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

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.          )

Filed by the Registrant ý

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o

Check the appropriate box:

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Preliminary Proxy Statement

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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

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Definitive Proxy Statement

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Definitive Additional Materials

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Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

 

CUMMINS INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

 

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500 Jackson Street, Box 3005, Columbus, Indiana 47202-3005    

LOGO


NOTICE OF 2021
ANNUAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS



To Our Shareholders:


NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2021 Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of Cummins Inc. will be held virtually on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, for the following purposes:


      
1.    to elect the thirteen nominees named in the attached proxy statement as directors for the ensuing year;


      
2.    to consider an advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers;


      
3.    to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our auditors for 2021;


      
4.    to consider a proposal from a shareholder regarding professional services allowance for our named executive officers; and


      
5.    to transact any other business that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.


Due to the ongoing public health impact of the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) and to support the health and well-being of our employees, shareholders and other stakeholders, the Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held in a virtual meeting format only. You will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting physically.


Only shareholders of our Common Stock of record at the close of business on March 8, 2021, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting.


If you do not expect to be present virtually at the meeting, you are urged to vote your shares by telephone, via the Internet, or by completing, signing and dating the enclosed proxy card and returning it promptly in the envelope provided.


You may revoke your proxy card at any time before the meeting. Except with respect to shares attributable to accounts held in the Cummins Retirement and Savings Plans, any shareholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting who attend the meeting will be entitled to cast their votes electronically during the meeting.

SHARON R. BARNER,
Secretary


March 29, 2021

 

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DATE

May 11, 2021

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TIME

11:00 a.m. Eastern Time


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RECORD DATE

March 8, 2021


VOTING


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BY THE INTERNET

Visit the website noted on your proxycard to vote online.

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BY TELEPHONE

Use the toll-free telephone number on your proxy card to vote by telephone.

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BY MAIL

Sign, date, and return your proxy card in the enclosed envelope to vote by mail.

     
     
     
     

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE 2021 ANNUAL SHAREHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON MAY 11, 2021:
the Annual Report and Proxy Statement are available at www.proxyvote.com

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

NOTICE OF 2021 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

   
 

PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2021 ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS MEETING

   
 

PROXY SUMMARY

   
1
 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

   
7
 

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS (Items 1 through 13 on the Proxy Card)

   
16
 

NOMINEES FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

   
16
 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

   
26
 

ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS (Item 14 on the Proxy Card)

   
71
 

RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS (Item 15 on the Proxy Card)

   
72
 

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL (Item 16 on the Proxy Card)

   
76
 

STATEMENT IN OPPOSITION

   
77
 

STOCK OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS, MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS

   
79
 

OTHER BUSINESS

   
81
 

ANNEX A RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

   
 

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LOGO

PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2021
ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS MEETING

Generally

We are furnishing this proxy statement in connection with the solicitation by our Board of Directors of proxies to be voted at our 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, and at any adjournment thereof, which we refer to as our "Annual Meeting." This proxy statement, together with the enclosed proxy card, is first being made available to our shareholders on or about March 29, 2021.

Holders of our Common Stock of record at the close of business on March 8, 2021 are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. On that date there were issued and outstanding 146,544,468 shares of Common Stock, each of which is entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a shareholder vote at the Annual Meeting.

Each share of Common Stock represented by a properly executed and delivered proxy card will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions indicated on that proxy card, unless such proxy card has been previously revoked. If no instructions are indicated on a signed proxy card, the shares represented by such proxy card will be voted as recommended by our Board.

A shareholder may revoke his or her proxy card at any time before the Annual Meeting by delivering to our Secretary written notice of such revocation. This notice must include the number of shares for which the proxy card had been given and the name of the shareholder of such shares as it appears on the stock certificate(s), or in book entry form on the records of our stock transfer agent and registrar, Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc., evidencing ownership of such shares. In addition, except with respect to shares attributable to accounts held in the Cummins Retirement and Savings Plans (the "Cummins RSPs"), any shareholder who has executed a proxy card but is present virtually at the Annual Meeting will be entitled to cast his or her vote electronically instead of by proxy card, thereby canceling the previously executed proxy card.

Participants in the Cummins RSP who hold shares of Common Stock in their account and provide voting instructions to the trustee with respect to such shares will have their shares voted by the trustee as instructed. Such participants will be considered named fiduciaries with respect to the shares allocated to their accounts solely for purposes of this proxy solicitation. If no voting instructions are provided, shares held in the accounts will be voted in the same manner and proportion as shares with respect to which valid voting instructions were received. Any instructions received by the trustee from participants regarding their vote shall be confidential. Cummins RSP participants may attend the Annual Meeting virtually but cannot vote the shares in their Cummins RSP accounts at the Annual Meeting.

Information About the Virtual Annual Meeting

Attendance and Participation

Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, we will conduct a virtual Annual Meeting to help protect the safety of all stakeholders. Our virtual Annual Meeting will be conducted on the Internet via live webcast. You will be able to participate online and submit your questions during the Annual Meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CMI2021. Shareholders will be able to vote their shares electronically during the Annual Meeting.

To participate in the Annual Meeting, you will need the 16-digit control number included on your proxy card or your voting instruction form. The Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. We encourage you to access the Annual Meeting prior to the start time. Online access will begin at 10:45 a.m. Eastern Time.


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The virtual Annual Meeting platform is fully supported across browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari) and devices (desktops, laptops, tablets, and cell phones) running the most updated version of applicable software and plugins. Participants should ensure they have a strong Internet connection wherever they intend to participate in the Annual Meeting. Participants should also allow plenty of time to log in and ensure that they can hear streaming audio prior to the start of the Annual Meeting.

Questions

Following adjournment of the formal business of the Annual Meeting, the chairman will give a presentation about the company's business. At the conclusion of this presentation, the company will address appropriate general questions from shareholders regarding the company. Shareholders eligible to vote may submit questions to the chairman by logging into the virtual meeting platform at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CMI2021, typing a question into the "Ask a Question" field, and clicking "Submit."

Your question or comment should be addressed to the chairman, who will either respond or refer it to others as appropriate. Time permitting, the chairman will attempt to answer as many questions as possible. It will help us if questions are succinct and cover only one topic per question. Questions from multiple shareholders on the same topic or that are otherwise related may be grouped, summarized and answered together.

If there are any matters of individual or personal concern to a shareholder and not of general concern to all shareholders, or if a question posed was not otherwise answered, such matters may be raised separately after the Annual Meeting by contacting Investor Relations at www.cummins.com. Recording of the Annual Meeting is prohibited. A webcast playback, including responses to shareholder questions, will be available at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CMI2021 24 hours after the completion of the meeting.

Technical Difficulties

Technical support, including related technical support phone numbers, will be available on the virtual meeting platform at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CMI2021 beginning at 10:45 a.m. Eastern Time on May 11, 2021 through the conclusion of the Annual Meeting.

IMPORTANT: If you hold your shares in a brokerage account, you should be aware that, due to New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, rules, if you do not affirmatively instruct your broker how to vote within 10 days prior to our Annual Meeting, your broker will not be permitted to vote your shares (i) for the election of directors; (ii) on the advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers; or (iii) on the shareholder proposal regarding professional services allowance for our named executive officers. Therefore, you must affirmatively take action to vote your shares at our Annual Meeting. If you do not affirmatively vote your shares, your shares will not be voted (i) for the election of directors, (ii) on the advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers, or (iii) on the shareholder proposal regarding professional services allowance for our named executive officers.


 

 

 

 

 

 

PROXY SUMMARY

 

CUMMINS  2021 PROXY        1

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PROXY SUMMARY

This summary highlights selected information contained in this proxy statement, but it does not contain all the information you should consider. We urge you to read the whole proxy statement before you vote. This proxy statement is being made available to shareholders on or about March 29, 2021.

 WE WILL BE VOTING ON THE FOLLOWING MATTERS:
    Agenda Item   Voting Recommendation   More Information    
    1. Election of thirteen directors nominated by Cummins' Board   FOR EACH NOMINEE   Page 16    
    2. Advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers   FOR   Page 71    
    3. Ratification of independent public accountants   FOR   Page 72    
    4. Shareholder proposal regarding professional services allowance for our named executive officers   AGAINST   Page 76    

 

                Committee Memberships
        Age   Director
Since
  Audit   Talent
and
Comp
  Finance   Governance   Safety
Environment
and Tech
PHOTO   N. THOMAS LINEBARGER

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Cummins Inc.

  58   2009          
PHOTO   ROBERT J. BERNHARD

Vice President for Research, University of Notre Dame

  68   2008  
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PHOTO   FRANKLIN R. CHANG DIAZ

Chairman and CEO, Ad Astra Rocket Company

  70   2009      
GRAPHIC
 
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PHOTO   BRUNO V. DI LEO

Managing Director, Bearing North LLC

  64   2015      
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PHOTO   STEPHEN B. DOBBS

Retired Senior Group President, Fluor Corporation

  64   2010  
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GRAPHIC   CARLA A. HARRIS

Vice Chairman, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley

  58      
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PHOTO   ROBERT K. HERDMAN

Managing Director, Kalorama Partners, LLC

  72   2008  
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PHOTO   ALEXIS M. HERMAN

Chairman and CEO, New Ventures, LLC

  73   2001    
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PHOTO   THOMAS J. LYNCH

Chairman, TE Connectivity Ltd.

  66   2015    
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PHOTO   WILLIAM I. MILLER

President, The Wallace Foundation

  64   1989  
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PHOTO   GEORGIA R. NELSON

Retired President and CEO, PTI Resources, LLC

  71   2004  
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PHOTO   KIMBERLY A. NELSON

Retired Senior Vice President, External Relations of General Mills, Inc.

  58   2020  
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PHOTO   KAREN H. QUINTOS

Retired Chief Customer Officer, Dell Technologies Inc.

  57   2017  
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GRAPHIC  Chair       GRAPHIC  Member


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2        CUMMINS  2021 PROXY

 

PROXY SUMMARY

 

 

OUR 2020 PERFORMANCE*

In 2020, Cummins delivered strong financial performance. The COVID-19 pandemic had an unprecedented impact on the global economy, resulting in lower demand in nearly all of our end markets and manufacturing shutdowns for ourselves, our suppliers and our customers.

In response to the unprecedented decline in demand, we took a series of actions to maintain the financial strength of our company, including instituting temporary salary reductions for our officers and other exempt employees, cutting discretionary spending, and reducing capital expenditures. These actions, combined with the restructuring work initiated at the end of 2019, allowed us to deliver solid profitability despite the magnitude of the decline in sales.

We experienced the largest decline in sales in the company's history in the second quarter, followed by the largest sequential increase in the third quarter. Many markets improved in the second half of the year as economic activity improved. For the full year, our earnings per share (EPS) of $12.01 improved from our prior cyclical trough, and our decremental margin percentage was 17 percent.

Key business highlights include:

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* See Annex A for reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP measures referenced in this section.


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PROXY SUMMARY

 

CUMMINS  2021 PROXY        3

COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD

BOARD INDEPENDENCE AND DIVERSITY    

Our Board represents a balance of longer-tenured members with in-depth knowledge of our business and newer members who bring valuable additional attributes, skills and experience. Eleven of our twelve directors are independent and provide strong oversight of our long-term strategy. We believe that directors with different backgrounds and experiences makes our boardroom and our company stronger.

 

 

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QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Our Board embodies a broad and diverse set of qualifications, skills and experiences as illustrated below.

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4        CUMMINS  2021 PROXY

 

PROXY SUMMARY

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE HIGHLIGHTS

We long have believed that good corporate governance is important in ensuring that we are managed for the long-term benefit of our shareholders.

Board Leadership   Board Accountability   Board Evaluation and Effectiveness
         


Due to challenges of the global pandemic, our Board met 15 times in 2020 to provide strong oversight of the company's efforts to ensure employee safety and business continuity

Annual assessment and determination of Board leadership structure

 


All directors are elected annually via majority voting standard

Our Board has adopted proxy access, shareholder right to call special meetings, and shareholder right to amend by-laws

 

Use of third party consultant to further facilitate feedback discussions for Board and individual director performance and areas of improvement

Annual feedback and evaluation session by each Committee Chair with its members on Committee performance

         
Board Oversight of Risk & ESG   Shareholder Engagement   Board Refreshment and Diversity
         


Our Board and its Committees exercise robust oversight of the company's enterprise risk management program with dedicated time at every regular Board meeting

Our Board reviews ESG strategy and risks at least once a year

 


Board members routinely meet with top shareholders for conversations focused on our Board's skill set and refreshment and its oversight of a variety of topics including company strategy, growth, risk management, governance and ESG issues

 

4 new directors added to Board since 2015 and a fifth new female, African-American member is standing for election at the Annual Meeting

Board members represent diverse perspectives, including 4 female directors, 2 African-American directors and 2 directors from Latin America

2020 RECOGNITION HIGHLIGHTS

Our practices and policies have earned Cummins recognition on a range of issues.


