Franklin Electric VP & CFO Receives 11.7k-Share Equity Award

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Franklin Electric Co. (FELE) – Form 4 insider transaction

Newly hired Vice President & Chief Financial Officer Jennifer A. Wolfenbarger reported an automatic stock award (transaction code “A”) dated 31 Jul 2025. She received 11,709 shares of common stock at $0 cost, recorded as direct ownership. The award consists entirely of restricted shares:

• 6,440 shares vest one year after her 7 Jul 2025 hire date (7 Jul 2026)
• 5,269 shares vest two years after hire (7 Jul 2027)

Following the grant, Wolfenbarger’s total direct beneficial ownership stands at 11,709 shares. No derivative securities or dispositions were reported. The filing reflects standard onboarding equity compensation and modest dilution for shareholders.

Positive

• Alignment of interests: CFO now holds 11,709 FELE shares that vest over two years, promoting long-term value focus.

Negative

• Minor dilution: New share issuance, though small, incrementally adds to share count.

Insights

Securities Analyst

TL;DR: Routine CFO onboarding grant; aligns incentives, immaterial to valuation.

The Form 4 documents a time-based restricted stock award to the company’s recently appointed CFO. Because the shares were granted at no cost and vest over two years, they function as a retention tool and help align the executive’s interests with shareholders. The size—11,709 shares—is small relative to Franklin Electric’s ~46 m share count, so dilution is negligible. No open-market purchase occurred; therefore the transaction does not signal management’s view on valuation. Overall market impact is neutral.

Corporate Governance Expert

TL;DR: Standard equity compensation; promotes alignment but adds minimal dilution.

Granting restricted stock upon executive hire is consistent with prevailing governance practices. The two-tier vesting schedule encourages retention through 2027. Because the award was disclosed promptly and follows SEC Rule 16a, transparency appears adequate. Shareholders should note the incremental dilution but the percentage is de minimis. No red flags emerge from this filing.

SEC Form 4

FORM 4

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940

OMB APPROVAL

OMB Number:			3235-0287
Estimated average burden
hours per response:			0.5

Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).

Check this box to indicate that a transaction was made pursuant to a contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of equity securities of the issuer that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c). See Instruction 10.

1. Name and Address of Reporting Person^*

WOLFENBARGER JENNIFER ANN

(Last) (First) (Middle)

9255 COVERDALE RD

(Street)

FORT WAYNE IN 46809

(City) (State) (Zip)

2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO INC [ FELE ]

5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)

	Director		10% Owner
X	Officer (give title below)		Other (specify below)
	VICE PRESIDENT AND CFO

3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
07/31/2025

4. If Amendment, Date of Original Filed (Month/Day/Year)

6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)

X	Form filed by One Reporting Person
	Form filed by More than One Reporting Person

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1. Title of Security (Instr. 3)	2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed Of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)			5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4)	6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
			Code	V	Amount	(A) or (D)	Price
common stock	07/31/2025		A		11,709(1)	A	$0	11,709(2)	D

Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned (e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3)	2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security	3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)		6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (Month/Day/Year)		7. Title and Amount of Securities Underlying Derivative Security (Instr. 3 and 4)		8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5)	9. Number of derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4)	10. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
				Code	V	(A)	(D)	Date Exercisable	Expiration Date	Title	Amount or Number of Shares

Explanation of Responses:

1. 6,440 restricted shares vest 1 year after the 7/7/2025 hire date and 5,269 restricted shares that vest 2 years after the 7/7/2025 hire date.

2. Includes 6,440 restricted shares that vest on 7/7/2026 and 5,269 restricted shares that vest on 7/7/2027.

Remarks:

	JENNIFER A. WOLFENBARGER	08/04/2025
	** Signature of Reporting Person	Date
Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.
* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4 (b)(v).
** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).
Note: File three copies of this Form, one of which must be manually signed. If space is insufficient, see Instruction 6 for procedure.
Persons who respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB Number.

FAQ

How many FELE shares did the CFO acquire on 31 Jul 2025?

Jennifer A. Wolfenbarger was granted 11,709 restricted shares of Franklin Electric common stock.

What is the vesting schedule for the new FELE restricted stock grant?

6,440 shares vest on 7 Jul 2026 and 5,269 shares vest on 7 Jul 2027.

Did the FELE CFO purchase the stock with cash?

No. The shares were granted at $0 cost as part of onboarding compensation.

What is the CFO's total direct ownership after the transaction?

Following the award, she directly owns 11,709 FELE shares.