Aebi Schmidt (AEBI) proxy: Fruithof to chair, $0.10 dividend proposal, board shrink
Aebi Schmidt Holding AG seeks shareholder approval at its 2026 Annual General Meeting for board and governance changes, executive compensation items, auditor and proxy elections, and a proposed dividend program. The Board recommends reducing board size, electing Barend Fruithof as Chair (combining Chair and CEO roles), approving an aggregate USD $0.10 per share annual dividend (up to USD $10 million released to a Dividend Reserve), and ratifying maximum board compensation of $2.3M.
Operational highlights presented include $2.061B order intake (+22% vs. 2024), $1.907B net sales, $156M Adjusted EBITDA, expected acquisition synergies of $40M from The Shyft Group transaction, and 2.8x net leverage as of December 31, 2025.
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Key Figures
Key Terms
Dividend Reserve financial
PCS Relationship Agreement regulatory
Combined non-GAAP financial
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☒ | 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 Section 240.14a-12 |
☒ | 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. |
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![]() | Schulstrasse 4 // CH-8500 Frauenfeld, Switzerland | ||||
1. | Approval of the audited consolidated financial statements and statutory standalone financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 |
2. | Approval of allocation of profit available for distribution and approval of distribution of a dividend |
2.1 | Approval of allocation of profit available for distribution |
2.2 | Approval of distribution of dividend (as a repayment of statutory reserves, by way of allocation to a dividend reserve) |
3. | Discharge of liability for the Board of Directors and Executive Management for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 |
4. | Approval of an Amendment to the Articles of Association to (i) reduce the minimum number of directors to five and the maximum number of directors to nine and (ii) amend the nomination rights of PCS Holding AG |
5. | Election of the Board of Directors and the Chair of the Board of Directors |
5.1 | Election of the Board of Directors |
5.2 | Election of the Chair of the Board of Directors |
6. | Election of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors |
7 | Election of PricewaterhouseCoopers AG (Zurich) as statutory auditor |
8. | Election of Anwaltskanzlei Keller AG as independent proxy |
9. | Approval of compensation of the Board of the Directors and Executive Management |
9.1 | Approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the compensation of named executive officers under U.S. securities law requirements |
9.2 | Approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the frequency of future non-binding advisory votes to approve the compensation of named executive officers |
9.3 | Approval, on an advisory basis, of the Swiss Statutory Compensation Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 |
9.4 | Approval of the maximum compensation of the Board of Directors until the 2027 annual general meeting |
9.5 | Approval of the maximum compensation of Executive Management for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2027 |
10. | Approval of the Aebi Schmidt Equity Incentive Plan |
11. | Approval of the Swiss Statutory Non-Financial Matters Report |
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Proxy Statement Summary | 1 | |||
Corporate Governance and Board Matters | 7 | |||
Proposal 1 | Approval of the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Statutory Standalone Financial Statements for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2025 | 16 | ||
Proposal 2 | Approval of Allocation of Profit available for Distribution and Approval of Distribution of a Dividend | |||
Proposal 2.1 | Approval of Allocation of Profit Available for Distribution | 18 | ||
Proposal 2.2 | Approval of Distribution of Dividend (as a Repayment of Statutory Reserves, by way of Allocation to a Dividend Reserve) | 20 | ||
Proposal 3 | Discharge of Liability for the Board of Directors and Executive Management for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2025 | 22 | ||
Proposal 4 | Approval of an Amendment to the Articles of Association to (i) Reduce the Minimum Number of Directors to Five and the Maximum Number of Directors to Nine and (ii) amend the nomination rights of PCS Holding AG | 23 | ||
Proposal 5 | Election of the Board of Directors and the Chair of the Board of Directors | |||
Proposal 5.1 | Election of the Board of Directors | 26 | ||
Proposal 5.2 | Election of the Chair of the Board of Directors | 33 | ||
Proposal 6 | Election of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors | 35 | ||
Proposal 7 | Election of PricewaterhouseCoopers AG (Zurich) as Statutory Auditor | 36 | ||
Proposal 8 | Election of Anwaltskanzlei Keller AG as Independent Proxy | 37 | ||
Proposal 9 | Approval of Compensation of the Board of Directors and Executive Management | |||
Proposal 9.1 | Approval, on a Non-Binding Advisory Basis, of the Compensation of our Named Executive Officers under U.S. Securities Law Requirements | 38 | ||
Proposal 9.2 | Approval, on a Non-Binding Advisory Basis, of the Frequency of Future Non-Binding Advisory Votes to Approve the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers | 40 | ||
Proposal 9.3 | Approval, on Advisory Basis, of the Swiss Statutory Compensation Report for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2025 | 41 | ||
Proposal 9.4 | Approval of the Maximum Compensation of the Board of Directors until the 2027 Annual General Meeting | 42 | ||
Proposal 9.5 | Approval of the Maximum Compensation of Executive Management for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2027 | 44 | ||
Proposal 10 | Approval of the Aebi Schmidt Equity Incentive Plan | 46 | ||
Proposal 11 | Approval of the Swiss Statutory Non-Financial Matters Report | 54 | ||
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Compensation Discussion and Analysis | 58 | |||||
Executive Compensation Tables | 68 | |||||
Compensation Committee Report | 74 | |||||
Pay Versus Performance | 75 | |||||
Ownership of Securities | 79 | |||||
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports | 81 | |||||
Audit Committee Report | 82 | |||||
Additional Information | 83 | |||||
Appendix A Non-GAAP Reconciliations | 91 | |||||
Appendix B Equity Incentive Plan | 93 | |||||
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| Date | ![]() | Time | | Location | | Record Date | ||||||||||||||
Thursday, May 21, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. Central European Summer Time | Boulevard Lilienthal 8 (Entrance / Eingang Auditorium), 8152 Glattpark, Switzerland | March 25, 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||
Proposal | Board’s Recommendation | Page | ||||||||||||
![]() | Approval of the audited consolidated financial statements and statutory standalone financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 | ![]() | For | Page 16 | ||||||||||
![]() | Approval of allocation of profit available for distribution and approval of distribution of a dividend | |||||||||||||
![]() | Approval of allocation of profit available for distribution | ![]() | For | Page 18 | ||||||||||
![]() | Approval of distribution of dividend (as a repayment of statutory reserves, by way of allocation to a dividend reserve) | ![]() | For | Page 20 | ||||||||||
![]() | Discharge of liability for the Board of Directors and Executive Management for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 | ![]() | For | Page 22 | ||||||||||
![]() | Approval of an Amendment to the Articles of Association to (i) reduce the minimum number of directors to five and the maximum number of directors to nine and (ii) amend the nomination rights of PCS Holding AG | ![]() | For | Page 23 | ||||||||||
![]() | Election of the Board of Directors and the Chair of the Board of Directors | |||||||||||||
![]() | Election of the Board of Directors • Barend Fruithof • Andreas Rickenbacher • Angela Freeman • Daniela Spuhler • Martin Ritter • Michael Dinkins • Patrick Schaub • Terri Pizzuto | ![]() | For Each Nominee | Page 26 | ||||||||||
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Proxy Statement Summary | |||||
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Proposal | Board’s Recommendation | Page | ||||||||||||
![]() | Election of the Chair of the Board of Directors | ![]() | For | Page 33 | ||||||||||
![]() | Election of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors • Andreas Rickenbacher • Patrick Schaub • Angela Freeman | ![]() | For Each Nominee | Page 35 | ||||||||||
![]() | Election of PricewaterhouseCoopers AG (Zurich) as statutory auditor | ![]() | For | Page 36 | ||||||||||
![]() | Election of Anwaltskanzlei Keller AG as independent proxy | ![]() | For | Page 37 | ||||||||||
![]() | Approval of compensation of the Board of Directors and executive management | |||||||||||||
![]() | Approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the compensation of named executive officers under U.S. securities law requirements | ![]() | For | Page 38 | ||||||||||
![]() | Approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of every year as the frequency of future non-binding advisory votes to approve the compensation of named executive officers | ![]() | For | Page 40 | ||||||||||
![]() | Approval, on an advisory basis, of the Swiss Statutory Compensation Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 | ![]() | For | Page 41 | ||||||||||
![]() | Approval of the maximum compensation of the Board of Directors until the 2027 annual general meeting | ![]() | For | Page 42 | ||||||||||
![]() | Approval of the maximum compensation of Executive Management for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2027 | ![]() | For | Page 44 | ||||||||||
![]() | Approval of the Aebi Schmidt Equity Incentive Plan | ![]() | For | Page 46 | ||||||||||
![]() | Approval of the Swiss Statutory Non-Financial Matters Report | ![]() | For | Page 54 | ||||||||||
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Proxy Statement Summary | |||||
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General Information | Named Executive Officers | ||
Stock Symbol: AEBI Exchange: The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) Shares Outstanding (as of the Record Date): 77,435,027 Transfer Agent: Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company Corporate Website: aebi-schmidt.com | Barend Fruithof Group Chief Executive Officer Marco Portmann Group Chief Financial Officer Thomas Schenkirsch Chief Group Services and Deputy Chief Executive Officer Steffen Schewerda Chief Executive Officer North America and President Vehicle Solutions Henning Schröder Chief Executive Officer Europe & Rest of World Tim Tecklenburg Former Group Chief Financial Officer | ||
![]() | Win & Grow Together We succeed when we trust, respect and support each other. | ||||
![]() | Deliver Excellent Performance We deliver consistent results with discipline and pride – and we keep improving, every day. | ||||
![]() | Innovate for Customers We design smart, sustainable solutions with a customer-centric mindset – solving the challenges that matter most. | ||||
![]() | Own the Outcome We act with integrity, take responsibility for our actions, and deliver on our commitments. | ||||
![]() | Build for Tomorrow We create lasting impact through sustainable growth and responsible practices. | ||||
Aebi Schmidt Group // 2026 Proxy Statement | 3 | ||
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Proxy Statement Summary | |||||
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Acquisition Successful acquisition and integration of The Shyft Group delivered profitability improvement | $40m Expected Synergies from acquisition of The Shyft Group of at least $40m Significant increase vs. pre-acquisition targets of $25m to $30m | ||||
$2.061b Order Intake of $2.061b 22.0% increase vs. 2024, driven by Airport/Chassis and Municipal and implementation of “sales excellence” platform at legacy Shyft | $1.212b Order Backlog of $1.212b as of December 31, 2025 Multi-year high driven by “sales excellence” platform and extraordinary order momentum | ||||
$1.907b Net Sales of $1.907b Bolstered by strong execution post-acquisition despite soft legacy Shyft end markets | $2.7m Net Income of $2.7m Reflects, material, one-time, cost impacts from The Shyft Group acquisition and restructuring | ||||
$156m Adjusted EBITDA of $156m 13.4% increase vs. 2024, driven by operational efficiencies, accelerated synergy realization and strong performance of Europe and Rest of World | 2.8X Net Leverage of Ratio 2.8x as of December 31, 2025 Optimizing net working capital while managing growth and strengthening balance sheet | ||||
Throughout this proxy statement, we refer to certain non-GAAP measures, including Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin and Net Debt, to supplement our reporting of financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP, and to separate the impact of certain items from the underlying business. Because Aebi Schmidt uses these adjusted financial results in the management of its business, we believe this supplemental information is useful to investors for their independent evaluation and understanding of Aebi Schmidt’s underlying business performance and the performance of its management. To aid investors and analysts with year-over-year comparability for the combined business of Aebi Schmidt and Shyft, the Company has also presented certain of these non-GAAP financial measures on a “Combined” basis. Combined non-GAAP financial measures include results for both Aebi Schmidt and Shyft on a combined basis inclusive of periods prior to the July 1, 2025 Acquisition. Information presented on a combined basis does not reflect pro-forma adjustments or other adjustments for costs related to integration activities, cost savings or synergies that have been or may be achieved if the business combination occurred on January 1, 2024. The non-GAAP financial measures described above are in addition to, and not meant to be considered superior to, or a substitute for, Aebi Schmidt’s financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all of the amounts associated with the Company’s results of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP. Also, other companies might calculate these measures differently. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP measures included in the reconciliation tables set forth in Appendix of this proxy statement. In addition, the non-GAAP financial measures included in this proxy statement reflect management’s judgment of particular items, and may be different from, and therefore may not be comparable to, similarly titled measures reported by other companies. See the reconciliations to the corresponding GAAP measures set forth in Appendix A of this proxy statement.
