,500        163,915        398,415  

 

*

Mr. Stroup resigned from the Board of Directors effective on July 22, 2024.

 

(1)

Amounts in this column include the cash value of vested shares of Crane Company common stock received in lieu of cash retainers at the election of the director.

 

(2)

Amounts shown in this column reflect the grant date fair value for awards of DSUs made during the indicated year. The grant date fair value of each DSU granted on April 22, 2024, was $130.73. The assumptions on which this valuation is based are set forth in Note 8 to the audited financial statements included in Crane Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 27, 2025. Awards of DSUs during 2024, all made pursuant to the Stock Incentive Plan, were as follows:

 

   

1,071 DSUs to each of Messrs. Benante, Lindsay, Stroup and Tullis, and Ms. Pollino; 1,209 DSUs to Ms. McClain; 1,759 DSUs to Mr. Kapoor, and 1,415 DSUs to Mr. McClure, Jr., on April 22, 2024, in connection with the annual meeting, and 711 DSUs to Ms. Lynch on August 5, 2024, in connection to with her appointment as a new Director.

 

   

In relation to John Stroup’s resignation from the Board effective July 22, 2024 and in consideration of his outstanding service as a Board member, the Board approved 25% vesting of his 2024 stock award. Based on his elections he received distribution of his 2023 and 2024 DSUs and related dividends, for a total of 2,183.53 shares. His DSUs that were awarded prior to the separation transaction will remain deferred as long as he serves on the Crane NXT Board of Directors.

 

   

An aggregate of 92 additional DSUs to Mr. Benante; 24 additional DSUs to Mr. Kapoor; 134 additional DSUs to Mr. Lindsay; 2 additional DSUs to Ms. Lynch; 115 additional DSUs to Ms. McClain, 86 additional DSUs to Mr. McClure, Jr.; 111 additional DSUs to Ms. Pollino; 28 additional DSUs to Mr. Stroup; and 162 additional DSUs to Mr. Tullis, were awarded in connection with the payment of regular quarterly dividends, paid on March 13, 2024, June 12, 2024, September 11, 2024, and December 11, 2024.

100% Director Stock Ownership

All of the Company’s directors own stock in the Company. For more information regarding each director’s overall beneficial ownership, see “Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock by Directors and Management” on page 82.

 

 

 

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                  ITEM 2: RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF AUDITORS                  

 

   

 

LOGO

 

PROPOSAL 2

The Board recommends voting FOR the Ratification of the Selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent auditors for 2025

   

The Board proposes and recommends that the stockholders ratify the Audit Committee’s selection of the firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent auditors for Crane Company for 2025. Deloitte & Touche LLP has been Crane Company’s independent auditor since 2023 and the independent auditors of Crane Holdings, Co. from 1979 through the completion of the separation transaction on April 3, 2023. Although ratification of this selection is not required by law, the Board believes it is desirable as a matter of corporate governance. If the stockholders do not ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Audit Committee will reconsider the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Crane’s independent auditor. We expect that representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP will join the Annual Meeting, where they will have an opportunity to respond to appropriate questions and make a statement if they desire to do so.

Unless otherwise directed by the stockholders, proxies that are properly executed and returned or submitted electronically will be voted for approval of the ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP to audit our consolidated financial statements for 2025.

Annual Evaluation and Selection of Auditors

The Audit Committee is responsible for selecting, in its sole discretion, the firm of independent auditors to audit Crane’s financial statements for each fiscal year. The Audit Committee is also directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention, and oversight of the work of the independent auditors, including resolution of any disagreements that arise between management and the auditor regarding financial reporting or other audit, review or attest services for the Company. The independent auditors report directly to the Audit Committee.

The Audit Committee annually reviews and evaluates the performance of the Company’s independent auditors. In evaluating the independent auditors, the Audit Committee considers, among other things, the quality of the independent auditor’s service, the sufficiency of its resources, its independence and objectivity, and the length of time the firm has been engaged as the Company’s independent auditors.

Demonstrating its commitment to strong governance, the Audit Committee conducted a comprehensive request for proposal (RFP) process to benchmark the costs and services of its independent auditor. The process included the development of an extensive RFP document intentionally focused on audit quality control, technology differentiation (software tools used to manage the audit, as well as tools used to identify risk and complete audit steps and methodologies, including data analytics and maturing artificial intelligence capabilities), audit team composition and expertise, and fees for services to be provided, among other things. Three firms were identified and selected to participate in the RFP process, each holding leadership positions across the industry. The process was initiated in September 2023 and concluded in July 2024 and included dedicated sessions covering specific audit areas (tax, information technology, information security, global finance) and concluded with in-person, oral presentations from each firm. After careful consideration, the Audit Committee selected Deloitte & Touche LLP to serve as Crane Company’s independent auditors for 2025.

 

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Principal Accounting Firm Fees

Set forth below is a summary of the fees for the years ended December 31, 2024, and 2023 to the Company’s principal accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, the member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, and their respective affiliates:

 

    2024         2023  
                   
  

 

  (in thousands)  

Audit fees(a)

  $ 4,943      

 

 

 

 

 

  $ 6,215  

Audit-related fees(b)

  $ 263      

 

 

 

 

 

  $ 260  

Tax fees(c)

  $ 332      

 

 

 

 

 

  $ 197  

All other fees(d)

  $ 2      

 

 

 

 

 

  $ 3  

Total

  $ 5,540      

 

 

 

 

 

  $ 6,675  

 

(a) 

Audit services in 2024 consisted of: (i) the audit of Crane Company’s annual financial statements; (ii) reviews of the Company’s quarterly financial statements; (iii) Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Section 404 attestation matters; and (iv) statutory and regulatory audits. Audit services were lower in 2024 as 2023 included fees related to procedures performed in connection with the separation transaction.

 

(b)

Audit-related services consisted of: (i) benefit plan audits; (ii) agreed-upon procedures reports; and (iii) financial accounting and reporting consultations.

 

(c)

Fees for tax compliance services totaled $270 and $135 in 2024 and 2023, respectively. Tax compliance services are services rendered based upon facts already in existence or transactions that have already occurred, to document, compute, and obtain government approval for amounts to be included in tax filings. Fees for tax planning and advice services totaled $62 in both 2024 and 2023.

 

(d) 

Fees for all other services billed consisted of fees for software licenses.

 

  

 

   2024      2023  

Ratio of tax planning and advice fees and all other fees to audit fees, audit-related fees, and tax compliance fees

     1      1

Percentage of non-audit services approved by the Audit Committee

     100      100

Pre-Approval Policy and Procedures

SEC rules under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 prohibit independent auditors of public companies from providing certain non-audit services and require that other non-audit services be approved by the Audit Committee. The Company’s policy implementing this requirement has been in place since February 2023 (and in the pre-separation period as well). That policy:

 

 

specifies certain types of services that our independent auditors are prohibited from performing;

 

 

requires that management prepare a budget for non-prohibited services at the beginning of each fiscal year, and present the budget to the Audit Committee for their approval; and

 

 

requires that any expenditure outside of the budget also be approved by the Audit Committee in advance.

 

LOGO

VOTE REQUIRED

Ratification of the selection of the auditors requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on this question at the Annual Meeting by holders of shares of common stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting. (See “Questions and Answers About These Proxy Materials and the Annual Meeting”, beginning on page 86).

 

     

 

 

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Report of the Audit Committee

In accordance with its written charter adopted by the Board, the Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for oversight of the quality and integrity of the accounting, auditing, and financial reporting practices of Crane Company, All the members of the Committee qualify as “independent” under the provisions of Section 10A of the Exchange Act and the rules of the SEC thereunder.

The members of the Committee are not professionally engaged in the practice of auditing or accounting and are not, and do not represent themselves to be, performing the functions of auditors or accountants. Members of the Committee rely without independent verification on the information provided to them and on the representations made by management and the independent auditors. Accordingly, the Committee’s oversight does not provide an independent basis to determine that management has maintained appropriate accounting and financial reporting principles or appropriate internal controls and procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. Furthermore, the Committee’s considerations and discussions referred to below do not assure that the audit of the Company’s financial statements has been carried out in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), that the financial statements are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or that the Company’s auditors are in fact “independent.”

In discharging its oversight responsibility as to the audit process, the Committee:

 

 

received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent auditors required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent auditors’ communications with the Committee concerning independence;

 

 

discussed with the independent auditors their independence, and any activities that may impact their objectivity and independence, including fees for non-audit services, and satisfied itself as to the auditors’ independence;

 

 

received a report on the quality control procedures of the independent auditors;

 

 

received and discussed a report on critical audit matters;

 

 

discussed with management, the internal auditors, and the independent auditors the quality and adequacy of the Company’s internal controls, with particular focus on compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as the internal audit function’s organization, responsibilities, budget, and staffing;

 

 

reviewed with the independent auditors and the internal auditors their respective audit plans and audit scope;

 

 

reviewed with management the risk assessment and risk management procedures of the Company, including cybersecurity risk, as well as the procedures and findings of the Company’s compliance program;

 

 

discussed the results of the internal audit examinations;

 

 

discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the SEC; and

 

 

discussed and reviewed, both with and without members of management present, the independent auditors’ examination of the financial statements.

The Committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2024, with management and the independent auditors. Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation, and integrity of the Company’s financial statements, the Company’s internal controls and financial reporting process and the procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. The Company’s independent auditors are responsible for performing an independent audit of the Company’s financial statements and expressing an opinion as to their conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

Based on the above-mentioned review and discussions with the independent auditors, the Committee recommended to the Board that the Company’s audited financial statements be included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, for filing with the SEC.

Pursuant to the Company’s policies the independent auditors are prohibited from performing certain services in accordance with Section 202 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. With respect to non-prohibited services to be provided

 

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by the independent auditors, the policy requires that a budget for such services be prepared by management and approved by the Committee at the beginning of each fiscal year, and any expenditure outside of the budget must also be approved by the Committee in advance. Pursuant to this policy, the Committee reviewed and approved the budget for the audit and other services to be provided by Deloitte & Touche LLP in 2025. The Committee also approved the reappointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP to serve as independent auditors; the Board concurred in such appointment and directed that this action be presented to stockholders for ratification.

Submitted by:

The Audit Committee of the

Board of Directors of Crane Company

Martin R. Benante, Chair

Sanjay Kapoor

Ronald C. Lindsay

Susan D. Lynch

Ellen McClain

Incorporation by Reference. The Audit Committee Report in this Proxy Statement shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and shall not be deemed filed under those Acts, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates any such matter in a filed document by reference.

 

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                  ITEM 3: ADVISORY VOTE ON COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS                  

 

   

 

LOGO

 

PROPOSAL 3

The Board recommends voting FOR the Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation of our
Named Executive Officers

   

This Proposal describes executive compensation for the Crane Company named executive officers for 2024.

Based on the recommendation of stockholders at the Company’s 2024 annual meeting of stockholders, and the Board’s consideration of that recommendation, the Company has determined that it will hold a non-binding advisory vote to approve the compensation paid by the Company to its named executive officers every year, until the next required stockholder vote to recommend the frequency of such votes in 2030.

In accordance with the requirements of Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the related SEC rules, we are asking stockholders to express their opinion on the compensation of the named executive officers in 2024, as described in the pages that follow in this Proxy Statement. This vote is non-binding and advisory, however, the Board will give due consideration to the opinion of the Company’s stockholders as expressed by their vote.

We believe that the compensation of our executive officers should be:

 

 

closely linked to the performance of the Company as a whole, the executive’s business unit (as applicable), and the individual executive;

 

 

aligned with the Company’s annual operating plan and long-term strategic plans and objectives;

 

 

attractive in the markets in which we compete for executive talent; and

 

 

structured to reward actions in accordance with the Company’s values and standards and to discourage the taking of inappropriate risks, and upholding the Company’s high standards of business ethics and corporate governance.

The Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 39 explains in detail the elements of the Company’s executive compensation program with respect to our “named executive officers”. Additionally, it describes the steps taken by the Company to ensure that the program, as implemented in 2024, was aligned with these core principles. Balancing annual and long-term compensation elements, the program directly links incentive compensation for executives with increases in stockholder value, principally by means of (i) annual cash bonuses based on achievement of performance goals set by the Management Organization and Compensation Committee at the beginning of the year, (ii) performance-based restricted share units that vest in accordance with the Company’s total stockholder return relative to the S&P MidCap 400 Capital Goods Group over a three-year period, and (iii) stock options and time-based restricted share units that vest over a four-year period. The Company believes that this system, as put into practice under the supervision of the Management Organization and Compensation Committee, is instrumental in enabling the Company to achieve superior financial performance and investor returns.

The Board strongly endorses the Company’s actions in this regard, and recommends that stockholders vote FOR the following resolution:

RESOLVED, that the 2024 compensation of the named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement is approved by the stockholders on an advisory basis.

Unless otherwise directed by the stockholders, proxies that are properly executed and returned will be voted for the resolution. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not count as votes for or against the proposal and will not be included in calculating the number of votes in favor of the proposal.

 

LOGO

 

VOTE REQUIRED

Approval of the above resolution requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on this question at the Annual Meeting by holders of shares of common stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting. (See “Questions and Answers About These Proxy Materials and the Annual Meeting”, beginning on page 86.)

 

     

     

     

 

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

                 

We believe that compensation should be directly linked to performance and highly correlated to stockholder value. This section of the Proxy Statement explains how, under the guidance of our Management Organization and Compensation Committee (the “Committee” or “Compensation Committee”), our executive compensation program is designed and operated with respect to our “named executive officers” or “NEOs,” whose compensation is set forth in the Summary Compensation Table and other compensation tables contained in this Proxy Statement. The NEOs include those individuals who were serving as executive officers of Crane Company as of December 31, 2024.

 

   

Max H. Mitchell

  Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Richard A. Maue

  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Anthony M. D’Iorio

  Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Alejandro A. Alcala

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, beginning December 9, 2024

Executive Vice President, through December 8, 2024

Tamara S. Polmanteer

  Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer

Executive Compensation Index

 

SECTION      PAGE  
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY      40  

This section details compensation highlights and business activities in the past year that have an impact on compensation, and a high-level overview of our compensation practices.

  
COMPENSATION PRINCIPLES      45  

This section describes our pay for performance philosophy and the principles by which the Committee has designed the incentive compensation programs.

  
ELEMENTS OF COMPENSATION AND 2024 DECISIONS      45  

This section provides a detailed description of the elements that make up our compensation program and the rationale behind the metrics and corresponding performance targets. We also explore the principal conclusions for the Committee’s decisions.

  
COMPENSATION DECISION-MAKING PROCESS      51  

This section outlines roles, responsibilities, and the process behind compensation decisions, as well as the means by which our peer group is reviewed and selected.

  
POLICIES AND PRACTICES RELATED TO OUR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM      54  

This section details our compensation risk assessment and varying policies in place to reinforce our commitment to the highest standards of compensation-related governance.

  
OTHER ARRANGEMENTS WITH OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS      56  

This section describes other important agreements between Crane Company and the NEOs.

  

 

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Executive Summary

2024 Performance Highlights

Strong Financial Results Despite Ongoing Market Challenges

Final 2024 financial and operational results, adjusted for strategic actions, were substantially above our original financial targets for the year driven by a combination of a better-than-expected recovery in certain end markets, consistent and strong operational execution, and substantial benefits from strategic growth investments. Our businesses continued to execute at a high level, while further innovating and investing to drive durable, long-term growth. Specifically:

 

 

At Aerospace & Electronics, 2024 sales increased 18% compared to 2023. Segment operating margins increased 230 basis points, from 20.1% in 2023 to 22.4% in 2024, and adjusted Segment operating margins increased 310 basis points to 23.2% in 2024. These results reflect strong performance, particularly given persistent supply chain and customer challenges in the Aerospace, Defense and Electronics markets. In addition to the financial performance throughout 2024, the Segment continues to secure new business, and the Segment’s backlog reached an all-time high of $864 million at the end of the year.

 

 

At Process Flow Technologies, sales increased 12% compared to 2023 driven by core sales growth of 5%, and a contribution from the Baum, Cryoworks and Technifab acquisitions of 7% and slightly favorable foreign exchange. Segment operating margins reached a record level of 20.1%, up 70 basis points compared to 2023, with adjusted Segment operating margins at a record 20.9%, up 100 basis points compared to 2023. These results reflect record margin performance for the Segment with the margin expansion attributable to strong execution, accretive benefits from new products, and disciplined pricing offset by ongoing macro challenges.

See “Non-GAAP Reconciliation” beginning on page 84 for more detail regarding Special Items impacting adjusted Segment operating margins, as well as a reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures used herein.

Strong Execution Against Consistent Long-Term Organic Growth Strategy

Despite ongoing widespread global supply chain volatility and inflationary pressure during 2024, our long-term strategy remains unchanged. We are a manufacturer of highly engineered industrial technology products. We choose to compete in markets where we have competitive differentiation and scale. We will continue to leverage our resources as an integrated operating company, and to reinvest in our two strategic global growth platforms; Aerospace & Electronics and Process Flow Technologies, both organically and through strategic acquisitions, while also pursuing near-adjacencies for additional growth. We believe that this strategy will enable us to deliver above-median free cash flow and EPS growth over time.

We will continue to execute this strategy while remaining committed to the values of our founder, R.T. Crane, who resolved to conduct business “in the strictest honesty and fairness; to avoid all deception and trickery; to deal fairly with both customers and competitors; to be liberal and just toward employees; and to put my whole mind upon the business.”

With this framework, we continued to position the Company for long-term sustainable growth across our businesses during 2024 with some significant accomplishments, including the following:

NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH INITIATIVES

Crane Company successfully pursued numerous growth initiatives in its core businesses including new product development, technology advancements, and commercial excellence initiatives. We believe these initiatives have positioned the Company for accelerating growth, with results already evident. Some notable examples, among others:

Aerospace & Electronics

 

 

Over the past decade, this Segment participated in an unprecedented period of engineering development for new, single aisle aircraft such as the Boeing 737MAX, Airbus A320neo, Embraer E2, and COMAC C919. With those development programs complete, this business at Crane Company continues to focus its engineering efforts on

 

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  emerging technologies that we expect will be necessary to support the next generation of solutions for commercial and military aircraft, radar, space applications, and ground-based military vehicles; broadly, we believe all these applications will require much higher levels of electrification, sensors, and related technologies. Our investments are focused on areas aligned with that theme, including high-power bi-directional power conversion, liquid cooling and other forms of thermal management, advanced pumps and gauging, wireless sensing, landing systems monitoring and control, and advanced microwave systems. As a result of those engineering investments, we are confident that this business can deliver an above-market 7% to 9% compound annual sales growth rate (CAGR) through at least the end of this decade, with a path for operating margins to expand to the mid-20s range.