 


NAMED TO THE DOW JONES INDICES OF THE MOST SUSTAINABLE COMPANIES IN NORTH AMERICA. IT WAS THE 15TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR CUMMINS MADE THE LIST.


 


NAMED NO. 24 ON NEWSWEEK'S LIST OF AMERICA'S MOST RESPONSIBLE COMPANIES FOR 2021
       

 


NAMED ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST ETHICAL COMPANIES BY THE ETHISPHERE INSTITUTE, A LEADER IN ADVANCING ETHICAL BUSINESS PRACTICES. THE COMPANY HAS BEEN ON THE LIST FOR 14 CONSECUTIVE YEARS.


 


NAMED TO BARRON'S LIST OF AMERICA'S 100 MOST SUSTAINABLE COMPANIES BASED ON ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE PERFORMANCE
   

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PROXY SUMMARY

 

CUMMINS  2021 PROXY        5

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Our long-term success depends on our ability to attract, motivate, focus and retain highly talented individuals committed to Cummins' vision, strategy, and corporate culture. To that end, our executive compensation program is designed to link our executives' pay to their individual performance, to Cummins' annual and long-term performance, and to successful execution of Cummins' business strategies. We also use our executive compensation program to encourage high-performing executives to remain with us over the course of their careers.

We believe the compensation packages for our Named Executive Officers reflect their extensive management experience, continued high performance, and exceptional service to Cummins. We also believe our compensation strategies have been effective in attracting executive talent and promoting performance and retention.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PRINCIPLES

We believe the level of compensation received by executives should be closely tied to our corporate financial and stock price performance. This principle is apparent in the design of our executive compensation program and in the specific compensation packages we award.

In addition to aligning our executives' pay with performance, we follow several other principles when designing and implementing our executive compensation program.

    market positioning

 

    pay at risk

 

    simple and transparent

  short-term/long-term mix

 

    retention

 

  alignment with shareholders' interests

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION ELEMENTS

Compensation Element   Form of Payment   Performance Metrics   Rationale
Base salary   Cash   Individual Performance   Market-based to attract and retain skilled executives. Designed to recognize scope of responsibility, individual performance, and experience.
Annual bonus   Cash   Return on Average Net Assets (ROANA) using EBITDA   Rewards operational performance. ROANA balances growth, profitability, and asset management.
Long-term incentive compensation   Performance cash (34%), Performance shares (33%) and Stock options (33%)   Return on Invested Capital (ROIC), weighted at 80% and EBITDA, weighted at 20% over a three-year period for performance cash and performance shares.   ROIC and EBITDA provide an incentive for profitable growth and correlate well with shareholder value.

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6        CUMMINS  2021 PROXY

 

PROXY SUMMARY

TARGET COMPENSATION MIX

We believe the compensation of our most senior executives should be based on Cummins' overall performance. Every executive's pay is tied to the same financial metrics and a significant amount of their pay is incentive-based and therefore at risk.


TARGET TOTAL DIRECT COMPENSATION MIX – FISCAL YEAR 2020

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

CUMMINS  2021 PROXY        7

CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE

We long have believed that good corporate governance is important in ensuring that we are managed for the long-term benefit of our shareholders. We regularly engage with our shareholders to understand their expectations. We also benchmark our governance structure and policies against industry best practices and the practices of other comparable public companies. Our corporate governance principles, charters for each of our Board's Audit, Talent Management and Compensation and Governance and Nominating Committees, our code of business conduct and our by-laws, along with certain other corporate governance documents, are available on our website, www.cummins.com, and are otherwise available in print to any shareholder who requests them from our Secretary.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE OVERVIEW

Director Independence

12 of 13 director nominees are independent

5 fully independent Board Committees: Audit; Talent Management & Compensation; Governance & Nominating; Finance; and Safety, Environment & Technology

  Board Leadership

Due to challenges of the global pandemic, Board met 15 times in 2020 to provide strong oversight of the company's efforts to ensure employee safety and business continuity

Annual assessment and determination of Board leadership structure

Annual election of independent Lead Director whenever Chairman/CEO roles are combined or when the Chairman is not independent

  Board Accountability

All directors are elected annually via majority voting standard

Shareholder right to call special meetings (10% of voting power threshold)

Proxy access for director nominees available to a shareholder, or group of up to 20 shareholders, holding a total of at least 3% of our common stock for at least 3 years

Shareholder right to unilaterally amend the by-laws (upon a majority vote)

Board Evaluation and Effectiveness

Detailed Board and Committee evaluation process coordinated by our Lead Director and Governance and Nominating Committee Chair

Use of third party consultant to further facilitate feedback discussions for Board and individual director performance and areas of improvement

Annual feedback and evaluation session by each Committee chair with its committee members on Committee performance

Annual two-way feedback and evaluation sessions by Chairman with each director

Annual independent director evaluation of Chairman and CEO

  Board Oversight of Risk and ESG

The Board and its Committees exercise robust oversight of the company's enterprise risk management program with dedicated time at every regular Board meeting

Top tier risks are assigned to members of the Cummins Leadership Team

Board and its Committees provide strong oversight of ESG risks and opportunities including at least one annual review by full Board of ESG strategy and challenges

  Shareholder Engagement

Board members routinely meet with top shareholders for conversations focused on our Board's skill set and refreshment and its oversight of a variety of topics including company strategy, growth, risk management, governance and ESG issues

Board Refreshment and Diversity

4 new directors added to Board since 2015 and a fifth new female, African-American member is standing for election at the Annual Meeting

Board members represent diverse perspectives, including 4 female directors, 2 African-American directors and 2 directors from Latin America

Goal of rotating Committee assignments every 3 to 5 years

Mandatory director retirement age

  Director Engagement

All of the directors attended 75% or more of the aggregate number of meetings of our Board and the Committees on which they served during 2020

Limits on director/CEO membership on other public company boards

Our directors routinely visit company locations without our CEO present to interact directly with managers and employees; in 2018-2019, individual directors visited 13 different locations in China, India, Australia and the United States. We suspended these in-person visits in 2020 due to the global pandemic

  Clawback and Anti-Hedging Policies

Clawback policy permits us to recoup certain compensation payments in the event any of our financial statements are required to be materially restated resulting from the fraudulent actions of any officer or the non-fraudulent or individual behavioral actions of Section 16 officers resulting in reputational harm

Directors and officers prohibited from engaging in any pledging, short sales or hedging investments involving our common stock


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8        CUMMINS  2021 PROXY

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

ADDITIONAL GOVERNANCE FEATURES

DIRECTOR SELECTION AND BOARD REFRESHMENT

It is a top priority of our Board and our Governance and Nominating Committee that our directors have the skills, background and values to effectively represent the long-term interests of our shareholders and other stakeholders. Throughout the year, our Board reviews a matrix of the qualifications, skills and experience that we believe our Board needs to have and discusses whether there are any gaps that need to be filled that will improve our Board's performance. We assess potential new director candidates in light of the matrix and whether they possess the qualifications, skills and experience needed by our Board. When we identify potential new director candidates, we review extensive background information compiled by our professional search firm, evaluate their references, consider their prior board experience and conduct virtual and in-person interviews.

We also believe that new perspectives and ideas are essential for an innovative and strategic board. Since 2015, we have added four new directors to our Board, and a fifth new member, Carla Harris, is standing for election at the Annual Meeting. Ms. Harris will be a strong addition to our Board and will bring valuable perspectives in finance and strategy as well as extensive leadership experience.

The Governance and Nominating Committee routinely reviews the Board's committee assignments with a goal of rotating membership on committees every three to five years. The committee assignments were most recently rotated in May 2020. Our Board will continue to review and refresh the skills, qualifications and experiences that our Board needs to have to serve the long-term interests of our shareholders.

As required by our corporate governance principles, our Governance and Nominating Committee must recommend director nominees such that our Board is comprised of a substantial majority of independent directors and possesses a variety of experience and backgrounds, including those who have substantial experience in the business community, those who have substantial experience outside the business community (such as public, academic or scientific experience), and those who will represent our stakeholders as a whole rather than special interest groups or individual constituencies.

Each candidate must have sufficient time available to devote to our affairs and be free of any conflict of interest that would violate any applicable law or regulation or interfere with the proper performance of his or her responsibilities, including being able to represent the best long-term interests of all of our shareholders and other stakeholders. Each candidate also should possess substantial and significant experience that would be of particular importance to us in the performance of his or her duties as a director. The Committee does not intend to alter the manner in which it evaluates candidates, including the foregoing criteria, based on whether or not the candidate was recommended by a shareholder.

IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY

One of our core values is diversity, equity and inclusion. In evaluating candidates for our Board, our Governance and Nominating Committee considers only potential directors who share this value, as well as our other core values of integrity, caring, excellence and teamwork. As reflected in our corporate governance principles, we are committed to equal employment opportunities in assembling our Board. We believe that directors with different backgrounds and experiences makes our boardroom and our company stronger. As our Committee considers possible directors, it seeks out candidates who represent the diverse perspectives of all of our stakeholders. We believe our Board has been effective in assembling a highly-qualified, diverse group of directors. Our slate of director nominees for this Annual Meeting has five female directors, three African-American directors and two directors from Latin America. We will continue to identify opportunities to enhance our Board diversity as we consider future candidates.   GRAPHIC

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

CUMMINS  2021 PROXY        9

SHAREHOLDER OUTREACH

We believe that meaningful corporate governance should include regular conversations between our directors and our shareholders. Our Board members routinely meet with shareholders for conversations focused on our Board's skill set and refreshment and its oversight of a variety of topics, including company strategy, growth, risk management, and ESG issues. In addition, our Corporate Secretary held discussions in 2020 with several top investors to capture their input on governance matters and practices. We capture the feedback from these sessions and present it to the full Board for its consideration.

SUCCESSION PLANNING

CEO and leadership succession planning is one of our Board's most important responsibilities. Many times throughout the year, our full Board discusses succession planning for our CEO and other critical leaders of the company. At least once a year, our Board dedicates itself to examining the succession plans for our complete leadership team.

SUSTAINABILITY AND ESG

With the support and oversight of our Board, we continue to focus on sustainability, including our efforts related to environmental, social and governance issues (ESG). Various aspects of ESG are handled in the following committees depending upon the topic: Talent Management and Compensation


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10        CUMMINS  2021 PROXY

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Committee, Safety, Environment and Technology Committee, and the Governance and Nominating Committee. In 2020, the company created a cross-functional Management Review Group of top leaders to oversee ESG work. Below is a summary of our achievements over the past 12 months:

GRAPHIC

To learn more about the company's sustainability efforts, go to the company's web page at https://www.cummins.com/about/sustainability. Websites disclosed herein are not incorporated into this proxy statement by reference.


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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

CUMMINS  2021 PROXY        11

INDEPENDENCE

Twelve of our thirteen director nominees qualify as independent directors within the meaning of the rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, and the corporate governance standards for companies listed on the NYSE. Our Board has adopted independence standards that meet or exceed the independence standards of the NYSE, including categorical standards to assist the Governance and Nominating Committee and our Board in evaluating the independence of each director. The categorical standards are included in our corporate governance principles, which are available on our website at www.cummins.com. A copy also may be obtained upon written request.

Following a discussion and applying the standards referenced above, the Governance and Nominating Committee of our Board determined that all director nominees standing for election, except N. Thomas Linebarger, our Chief Executive Officer, qualify as independent. Based on the recommendation of the Committee, our full Board approved this conclusion.

LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

Our corporate governance principles describe in detail how our Board must conduct its oversight responsibilities in representing and protecting our company's stakeholders. As stated in the principles, our Board has the freedom to decide whom our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer should be based solely on what it believes is in the best interests of our company and its shareholders. Currently, our Board believes it is in the best interests of our company for the roles of our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer to be combined and to appoint a Lead Director from among our independent directors.