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• Annual election of Board members • 100% independent Board committees • Robust shareholder engagement • Active risk oversight by Board and committees • No stockholder rights plan | • Active Board refreshment approach to align Board composition with corporate strategy • Annual Board and committee self-evaluations. • Diverse Board with appropriate mix of skills, experience and perspective – subject to re-election, 50% of Board positions will be held by women and underrepresented communities. | ||||
• | Issued first integrated annual Sustainability Report detailing both Aebi Schmidt and Shyft’s commitment to sustainability, as well as both companies’ approach to responsible and socially conscious business practices. |
• | Integrated and implemented combined Aebi Schmidt and Shyft human rights, insider trading and whistleblower policies. |
• | Disclosed our integrated Scope 1, Scope 2 and for the first time, Scope 3 greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions, calculated in accordance with the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard. |
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One share equals one vote | We have a single class of shares with equal voting rights. | ||||
Stock ownership guidelines | We have robust stock ownership guidelines for our directors. | ||||
Shareholder engagement | We have a comprehensive year-round shareholder engagement program. | ||||
Access to management | Our Board has significant interaction with senior management and access to other employees. | ||||
Strategic planning | The Board reviews Aebi Schmidt’s long-term strategic planning at least annually and regularly monitors implementation. | ||||
Financial expertise | 100% of the members of our Audit Committee qualify as audit committee financial experts and each member is financially literate and satisfies the Nasdaq required accounting and financial expertise. | ||||
Goals, evaluations and succession planning | Our Board and CEO collaborate to set the CEO’s performance goals. The Board annually assesses CEO performance. Our Board regularly reviews executive succession planning. | ||||
Board refreshment | The Governance Committee reviews Board member succession on a regular basis. | ||||
Prohibitions on hedging, pledging and other transactions | We prohibit short sales, transactions in derivatives, and hedging of Aebi Schmidt securities by directors, executive officers and employees, and prohibit pledging of Aebi Schmidt securities by directors and executive officers. | ||||
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Corporate Governance and Board Matters | |||||
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Committees | ||||||||||||||||||||
Name | Age | Director Since | Independent | Audit | Human Resources and Compensation | Governance and Sustainability | ||||||||||||||
James Sharman(1)(2) | 67 | 2016 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||||||||||||||
Barend Fruithof(3) | 58 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||
Andreas Rickenbacher(3) | 58 | 2016 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |||||||||||||||
Angela Freeman(2) | 58 | 2019 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||||||||||||||
Daniela Spuhler(3) | 48 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
Martin Ritter(3) | 40 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
Michael Dinkins(2) | 72 | 2020 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||||||||||||||
Patrick Schaub(3) | 47 | 2022 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |||||||||||||||
Paul Mascarenas(1)(2) | 64 | 2018 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||||||||||||||
Peter Spuhler(1)(3) | 67 | 2006 | ||||||||||||||||||
Terri Pizzuto(2) | 67 | 2021 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||||||||||||||
![]() | Chair | ![]() | Member | ||||||
(1) | Not standing for re-election at the Annual Meeting |
(2) | Nominated by Shyft prior to the Acquisition |
(3) | Nominated by Aebi Schmidt prior to the Acquisition |
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Corporate Governance and Board Matters | |||||
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Audit Committee Patrick Schaub (chair) Terri Pizzuto Michael Dinkins 5 meetings in 2025 | The Audit Committee provides assistance to the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibility relating to Aebi Schmidt’s financial statements and the accounting and financial reporting process, Aebi Schmidt’s systems of internal accounting and financial controls, the qualification and independence of outside auditors, the annual independent audit of Aebi Schmidt’s financial statements, Aebi Schmidt’s non-financial reporting, legal and regulatory compliance and ethics issues. It is the Audit Committee’s responsibility to maintain free and open communication between the Audit Committee, the independent auditor and management. The Board has determined that (i) each of Messrs. Schaub and Dinkins and Ms. Pizzuto is an “audit committee financial expert” as that term is defined under SEC rules, (ii) each Audit Committee member qualifies as financially literate and satisfies Nasdaq’s listing standards regarding accounting and finance expertise and (iii) each Audit Committee member also meets the additional independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3(b)(1) under the Exchange Act. | ||||
Compensation Committee Andreas Rickenbacher (chair) Angela Freeman James. Sharman 3 meetings in 2025 | The Compensation Committee provides assistance to the Board by overseeing matters relating to the compensation of Aebi Schmidt’s Board and Aebi Schmidt’s executives; and inclusion, belonging and human capital management initiatives. The Board has determined that all members of the Compensation Committee meet the independence requirements under Nasdaq’s rules for persons serving on compensation committees. No member of the Compensation Committee is or was previously an officer or employee of Aebi Schmidt. For a description of the Compensation Committee’s processes and procedures, see the section entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” beginning on page 58. | ||||
Governance Committee Paul Mascarenas (chair) Andreas Rickenbacher Patrick Schaub 1 meeting in 2025 | The Governance Committee supports the Board in fulfilling its responsibility to the shareholders and under applicable rules and regulations relating to Aebi Schmidt’s corporate governance and oversight of Aebi Schmidt’s environmental, social and governance initiatives. The Governance Committee identifies and recommends, for nomination or selection by the Board, individuals qualified to become directors for each vacancy that occurs and for each election of directors. The Governance Committee may also develop, recommend and, as necessary, update corporate governance principles and policies applicable to Aebi Schmidt. The Governance Committee has evaluated and recommended to the full Board each of the nominees named in this Proxy Statement for election to the Board. See the section entitled “Election of Directors” beginning on page 26. | ||||
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Corporate Governance and Board Matters | |||||
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• | PCS will have the right to designate for nomination by the Governance Committee for approval and recommendation to our shareholders by our Board (i) four qualified directors to our Board for so long as the PCS Parties, together with their affiliates and respective permitted transferees, beneficially own at least 35% of our outstanding common stock, one of whom must qualify as an independent director pursuant to the Nasdaq Listing Rules (provided, however, that the number of such nominees shall be reduced to three if the Board consists of less than nine members), (ii) three qualified directors to our Board for so long as such persons beneficially own at least 25% of our outstanding common stock, none of whom shall need to be an independent director pursuant to the Nasdaq Listing Rules (provided, however, that the number of such nominees shall be reduced to two if the Board consists of less than nine members), (iii) two qualified directors to our Board for so long as such persons beneficially own at least 15% of our outstanding common stock, none of whom shall need to be an independent director pursuant to the Nasdaq Listing Rules, and (iv) one qualified director to our Board for so long as such persons beneficially own at least 12.5% of our outstanding common stock who shall not have to be an independent director pursuant to the Nasdaq Listing Rules; provided in each of (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv), however, that in case PCS makes use of its right to nominate members of the Board, the Board shall consist of at least eight members. |
• | The PCS Parties (and their respective permitted transferees) will be subject to a three-year “lock-up” period with respect to certain shares of our common stock beneficially owned by such parties, subject to certain exceptions. |
• | The PCS Parties (and their respective affiliates) will be subject to a customary two-year “standstill” arrangement to prevent the PCS Parties from taking actions that can be materially adverse to the interests Aebi Schmidt, subject to certain customary exceptions; and |
• | For so long as the PCS Parties, together with their affiliates and respective permitted transferees, beneficially own at least 12.5% of our outstanding common stock, the PCS Parties will have certain customary information and access rights. |
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Aebi Schmidt Group Schulstrasse 4 CH-8500 Frauenfeld, Switzerland Attn: Investor Relations | |
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• | Articles of Association; |
• | Organizational Regulations; |
• | Aebi Schmidt’s Codes of Conduct; and |
• | Charters of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Governance Committee |
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Proposal One | |||||
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Vote Required | ![]() | ||||
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voted at the Annual Meeting, by person or by proxy, is required to approve the consolidated financial statements and statutory financial statements. In counting votes on this proposal, abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will be counted as not voted and therefore will not affect the outcome of the election. We believe that this is a “routine” proposal and thus we do not expect any broker non-voters. Your Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the approval of the consolidated financial statements and statutory financial statements. | |||||
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USD | |||||
Retained earnings carried forward from previous year | $104,219,210 | ||||
Net profit for the year | $(23,084,604) | ||||
Total Retained Earnings | $81,134,606 | ||||
Retained earnings to be carried forward | $81,134,606 | ||||
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Proposal Two | |||||
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Vote Required | ![]() | ||||
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voted at the Annual Meeting, by person or by proxy, is required to approve the allocation of profit available for distribution. In counting votes on this proposal, abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will be counted as not voted and therefore will not affect the outcome of the election. We believe that this is a “routine” proposal and thus we do not expect any broker non-voters. Your Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the approval of the allocation of profit available for distribution. | |||||
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(a) | that an aggregate amount equal to USD $10,000,000 be released from the capital contribution reserves account, a sub-account of legal reserves, and allocated to a segregated dividend reserve account from capital contribution reserves (Dividend Reserve); and |
(b) | to distribute a dividend to the shareholders up to an aggregate amount totaling USD $0.10 per share from, and limited at a maximum to the amount of, the Dividend Reserve in one or more installments, in such amounts and on such record and payment dates as determined by the Board in its discretion. |
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Proposal Two | |||||
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Vote Required | ![]() | ||||
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voted at the Annual Meeting, by person or by proxy, is required to approve distribution of a dividend (including any repayment of statutory reserves). In counting votes on this proposal, abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will be counted as not voted and therefore will not affect the outcome of the election. We believe that this is a “routine” proposal and thus we do not expect any broker non-voters. Your Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the approval of distribution of dividend (including any repayment of statutory reserves). | |||||
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Vote Required | ![]() | ||||
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voted at the Annual Meeting, by person or by proxy, is required to discharge the liability of the Board and executive management for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. In counting votes on this proposal, abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as not voted and therefore will not affect the outcome of the election. Your Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the discharge of liability for the Board and executive management. | |||||
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Proposal Four | |||||
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Current Articles / Proposed changes | New Articles | ||||
B. Board of Directors | B. Board of Directors | ||||
Article 15 Composition | Article 15 Composition | ||||
(1) The Board of Directors shall consist of at least nine five and not more than eleven nine members. If the number of members of the Board of Directors should fall below nine five, such vacancy or vacancies shall be filled at the latest at the next Annual General Meeting. The Chairperson and the other members of the Board of Directors shall be elected by the General Meeting on an individual basis for a term of one year, ending with the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting. Re-election is permitted. | (1) The Board of Directors shall consist of at least five and not more than nine members. If the number of members of the Board of Directors should fall below five, such vacancy or vacancies shall be filled at the latest at the next Annual General Meeting. The Chairperson and the other members of the Board of Directors shall be elected by the General Meeting on an individual basis for a term of one year, ending with the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting. Re-election is permitted. | ||||
(2) The Board of Directors shall constitute itself, subject to the applicable provisions of law and of these Articles of Association. It shall elect from among its members one or more Vice Chairpersons, and designate a secretary who need not be a member of the Board of Directors. | (2) The Board of Directors shall constitute itself, subject to the applicable provisions of law and of these Articles of Association. It shall elect from among its members one or more Vice Chairpersons, and designate a secretary who need not be a member of the Board of Directors. | ||||
(3) If the Chairperson is not able to continue to hold office or if the Company does not have a Chairperson capable of acting and of holding office for other reasons, then the Board of Directors shall appoint one of its members as Chairperson until the next Annual General Meeting; the calling of a General Meeting in accordance with art. 726 para. 2 CO is reserved. | (3) If the Chairperson is not able to continue to hold office or if the Company does not have a Chairperson capable of acting and of holding office for other reasons, then the Board of Directors shall appoint one of its members as Chairperson until the next Annual General Meeting; the calling of a General Meeting in accordance with art. 726 para. 2 CO is reserved. | ||||