 

 

The overall commercial market strengthened progressively over the course of 2022, 2023, and 2024 as the industry recovered from the severe 2020 impact of COVID-19, with strengthening demand from defense end markets. The business benefitted from both the market recovery and accelerating growth from Crane’s consistent and continued investment in technology as described above. Crane’s growth investments over the last decade did not waver, and Crane saw the benefits of those investments which continue to expand our addressable market and align our business with accelerating secular trends, most notably electrification.

 

 

Examples of the success of that strategy include our award for the largest Modernization & Upgrade program in the Company’s history to provide an anti-skid brake control system upgrade for the U.S. Air Force’s fleet of F-16 aircraft, with significant additional opportunities from foreign military operators.

 

 

In our defense power business, we entered the initial production phase for new high-power conversion products used on five major ground-based active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar systems, with our technology now considered the standard in the industry for these programs. We have also secured positions on multiple demonstrator programs for the U.S. Army’s next-generation hybrid-electric tactical and combat vehicles with our bi-directional DC-DC power conversion capabilities. In addition, we have been selected for numerous demonstrator programs given our advanced capabilities across several technologies including anti-skid brake control for the Next Generation Air Dominance system, wireless sensing to reduce aircraft weight, advanced fuel flow monitoring and pressure sensing in harsh environments with extraordinary precision, engine lubrication pumps and systems that can operate at extreme pressures and temperatures, and liquid cooling systems for pure-electric and hybrid-electric propulsion as well as fuel cells.

Process Flow Technologies

 

 

The Process Flow Technologies Segment has systematically shifted the core of the business to focus on higher growth and higher margin end markets and product sets with a focus on Chemical, Water & Wastewater, Pharmaceutical, Cryogenic and Industrial Automation end markets. Approximately 60% of 2024 sales were derived from these higher growth and higher margin end markets, up significantly over the last several years driven by continued product and commercial investments in these target markets, higher underlying market growth rates for these market segments, and the divestiture of the Crane Supply business in 2022. We believe that this portfolio repositioning has structurally improved the margin profile of the Segment, and paired with strong execution and disciplined pricing, helped drive Segment margins to a record 20.1% and adjusted Segment margins to a record 20.9% in 2024.

 

 

One of the most critical growth drivers for this Segment is the continued expansion in the breadth of the product portfolio. During 2024, we made solid progress building our cryogenics platform, both organically and inorganically, with a range of pipes, valves and fittings for the production, transportation, transfer, and storage of industrial gases. The targeted portfolio includes flexible and rigid vacuum jacketed piping, vacuum jacketed storage tank fill manifolds, bellows seal globe valves, and T-globe lift check valves, and we continue to expand the targeted breadth of our portfolio for this market. Through the acquisitions of CryoWorks and Technifab, Crane has penetrated in the high growth markets of Space Launch and Semi-Conductor cryogenic equipment adding approximately $55 million of annualized revenue and consolidating its position as top provider of cryogenic vacuum jacketed pipe in the US.

 

 

In 2024, Crane continued to lead the delivery of valves and lined pipes in critical chemical application. As a highlight for the year, Crane delivered over $10 million of products from multiple sites and regions for a customer’s new site in China, leveraging our position as a reliable supplier for customers in Europe for multiple decades and set Crane to be one of the key valve suppliers for this new site. In addition, Crane secured approximately $10 million in valves and lined pipes for a major chemical facility upgrading to newer cell membrane technology for chlor-alkali production. Our Resistoflex lined pipes and Xomox valves have successfully been selected to be installed on this new upgrade due to their corrosive resistant lined products. This project consolidates our position as the main solution provider for this customer on lined products due to their superior life.

 

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In our wastewater pump business, we continue to gain traction with our new high efficiency motor platform, called Envie. In 2024 we nearly doubled our sales, including significant growth from a larger horsepower range we introduced in early 2024. We remain excited about the growth prospects of the business, as we continue to introduce new higher efficiency and clog resistant pump hydraulics.

Strategic Positioning for Long Term Growth To Drive Stockholder Value Creation

This Compensation Discussion & Analysis provides information and analysis regarding the 2024 compensation for Mr. Mitchell and our other NEOs. However, it is important to note that Mr. Mitchell was the Chief Executive Officer of Crane Holdings, Co. from January 2014 through the April 3, 2023 separation, and he was then appointed Chief Executive Officer of Crane Company effective April 3, 2023, immediately following the separation transaction. Consequently, we believe an understanding of Mr. Mitchell’s actions and management of pre-separation Crane Holdings, Co. are critical to give context for Crane Company’s post-separation performance.

Management took substantial actions during 2022, 2023 and 2024 to strategically position Crane for continued profitable growth and stockholder value creation. These strategic decisions to simplify the portfolio and focus on its two strategic growth segments were enabled by years of profitable growth that gave us the scale and financial strength to take bold steps to transform the structure and growth profile of the Company.

Specifically, Mr. Mitchell, along with the Board of Directors (and the pre-separation board of directors), executed on a series of major strategic actions over the last four years which served to simplify the portfolio and focus the Company’s resources on its two strategic growth platforms – Aerospace & Electronics and Process Flow Technologies. Combined with the strong operating performance that Mr. Mitchell drove in the Company’s businesses, significant value for equity investors in Crane Company and Crane Holdings has been created. These actions generated approximately $7.6 billion in equity value (market capitalization) comparing Crane Holdings, Co.’s equity value on December 31, 2020, to the combined equity value of both post-separation companies (Crane Company and Crane NXT, Co.) on December 31, 2024, an increase of 167%.

Specific actions included:

 

 

On March 30, 2022, Crane Holdings, Co. announced its intention to separate into two independent, publicly traded companies to optimize investment and capital allocation in order to accelerate growth. Crane Holdings, Co.’s Board of Directors and management believed that the creation of two market focused companies with distinct product and service offerings and strong balance sheets better positioned each business to deliver long-term growth and create value for all stakeholders, including customers, investors and our associates. The separation was completed on April 3, 2023.

 

 

On May 31, 2022, Crane Holdings completed the sale of Crane Supply, its Canadian distribution business.

 

 

On August 15, 2022, Crane Holdings announced the sale of a subsidiary holding all asbestos liabilities and related insurance assets to permanently remove all asbestos related liabilities and obligations from the Company’s balance sheet.

 

 

On October 23, 2023, Crane Company announced the acquisition of Baum lined piping GmbH for approximately $91 million as a strategic bolt-on for the Company’s Chemical business within the Process Flow Technologies Segment.

 

 

On January 3, 2024, Crane Company announced the acquisition of Vian Enterprises, Inc. for approximately $103 million as a strategic bolt-on for the Company’s Fluid Management solution within the Aerospace & Electronics segment.

 

 

On May 1, 2024, Crane Company completed the acquisition of CryoWorks, Inc. for approximately $61 million, a strategic bolt-on for the Company’s growing cryogenics platform within the Process Flow Technologies Segment.

 

 

On November 4, 2024, Crane Company announced the acquisition of Technifab Products, Inc. for approximately $40.5 million as another strategic bolt-on for the Company’s growing cryogenics platform within the Process Flow Technologies Segment.

 

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On December 2, 2024, Crane Company announced that it had reached an agreement to divest its Engineered Materials business. The divestiture announcement reflects management and the Board’s commitment to portfolio simplification and enhancement. This transaction closed effective on January 1, 2025.

 

 

Throughout 2024, Crane Company also made progress pursuing a number of other strategic acquisitions, one or more of which may be completed in future years.

Taken together, we believe that our execution on growth initiatives, as well as our strategic portfolio actions, have positioned the Company for profitable growth and continued stockholder value creation.

Compensation Framework

The mix of target total direct compensation (base salary, target annual incentive awards, and long-term incentive awards) for 2024 was structured to deliver the following approximate proportions of total direct compensation to our CEO and the other NEOs (on average) if target levels of performance are achieved.

85% of CEO and 70% of other NEOs Target Pay is Performance-Based*

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

LOGO

* Totals may not sum due to rounding.

Other NEOs

 

 

LOGO

* Totals may not sum due to rounding.

 

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Pay for Performance Alignment

Strong Correlation Between Pay and Performance. A substantial majority of the compensation for our NEOs is performance-based and thus varies with the Company’s actual performance. Based on the strong financial performance of Crane Company’s businesses and total stockholder return (“TSR”) in 2024, the annual cash bonuses for our CEO and other NEOs were above target.

Annual Bonus Directly Tied to Crane Company Business’ EPS and Free Cash Flow*

 

Annual Period

  Minimum    Target    Maximum

2024 CEO AIP*

  LOGO

2024 NEO AIP

  LOGO

2023

  LOGO

2022

  LOGO

 

*

In early 2024, the Committee approved an additional performance metric for the CEO based on the attainment of certain Company Strategic Objectives. See “Annual Incentive Objectives for 2024 - CEO and other NEOs” on page 47 for more detail on annual bonus metrics and weightings.

PRSU Vesting Directly Tied to Crane Company’s Relative TSR*

 

Three-year period

 

Threshold

(25th percentile)

 

Target

(50th percentile)

 

Maximum

(75th percentile)

2022-2024

  LOGO

2021-2023

  LOGO

2020-2022

  LOGO

 

*

For awards with performance periods ending before 2023, the relative TSR performance was for Crane Holdings. For the 2021-2023 and 2022 -2024 PRSUs, TSR is calculated to adjust for the separation, treating Crane Company as if it had been a separate company throughout the applicable performance period.

Compensation Best Practices

The Committee is firmly committed to implementing a compensation program that aligns management and stockholder interests, encourages executives to drive sustainable stockholder value creation, and helps retain key personnel. Key elements of our pay practices are set forth in the Proxy Statement and explained in more detail in the “Policies and Practices Related to Our Executive Compensation Program” section beginning on page 54. See “Compensation Best Practices” chart on page 7 for a summary of our compensation best practices.

 

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Compensation Principles

We believe that compensation should be directly linked to performance and highly correlated to stockholder value. The principles that guide us as we make decisions involving executive compensation are that compensation should be:

 

             
  1  

Based on performance:

LOGO   overall performance of Crane Company

 

LOGO performance of the executive’s business unit, as applicable

 

LOGO individual performance of the executive

  2   Aligned with the annual operating plan and longer term strategic plans and objectives to build sustainable value for stockholders   3   Competitive given relevant and appropriate market conditions in order to attract and retain highly qualified executives   4  

Consistent with high standards of corporate governance and designed to avoid encouraging executives to take risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company or to behave in ways that are inconsistent with the Company’s objectives, values, and standards of behavior

 

       

We also believe that it is important for our NEOs and other executives to have an ongoing long-term investment in the Company as set forth below in this Proxy Statement under “Stock Ownership Guidelines” on page 55.

We design our performance-based incentive compensation so that variation in performance will result in meaningful variation in the earned compensation paid to our NEOs and other key executives. Thus, actual compensation amounts will vary above or below targeted levels depending on the performance of the Company and/or business unit and achievement of individual performance goals.

Elements of Compensation and 2024 Decisions

The following table summarizes the major elements of our executive officer compensation program.

 

Compensation Element

  Principal Objectives   Key Characteristics

Base Salary

  To provide a fixed amount for performing the duties and responsibilities of the position  

  Determined based on overall performance, level of responsibility, market data, and comparison to other Company executives

Annual Incentive Plan

  To motivate executive officers to achieve annual financial performance goals  

  Payment for CEO based on achievement of Company-wide performance goals and Strategic Objectives relative to annual pre-established targets

  Payment for other NEOs based on achievement of Company-wide performance goals relative to annual pre-established targets

Performance-Based Restricted Share Units (PRSUs)

  To motivate executive officers to drive long-term profitable growth  

  Number of shares actually earned based on relative TSR

  Earned shares vest upon conclusion of the three-year performance period

Stock Options

  To attract and retain executive officers and align their interests with long-term stockholder interests  

  Grants vest ratably over four years

  Value realized dependent on Company stock price appreciation

Time-Based Restricted Share Units (TRSUs)

  To attract and retain executive officers and drive profitable growth  

  Grants vest ratably over four years

  Value realized varies with Company stock price performance

PRSUs and TRSUs may be collectively referred to in this Proxy Statement as “RSUs.”

 

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Base Salary

Base salary is fixed compensation paid to each executive for performing normal duties and responsibilities. We determine the amount at the date of hire based on competitive market data, current salary levels within the Company, and the salary level needed to attract the particular executive. We review and determine the amount annually based on the executive’s overall performance, competitive peer and survey compensation data, level of responsibility, and comparison to other Company executives.

Base salaries for certain executive officers were increased by the Compensation Committee effective January 15, 2024, in connection with annual merit increases. After giving effect to such increases, base salaries of our NEOs were generally within a reasonable range of the median in relation to market data per the independent compensation consultant used by the Compensation Committee, FW Cook.

 

LOGO

 

* 

Mr. Alcala’s base salary was increased to $700,000 beginning on December 9, 2024, in connection with this promotion to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

Annual Incentive Compensation

We pay our executive officers cash bonuses based on the attainment of Company performance goals established in January and an assessment of individual performance conducted at the end of the year.

Early in the year, the Compensation Committee establishes and approves the annual target bonus objectives and award opportunities for each of our NEOs, subject to review and approval by the Board in the case of the Chief Executive Officer.

In making determinations about performance targets, the Compensation Committee considers a variety of factors including financial elements of the annual operating plan, comparison to prior year results, the general business outlook for the coming year, the opinions of analysts who follow the Company, and our diversified industrial manufacturing peers.

Our Chief Executive Officer and other officers participate in the discussions regarding annual incentive objectives so they can provide their input and understand the expectations of each incentive plan component. Each participating executive receives confirmation of his or her annual bonus objectives and payout range after it has been approved by the Committee (the Board in the case of the Chief Executive Officer). Annual Incentive Plan objectives are not modified during the year, although the Committee may determine to exclude certain special items impacting earnings per diluted share “EPS” or free cash flow, either known at the beginning of the year or occurring during the year.

The Committee reviews the performance results for the Annual Incentive Plan, including Company results and individual performance, at its regularly scheduled January meeting, which is generally the first meeting following the

 

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end of the Company’s fiscal year in order that full-year performance may be considered. Based on this review, the Committee determines and approves the annual cash bonuses for each of our executive officers.

 

Competitive Positioning of Incentive Awards

 

For annual bonus and long-term stock-based compensation, the Committee calibrates award values for targeted performance by reference to the 50th percentile of the market data for similarly sized companies, recognizing that the competitive range of the median is generally correlated to size. The competitive positioning for individual executives may vary above or below the median based on factors such as tenure, experience, proficiency in role, and criticality to the organization. As noted above, the Committee may determine to increase or decrease long-term stock-based compensation based on Company and/or individual performance during the previous year, the Company’s stock price relative to historical stock price trends, availability of shares in the Stock Incentive Plan, and other factors.

 

Annual Incentive Objectives for 2024—CEO and Other NEOs

In early 2024, the Committee approved an additional performance metric for the CEO, based on the attainment of certain Strategic Objectives focused primarily on fortifying the Company’s talent bench following the separation transaction, further strengthening the alignment between executive pay and Company performance. Performance metrics for 2024 consisted of EPS and free cash flow (each as adjusted for special items by the Committee for bonus calculation purposes under the Annual Incentive Plan, and which adjustments may in some cases differ from the adjustments made for reporting purposes), and CEO Strategic Objectives, weighted 60%/ 20%/ 20% respectively.

For the other NEOs, performance metrics for 2024 consisted of EPS and free cash flow (each as adjusted for special items by the Committee for bonus calculation purposes under the Annual Incentive Plan, and which adjustments may in some cases differ from the adjustments made for reporting purposes), weighted 75%/25%, respectively.

For both the CEO and the other NEOs, in addition to the targeted performance goals, for each performance metric, the Committee set minimum threshold and maximum cap values, so that actual payouts could range from 0% to 200% of the target award amounts. In January 2024, the Committee established an EPS target of $5.03 to align with our annual operating plan. The Committee also established a payout range for EPS from $4.02 (0% payout) to $6.03 (200% payout). For free cash flow, the Committee established a target of $262.2 million with a payout range from $183.5 million (0% payout) to $340.8 million (200% payout). The Committee also established 2024 Strategic Objectives for the CEO, that can be earned from 0% to 200% and are based on pre-established qualitative targets as agreed at the beginning of the year, which are focused on talent development and succession bench strength in our businesses. For 2024, the achievement of these Strategic Objectives was deemed to be earned on a subjective basis by the Committee at 130% of target.

Actual performance compared to annual incentive objectives for this group were as follows:

 

Corporate Objectives – Chief Executive Officer

 

Target

($)

    

Actual

($)

    

Performance

relative to

Target Range

     Weight    

Calculated

Payout (%)

 

Adjusted EPS

    $5.03        $5.32        128.9%        60%       77.4%  

Adjusted free cash flow

    262.2M        249.8M        84.3%        20%       16.9%  

CEO Strategic Objectives

   

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

     130.0%        20%       26.0%  

Weighted payout %

   

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    120.3%  

 

Corporate Objectives – Other NEOs

 

Target

($)

    

Actual

($)

    

Performance

relative to

Target Range

     Weight    

Calculated

Payout (%)

 

Adjusted EPS

    $5.03        $5.32        128.9%        75%       96.7%  

Adjusted free cash flow

    262.2M        249.8M        84.3%        25%       21.1%  

Weighted payout %

   

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    117.8%  

 

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The graphs below show the performance targets and related ranges set by the Committee in January 2024 and the actual performance of the Company in 2024. These corporate financial metrics are adjusted for special items by the Committee for bonus calculation purposes under the Annual Incentive Plan and consistent with historical practices, which adjustments may in some cases differ from the adjustments made for financial reporting purposes. Actual results below include the benefit of the Engineered Materials business, which was divested effective on January 1, 2025.

 

 

LOGO

Named Executive Officers’ Bonuses for 2024

In January 2025, the Committee reviewed management’s reports on the performance of the Company and the individual NEOs in 2024 against the relevant bonus objectives. In considering Company performance, and consistent with past practice, the Committee excluded certain special items as reported from earnings per share and free cash flow. The calculations resulted in a corporate percentage payout of 120.3% for the CEO and 117.8% for the other NEOs.

The approved payout percentages and cash bonuses for our corporate and operations NEOs for 2024 are as follows:

 

Named Executive Officer

 

Bonus

Target

(% of Salary)

    

Bonus

Target

($)

    

Payout

(%)

    

Bonus Paid

($)

 

M. H. Mitchell

    120%      $ 1,440,000        120.3%      $ 1,732,320  

R. A. Maue

    85%      $ 671,500        117.8%      $ 791,027  

A. M. D’Iorio

    75%      $ 450,000        117.8%      $ 530,100  

A. A. Alcala

    75%      $ 525,000        117.8%      $ 618,450  

T. S. Polmanteer

    75%      $ 356,250        117.8%      $ 419,663  

Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation

The Stock Incentive Plan is used to provide long-term equity incentive compensation through stock options and PRSUs, as well as retention of employees through TRSUs. We believe that employees approach their responsibilities more like owners as their holdings of, and potential to own, Company stock increases.