Our Board believes that this leadership structure currently assists our Board in creating a unified vision for our company, streamlines accountability for our performance and facilitates our Board's efficient and effective functioning.

Our Board evaluates its policy on whether the roles of our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer should be combined on an annual basis. In doing so, our Board considers the skills, experiences and qualifications of our then-serving directors (including any newly elected directors), the evolving needs of our company, how well our leadership structure is functioning, and the views of our shareholders.

Based on its review of our leadership structure, our Board continues to believe that Mr. Linebarger, our Chief Executive Officer, is the person best qualified to serve as our Chairman given his history in executive positions with our company and his skills and experience in the industries in which we operate. Alexis M. Herman is our independent Lead Director. Ms. Herman was selected for this position because of her service on our Board since 2001, her experience as the U.S. Secretary of Labor and her other leadership positions in the private and public sectors. Ms. Herman is actively involved in setting and approving the Board's agendas and focus. She works to create a collaborative atmosphere that leverages the strengths of our diverse Board and encourages directors to actively question management when necessary and seeks to ensure that our Board is receiving the information necessary to complete its duties. Ms. Herman meets with other directors and members of senior management outside of the regularly scheduled Board meetings to ensure that our Board is functioning effectively and to identify areas of potential improvement.

OUR LEAD DIRECTOR'S RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

SERVING as Chairman of the Governance and Nominating Committee;

CONFERRING with the Chairman on, and approving, Board meeting agendas and meeting schedules to assure there is sufficient time for discussion of all agenda items;

CALLING AND PRESIDING over all meetings of the Board at which the Chairman is not present, including executive sessions of independent directors and communicating feedback on executive sessions to the Chairman;

LEADING the annual performance reviews of the Chief Executive Officer and the Board;

ENSURING that there is open communication between our independent directors and the Chairman and other management members;

BEING AVAILABLE, when deemed appropriate by the Board, for consultation and direct communication with shareholders;

REVIEWING, at his or her discretion, information to be sent to the Board; and

CONFERRING with the Chairman on other issues of corporate importance, as appropriate.


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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

 

RISK OVERSIGHT

Our Board and its committees are involved on an ongoing basis in the oversight of our material enterprise-related risks. The company has a mature enterprise risk management program that identifies, categorizes and analyzes the relative severity and likelihood of the various types of material enterprise-related risks to which we are or may be subject. The company has an executive risk council, comprised of the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Vice President—Corporate Strategy and Chief Administrative Officer that meets quarterly with our leader of enterprise risk management to review and update our material enterprise-related risks and their mitigation plans. We assign ownership of our most significant enterprise risks to a member of our Leadership Team.

Our Board, Audit Committee, Finance Committee, Talent Management and Compensation Committee, Governance and Nominating Committee and/or Safety, Environment and Technology Committee receive periodic reports and information directly from our senior leaders who have functional responsibility over our enterprise risks. Our Board and/or its appropriate committees then review such information, including management's proposed mitigation strategies and plans, to monitor our progress on mitigating the risks. For example, to oversee the company's work to mitigate cybersecurity risks, we have identified separate risks for enterprise cybersecurity and product cybersecurity. The Audit Committee provides primary oversight for enterprise cybersecurity while the Safety, Environment and Technology Committee provides oversight of product cybersecurity. Our Board's and its committees' roles in the oversight process of our identified material risks have not impacted our Board's leadership structure.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES

Due to the challenges raised by the global pandemic, our Board pivoted quickly to hold an unprecedented number of meetings to provide strategic direction and support to the company in 2020. Our Board held 15 meetings during 2020. All of the directors attended 75% or more of the aggregate number of meetings of our Board and the committees on which they served that were held during the periods in which they served. The non-employee members of our Board also met in executive session without management present as part of each regular meeting. Alexis M. Herman, our Lead Director, presided over these sessions.

Under our corporate governance principles, our Board has established six standing committees, with five of the committees consisting entirely of independent directors. Certain of the principal functions performed by these committees and the members of our Board currently serving on these committees are as follows:

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Meetings in 2020: 9

Members
Robert K. Herdman (Chair)
Robert J. Bernhard
Stephen B. Dobbs
William I. Miller
Georgia R. Nelson
Kimberly A. Nelson
Karen H. Quintos

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Oversees the integrity of our financial statements and related financial disclosures and internal controls over financial reporting.

Reviews our accounting principles and procedures.

Monitors the independence and performance of our external and internal auditors.

Exercises oversight of the company's enterprise risk management program with dedicated time for review and discussion at every regular Board meeting.

Oversees the company's compliance with its ethics policies and legal and regulatory requirements.

All members are independent directors as defined under our independence criteria, SEC rules and NYSE listing standards, including those specifically applicable to audit committee members. Our Board has determined that Mr. Herdman is an "audit committee financial expert" for purposes of the SEC's rules.


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TALENT MANAGEMENT AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Meetings in 2020: 8

Members
Georgia R. Nelson (Chair)
Alexis M. Herman
Thomas J. Lynch
William I. Miller

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Reviews and approves the company's compensation philosophy and strategy primarily for the Board and the officers of the company and others as the committee may designate from time to time.

Reviews and oversees the company's strategies for talent management.

Assesses talent management policies, programs and processes, including leadership, culture, diversity and inclusion and succession.

Administers and determines eligibility for, and makes awards under, our incentive plans.

Establishes goals and approves the compensation for our Chief Executive Officer following a review of his performance, including input from all of the other independent directors.

Reports annually in the proxy statement regarding the company's executive compensation programs.

Conducts an annual compensation risk assessment.

All members are independent directors as defined under our independence criteria, SEC rules and NYSE listing standards, including those specifically applicable to compensation committee members. The Talent Management and Compensation Committee engaged Farient Advisors LLC as its independent compensation consultant in 2020 to provide input and advice to the Committee concerning the compensation of our officers and our Board and related matters.

   

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Meetings in 2020: 4

Members
Thomas J. Lynch (Chair)
Franklin R. Chang Diaz
Bruno V. Di Leo
Alexis M. Herman

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Reviews and advises our management and our Board on our financial strategy pertaining to our capital structure, creditworthiness, dividend policy, share repurchase policy, and financing requirements.

Reviews our banking relationships and lines of credit.

Reviews and advises on financing proposals for acquisitions, partnerships and other alliances of the company.

Discusses key areas of shareholder interest and feedback on our performance and strategy.

Monitors our shareholder base and provides counsel on investor relations activity.

All members are independent directors as defined under our independence criteria, SEC rules and NYSE listing standards.

GOVERNANCE AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Meetings in 2020: 5

Members
Alexis M. Herman (Chair)
Robert J. Bernhard
Franklin R. Chang Diaz
Bruno V. Di Leo
Stephen B. Dobbs
Robert K. Herdman
Thomas J. Lynch
William I. Miller
Georgia R. Nelson
Kimberly A. Nelson
Karen H. Quintos

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Reviews and makes recommendations to our Board with respect to its membership, size, composition, procedures and organization.

Identifies potential director candidates to ensure the Board is composed of well qualified and diverse candidates to oversee the company; engages a professional search firm to identify potential director candidates based on criteria selected by the Committee; and interviews identified candidates.

Ensures the Board has a robust process for evaluating its performance and the performance of its committees and individual directors, including the use of a third party consultant to facilitate feedback among Board members.

Ensures the Board is providing effective ongoing director education and new director orientation.

All members are independent directors as defined under our independence criteria, SEC rules and NYSE listing standards.


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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

   

SAFETY, ENVIRONMENT AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

Meetings in 2020: 5

Members
Stephen B. Dobbs (Chair)
Robert J. Bernhard
Franklin R. Chang Diaz
Bruno V. Di Leo
Robert K. Herdman
Kimberly A. Nelson
Karen H. Quintos

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Reviews the company's safety program with an emphasis on employee, workplace and product safety.

Reviews the environmental management of our facilities and operations.

Reviews our key technology developments that may impact product competitiveness for both core and new business areas.

Reviews public policy developments, strategies and positions taken by us with respect to safety, environmental and technological matters that significantly impact us or our products.

Reviews product and service quality performance and guides our strategies and improvement initiatives.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The members of our Executive Committee are N. Thomas Linebarger (Chairman), Alexis M. Herman and William I. Miller. Our Executive Committee is authorized to exercise the powers of our Board in the management and direction of our business and affairs during the intervals between meetings of our Board. It also acts upon matters specifically delegated to it by our Board. Our Executive Committee did not meet during 2020.

SHAREHOLDER NOMINATIONS

Shareholder director candidate recommendations, including biographical information as to the proposed candidate and a statement from the shareholder as to the qualifications and willingness of such person to serve on our Board, along with the required disclosures set forth in our by-laws, must be properly and timely submitted in writing to our Secretary, as further described below. Any shareholder entitled to vote for the election of directors at a meeting may nominate a person or persons for election as directors only if written notice of such shareholder's intent to make such nominations is given, either by personal delivery or by mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of our company not later than 160 days in advance of the originally scheduled date of such meeting (provided, however, that if the originally scheduled date of such meeting is earlier than the anniversary of the date of the previous year's annual meeting, such written notice may be so given and received not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the date of the first public disclosure, which may include any public filing by us with the SEC, of the originally scheduled date of such meeting).

Each notice required by our by-laws must be signed manually or by facsimile by the shareholder of record and must set forth the information required by our by-laws, including (i) the name and address, as they appear on our books, of the shareholder who intends to make the nomination and of any beneficial owner or owners on whose behalf the nomination is made; (ii) a representation that the shareholder is a holder of record of shares of our Common Stock entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice; (iii) certain other information regarding the shareholder and its interests in our company; (iv) the name, age, business address and residential address of each nominee proposed in such notice; (v) the principal occupation or employment of each such nominee; (vi) the number of shares of our capital stock that are owned of record or beneficially by each such nominee; (vii) with respect to each nominee for election or reelection to our Board, a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement described in our by-laws; (viii) such other information regarding each nominee proposed by such shareholder as would have been required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the SEC had each nominee been nominated, or intended to be nominated, by our Board; (ix) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, including all arrangements or understandings pursuant to which the nominations are being made, between or among such shareholder and beneficial owner, if any, and their respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee, and his or her respective affiliates and associates, or any other person or persons (naming such person or persons), on the other hand; and (x) the written consent of each nominee to serve as a director if so elected.

The deadline for receiving any written notice of a shareholder's intent to make a nomination with respect to the Annual Meeting was the close of business on December 2, 2020, which was 160 days in advance of the Annual Meeting (which is typically held on the second Tuesday of each May). We received no such qualifying nominations before this deadline with respect to the Annual Meeting.


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COMMUNICATION WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Shareholders and other interested parties may communicate with our Board, including our Lead Director and other non-management directors, by sending written communication to the directors c/o our Secretary, 301 East Market Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204. All such communications will be reviewed by the Secretary or his or her designee to determine which communications are appropriate to be forwarded to the directors. All communications will be forwarded except those that are related to our products and services, are solicitations or otherwise relate to improper or irrelevant topics as determined in the sole discretion of the Secretary or his or her designee.

Our Secretary maintains and provides copies of all such communications received and determined appropriate to be forwarded to the Governance and Nominating Committee in advance of each of its meetings and reports to the Committee on the number and nature of communications that were not determined appropriate to be forwarded.

We require all of our director nominees standing for election at an annual meeting of shareholders to attend such meeting. All director nominees standing for election at our 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders were present at the virtual meeting. We currently expect all director nominees to be present virtually at the Annual Meeting.


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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS

(ITEMS 1 THROUGH 13 ON THE PROXY CARD)

GENERAL

All twelve of our current directors are nominated for reelection at the Annual Meeting to hold office until our 2022 annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors are elected and qualified. Any submitted proxy will be voted in favor of the nominees named below to serve as directors unless the shareholder indicates to the contrary on his or her proxy. Except for director nominee, Carla A. Harris, all nominees have been previously elected to our Board by our shareholders and have served continuously since the date indicated below.

MAJORITY VOTE REQUIRED FOR DIRECTOR ELECTIONS

To be elected, each director nominee must receive a majority of the votes cast by shareholders at the Annual Meeting. Receipt by a nominee of the majority of votes cast means that the number of shares voted "for" exceeds the number of votes "against" that nominee. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not counted as a vote either "for" or "against" a nominee. Our by-laws provide that the term of any incumbent director who receives more "against" votes than "for" votes in an uncontested election will automatically terminate at the shareholder meeting at which the votes were cast. In the case of a contested election, directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote in the election.