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Proposal Four | |||||
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B. Board of Directors | B. Board of Directors | ||||
Article 16 Board Member Nomination Rights | Article 16 Board Member Nomination Rights | ||||
(1) (a) PCS Holding AG and Peter Spuhler (together, including any successors, “PCS”) shall, if they hold, directly or indirectly through one or several controlled entities, at least 35% of the Company's Outstanding Shares, have the right to jointly nominate four members of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that the number of such nominees shall be reduced to three if the Board of Directors consists of less than nine members. (b) PCS shall, if they hold, directly or indirectly through one or several controlled entities, at least 25% but less than 35% of the Company's Outstanding Shares, have the right to jointly nominate three members of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that the number of such nominees shall be reduced to two if the Board of Directors consists of less than nine members. (c) PCS shall, if they hold, directly or indirectly through one or several controlled entities, at least 15% but less than 25% of the Company's Outstanding Shares, have the right to jointly nominate two members of the Board of Directors. (d) PCS shall, if they hold, directly or indirectly through one or several controlled entities, at least 12.5% but less than 15% of the Company's Outstanding Shares, have the right to jointly nominate one member of the Board of Directors. In each case, it is required that the Board of Directors is composed in accordance with Art. 15 para. 1 and that only such persons shall be nominated who satisfy the qualification criteria set forth in the charter of the Governance and Sustainability Committee; provided in each of (a), (b), (c) and (d), however, that in case PCS makes use of its right to nominate members of the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors shall consist of at least eight members. | (1) (a) PCS Holding AG and Peter Spuhler (together, including any successors, “PCS”) shall, if they hold, directly or indirectly through one or several controlled entities, at least 35% of the Company's Outstanding Shares, have the right to jointly nominate four members of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that the number of such nominees shall be reduced to three if the Board of Directors consists of less than nine members. (b) PCS shall, if they hold, directly or indirectly through one or several controlled entities, at least 25% but less than 35% of the Company's Outstanding Shares, have the right to jointly nominate three members of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that the number of such nominees shall be reduced to two if the Board of Directors consists of less than nine members. (c) PCS shall, if they hold, directly or indirectly through one or several controlled entities, at least 15% but less than 25% of the Company's Outstanding Shares, have the right to jointly nominate two members of the Board of Directors. (d) PCS shall, if they hold, directly or indirectly through one or several controlled entities, at least 12.5% but less than 15% of the Company's Outstanding Shares, have the right to jointly nominate one member of the Board of Directors. In each case, it is required that the Board of Directors is composed in accordance with Art. 15 para. 1 and that only such persons shall be nominated who satisfy the qualification criteria set forth in the charter of the Governance and Sustainability Committee; provided in each of (a), (b), (c) and (d), however, that in case PCS makes use of its right to nominate members of the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors shall consist of at least eight members. | ||||
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The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voted at the Annual Meeting, by person or by proxy, is required to approve an amendment to the Articles of Association to (i) reduce the minimum number of directors to five and the maximum number of directors to nine and (ii) amend the nomination rights of PCS Holding AG. In counting votes on this proposal, abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as not voted and therefore will not affect the outcome of the election. Your Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the approval of an amendment to the Articles of Association to (i) reduce the minimum number of directors to five and the maximum number of directors to nine and (ii) amend the nomination rights of PCS Holding AG. | |||||
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Barend Fruithof has served as the Group Chief Executive Officer of Aebi Schmidt since 2017 and has served as Vice Chair of the Board since 2025. If elected, Mr. Fruithof shall serve as Chair of the Board. In 2026, Mr. Fruithof was nominated to the board of directors of SoftwareOne, a Swiss enterprise software company, which is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. Mr. Fruithof has been chairman of the board of directors of Zugerbergfinanz AG, a financial institution in Zug, Switzerland, since 2017, Erni Group, a Swiss software engineering company, since 2018 and a member of the board of directors of ISS Switzerland, a facility service provider company, since 2021. Mr. Fruithof has been a member of the board of directors of PCS Holding AG, an investment company, since 2025. Mr. Fruithof served as chairman of the board of directors of esisuisse, a Swiss deposit insurance, from 2010 to 2023 and as Vice Chairman of the board of directors of Swiss Steel Group, a listed steel group based in Lucerne, Switzerland, from 2022 to 2024. Mr. Fruithof was a member of the board of directors of Amag Leasing, an automotive leasing company, from 2015 to 2024, HRS Real Estate AG, a Swiss owner-managed real estate service provider, from 2016 to 2023, Julius Baer & Co. AG, a private Swiss bank, (as well as its Head of Switzerland & Global Custody) from 2015 to 2016, Credit Suisse Group, a leading financial services company, from 2008 to 2015 (as well as its Head of Corporate & Institutional Client from 2008 to 2015 and a member of the Private Banking Division Management from 2008 to 2015). Mr. Fruithof served as Chief Financial Officer and Head of the Finance & Corporate Center Department, as well as a member of the executive board of Raiffeisen Group Switzerland, St. Gallen, the second largest banking group in Switzerland, from 2004 to 2007, and as the Chief Executive Officer of Aduno Group from 2001 to 2003 and Viseca Card Services SA, Glattbrugg from 2001 to 2003, each a credit card service company. Mr. Fruithof worked as the Head of Product and Distribution Management from 1997 to 2000 and Head of Payment Services from 1992 to 1996 of Zurich Cantonal Bank, the largest cantonal bank in Switzerland, and as Head of Product Management of Europay (Switzerland) SA, a member of the European banking services consortium which provides the international EuroCard/MasterCard credit-card; the EC-card for ATM-withdrawals, debit-card and cheque-guarantee; the EC-Direct debit-card (Switzerland-only); and the Maestro debit-card (international), in 1997. Mr. Fruithof holds a degree in business administration (KLZ), and a master of marketing (eidg. dipl. Marketingleiter) from University Bern and an Executive MBA from University St. Gallen (HSG). Mr. Fruithof has extensive experience in executive leadership, financial reporting, accounting and compliance. His experience serving as Group Chief Executive Officer and in other positions for industrial companies provides him with subject matter expertise in strategy, acquisitions and divestitures, risk management, asset allocation, and oversight of operational functions. | ||
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Mr. Rickenbacher has served as the Chair of the Compensation Committee since 2025 and if elected to the Board, shall serve as the Chair of the Governance Committee and Lead Independent Director. Prior to the Acquisition, Mr. Rickenbacher served as the Vice Chair of Aebi Schmidt’s Board since 2023. In February 2026, Mr. Rickenbacher was nominated to the board of directors of The Swatch Group Ltd, a Swiss manufacturer of watches, which is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. Since 2024, Mr. Rickenbacher has been chair of the board of directors of Suva, one of the biggest injury insurance companies in Switzerland. Since 2023, Mr. Rickenbacher has served as a consultant for Bantel & Partner AG, a public relations firm in Zurich, Switzerland, having previously served as a director from 2017 until 2023. Mr. Rickenbacher has served as chair of the board of directors of CSEM AG, a Swiss research and development center active in the fields of precision manufacturing, digitalization, and renewable energy, since 2023, and served as a member of the board of directors of Ender Diagnostics AG, a medical laboratory in Bern, Switzerland until 2024. Mr. Rickenbacher was the Vice President of the Switzerland Innovation Foundation from 2015 to 2021 and has since served as its President since 2022. Since 2018, Mr. Rickenbacher has served on the board of directors of BKW AG, a power production and distribution utility in Bern, Switzerland. Since 2016, he has served on the board of directors of each of HRS Real Estate AG, a Swiss owner-managed real estate service provider, Bernexpo AG, an exhibition and trade center in Bern, Switzerland and the Andreas Rickenbacher Management AG, a business consultant company (for which he is also serving as a management consultant). Since 2016, Mr. Rickenbacher also serves as the Vice President of the Organization Committee of the Internationale Lauberhornrennen Wengen Association, a group that organizes World Cup ski races. From 2017 to 2023, Mr. Rickenbacher served as a member on the board of directors of Bigla Care AG, a supplier of hospital beds and mattresses and from 2016 to 2021, Mr. Rickenbacher served as a member of the advisory board of the Swiss Economic Forum. Mr. Rickenbacher founded and owned Rickenbacher Projekte GmbH, a public relations company, from 2004 to 2008. Mr. Rickenbacher worked as a project leader at MCM Consultants AG, a consultant company from 1998 to 2004 and as a project leader and assistant at Gfs.bern, a political and communications market researcher from 1992 to 1998. Mr. Rickenbacher was Secretary of Economic Affairs from 2006 to 2016 and governor from 2012 to 2013 of the Canton of Bern. Mr. Rickenbacher earned a Master of Science in Business Administration from University of Bern. Mr. Rickenbacher has extensive knowledge and experience in executive leadership of large and complex public and private sector organizations. His subject matter expertise covers strategic business management, human resources, compensation, and organizational matters as well as stakeholder management and customer relationship management. Based on various board memberships, he has insight into different industries in different world regions. | ||
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Ms. Freeman has served as the Chief Human Resources and ESG Officer at C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., one of the world’s largest third-party logistics providers, since 2019. At C.H. Robinson, Ms. Freeman leads the company’s global talent, sustainability, DEI, and corporate responsibility strategies. She has been with the company for 25 years and prior to her current role led Investor Relations, Marketing, and Public Affairs. In addition, she serves as Chairperson of the Board of the C.H. Robinson Foundation, the company’s philanthropic affiliate. Ms. Freeman also serves on the Board of the University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation and on the Gartner Global CHRO Leadership Board. Ms. Freeman holds a Master of Science degree in comparative politics from the London School of Economics, in addition to a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education from the University of North Dakota. Ms. Freeman brings extensive public company experience in human resources, including executive compensation, human capital management, ESG, investor relations and communications, stakeholder management and government affairs. She has subject matter expertise in strategy creation and deployment, change management, digital transformation and scaling organizations, executive succession, and mergers and acquisitions. | ||

Daniela Spuhler has served as a member of Aebi Schmidt’s Board since 2023. Since 2007, Ms. Spuhler has owned two construction companies, Esslinger AG and Barizzi AG, and has been a Managing Director of each since 2007 and a member of the board of directors of each since 2008. Since 2007 she has been a member and Vice President of PCS Holding AG. She has also served as a member of the board of directors of DSH Holding AG, an investment company, since 2008 (for which she serves as the Vice President), Wohnpark Promenade AG Frauenfeld, a condominium complex, since 2010 (for which she serves as the President), Talvo Engadin AG, a restaurant, since 2011 (for which she serves as the Vice President) and Cat Aviation AG, a private charter airline, since 2018. Ms. Spuhler has served as a member of the board of directors of HG Commerciale, a service company for the construction industry since 2015. Ms. Spuhler earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Zürcher Hochschule Winterthur. Ms. Spuhler’s spouse, Peter Spuhler, is also a former member of Aebi Schmidt’s Board. Ms. Spuhler brings extensive experience in executive leadership in regard to strategic and operational execution in industrial companies. She serves on various boards in different industries and is a subject matter expert in customer relationship management, program and project management and operational excellence. | ||
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Martin Ritter has served as a member of Aebi Schmidt’s Board since 2022. Mr. Ritter has been the Chief Executive Officer of Stadler US Inc., a railroad company, since 2016. From 2014 to 2016, Mr. Ritter was the Assistant to the Group Chief Executive Officer and Project Manager for Stadler Rail Management AG, a Swiss manufacturer of railroad rolling stock. Mr. Ritter was an Executive Assistant and the Head of Internal Services at Invents.ch, an event management company in Zurich, Switzerland, from 2013 to 2014 and he worked at PWC, an audit and assurance, consulting, and tax services company, in the Tax and Legal Group from 2011 to 2013. Mr. Ritter was a Company Commander from 2014 to 2018, an Officer from 2008 to 2014, and a Soldier from 2005 to 2008 in the Swiss Armed Forces. Mr. Ritter earned a Master in Accounting and Finance and a Bachelor in Business Administration from the University of St. Gallen. Mr. Ritter has extensive leadership experience in international business environments. He has a demonstrated track record of developing and executing strategic plans to drive business results in the manufacturing and transportation industries. He is a subject matter expert in project management, creating and implementing operational processes, strategic sales, and collaborative stakeholder management. | ||

Mr. Dinkins is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of Dinkins Financial, a consulting firm that assists small businesses in raising capital. Prior to founding Dinkins Financial in 2017, Mr. Dinkins served in various leadership roles, including as Chief Financial Officer and board member at Integer Holdings Corporation, a medical device manufacturer, from 2012 to 2017. In addition, Mr. Dinkins’ prior experience includes serving as Chief Financial Officer at each of USI Insurance Services, an insurance and risk management provider, Hilb, Rogal & Hobbs Co., an insurance risk and management provider, and NCR Worldwide Customer Service Operations, a provider of financial services equipment and software. Mr. Dinkins’ career began at General Electric where he served for 17 years in multiple financial roles. He is a past member of the board of directors of three publicly traded companies and currently serves on the board of the National Council on Compensation and Insurance, a provider of workers compensation data and insights. Mr. Dinkins received a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Michigan State University and graduated with honors from General Electric’s Financial Management Program where he also served as an instructor. He also obtained certified public accountant and certified management accountant certificates. Mr. Dinkins has extensive experience in executive leadership, financial reporting, accounting, and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. His experience serving as a financial executive with multiple companies provides him with subject matter expertise in acquisitions and divestitures, risk management, asset allocation and oversight of operational functions. | ||