For 2024, the Committee determined an overall target dollar value for long-term equity incentive awards for each of the NEOs. In determining these amounts, the Committee considered the competitive market data compiled by FW Cook, the Company’s and individual performance in 2023, and our historical grant practices including the number of shares and the fair market value of the stock. The Committee then allocated the total target dollar amount among the applicable award types, as follows: for our Chief Executive Officer, 55% as PRSUs, 25% as stock options and 20% TRSUs; and for each of the other NEOs, 50% as PRSUs, 25% as stock options, and 25% as TRSUs. To determine the target number of PRSUs and the number of stock options and TRSUs, the Committee divided the applicable dollar amount by the closing price of the Company’s common stock for the PRSUs and TRSUs and by the Black-Scholes accounting value for the stock options (rounded in each case to the nearest whole share) on the date the awards were granted.

 

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The table below sets forth, for each of our NEOs, the dollar value used by the Compensation Committee and resulting number of shares for the awards.

 

    Long-Term Incentive  
    Stock Options             PRSUs*             TRSUs**             LTI Total  

Named Executive Officer

  $      #        

 

     $      #        

 

     $      #        

 

     ($)  

M. H. Mitchell

    1,410,000        26,857       

 

 

 

 

 

     3,102,000        24,856       

 

 

 

 

 

     1,128,000        9,038       

 

 

 

 

 

     5,640,000  

R. A. Maue

    325,000        6,190       

 

 

 

 

 

     650,000        5,208       

 

 

 

 

 

     325,000        2,604       

 

 

 

 

 

     1,300,000  

A. M. D’Iorio

    225,000        4,286       

 

 

 

 

 

     450,000        3,606       

 

 

 

 

 

     225,000        1,803       

 

 

 

 

 

     900,000  

A. A. Alcala

    250,000        4,762       

 

 

 

 

 

     500,000        4,006       

 

 

 

 

 

     250,000        2,003       

 

 

 

 

 

     1,000,000  

T. S. Polmanteer

    150,000        2,857       

 

 

 

 

 

     300,000        2,404       

 

 

 

 

 

     150,000        1,202       

 

 

 

 

 

     600,000  

 

* 

The Compensation Committee determined the target number of PRSUs using the dollar amount shown above divided by $124.80, the closing price of common stock on the date the awards were granted. In contrast, the amounts included in the 2024 Summary Compensation Table and 2024 Grants of Plan-Based Awards table are based on the grant date fair value of the PRSUs determined using financial accounting assumptions as required to be disclosed by SEC rules, determined to be $151.79 per share. As a result, the value of the PRSUs included in those tables differs from the values shown above. See footnote 1 to the “2024 Summary Compensation Table” on page 60 and footnote 5 to the “2024 Grants of Plan-Based Awards” table on page 63 for additional information on the grant date fair value of the PRSUs.

 

Selection of Performance Measures for Incentive Awards

 

As discussed below, the principal financial performance measures selected by the Committee to drive annual incentive compensation opportunities are, for the Chief Executive Officer and other corporate executives in 2024, adjusted EPS and free cash flow for the Company as a whole. These financial performance criteria were chosen because they are aligned with the Company’s long-term strategic goal of driving profitable growth, both organically and through acquisition, which we believe will increase stockholder value. The relative weighting of these metrics was designed to ensure an appropriate balance between profit achievement and maintaining a strong and efficient balance sheet. For the CEO, we also added certain Strategic Objectives for the 2024 annual incentive award to encourage his focus on longer-term strategic initiatives. For our PRSUs, the performance measure is Crane’s TSR over a three-year period relative to the TSR of the constituent companies in the S&P MidCap 400 Capital Goods Group, a meaningful measure of stockholder value.

 

PRSU Awards – 3-Year Performance Period Based on Relative TSR

PRSUs have been designed to include three-year performance vesting conditions based on relative TSR as described below, thus directly linking this form of stock-based compensation to returns received by our stockholders relative to comparator industrial companies. See “Pay for Performance Alignment” in the Executive Summary of this discussion regarding actual payout results for recent PRSU awards, including the award covering the 2022-2024 performance period.

 

    PRSU Grants  

Performance Level

  CR Relative TSR     

Shares Earned

% of Target

 

Below Threshold

    <25th percentile        0

Threshold

    25th percentile        25

Target

    50th percentile        100

Maximum

    75th percentile        200

 

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LOGO

The vesting of PRSUs awarded to members of the senior leadership team in January 2024 will be based on a relative measurement of TSR for the Company over the three-year period January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2026 (with the share price for such purpose being defined as the percentage return of the 20-day trading average closing price on the last trading day of the three-year period, versus the 20-day trading average closing price prior to the first trading day of the period), compared to TSRs of the other companies in the S&P MidCap 400 Capital Goods Group.

For TSR between the 25th and 50th percentiles and between the 50th and 75th percentiles, the vesting is interpolated on a straight-line basis. If the Company’s TSR for the three-year period is negative, the maximum vesting is capped at 100% regardless of performance relative to peers. In addition, the maximum value that can be earned under the PRSUs (total shares earned multiplied by the final share price) is capped at four times the original grant value. Holders of PRSUs are not entitled to receive dividends or dividend equivalent payments during the performance period, nor do dividends accrue prior to vesting.

Stock Option Awards – Vest 25% Per Year Over Four Years

Under the Stock Incentive Plan, stock options must be granted with a per-share exercise price at no less than fair market value on the date of grant and are subject to vesting terms as established by the Committee (currently 25% per year over four years). Stock option awards comprise 25% of the annual long-term incentive grant value for each NEO, vest ratably over four years and have 10-year terms. Accordingly, employees can realize a gain only if the share price increases from the date of grant, directly linking this component of incentive compensation to increases in stockholder value. Although broad market dynamics can strongly influence our share price, the Committee believes that with stock options our senior level management employees are motivated to take actions that improve the share price, such as profitable sales growth through organic growth as well as acquisitions, improvement in operating margins to generate increased operating profit and drive higher multiple valuations, and prudent use of free cash flow through capital expenditures, dividends, acquisitions, and stock repurchases.

TRSU Awards – Vest 25% Per Year Over Four Years

The Stock Incentive Plan also authorizes the Committee to grant time-based restricted share units, or TRSUs, subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee may deem appropriate. Like the stock options, the TRSUs granted to our NEOs vest ratably over four years, and dividends are paid on TRSUs prior to vesting.

Retirement Benefits

Messrs. Mitchell and D’Iorio have accrued retirement benefits under the Crane Company defined benefit pension plan (formerly Crane Holdings, Co. defined benefit pension plan), which was closed to employees hired after 2005 and then frozen with no further benefit accruals effective December 31, 2012. Of the NEOs, only Mr. Mitchell and Mr. D’Iorio have a frozen benefit under this plan. All of the NEOs participate in a tax-qualified defined contribution retirement plan under which the Company contributes 3% of salary and bonus annually, subject to the limitations on contributions to tax-qualified retirement plans under applicable federal tax regulations.

The NEOs also participate in the Company’s benefit equalization plan, which is designed only to restore retirement benefits under the Company’s regular defined benefit pension plan that are limited by the tax code; there is no supplemental benefit

 

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based on deemed service or enhanced compensation formulas. Benefits accrued under this plan are not funded or set aside in any manner. In the event of retirement at age 62 with 10 years of service, a participating executive would be eligible to receive benefits under that plan without the reduction factor set forth in the Company’s tax-qualified pension plan of 3% per year prior to age 65. The only NEO with a defined benefit account in this plan is Mr. Mitchell. This plan was also frozen as to defined benefit accruals effective December 31, 2012. Effective January 1, 2014, the benefit equalization plan was amended to cover participants’ benefits under the defined contribution retirement plan referenced above, and the Committee extended the participation in this plan to certain senior leadership executives, including all of the NEOs.

Other Compensation

The “All Other Compensation” and “Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings” columns of the 2024 Summary Compensation Table and the accompanying footnotes set forth the details of other compensation received by the NEOs. In certain cases, such as the Company’s contributions to defined contribution plans and the increase in actuarial value of the defined benefit pension, such compensation is determined on the same basis as that used for all other employees. In other cases, such as automobile allowances, executive health exams, cybersecurity protection in the executive’s home network environment, and other personal benefits, the compensation is only provided to certain key employees (including the NEOs), and we have determined it to be reasonable and competitive compensation for the named executive officers in relation to general industry practices. For example, our NEOs are eligible for reimbursement for the cost of their executive physicals bi-annually, subject to an expense cap of $2,500. This benefit provides our NEOs with additional flexibility to proactively manage their health and wellness. Our executives bear all taxes associated with such benefits.

In the case of personal use of the corporate aircraft, this benefit was restricted to the Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer and the Lead Independent Director. Our Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mitchell, has an agreement with Crane Company pursuant to which he is not required to reimburse the Company for personal use until the aggregate incremental cost reaches $185,000, and thereafter he is required to reimburse the Company for all incremental cost incurred above that amount. The net incremental cost to Crane Company above the reimbursed amount is included in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table. The Board has approved this personal use of the aircraft for Mr. Mitchell because the Board believes that such personal use of the aircraft permits the most efficient use of time by Mr. Mitchell and thereby benefits Crane Company. For more information regarding the use of the Company aircraft, see “Use of Company Aircraft” on page 57.

Compensation Decision-Making Process

Compensation Committee’s Role

The Committee is responsible for oversight of our executive compensation program. With respect to the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer, the Committee determines his compensation, subject to review and approval by the Board. With respect to our other executive officers, the Committee determines their compensation after reviewing the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer. The Committee administers the Annual Incentive Plan, reviewing and setting the performance targets for the Chief Executive Officer and other corporate officers, and reviewing and approving the annual bonuses based upon actual performance. The annual bonus calculations are also reviewed by our independent auditors. The Committee also administers the Stock Incentive Plan and approves all grants of stock options and RSUs.

The Committee is assisted in these responsibilities by its independent compensation consultant, FW Cook. Although the Company pays the fees and expenses of FW Cook, the firm is retained by the Committee. FW Cook does not perform any other compensation related services for the Company. The Committee reviews the independence of FW Cook each year and has concluded that its work for the Committee has not raised any conflict of interest issues or concerns.

 

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Role of CEO and Management

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer and certain other senior corporate officers play an important role in supporting the Committee in the discharge of its responsibilities. Management maintains records and provides historical compensation data to the Committee and FW Cook, as well as the annual operating plan and the actual performance results from which annual bonuses are determined. The Chief Executive Officer, together with other senior corporate officers, presents recommendations to the Committee regarding performance targets under the Annual Incentive Plan and long-term equity incentives under the Stock Incentive Plan. The Chief Executive Officer and other officers participate in the discussions regarding annual and long-term incentive objectives so they can provide their input and understand the expectations for each incentive plan component.

Compensation Consultant and Market Data

Each year, FW Cook reviews the Company’s compensation peer group against certain size-related metrics and alignment with the Company’s businesses and complexity of operations. When and as appropriate, FW Cook proposes the addition of other companies to the compensation peer group to replace companies that have been acquired or made substantial changes to their business portfolio, or when the Company’s profile has materially changed due to mergers or acquisitions. The 20-company peer group below was used by FW Cook in 2023 to develop comparative compensation data for the Compensation Committee in setting 2024 compensation targets. This peer group developed by FW Cook in 2023 was reviewed in July 2024 and it was determined that the following changes would be made to the peer group: removing Helios Technologies, Inc. and Standex International Corporation, and adding RBC Bearings and Watts Water Technologies. The revised group was used to develop comparative compensation data for the Committee in setting 2025 compensation targets. Notably, at the time the Company’s 2025 peer group was approved, the peer group’s trailing fourth quarter revenues ranged from $989 million to $5.1 billion with a median of $2.5 billion, which compared to the Company’s revenue of $2.1 billion. In addition, the peer group’s market cap ranged from $2.0 billion to $15.8 billion, with a median of $6.6 billion compared with $8.5 billion for Crane Company.

 

       Compensation Peer Group for 2024                

Albany International Corp.

Barnes Group Inc.

Curtiss-Wright Corporation

Donaldson Company, Inc.

EnPro Inc.

ESCO Technologies Inc.

Flowserve Corporation

 

Franklin Electric Co., Inc.

Graco Inc.

Helios Technologies, Inc.

Hexcel Corporation

IDEX Corporation

ITT Inc.

Kennametal, Inc.

 

MOOG Inc.

Pentair, plc

Snap-On Incorporated

Standex International Corporation

The Timken Company

Woodward, Inc.

FW Cook provides the Committee with comparative compensation data on the peer companies from publicly available sources and, in addition, comparative compensation data compiled from general industry surveys, appropriately size-adjusted to determine market values based on each executive’s revenue scope. This data includes base salary, target bonus opportunity, and long-term incentive compensation for the NEOs. The Committee uses this comparative data during its review of salaries, annual target cash incentive compensation, and aggregate stock option and RSU grant values for Mr. Mitchell and the other NEOs, with the view that all elements of target total direct compensation should be calibrated generally by reference to the 50th percentile of competitive market data for targeted performance, with significant upside potential for performance that exceeds target and lesser (or zero) payouts if performance is below target. The Committee may use its judgment and discretion to vary the award values, based on Company and individual performance during the previous year, historical stock price trends, the impact of unforeseen events beyond management’s control, and other factors.

The Company’s comparator group for PRSUs granted in January 2024 is the S&P MidCap 400 Capital Goods Group, consisting of approximately 40 companies, with roughly a quarter of those companies in its compensation peer group. The Committee selected the larger comparator group for PRSU purposes based on the view (with which FW Cook concurs) that a larger group is appropriate for measuring relative TSR over a three-year period because (1) company size is less relevant for TSR comparisons than benchmarking target pay levels, (2) the larger group best represents the universe of companies with which the Company competed for investor capital and (3) it is less likely to be meaningfully affected by the loss of constituent companies during the period. In addition, the S&P MidCap 400 Capital Goods Group is a regularly published listing with all the necessary data to make the required calculations.

 

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CEO Assessment Process and Principal Conclusions

Each year, the Chief Executive Officer proposes a set of goals and objectives for himself, which are reviewed and approved by the Board as part of an annual self-assessment and review process managed by the Committee. The goals and objectives include quantitative goals based on the annual operating plan and related metrics, as well as certain qualitative objectives relating to business strategy, organization, and intellectual capital development. At the end of each year, our Chief Executive Officer prepares and delivers to the Committee a self-assessment of his performance during that year, with reference to the goals and objectives established at the beginning of the year as well as challenges and opportunities that arose during the year. This self-assessment is shared with the other members of the Board, and their responses and other observations are compiled by the Chair of the Committee and, along with our Lead Independent Director, discussed with our Chief Executive Officer, who then responds to the full Board.

 

         

   

  LOGO  

Max H. Mitchell

Age: 61

  

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Crane Company

     
              
              
   

Principal Conclusions

Outcomes for 2024, which shaped the Committee’s compensation decisions in January 2025:

(1)  Under Mr. Mitchell’s leadership, the post-separation total shareholder performance through the end of 2024 was exceptional, achieving total shareholder returns of 106%, compared to 45% for the S&P MidCap 400 Capital Goods Industry Group Index.

 

(2)  Mr. Mitchell drove the Company’s performance to achieve better than expected EPS, reaching new record highs for the Company.

 

(3)  Mr. Mitchell completed three strategic acquisitions during the year, two in the Process Flow Technologies Segment and one in the Aerospace and Electronics Segment, cumulatively adding approximately $95 million in annualized revenue and approximately $0.15 in adjusted EPS contribution (before financing costs), and delivering on the Company’s strategy of adding higher growth and higher margin businesses to the portfolio.

 

(4)  He continued to drive an active funnel process, exploring numerous M&A opportunities throughout the year, maintaining a disciplined approach to ensure the Company remained aligned to its strict capital allocation criteria.

 

(5)  Mr. Mitchell continued reinforcing application of the Crane Business System, distinguishing the Company as a differentiated operator.

 

(6)  Mr. Mitchell continues to lead by example, reinforcing the Company’s core values of doing business ethically and with a consistent focus on transparency and integrity, creating an environment of high expectations and zero tolerance for unethical business conduct.

 

(7)  Mr. Mitchell continued to execute on the Company’s portfolio shaping strategy with the divestiture of the Engineered Materials Segment; the transaction was accretive both to Crane’s margins and growth rate, and it is driving further focus on the Company’s two strategic growth platforms.

 

Outcomes for 2023, which shaped the Committee’s compensation decisions in January 2024:

(1)  Under Mr. Mitchell’s leadership, the planned separation of Crane Holdings, Co. into two, independent, publicly-traded companies, Crane Company and Crane NXT, Co., was completed in a tax-free transaction, which closed on the previously announced target date of April 3, 2023, generating substantial equity value for our shareholders.

 

(2)  Mr. Mitchell drove the Company’s performance during the entirety of 2023, delivering better than expected Crane Holdings, Co. EPS in the first quarter of 2023, and better than expected EPS for Crane Company for the full year 2023.

 

(3)  Mr. Mitchell oversaw the completion of a “bolt-on” acquisition in the Company’s Process Flow Technologies Segment, expanding the portfolio of highly engineered, critical service products and solutions to our customers and adding to the company’s EBITDA growth.

 

(4)  Under Mr. Mitchell’s leadership, the Company signed a definitive agreement to acquire a strategic bolt-on for the Company’s Fluid Management solution within the Aerospace & Electronics Segment.

 

(5)  Under Mr. Mitchell’s leadership, the Company was actively engaged in developing and investigating several M&A opportunities, to deliver on the Company’s growth strategy and increased revenue targets, while maintaining financial discipline in the process.

 

(6)  Mr. Mitchell continues to drive new product development and innovation, overseeing the introduction of several new products and product enhancements across all of the Company’s businesses.

 

(7)  Mr. Mitchell continues to lead by example, constantly reinforcing the Company’s core values of doing business ethically and with unalloyed integrity, creating an environment where the Company’s associates treat one another with trust and respect.

 

   
                    

 

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These observations were taken into account by the Committee, along with the competitive data supplied by FW Cook, in approving Mr. Mitchell’s bonuses for 2023 and 2024 under the Annual Incentive Plan and in determining Mr. Mitchell’s stock-based incentive compensation grants in January 2024 and January 2025. The CEO does not participate in any deliberations regarding his own compensation.

A similar process is followed for each of the Company’s other NEOs except that it is the Chief Executive Officer who reviews the self-assessment by such executive officer and provides the conclusions and findings that help guide the compensation decisions affecting such officer; for the other NEOs, annual incentive compensation, though largely formula-based, is subject to adjustment by the CEO, and subject to review and approval by the Committee, based on assessment of individual performance.