Our Board expects that each of the nominees will be able to serve as a director if elected at the Annual Meeting, but if any of them is unable to serve at the time the election occurs, proxies received that have been voted either for such nominee or for all nominees or which contain no voting instructions will be voted for the election of another nominee to be designated by our Board, unless our Board decides to reduce the number of our directors.

NOMINEES FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The names of the nominees for directors, together with biographical sketches, including their business experience during the past five years, directorships of other public corporations and their qualifications to serve on our Board are set forth below, beginning with our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, then followed by our independent directors in alphabetical order.


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OUR BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR EACH OF THE NOMINEES SET FORTH BELOW.

  PHOTO

Director Since: 2009

Age: 58

Board Committees:
Executive

N. THOMAS LINEBARGER—Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Cummins Inc.

Mr. Linebarger became the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of our company on January 1, 2012. Mr. Linebarger was our President and Chief Operating Officer from 2008-2011 after serving as Executive Vice President and President, Power Generation Business from 2003 to 2008 and as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer from 2000 to 2003. From 1998 to 2000, he was our Vice President, Supply Chain Management, after holding various other positions with us. Mr. Linebarger received a B.S. from Stanford University and a B.A. from Claremont McKenna College in 1986 and M.S. and M.B.A. degrees from Stanford in 1993. He has been a director of Harley-Davidson, Inc. since 2008.

Summary of Qualifications and Experience:

GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC

Key Contributions to the Board:

Provides strategic leadership for the Board with decades of experience with our global business

Seeks to ensure directors are informed of significant issues impacting our company and receive necessary information

Works collaboratively with our Lead Director to set agendas for Board meetings and assess the engagement and effectiveness of our Board, its committees, and individual directors

Ensures that there are strong succession plans in place for the CEO and other key leaders

 

  PHOTO

Director Since: 2008

Age: 68

Board Committees:
Audit; Governance and Nominating; Safety, Environment and Technology

ROBERT J. BERNHARDVice President for Research and Professor in the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame

Mr. Bernhard joined the University of Notre Dame in 2007 and prior to that was Associate Vice President for Research at Purdue University since 2004. He also held Assistant, Associate and full Professor positions at Purdue University. He was Director of the Ray W. Herrick Laboratories at Purdue's School of Mechanical Engineering from 1994 to 2005. Mr. Bernhard is also a Professional Engineer and earned a B.S.M.E. and Ph.D., E.M. from Iowa State University in 1973 and 1982, and an M.S.M.E. from the University of Maryland in 1976. He was the Secretary General of the International Institute of Noise Control Engineering (I-INCE) from 2000 to 2015, and is currently the President of I-INCE. He is a Fellow of the I-INCE, the Acoustical Society of America and the American Society of Mechanical Engineering.

Summary of Qualifications and Experience:

GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC

Key Contributions to the Board:

Leverages technical background to offer valuable insight

Pushes for improvement in safety and technology planning

Mentors our technical leaders


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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 


    PHOTO

Director Since: 2009

Age: 70

Board Committees:
Finance; Governance
and Nominating;
Safety, Environment
and Technology

DR. FRANKLIN R. CHANG DIAZFounder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ad Astra Rocket Company

Dr. Chang Diaz is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ad Astra Rocket Company, a U.S. spaceflight engineering company based in Houston, Texas and dedicated to the development of advanced in-space electric propulsion technology. Ad Astra also develops space-derived Earth applications in clean renewable hydrogen energy storage for stationary applications and electric transportation. Dr. Chang Diaz founded Ad Astra in 2005 following his retirement from NASA after a 25-year career during which he flew seven space missions and logged over 1,600 hours in space. In 1994, Dr. Chang Diaz founded and directed NASA's Advanced Space Propulsion Laboratory at the Johnson Space Center where he managed a multicenter research team developing new plasma rocket technology. Dr. Chang Diaz is a dual citizen of Costa Rica and the United States. As part of his involvement in Costa Rica's development, Dr. Chang Diaz currently leads the implementation of the "Strategy for the XXI Century," a plan to transform Costa Rica into a fully developed nation by the year 2050. Dr. Chang Diaz received the Liberty Medal in 1986 from President Ronald Reagan and is a four-time recipient of NASA's Distinguished Service Medal, the agency's highest honor. Dr. Chang Diaz also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Physics at Rice University and the University of Houston.

Summary of Qualifications and Experience:

GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC

Key Contributions to the Board:

Brings an expansive view of technology matters

Pushes our Board to think long-term in technology planning

Well-versed in international business issues

Strong engagement in the development of our Latin America business


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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

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  PHOTO

Director Since: 2015

Age: 64

Board Committees:
Finance; Governance
and Nominating;
Safety, Environment
and Technology

BRUNO V. DI LEO ALLEN—Managing Director, Bearing-North LLC

Mr. Di Leo has been the Managing Director of Bearing-North LLC, an independent advisory firm focused on business expansion and senior executive counseling in strategy and operations, since 2018. Prior to this role, Mr. Di Leo served as Senior Vice President of International Business Machines Corporation, or IBM, a globally integrated technology and consulting company, from January 2018 until his retirement in June 2018. He had previously served as Senior Vice President, Global Markets, for IBM since 2012. In that position, he was accountable for revenue, profit, and client satisfaction in Japan, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Greater China and the Middle East and Africa. He also oversaw IBM's Enterprise and Commercial client segments globally. From 2008 to 2011, he was General Manager for IBM's Growth Markets Unit based in Shanghai. Mr. Di Leo has more than 40 years of business leadership experience in multinational environments, having lived and held executive positions on four continents.

Mr. Di Leo has served as a director of Ferrovial, S.A., since 2018. Mr. Di Leo is a member of the international advisory board of Instituto de Estudios Superiores de la Empresa (IESE Business School) as well as a member of the Deming Center Advisory Board of Columbia Business School. He holds a business administration degree from Ricardo Palma University and a postgraduate degree from Escuela Superior de Administracion de Negocios, both in his native Peru. He is fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, English and Italian.

Summary of Qualifications and Experience:

GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC

Key Contributions to the Board:

Brings perspective on international business issues having lived and held executive positions on four continents

Offers insight regarding technology and sales and marketing issues

Works to ensure customer-focused approach in addressing product and service-related issues


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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 


  PHOTO

Director Since: 2010

Age: 64

Board Committees:
Audit; Governance
and Nominating;
Safety, Environment
and Technology

STEPHEN B. DOBBS

Mr. Dobbs is a former executive of Fluor Corporation, a publicly traded professional services firm providing engineering, procurement, construction, fabrication and modularization, commissioning and maintenance, as well as project management services on a global basis. Mr. Dobbs served as Senior Group President over Fluor's Industrial and Infrastructure Group until his retirement in 2014. In that role, Mr. Dobbs was responsible for a wide diversity of the markets served by Fluor, including infrastructure, telecommunications, mining, operations and maintenance, transportation, life sciences, heavy manufacturing, advanced technology, microelectronics, commercial, institutional, health care, water, and alternative power. Mr. Dobbs served Fluor in numerous U.S. and international locations including Southern Africa, Europe, and China. He is an industry recognized expert in project finance in Europe and the United States, particularly public private partnerships and private finance initiatives. In 2019, Mr. Dobbs retired from the Board of Directors of Lendlease Corporation Limited, an international property and infrastructure group that is publicly traded in Australia, where he had served on the Board since 2015.

Mr. Dobbs earned his doctorate in engineering from Texas A&M University and holds two undergraduate degrees in nuclear engineering, also from Texas A&M. Until his retirement from Fluor, he served on the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council on Geopolitical Risk as well as the Governor's Business Council for the State of Texas. He also served as a director of the U.S. China Business Council.

Summary of Qualifications and Experience:

GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC

Key Contributions to the Board:

Chair of Safety, Environment and Technology Committee

Leverages technical background to provide insight regarding technology matters

Possesses emerging market/international experience from his Fluor career

Adds perspective gained from leading business operations in U.S., Southern Africa, Europe and China

Experience in project finance


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    GRAPHIC

New Director Nominee

Age: 58

Board Committees:
Finance; Governance and Nominating; Talent Management and Compensation

CARLA A. HARRIS—Vice Chairman, Managing Director and Senior Client Advisor, Morgan Stanley

Ms. Harris is Vice Chairman, Managing Director and Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley. She is responsible for increasing client connectivity and penetration to enhance revenue generation across the firm. Her prior experience with Morgan Stanley includes investment banking, equity capital markets, equity private placements, and initial public offerings in a number of industries such as technology, media, retail, telecommunications, transportation, healthcare, and biotechnology. In August 2013, Ms. Harris was appointed by President Barack Obama to chair the National Women's Business Council.

Ms. Harris currently serves on the board of Walmart Corporation and serves on its Compensation and Management Development, Nominating and Governance, and Strategic Planning and Finance Committees. She also serves on the boards of several nonprofit organizations including Seize Every Opportunity (SEO), Harvard University Board of Overseers and the Morgan Stanley Foundation. Ms. Harris received an MBA from Harvard Business School and an A.B. from Harvard University.

Summary of Qualifications and Experience:

GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC

Key Contributions to the Board:

Brings broad-based and valuable insights in finance and strategy

Contributes extensive work experience in a regulated industry

Possesses senior leadership experience

 

    PHOTO

Director Since: 2008

Age: 71

Board Committees:
Audit; Governance and
Nominating, Safety, Environment and Technology

ROBERT K. HERDMAN—Managing Director, Kalorama Partners LLC

Mr. Herdman has been Managing Director of Kalorama Partners LLC, a Washington, D.C. consulting firm specializing in providing advice regarding corporate governance, risk assessment, crisis management and related matters since 2004. He was the Chief Accountant of the SEC from October 2001 to November 2002 prior to joining Kalorama. Prior to joining the SEC, he was Ernst & Young's Vice Chairman of Professional Practice for its Assurance and Advisory Business Services (AABS) practice in the Americas and the Global Director of AABS Professional Practice for Ernst & Young International. He was the senior Ernst & Young partner responsible for the firm's relationships with the SEC, FASB and AICPA. Mr. Herdman served as a member of the Board of Directors of WPX Energy, Inc. from 2011 to 2021 and served on its Compensation Committee. He chaired the Audit Committee of WPX Energy, Inc. through April 2018. In April 2015, he retired from the Board of Directors of HSBC Finance Corporation and HSBC USA Inc. Mr. Herdman had served on the Audit Committees of both companies through April 2013. Mr. Herdman also retired from the Board of Directors of HSBC North America Holdings, Inc. in April 2015 and was past Chairman of both its Audit and Risk Committees.

Summary of Qualifications and Experience:

GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC

Key Contributions to the Board:

Chair of Audit Committee

Provides insight concerning financial and risk management matters

Mentors finance leaders and helps our finance function enhance skills and talent

Actively engaged in our Enterprise Risk Management program


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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

  PHOTO

Director Since: 2001

Age: 73

Board Committees:
Executive; Finance;
Governance and
Nominating; Talent
Management and
Compensation

ALEXIS M. HERMAN—Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, New Ventures, LLC

Ms. Herman serves as Chair and Chief Executive Officer of New Ventures LLC, a corporate consulting company, and has held these positions since 2001. She serves as Chair of Toyota Motor Corporation's North American Diversity Advisory Board and is a member of Toyota's Global Advisory Board. From 1997 to 2001, she served as U.S. Secretary of Labor. She has also served as a director of The Coca Cola Company since 2007, Entergy Corporation since 2003, and MGM Resorts International since 2002. In addition, Ms. Herman is Co-Chair for the Bush Clinton Presidential Leadership Scholars Program and the Senior Vice Chair of the National Urban League. In 2014, Ms. Herman was named to the 2014 National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Directorship 100 in recognition of exemplary leadership in the boardroom and promoting the highest standards of corporate governance.

Summary of Qualifications and Experience:

GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC

Key Contributions to the Board:

Lead Director and Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee

Brings knowledge of the U.S. government and regulatory process

Offers strategic worldview due to her work with global corporations

Works with management on diversity and talent development initiatives

Creates a culture that fosters open discussion and full Board participation

 

  PHOTO

Director Since: 2015

Age: 66

Board Committees:
Finance; Governance
and Nominating;
Talent Management
and Compensation

THOMAS J. LYNCH—Chairman, TE Connectivity Ltd.