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Patrick Schaub has served as a member of Aebi Schmidt’s Board and Chair of its Audit Committee since 2022. Mr. Schaub is the co-founder and Managing Director of the Transaction Advisory Group of Alvarez & Marsal Switzerland GmbH, a business management consultant in Zurich, Switzerland, since 2019. Mr. Schaub worked at KPMG AG, an audit, tax, and advisory service, as a Partner in the Transaction Services Group from 2018 to 2019, as a Director in Transaction Services Group from 2006 to 2018, and as an Assistant Manager in the Audit Group from 2002 to 2006. Mr. Schaub worked at Swissair, an airline, as a Business Data Analyst from 1998 to 2001. Mr. Schaub graduated from Zürcher Hochschule Winterthur (FH) with a Bachelor in Business Management and Economics, and has been a Swiss Certified Public Accountant since 2006. Mr. Schaub brings leadership experience, along with his extensive financial expertise. His experience in advising corporations includes acquisitions and divestments, management accounting, financial reporting and risk management. | ||

Ms. Pizzuto served as a financial officer for Hub Group, Inc., a multi-billion-dollar public company offering comprehensive transportation and logistics management solutions, for 18 years, including the last 13 years as Chief Financial Officer prior to her retirement in June 2020. If elected to the Board, Ms. Pizzuto shall serve as the Vice Chair. Ms. Pizzuto retains the title of Chief Financial Officer Emeritus at the Hub Group. Before joining the Hub Group, Ms. Pizzuto was an audit professional at Arthur Andersen LLP for 22 years, including the last 6 years as an audit partner, where she served a wide variety of SEC registrants and other clients in logistics, manufacturing, high tech, and other industries. Ms. Pizzuto serves on the board of directors of Triton International, a global container leasing company, IPS Corporation, a privately-held manufacturer, CRST, Inc., a privately held freight company, and Mastery Logistics Systems, a privately held technology company in the supply chain logistics space. Ms. Pizzuto earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Illinois and is a certified public accountant. Ms. Pizzuto is a qualified financial expert with over 40 years of experience in financial and strategy leadership roles. Her area of expertise include SEC regulatory compliance, global finance and accounting, investor relations, technology transformations, acquisitions and divestitures, and asset management. | ||
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Vote Required | ![]() | ||||
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voted at the Annual Meeting, by person or by proxy, is required to elect the director nominees named in this Proposal 5.1 to one-year terms expiring at the 2027 annual general meeting. In counting votes on this proposal, abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as not voted and therefore will not affect the outcome of the election. Your Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the election of the director nominees named in this Proposal 5.1 to one-year terms expiring at the 2027 annual general meeting. | |||||
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Vote Required | ![]() | ||||
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voted at the Annual Meeting, by person or by proxy, is required to elect Barend Fruithof as Chair of the Board until the 2027 annual general meeting. In counting votes on this proposal, abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as not voted and therefore will not affect the outcome of the election. Your Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the election of Barend Fruithof as Chair of the Board until the 2027 annual general meeting. | |||||
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Vote Required | ![]() | ||||
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voted at the Annual Meeting, by person or by proxy, is required to elect Andreas Rickenbacher, Patrick Schaub and Angela Freeman, individually, as members of the Compensation Committee until the 2027 annual general meeting. In counting votes on this proposal, abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as not voted and therefore will not affect the outcome of the election. Your Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the election of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. | |||||
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Vote Required | ![]() | ||||
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voted at the Annual Meeting, by person or by proxy, is required to elect PricewaterhouseCoopers AG (Zurich) as Aebi Schmidt’s statutory auditor. In counting votes on this proposal, abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as not voted and therefore will not affect the outcome of the election. We believe that this is a “routine” proposal and thus we do not expect any broker non-voters. Your Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the election of PricewaterhouseCoopers AG (Zurich) as Statutory Auditor. | |||||
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Vote Required | ![]() | ||||
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voted at the Annual Meeting, by person or by proxy, is required to elect Anwaltskanzlei Keller AG as independent proxy. In counting votes on this proposal, abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will be counted as not voted and therefore will not affect the outcome of the election. We believe that this is a “routine” proposal and thus we do not expect any broker non-voters. Your Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the election of Anwaltskanzlei Keller AG as independent proxy. | |||||
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Name | Position | Business Experience | Age | Executive Officer Since | ||||||||||
Barend Fruithof | Group CEO | See description in Proposal 5.1. | 58 | 2017 | ||||||||||
Thomas Schenkirsch | Chief Group Services and Deputy CEO | Chief Group Services and Deputy CEO since July 2025. Head Group Strategic Development and Deputy CEO of Aebi Schmidt from October 2022 to June 2025. Group CFO of Aebi Schmidt from July 2016 to October 2022. | 50 | 2016 | ||||||||||
Marco Portmann | Group CFO | Group CFO since April 2025. CFO of Swiss Steel Holding AG from April 2022 to June 2024. Vice President Corporate Accounting, Controlling, Tax and Risk Management of Swiss Steel Holding AG from October 2021 to March 2022. Vice President, Corporate Controlling of Swiss Steel Holding AG from April 2020 to September 2021. | 37 | 2025 | ||||||||||
Steffen Schewerda | CEO, North America and President, Vehicle Solutions | CEO, North America and President Vehicle Solutions since July 2025. CEO, North America from January 2021 to July 2025. | 55 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Henning Schröder | CEO, Europe & Rest of the World | CEO, Europe & Rest of the World since July 2025. Head Sales and Product Management Europe of Aebi Schmidt from April 2024 to June 2025. Head Group Technology of Aebi Schmidt from January 2021 to March 2024. | 48 | 2019 | ||||||||||
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• | closely linked to the performance of Aebi Schmidt as a whole, the executive’s business segment (as applicable) and the individual executive; |
• | aligned with Aebi Schmidt’s annual operating plan and long-term strategic plan and objectives; |
• | attractive in the markets where Aebi Schmidt competes for executive talent; and |
• | structured to reward actions in accordance with Aebi Schmidt’s values and standards and to discourage the taking of inappropriate risks, and thereby to uphold Aebi Schmidt’s high standards of business ethics and corporate governance. |
Vote Required | ![]() | ||||
The proposal to approve the compensation of Aebi Schmidt’s named executive officers, as described in this proxy statement, is a non-binding advisory vote only, and will be approved if a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting are voted in favor of the proposal. In counting votes on this proposal, abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as not voted or cast and therefore will not affect the outcome of the vote. Aebi Schmidt will disclose the results of this vote but is not required to take action based upon the outcome of this vote. However, the Compensation Committee currently intends to consider the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation arrangements (See “Additional Information,” beginning on page 83). In counting votes on this proposal, abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as not voted and therefore will not affect the outcome of the election. Your Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of named executive officers. | |||||
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Vote Required | ![]() | ||||
As an advisory vote, this Proposal 9.2 is not binding on Aebi Schmidt, the Board or the Compensation Committee. Shareholder approval of a one-, two- or three-year frequency for future Say on Pay votes will not require Aebi Schmidt to implement future Say on Pay votes every one, two or three years. Instead, the final decision on the frequency of the future Say on Pay votes remains with the Board and/or its committees. However, the Compensation Committee and the Board value the opinions expressed by shareholders and expect to consider the outcome of the vote when making a decision regarding the frequency of future Say on Pay votes. This Proposal 9.2 will be approved if a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting are voted in favor of the proposal. In counting votes on this proposal, abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as not voted or cast and therefore will not affect the outcome of the vote. Aebi Schmidt will consider the frequency for holding an advisory vote on NEO compensation that receives the highest number of votes cast to be the frequency recommended by shareholders, even if that option does not receive a majority of the votes cast. The next frequency vote is expected to be held at our 2032 annual general meeting. Your Board recommends that you vote “FOR” “1 Year” (annual) as the frequency for future non-binding advisory votes to approve the compensation of our named executive officers. | |||||
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Vote Required | ![]() | ||||
The proposal to approve the Swiss Statutory Compensation Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, as described in this proxy statement, is an advisory vote only, and will be approved if a majority of the shares voted at the Annual Meeting are voted in favor of the proposal. Aebi Schmidt will disclose the results of this vote but is not required to take action based upon the outcome of this vote. However, the Compensation Committee intends to consider the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation arrangements (See “Additional Information,” beginning on page 83). In counting votes on this proposal, abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as not voted and therefore will not affect the outcome of the election. Your Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the approval, on an advisory basis, of the Swiss Statutory Compensation Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. | |||||
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Chairman | All Other Directors | Total | |||||||||
Board fees paid in cash | $135,000 | $865,000 | $1,000,000 | ||||||||
Board fees paid in equity | $135,000 | $1,165,000 | $1,300,000 | ||||||||
Total Fees | $270,000 | $2,030,000 | $2,300,000 | ||||||||
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Vote Required | ![]() | ||||
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voted at the Annual Meeting, by person or by proxy, is required to approve a maximum total of $2,300,000 in aggregate compensation for the members of the Board until the 2027 annual general meeting. In counting votes on this proposal, abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as not voted and therefore will not affect the outcome of the election. Your Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the approval of a maximum total of $2,300,000 in aggregate compensation for the members of the Board until the 2027 annual general meeting. | |||||
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Cash Compensation | $9,700,000 | ||||
Equity | $2,150,000 | ||||
Benefits/Perquisites | $650,000 | ||||
TOTAL | $12,500,000 | ||||
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Proposal Nine | |||||
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Vote Required | ![]() | ||||
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voted at the Annual Meeting, by person or by proxy, is required to approve a maximum total of $12,500,000 in aggregate compensation for the members of Aebi Schmidt’s executive management for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2027. In counting votes on this proposal, abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as not voted and therefore will not affect the outcome of the election. Your Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the approval of a maximum total of $12,500,000 in aggregate compensation for the members of Aebi Schmidt’s executive management for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2027. | |||||
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• | Attract, retain, and motivate high-quality personnel by providing them with equity ownership opportunities; |
• | Align the interests of key employees and Board members with those of the Company's shareholders; |
• | Provide performance-based incentives that are linked to the long-term success and strategy of Aebi Schmidt; and |
• | Ensure Aebi Schmidt remains competitive with peer companies in compensation design. |
Share Capital & Award Metrics(1) | |||||
Total Shares Reserved Under the Plan | 3,500,000 shares | ||||
Shares Subject to Outstanding Full Value Awards (RSUs/PSUs) | 293,713 shares | ||||
RSAs Outstanding | 268,789 shares | ||||
Appreciation Awards Outstanding | 0 | ||||
Total Number of Shares Outstanding (approx.) | 77,543,885 shares | ||||
Three-Year Average Burn Rate | 2.5% (Burn rate in 2025 = 0.84%, in 2024 = 4.64% and in 2023 = 2.08%) | ||||
Potential Dilution (as % of outstanding shares) | 4.66% | ||||
Shares available under The Shyft Group, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan, which will be cancelled upon approval of the Aebi Schmidt Equity Incentive Plan | 1,073,984 | ||||
(1) | This data includes all outstanding equity plans and awards as of April 1, 2026. |
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Award Type | Description | ||||
Restricted Share Units (RSUs) | Conditional, unsecured awards to receive one Share per Vested RSU, free of charge, after the Vesting Period, subject to ongoing service conditions. No Performance Conditions apply; thus, the number of Vested RSUs generally equals the number of RSUs originally granted (absent forfeitures). RSUs carry no dividend equivalent rights and no shareholder voting rights until settlement. | ||||
Performance Share Units (PSUs) | Conditional, unsecured awards to receive a certain number of Shares, free of charge, after the Vesting Period, subject to ongoing service conditions and the achievement of pre-determined Performance Conditions. The number of Vested PSUs is calculated by multiplying the number of PSUs granted by the Total Achievement Level. Achievement may range from 0% to a maximum set by the Board, not to exceed 200% of target. PSUs carry no dividend equivalent rights or voting rights until settlement. | ||||