 

Stockholder Feedback: Say-on-Pay Vote in 2024

 

In accordance with the Dodd-Frank Act and related rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, we presented a “Say-on-Pay” item to stockholders in 2024, which called for an advisory, non-binding vote regarding the compensation of our NEOs in 2023 as described in the proxy statement. On this item, over 97% of the votes cast were in favor of the resolution. In light of strong stockholder support, the Committee concluded that no revisions were necessary to our executive compensation program in direct response to the vote.

   LOGO

Policies and Practices Related to Our Executive Compensation Program

Compensation Risk Assessment

The Committee has established a process for assessing the potential that our compensation plans and practices may encourage our executives to take risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. A senior management team led by the Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer conducts a review of the operation and effect of our compensation plans and practices which is presented to the Committee for discussion at its February meeting. With the assistance of FW Cook, the Committee concluded that our compensation plans and practices do not encourage excessive or unnecessary risk-taking for the following reasons:

 

 

Our incentive plans have a mix of performance measures, including Company-wide and business unit financial measures, operational measures, and individual objectives.

 

 

Our compensation programs contain a balance of annual and long-term incentive opportunities.

 

 

We cap incentive plan payouts within a reasonable range.

 

 

The range of payouts from threshold to maximum payout (performance slope) under our annual incentive plan and PRSUs is capped to prevent outsized payouts and is calibrated for an appropriate risk profile.

 

 

Our stock ownership guidelines link the interests of our executive officers to those of our stockholders.

 

 

Our clawback policy provides a means for the Company to recover the value of incentive awards in the event of a financial restatement regardless of any executive fault or misconduct.

 

 

The mix of PRSUs and stock options in our long-term incentive program provides a blend of relative and absolute performance measures for our senior executives.

 

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis
 
Stock Ownership Guidelines
The Company’s stock ownership guidelines for executive officers are expressed as a multiple of base salary (as of December 31, 2024):
 
Executive Level
 
Minimum
Ownership Level
    
Actual CEO/CFO
Ownership Level
 
CEO
    6 x Base Salary        48 x Base Salary  
CFO
    5 x Base Salary        16 x Base Salary  
Executive
Officers-CEO
Direct Reports
    4 x Base Salary     
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Executive Officers
    3 x Base Salary     
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares that count toward the satisfaction of the guidelines are (i) shares owned by the executive, (ii) shares held in the executive’s
401
(k) account,
and
(iii) the
after-tax
value (65%) of TRSUs held by the executive. Neither unearned or unvested PRSUs nor unexercised stock options count for purposes of the guidelines. The policy permits executives to sell up to 50% of the net shares realized upon an option exercise or vesting of RSUs (i.e., the total shares covered by the option exercised or the RSU grant vesting less the number of shares surrendered to pay the exercise price and satisfy tax withholding obligations), while retaining at least 50% of such net shares in order to meet the stock ownership guidelines. Once such guidelines are met, the policy permits executives to sell any shares held above the required ownership guidelines.
 
 
 
 
As of March 3, 2025, all of the NEOs either held the requisite number of shares or were complying with the above-referenced retention ratio in accordance with the guidelines.
 
 
Policies with Respect to Timing of Stock-Based Awards and Exercise Price of Stock Options
Annual awards of stock options and RSUs to executive officers generally are approved on a
pre-determined
basis at the Committee’s regularly scheduled January meeting, in order that full-year performance may be considered, and the awards are granted 10 business days later, after the Company’s full year earnings have been released, to better align grant date value with the stockholders’ experience.
The Committee also grants stock options and RSUs at other dates to newly hired or promoted executives. All options must be granted at an exercise price that is at least equal to 100% of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Fair market value on a given day is defined as the closing market price on that day. We do not grant stock options or other equity compensation awards in anticipation of the release of material,
non-public
information.
Similarly, we do not time the release of material,
non-public
information based on stock option or other equity award grant dates for the purpose of affecting the value of any award to NEOs.
Policy with Respect to Hedging and Pledging of Company Stock
Certain forms of hedging or monetization transactions allow an individual to lock in much of the value of his or her stock holdings, often in exchange for all or part of the potential for upside appreciation in the stock, allowing the benefit of continued ownership of the stock without the full risks and rewards of ownership. When that occurs, the individual may no longer have the same objectives as the Company’s other stockholders. For this reason, the Board has maintained a longstanding policy prohibiting any director, executive officer, or any other designated employee who qualifies as an insider from (1) entering into any hedging or other transaction to limit the risk of ownership of Company stock or (2) pledging Company stock to secure any loan or advance of credit. During 2024, none of our directors and executive officers engaged in any such transactions.
 
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Table of Contents
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
 
Insider Trading Policies and Procedures
We have adopted and maintain insider trading policies and procedures governing the purchase, sale, and other dispositions of Company securities that are applicable to the Company itself, all of our directors, officers and employees of the company and all members of their immediate families and households. Our insider trading policies and procedures are reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules and regulations, and NYSE listing standards. Our insider trading policy prohibits our directors, officers and employees from trading in Company securities while in possession of material, nonpublic information. Our insider trading policy also prohibits our directors, officers and employees from disclosing material, nonpublic information of the Company to others, unless such disclosure is made in accordance with the Company’s policies regarding the protection and external disclosure of information regarding the Company. In addition, directors, officers and certain other designated persons of the Company are required to obtain approval in advance of engaging in transactions in Company securities and comply with additional trading restrictions. This summary of our insider trading policies and procedures does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our insider trading policy, a copy of which can be found as Exhibit 19.1 to our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
Clawback Policy
With the Board’s approval, in 2023, the Company adopted a revised Compensation “Clawback” Policy to provide a means for the recovery of certain incentive compensation awards pursuant to Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, the Securities and Exchange Commission 2022 final rules and the adopted NYSE listing standards for compensation clawback. Under the revised clawback policy, the Company is required to recoup erroneously awarded incentive compensation from current and former executive officers, including its principal accounting officer, in the event of a financial restatement that is required to correct a material error in a previously issued financial statement regardless of executive fault or misconduct. Covered compensation includes all incentive-based compensation that is granted, vested or otherwise tied to a financial reporting measure within the meaning of the rules, including those payments under the Company’s Annual Incentive Plan and Performance Based Restricted Stock Units. The policy covers compensation erroneously received (within the meaning of the rules) during the three completed fiscal years preceding the date the financial restatement is required and recoupment is mandatory.
Impact of Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m)
Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) limits the deductibility of compensation in excess of $1 million paid to any one NEO in any calendar year. As a result, compensation paid in excess of $1 million to our NEOs generally will not be deductible. The Compensation Committee designs compensation programs that are intended to be in the best long-term interests of the Company and our stockholders, with deductibility of compensation being one of a variety of considerations taken into account.
Other Arrangements with Our Named Executive Officers
Change in Control Provisions
Each of the Company’s executive officers has an agreement that, in the event of a change in control of the Company, provides for continued employment for a period of three years or until normal retirement following the change in control. Upon termination within such employment period after a change in control, either by the employer without cause or by the executive with “Good Reason” for constructive termination, the executive is entitled to receive a multiple of base salary and average annual bonus payments based on the number of years in the employment period, and certain other benefits. The annual incentive plans, stock options, and RSUs contain similar features which accelerate vesting in the event of termination following a change in control. The change in control agreements do not provide for any tax
gross-ups,
and instead cap the payments to the employee to the extent that such payments, together with accelerated vesting of stock options and RSUs, would trigger any excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code resulting from such payments (and if capping the payments provides the employee with a larger
after-tax
payment).
 
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Table of Contents
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
 
As set forth below under “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control,” the aggregate payments to the NEOs under the change in control agreements, including the estimated value of continuation for three years (or until normal retirement age) of the individual’s medical coverage and other benefits, had a change of control taken place on December 31, 2024, and had employment been terminated immediately thereafter, would range from $13,424,640 for Mr. Mitchell to $3,516,104 for Ms. Polmanteer. The Board has approved these agreements and other provisions to assure the continuity of management in the event of a change in control and considers these agreements and provisions to be competitive with terms offered by other companies with which we compete for executive talent.
Indemnification Agreements
Each of the NEOs has an indemnification agreement with Crane Company. The indemnification agreements require the Company to indemnify the officers or directors to the full extent permitted by law against any and all expenses (including advances of expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, and amounts paid in settlement incurred in connection with any claim against the indemnified person arising out of services as a director, officer, employee, trustee, agent, or fiduciary of the Company or for another entity at the request of the Company, and either to maintain directors and officers liability insurance coverage or to the full extent permitted by law to indemnify such person for the lack of such insurance.
Use of Company Aircraft
Crane Company has entered into time share agreements with Messrs. Tullis and Mitchell regarding personal use of the corporate aircraft, including aircraft leased by the Company from a third-party operator. Under the agreements, Crane Company agrees to lease the aircraft to the executive pursuant to federal aviation regulations and to provide a qualified flight crew, and the executive agrees to pay the Company for each flight. The agreement with Mr. Tullis provides that he pays the aggregate incremental cost of aircraft operation. Such incremental costs include fuel, landing fees, parking fees, temporary hangar charges, flight crew meals and lodging, and, for chartered aircraft, the entire charter fee. The agreement with Mr. Mitchell provides that he is not required to reimburse the Company for personal use until the aggregate incremental cost reaches $185,000, and thereafter is required to reimburse the Company for all incremental cost incurred above that amount. During 2024, the aggregate incremental cost to Crane for personal use of the aircraft by Messrs. Tullis and Mitchell, less amounts paid by them under the time share agreements, were $0 and $185,000, respectively.
 
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Table of Contents

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

Management Organization and Compensation Committee Report

The Compensation Committee of the Board has submitted the following report for inclusion in this Proxy Statement:

The Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis set forth in this Proxy Statement. Based on our review and discussions with management, the Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement and incorporated by reference in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Submitted by:

The Management Organization and Compensation

Committee of the Board of Directors of Crane Company

Jennifer M. Pollino, Chair

Sanjay Kapoor

Ellen McClain

Charles G. McClure, Jr.

James L.L. Tullis

 

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Table of Contents
     
                  2024 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES                  

Annual Compensation of the Named Executive Officers

Base Salary — The 2024 annual base salary of the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mitchell, is determined by the Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. The base salary of each of the other NEOs is recommended by the Chief Executive Officer and approved by the Compensation Committee. Base salary accounted for approximately 15% of the aggregate total compensation of the NEOs.

Stock Awards (PRSUs and TRSUs) — In early 2024, the Compensation Committee made grants of PRSUs to certain key executives, including the NEOs, which were tied to a relative TSR metric over a three-year performance period. The Committee also made grants of TRSUs to certain key executives, including the NEOs, which will vest ratably on the first, second, third, and fourth anniversaries of the date of grant.

The grants were made pursuant to the Stock Incentive Plan. See “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” beginning on page 68 for a description of treatment of the PRSUs and TRSUs upon termination of employment.

Option Awards — In early 2024, the Committee made annual grants of stock options to executives and other key employees including the NEOs pursuant to the Stock Incentive Plan. Options become exercisable 25% per year over four years, and expire, unless exercised, 10 years after grant. The exercise price of the options granted on February 12, 2024, was $124.80, which was the fair market value of Crane Company’s stock on the date of grant, calculated in accordance with the terms of the Stock Incentive Plan by taking the closing price on the grant date. See “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” beginning on page 68 for a description of treatment of the options upon termination of employment.

Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation — In early 2024, the Compensation Committee established target bonus awards and performance targets pursuant to the Annual Incentive Plan for each of the Company’s executive officers (including the NEOs). The awards became payable in cash in the first quarter of 2025 to the extent that certain performance targets were met during 2024. The target awards are shown in the 2024 Grants of Plan-Based Awards table beginning on page 62; the amounts shown in the 2024 Summary Compensation Table under “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” for 2024 are the actual amounts paid.

Other Compensation — The amounts appearing in the 2024 Summary Compensation Table under the caption “All Other Compensation” are disaggregated in footnote 5 to the table.

 

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Table of Contents

2024 Executive Compensation Tables

 

2024 Summary Compensation Table

The table below summarizes the compensation for 2024, 2023 and 2022 earned by Crane Company’s Chief Executive Officer, its Chief Financial Officer, and each of the three other most highly paid executive officers (as determined pursuant to SEC rules) as employees of Crane Company, and, prior to the separation, as employees of Crane Holdings, Co.

 

Name and

Principal Position

  Year    

Salary

($)

   

Bonus

($)

   

Stock

Awards

($)(1)

   

Option

Awards

($)(2)

   

Non-Equity

Incentive Plan

Compensation

($)(3)

   

Change in

Pension Value

and Nonqualified

Deferred

Compensation

Earnings

($)(4)

   

All Other

Compensation

($)(5)

   

Total

($)

 

Max H. Mitchell

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

    2024       1,200,000             4,900,834       1,409,993       1,732,320       0       356,992       9,600,139  
    2023       1,200,000             4,557,813       1,340,013       2,610,720       100,402       256,079       10,065,027  
    2022       1,200,000             4,569,575       1,339,997       1,919,520       0       287,464       9,316,556  

Richard A. Maue

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

    2024       787,926             1,115,501       324,975       791,027             96,306       3,115,735  
    2023       759,714             1,093,630       324,980       1,175,877             89,477       3,443,677  
    2022       717,209             1,096,141       325,002       767,644             104,466       3,010,462  

Anthony M. D’Iorio

Executive Vice President,

General Counsel and Secretary

    2024       598,272             772,369       225,015       530,100       0       73,821       2,199,577  
    2023       573,503             757,141       225,006       785,314       26,168       64,678       2,431,810  
    2022       523,115             674,495       200,002       489,913             69,267       1,956,792  
   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

Alejandro A. Alcala

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

    2024       642,596             858,045       250,005       618,450             75,191       2,444,287  
    2023       586,823      

 

 

 

 

 

    630,942       187,505       815,850             63,545       2,284,665  
    2022       498,874             590,218       175,001       542,611             66,327       1,873,032  

Tamara S. Polmanteer

Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

    2024       473,742             514,913       149,993       419,663             66,456       1,624,767  
    2023       456,960             504,721       150,004       582,060             59,043       1,752,788  
    2022       435,748             505,922       150,001       407,578             70,356       1,569,605  
   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Amounts shown in this column reflect the grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, with respect to awards of TRSUs and PRSUs made during 2024, 2023 and 2022. For details of individual grants of TRSUs and PRSUs during 2024, see the “2024 Grants of Plan-Based Awards” table below. The assumptions on which these valuations are based are set forth in Note 8 to the audited financial statements included in Crane Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 27, 2025.

 

(2)

Amounts shown in this column reflect the grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, with respect to awards of options made during the indicated year. For details of individual grants of stock options during 2024 see the “2024 Grants of Plan-Based Awards” table below. The assumptions on which these valuations are based are set forth in Note 8 to the audited financial statements included in Crane Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 27, 2025.

 

(3)

Amounts shown in this column for all NEOs represent amounts determined on the basis of the indicated year’s performance and paid early in the following year under the Annual Incentive Plan. For details of the 2024 non-equity incentive plan compensation, including the minimum, target and maximum amounts that were potentially payable, see the “2024 Grants of Plan-Based Awards” table below.

 

(4)

The amount shown in this column for 2024 for Messrs. Mitchell and D’Iorio is the change in the actuarial present value of the accumulated benefit under all defined benefit plans (which include the Pension Plan for all Eligible Employees of Crane and the Crane benefit equalization plan) from December 31, 2023, to December 31, 2024, with further details listed below. For 2022 and 2024, amounts in this column are zero because the change in actuarial present value was negative. For additional information regarding these plans, see the “Retirement Benefits” section in this Proxy Statement.:

 

  

 

 

Year Ended

December 31

    

Pension Plan

for Eligible

Employees

($)

    

Benefit

Equalization

Plan

($)

 

M. H. Mitchell

    2024        (5,685      (4,474

A. M. D’Iorio

    2024        (5,297     

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

2024 Executive Compensation Tables

 

(5)

Amounts shown in this column for 2024 include the following:

 

  

 

 

Dividends Paid

on Restricted

Stock/RSUs*

($)

   

Personal Use

of Company

Aircraft*

($)

   

Personal Use

of Company-

Provided Car

($)

   

Company

Contribution

to Benefit

Equalization

Plan***

($)

   

Company

Contribution

to 401(k)

Plan

($)

   

Insurance

Premiums

($)

   

Cyber

Security

Protection

($)

   

Total

($)

 

M. H. Mitchell

    29,650       185,000       12,344       103,972       20,700       2,376       2,950       356,992  

R. A. Maue

    8,894      

 

 

 

 

 

    13,685       48,564       20,700       1,513       2,950       96,306  

A. M. D’Iorio

    5,786      

 

 

 

 

 

    15,032       31,158       20,700       1,145      

 

 

 

 

 

    73,821  

A. A. Alcala

    5,311      

 

 

 

 

 

    14,588       33,403       20,700       1,188      

 

 

 

 

 

    75,191  

T. S. Polmanteer

    5,828      

 

 

 

 

 

    17,695       21,324       20,700       909      

 

 

 

 

 

    66,456  

 

  * 

This column reflects dividends paid on shares of TRSUs at the same rate as on all other shares of Crane Company, or as applicable, Crane NXT, Co. common stock (as a result of adjustments to awards in the separation as discussed in last year’s proxy statement). Dividends are not accrued or paid on PRSUs until the awards are earned and shares of common stock are issued in respect thereof.

 

  ** 

The method of computing the cost of personal use of the Crane Company aircraft is described under the section of this Proxy Statement entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Section 2: Principal Elements of Crane’s Executive Compensation Program—Other Compensation for Named Executive Officers.”

 

  *** 

Includes Crane Company’s contribution to the defined contribution benefit under the benefit equalization plan; see “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Benefits” below.

 

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Table of Contents

2024 Executive Compensation Tables

 

2024 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table gives further details of 2024 compensation as disclosed in the “Stock Awards,” “Option Awards” and “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” columns of the “2024 Summary Compensation Table.”

In the table below, the rows labeled “AIP” disclose target bonuses set in January 2024, at which time business performance targets were also fixed. Note that the amount shown in the “2024 Summary Compensation Table” for 2024 under the heading “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” is the cash bonus actually paid, which was determined entirely by the performance of the business as compared to the targets set at the beginning of 2024.

The column headed “Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards” shows the grant date fair value of the TRSUs, PRSUs and stock options granted in 2024. These amounts also appear in the “2024 Summary Compensation Table” under the respective headings “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards”; see footnotes 1 and 2 to the “2024 Summary Compensation Table” on page 60. The value of any awards at vesting may be higher or lower than the grant date fair value.

