Steven Hedlund joins Graco (NYSE: GGG) board and key committees
Filing Impact
Filing Sentiment
Form Type
8-K
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Graco Inc. has appointed Steven B. Hedlund to its Board of Directors, effective September 10, 2026. He will serve in the director class whose term runs through the 2027 annual shareholders meeting.
Hedlund, President, CEO and Chairman of Lincoln Electric Holdings, will join Graco’s Audit Committee and its Management Organization and Compensation Committee. He will receive the company’s standard director compensation, with his initial equity award pro-rated for his partial first year of service.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
8-K Event Classification
2 items: 5.02, 9.01
2 items
Item 5.02
Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers
Governance
Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Key Terms
Board of Directors, Audit Committee, Management Organization and Compensation Committee, standard director compensation
4 terms
Board of Directors financial
"the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Graco Inc."
The Board of Directors is a group of people chosen by a company's owners to help make big decisions and oversee how the company is run. They act like a team of advisors or managers, making sure the company stays on track and meets its goals. Their choices can influence the company's success and how it grows.
Audit Committee financial
"appointed to serve on the Board’s Audit Committee and Management"
A company's audit committee is a small group of board members who act like independent inspectors for the firm's finances, overseeing how financial reports are prepared, monitoring internal controls, and managing the relationship with external auditors. Investors care because a strong audit committee reduces the risk of accounting errors, fraud, or misleading statements, making financial statements more trustworthy and helping protect shareholder value.
Management Organization and Compensation Committee financial
"Audit Committee and Management Organization and Compensation Committee"
standard director compensation financial
"will be receiving the standard director compensation as referenced"
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 12, 2026
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
| (State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | ||||||||||||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | ||||||||||
| Registrant’s telephone number, including area code | |||||
| Not Applicable | ||
| (Former name or former address if changed since last report.) | ||
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) | |||||
| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) | |||||
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) | |||||
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) | |||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On June 12, 2026, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Graco Inc. (the “Company”) appointed Mr. Steven B. Hedlund to serve as a director of the Company, effective September 10, 2026. Mr. Hedlund was appointed to the class of directors whose terms expire at the 2027 annual meeting of shareholders of the Company.
Mr. Hedlund has been appointed to serve on the Board’s Audit Committee and Management Organization and Compensation Committee, effective September 10, 2026. In connection with his appointment, Mr. Hedlund will be receiving the standard director compensation as referenced in our Proxy Statement for the 2026 Annual Meeting, provided that his initial equity award will be pro-rated for his partial year of service.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
99.1 Press Release dated June 12, 2026.
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (included within the Inline XBRL document).
Signature
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
GRACO INC.
| Date: | June 15, 2026 | By: | /s/ Joseph James Humke______________________ | |||||||||||
| Joseph James Humke | ||||||||||||||
| Its: Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary | ||||||||||||||
| Exhibit 99.1 | GRACO INC. |  | ||||||||||||
| P.O. Box 1441 | ||||||||||||||
 | Minneapolis, MN | |||||||||||||
| 55440-1441 | ||||||||||||||
| NYSE: GGG | ||||||||||||||
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: | FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: | ||||
| June 12, 2026 | Media: Meredith Sobieck, 763-353-1498 Meredith_A_Sobieck@graco.com Investors: John Bower, 612-623-6770 John_M_Bower@graco.com | ||||
Graco Inc. Appoints Steven B. Hedlund to the Board of Directors
MINNEAPOLIS – June 12, 2026 – Graco Inc. (NYSE:GGG) announced today that Steven B. Hedlund has been appointed as a member of the company’s Board of Directors, effective September 10, 2026.
Mr. Hedlund is President and Chief Executive Officer of Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: LECO), a leading manufacturer of advanced arc welding solutions, a role he has held since January 2024. He also serves as its Chairman. Previously, he was Lincoln Electric’s Chief Operating Officer and served in various other operating, strategic and business development leadership roles. Before joining Lincoln Electric, Mr. Hedlund was Vice President, Growth and Innovation and Vice President Strategy and New Business Development at Fortune Brands, Inc. Earlier in his career, he was a principal with the management consulting firm of Booz Allen Hamilton. Mr. Hedlund holds both a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Business Administration from Dartmouth College.
“We are delighted to have Steve join the Graco Board of Directors. He is a proven leader with a growth-oriented mindset and a track record of driving value creation, including in international markets,” said J. Kevin Gilligan, Graco’s Chairman of the Board. “Steve brings with him a deep understanding of the manufacturing sector and global go-to-market strategy development and execution. He is a natural fit for our board, and we look forward to his many contributions to Graco’s future success.”
Mr. Hedlund will serve on the company’s Audit Committee and Management Organization and Compensation Committee.
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ABOUT GRACO
Graco Inc. supplies technology and expertise for the management of fluids and coatings in both industrial and commercial applications. It designs, manufactures and markets systems and equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray fluid and powder materials. A recognized leader in its specialties, Minneapolis-based Graco serves customers around the world in the manufacturing, processing, construction and maintenance industries. For additional information about Graco Inc., please visit us at www.graco.com.
FAQ
What board change did Graco Inc. (GGG) announce on June 12, 2026?
Graco Inc. announced that Steven B. Hedlund was appointed to its Board of Directors, effective September 10, 2026. He joins the director class whose term expires at the 2027 annual shareholders meeting, expanding the board’s leadership experience.
Who is Steven B. Hedlund, the new Graco (GGG) board member?
Steven B. Hedlund is President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. He previously held senior operating, strategic and business development roles at Lincoln Electric, Fortune Brands, and consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton, bringing broad manufacturing and strategy experience.
Which Graco Inc. (GGG) board committees will Steven Hedlund join?
Steven Hedlund will serve on Graco’s Audit Committee and its Management Organization and Compensation Committee. These assignments place him in key oversight roles for financial reporting, governance and executive compensation policies at the company.
When does Steven Hedlund’s term on the Graco (GGG) board end?
Steven Hedlund was appointed to the class of directors whose terms expire at Graco’s 2027 annual shareholders meeting. After that meeting, shareholders would typically vote on his continued service, consistent with the company’s director election cycle.
How will Steven Hedlund be compensated as a Graco (GGG) director?
Steven Hedlund will receive Graco’s standard director compensation as outlined in its 2026 annual meeting proxy statement. His initial equity award will be pro-rated to reflect his partial year of board service starting September 10, 2026.
What does Graco Inc. (GGG) do as a business?
Graco Inc. supplies technology and expertise for managing fluids and coatings in industrial and commercial applications. It designs, manufactures and markets systems to move, measure, control, dispense and spray fluid and powder materials for global manufacturing, processing, construction and maintenance customers.