Restricted Shares (RS) | Actual Shares, fully vested and with full shareholder rights from the allocation date, but subject to a 3-year Restriction Period during which they may not be disposed of, sold, pledged, or otherwise transferred. RS are used primarily for mandatory Board fee conversion and for mandatory minimum shareholding requirements for the Board. | ||||
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• | First grant year (2026): The regular Grant Date is the later of (i) June 1, 2026, or (ii) one week after the General Assembly approves the Plan. |
• | Subsequent years (2027 onwards): The regular Grant Date is April 1 of each year, unless otherwise determined by the Board. |
• | First grant (2026 cycle): 100% of RSUs/PSUs vest on April 1, 2029 — a single-cliff vesting date, with no incremental vesting. |
• | Subsequent grants (2027 and beyond): 100% vest on the third anniversary of the Grant Date, with no incremental vesting, unless otherwise determined by the Board. |
• | Minimum Total Achievement Level: 0%; |
• | Maximum Total Achievement Level: Not to exceed 200% of target (the Board may set a lower cap); |
• | KPIs are measurable, business-relevant metrics set at Aebi Schmidt, division, subsidiary, or individual level, and aligned with Aebi Schmidt’s strategy; and |
• | Performance Periods are generally measured over three full and consecutive financial years, beginning on the first day of the financial year in which the Grant Date falls (even if the Grant Date occurs later in that year) and running through the end of the third such financial year. |
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Proposal Ten | |||||
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Termination Scenario | RSU Treatment | PSU Treatment | ||||||
During probation period (any reason) | All RSUs forfeit immediately on Termination Date; no compensation | All PSUs forfeit immediately on Termination Date; no compensation | ||||||
Termination for Cause (by Employer) | All RSUs lapse immediately on Termination Date; no compensation | All PSUs lapse immediately on Termination Date; no compensation | ||||||
Resignation by Participant (voluntary) | All unvested RSUs lapse immediately on Termination Date; no compensation | All unvested PSUs lapse immediately on Termination Date; no compensation | ||||||
Good Leaver (termination without Cause, disability, retirement, death) | 100% of outstanding RSUs vest immediately on Termination Date; shares delivered within 1 month (or cash equivalent at Board's discretion) | 100% of outstanding PSUs continue to be eligible for vesting; Performance Conditions apply throughout original Performance Period; cash equivalent at Board’s discretion; original Vesting Date unchanged (special death acceleration possible at Board's discretion) | ||||||
• | Continue outstanding RSUs/PSUs under the original Plan terms without adjustment; |
• | Accelerate vesting of outstanding RSUs/PSUs (in full or pro-rata), applying a specified Performance Condition achievement level for PSUs, with possible cash settlement in lieu of share delivery; |
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Proposal Ten | |||||
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• | Exchange outstanding RSUs/PSUs for replacement awards in the new corporate structure; or |
• | Any combination of the above. |
• | Forfeit all or part of outstanding RSUs/PSUs whose Vesting or Performance Period overlaps with the restated period; and/or |
• | Require participants to transfer back (for nil consideration) shares previously delivered under the Plan in connection with affected RSUs/PSUs; and/or |
• | Require participants to make a cash payment representing the value of such previously delivered shares; and/or |
• | Where a cash alternative was paid at vesting, require reimbursement of all or part of such cash payment. |
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Proposal Ten | |||||
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Feature | Description | ||||
Non-Transferability | All Awards are personal and not transferable. Eligibility is also personal and non-transferable. | ||||
No Right to Employment | The Plan and any grant of awards do not constitute a right to continued employment or service with any Aebi Schmidt entity. | ||||
Shareholder Rights on RSUs/PSUs | RSUs and PSUs carry no voting rights, dividend rights, or other shareholder rights until the actual transfer of shares on the Share Delivery Date. No dividend equivalents are paid at any time. | ||||
Share Delivery Date | Determined by the Board; generally no later than 1 month from the relevant Vesting Date (subject to applicable tax compliance for U.S. participants). | ||||
Post-Termination Share Holding | Former participants must sell or transfer their shares out of the Plan securities account by the later of: (i) 2 months after the final day of the service relationship; (ii) 2 months after the last Share Delivery Date for such participant under the Plan; or (iii) 2 months after the end of the last outstanding RS Restriction Period. Failure to comply entitles the Company to sell shares on the participant’s behalf or charge ongoing custody fees. | ||||
Tax Withholding | The Employer may use a withhold-to-cover or sell-to-cover approach to satisfy payroll withholding obligations. Participants are personally responsible for their own tax reporting and obligations beyond mandatory payroll withholding. | ||||
Data Protection | Participant data is processed in accordance with Aebi Schmidt's data protection policy. Participants are required to keep plan terms and their individual award terms confidential. | ||||
Governing Law / Jurisdiction | Swiss law; Courts of Zurich, Switzerland. | ||||
Amendment and Termination | The Board may terminate, amend, adjust, or suspend the Plan at any time, without prejudice to vested rights. Material changes to participants' detriment require participant consent unless mandated by law. | ||||
Minimum Vesting Requirement | All awards subject to a minimum 1-year vesting period. Exception: Board may waive for up to 5% of shares under the Plan. | ||||
Non-Discretionary Benefit / No Entitlement | Awards do not form part of regular remuneration, are not included in severance calculations, and create no entitlement to future grants. | ||||
International Implementation | The Board may adopt jurisdiction-specific addenda to address local securities, tax, exchange control, or other regulatory requirements. | ||||
U.S. Participants | Special provisions apply to U.S. participants, including compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. | ||||
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Proposal Ten | |||||
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Group | Dollar Value | ||||
Barend Fruithof, Group Chief Executive Officer(1) | $ 780,000 | ||||
Marco Portmann, Group Chief Financial Officer | 129,000 | ||||
Thomas Schenkirsch, Chief Group Services & Deputy CEO | 96,750 | ||||
Steffen Schewerda, CEO North America & President Vehicle Solutions | 250,000 | ||||
Henning Schröder, CEO Europe & Rest of the World | 96,750 | ||||
Non-NEO Executives | 776,320 | ||||
Non-Executive Directors | 1,014,000 | ||||
Non-Executive Employee Group | 1,109,000 | ||||
Total | $ 4,251,820 | ||||
(1) | CEO grant includes his awards as both CEO and Director. |
Plan Category | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (a) | Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b) | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) | ||||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | 293,713 | n/a | 1,073,984(1) | ||||||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | n/a | n/a | n/a | ||||||||
Total | 293,713 | n/a | 1,073,984 | ||||||||
(1) | Upon approval of the Aebi Schmidt Equity Incentive Plan, available shares under Shyft’s Stock Incentive Plan will be cancelled. |
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Proposal Ten | |||||
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Vote Required | ![]() | ||||
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting, by person or by proxy, is required to approve the Aebi Schmidt Equity Incentive Plan. In counting votes on this proposal, abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as not voted or cast and therefore will not affect the outcome of the vote. Your Board recommends that you vote "FOR" the approval of the Aebi Schmidt Equity Incentive Plan. | |||||
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• | Climate Change & Energy |
• | Circular Economy |
• | Product Safety and Customer Protections |
• | Supply Chain Responsibility |
• | Working Conditions & Training and Skills Development |
• | Business Conduct & Ethics |
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Proposal Eleven | |||||
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Proposal Eleven | |||||
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Proposal Eleven | |||||
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Vote Required | ![]() | ||||
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voted at the Annual Meeting, by person or by proxy, is required to approve the Swiss Statutory Non-Financial Matters Report. In counting votes on this proposal, abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will be counted as not voted and therefore will not affect the outcome of the election. We believe that this is a “routine” proposal and thus we do not expect any broker non-votes. Your Board recommends that you vote "FOR" the approval of the Swiss Statutory Non-Financial Matters Report. | |||||
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Our 2025 Named Executive Officers | |||||
Barend Fruithof Group Chief Executive Officer Marco Portmann Group Chief Financial Officer Thomas Schenkirsch Chief Group Services and Deputy CEO Steffen Schewerda CEO North America and President Vehicle Solutions Henning Schröder CEO Europe and Rest of the World Tim Tecklenburg Former Group Chief Financial Officer | |||||
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Compensation Discussion and Analysis | |||||
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• | attract and retain qualified management; |
• | align the interests of management with those of shareholders to drive long-term shareholder value; |
• | align management’s compensation with the achievement of the Company’s annual and long-term performance goals; |
• | reward excellent corporate performance; and |
• | recognize individual and team achievements. |
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Compensation Discussion and Analysis | |||||
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What We Do | |||||
![]() | Clawback Policy We maintain a clawback policy to recoup certain incentive compensation awards that complies with applicable SEC and Nasdaq requirements. In addition, we maintain a supplemental policy that supports recoupment of incentive compensation awards in the case of certain executive misconduct. | ||||
![]() | Pay for Performance A significant portion of NEO pay is dependent upon the achievement of predetermined financial goals related to Company performance. | ||||
![]() | Long-term incentives Will be used to align executive focus and rewards with the creation of shareholder value and the long-term performance of the company, and to foster retention of key employees. | ||||
![]() | Mitigate Undue Risk Our compensation and governance practices do not encourage excessive risk-taking as related to performance and payout under our compensation programs. | ||||
![]() | Limit Perquisites for Executives We provide only limited perquisites or personal benefits to our NEOs. | ||||
What We Don’t Do | |||||
![]() | No Excise Tax Gross-Ups Upon Change-of-Control We do not provide for excise tax gross-ups on change-of-control payments. | ||||
![]() | No Hedging Transactions, Short Sales or Pledging Our policies prohibit all employees, including NEOs and directors, from engaging in hedging or short sales with respect to the Company’s stock and directors, and certain employees, including the NEOs, from pledging Company stock. | ||||
![]() | No Guaranty on Incentive Payouts No guaranteed minimum payout of annual or long-term performance awards. | ||||
![]() | No Severance Agreements We do not have severance agreements with any of our NEOs that would require us to make cash payments upon termination of their employment | ||||
![]() | No Post-Retirement Benefit Plans We do not have any post-retirement benefit plans that would provide post-retirement benefits to any of our NEOs. | ||||
![]() | No Cash Payments Upon Change of Control We do not have any separate change of control agreements that would obligate us to make any cash payments to the NEOs upon a change of control. | ||||
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Compensation Discussion and Analysis | |||||
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Component | Pay Element | 2025 Metrics & Weighting | Objectives | ||||||||
Base Salary | Cash | Generally based on position and performance. | Attract and retain qualified executives. | ||||||||
Annual Incentive Compensation | Cash | Annual cash incentive payouts are capped at 195% of target and are based on achieving Group(1), segment (where applicable), and individual performance goals. | Drive profitability, growth, and achievement of strategy; individual goals help motivate executives to deliver on objectives specific to their areas of responsibility. | ||||||||
Equity | Restricted Stock Awards | Certain executives were awarded equity grants in 2025. | Retention and alignment with shareholder interests. | ||||||||
(1) | Group goals, metrics or targets are those that are established at the highest level of the organization (i.e., Company-wide). |

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis | |||||
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Effective Date of Applicable Base Salary Rate | |||||||||||||||||
Name | 1/1/2025 | 4/1/2025(1) | 4/14/2025(2) | 7/1/2025(3) | 11/1/2025(4) | ||||||||||||
Barend Fruithof | $847,500 | $1,017,000 | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
Marco Portmann | - | - | $452,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Thomas Schenkirsch | $293,800 | $339,000 | - | $452,000 | - | ||||||||||||
Steffen Schewerda | $400,000 | $450,000 | - | - | $550,000 | ||||||||||||
Henning Schröder | $282,500 | $339,000 | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
Tim Tecklenburg | $282,500 | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
(1) | Reflects base salaries following the annual base salary review, which was effective April 1, 2025 and notably this year considered the increased organizational complexities expected following the Acquisition. |
(2) | Mr. Portmann’s base salary at the time of his hiring. |
(3) | Mr. Schenkirsch received a base salary adjustment on July 1, 2025 in recognition of his expanded responsibilities following the Acquisition. |
(4) | Mr. Schewerda received a base salary adjustment on November 1, 2025 in recognition of his expanded responsibilities following the Acquisition. |
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Compensation Discussion and Analysis | |||||
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Named Executive Officer | 2025 Bonus Target | 2025 Bonus Maximum | ||||||
Barend Fruithof | $ 881,400 | $ 1,718,730 | ||||||
Marco Portmann(1) | 325,440 | 634,608 | ||||||
Thomas Schenkirsch | 101,700 | 198,315 | ||||||
Steffen Schewerda | 200,000 | 390,000 | ||||||
Henning Schröder | 107,350 | 209,333 | ||||||
Tim Tecklenburg | 124,300 | 242,385 | ||||||
(1) | Mr. Portmann’s 2025 bonus target is prorated to reflect partial year employment. |

• | Minimum Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (“EBIT”) at the Group level of greater than 3%; and |
• | Compliance with all bank covenants. |
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Compensation Discussion and Analysis | |||||
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Weight | Target Metrics(2) | Minimum | Target | Maximum | Result | Weighted Achievement | ||||||||||||||