 

    Type
of
Award
 

Grant

Date(1)

    Approval
Date
    Estimated possible
payouts under non-equity
incentive plan awards(2)
($)
          Estimated future
payouts under equity
incentive plan awards(3)
(#)
          All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of shares
of stock
or units
(#)
    All other
option
awards:
Number of
securities
underlying
options
(#)
    Exercise
or base
price of
option
awards
($/sh)(4)
   

Grant date
fair value
of stock
and option
awards

($)(5)

 

Name

  Threshold   Target     Max.       

 

    Threshold     Target     Max.       

 

 

M. H. Mitchell

  AIP    

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

      1,440,000       2,880,000      

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

  PRSU     2/12/24       1/29/24      

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

    6,214       24,856       49,712      

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

    3,772,892  

 

  TRSU     2/12/24       1/29/24      

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

    9,038      

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

    1,127,942  
 

 

  Options     2/12/24       1/29/24      

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

    26,857       124.80       1,409,993  

R. A. Maue

  AIP    

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

      671,500       1,343,000      

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

  PRSU     2/12/24       1/29/24      

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

    1,302       5,208       10,416      

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

    790,522  

 

  TRSU     2/12/24       1/29/24      

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

    2,604      

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

    324,979  
 

 

  Options     2/12/24       1/29/24      

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

    6,190       124.80       324,975  

A. M. D’Iorio

  AIP    

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

      450,000       900,000      

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

  PRSU     2/12/24       1/29/24      

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

    902       3,606       7,212      

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

    547,355  

 

  TRSU     2/12/24       1/29/24      

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

    1,803      

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

    225,014  
 

 

  Options     2/12/24       1/29/24      

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

    4,286       124.80       225,015  

A. A. Alcala

  AIP    

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

      525,000       1,050,000      

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

  PRSU     2/12/24       1/29/24      

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

    1,002       4,006       8,012      

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

    608,071  

 

  TRSU     2/12/24       1/29/24      

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

    2,003      

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

    249,974  
 

 

  Options     2/12/24       1/29/24      

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

    4,762       124.80       250,005  

T. S. Polmanteer

  AIP    

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

      356,250       712,500      

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

  PRSU     2/12/24       1/29/24      

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

    601       2,404       4,808      

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

    364,903  

 

  TRSU     2/12/24       1/29/24      

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

    1,202      

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

    150,010  
 

 

  Options     2/12/24       1/29/24      

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

    2,857       124.80       149,993  

 

(1) 

All grants of PRSUs, TRSUs and stock options were approved by the Committee at its meeting on January 29, 2024 with a grant date scheduled on February 12, 2024, on which date the number of underlying Crane Company shares and (for the stock options) exercise price were first determinable.

 

(2) 

On January 27, 2025, the Compensation Committee approved bonus payouts for 2024 for the CEO at 120.3% of target and at 117.8% of target for the other corporate NEOs based on 2024 results as adjusted for certain special items. The approved bonus payout amounts were paid in February 2025 and are shown in the “2024 Summary Compensation Table” under “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” for 2024.

 

(3) 

Amounts shown were, as of the date the PRSUs were granted on February 12, 2024, the number of Crane Company shares that could vest at threshold, target and maximum performance levels.

 

(4) 

The exercise price of options is, as of the grant date of the options, the fair market value of Crane Company’s stock on the date of grant, determined in accordance with the terms of the 2023 Amended & Restated Stock Incentive Plan, which is the closing market price on the date of grant.

 

62  


Table of Contents

2024 Executive Compensation Tables

 

(5) 

The grant date fair values of PRSUs, TRSUs, and stock options are as follows, in each case calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 and tied to Crane Company’s stock as of the grant date:

 

Type of Equity Award

  

Value

($)

     Method of Valuation

PRSUs

     151.79      Monte Carlo pricing model

TRSUs

     124.80      Closing trading price on grant date

Stock Options

     52.50      Black-Scholes pricing model

2024 Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The following table provides information on all exercised stock options, and all vesting of RSUs, for each of the named executive officers for 2024. We continue to show information related to awards in Crane NXT, Co. shares that relate to awards adjusted due to the separation.

The value realized on exercise of options is computed by multiplying shares acquired upon exercise by the difference between the market price of the shares on the applicable exercise date (calculated as the closing price on that date, or, if the shares received were concurrently sold, as the price actually obtained), and the exercise price of the options. The value realized on vesting of TRSUs and PRSUs is computed by multiplying the number of shares by the closing price on the applicable vesting date.

 

         Option Awards             Stock Awards  

Name

    

 

  

Number

of Shares

Acquired on

Exercise

(#)

    

Value

Realized on

Exercise

($)

       

 

    

Number of

Shares/Units

Acquired on

Vesting

(#)

    

Value

Realized on

Vesting

($)

 

M. H. Mitchell

   

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Crane Company     

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

     71,507      $ 8,181,601  
 

 

  Crane NXT, Co.     

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

     77,682      $ 4,662,842  

R. A. Maue

   

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Crane Company     

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

     17,135      $ 1,964,194  
 

 

  Crane NXT, Co.     

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

     18,510      $ 1,109,133  

A. M. D’Iorio

   

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Crane Company     

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

     9,720      $ 1,115,645  
 

 

  Crane NXT, Co.     

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

     10,490      $ 628,433  

A. A. Alcala

   

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Crane Company     

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

     8,347      $ 958,005  
 

 

  Crane NXT, Co.     

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

     9,007      $ 539,561  

T. S. Polmanteer

   

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Crane Company     

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

     1,993      $ 274,305  
 

 

  Crane NXT, Co.      3,190      $ 73,056       

 

 

 

 

 

     1,993      $ 122,075  

 

  63


Table of Contents

2024 Executive Compensation Tables

 

2024 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The following table shows for each NEO, as of December 31, 2024: (i) under the heading “Option Awards,” the number of unexercised options, whether exercisable or unexercisable, with the exercise price and expiration date of each grant; (ii) in the first and second columns under the heading “Stock Awards,” the number and market value of unvested shares of restricted stock, and TRSUs; and (iii) in the third and fourth columns under the heading “Stock Awards,” the number and market value of unearned PRSUs. As described more fully in the 2024 annual proxy statement, equity awards granted to the NEOs prior to the separation transaction were adjusted upon the separation transaction into awards denominated in Crane Company and Crane NXT stock. The Outstanding Equity Awards table reflects both the Crane Company component and Crane NXT component of awards that remained outstanding at the end of 2024.

 

               Option Awards                         Stock Awards         

Name

    

 

 

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options (#)

Exercisable

   

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options (#)

Unexercisable(1)

   

Option

Exercise

Price

($)

   

Option

Expiration

Date

      

 

   

Number of

Shares or

Units of

Stock That

Have Not

Vested

(#)(2)

   

Market

Value of

Shares or

Units of

Stock

That Have

Not

Vested

($)(3)

   

Equity

Incentive

Plan Awards:

Number of

Unearned

Shares, Units

or Other

Rights That

Have Not

Vested

(#)(4)

   

Equity

Incentive

Plan Awards:

Market or

Payout Value

of Unearned

Shares, Units

or Other

Rights That

Have Not

Vested

($)(3)

 

M. H. Mitchell

  Crane Company     21,718             64.86       1/29/2028      

 

 

 

 

 

    24,270       3,682,973       145,277       22,045,785  

 

 

 

    116,293             54.96       1/28/2029      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

    118,273             58.05       1/27/2030      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

    45,929       15,310 (5)      54.58       1/25/2031      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

    20,609       20,609 (6)      70.64       2/7/2032      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

    7,888       23,664 (7)      83.14       2/6/2033      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

          26,857 (8)      124.80       2/12/2034      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Crane NXT, Co.     21,718             35.06       1/29/2028      

 

 

 

 

 

    15,232       886,807       103,072       6,000,852  

 

 

 

    116,293             29.71       1/28/2029      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

    118,273             31.38       1/27/2030      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

    45,929       15,310 (5)      29.50       1/25/2031      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

    20,609       20,609 (6)      38.19       2/7/2032      

 

 

 

 

 

                       
 

 

   

 

    7,888       23,664 (7)      44.94       2/6/2033      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

R. A. Maue

  Crane Company     6,571             58.05       1/27/2030      

 

 

 

 

 

    7,233       1,097,608       31,487       4,778,152  

 

 

 

    3,752       3,753 (5)      54.58       1/25/2031      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

    4,998       4,999 (6)      70.64       2/7/2032      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

    1,913       5,739 (7)      83.14       2/6/2033      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

          6,190 (8)      124.80       2/12/2034      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Crane NXT, Co.     6,571             31.38       1/27/2030      

 

 

 

 

 

    4,629       269,500       22,726       1,323,108  

 

 

 

    11,257       3,753 (5)      29.50       1/25/2031      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

    4,998       4,999 (6)      38.19       2/7/2032      

 

 

 

 

 

                       
 

 

   

 

    1,913       5,739 (8)      44.94       2/6/2033      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

A. M. D’Iorio

  Crane Company     3,560             58.05       1/27/2030      

 

 

 

 

 

    4,753       721,268       21,013       3,188,723  

 

 

 

    6,303       2,102 (5)      54.58       1/25/2031      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

    3,076       3,076 (6)      70.64       2/7/2032      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

    1,324       3,974 (7)      83.14       2/6/2033      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

          4,286 (8)      124.80       2/12/2034      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crane NXT, Co.

    9,837             35.06       1/29/2028      

 

 

 

 

 

    2,950       171,749       14,820       862,820  

 

 

 

    14,237             31.38       1/27/2030      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

    6,303       2,102 (6)      29.50       1/25/2031      

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    3,076       3,076 (7)      38.19       2/7/2032      

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

    1,324       3,974 (8)      44.94       2/6/2033      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

64  


Table of Contents

2024 Executive Compensation Tables

 

               Option Awards                         Stock Awards         

Name

    

 

 

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options (#)

Exercisable

   

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options (#)

Unexercisable(1)

   

Option

Exercise

Price

($)

   

Option

Expiration

Date

      

 

   

Number of

Shares or

Units of

Stock That

Have Not

Vested

(#)(2)

   

Market

Value of

Shares or

Units of

Stock

That Have

Not

Vested

($)(3)

   

Equity

Incentive

Plan Awards:

Number of

Unearned

Shares, Units

or Other

Rights That

Have Not

Vested

(#)(4)

   

Equity

Incentive

Plan Awards:

Market or

Payout Value

of Unearned

Shares, Units

or Other

Rights That

Have Not

Vested

($)(3)

 

A. A. Alcala

  Crane Company     2,293             30.26       1/25/2026      

 

 

 

 

 

    4,516       685,503       19,777       3,001,160  

 

 

 

    12,134             51.32       1/30/2027      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

    8,657             64.86       1/29/2028      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

    11,083             54.96       1/28/2029      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

    13,141             58.05       1/27/2030      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

    5,403       1,802 (5)      54.58       1/25/2031      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

    2,691       2,692 (6)      70.64       2/7/2032      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

    1,103       3,312 (7)      83.14       2/6/2033      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

          4,762 (8)      124.80       2/12/2034      

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Crane NXT, Co.     3,286             31.38       1/27/2030      

 

 

 

 

 

    2,513       146,307       12,656       736,832  

 

 

 

    1,801       1,802 (5)      29.50       1/25/2031      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

    2,691       2,692 (6)      38.19       2/7/2032      

 

 

 

 

 

                       
 

 

   

 

    1,103       3,312 (7)      44.94       2/6/2033      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

T. S. Polmanteer

  Crane Company     2,307       2,307 (6)      70.64       2/7/2032      

 

 

 

 

 

    4,191       635,984       14,533       2,205,383  

 

 

 

    883       2,649 (7)      83.14       2/6/2033      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

          2,857       124.80       2/12/2034      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Crane NXT, Co.           2,307 (6)      38.19       2/7/2032      

 

 

 

 

 

    2,989       174,020       10,488       610,611  
 

 

   

 

          2,649 (7)      44.94       2/6/2033      

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

(1) 

Options vest on the dates indicated in the corresponding footnote; options also vest (or continue to vest per schedule in case of retirement for certain awards) upon death, disability, retirement, or termination after a change in control. Retirement for this purpose generally means termination of employment after age 65 or after age 62 with at least 10 years of service.

 

(2) 

Figures in this column include time-based RSUs which will vest according to the following schedule:

 

Vesting Date

 

Security

  Mitchell      Maue      D’Iorio      Alcala      Polmanteer  

January 25, 2025

 

Crane Company

    3,245        994        557        478         
 

 

 

Crane NXT, Co.

    3,245        994        557        478         

February 6, 2025

 

Crane Company

    2,239        679        470        392        313  
 

 

 

Crane NXT, Co.

    2,239        679        470        392        313  

February 7, 2025

 

Crane Company

    2,635        799        491        430        369  
 

 

 

Crane NXT, Co.

    2,635        799        491        430        369  

February 12, 2025

 

Crane Company

    2,259        651        450        500        300  

April 26, 2025

 

Crane Company

                                1,311  
 

 

 

Crane NXT, Co.

                                1,311  

February 6, 2026

 

Crane Company

    2,239        679        470        391        313  
 

 

 

Crane NXT, Co.

    2,239        679        470        391        313  

February 7, 2026

 

Crane Company

    2,635        799        492        430        369  
 

 

 

Crane NXT, Co.

    2,635        799        492        430        369  

February 12, 2026

 

Crane Company

    2,260        651        451        501        301  

February 6, 2027

 

Crane Company

    2,239        679        470        392        314  
 

 

 

Crane NXT, Co.

    2,239        679        470        392        314  

February 12, 2027

 

Crane Company

    2,259        651        451        501        300  

February 12, 2028

 

Crane Company

    2,260        651        451        501        301  

 

For all grants, vesting also occurs (or continues to occur per schedule in case of retirement for certain awards) upon death, disability, or retirement, or upon termination after a change in control. Retirement for this purpose generally means termination of employment after age 65, or after age 62 with at least 10 years of service.

 

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(3) 

Computed using a price of $151.75 per share for awards in Crane Company shares, and $58.22 per share for awards in Crane NXT shares, which in each case was the closing market price of Crane Company or Crane NXT common stock on the last trading day of 2024, as applicable.

 

(4) 

The PRSUs granted in 2023 and 2024 will vest, if at all, on December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2026, respectively, as determined with reference to the percentile ranking of the total stockholder return (share price appreciation plus reinvested dividends), or TSR, of, respectively, Crane Company and Crane NXT common stock for the three-year period ending on that date (assuming for the purposes of the calculations that each had been an independent company since the beginning of the respective performance period), as compared to the TSRs of the other companies in the S&P MidCap 400 Capital Goods Group. Pursuant to SEC rules, the hypothetical amounts shown in the table include the PRSUs granted in 2023 and the PRSUs granted in 2024 at maximum payout (200%), based on Crane Company’s TSR performance as of December 31, 2024, and the PRSUs granted in 2023 at maximum payout (200%), based on the Crane NXT’s TSR performance as of December 31, 2024. In addition, the maximum value that can be earned under the PRSUs (total shares earned multiplied by the final share price) is capped at four times the original grant value. There can be no assurance, however, that each company’s TSR for a full vesting period will be sufficient for the PRSUs to vest, if at all, at any particular level. The PRSUs granted in 2022 vested after performance results through December 31, 2024, were certified, at 159.8% of target for the Crane Company portion and at 185.7% of target for the Crane NXT portion and are reflected in the table at that level.

 

(5) 

This option grant will be 100% vested on January 25, 2025.

 

(6) 

This option grant will be 75% vested on February 7, 2025, and 100% on February 7, 2026.

 

(7) 

This option grant will be 50% vested on February 6, 2025; 75% on February 6, 2026; and 100% on February 6, 2027.

 

(8) 

This option grant will be 25% vested on February 12, 2025; 50% on February 12, 2026; 75% on February 12, 2027; and 100% on February 12, 2028.

Retirement Benefits

Employees Hired Prior to 2006 (defined benefit) — Messrs. Mitchell and D’Iorio have accrued retirement benefits under Crane Company’s defined benefit pension plan, which was closed to employees hired after 2005 and then frozen with no further benefit accruals effective December 31, 2012. For all eligible salaried employees, including all of the NEOs and other executive officers, Crane Company provides a retirement benefit equal to three percent of covered compensation, subject to the Code limits as described below, which amount is invested in the Crane Company Savings and Investment Plan (401(k) plan), a defined contribution retirement plan, at the direction of the employee.

Effective January 1, 2013, all executive officers and other employees who were participants in the pension plan receive annual pension benefits payable under the pension plan equal to 1-2/3% per year of service of the participant’s average annual compensation during the five highest compensated consecutive years (prior to 2013) of the 10 years of service immediately preceding retirement less 1-2/3% per year of service of the participant’s Social Security benefit, up to a maximum deduction of 50% of the Social Security benefit. Compensation for purposes of the pension plan is defined as total W-2 compensation plus employee contributions made under salary reduction plans less: (i) reimbursements or other expense allowances; (ii) cash and noncash fringe benefits (including automobile allowances); (iii) moving expenses (including “home allowances”); (iv) deferred compensation; (v) welfare benefits; (vi) severance pay; (vii) amounts realized from the exercise of a non-qualified stock option or the sale, exchange or other disposition of stock acquired under a qualified stock option; and (viii) amounts realized when restricted stock (or property) held by the employee is recognized in the employee’s taxable income under section 83 of the Internal Revenue Code. However, the Internal Revenue Code limits the total compensation taken into account for any participant under the pension plan. That limit was $345,000 for 2024 and is subject to adjustment in future years.

Benefit Equalization Plan — The NEOs also participate in the benefit equalization plan, a non-qualified, non-elective deferred compensation plan. Under the benefit equalization plan, participating executives receive a benefit intended to restore retirement benefits under Crane Company’s regular pension plan that are limited by the Internal Revenue Code cap on the amount of compensation that can be considered in determining benefits under tax-qualified pension plans. There is no supplemental benefit based on deemed service or enhanced compensation formulas. Benefits accrued under this plan are not funded or set aside in any manner. The only NEO with a defined benefit account in this plan is Mr. Mitchell. This plan was also frozen as to defined benefit accruals effective December 31, 2012. Effective January 1, 2014, the benefit equalization plan was amended to cover participants’ benefits under the defined contribution retirement plan referenced above, and the Crane Holdings, Co.’s Management Organization and Compensation Committee extended the participation in this plan to 21 senior leadership executives, including all of the NEOs. This plan was transferred to and assumed by Crane Company in connection with the separation transaction.

 

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See “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Benefits” in this section of this Proxy Statement regarding certain employer contributions to the benefit equalization plan for the year 2014 and after.

The table below sets forth the number of years of credited service and the present value on December 31, 2024, of the accumulated benefit under the pension plan and the benefit equalization plan for each of the NEOs covered by those plans.