Mr. Lynch is the Chairman of TE Connectivity Ltd. (formerly Tyco Electronics Ltd.), a global provider of connectivity and sensor solutions, and harsh environment applications. Mr. Lynch served as the Chief Executive Officer of TE Connectivity Ltd. from January 2006 to March 2017 and has served as a member of its board of directors since 2007 and as Chairman of the Board since January 2013. From September 2004 to January 2006, Mr. Lynch was at Tyco International as the President of Tyco Engineered Products & Services, a global manufacturer of industrial valves and controls. Mr. Lynch joined Tyco from Motorola, where he served as Executive Vice President of Motorola, and President and Chief Executive Officer of Motorola's Personal Communications sector, a leading supplier of cellular handsets. Mr. Lynch has served as a director of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. since 2009 and as Lead Director since February 2020. He has also served as a director of Automatic Data Processing, Inc. since 2018. Mr. Lynch serves on the Board of The Franklin Institute and on the Rider University Board of Trustees.

Summary of Qualifications and Experience:

GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC

Key Contributions to the Board:

Chair of Finance Committee

Brings perspective of a sitting Chairman and former CEO of a publicly traded global company

Leverages business and financial background in rendering advice and insight

Identifies and raises strategic considerations for Board consideration


Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

 

 

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

CUMMINS  2021 PROXY        23

 


  PHOTO

Director Since: 1989

Age: 64

Board Committees:
Audit; Executive;
Governance and
Nominating; Talent
Management and
Compensation

WILLIAM I. MILLER—President, The Wallace Foundation

Mr. Miller has served as President of The Wallace Foundation, a national philanthropy with a mission of fostering equity and improvements in learning and enrichment for young people and in the arts for everyone, since 2011. Mr. Miller was the Chairman of Irwin Management Company, a Columbus, Indiana private investment firm, from 1990 to 2011. Mr. Miller has been a director or trustee of the New Perspective Fund, Inc. and the EuroPacific Growth Fund, Inc. since 1992 and of the New World Fund, Inc. since 1999. Mr. Miller serves as independent Chairman of the Board for all three of the funds, all of which are in the same mutual fund family.

Summary of Qualifications and Experience:

GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC

Key Contributions to the Board:

Professional experience in the banking and investment industries

Extensive knowledge of our company, its values and its global operations

Leadership experience in the civic, nonprofit and philanthropic sectors

 

  PHOTO

Director Since: 2004

Age: 71

Board Committees:
Audit; Governance and
Nominating; Talent
Management and
Compensation

GEORGIA R. NELSON

Prior to her retirement in June 2019, Ms. Nelson was President and CEO of PTI Resources, LLC, an independent consulting firm, since 2005. Prior to this role, Ms. Nelson retired in 2005 from Edison International, where she had been President of Midwest Generation EME, LLC since 1999 and General Manager of Edison Mission Energy Americas since 2002. Her business responsibilities have included management of regulated and unregulated power operations and a large energy trading subsidiary as well as the construction and operation of power generation projects worldwide. She has had extensive experience in business negotiations, environmental policy matters and human resources. She has served as a director of Ball Corporation since 2006 and Sims Metal Management Limited since 2014. In December 2017, she retired as a director of CH2M Hill Companies Ltd., a privately-held company, where she has served as a director since 2010. In May 2021, she will retire as a director of TransAlta Corporation where she has served as a director since 2014. She serves on the advisory committee of the Center for Executive Women at Northwestern University. In November 2012, Ms. Nelson was named to the 2012 National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Directorship 100 in recognition of exemplary leadership in the boardroom and promoting the highest standards of corporate governance. Ms. Nelson is an NACD Board Fellow.

Summary of Qualifications and Experience:

GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC

Key Contributions to the Board:

Chair of Talent Management and Compensation Committee

Provides perspective based on background in power generation and business

Utilizes expertise in talent management and governance matters to oversee best practices in executive compensation and human capital management

Possesses manufacturing and environmental experience

Works outside of regular meetings to support the development of women in leadership roles


Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

 

 

24        CUMMINS  2021 PROXY

 

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 


  PHOTO

Director Since: 2020

Age: 58

Board Committees:
Audit; Governance
and Nominating;
Safety, Environment
and Technology

KIMBERLY A. NELSON

Ms. Nelson worked for General Mills Inc. for nearly 30 years prior to her retirement in December 2017. During her career at General Mills, she held a number of senior brand and general management roles, including serving as President of the U.S. Snacks Division. Ms. Nelson became Senior Vice President, External Relations in 2010, a global role leading issues and crisis management, consumer relations, corporate branding and communications, environmental social governance, government relations and global external stakeholder relations.

Ms. Nelson is on the board of Tate & Lyle PLC and serves on its Audit and Nominations Committees. She is also on the board of Colgate-Palmolive Company. Ms. Nelson holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and a B.S. in International Relations from Georgetown University. She is a member of the Executive Leadership Council, Women Corporate Directors, and a National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Fellow. Ms. Nelson also serves on the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs Advisory Council.

Summary of Qualifications and Experience:

GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC

Key Contributions to the Board:

Identifies and raises strategic considerations for Board consideration

Brings global external relations perspective

Offers insight into environmental, social and governance matters

Brings strategic view on social justice, diversity and inclusion efforts

 

  PHOTO

Director Since: 2017

Age: 57

Board Committees:
Audit; Governance
and Nominating;
Safety, Environment
and Technology

KAREN H. QUINTOS

Prior to her retirement in June 2020, Ms. Quintos was Chief Customer Officer of Dell Technologies Inc., the world's third largest supplier of personal computers and other computer hardware items, since 2016. In addition, Ms. Quintos led Dell's global customer strategy and programs as well as Diversity and Inclusion, Corporate Responsibility and Entrepreneurship strategy and programs. From 2010 to 2016, Ms. Quintos served as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Vice President of public sector marketing and North America commercial marketing, and held executive roles in services, support and supply chain management. Ms. Quintos joined Dell in 2000 from Citigroup where she was Vice President of global operations and technology. Ms. Quintos earned a Master's degree in marketing and international business from New York University and a B.S. in supply chain management from Pennsylvania State University.

Ms. Quintos is on the board of Lennox International and serves on its Compensation and Human Resources Committee and its Public Policy Committee. She is founder and executive sponsor of Dell's Women in Action employee resource group. She is on the board of Penn State's Smeal College of Business and a 2014 recipient of its highest honor, the Distinguished Alumni Award.

Summary of Qualifications and Experience:

GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC      GRAPHIC

Key Contributions to the Board:

Contributes marketing and international perspective

Brings knowledge of global customer strategy and programs

Offers strategic insight in customer services, support and supply chain management

Offers strategic view on diversity and corporate responsibility programs


Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

 

 

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

CUMMINS  2021 PROXY        25

The table below summarizes key qualifications, skills and attributes most relevant to the decision to nominate the candidates to serve on our Board. A mark indicates a specific area of focus or experience on which the Board relies most. The lack of a mark does not mean the director nominee does not possess that qualification or skill. Each director nominee biography above in this section describes each nominee's qualifications and relevant experience in more detail.

    DIRECTORS     Automotive &
Transportation


  Manufacturing
  Technology/
IT


  Sales/
Marketing


  Government/
Regulatory


  International
  Academics
  Financial

 

 

Robert J. Bernhard

 

 

 

·

 

 

 

·

 

 

 

·

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

·

 

 

 

 

 

 
   
    Franklin R. Chang Diaz               ·       ·                       ·                    
   
    Bruno V. Di Leo                       ·       ·               ·                    
   
    Stephen B. Dobbs       ·       ·       ·                       ·               ·    
   
    Carla A. Harris                                       ·       ·               ·    
   
    Alexis M. Herman               ·                       ·       ·                    
   
    Robert K. Herdman               ·                       ·       ·               ·    
   
    N. Thomas Linebarger       ·       ·       ·       ·               ·               ·    
   
    Thomas J. Lynch               ·       ·                       ·               ·    
   
    William I. Miller               ·                                               ·    
   
    Georgia R. Nelson       ·       ·       ·                       ·                    
   
    Kimberly A. Nelson               ·               ·       ·       ·                    
   
    Karen H. Quintos                       ·       ·               ·                    
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

26        CUMMINS  2021 PROXY

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

NOTE FROM THE CHAIR OF OUR TALENT
MANAGEMENT & COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

2020 was a year of deep reflection as well as swift action. When the unusual events of last year unfolded, our Board's Talent Management and Compensation Committee (TMCC) and our management immediately began to evaluate the new and unprecedented issues around talent, compensation, and benefits that would impact our shareholders, employees, customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders. With the onset of a global pandemic, a severe uneven economic downturn, and visible social injustice, we turned to our core values for the guidance we needed to develop innovative and equitable responses to the challenges we faced.

Through this process, we clarified our priorities and took decisive action early in the year to protect the health and well-being of our employees, customers, suppliers, and affiliates, and to preserve the long-term sustainability of our business. As the year progressed, we considered various approaches to managing and compensating our workforce, and gained clarity on what practices, policies, and administrative responses should and should not change due to the global pandemic and beyond.

We determined the Company would best be served if we maintained our existing incentive compensation plans, policies, and practices. We reaffirmed the Company had designed and maintained pay programs to stand the test of time through not only economic cycles but this pandemic as well. As a result, we maintained the design of our incentive plans and retained the measures, goals, and financial targets as originally planned.

The events of this year underscored the need for our Committee to take a broader view of plans, policies, and practices that impact our employees, our culture, the quality of our leadership and our overall talent management program. This broader approach reinforced the important role our workforce plays in the long-term sustainability and success of our organization. Specifically, we:

GRAPHIC   Broadened our Committee charter to include oversight of the broader talent management issues, including the future of our workforce as impacted by the pandemic, company-wide pay gap and pay equity, our commitment to action and leadership on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion ("DEI") and a variety of other employee related plans and programs.

GRAPHIC

 

Changed the name of our Compensation Committee to the Talent Management and Compensation Committee;

GRAPHIC

 

Implemented immediately our new charter, augmenting our planning calendars and meeting agendas to reflect our new oversight responsibilities; and

GRAPHIC

 

Changed our resourcing to the Committee to include our Talent Management and DEI colleagues.

The events of 2020 and trends in the market also caused us to re-examine our compensation and benefits policies through a broader lens. This extensive review led to us expanding our clawback policy to give the TMCC the ability to clawback compensation from senior executives who cause the Company reputational harm.

Finally, we substantially revamped this Compensation Discussion & Analysis to include the work we did and to ensure our disclosures were clear, compelling, and sufficiently broad to provide an accurate picture of who we are, the decisions we made last year, and the rationale for those decisions. After being tested on many levels in 2020, we are confident our compensation plans and practices will continue to support our strategy and drive value for all stakeholders.

Georgia R. Nelson, CHAIR


 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

CUMMINS  2021 PROXY        27

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Cummins operates with a strong pay for performance and team-oriented philosophy and continued to do so in 2020, regardless of a highly challenging year. The summary below highlights our business results, how our talent management supported those results, our governance framework, and compensation for our executives and the rationale for those decisions.

How Did We Perform?


Key 2020 Business Highlights

    

 

 

In 2020, Cummins delivered strong financial performance. The COVID-19 pandemic had an unprecedented impact on the global economy, resulting in lower demand in nearly all our end markets and manufacturing shutdowns for ourselves, our suppliers and our customers.

 

 

In response to the unprecedented decline in demand, we took a series of actions to maintain the financial strength of our company, including instituting temporary salary reductions for our officers and other exempt employees, cutting discretionary spending, and reducing capital expenditures. These actions, combined with the restructuring work initiated at the end of 2019, allowed us to deliver solid profitability despite the magnitude of the decline in sales.

 

 

We experienced the largest decline in sales in the company's history in the second quarter, followed by the largest sequential increase in the third quarter. Many markets improved in the second half of the year as economic activity improved. For the full year, our earnings per share (EPS) of $12.01 improved from our prior cyclical trough, and our decremental margin percentage was 17 percent.

 

 

Our strong financial performance was made possible by our employees, who worked tirelessly to support our customers throughout 2020, managing through supplier shutdowns and significant fluctuations in demand while adjusting the way we work to mitigate the spread of the virus.