35% | Capital Efficiency: Net Working Capital Turnover | 3.4% | 3.8% | 4.6% | 3.96% | 61% | ||||||||||||||
15% | Growth: Order intake in % vs prior year | 2.5% | 5.0% | 10.0% | 18% | |||||||||||||||
50% | Profitability: Operating EBIT in % of net sales | 8.1% | 8.8% | 9.4% | 5.9% | |||||||||||||||
(1) | The performance targets were established prior to the Acquisition and set in Swiss GAAP FER, and so are not directly comparable to the financial figures reported in the 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2025. |
(2) | Net Working Capital Turnover is Net Annual Sales divided by Average Working Capital. Order Intake Percent versus Prior Year is the difference between the current period's order intake and the previous year's corresponding period, divided by the prior year's value and multiplied by 100. Operating EBIT in Percent of Net Sales is EBIT divided by Net Sales and multiplied by 100. |
Named Executive Officer | Segment and Individual Metrics | Group Weighted Achievement | Segment / Individual Weighted Achievement | Calculated Bonus | Calculated Amount | Retention Component | Total Bonus | ||||||||||||||||
Barend Fruithof | Financial, strategic and operational projects, acquisition completion and synergy realization | 61% | 130% | 79% | $881,400 | $264,420 | $1,145,820 | ||||||||||||||||
Marco Portmann | Financial acquisition-related consolidations and transition to US GAAP, investor relations strategy | 61% | 115% | 70% | $227,808 | $54,692 | $282,500 | ||||||||||||||||
Thomas Schenkirsch | Strategic development projects, acquisition project lead, SG&A financials and synergy realizations | 61% | 117% | 71% | $72,207 | $131,193 | $203,400 | ||||||||||||||||
Steffen Schewerda | North American financials, strategic projects, merger synergy realization and integrations | 61% | 92% | 56% | $112,000 | $188,000 | $300,000 | ||||||||||||||||
Henning Schröder | Europe/ROW financials, strategic sales and product development, team development | 61% | 64% | 39% | $41,867 | $97,689 | $139,555 | ||||||||||||||||
Tim Tecklenburg(1) | Acquisition-related projects, financial reporting enhancements, team development | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
(1) | Mr. Tecklenburg was not eligible to receive payment under the 2025 bonus program due to his resignation and departure. |
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Compensation Discussion and Analysis | |||||
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Named Executive Officer | Cash Bonus | ||||
Barend Fruithof | $226,000 | ||||
Thomas Schenkirsch | $113,000 | ||||
Steffen Schewerda | $100,000 | ||||
Tim Tecklenburg | $113,000 | ||||
Named Executive Officer | Shares Granted | Grant Date Fair Value(1) | Vesting Date | ||||||||
Barend Fruithof | 30,000 | $309,656 | 6/30/2028 | ||||||||
Marco Portmann | 15,000 | $154,828 | 6/30/2028 | ||||||||
Thomas Schenkirsch | 30,000 | $309,656 | 6/30/2028 | ||||||||
Steffen Schewerda | 50,000 | $563,852 | 6/30/2028 | ||||||||
Henning Schröder | 20,000 | $206,438 | 6/30/2028 | ||||||||
TimTecklenburg | - | - | - | ||||||||
(1) | Amounts shown represent the grant date fair value of the awards calculated by multiplying the number of shares granted by the per share fair value as of the date of grant determined in accordance with the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718, “Stock Compensation” (subject to rounding). |
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Compensation Discussion and Analysis | |||||
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Compensation Discussion and Analysis | |||||
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Aebi Schmidt Group // 2026 Proxy Statement | 67 | ||
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Executive Compensation Tables | |||||
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Name and Principal Position(1) | Year | Salary ($)(2) | Bonus ($)(3) | Stock Awards ($)(4) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(5) | All Other Compensation ($)(6) | Total ($) | ||||||||||||||||
Barend Fruithof(7) Group Chief Executive Officer | 2025 | $1,005,022 | $226,000 | $309,656 | $1,145,820 | $162,243 | $2,848,741 | ||||||||||||||||
2024 | 864,307 | — | — | 678,420 | 158,510 | 1,701,237 | |||||||||||||||||
Marco Portmann Group Chief Financial Officer | 2025 | $322,684 | $— | $154,828 | $282,500 | $82,862 | $842,874 | ||||||||||||||||
Thomas Schenkirsch Chief Group Services and Deputy CEO | 2025 | $384,216 | $113,000 | $309,656 | $203,400 | $63,308 | $1,073,580 | ||||||||||||||||
2024 | 294,027 | — | — | 101,763 | 56,883 | 452,673 | |||||||||||||||||
Steffen Schewerda CEO North America and President Vehicle Solutions | 2025 | $454,167 | $100,000 | $563,852 | $300,000 | $35,861 | $1,453,880 | ||||||||||||||||
2024 | 366,665 | — | — | 450,000 | 27,702 | 844,367 | |||||||||||||||||
Henning Schröder CEO Europe & Rest of the World | 2025 | $327,204 | $— | $206,438 | $139,555 | $69,083 | $742,280 | ||||||||||||||||
Tim Tecklenburg Former Chief Financial Officer | 2025 | $188,339 | $113,000 | $— | $— | $41,743 | $343,082 | ||||||||||||||||
(1) | Messrs. Fruithof, Portmann, Schenkirsch, Schröder, and Tecklenburg are paid in Swiss Francs. Their 2025 compensation as reported in this CD&A has been converted to US Dollars using the 2025 average conversion rate of 1 Swiss Franc = 1.13 US Dollars. Where reported, the 2024 compensation was converted to US Dollars using the conversion rate of 1 Swiss Franc = 1.1307 US Dollars. |
(2) | The salary amounts for 2025 reflect the total base wages paid to each NEO in 2025. |
(3) | The amounts in this column for 2025 are recognition bonus payments for the significant work and accomplishment related to the closing of the Acquisition of The Shyft Group. See “Other 2025 Cash Bonus Awards”. |
(4) | Amounts shown in this column represent the grant date fair value of stock awards noted in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table below. The fair values were determined in accordance with the FASB ASC Topic 718, “Stock Compensation.”. For information regarding the valuation assumptions for the 2025 awards, see Note 13 – Stock Based Compensation to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2025. |
(5) | Amounts shown in this column for 2025 represent the actual 2025 annual cash bonuses paid to our NEOs under the bonus plan as described above in the “Annual Incentive Compensation Awards” section. |
(6) | The 2025 amounts reported in this column consist of the following: |
Name | Retirement Contributions | Group Term Life Insurance | Executive Accident and Illness Insurance | Auto Allowance | Total | ||||||||||||
Barend Fruithof | $136,992 | $— | $8,979 | $16,272 | $162,243 | ||||||||||||
Marco Portmann | 74,219 | — | 6,409 | 2,234 | 82,862 | ||||||||||||
Thomas Schenkirsch | 52,294 | — | 8,979 | 2,034 | 63,308 | ||||||||||||
Steffen Schewerda | 10,875 | 1,464 | — | 23,522 | 35,861 | ||||||||||||
Henning Schröder | 51,561 | — | 8,979 | 8,543 | 69,083 | ||||||||||||
Tim Tecklenburg | 32,115 | — | 5,986 | 3,643 | 41,743 | ||||||||||||
(7) | Compensation for Mr. Fruithof in this table and throughout the CD&A reflects his CEO compensation. Please see the Director Compensation section for details of his Director fees. |
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Executive Compensation Tables | |||||
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Name | Award / Grant Type | Approval Date | Grant Date | Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1) | All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares or Units (#)(2) | Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($)(3) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Threshold ($) | Target ($) | Maximum ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Barend Fruithof | AIC | — | — | $— | $881,400 | $1,718,730 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
RSA | 6/23/2025 | 6/24/2025 | — | — | — | 30,000 | $309,656 | |||||||||||||||||||
Marco Portmann | AIC | — | — | — | 325,440 | 634,608 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
RSA | 6/23/2025 | 6/24/2025 | — | — | — | 15,000 | 154,828 | |||||||||||||||||||
Thomas Schenkirsch | AIC | — | — | — | 101,700 | 198,315 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
RSA | 6/23/2025 | 6/24/2025 | — | — | — | 30,000 | 309,656 | |||||||||||||||||||
Steffen Schewerda | AIC | — | — | — | 200,000 | 390,000 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
RSA | 6/23/2025 | 6/24/2025 | — | — | — | 50,000 | 563,852 | |||||||||||||||||||
Henning Schröder | AIC | — | — | — | 107,350 | 209,333 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
RSA | 6/23/2025 | 6/24/2025 | — | — | — | 20,000 | 206,438 | |||||||||||||||||||
Tim Tecklenburg | AIC | — | — | — | 124,300 | 242,385 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
(1) | The amounts reported in these columns represent the target and maximum award opportunity under the 2025 annual incentive plan. The plan does not provide a minimum or threshold award level above $0. These awards were payable based on various objectives achieved during 2025, as described under the “2025 Annual Incentive Compensation Awards” section above. In March 2026, the actual amounts payable to the NEOs pursuant to these awards were determined and paid as reflected in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the 2025 Summary Compensation Table above. |
(2) | These are the RSAs granted to each NEO in 2025, as discussed under the “Long-Term Equity Awards” section above. The RSAs will generally vest on June 30, 2028. |
(3) | Amounts reported in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the equity-based awards and were computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. |
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Stock Awards | ||||||||
Name | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)(1) | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(2) | ||||||
Barend Fruithof | 30,000 | $379,500 | ||||||
Marco Portmann | 15,000 | 189,750 | ||||||
Thomas Schenkirsch | 30,000 | 379,500 | ||||||
Steffen Schewerda | 50,000 | 632,500 | ||||||
Henning Schröder | 20,000 | 253,000 | ||||||
Tim Tecklenburg | — | — | ||||||
(1) | This column reports the total number of shares underlying outstanding RSAs that had not vested as of December 31, 2025. These RSAs were granted on June 24, 2025 and will generally vest on June 30, 2028. |
(2) | The market value of shares or units that have not vested is determined by multiplying the closing market price of the Company’s common stock as of December 31, 2025 ($12.65) by the number of unvested shares or units. |
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Executive Compensation Tables | |||||
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Named Executive Officer | Termination without Cause(1) | Retirement | Death or Permanent Disability | ||||||||
Barend Fruithof | |||||||||||
Base Salary | $1,017,000 | $— | $— | ||||||||
Bonus | 1,145,820 | 1,145,820 | — | ||||||||
Equity | 379,500 | 379,500 | 379,500 | ||||||||
Benefits | 25,251 | — | — | ||||||||
Total | $2,567,571 | $1,525,320 | $379,500 | ||||||||
Marco Portmann | |||||||||||
Base Salary | $226,000 | $— | $— | ||||||||
Bonus | 282,500 | 282,500 | — | ||||||||
Equity | 189,750 | 189,750 | 189,750 | ||||||||
Benefits | 4,322 | — | — | ||||||||
Total | $702,572 | $472,250 | $189,750 | ||||||||
Thomas Schenkirsch | |||||||||||
Base Salary | $226,000 | $— | $— | ||||||||
Bonus | 203,400 | 203,400 | — | ||||||||
Equity | 379,500 | 379,500 | 379,500 | ||||||||
Benefits | 5,507 | — | — | ||||||||
Total | $814,407 | $582,900 | $379,500 | ||||||||
Steffen Schewerda | |||||||||||
Base Salary | $275,000 | $— | $— | ||||||||
Bonus | 300,000 | 300,000 | — | ||||||||
Equity | 632,500 | 632,500 | 632,500 | ||||||||
Benefits | 12,493 | — | — | ||||||||
Total | $1,219,993 | $932,500 | $632,500 | ||||||||
Henning Schröder | |||||||||||
Base Salary | $169,500 | $— | $— | ||||||||
Bonus | 139,555 | 139,555 | — | ||||||||
Equity | 253,000 | 253,000 | 253,000 | ||||||||
Benefits | 8,761 | — | — | ||||||||
Total | $570,816 | $392,555 | $253,000 | ||||||||
(1) | There is no difference in the benefits if the Termination Without Cause follows a Change in Control event. |
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Executive Compensation Tables | |||||
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Board Fees | Annual | ||||
Chairman | $270,000 | ||||
Director | 185,000 | ||||
Supplemental Fees | Annual | ||||
Vice Chairman | $15,000 | ||||
Audit Chair | 20,000 | ||||
HRCC Chair | 15,000 | ||||
GSC Chair | 15,000 | ||||
Committee Member | 3,000 | ||||
Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash(1) | Stock Awards ($) | Total Compensation | ||||||||
James Sharman | $67,500 | $— | $67,500 | ||||||||
Barend Fruithof(2) | 50,000 | — | 50,000 | ||||||||
Patrick Schaub | 165,000 | — | 165,000 | ||||||||
Andreas Rickenbacher | 177,875 | — | 177,875 | ||||||||
Paul Mascarenas | 50,000 | — | 50,000 | ||||||||
Angela Freeman | 47,000 | — | 47,000 | ||||||||
Michael Dinkins | 47,000 | — | 47,000 | ||||||||
Terri Pizzuto | 47,000 | — | 47,000 | ||||||||
Daniela Spuhler | 152,188 | — | 152,188 | ||||||||
Peter Spuhler | 201,625 | — | 201,625 | ||||||||
Martin Ritter | 138,063 | — | 138,063 | ||||||||
Friedrich Büttiker | 105,938 | — | 105,938 | ||||||||
Peter Muri | 120,063 | — | 120,063 | ||||||||
(1) | Board fees paid prior to July 1, 2025 which were paid in Swiss francs have been converted to US Dollars using the 2025 average exchange rate of 1.13. Board fees paid on or after July 1, 2025 were paid in US Dollars. |
(2) | Compensation shown in this table for Mr. Fruithof reflects only the fees paid for his work as a Director. Please see the Summary Compensation Table and other sections of the CD&A for details of his CEO compensation. |
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Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based On: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year (1) | Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO(2) | Compensation Actually Paid to PEO(3) | Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs(4) | Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs(5) | Total Shareholder Return(6) | Peer Group Total Shareholder Return(7) | Net Income (000s)(8) | Operating EBIT as a % of Net Sales(9) | ||||||||||||||||||
2025 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | | ||||||||||||||||||
(1) | Indicates the Covered Year. |
(2) | Contains the Total Compensation from the 2025 Summary Compensation Table (“SCT”) for |
(3) | The “Compensation Actually Paid to PEO” for Mr. Fruithof reflects the Total Compensation from the 2025 Summary Compensation Table, adjusted per the table below in accordance with the SEC rules for calculating CAP. |
Compensation Actually Paid to PEO | 2025 | ||||
SCT Total Compensation ($) | $ | ||||
Less: Stock and Option Award Values Reported in SCT for the Covered Year ($) | ( | ||||
Plus: Covered Year-End Fair Value for Stock and Option Awards Granted in and Outstanding at the End of the Covered Year ($) | |||||
Plus/Minus: Change in Fair Value (From Prior Year-End to Covered Year-End) of Outstanding Unvested Stock and Option Awards Granted Prior to the Covered Year ($) | |||||
Plus/Minus: Change in Fair Value (From Prior Year-End to Vesting Date) of Stock and Option Awards Granted Prior to the Covered Year that Vested in the Covered Year ($) | |||||
Compensation Actually Paid ($) | $ | ||||
(4) | Contains the average Total Compensation of the NEOs other than the PEO from the 2025 Summary Compensation Table in the proxy statement for Covered Year shown in the table. The following Non-PEO NEOs are included in the average figures shown for 2025: |
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(5) | The “Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs” for the Covered Years reflects the average of the Non-PEO NEOs’ Total Compensation from the 2025 Summary Compensation Table, adjusted per the table below in accordance with the SEC rules for calculating the CAP. |
Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs | 2025 | ||||
SCT Total Compensation ($) | $ | ||||
Less: Stock and Option Award Values Reported in SCT for the Covered Year ($) | ( | ||||
Plus: Covered Year-End Fair Value for Stock and Option Awards Granted in and Outstanding at the End of the Covered Year ($) | |||||