 

Name

  Plan Name      Number of Years
Credited
Service
(#)
     Present Value of
Accumulated
Benefit
($)(1)
     Payments During
Last Fiscal Year
($)
 

M. H. Mitchell

  Pension Plan

for Eligible Employees
of Crane

       9        313,313         
 

 

  Crane Benefit

Equalization Plan

       5        793,424         

A. M. D’Iorio

  Pension Plan

for Eligible Employees
of Crane

       8        267,310         

 

(1)

The actuarial present value of each participant’s accumulated pension benefit is determined using the same assumptions and pension plan measurement date used for financial statement reporting purposes. The actual retirement benefit at normal retirement date payable under the pension plan for eligible employees is subject to an additional limit under the Internal Revenue Code which, for 2024, does not permit annual retirement benefit payments to exceed the lesser of $275,000 or the participant’s average compensation for the participant’s three consecutive calendar years of highest compensation, subject to adjustment for future years. The dollar limit is subject to further reduction to the extent that a participant has fewer than 10 years of service with Crane or 10 years of participation in the defined benefit plan.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Benefits

The benefit equalization plan was amended effective January 1, 2013, to add a defined contribution component that restores the tax-limited portion of the non-matching company contribution under the Company’s 401(k) plan and also amended effective April 3, 2023, in connection with the closing of the separation transaction. That benefit is currently three percent of a participant’s annual salary plus bonus in excess of the Internal Revenue Code compensation limit that applies under the 401(k) plan. Contributions earn interest during a plan year at a rate equal to the average 10-year Treasury Constant Maturities for the month of December immediately preceding such plan year. The contributions become vested based on the participant’s years of service at the rate of 20% per year over five years. Vested contributions, as adjusted for interest, are payable in a lump sum cash payment seven months after termination of employment.

The following table shows information about the participation by each NEO in the benefit equalization plan with respect to this employer contribution. The NEOs do not participate in any other defined contribution non-qualified deferred compensation plans.

2024 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

 

Name

  Executive
Contributions
in 2024
($)
     Employer
Contributions
in 2024(1)
($)
     Aggregate
Earnings
in 2024
($)
     Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
($)
     Aggregate
Balance at
December 31,
2024
($)
 

M. H. Mitchell

           103,972        24,897               748,190  

R. A. Maue

           48,564        10,791               327,777  

A. M. D’Iorio

           31,158        3,895               131,950  

A. A. Alcala

           33,403        5,486               175,356  

T. S. Polmanteer

           21,324        1,543               61,246  

 

(1) 

Amounts in this column are included in “All Other Compensation” in the 2024 Summary Compensation Table.

 

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Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

The NEOs would have received certain payments or other benefits in the following circumstances, assuming that each had taken place on December 31, 2024:

 

 

the executive resigns voluntarily;

 

 

the executive is involuntarily terminated, either directly or constructively;

 

 

the executive retires;

 

 

the executive dies or becomes permanently disabled while employed; or

 

 

a change in control of the Company takes place and the executive is terminated under certain circumstances within up to three years.

Such payments or other benefits would be due to the NEOs under the following plans and agreements:

Severance Pay

Our severance general practice is to pay salaried employees one week per year of service upon termination of employment by the Company for the convenience of the Company; however, our prevailing practice on severance in the case of executive officers is to pay the executive an amount equal to one year’s base salary, either in a lump sum or by continuation of biweekly payroll distributions, at the election of the executive (to the extent permitted by applicable law), with medical, dental, and other welfare benefits and retirement benefits continuing during such period. Under this practice, if each of the NEOs had been terminated by Crane Company for the convenience of Crane Company as of December 31, 2024, the severance to which they would have been entitled (including the estimated value of continuation of welfare benefits) would have been as follows:

 

   

M. H. Mitchell

  $ 1,216,007  

R. A. Maue

  $ 810,690  

A. M. D’Iorio

  $ 601,461  

A. A. Alcala

  $ 720,386  

T. S. Polmanteer

  $ 483,384  

Annual Incentive Plan

Under the Company’s Annual Incentive Plan, an NEO must generally remain employed through the bonus payment date to be eligible for an award. If, however, employment terminates before the payment date due to the NEO’s death, “disability,” or “retirement” (as defined in the Annual Incentive Plan), the NEO remains eligible to receive a prorated bonus for the year subject to actual performance results. Had any of the NEOs experienced a termination due to death, disability or (if eligible) retirement under the Annual Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2024, the NEO would have remained eligible to receive the full annual bonus for 2024 in the amount shown under the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the 2024 Summary Compensation Table on page 60.

Stock Options

 

   

Voluntary Resignation

   Unvested options cancelled; vested options remain exercisable for a period following termination of employment, as stated in the applicable award agreement, generally within 90 days

Involuntary Termination

   Unvested options cancelled; vested options remain exercisable for a period following termination of employment, as stated in the applicable award agreement, generally within 90 days

Retirement

   Options continue to become vested and exercisable in accordance with their grant terms, subject to compliance with a covenant not to compete with the Company

Death or Permanent
Disability While Employed

   Unvested options become immediately exercisable in accordance with their grant terms

Change in Control

   No change

Termination After
Change in Control

   Vesting is accelerated only if employment is terminated, involuntarily or for Good Reason, within two years after the change in control

 

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If the then unvested stock options of each of the named executive officers had become exercisable as of December 31, 2024, and assuming the value of Crane Company stock to be $151.75 per share and the value of Crane NXT stock to be $58.22, the closing price on the last trading day of 2024, the aggregate value to each of the named executive officers of exercising the unvested options on that date would have been as follows:

 

   

M. H. Mitchell

  $ 6,673,411  

R. A. Maue

  $ 1,614,851  

A. M. D’Iorio

  $ 1,016,666  

A. A. Alcala

  $ 898,678  

T. S. Polmanteer

  $ 527,253  

Restricted Share Units and Performance Restricted Share Units

 

   

Voluntary Resignation

   Forfeited

Involuntary Termination

   Forfeited

Retirement(1)

   Continue to vest in accordance with the regular schedule, subject to compliance with a covenant not to compete with the Company

Death or Permanent Disability While Employed

   Immediate vesting(2)

Change in Control

   No change

Termination After Change in Control

   Accelerated vesting only if employment is terminated, involuntarily or for Good Reason, within two years after the change in control(3)

 

(1) 

Retirement for this purpose generally means termination of employment after age 65, or after age 62 with at least 10 years of service. Vesting of PRSUs is not determined until after the applicable performance period based on the actual performance results. Amounts in the table immediately below assume (based on performance through the end of the last fiscal year); for Crane Company, 159.8% for the 2022 grant, 200% for the 2023 and the 2024 grants and, for Crane NXT, 185.7% for the 2022 grant, and 200% for the 2023 grant.

 

(2) 

Vesting of PRSUs is not determined until after the applicable performance period based on the actual performance results. Amounts in the table immediately below assume (based on performance through the end of the last fiscal year); for Crane Company, 159.8% for the 2022 grant, and 200% for the 2023 and 2024 grants; and for Crane NXT, 185.7% for the 2022 grant, 200% for the 2023 grant.

 

(3) 

For PRSUs vesting in connection with a change in control, the number of shares vesting is generally based on performance results determined through the date immediately before the change in control, except that if the change in control occurs during the first half of the performance period, the number of PRSUs vesting is based on target performance. Amounts in the table immediately below assume (based on performance through the end of the last fiscal year); for Crane Company, 159.8% for the 2022 grant, 200% for the 2023 grant, and 100% for the 2024 grant; and for Crane NXT, 185.7% for the 2022 grant, and 200% for the 2023 grant.

If the then unvested RSUs (including PRSUs) owned by each of the named executive officers had become vested as of December 31, 2024, and assuming the value of Crane Company stock to be $151.75 per share and the value of Crane NXT stock to be $58.22 per share, the closing price on the last trading day of 2024, the aggregate value to each of the named executive officers would have been as follows:

 

  

 

  Retirement,
Death or Disability
($)
     Termination after
Change in Control
($)
 

M. H. Mitchell

    32,618,418        28,844,520  

R. A. Maue

    7,468,370        6,678,056  

A. M. D’Iorio

    4,944,560        4,397,349  

A. A. Alcala

    4,569,603        3,961,692  

T. S. Polmanteer

    3,625,999        3,261,192  

 

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Benefit Equalization Plan

Each of the named executive officers participates in the benefit equalization plan described under the caption “Retirement Benefits” on page 50. Assuming their separation from service as of December 31, 2024, they would have become entitled to the following benefits under the defined benefit and defined contribution portions of the benefit equalization plan, respectively. In the event of a participant’s death, 100% of the defined contribution and 50% of the defined benefit would be payable to the participant’s beneficiary.

 

  

 

  Defined Benefit
($)
     Defined Contribution
($)
 

M. H. Mitchell

    793,424        748,190  

R. A. Maue

           327,777  

A. M. D’Iorio

           131,950  

A. A. Alcala

           175,356  

T. S. Polmanteer(1)

           61,246  

 

(1)

Ms. Polmanteer is 60% vested in her Benefit Equalization Plan balance as of December 31, 2024. She will be 100% vested on March 8, 2026. In the case of death or disability, she would be deemed to be fully vested in her account balance.

Change in Control Agreements

Each of the NEOs has an agreement that, in the event of a change in control of the Company, provides for the continuation of the employee’s then current base salary, bonus plan, and benefits for the three-year period following the change in control. The agreements are for a three-year period but are automatically extended annually by an additional year unless the Company gives notice that the period shall not be extended.

Upon termination within three years after a change in control, by the Company without “Cause” or by the employee with “Good Reason” (as defined in the agreement), the employee is immediately entitled to a proportionate amount of the greater of the last year’s bonus or the average bonus paid in the three prior years, plus three times the sum of his or her annual salary and the greater of the last year’s bonus or the average of the previous three years’ bonuses. All accrued deferred compensation and vacation pay, employee benefits, medical coverage, and other benefits also continue for three years (or until normal retirement) after termination.

“Cause” under the change in control agreements generally includes, among other things, personal dishonesty or certain breaches of fiduciary duty; repeated, willful, and deliberate failure to perform the executive’s specified duties; the commission of a criminal act related to the performance of duties; distributing proprietary confidential information about the Company; habitual intoxication by alcohol or other drugs during work hours; or conviction of a felony.

“Good Reason” under the change in control agreements includes, among other things, any action by Crane Company that results in a diminution in the position, authority, duties, or responsibilities of the employee.

If a change in control had taken place on December 31, 2024, and employment had terminated immediately thereafter, each of the NEOs would have become entitled to the following benefits under this provision:

 

  

 

  Cash
Payment
($)
     Estimated value of continuation
for three years (or until normal
retirement) of medical coverage
and other benefits
($)
 

M. H. Mitchell

    13,480,320        48,022  

R. A. Maue

    6,332,497        62,071  

A. M. D’Iorio

    4,433,703        4,384  

A. A. Alcala

    4,785,992        61,158  

T. S. Polmanteer

    3,528,517        25,152  

 

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Aggregate Benefit Amounts

The table below reflects the estimated aggregate compensation that each of the NEOs would receive in the event of his or her voluntary resignation, involuntary termination, qualified retirement, death or disability, change in control and termination following a change in control. The amounts shown assume that such termination was effective as of December 31, 2024, and include amounts earned through that date. They are therefore not equivalent to the amount that would be paid out to the executive upon termination at another time.

 

Name

  Voluntary
Resignation
($)
     Involuntary
Termination
($)
     Retirement
($)
     Death or
Disability
($)
     Change
in Control
($)
     Termination after
Change in Control
($)
 

M. H. Mitchell

           1,216,007        41,022,149        41,022,149               49,046,273  

R. A. Maue

           810,690        9,874,248        9,874,248               14,687,476  

A. M. D’Iorio

           601,461        6,491,326        6,491,326               9,852,102  

A. A. Alcala

           720,386        6,086,731        6,086,731               9,707,520  

T. S. Polmanteer

           483,384        4,572,915        4,572,915               7,342,115  

Equity Compensation Plan Table

 

As of December 31, 2024:

  Number of securities
to be issued
upon exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
(a)
    Weighted average
exercise price
of outstanding
options
(b)
    

Number of
securities
remaining available
for future issuance

under equity
compensation plans

(c)

 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

  Crane Company 2023 Stock Incentive Plan

    1,961,840   $ 61.33        7,176,198  

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

Total

    1,961,840     $ 61.33        7,176,198  

* Includes 279,212 RSUs, 141,801 DSUs and 322,964 PRSUs, assuming the maximum potential payout percentage. Actual numbers of shares may vary, depending on actual performance. If the PRSUs included in this total vest at the target performance level as opposed to the maximum level, the aggregate awards outstanding would be 1,800,358. Column (b) does not take RSUs, PRSUs or DSUs into account because they do not have an exercise price.

Executive Compensation – Relative Measurements

Pay Ratio

As required by applicable SEC rules, we are providing the following information about the relationship of the annual total compensation of our median employee and the annual total compensation of our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. For the calendar year 2024, the estimated median of the annual total compensation of all those employees worldwide (excluding our CEO) was $72,897 and the estimated median of the annual total compensation of all those employees located in the United States (excluding our CEO) was $91,415. The total compensation of our CEO, Max Mitchell, in 2024 was $9,600,139 (see “2024 Summary Compensation Table” beginning on page 60), which was 132 times the compensation of the median employee worldwide, and 105 times the compensation of the median employee in the United States.

Methodology

As permitted by SEC rules, for purposes of calculating the pay ratio above for 2024, we used worldwide and United States employees that were substantially similar to the worldwide and United States median employees identified for 2023. We did this because we concluded there has been no change in our employee population or employee

 

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compensation arrangements for 2024 that we reasonably believe would result in a significant change to our pay ratio disclosure. We then determined the 2024 annual total compensation of those two employees as shown above on the same basis as used for the CEO in the 2024 Summary Compensation Table. The following briefly describes the process we used to identify our median employees for 2023, based on our employee population as of December 31, 2023 of approximately 6,857 employees located in 24 countries around the world (excluding contract workers), of whom 3,862 were located in the United States for Crane Company:

 

 

We used a statistical sampling technique to identify each median employee, randomly selecting 259 of our worldwide employees and 253 of our United States employees. We then identified the individual in each of the two samples who received the median compensation, using for this purpose salary (including base wages), bonus and overtime actually paid during 2023.

 

 

In accordance with SEC rules, we excluded from our employee population the 345 employees acquired as a result of Crane Company’s acquisition of Baum lined piping GmbH on October 23, 2023.

 

 

In accordance with SEC rules, we also excluded from our employee population all employees located in 14 countries who together comprise 5% of all Crane Company employees. We excluded employee populations in the following countries: Australia (34), Austria (3), Belgium (15), Canada (54), France (66), Italy (11), Japan (17), South Korea (4), the Netherlands (50), Philippines (1), Poland(1), Saudi Arabia (7), Singapore (14), and the United Arab Emirates (49).

 

 

After excluding the employees described above, we ran our pay ratio calculation based on an employee population of 6,186 as of December 31, 2023.

The CEO pay ratio reported above is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with SEC rules based on the methodologies and assumptions described above. SEC rules for identifying the median employee and determining the CEO pay ratio permit companies to use a wide range of methodologies, estimates, and assumptions. As a result, the CEO pay ratios reported by other companies, which may have employed other permitted methodologies or assumptions and which may have a significantly different work force structure from ours, are likely not comparable to our CEO pay ratio.

 

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Pay Versus Performance
Introduction
Since the beginning of 2023, Crane Company’s stockholders have enjoyed very strong stock price performance, in both absolute and relative terms, in connection with, and following, the separation transaction (see graph below). Given the overweight pay for performance orientation of the compensation program (with the CEO at 85% performance based compensation and the other NEOs at 70%), NEO CAP values exceeded Summary Compensation Table disclosed pay in both 2023 and 2024, reflecting corresponding increases in the value of outstanding TRSUs, deepening
“in-the-money”
spreads on outstanding stock options, and above target projected earnouts of outstanding PRSUs, all in line with the value created for our stockholders.
In accordance with the SEC’s disclosure requirements regarding pay versus performance (“PVP”), this section presents the
SEC-defined
“Compensation Actually Paid” (“CAP”). Also required by the SEC, this section compares CAP to various measures used to gauge performance at the Company.
Compensation decisions are made independently of disclosure requirements. CAP is a supplemental measure to be viewed alongside performance measures as an addition to the philosophy and strategy of compensation-setting discussed elsewhere in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement (“CD&A”), not in replacement. Additional information on how the Compensation Committee makes compensation decisions and aligns pay with performance can be found in the “Compensation Decision-Making Process” section of the CD&A.
Pay versus Performance Metrics
The table below shows, in compliance with PVP regulations, the most important metrics used to link CAP to Company performance. These measures, along with others, significantly impact annual compensation decisions and outcomes for the executive team.
 
Performance Metric
  
Impact on CAP
Adjusted EPS
  
Earnings from continuing operations per diluted share excluding special items    Determines 60% of the annual incentive payout for the PEO and 75% for other NEOs
Adjusted Free Cash Flow
  
Cash provided by operating activities, less capital spending, adjusted for special items    Determines 20% of annual incentive payout for the Principal Executive Officer (“PEO”) and 25% for other NEOs
Relative Total Shareholder Return
  
Stock price performance versus a comparator group (S&P 400 MidCap Capital Goods Index)    Determines 100% of the PRSU payout, which represents 55% of the annual LTI grant value for the PEO and 50% for other NEOs
In addition to the metrics detailed above, compensation decisions are made each year taking into account a number of other factors. Short-term and long-term incentives are subject to formalized performance and payout curves (detailed on page 50), but fixed compensation and target incentive pay levels are set based on individual performance, scope of responsibility, and assessment of pay competitiveness within the market.
Pay versus Performance Calculations and Impact of the Spin
As described in last year’s Proxy Statement, in connection with the 2023 separation transaction, equity awards held by the Company’s NEOs were adjusted using the “shareholder method” in which each
pre-separation
Crane Holdings, Co. (now Crane NXT, Co.) award was adjusted into a Crane NXT equity award and a Crane Company equity award, with one Crane Company share for each
pre-separation
Crane Holdings, Co. share. Option exercise prices were proportionately adjusted to reflect the relative values of each company as of the separation transaction. The adjusted awards were
 
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intended to have a combined intrinsic value immediately following the separation transaction equal to the intrinsic value of the outstanding Crane Holdings, Co. awards immediately before the separation transaction.
In accordance with SEC rules, the CAP values include both the Crane Company component and Crane NXT component of equity awards that vested during, and/or remained outstanding at the end, of 2023 or 2024, as applicable. This means that the equity awards held by the Company’s NEOs following the separation, as reflected in CAP values, are tied to the value of both Crane Company and Crane NXT stock prices and relative performance, as applicable. The PVP Table below includes the TSR of Crane Company from the separation date through the end of the applicable fiscal year. For a comprehensive view of performance that drives compensation actually paid values for the NEOs, the chart below illustrates the combined market capitalization growth from the end of fiscal year 2022
(pre-separation)
through December 31, 2024 as well as the estimated relative growth of Crane Company and Crane NXT during the same period.
 