 

 

We continued to see high acceptance of our products, and we entered into new engine supply agreements with customers in North America and India.

 

 

We also continued investing in new technologies that will fuel profitable growth in the future, including our hydrogen capabilities, which we highlighted at our Hydrogen Day event in November. Entering 2021, we are well positioned to deliver another year of solid performance and generate strong profitability and cashflows, which we will invest in future products and return to shareholders.

 

 
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        

Key Performance Metrics*

 

 

2020

 

2019

Total Net
Sales


 

$19.8 BN

 

$23.6 BN
            

Net
Income1


 

$1.8 BN

 

$2.4 BN
            

EBITDA2

 

$3.1 BN
(15.7% of sales)


 

$3.7 BN
(15.8% of sales)
            

Return on
Average Net
Assets
(ROANA)3




 

26%

 

35%
            

Return on
Invested Capital
(ROIC)3



 

15%

 

21%
            

Cash from
Operations


 

$2.7 BN

 

$3.2 BN
            

Total
Shareholder
Return



 

12%
(3-year period
ending in 2020)



 

13%
(3-year period
ending in 2019)
            

Diluted Earnings
per Share (EPS)


 

$12.01

 

$15.05
            

Dividend

 

Increased our quarterly dividend from $1.311 to
$1.35 a share, our 11th straight year of dividend
growth
*
See Annex A for reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP measures referenced in this section.

(1)
2019 Net Income and diluted EPS exclude $90 million (after-tax) of restructuring charges.

(2)
2019 EBITDA excludes $119 million of restructuring charges.

(3)
2019 ROANA and ROIC exclude $119 million of restructuring charges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

28        CUMMINS  2021 PROXY

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

 

 

How Did our Talent Strategies and Actions Support our Performance?

    People drive
Cummins'
success.
      In 2020, we extended our talent strategy with the overarching theme to "Inspire and Encourage All Employees to Reach Their Full Potential." This strategy is built upon four pillars: (1) create a diverse and inclusive work environment; (2) engage employees and families in improving wellness; (3) develop self-aware and effective leaders; and (4) advance our workforce strategy by extending our talent management strategies to all employees. The challenges of 2020 gave us opportunities to reinforce our commitment to our people.
            We rapidly deployed technologies to ensure continued collaboration and efficiencies across our global footprint as we quickly adapted to a remote working environment.
            For our essential on-site workforce, we executed robust safety protocols, distributed personal protective equipment, and expanded employee leave policies to maintain a safe and productive environment.
            Through rapid shift to virtual deployment, we maintained commitment to our leadership development framework for senior executives and middle managers, focused on building business acumen and emotional intelligence.
    Specific
actions we
took in 2020
      We extended to our hourly employees key elements of our talent management programs in which we hire employees early in their careers, then provide them with learning and development opportunities to advance their confidence, capabilities, and careers over time.
            We launched a global mental health awareness campaign to destigmatize conditions such as depression and anxiety and encourage our people to seek support through the resources we offer.
            We developed a globally integrated Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) vision and enhanced Global DE&I strategy.
            We developed and piloted a Diversity and Inclusion learning curriculum aimed at creating greater recognition and awareness of privilege and unconscious bias both in and out of the workplace.
            We also reinforced our commitment to DE&I by forming a Global Inclusion Leadership Council to oversee more than 100 employee resource groups around the world dedicated to providing opportunities for leadership training, cross-cultural learning, and professional development for all employees.

 

 

Diversity,
Equity &
Inclusion

 

 

 

As part of our human capital management strategy, we regularly review and analyze statistics on Equity and Inclusion. We measure Equity by pay, promotions, and performance ratings of our employees by gender and ethnicity across job levels and job types. We measure Inclusion by engagement scores and voluntary turnover rates. In 2020, we created baseline metrics around Equity and Inclusion, identified areas for improvement, and implemented initiatives to help drive continued progress. In 2021, we will measure our progress against the baseline metrics we established in 2020.

 

 

Evolving
Workplace

 

 

 

We concluded 2020 by gathering key learnings from our employees' experience during the year and developing a new vision for the workplace when the impact of COVID-19 dissipates. We are committed to leveraging our learnings to adapt new ways of working that are more flexible, agile and inclusive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

CUMMINS  2021 PROXY        29

 

How Did We Address Talent Management and Compensation Governance?

    Working
Remotely
      We adapted to a largely remote working environment by quickly deploying technologies allowing for continued collaboration and efficiencies.

 

 

Protecting
our on-site
workforce

 

 

 

Robust safety protocols, personal protective equipment, and employee leave policies were deployed to ensure a safe and productive environment for our essential on-site workforce.

 

 

Developing Leaders

 

 

 

Our leadership development framework, focused on building business acumen and emotional intelligence, was rolled out to multiple cohorts, including participants from our senior executive ranks through our middle managers.

 

 

Championing
Diversity

 

 

 

As part of our human capital management strategy, we regularly review and analyze statistics on Equity and Inclusion. We measure Equity by pay, promotions, and performance ratings of our employees by gender and ethnicity across job levels and job types.

We measure Inclusion by engagement scores and voluntary turnover rates. In 2020, we created baseline metrics around Equity and Inclusion, identified areas for improvement, and implemented initiatives to help drive continued progress. In 2021, we will measure our progress against the baseline metrics we established in 2020.

In 2020, we also bolstered our DE&I efforts by creating a Global Inclusion Leadership Council to oversee more than 100 employee resource groups around the world to provide opportunities for leadership training, cross-cultural learning, and professional development for all employees.

 

 

Promoting
Employee
Development

 

 

 

We create a work environment in which all employees can develop and grow their careers. As part of our "hire to develop" strategy, we hire employees early in their career then provide learning and development opportunities to build increasing levels of capability over time. In 2020, we extended talent management processes to our hourly employee population, including our internal job posting process for all office and technician roles.

 

 

Focusing on
Wellness

 

 

 

Focusing on Wellness allows our employees to achieve their personal and professional potential. Through a broad set of programs and benefits, we engaged employees and their families in improving physical, mental and financial wellness. In 2020, we launched a global mental health awareness campaign with the objective of destigmatizing conditions such as depression and anxiety. We also selected a new vendor for our global employee assistance program to deliver consistently high-quality support.

 

 

 

 

 

 

30        CUMMINS  2021 PROXY

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

How Did We Address Talent Management and Compensation Governance?

    Talent
Management &
Compensation
Committee
      Given the desire of the Board to more broadly oversee talent management, the Compensation Committee charter was amended to include the strategy and design of compensation plans for all employees, as designated by the Committee, and oversight of the Company's strategies related to talent management, including leadership, culture, diversity and inclusion, and succession. As a result, the Board changed the name of the Committee to the Talent Management and Compensation Committee.

 

 

The
Committee
Added to its
Robust Annual
Meeting
Schedule

 

 

 

As a result, the Committee added significant items to its meeting schedule, including reviews of the Chairman's diversity council report, gender and ethnic pay equity, talent management processes, establishment of baseline measures of performance, monitoring progress against baseline measures, and plans to address any issues or concerns.

 

 

The
Committee
was guided by
the same
compensation
principles as in
prior years

     

Targeting the median of the external market for the pay positioning of executives' total direct compensation (which includes salary, bonus, and long-term incentives)

Balanced annual and long-term elements of compensation, commensurate with each position's decision-making time horizon and competitive context

Pay at risk, with pay varying with financial and stock price performance, particularly for senior executives

Alignment of pay with performance, primarily through variable pay, stock-based pay, and stock ownership requirements

Support for retention of experienced employees and achievement of our succession plans

Simple, transparent, and easy to understand


 

 

Clawback
Policy

 

 

 

In its review of compensation policies, the Committee determined that it would be in the best interests of shareholders to strengthen the Company's clawback policy by authorizing the Committee to recover as it deems appropriate compensation awarded to an officer if the officer is engaged in certain types of misconduct that caused or could cause harm to the Company. All other policies remained unchanged.

 

 

Shareholder
Outreach &
Support

 

 

 

As in prior years, management, on behalf of the Committee, conducted extensive outreach with shareholders to obtain their views on the Company's executive compensation programs and practices.

Our Board members also routinely meet with shareholders for conversations on topics, such as company strategy, growth, risk management, and ESG issues.


 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

CUMMINS  2021 PROXY        31

 

How Did We Align Executive Pay and Performance?

    Base Salary
Reductions
      Due to the economic uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, base salaries of our CEO, Officers (including Named Executive Officers), and other exempt employees were reduced as follows:

CEO: 50%

Other Officers (including Named Executive Officers): 25%

Other exempt employees where legally permissible: 10% – 20% depending on level

The cash retainer for non-executive directors will also be reduced by 25% in 2021 for the same period of time that Officer pay was reduced in 2020

Reductions were effective from the last pay period in April through September 30, 2020

 

 

Performance
plans, metrics,
etc. were not
adjusted due
to COVID

      The Committee paid all employees, including executives, in accordance with the plans, as established at the beginning of our fiscal year. Despite the challenging year caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we maintained our measures, goals, financial formulas, and financial targets in our performance plans, and we kept our long-term incentive mix. After assessing a number of potential alternatives, the Committee determined Cummins would be best served maintaining all aspects of plan design established at the beginning of the plan cycles for the following reasons:

This treatment better maintained the integrity and operational discipline of our plans

Results were anticipated to be within our goal ranges throughout the year, and therefore, the plans maintained their relevance

We use adjustments infrequently and judiciously. Therefore, using unadjusted results to calculate awards was more consistent with the Company's pay for performance philosophy and the Company's general approach to incentives in the past


 

 

Annual Bonus
Plan

 

 

 

Our Annual Bonus Plan paid out 70% of target based on actual 2020 ROANA of 25.92% against a target of 27.65%. All employees participating in the bonus plan received the same payout factor.

 

 

Performance
Share &
Performance
Cash Plans

 

 

 

Our Performance Share and Performance Cash plans for the 2018-2020 performance cycle paid out 120% of target based on actual 3-year cumulative EBITDA of $10,196 million compared to our goal of $9,886 million, and ROIC of 16.54% compared to our target of 15.0%. All employees participating in the long-term performance plans received the same payout factor.

 

 

Alignment
between
CEO's
Realized
Pay &
financial/TSR
performance

 

 

 

The Committee, along with its consultant, Farient Advisors LLC ("Farient"), quantitatively and qualitatively assessed the relationship between realized pay (defined as actual salary, actual annual bonus, actual long-term performance cash earned, actual long-term performance shares, earned valued at the stock price at the end of the performance period, and the economic value of the fully vested options grant three years prior) and financial and TSR performance for our CEO. The results of this analysis demonstrate strong alignment, as shown below:

GRAPHIC


 

 

 

 

 

 

32        CUMMINS  2021 PROXY

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

PURPOSE AND PRINCIPLES OF OUR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM

PURPOSE OF OUR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM

Our long-term success depends on our ability to attract, motivate, focus, and retain highly talented individuals committed to Cummins' vision, strategy and corporate culture. To that end, our incentive plans, which apply to all participants including executives, are designed to link pay to Cummins' annual and long-term performance, and to the successful execution of Cummins' business strategies. Our salary levels and incentive targets are intended to recognize individual performance and market pay levels. We also use our executive compensation program to encourage high performing executives to remain with us over the course of their careers.

PRINCIPLES OF OUR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM

Our compensation philosophy rewards executives for achieving our financial objectives and building long-term value for our shareholders and other stakeholders. We also follow several other principles when designing our executive compensation program including:


GRAPHIC   Market Positioning
We believe that, on average, our executives' target total direct compensation opportunity (consisting of base salary, target annual bonus, and target long-term incentive value) should be at the median of the market.

GRAPHIC

 

Short-Term / Long-Term Mix
We believe that there should be an appropriate balance between annual and long-term elements of compensation commensurate with the position's decision-making time horizon and competitive context.

GRAPHIC

 

Pay at Risk
We believe that the more senior an executive's position, the more compensation should be "at risk," which means it will vary based on Cummins' financial and stock price performance.

GRAPHIC

 

Retention
We believe that our compensation program should support retention of our experienced executives and achievements of our leadership succession plans.

GRAPHIC

 

Simple and Transparent
We believe that our executive compensation program should be transparent to our investors and employees as well as simple and easy to understand.