Plus/Minus: Change in Fair Value (From Prior Year-End to Covered Year-End) of Outstanding Unvested Stock and Option Awards Granted Prior to the Covered Year ($) | |||||
Plus/Minus: Change in Fair Value (From Prior Year-End to Vesting Date) of Stock and Option Awards Granted Prior to the Covered Year that Vested in the Covered Year ($) | |||||
Compensation Actually Paid ($) | $ | ||||
(6) | The Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) assumes an initial investment of $100 in Aebi Schmidt stock on July 1, 2025 and shows the resulting cumulative TSR through December 31, 2025 (assuming reinvestment of any dividends). |
(7) | The Peer Group TSR assumes an initial investment of $100 in the Dow Jones Commercial Trucks and Vehicles Total Stock Market Index on July 1, 2025 and shows the resulting cumulative TSR through December 31, 2025 (assuming reinvestment of any dividends). |
(8) | Reflects the Company’s Net Income for 2025 as disclosed in the Company’s Consolidated Income Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. |
(9) | The Company-Selected Measure is |
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• | Each person known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of the common stock; |
• | Each of the Company’s directors and director nominees; |
• | Each of the NEOs; and |
• | All of the Company’s directors and executive officers as a group. |
| Shares Beneficially Owned | |||||||
Name of Beneficial Owner | Number | Percentage | ||||||
PCS Holding AG(1) | 19,095,810 | 24.7% | ||||||
Gebuka AG(2) | 10,586,093 | 13.7% | ||||||
Peter Spuhler(3) | 8,226,398 | 10.6% | ||||||
Pzena Investment Management(4) | 4,250,372 | 5.5% | ||||||
Barend Fruithof | 1,835,368 | 2.4% | ||||||
James Sharman | 161,813 | * | ||||||
Andreas Rickenbacher | 108,750 | * | ||||||
Paul Mascarenas | 98,736 | * | ||||||
Angela Freeman | 50,390 | * | ||||||
Patrick Schaub | 43,463 | * | ||||||
Terri Pizzuto | 42,428 | * | ||||||
Martin Ritter | 42,413 | * | ||||||
Michael Dinkins | 41,855 | * | ||||||
Daniela Spuhler | 22,500 | * | ||||||
Jacob Farmer | 255,218 | * | ||||||
Thomas Schenkirsch | 104,530 | * | ||||||
Steffen Schewerda | 70,375 | * | ||||||
Henning Schröder | 58,000 | * | ||||||
Marco Portmann | 25,000 | * | ||||||
All directors and executive officers as a group (17 persons) | 30,283,047 | 39.1% | ||||||
* | Less than 1%. |
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(1) | Information contained in the columns above and this footnote is based on a report on Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on August 14, 2025 by PCS Holding AG (“PCS”). PCS has shared voting power with respect to 19,095,810 shares of common stock and shared dispositive power with respect to 19,095,810 shares of common stock. Mr. Spuhler is the sole shareholder of PCS and therefore may be deemed to beneficially own the shares owned by PCS. |
(2) | Information contained in the columns above and this footnote is based on a report on Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on August 14, 2025 by Gebuka AG (“Gebuka”). Gebuka had shared voting power with respect to 10,586,093 shares of common stock and shared dispositive power with respect to 10,586,093 shares of common stock. Gerold Büttiker is the sole shareholder of Gebuka and thus he may be deemed to beneficially own the shares owned by Gebuka. |
(3) | Information contained in the columns above and this footnote is based on a report on Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on August 14, 2025 by Peter Spuhler. Mr. Spuhler had sole voting power with respect to 8,226,398 shares of common stock and sole dispositive power with respect to 8,226,398 shares of common stock. Mr. Spuhler is the sole shareholder of PCS and thereofore may be deemed to beneficially own the shares owned by PCS. |
(4) | Information contained in the columns above and this footnote is based on a report on Form 13F filed with the SEC on December 31, 2025 by Pzena Investment Management LLC (“Pzena”). Pzena had sole voting power with respect to 3,585,648 shares of common stock and sole dispositive power with respect to 4,250,372 shares of common stock. |
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1) | The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements and statutory financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 with Aebi Schmidt’s management; |
2) | The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) and the SEC; and |
3) | The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence. |
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Additional Information | |||||
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Additional Information | |||||
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• | Online Prior to the Annual Meeting. You may vote by proxy by visiting www.proxyvote.com and entering the control number found in your Notice. The availability of online voting may depend on the voting procedures of the organization that holds your shares. |
• | Physically During the Annual Meeting. Shareholders may vote their shares in person at the Annual Meeting. |
• | Phone. If you request printed copies of the proxy materials by mail, you will receive a proxy card or voting instruction form, and you may vote by proxy by calling the toll-free number found on the card or form. The availability of phone voting may depend on the voting procedures of the organization that holds your shares. |
• | Mail. If you request printed copies of the proxy materials by mail, you will receive a proxy card or voting instruction form, and you may vote by proxy by filling out the card or form and returning it in the envelope provided. |
• | By Independent Proxy. Shareholders may vote anonymously by reaching out to Aebi Schmidt’s independent proxy, Anwaltskanzlei Keller AG with proof of stock ownership. More information about voting by independent proxy is listed below in “Independent Proxy.” |
• | Online Prior to the Annual Meeting. You may change your vote using the online voting method described above, in which case only your latest internet proxy submitted prior to the Annual Meeting will be counted. |
• | Physically During the Annual Meeting. Attendance at the Annual Meeting will not automatically revoke a proxy, but a shareholder of record attending the Annual Meeting may request a ballot and vote in person, thereby revoking a previously granted proxy. |
• | Phone. You may change your vote using the phone voting method described above, in which case only your latest proxy submitted prior to the Annual Meeting will be counted. |
• | Mail. You may revoke your proxy and change your vote by signing and returning a new proxy card or voting instruction form dated as of a later date, in which case only your latest proxy card or voting instruction form received will be counted. |
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Additional Information | |||||
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• | Independent Proxy. You may change your vote using the independent proxy voting method described above, in which case only your latest proxy submitted to the independent proxy prior to the Annual Meeting will be counted. |
• | Indicate when voting that you wish to vote as recommended by the Board; or |
• | Sign and return a proxy card without giving specific voting instructions, then your shares will be voted in the manner recommended by the Board on all matters presented in this Proxy Statement as the proxy holder may determine in its best judgement with respect to any other matters properly presented for a vote at the Annual Meeting. |
• | Approval of the audited consolidated financial statements and statutory standalone financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 (Proposal 1); |
• | Approval of allocation of profit available for distribution (Proposal 2.1); |
• | Approval of distribution of dividend (as a repayment of statutory reserves, by way of allocation to a dividend reserve) (Proposal 2.2); |
• | Election of PricewaterhouseCoopers AG (Zurich) as statutory auditor (Proposal 7); |
• | Election of Anwaltskanzlei Keller AG as independent proxy (Proposal 8); and |
• | Approval of the Swiss Statutory Non-Financial Matters Report (Proposal 11). |
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• | Discharge of liability for the Board of Directors and Executive Management for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 (Proposal 3); |
• | Approval of an Amendment to the Articles of Association to (i) reduce the minimum number of directors to five and the maximum number of directors to nine and (ii) amend the nomination rights of PCS Holding AG (Proposal 4); |
• | Election the Board of Directors (Proposal 5.1); |
• | Election the Chair of the Board of Directors (Proposal 5.2); |
• | Election of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (Proposal 6); |
• | Approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the compensation of named executive officers under U.S. securities law requirements (Proposal 9.1); |
• | Approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the frequency of future non-binding advisory votes to approve the compensation of named executive officers (Proposal 9.2); |
• | Approval, on an advisory basis, of the Swiss Statutory Compensation Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 (Proposal 9.3); |
• | Approval of the maximum compensation of the Board of Directors until the 2027 annual general meeting (Proposal 9.4); |
• | Approval of the maximum compensation of Executive Management for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2027 (Proposal 9.5); and |
• | Approval of the Aebi Schmidt Equity Incentive Plan (Proposal 10). |
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Adj. EBITDA ($m) | Q4 2024 | Q1 2025 | Q2 2025 | Q3 2025 | Q4 2025 | ||||||||||||
Net Sales | $499.659 | $453.785 | $453.706 | $471.325 | $528.371 | ||||||||||||
Net Income / Loss | $6.068 | $0.626 | $(7.895) | $1.194 | $8.772 | ||||||||||||
Add (subtract) | |||||||||||||||||
Interest Expense | $10.138 | $9.164 | $12.153 | $14.228 | $11.761 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation & amortization | $12.788 | $12.127 | $11.778 | $14.990 | $16.159 | ||||||||||||
Income tax (benefit) / expenses | $2.215 | $1.441 | $(2.175) | $(0.447) | $2.036 | ||||||||||||
Restructuring and other related charges | $0.759 | $0.730 | $5.709 | $12.759 | $6.391 | ||||||||||||
Transaction related expenses and adjustments | $12.934 | $7.286 | $13.047 | $5.988 | $0.562 | ||||||||||||
Foreign exchange losses on external debt | $(0.590) | $0.982 | $2.601 | $0.252 | $(0.371) | ||||||||||||
Pension related income, net | $(2.360) | $(0.929) | $(1.025) | $(1.025) | $(2.076) | ||||||||||||
Other | $(5.197) | $(0.182) | $0.287 | $(5.239) | $4.839 | ||||||||||||
Adj. EBITDA | $36.756 | $31.245 | $34.480 | $42.197 | $48.073 | ||||||||||||
Adj. EBITDA margin | 7.4% | 6.9% | 7.6% | 9.0% | 9.1% | ||||||||||||
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Net Debt ($k)(1) | Dec 31, 2024 | Mar 31, 2025 | Jun 30, 2025 | Sep 30, 2025 | Dec 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt | $23.494 | $24.482 | $27.310 | $25.063 | $46.908 | ||||||||||||
Long-term debt, less current portion | $471.817 | $512.764 | $561.325 | $628.359 | $548.050 | ||||||||||||
Total debt | $495.311 | $537.246 | $588.636 | $653.422 | $594.958 | ||||||||||||
Subtract | |||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $80.953 | $63.989 | $83.484 | $125.971 | $98.12 | ||||||||||||
Subordinated Shareholder Loans | $51.982 | $53.775 | $58.845 | $58.897 | $59.101 | ||||||||||||
Net Debt | $362.376 | $419.482 | $446.306 | $468.554 | $437.345 | ||||||||||||
(1) | Net debt as defined in our Credit Facility Agreement, excluding long-term subordinated shareholder loans. |
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1. Purpose | 95 | ||||
2. Scope and rules of interpretation | 95 | ||||
3. Administration of the Plan | 95 | ||||
4. Shares available for the Plan | 95 | ||||
4.1 Making Shares available | 95 | ||||
4.2 Maximum number of Shares | 95 | ||||
4.3 General rules on transfer and holding of Shares under the Plan | 96 | ||||
5. Restricted Share Units (RSUs) and Performance Share Units (PSUs) | 97 | ||||
5.1 Types of Awards | 97 | ||||
5.2 Eligibility | 97 | ||||
5.3 Granting process | 97 | ||||
5.4 Performance Conditions | 98 | ||||
5.5 Timing of grant | 99 | ||||
5.6 Number of RSUs/PSUs granted | 99 | ||||
5.7 Transfer of Shares | 99 | ||||
6. Restricted Shares (RS) | 99 | ||||
6.1 Type of Awards | 99 | ||||
6.2 Mandatory RS allocation to Board members | 100 | ||||
6.3 Mandatory RS allocation under Regulation on Minimum Shareholding Requirements | 100 | ||||
7. Taxes and social security contributions | 100 | ||||
8. New hires and intra-year promotions | 101 | ||||
9. End of service relationship | 101 | ||||
9.1 RSUs and PSUs | 101 | ||||
9.1.1 Probation period | 101 | ||||
9.1.2 Termination by the Employer for Cause | 101 | ||||
9.1.3 Termination by the Participant | 102 | ||||
9.1.4 Other cases | 102 | ||||
9.2 Restricted Shares (RS) | 103 | ||||
9.3 Joint rules for all Awards under the Plan | 103 | ||||
9.3.1 Leave of absence; internal transfer | 103 | ||||
9.3.2 Sale or transfer of Shares after the end of the service relationship | 103 | ||||
10. Clawback and malus | 104 | ||||
10.1 Financial restatement or calculation errors | 104 | ||||
10.2 Employee misconduct | 104 | ||||
11. Adjustment of RSUs/PSUs due to corporate events, extraordinary events | 105 | ||||
12. Change of Control, sale of undertaking, liquidation | 105 | ||||
13. No right of continued service | 106 | ||||
14. Data protection and confidentiality | 106 | ||||
15. Amendment and termination of the Plan | 106 | ||||
16. Other related documents | 106 | ||||
17. International implementation | 106 | ||||
18. Governing law, choice of jurisdiction, and severability clause | 106 | ||||
19. Approval | 107 | ||||
Appendix 1: Definitions | 108 | ||||
Appendix 2: Sample Award Agreement | 111 | ||||
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• | deemed to form part of the Participant’s regular, recurring remuneration (for Participants under Swiss employment contracts, any potential Awards, benefits or rights under the Plan shall be understood to constitute voluntary, unsecured ex gratia payments – “Gratifikation” – according to article 322d of the Swiss Code of Obligations, and the same interpretation shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the extent permissible under other jurisdictions); nor |
• | included in, or have any effect on, the determination of severance payments; |
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• | For the first grant of RSUs/PSUs in 2026: 1 April 2029 (for 100% of the RSUs/PSUs; thus, no earlier incremental vesting). |
• | For all and any further regular grants as of 2027: the third anniversary of the Grant Date (for 100% of the RSUs/PSUs; thus, no earlier incremental vesting), unless otherwise determined by the Board and set out in the individual Award Agreement accordingly. |
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• | The minimum Target Achievement Level shall be 0%. |
• | The maximum Target Achievement Level shall be a percentage determined by the Board, however, in no case higher than 200% (but it can be lower). |
• | KPIs shall be measurable metrics on a Group, division, subsidiary or other organizational level, or individual level, as determined by the Board; they shall be business-relevant, as well as aligned with, and supportive of, the Group’s strategy. |
• | Targets shall generally be set and measured over the full 3-year Performance Period. |
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• | When determining / approving the Grant Amount, the Board will take into consideration the portion of the financial year during which the individual was employed in the eligible role (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the duration of any contractual or legal probation period); |
• | the Grant Date shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion and set out in the individual Award Agreement; |
• | the Vesting Date shall not be the third anniversary of the Grant Date, but it shall be the same Vesting Date as for the regular on-cycle grants earlier in the same granting year, thus resulting in a Vesting Period shorter than 3 years for the off-cycle grants; and |