 
LOGO
 
 
LOGO
 
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Pay versus Performance Table
Tabular disclosure for the PEO (CEO) and the average NEO (excluding the PEO) for reporting years 2023 and 2024 is shown in the table below:
 
Year
(1)
(a)
 
Summary
Compensation
Table Total for
PEO (Mitchell)
(2)
(b)
   
Compensation
Actually Paid to
PEO (Mitchell)
(3)
(c)
   
Average
Summary
Compensation
Table Total for
Non-PEO NEOs
(4)
(d)
   
Average
Compensation
Actually Paid
to
Non-PEO

NEOs
(5)
(e)
   
Value of Initial Fixed $100
Investment Based on:
   
Net Income
(GAAP)
(8)
(h)
   
Adjusted
EPS
(9)
(i)
 
 
Post-Spin
Crane Co.
Total
Shareholder
Return
(6)
(f)
   
Peer Group
Total
Shareholder
Return
(7)
(g)
 
2024
  $ 9,600,139     $ 17,309,821     $ 2,346,092     $ 3,583,444     $ 194.33     $ 148.45     $ 268.2     $ 5.32  
2023
  $ 10,065,027     $ 33,526,560     $ 2,478,236     $ 5,802,807     $ 150.46     $ 129.94     $ 203.8     $ 4.16  
 
(1)
 
The Pay Versus Performance table reflects required disclosures for fiscal years 2023 and 2024.
 
(2)
 
For fiscal years 2023 and 2024, Mr. Mitchell was the Principal Executive Officer for the Company.
 
(3)
 
Compensation Actually Paid (CAP) is calculated from the PEO’s SCT compensation total, less the amounts reported in the SCT equity awards (i.e., RSUs, PRSUs, and stock options), less the change in pension value; adding the fair value as of the end of the covered fiscal year of all awards granted during the fiscal year that are outstanding and unvested as of the fiscal
year-end;
adding the amount equal to the change in fair value as of the end of the covered fiscal year, whether positive or negative, of any awards granted in any prior fiscal year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the covered fiscal year; adding the amount equal to the change in fair value as of the vesting date, whether positive or negative, of any award granted in any prior fiscal year for which all applicable vesting conditions were satisfied at the end of or during the covered fiscal year. As described above, equity awards granted to the NEOs prior to the
spin-off
were adjusted upon the
spin-off
into awards denominated in both Crane Company and Crane NXT stock. The CAP calculations include both the Crane Company component and Crane NXT component of awards that vested during, and/or remained outstanding at the end, of the covered fiscal year. The following table shows the relationship between SCT compensation and CAP:
 
Year
 
Salary
   
Bonus and
Non-Equity

Incentive
Compensation
   
All Other
Compensation
(i)
   
Stock
Awards
(ii)
   
Options
Awards
(ii)
   
Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
(ii)
   
SCT Total
   
Deductions
from SCT
Total
(ii)
   
Additions
to SCT
Total
(iii)
   
CAP
 
2024
  $ 1,200,000     $ 1,732,320     $ 356,992     $ 4,900,834     $ 1,409,993     $ 0     $ 9,600,139     ($ 6,310,827   $ 14,020,509     $ 17,309,821  
2023
  $ 1,200,000     $ 2,610,720     $ 256,079     $ 4,557,813     $ 1,340,013     $ 100,402     $ 10,065,027     ($ 5,998,228   $ 29,459,761     $ 33,526,560  
 
i.
 
Reflects the PEO’s All Other Compensation reported in the SCT for the covered fiscal year.
 
ii.
 
Represents the grant date fair value of equity-based awards granted during the year and change in pension value.
 
iii.
 
Additions to the SCT Total reflect the value of equity calculated in accordance with the SEC methodology for determining CAP. The equity awards were revalued using the Monte Carlo values for the PRSUs (which vest based on relative TSR) and the Black-Scholes values for the options. Because the Company includes the amount of cash dividends paid with respect to unvested TRSUs as compensation in the All Other Compensation column of the SCT, no adjustments were made for purposes of calculating CAP. Dividends or dividend equivalents do not accrue on stock options or PRSUs. There were no service cost additions to be made with respect to pension values because the Crane Company’s pension plan was previously frozen.
Equity Reconciliation Detail for PEO
 
Year
 
Year End Fair Value of
Equity Awards
Granted in the Year
    
Year over Year Change
in Fair Value of
Outstanding Unvested
Equity Awards Granted
in Prior Years
    
Year over Year Change
in Fair Value of Equity
Awards Granted in
Prior Years that
Vested in the Year
(i)
    
Total Equity Value
Included in CAP
 
2024
  $ 8,685,169      $ 3,927,467      $ 1,407,872      $ 14,020,509  
2023
  $ 10,515,835      $ 12,007,601      $ 6,936,325      $ 29,459,761  
 
i.
 
PRSUs vest on the last day of the applicable performance period, which is also the last
day
of the applicable fiscal year, but are not delivered until early in the next fiscal year. For purposes of the CAP calculations, however, PRSUs are included as awards that vested in the year and are reflected based on the certified performance results and the stock price on the last day of the performance period.
 
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(4)
 
Includes the average SCT totals of the following
Non-PEO
Named Executive Officers (NEOs) for the covered fiscal years: Mr. Maue, Mr. D’Iorio, Mr. Alcala, and Ms. Polmanteer.
 
(5)
 
Average CAP is calculated by averaging the following for the
non-PEO
NEOs; SCT total, less the amounts reported in the SCT equity awards (i.e., RSUs, PRSUs, and stock options), less the change in pension value; adding the fair value as of the end of the fiscal year of all awards granted during the fiscal year that are outstanding and unvested as of the fiscal
year-end;
adding the amount equal to the change in fair value as of the end of the fiscal year, whether positive or negative, of any awards granted in the prior fiscal year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the fiscal year; adding the amount equal to the change in fair value as of the vesting date, whether positive or negative, of any award granted in any prior fiscal year for which all applicable vesting conditions were satisfied at the end of or during the fiscal year. As described above, equity awards granted to the NEOs prior to the
spin-off
were adjusted upon the
spin-off
into awards denominated in Crane Company and Crane NXT stock. The CAP calculations include both the Crane Company component and Crane NXT component of awards that vested and/or remained outstanding at the end of the covered fiscal year. The following table shows the relationship between SCT compensation and CAP:
Average
Non-PEO
NEOs SCT Total to CAP Reconciliation:
 
Year
 
Salary
   
Bonus
and
Non-Equity

Incentive
Compensation
   
Other
Compensation
(i)
   
Stock
Awards
   
Options
Awards
   
Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
   
SCT Total
   
Deductions
from SCT
Total
(ii)
   
Additions
to SCT
Total
(iii)
   
CAP
 
2024
  $ 625,364     $ 589,810     $ 77,944     $ 815,207     $ 237,497     $ 0     $ 2,346,092     ($ 1,052,704   $ 2,290,056     $ 3,583,444  
2023
  $ 594,250     $ 839,775     $ 69,186     $ 746,608     $ 221,874     $ 6,542     $ 2,478,236     ($ 975,024   $ 4,299,596     $ 5,802,807  
 
i.
 
Reflects the average of all the NEOs’ All Other Compensation reported in the SCT for the covered fiscal year.
 
ii.
 
Represents the average of the NEOs’ grant date fair value of equity-based awards granted during the year and average change in pension value.
 
iii.
 
Additions to the SCT Total reflect the value of equity calculated in accordance with the SEC methodology for determining CAP. The equity awards were revalued using the Monte Carlo values for the PRSUs (which vest based on relative TSR) and the Black-Scholes values for the options. Because the Company includes the amount of cash dividends paid with respect to unvested TRSUs as compensation in the All Other Compensation column of the SCT, no adjustments were made for purposes of calculating CAP. Dividends or dividend equivalents do not accrue on stock options or PRSUs. There were no service cost additions to be made with respect to pension values because the historic Crane Holdings, Co.’s pension plan was previously frozen.
Equity Reconciliation Detail for
Non-PEO
NEOs
 
Year
 
Year End Fair Value of
Equity Awards
Granted in the Year
    
Year over Year Change
in Fair Value of
Outstanding Unvested
Equity Awards Granted
in Prior Years
    
Year over Year Change
in Fair Value of Equity
Awards Granted in
Prior Years that
Vested in the Year
(i)
    
Total Equity Value
Included in CAP
 
2024
  $ 1,439,114      $ 629,317      $ 221,625      $ 2,290,056  
2023
  $ 1,714,276      $ 1,768,298      $ 817,022      $ 4,299,596  
 
i.
 
PRSUs vest on the last day of the applicable performance period, which is also the last day of the applicable fiscal year, but are not delivered until early in the next fiscal year. For purposes of the CAP calculations, however, PRSUs are included as awards that vested in the year and are reflected based on the certified performance results and the stock price on the last day of the performance period.
 
(6)
 
The amount represents the value of an initial fixed $100 investment in Company stock on April 4, 2023 (our first trading day as an independently publicly-traded company), assuming reinvestment of all dividends.
 
(7)
 
Peer group companies include those comprising the S&P 400 MidCap Capital Goods Index, which Crane also uses in its stock performance graph disclosure in the Form
10-K.
The amount represents the value of an initial fixed $100 investment in the index on April 4, 2023 (our first trading day as an independently publicly-traded company), assuming reinvestment of all dividends.
 
(8)
 
Represents the Company’s Net Earnings (Loss) Attributable to Crane (in millions) for the covered fiscal year.
 
(9)
 
Adjusted EPS is calculated as Earnings from continuing operations (including the Engineered Materials business, which was divested effective on January 1, 2025) per diluted share excluding special items, as used for determining annual incentive compensation awards.
 
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2024 CAP Value Components

The charts below illustrate the composition of CAP values for 2024. The largest component of CAP, in each case, is comprised of the grant date fair value of 2024 Crane Company equity awards, together with 46% appreciation of those awards from the grant date to the end of the fiscal year. Non-equity CAP inputs (primarily base salary and annual incentive plan payments), together with the increase in the value of pre-2024 equity awards held in Crane Company equity make up the other significant portions of the CAP values. The increase in the value of pre-2024 equity awards held in Crane NXT equity represented a relatively small portion of the CAP values.

 

 

 

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Relationship between CAP and TSR

The chart below reflects the relationship between the PEO and Average Non-PEO NEO CAP, the Company’s TSR, Crane NXT’s TSR, and the TSR Peer Group in the above table for 2023 and 2024 – the S&P 400 MidCap Capital Goods Index, which is also used to determine relative TSR performance for PRSU payouts. As noted above under “Pay versus Performance Calculations and Impact of the Spin” and as illustrated in the graphics above, the equity awards held by the Company’s NEOs following the separation, as reflected in CAP values, are tied to the value of both Crane Company and Crane NXT stock prices and performance, as applicable.

 

 

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Note that the 2023 TSR measures return from spin date (4/3/2024) through year-end.

 

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Relationship between CAP and GAAP Net Income

The chart below reflects the relationship between the PEO and Average Non-PEO NEO CAP (per the SEC’s definition), and the Company’s GAAP Net Income in 2023 and 2024.

 

 

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Relationship between CAP and the Company-Selected Measure (Adjusted EPS)

The chart below reflects the relationship between the PEO and Average Non-PEO NEO CAP and the Company’s Adjusted EPS for 2023 and 2024. This metric is used to determine 75% of the earnout of annual incentive program for the PEO and other corporate NEOs and is strongly correlated to the Company’s absolute and relative stock price performance, which meaningfully impacts CAP. We consider Adjusted EPS to be among the most important financial measures used to link pay with performance in 2024 because it determines a significant portion of NEOs’ variable, and thus total, compensation each year.

 

 

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                  BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK BY DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT                  

The Company believes that officers and other key employees, in order to focus their attention on growth in stockholder value, should have a significant equity stake in the Company. We therefore encourage our officers and key employees to increase their ownership of and to hold the Company’s stock through the Stock Incentive Plan and the Savings and Investment Plan, as discussed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 39. Directors also receive a majority of their annual retainer, and may elect to receive the entire retainer, in the form of DSUs issued under the Stock Incentive Plan. Beneficial ownership of stock by the non-executive directors, the executive officers named in the 2024 Summary Compensation Table, all other executive officers as a group, and all directors, nominees, and executive officers of the Company as a group as of January 31, 2025, is as follows:

 

        Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership              

Title of Class

  Name of Beneficial Owner  

Shares

Owned

Directly or

Beneficially(1)

   

Stock

Options,

DSUs, and

RSUs that

Have Vested

or Will Vest

Within

60 Days

   

Shares in

Company

Savings Plan

(401(k))

   

Total Shares

Beneficially

Owned(2)

   

Percent

of Class

   

Share Units

Under

Incentive

Stock Plans

Vesting After

60 Days(3)

 

Common Stock

  M. R. Benante     1,716       17,012      

 

 

 

 

 

    18,728       *       1,075  

 

  S. Kapoor           3,153      

 

 

 

 

 

    3,153       *       1,766  

 

  R. C. Lindsay     591       25,517      

 

 

 

 

 

    26,108       *       1,075  

 

  S. D. Lynch     70       0      

 

 

 

 

 

    70       *       713  

 

  E. McClain           21,522      

 

 

 

 

 

    21,522       *       1,214  

 

  C. G. McClure, Jr.     295       15,386      

 

 

 

 

 

    15,681       *       1,421  

 

  M. H. Mitchell     387,525       378,059       2,956       768,540       1.34     13,892  

 

  J. M. Pollino           20,883      

 

 

 

 

 

    20,883       *       1,075  

 

  J. L. L. Tullis     5,809       30,194      

 

 

 

 

 

    36,003       *       1,075  

 

  R. A. Maue     82,182       29,075       1,783       113,040       *       4,110  

 

  A. M. D’Iorio     29,044       21,710       1,373       52,128       *       2,785  

 

  A. A. Alcala     32,726       63,269       289       96,284       *       2,716  

 

  T. S. Polmanteer     5,187       6,922      

 

 

 

 

 

    12,109      

 

 

 

 

 

    3,209  
 

 

 

Other Executive Officers

(2 persons)

    9,161       21,618       356       31,135       *       5,640  
 

 

  Total—Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (15 persons)     554,306       654,320       6,757       1,215,383       2.12     41,766  

 

*

Less than one percent.

 

(1) 

Includes shares that are owned directly, and shares that are owned by trusts or by family members and are attributable to the director or officer pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.

 

(2) 

Does not include 7,778,416 shares of Common Stock owned by The Crane Fund (see “Principal Stockholders of Crane” below); nor 386,930 shares of Common Stock owned by the Crane Fund for Widows and Children, which shares may be voted and disposed of in the discretion of the Crane Company Board of Directors. Mr. D’Iorio, Ms. Polmanteer, and Mr. Feldman, each of whom are executive officers of Crane Company, serve as trustees of the Crane Fund. Mr. Maue, Mr. D’Iorio, Mr. Feldman, and Ms. Polmanteer, all of whom are executive officers of Crane Company, and Ms. Kurkjian, serve as Trustees of the Crane Fund for Widows and Children. None of the directors or trustees has any beneficial interest in, and all disclaim beneficial ownership of, the shares held by the trusts. In addition, as of January 31, 2025, employees and former employees of the Company held approximately 557,903 shares of Common Stock in the Crane Company 2023 Amended & Restated Savings and Investment Plan.

 

(3) 

Includes time-based RSUs vesting more than 60 days after the record date, which are subject to vesting as shown in footnote 2 to the 2024 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End table beginning on page 64 and are subject to forfeiture if established service conditions are not met. Performance-based RSUs, which will vest, if at all, on December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2026, are not included. Also includes DSUs and corresponding dividends vesting on April 28, 2025 for each Director. For more information, see “Director Compensation in 2024” on page 33.

 

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PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS OF CRANE COMPANY

                 

The following table sets forth the ownership by each person who owned of record or was known by Crane Company to own beneficially more than 5% of our common stock as of December 31, 2024.

 

Title of Class

 

Name and Address

of Beneficial Owner

    

Amount and

Nature of

Beneficial

Ownership

      

Percent

of Class

 

Common Stock

  The Crane Fund(1)

140 Sylvan Ave,

#5 Englewood Cliffs,

NJ 07632

       7,778,416          13.6

Common Stock

  The Vanguard Group(2)

100 Vanguard Blvd.

Malvern, PA 19355

       4,832,731          8.4

Common Stock

  BlackRock, Inc.(3)

55 East 52nd Street

New York, NY 10022

       4,145,948          7.2

Common Stock

  FMR, LLC(4)

245 Summer Street

Boston, MA 02210

       2,864,770          5.0

 

(1)

The Crane Fund, a trust established for the benefit of former employees in need (the “Crane Fund”), is managed by trustees appointed by the Board of Crane Company. The incumbent trustees are A. M. D’Iorio, T. A. Polmanteer, and J. D. Feldman, all of whom are executive officers of Crane Company. Pursuant to the trust instrument, the shares held by the trust are voted by the trustees as directed by the Crane Company Board, the distribution of the income of the trust for its intended purposes is subject to the control of the Crane Company Board and the shares may be sold by the trustees only upon the direction of the Crane Company Board. None of the directors or the trustees has any direct beneficial interest in, and all disclaim beneficial ownership of, shares held by The Crane Fund.

 

(2)

As reported in a Schedule 13G filed on February 13, 2024, by the Vanguard Group, directly and on behalf of certain subsidiaries, giving information on shareholdings as of December 31, 2023. According to the Schedule 13G, the Vanguard Group, an investment adviser, has shared voting power over 16,818 shares, sole dispositive power over 4,832,731 shares, and shared dispositive power over 62,156 shares of Crane Company stock. As reported in a separate Form 13F filing on February 11, 2025, the aggregate holdings of Crane Company stock reported by the Vanguard Group, directly and on behalf of certain subsidiaries, as of December 31, 2024, was 4,695,440.

 

(3)

As reported in a Schedule 13G filed on January 26, 2024, by BlackRock, Inc., giving information on shareholdings as of December 31, 2023. According to the Schedule 13G, BlackRock, Inc., a parental holding company or control person, has sole voting power over 4,046,967 shares and sole dispositive power over 4,145,948 shares of Crane Company stock. As reported in a separate Form 13F filing on February 7, 2025, the aggregate holdings of Crane Company stock reported by BlackRock, Inc., as of December 31, 2024, was 4,354,983.

 

(4)

As reported in a Schedule 13G filed on February 12, 2025, by FMR LLC, directly and on behalf of Abigail P. Johnson and certain subsidiaries, giving information on shareholdings as of December 31, 2024. According to the Schedule 13G, FMR LLC, a parental holding company, has sole voting power over 2,838,086 shares and sole dispositive power over 2,864,770 shares of Crane Company stock.