GRAPHIC

 

Alignment with Shareholder Interests
We believe that equity-based compensation and stock ownership should be a substantial part of our executive compensation program in order to link executives' compensation with our shareholders' returns. The greater the level of responsibility of the officer, the more his or her compensation should be stock-based and the higher his or her stock ownership requirement should be.

GRAPHIC


 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

CUMMINS  2021 PROXY        33

 

ADVISORY SHAREHOLDER SAY-ON-PAY VOTE

At our 2020 Annual Meeting, after the 2020 executive compensation actions described in this CD&A had taken place, we held an advisory shareholder vote to approve the compensation of our Named Executive Officers. We are gratified that our shareholders voted 93.5% in favor of our executive compensation. In response to this strong vote of shareholder approval, we did not undertake any material changes to our executive compensation programs for 2020.       GRAPHIC

COMPENSATION ELEMENTS SUPPORT PAY FOR PERFORMANCE PHILOSOPHY

As in prior years, our compensation program is designed to support our pay-for-performance philosophy aligned with the interests of our shareholders and other stakeholders. The key elements of our executive compensation program are:

Compensation Element   Form of Payment   Performance Metrics   Rationale
Base salary   Cash   Individual Performance   Market-based to attract and retain skilled executives. Designed to recognize scope of responsibility, individual performance and experience.
Annual bonus   Cash   Return on Average Net Assets (ROANA) using EBITDA   Rewards operational performance. ROANA balances growth, profitability and asset management.
Long-term incentive compensation   Performance cash (34%), Performance shares (33%) and Stock options (33%)   Return on Invested Capital (ROIC), weighted at 80% and EBITDA, weighted at 20% over a three-year period for performance cash and performance shares.   ROIC and EBITDA provide an incentive for profitable growth and correlate well with shareholder value.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

We believe the compensation of our most senior executives should be based on Cummins' overall financial performance and a significant portion of their pay should be incentive-based and therefore at risk.

In 2020, performance-linked components (annual bonus and long-term incentive compensation) were 88% of the CEO's target total direct compensation opportunity and 78% of the average target total direct compensation opportunity for the Named Executive Officers. These pay elements were allocated as shown below.


TARGET TOTAL DIRECT COMPENSATION MIX – FISCAL YEAR 2020

GRAPHIC

TARGET EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION ALIGNED WITH THE MARKET

The Committee reviews our executive compensation levels and programs on a regular basis. For pay levels, we generally target the median of the market for total direct compensation as well as its components, including salary, bonus targets, and long-term incentive target values. We consider target compensation to be market competitive if it is within +/-10% of the median level indicated by the benchmarking data.

For 2020, our primary compensation benchmarking sources were manufacturing companies in the Aon Hewitt Total Compensation Management Executive Survey and the Mercer Benchmark Database Survey. We also considered data from our Custom Peer Group (described below) regarding pay levels for the CEO and pay program design, dilution, and performance. We believe this approach provides an appropriate representation of the market, and using multiple sources lessens the impact of fluctuations in market data over time.

Our Custom Peer Group was made up of the sixteen public companies listed below. All companies fell into at least one of the following categories:

customers with a strong presence in one or more of our major markets;
companies that compete directly or indirectly with one or more of Cummins' businesses;
key suppliers of related products; and
diversified industrial companies that compete for investor capital within the Industrial market segment.

The Custom Peer Group companies are also similar to Cummins in size and investor profile and compete with us for customers and talent.

Borg Warner Incorporated   Caterpillar Incorporated   Daimler AG   Deere & Company
Donaldson Co. Incorporated   Eaton Corporation   Emerson Electric Co.   Fortive Corporation
Honeywell International Inc.   Illinois Tool Works   Navistar International Corp.   Paccar Incorporated
Parker-Hannifin Corporation   Textron Incorporated   Volvo AB   W.W. Grainger

No changes were made to the peer group in 2020.


 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION BEST PRACTICES

We continually review best practices in the area of executive compensation and incorporate those practices in our executive compensation arrangements.

GRAPHIC
  WHAT WE DO
   
  GRAPHIC
  WHAT WE DO NOT DO
Set clear financial goals that we believe are challenging yet achievable, meet or exceed competitive standards, and will enhance shareholder value over time       We do not allow backdating or repricing of stock options
Use different measures to ensure our executives focus on both annual and longer-term goals       We do not have separate employment contracts with our executive officers
Tie incentive awards for all participants to overall Company performance to reinforce that the Company's success is more important than individual business success and to encourage collaboration and teamwork       We do not guarantee salary increases, bonuses or equity grants for our executive officers, and we do not provide discretionary bonuses to our Named Executive Officers
Encourage executives to focus on the sustained long-term growth of our company and promote retention by vesting awards only at the end of the performance or service period       We will not gross-up excise taxes that may be imposed on payments to our executive officers in connection with a change in control
Cap payouts under our short- and long-term incentive compensation plans at 200% of the target awards       We do not provide significant perquisites
Require all incentives awards for senior executives be subject to clawback and cancellation provisions       We do not permit officers or directors to engage in pledging, hedging or similar types of transactions with respect to our stock
Maintain a Talent Management and Compensation Committee composed of independent directors who are advised by an outside, independent compensation consultant       We do not pay dividends or dividend equivalents on unearned performance shares
Complete an annual assessment of the risk associated with our compensation program            
Require executive officers to maintain prescribed stock ownership levels            
Subject our executives to double trigger change in control provisions            

 

 

 

 

 

 

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HOW PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND GOALS ARE DETERMINED

The Committee regularly reviews all elements of our executive compensation program and makes changes as it deems appropriate. Each review includes general comparisons against market data and analysis prepared by Farient, including information on market practices in the following areas:

Pay strategy and positioning;
Annual bonus plan design, including performance measures and goals and plan leverage;
Long-term incentive plan strategy and design, including the mix of elements, as well as performance measures and goals and plan leverage;
Stock ownership guidelines;
Executive perquisites, including personal use of company aircraft; and
Executive benefits and protection policies, including severance practices for officers, supplemental retirement plans, deferred compensation plans and change in control arrangements.

The Talent Management and Compensation Committee establishes performance measures and goals each year for the annual and long-term incentive plans that are designed to help achieve our business strategy and objectives. The Committee also benchmarks against the historical performance of the Custom Peer Group and considers whether Cummins' goals are sufficiently demanding relative to our peers. Additionally, the Committee solicits Farient's assessment regarding the degree of difficulty associated with the incentive plan performance targets relative to both external analyst expectations for performance and peer performance expectations. The Committee believes this process leads to appropriate performance targets and incentive awards that reflect the creation of shareholder value.

The Talent Management and Compensation Committee has discretion to adjust performance results that reflect significant transactions (such as acquisitions, divestitures, or newly-formed joint ventures) or other unusual items (such as pension plan contributions above required levels, restructuring, or significant tax legislation) if such events were not anticipated at the time performance targets were initially established.

COMPENSATION PROGRAMS AND IMPACT OF COVID-19

Our executive compensation program consists of three principal elements: base salary, annual bonus, and long-term incentive compensation. Together, these elements constitute total direct compensation.

The Company's annual salary increase cycle is normally implemented on July 1 of each year. However, it became apparent to the Board that the pandemic would have significant negative impacts on our business in 2020. As a result, the Talent Management and Compensation Committee determined it would be in the Company's best interests to defer planned merit increases indefinitely, and instead, implement temporary salary reductions for officers and, where legally permissible, exempt employees. The base salary of our CEO was reduced by 50%; the base salaries of other executives (including NEOs) were reduced by 25%. All reductions were effective from last payroll period in April through September 30, 2020. On October 1, 2020, base salaries were restored to the levels in effect prior to the reductions. Any base salary increases originally planned for July 1, 2020, were implemented on January 1, 2021.

Despite the challenging year caused by COVID, we maintained our measures, goals, financial formulas, and financial targets in our performance plans, and we kept our long-term incentive mix. After assessing a number of potential alternatives, the Committee determined the Company would be best served if we maintained all aspects of plan design established at the beginning of the plan cycles for the following reasons:

This treatment better maintained the integrity and operational discipline of our plans
Results were anticipated to be within our goal ranges throughout the year, and therefore, the plans maintained their relevance
We use adjustments infrequently and judiciously. Therefore, using unadjusted results to calculate awards was more consistent with the Company's pay for performance philosophy and the Company's general approach to incentives in the past

BASE SALARY

We target base salary, on average, at the median of the market for similar executive positions. Some officers' base salaries may vary from the median due to factors such as experience, tenure, potential, performance, and internal equity.


 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

CUMMINS  2021 PROXY        37

ANNUAL BONUS

HOW BONUSES ARE CALCULATED

Our annual bonus is designed to link participants' pay to our annual financial performance. The payout for each participant, including our NEOs, is calculated using the following formula:

GRAPHIC

Target awards as a percentage of salary are set such that performance at the target goal level generates an annual bonus aligned with the median range of the market. The "payout factor" is determined based on Cummins' actual financial performance against its annual goals.

For 2020, annual bonus payouts were calculated without regard to the COVID-related salary reductions (described above).

2020 ANNUAL BONUS PERFORMANCE MEASURE

ROANA was the sole performance measure for our 2020 annual bonus plan because ROANA appropriately balances our growth, profitability, and the management of our assets, all of which combine to drive our share value.

ROANA for compensation purposes equals:

ROANA = Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (or EBITDA) ÷ Average Net Assets(1)

(1)
Average Net Assets is the average of the Net Assets ending in the five quarters preceding our fiscal year. Net Assets is derived from our consolidated balance sheet and excludes debt and related financing accounts, deferred tax amounts, and certain pension and post-retirement liability accounts

ROANA PERFORMANCE TARGETS FOR 2020

Setting the target with the appropriate level of difficulty underscores the importance of achieving or exceeding our annual operating plan (AOP) performance commitment. This approach requires increasingly difficult targets during economic upturns and realistic goals during cyclical downturns. Target ROANA decreased from 34.10% in 2019 to 27.65% in 2020. This decrease was due to the AOP projections for 2020. Target ROANA was established by the Talent Management and Compensation Committee after reviewing the AOP and considering input from Farient Advisors, the Committee's independent outside consultant.

Target ROANA (a 100% payout factor) was the amount required to achieve our AOP. As shown below, the possible payout factors for 2020 ranged from 10% for threshold performance (70% of target ROANA) to a maximum of 200% for superior performance (115% of target ROANA or better). The payout factor changed in increments of 10% for results that fell between threshold and target, or between target and maximum.

  ROANA Goal   Goal as
% of Target
  Payout as
% of Target(1)

>Maximum

  31.80%   115%   200%

Target

  27.65%   100%   100%

Threshold

  19.36%   70%   10%

<Threshold

  <19.36%   <70%   0%

EBITDA at target: $3.043 billion

           
(1)
Interpolate for performance between discrete points, rounded to the nearest 10% increment

 

 

 

 

 

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

 

 

2020 ROANA PERFORMANCE AND PAYOUTS

Our 2020 ROANA performance was 25.92%, and, as a result, the payout factor used to calculate the 2020 annual bonus for all participants, including Named Executive Officers, was 70% of target.

GRAPHIC

LONG-TERM INCENTIVE COMPENSATION

FORM OF LONG-TERM INCENTIVE AWARDS FOR 2020

Our long-term incentive compensation program for 2020 consisted of performance cash, performance shares, and stock options. We believe that the combination of these long-term incentive vehicles supported our pay-for-performance philosophy, provided appropriate incentives for participants to achieve financial targets, and strengthened the linkage between the economic interests of our participants, including our NEOs, and our shareholders.

  GRAPHIC

TARGET GRANT VALUES

The Talent Management and Compensation Committee generally sets the target long-term incentive values for our officers on average at the median of the market. Grant values are set using a market-based economic valuation methodology which converts the targeted value of the grants into a


 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

CUMMINS  2021 PROXY        39

 

 

targeted dollar amount of performance cash and a number of performance shares and stock options. The number of performance shares granted are based on a six-month average stock price to eliminate any unforeseen gains or losses in value associated with a temporary stock price spike or drop. The number of stock options granted is determined using the Black-Scholes model.

Under the valuation model for our stock option grants, the ratio of stock options to performance shares awarded in 2020 was approximately 4.7 to 1. On April 6, 2020, we granted non-qualified stock options with an exercise price per share equal to $142.12, the closing price of our common stock on the grant date. These stock options will vest and become exercisable on the third anniversary of the grant date if the recipient is still employed by us and expire ten years after the grant date.