• | only with respect to PSUs, the Performance Period as well as the Performance Conditions shall be the same as for any regular on-cycle PSU grants earlier in the same granting year. |
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Appendix 1 | Definitions | ||
Appendix 2 | Sample Award Agreement | ||
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Allocation Date | Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Allocation Date for RS pursuant to article 6.2 of the Plan (Board RS) shall generally be at the same time as, but in no event later than 2 weeks after, the date when the remaining cash portion of the Board fees is paid out pursuant to the applicable agreements and internal rules and regulations. With respect to RS allocations pursuant to article 6.3 of the Plan (RS allocations under the Regulation on Minimum Shareholding Requirements), the Allocation Date shall be determined in the Regulation on Minimum Shareholding Requirements, in any applicable individual agreements, and/or by the Board from time to time. | ||||
Awards | RSUs, PSUs, and/or RS granted / allocated under the Plan. | ||||
Award Agreement | The individual agreement between the Company and a Participant, setting out the individual parameters of a grant of RSUs/PSUs, substantially in the form and content set forth in appendix 2 to the Plan. | ||||
Board | The board of directors of the Company, as per the Company’s articles of association. | ||||
Cause | Shall mean termination of the employment relationship by the Employer because of gross negligence and/or gross willful misconduct of the Participant, including, without limitation, cases of fraud, theft or misappropriation of trade secrets or confidential information, breach of sanctions, material breach of contract or mandatory law, or criminal actions, by the Participant. For Participants under Swiss employment contracts, this shall include all cases that would qualify for termination under article 337 of the Swiss Code of Obligations. | ||||
For purposes of this Plan, 'Cause' shall also include any act or omission that would qualify as cause for termination that is discovered or becomes known to the Company after the Participant's employment has terminated, regardless of when such act or omission occurred. In such cases, any provisions of the Plan that reference termination for Cause shall apply as if the Participant had been terminated for Cause at the time of discovery of such act or omission. | |||||
CEO | The Group’s chief executive officer, as per the Group’s internal rules and regulations in effect from time to time. | ||||
Change of Control | The occurrence of any of the following events (in each case, as at the date on which it becomes legally effective): a) a merger, consolidation, acquisition or other transaction (or series of related transactions) as a result of which securities possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company's outstanding securities are held (directly or indirectly) by a person/company or persons/companies different from the persons/companies holding (directly or indirectly) more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities immediately prior to such transaction; or b) the sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company through one transaction or a series of related transactions to one or more persons/companies that are not, immediately prior to such sale, lease, transfer or other disposition, a Group entity; or | ||||
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c) any other event or occurrence which in the opinion of the Board is substantially similar to the aforementioned events. | |||||
Committee | The Human Resources and Compensation Committee (HRCC) of the Board, as per the Company’s articles of association. | ||||
Company | Aebi Schmidt Holding AG, a corporation limited by shares under Swiss law with its registered office at Schulstrasse 4, 8500 Frauenfeld, Switzerland, or any successor in ownership of all or substantially all of its assets. | ||||
Conversion Amount | The portion of Board fees converted into an allocation of RS in lieu of cash payment, as further detailed in article 6.2 of the Plan. | ||||
Eligible Persons | The individuals further defined in article 5.2 (RSUs/PSUs), 6.2 (Board RS), and 6.3 (RS under the Regulation on Minimum Shareholding Requirements), respectively. | ||||
Employer | For Participants in an employment relationship with a Group entity: The entity of the Group maintaining an employment relationship with a Participant. For non-executive Board members: The Company (even though there is no employment relationship). | ||||
EXB | The Group’s executive board (consisting of the CEO and other members of the EXB), as per the Group’s internal rules and regulations in effect from time to time. | ||||
General Assembly / GA | The general assembly (whether regular annual or extraordinary) of shareholders of the Company. | ||||
Grant Amount | The amount per individual, as determined by the Board, being used to calculate the number of granted RSUs/PSUs pursuant to article 5.6 of the Plan. | ||||
Grant Date | The date with effect as of which any RSUs or PSUs are granted to Participants, pursuant to article 5.5 of the Plan. | ||||
Group | The group of entities consisting of the Company and all of its Subsidiaries from time to time. | ||||
KPI (Key Performance Indicator) | A specific applicable metric for the performance measurement pursuant to article 5.4 of the Plan, and as further detailed in the relevant Award Agreements. | ||||
Participant | An Eligible Person to whom Awards are actually granted pursuant to article 5 of the Plan, and/or to whom RS are allocated pursuant to articles 6.2 or 6.3 of the Plan, respectively. | ||||
Performance Conditions | The performance-related conditions for PSUs to vest, as further detailed in article 5.4 and in the relevant Award Agreements. | ||||
Performance Period | With respect to PSUs, a period of three full and consecutive financial years, starting with the first day of the financial year in which the Grant Date occurs (even if the Grant Date occurs later in such year). | ||||
Performance Share Unit (PSU) | A conditional, unsecured award to receive a certain number of Shares free of charge after the Vesting Period, subject to ongoing service and Performance Conditions as further detailed in the Plan, in its appendices and in the individual Award Agreements. | ||||
Plan | The terms and conditions of the “Equity Incentive Plan Aebi Schmidt Group” as set out in this document, including all appendices and related documents, all as amended from time to time. | ||||
Plan Administrator | The external person(s) or entity / body (e.g. a bank or other professional administrator of employee participation plans) to which the Board may have delegated all or any administrative responsibilities pursuant to article 3. | ||||
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Regulation on Minimum Shareholding Requirements | The Group’s “Regulation on Minimum Shareholding Requirements”, as per the terms and conditions set out in the corresponding separate document, and as amended from time to time. | ||||
Restricted Share (RS) | An actual Share, with full shareholder rights, however, subject to selling restrictions during the Restriction Period, as further detailed in article 6.1 of the Plan. | ||||
Restricted Share Unit (RSU) | A conditional, unsecured award to receive a one Share per Vested RSU free of charge after the Vesting Period, subject to ongoing service conditions as further detailed in the Plan, in its appendices and in the individual Award Agreements. | ||||
Restriction Period | The period during which RS may not be sold or otherwise disposed of, as further detailed in article 6.1 of the Plan. | ||||
RS Conversion Price | The closing price of a Share on the last trading day immediately prior to the Allocation Date. | ||||
RSU/PSU Conversion Price | The volume-weighted average price of a Share over the last 10 trading days immediately prior to the Grant Date. | ||||
Securities Account | A depository account designated by the Company and the Plan Administrator, respectively (but in the name of the Participant as legal owner and beneficiary), for the custody of Awards and Shares under the Plan. | ||||
Share | A registered common share of the Company with a nominal value, as at the entry into force of the Plan, of USD 1.00. | ||||
Share Delivery Date | The day on which Shares, if any, from Vested RSUs and/or PSUs are actually transferred to the Participants, pursuant to article 5.7 of the Plan. | ||||
Subsidiary | Any Swiss or foreign legal entity directly or indirectly, and wholly or partially, owned by the Company. Partial ownership requires direct or indirect control over more than 50% voting rights and/or capital. | ||||
Swiss Code of Obligations | The Swiss Federal Act on the Amendment of the Swiss Civil Code (Part Five: The Code of Obligations), legislative classification number 220 (“Obligationenrecht”), as amended from time to time. | ||||
Termination Date | Shall mean, for the purposes of the Plan and its related documents: (i) in case of termination by the Employer for Cause: the date when notice of termination is given to the Participant; (ii) in all other cases: the final day of the contractual employment relationship (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any notice periods, garden leave or similar periods). | ||||
Total Achievement Level | The percentage, resulting from the assessment of the Performance Conditions pursuant to article 5.4 and the individual Award Agreements, which is applied to the number of originally granted PSUs in order to calculate the number of Vested PSUs, as further detailed in article 5.4. | ||||
Vested PSUs | PSUs, after application of the Total Achievement Level, that actually vest and convey a right of the Participant to receive one Share per Vested PSU, according to article 5.4 and subject to the further terms and conditions of the Plan. | ||||
Vested RSUs | RSUs that actually vest and convey a right of the Participant to receive one Share per Vested RSU, according to article 5.4 and subject to the further terms and conditions of the Plan. | ||||
Vesting Date | The date, or dates, for the vesting of RSUs/PSUs, as set out in article 5.1 of the Plan. | ||||
Vesting Period | The period from the Grant Date to the end of the last day immediately prior to the Vesting Date. | ||||
110 | Aebi Schmidt Group // 2026 Proxy Statement | ||
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Name of the Participant | John Sample | ||||
Birth date of the Participant | 01.01.1980 | ||||
Individual Grant Amount in CHF | For RSUs: 50’000 For PSUs: not applicable | ||||
RSU/PSU Conversion Price in CHF | For RSUs: 50.00 For PSUs: not applicable | ||||
Resulting Number of Awards granted | RSUs: 1’000 PSUs: not applicable | ||||
Grant Date | 1 June 2026 | ||||
Vesting Date | 1 April 2029 | ||||
Share Delivery Date | As per article 5.7 of the Plan | ||||
PSU-specific terms, if applicable | Not applicable ☐ As per addendum 1 to this Award Agreement ☐ | ||||
Further relevant rules, if deviating from the general terms and conditions of the Plan | None | ||||
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• | If the Participant is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Plan, this Award Agreement, and the RSUs/PSUs, will be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent applicable laws permit, this Award Agreement will be deemed amended as necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule. |
• | ‘‘U.S. Participants”, for the purposes of the Plan, this Award Agreement, and the Awards granted herewith, are all Participants subject to the tax regime of the United States, including, without limitation, U.S. citizens, green-card holders, U.S. residents, or persons performing services for the Group in the United States of America. |
• | "Code" means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any applicable United States Treasury Regulations and other binding regulatory guidance thereunder. |
• | With respect to U.S. Participants, this Plan as well as payments and benefits under this Plan, are intended to be exempt from, or to the extent subject thereto, to comply with, Section 409A of the Code ("Section 409A"), and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Plan shall be interpreted in accordance therewith. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Plan to the contrary, to the extent required in order to avoid accelerated taxation and/or tax penalties under Section 409A, the Participant shall not be considered to have terminated employment or service with the Company for purposes of this Plan and no payment shall be due to the Participant under this Plan or any Award until the Participant would be considered to have incurred a "separation from service" from the Company and its Subsidiaries within the meaning of Section 409A. Any payments described in this Plan that are due within the "short term deferral period" as defined in Section 409A, shall not be treated as deferred compensation unless applicable law requires otherwise. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, to the extent that any Awards (or any other amounts payable under any plan, program or arrangement of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) are payable upon a separation from service and such payment would result in the imposition of any individual tax and penalty interest charges imposed under Section 409A, the settlement and payment of such awards (or other amounts) shall instead be made on the first business day after the date that is six (6) months following such separation from service (or death, if earlier). Each amount to be paid or benefit to be provided under this Plan shall be construed as a separate identified payment for purposes of Section 409A. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries makes any representation that any or all of the payments or benefits described in this Plan will be exempt from or comply with Section 409A and makes no undertaking to preclude Section 409A from applying to any such payment. Neither the Company nor any person acting on its behalf shall be liable to any Participant or to the estate or beneficiary of any Participant by reason of any acceleration of income, or any additional tax, asserted by reason of the failure of an award hereunder to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A. The Participant shall be solely responsible for the payment of any taxes and penalties incurred under Section 409A. |
• | Participation in the Plan confers no rights or interests other than as herein provided. This Award Agreement creates only a contractual obligation on the part of the Company as to amounts payable and may not be construed as creating a trust. Neither the Plan nor any underlying program, in and of itself, has any assets. The Participant will have only the rights of a general unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to amounts credited and benefits payable, if any, with respect to the RSUs/PSUs, and rights no greater than the right to receive Shares as a general unsecured creditor with respect to the RSUs/PSUs, as and when settled pursuant to the terms of this Award Agreement. |
• | The Company will not be obligated to deliver any Shares under the Plan or remove restrictions from Shares previously delivered under the Plan until (i) all Award conditions have been met or removed to the Company's satisfaction, (ii) as determined by the Company, all other legal matters regarding the issuance and delivery of such Shares have been satisfied, including any applicable securities laws and stock exchange or stock market rules and regulations, and (iii) the Participant has executed and delivered to the Company such representations |
112 | Aebi Schmidt Group // 2026 Proxy Statement | ||
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Aebi Schmidt Holding AG: | Participant: | |||||||
Place and date | Place and date | |||||||
Signatures | Signature | |||||||
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FAQ
What dividend is Aebi Schmidt (AEBI) proposing at the 2026 Annual General Meeting?
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