 

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                  NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION                  

Basis of Presentation

The Company reports its financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). However, certain non-GAAP measures have been provided in this Proxy Statement to facilitate comparison with the prior year.

The Company believes that non-GAAP financial measures which exclude certain items present additional useful comparisons between current results and results in prior operating periods, providing investors with a supplemental view of the underlying trends of the business. The Company also uses these non-GAAP financial measures in making financial, operating, planning and compensation decisions and in evaluating the Company’s performance.

A description of each of the non-GAAP financial measures used by the Company is as follows:

“Adjusted Segment Operating Profit” and “Adjusted Segment Operating Margin” add back to Segment Operating Profit items which are outside of our core performance, some of which may or may not be non-recurring, and which we believe may complicate the interpretation of the Company’s underlying earnings and operational performance. These items include income and expense such as: transaction related expenses, and repositioning related (gains) charges. These items are not incurred in all periods, the size of these items is difficult to predict, and none of these items are indicative of the operations of the underlying businesses. We believe that non-GAAP financial measures that exclude these items provide investors with an alternative metric that can assist in predicting future earnings and profitability that are complementary to GAAP metrics.

“Adjusted Net Income” and “Adjusted EPS” exclude items which are outside of our core performance, some of which may or may not be non-recurring, and which we believe may complicate the presentation of the Company’s underlying earnings and operational performance. These measures include income and expense items that impacted Operating Profit such as: transaction related expenses, and repositioning related (gains) charges. Additionally, these non-GAAP financial measures exclude income and expense items that impacted Net Income and Earnings per Diluted Share such as: interest expense on the 364 Day Credit Agreement related to the asbestos transaction, tax benefit related to the divestiture of asbestos-related assets and liabilities, the impact of pension curtailments and settlements, gain on the sale of business, deferred tax adjustment related to sale of business, discrete tax reserve adjustment and gain on the sale of property. These items are not incurred in all periods, the size of these items is difficult to predict, and none of these items are indicative of the operations of the underlying businesses. We believe that non-GAAP financial measures that exclude these items provide investors with an alternative metric that can assist in predicting future earnings and profitability that are complementary to GAAP metrics.

“Free Cash Flow” and “Adjusted Free Cash Flow” provide supplemental information to assist management and investors in analyzing the Company’s ability to generate liquidity from its operating activities. The measure of free cash flow does not take into consideration certain other non-discretionary cash requirements such as, for example, mandatory principal payments on the Company’s long-term debt. Free Cash Flow is calculated as cash provided by or used for operating activities less capital spending. Adjusted Free Cash Flow is calculated as Free Cash Flow adjusted for certain cash items which we believe may complicate the interpretation of the Company’s underlying free cash flow performance such as certain transaction related cash flow items related to 2022 portfolio actions and the divestiture of asbestos-related assets and liabilities. These items are not incurred in all periods, the size of these items is difficult to predict, and none of these items are indicative of the operations of the underlying businesses. We believe that non-GAAP financial measures that exclude these items provide investors with an alternative metric that can assist in predicting future cash flows that are complementary to GAAP metrics.

References to changes in “core sales growth” in this proxy include the change in sales excluding the impact of foreign currency translation and acquisitions and divestitures from closing up to the first anniversary of such acquisitions or divestitures.

 

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Non-GAAP Reconciliation

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures by Segment (in millions)

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2024

  Aerospace &
Electronics
    Process Flow
Technologies
 

Net sales

  $ 932.7     $ 1,198.5  
 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

Operating profit (GAAP)

  $ 209.0     $ 240.3  

Operating profit margin (GAAP)

    22.4     20.1
 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

Special items impacting operating profit:

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

  Transaction related expenses(a)

    7.3       6.6  

  Repositioning related charges, net

    0.3       3.0  

Adjusted operating profit (Non-GAAP)

  $ 216.6     $ 249.9  

Adjusted operating profit margin (Non-GAAP)

    23.2     20.9
 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023

    

 

      

 

 

Net sales

  $ 789.3     $ 1,072.8  
 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

Operating profit (GAAP)

  $ 159.0     $ 208.5  

Operating profit margin (GAAP)

    20.1     19.4
 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

Special items impacting operating profit:

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

  Transaction related expenses(b)

          1.3  

  Repositioning related charges, net

          3.8  

Adjusted operating profit (Non-GAAP)

  $ 159.0     $ 213.6  

Adjusted operating profit margin (Non-GAAP)

    20.1     19.9

 

(a)

2024 transaction-related expenses are primarily associated with the Vian, CryoWorks, and Technifab acquisitions and the divestiture of the Engineered Materials business.

 

(b) 

2023 transaction-related expenses are primarily associated with the separation and the Baum acquisition.

 

Totals may not sum due to rounding

Effective on January 1, 2025, the Company completed the sale of the Engineered Materials segment and met the criteria of being reported as a discontinued operation as of December 31, 2024. The related assets, liabilities and operating results of Engineered Materials are excluded for all periods presented.

 

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                  QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS AND THE ANNUAL MEETING                  

Why did I receive these materials?

Crane Company is sending notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, to you and all of our stockholders, to ask you to appoint proxies to represent you at the Annual Meeting on April 28, 2025.

If a quorum does not attend the meeting or is not represented by proxy, the meeting will have to be adjourned and rescheduled. In order to avoid unnecessary expense, the Board of the Company is asking you to submit a proxy for your shares so that even if you do not attend the meeting, your shares will be counted as present at the meeting and voted according to your instructions.

Unless you expect to attend the meeting in person, if you have requested paper copies of the proxy materials, please sign, date, and return the enclosed proxy in the envelope provided; vote your shares online by scanning the QR code on your proxy card; or use the internet address or the toll-free telephone number listed in this Proxy Statement. Please return your proxy in any manner described in this paragraph promptly to ensure that your shares are voted at the meeting, no matter how large or how small your holdings may be.

What is the agenda for the Annual Meeting?

At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will vote on three matters:

 

(1)

the election of each of Martin R. Benante, Sanjay Kapoor, Ronald C. Lindsay, Susan D. Lynch, Ellen McClain, Charles G. McClure, Jr., Max H. Mitchell, Jennifer M. Pollino, and James L. L. Tullis to the Board;

 

(2)

a proposal to ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent auditors for 2025; and

 

(3)

a proposal to approve, by a non-binding advisory vote, the compensation paid by the Company to certain executive officers.

Our management will also make a brief presentation about the business of Crane Company, and representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP will be available to respond to any appropriate questions at the Annual Meeting.

The Board does not know of any other business that will be presented at the Annual Meeting. The form of proxy gives the proxy holders discretionary authority with respect to any other matters that come before the Annual Meeting, which means that if any such matter arises, the proxy holders named in this proxy statement will vote according to their best judgment.

How does the Board recommend that I vote?

The Board unanimously recommends that you vote FOR each of the nominees for director; FOR ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP to continue as our independent auditors; and FOR the non-binding advisory votes regarding executive compensation.

When and where is the Annual Meeting?

The Annual Meeting will be held in person at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, on Monday, April 28, 2025 at 100 First Stamford Place, Ground Floor Conference Room, Stamford, CT.

Who can attend the Annual Meeting?

Any stockholder of Crane Company, and other invitees may attend the Annual Meeting. If you are a stockholder of Crane Company as of the close of business on the record date, you or your proxy holder may participate, vote and submit questions, as further described below.

 

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Who can vote at the Annual Meeting?

Anyone who owned shares of our Common Stock at the close of business on March 3, 2025, the record date, is entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any postponement or adjournment of the meeting. Each share is entitled to one vote.

A complete list of stockholders as of the record date will be open to the examination of any stockholder during regular business hours at the offices of Crane Company, 100 First Stamford Place, 4th Floor, Stamford, CT 06902, on the day of the meeting.

How many votes are required for each question to pass?

Nominees for the Board will be elected if more votes are cast in favor of the nominee than are cast against the nominee by the holders of shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

Each other matter to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of shares of common stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on such matter at the Annual Meeting.

What are “Broker non-votes”?

Under the rules of the NYSE, brokers holding shares for customers have authority to vote on certain matters even if the broker has not received instructions from the customer, but they do not have such authority as to other matters. For the questions on the agenda for this year’s Annual Meeting, member firms of the NYSE may vote without specific instructions from beneficial owners on the ratification of the selection of auditors, but not on the election of directors or the approval of the compensation paid by the Company to certain executive officers or the frequency of the approval of the compensation paid by the Company to certain executive officers.

“Broker non-votes” are shares held in record name by brokers or nominees, as to which the broker or nominee (i) has not received instructions from the beneficial owner or person entitled to vote, (ii) does not have discretionary voting power under NYSE rules or the document under which it serves as broker or nominee, and (iii) has indicated on the proxy card, or otherwise notified us, that it does not have authority to vote the shares on the question.

What will be the effect of abstentions and broker non-votes?

Stockholders may abstain from voting on any proposal expected to be brought before the Annual Meeting.

Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the election of directors, as each nominee will be elected if the number of votes cast in favor of such nominee exceeds the number of votes cast against such nominee. Abstentions are not treated as votes cast for such proposal.

Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on any of the other two proposals, because they will not count as votes cast for or against the question and will not be included in calculating the number of votes necessary for adoption and approval.

What constitutes a quorum for the meeting?

According to the Company’s amended by-laws, a quorum for a meeting of stockholders consists of the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, present in person or by proxy. Attendance at the Annual Meeting constitutes “in person” attendance for purposes of establishing a quorum. On the record date, there were 57,484,763 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, so at least 28,742,382 shares must be represented at the meeting for business to be conducted. If a quorum does not attend or is not represented, the Annual Meeting will have to be postponed.

Shares of common stock represented by a properly signed and returned proxy are treated as present at the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining a quorum, whether the proxy is marked as casting a vote or abstaining. Shares represented by “broker non-votes” are also treated as present for purposes of determining a quorum.

 

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Who will count the votes?

A representative of our transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., will tabulate the votes.

How can I cast my vote?

In addition to the other options listed below, where applicable, you can vote by completing and mailing a proxy card, if requested. We ask you to mark your choices, sign, date, and return the proxy as soon as possible in the enclosed postage prepaid envelope.

Stockholders of record may vote at the website www.envisionreports.com/cr using the instructions on the enclosed proxy card. For convenience, registered holders may scan the PQR code on the front of their proxy card. Additionally, those that wish to vote via telephone may do so by touchtone telephone from the United States and Canada using the toll-free number listed on the proxy card, proving their identity by using the control number shown on the proxy card. Each procedure allows stockholders to appoint the designated proxies to vote their shares and to confirm that their instructions have been properly recorded.

If you hold your shares through an intermediary, such as a bank or broker, you may view the meeting materials at www.edocumentview.com/cr and then follow the instructions on your proxy card to cast your vote.

You can attend and vote your shares at the Annual Meeting; if you choose to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting via the Annual Meeting website, please follow the instructions on your proxy card.

What if I submit a proxy but don’t mark it to show my preferences?

If you return a properly signed proxy without marking it, it will be voted in accordance with the Board’s recommendations on all proposals.

What if I submit a proxy and then change my mind?

If you submit a proxy, you can revoke it at any time before it is voted by submitting a written revocation to the Corporate Secretary, or by submitting a new proxy, or by voting at the Annual Meeting. However, if you have shares held through a brokerage firm, bank, or other custodian, you can revoke an earlier proxy only by following the custodian’s procedures.

Who is paying for this solicitation of proxies?

Crane Company will pay the cost of this solicitation of proxies for the Annual Meeting. We may solicit proxies by telephone, facsimile, electronic mail, and personal contact. These solicitations will be made by our regular employees without additional compensation. We have also engaged Alliance Advisors LLC to assist in this solicitation of proxies, and we have agreed to pay that firm approximately $26,000. Banks, brokerage houses, and other institutions, nominees, and fiduciaries will be asked to forward the proxy materials to the beneficial owners of the common stock they hold of record and will be reimbursed for their reasonable expenses in forwarding such material.

Where can I learn the outcome of the vote?

The Corporate Secretary will announce the preliminary voting results at the meeting, and we will publish the final results in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC within four business days after the meeting.

How and when can I propose that an item be considered at next year’s annual meeting and included in next year’s proxy statement?

The Crane Company amended and restated by-laws, dated as of March 28, 2023, which are on file with the SEC (as Exhibit 3.2 to Crane Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 3, 2023), provide that the Crane Company annual meeting of stockholders will be held on such date and at such time as shall be designated from time to time by the Crane Company Board of Directors. Under the Crane Company’s amended and restated by-laws, written notice of stockholder nominations to Crane Company’s Board of Directors or any other business proposed by a stockholder that is not to be included in the proxy statement must be delivered to the Company’s secretary (a) not later than 90 days nor

 

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earlier than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, or (b) in the event that next year’s annual meeting is not held within 25 days before or after the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting, the earlier of (i) at least 90 days prior to the date of the Crane Company annual meeting of stockholders or, (ii) the close of business 10 days following the day on which notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed to stockholders or public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made. Assuming that the Company’s 2026 annual meeting of stockholders is held within 25 days of the anniversary of the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, Crane must receive written notice (containing the information specified in Crane Company’s amended and restated by-laws) to the Company’s Secretary between December 29, 2025, and January 28, 2026. If the Company does not receive notice by that date, then such proposals may not be presented at the Crane Company 2026 annual meeting of stockholders.

In addition to satisfying the requirements under the Company’s amended and restated by-laws, to comply with the SEC’s universal proxy rules, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies for the Company’s 2026 annual meeting of stockholders in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act no later than February 27, 2026. If the date of the Company’s 2026 annual meeting of stockholders is changed by more than 30 calendar days from the date of the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, then notice must be provided by the later of 60 calendar days prior to the date of the 2026 annual meeting or the 10th calendar day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the 2026 annual meeting is first made by the company.

Stockholders may also submit proposals for inclusion in the proxy materials in connection with the Crane Company 2026 annual meeting of stockholders through Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act. Stockholders who wish to present such proposals must submit their proposals to the Company’s Secretary on or before November 14, 2025.

* * * * *

We urge stockholders who do not expect to attend the Annual Meeting to vote their shares online or use the internet address or the toll-free telephone number listed on the Notice of Annual Meeting. In order to avoid unnecessary expense, we ask your cooperation in voting your proxy promptly, no matter how large or how small your holdings may be.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

 

LOGO

Anthony M. D’Iorio

Secretary

 

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LOGO

CRANE CRANE COMPANY EXECUTIVE OFFICES 100 FIRST STAMFORD PLACE STAMFORD, CT 06902 203.363. 7300 CRANECO.COM 


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LOGO

MMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM C123456789 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext ENDORSEMENT_LINE SACKPACK 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext Your vote matters – here’s how to vote! MR A SAMPLE You may vote online or by phone instead of mailing this card. DESIGNATION (IF ANY) ADD 1 Votes submitted electronically must be received by ADD 2 8:00 am, Eastern Daylight time on April 28, 2025, 000001 ADD 3 except as set forth on the reverse with respect to Crane Company Savings and Investment Plan Shares. ADD 4 MMMMMMMMM ADD 5 Online ADD 6 Go to www.envisionreports.com/CR or scan the QR code — login details are located in the shaded bar below. Phone Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories and Canada Save paper, time and money! Sign up for electronic delivery at Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. www.envisionreports.com/CR 2025 Annual Meeting Proxy Card 1234 5678 9012 345 q IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.q A Proposals — The Board of Directors recommend a vote FOR all the nominees listed, and FOR Proposals 2 and 3. 1. Election of Directors: For Against Abstain For Against Abstain For Against Abstain 01—Martin R. Benante 02—Sanjay Kapoor 03—Ronald C. Lindsay 04—Susan D. Lynch 05—Ellen McClain 06—Charles G. McClure, Jr. 07—Max H. Mitchell 08—Jennifer M. Pollino 09—James L.L. Tullis 2. Ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the For Against Abstain 3. Say on Pay—An advisory vote to approve the compensation paid For Against Abstain Company’s independent auditors for 2025. to certain executive officers. B Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to count. Please date and sign below. Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title. Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below. Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box. C 1234567890 J N T MR A SAMPLE (THIS AREA IS SET UP TO ACCOMMODATE 140 CHARACTERS) MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MMMMMMM 92 B M 645399 MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND 043RAA


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LOGO

INVESTOR INFORMATION Visit our website at www.craneco.com where you will find detailed information about the Company, its business segments and its financial performance. All of this information, including annual reports, SEC filings, earnings, news and dividend releases, can be bookmarked, printed or downloaded from this site. You may automatically receive email notification of Crane Company news, SEC filings, and daily closing stock price by clicking “Investors” and then “Investor Alerts” at www.craneco.com. Once your name has been added to our distribution list, the Company will automatically email you news and information as it is released. ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF PROXY MATERIALS Stockholders can elect to receive proxy materials (proxy statement, annual report and proxy card) over the internet instead of receiving paper copies in the mail. If you are a registered stockholder and wish to consent to electronic delivery of proxy materials, you may register your authorization at www.computershare.com/investor. You can locate your account number on your stock certificate, dividend check or plan statement. ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS The 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Crane Company will be held on April 28, 2025 at 10:00 am Eastern Daylight Time, at 100 First Stamford Place, Ground Floor Conference Room, Stamford, CT. 06902 Small steps make an impact. Help the environment by consenting to receive electronic delivery, sign up at www.envisionreports.com/CR q IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.q Crane Company Annual Meeting of Stockholders April 28, 2025 Proxy Solicited by Board of Directors for Annual Meeting The undersigned does hereby appoint and constitute Max H. Mitchell and Anthony M. D’Iorio and each of them, true and lawful agents and proxies of the undersigned, with full power of substitution, and hereby authorizes each of them to vote, as directed on the reverse side of this card, or, if not so directed, in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendations, all shares of Crane Company held of record by the undersigned at the close of business on March 3, 2025 at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Crane Company to be held on Monday, April 28, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, at 100 First Stamford Place, Ground Floor Conference Room, Stamford, CT, or at any adjournment thereof, with all the powers the undersigned would possess if then and there personally present, and to vote, in their discretion, upon such other matters as may come before said meeting. This proxy also covers all shares, if any, for which the undersigned has the right to give voting instructions to Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company, Trustee of the Crane Company Savings and Investment Plan. If voting instructions for such Savings and Investment Plan shares are not received by the proxy tabulator it will be treated as directing the Plan’s Trustee to vote shares held in the Plan in the same proportion as the shares for which the Trustee has received timely instructions from others who do vote. You are encouraged to specify your choices by marking the appropriate boxes (SEE REVERSE SIDE), but you need not mark any boxes if you wish to vote in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendations. The Proxies cannot vote your shares unless you sign and return this card or use the toll-free telephone number or internet website on the reverse side. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted FOR election of all nominees and FOR Proposals 2 and 3. (Items to be voted appear on reverse side) C Non-Voting Items Change of Address — Please print new address below. Comments — Please print your comments below.