PERFORMANCE PLAN MEASURES

Since the 2018-2020 long-term performance cycle, we have used two metrics for our long-term performance cash and performance shares: Return on Invested Capital (ROIC), which has an 80% weighting, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), which has a 20% weighting. The Talent Management and Compensation Committee reaffirmed these metrics were appropriate for the 2020-2022 award cycle as we continued to focus on both growth and delivering strong returns on the capital we invest. Together these metrics strongly correlate with total shareholder return.

GRAPHIC

ROIC AND EBITDA PERFORMANCE TARGETS FOR THE 2018-2020 AWARD CYCLE

For the 2018-2020 performance cycle, we set a stable ROIC target at the top quartile of our peers. We endeavor to maintain a stable target as long as our strategy remains the same in delivering top quartile returns. We also established a cumulative 3-year EBITDA goal the Talent Management and Compensation Committee deemed to be challenging, yet realistic, and consistent with our long-term strategy and financial plans.

ROIC for compensation purposes equals:

ROIC = Average Earnings Before Interest Expense and Noncontrolling Interests after taxes for the 3-year performance period ÷ Average Invested Capital for the 3-year performance period

EBITDA for compensation purposes equals:

EBITDA = Cumulative Earnings Before Interest Expense, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interests, Depreciation and Amortization for the 3-year performance period


 

 

 

 

 

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

 

The table below summarizes the ROIC and EBITDA targets for the 2018-2020 award cycle.

  ROIC Goal (80%
Weighting)
  ROIC Goal as a
% of Target
  EBITDA Goal (20%
Weighting)
  EBITDA Goal as
% of Target
  ROIC and EBITDA Payouts as
% of Target(1)

<Maximum

  19.50%   130%   $11,369   115%   200%

Target

  15.00%   100%   $9,886   100%   100%

Threshold

  10.50%   70%   $8,403   85%   10%

<Threshold(2)

  10.50%   <70%   <$8,403   <85%   0%
(1)
Interpolate for performance between discrete points

(2)
Plan does not require that both measures are above threshold for a payout to occur

2018-2020 LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE CASH AND PERFORMANCE SHARE PAYOUTS

Based on our actual performance from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2020, our ROIC was 16.54% and our 3-year Cumulative EBITDA was $10,196 million. As a result, the payout factor used to calculate the awards for all long-term incentive plan participants was 120%. We made the following exclusions:

For the 2018-2020 long-term incentive plan cycle, we did not exclude costs related to restructuring actions implemented in the fourth quarter of 2019.

ROIC AND EBITDA PERFORMANCE TARGETS FOR THE 2019-2021 AND 2020-2022 AWARD CYCLES

The table below summarizes the ROIC and EBITDA targets for the 2019-2021 award cycle.

  ROIC Goal (80%
Weighting)
  ROIC Goal as a
% of Target
  EBITDA Goal (20%
Weighting)
  EBITDA Goal as
% of Target
  ROIC and EBITDA Payouts as
% of Target(1)

<Maximum

  19.50%   130%   $12,642   115%   200%

Target

  15.00%   100%   $10.993   100%   100%

Threshold

  10.50%   70%   $9,344   85%   10%

<Threshold(2)

  10.50%   <70%   <$9,344   <85%   0%
(1)
Interpolate for performance between discrete points

(2)
Plan does not require that both measures are above threshold for a payout to occur

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

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The table below summarizes the ROIC and EBITDA targets for the 2020-2022 award cycle.

  ROIC Goal (80%
Weighting)
  ROIC Goal as a
% of Target
  EBITDA Goal (20%
Weighting)
  EBITDA Goal as
% of Target
  ROIC and EBITDA Payouts as
% of Target(1)

<Maximum

  19.50%   130%   $12,422   115%   200%

Target

  15.00%   100%   $10.802   100%   100%

Threshold

  10.50%   70%   $9,182   85%   10%

<Threshold(2)

  10.50%   <70%   <$9,182   <85%   0%
(1)
Interpolate for performance between discrete points

(2)
Plan does not require that both measures are above threshold for a payout to occur

COMPENSATION CHANGE FOR 2021

For our 2021 long-term incentive program, the Talent Management and Compensation Committee decided to eliminate stock options from the pay mix and weight performance shares 70% and performance cash 30%. The rationale for this change was to make the plan 100% performance-based and to simplify the plan.


 

 

 

 

 

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

THE COMPENSATION DECISION PROCESS

ROLE OF OUR TALENT MANAGEMENT AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

The Talent Management and Compensation Committee reviews and discusses the Board's evaluation of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer's performance, including the progress made in implementing Cummins' business strategy and achieving specific long- and short-term business objectives. The Committee considers those discussions and the results of the formal review to determine the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer for the coming year. The Committee Chair then informs the Board of the Committee's decisions. Members of management do not make recommendations regarding the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer.

ROLE OF OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

For other Officers, including the NEOs, the Chief Executive Officer considers performance and makes individual recommendations to the Committee on base salary, annual incentive targets, and long-term incentive targets. This review occurs annually at the February Talent Management and Compensation Committee meeting, which is the first meeting of the year and provides the earliest opportunity to review and assess individual and corporate performance for the previous year.

The Talent Management and Compensation Committee evaluates each officer's compensation relative to the market median for similar positions and considers internal equity and the experience, tenure, potential and performance of each officer and modifies and approves, as appropriate, these recommendations.

ROLE AND INDEPENDENCE OF OUR COMPENSATION CONSULTANT

For 2020, the Talent Management and Compensation Committee engaged Farient Advisors LLC, or Farient, as its independent compensation consultant to provide input and advice to the Committee. The consultant also advises the Committee on non-employee director compensation. Other than the services provided to the Committee, Farient does not provide any other services to our Company. Our Committee maintains a formal process to ensure the independence of any executive compensation advisor engaged by the Committee, including consideration of all factors relevant to the advisor's independence from management, including those factors specified by the NYSE listing rules. The Committee assessed the independence of Farient in light of those factors and concluded that Farient is an independent compensation advisor and that its work for the Committee did not raise any conflict of interest.

The Committee oversees the work of the consultant and has final authority to hire or terminate any consultant. The Committee also annually reviews structural safeguards to assure the independence of the consultant.

COMPENSATION DECISIONS PERTAINING TO OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Cummins takes a highly market-based approach to pay levels and a team-based approach to incentive awards. 2020 was no exception. Each NEO led critical planning and implementation efforts associated with stabilizing the Company in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In doing so, each NEO demonstrated exceptional leadership.

The discussion below outlines each NEO's responsibilities, performance highlights for 2020, the compensation decisions made, and incentive outcomes for each individual. As discussed in the Annual Bonus section of this CD&A, all bonuses were calculated using salaries in effect prior to the salary reductions made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.


 

 

 

 

 

 

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N. Thomas Linebarger
GRAPHIC


GRAPHIC

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer


(1) The salary shown for each year is based on the annualized salary that was intended to be paid starting on July 1 of each given year, which is Cummins' normal effective focal increase date.
(2) The target incentive values differ from those shown in the Summary Compensation table because the table shows earned not target performance-based incentive awards.
(3) The salary shown for 2020 is before the reduction in Mr. Linebarger's salary because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Linebarger's actual salary for 2020 was $1,214,063.

Mr. Linebarger served as our Chairman of our Board and Chief Executive Officer in 2020. He has held this role since 2012. At the beginning of 2020, the TMCC determined to maintain Mr. Linebarger's salary and target bonus compared to the levels established in 2019 and to increase his long-term incentive target award value from $8,000,000 to $9,000,000, taking into account Mr. Linebarger's exemplary leadership in his role, the Company's strong performance during his tenure and the competitive market data provided by Farient. Mr. Linebarger's target total direct compensation in 2020 compared to 2019 is shown in the charts above.

In 2020, Mr. Linebarger provided exceptional leadership during one of the most challenging and complex years in the Company's history. His specific accomplishments in 2020 included:

Successfully led the Company through the challenges of 2020 including a global economic recession caused substantially by the global pandemic and significant external social and political unrest
Delivered financial results that were below plan due to the pandemic but above expectations revised for the impact of the pandemic with $19.8B revenue, $1.8B net income, and 15% adjusted ROIC for 2020. These results represent an improvement over our previous cyclical downturn
In conjunction with the Board, presided over the formation of a new talent management strategy that is designed specifically to allow all employees the opportunity to realize their full potential and to address gender, ethnic, and other biases that may work against this objective
Continued to make significant investments in technologies of the future, and showcased our new hydrogen-fueled engine technology on investors' Hydrogen Day
Pay Component
  Target
  Performance
Factor

  Realized
  Comments
Salary for 2020   $1,575,000   Not Applicable   $1,214,063   Salary reduced by 50% for 5.5 months in response to the anticipated impact of the pandemic.
Annual Bonus for 2020   $2,520,000   70%   $1,764,000   Bonus was calculated on the unreduced base salary
Performance Cash for
2018-2020 cycle

 
$2,908,000   120%   $3,489,600   $2,908,000 × 120%
Performance Shares for
2018-2020 cycle
  16,260   120%   19,512 Performance shares earned for 2018-2020 cycle, valued at $4,431,175   Value reflected $227.10 stock price on December 31, 2020; 16,260 shares × 120% × $227.10 stock price.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 


Mark Smith
GRAPHIC


GRAPHIC


Vice President – Chief Financial Officer




(1) The salary shown for each year is based on the annualized salary that was intended to be paid starting on July 1 of each given year, which is Cummins' normal effective focal increase date.
(2) The target incentive values differ from those shown in the Summary Compensation table because the table shows earned not target performance-based incentive awards.
(3) The salary shown for 2020 is before the reduction in Mr. Smith's salary because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Smith's actual salary for 2020 was $628,646.
(4) Note that 2019 pay for Mr. Smith reflects his pay as of March when he was promoted to Vice President—Chief Financial Officer.

Mr. Smith served as our Vice President – Chief Financial Officer in 2020. He has held this role since 2019. At the beginning of 2020, the TMCC determined to maintain Mr. Smith's base salary while increasing his target annual bonus from 90% to 95% and target annual long-term incentive award from $1,750,000 to $2,000,000 to better position him with the external market. Mr. Smith's target total direct compensation in 2020 compared to 2019 is shown in the charts above.

His specific accomplishments in 2020 included:

Worked effectively with our global business leaders to successfully execute cost reduction actions and reduce capital expenditures to ensure that the company maintained strong liquidity throughout an extremely challenging 2020. These actions positioned the company to deliver strong earnings and operating cash flow as demand improved in the second half of the year and maintain important investments in future technologies.
Secured low-cost long-term financing for the company through a successful $2 billion bond offering in the third quarter, further strengthening the company's liquidity.
Ensured that the company maintained strong discipline and financial controls while the majority of our global finance employees worked from home in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Pay Component
  Target
  Performance
Factor

  Realized
  Comments
Salary for 2020   $710,000   Not Applicable   $628,646   Salary reduced by 25% for 5.5 months in response to the anticipated impact of the pandemic.
Annual Bonus for 2020   $674,500   70%   $472,150   Bonus was calculated on the unreduced base salary
Performance Cash for
2018-2020 cycle

 
$287,000   120%   $344,400   $287,000 × 120%
Performance Shares for
2018-2020 cycle
  1,600   120%   1,920 Performance shares earned for 2018-2020 cycle, valued at $436,032   Value reflected $227.10 stock price on December 31, 2020; 1,600 shares × 120% × $227.10 stock price.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Tony Satterthwaite
GRAPHIC


GRAPHIC


President and Chief Operating Officer




(1) The salary shown for each year is based on the annualized salary that was intended to be paid starting on July 1 of each given year, which is Cummins' normal effective focal increase date.
(2) The target incentive values differ from those shown in the Summary Compensation table because the table shows earned not target performance-based incentive awards.
(3) The salary shown for 2020 is before the reduction in Mr. Satterthwaite's salary because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Satterthwaite's actual salary for 2020 was $655,208.
(4) Note that 2019 pay for Mr. Satterthwaite reflects his pay as of October when he was promoted to President & Chief Operating Officer.

Mr. Satterthwaite served as our President and Chief Operating Officer in 2020. He has held this role since 2019. At the beginning of 2020, the TMCC determined to maintain Mr. Satterthwaite's base salary while increasing his target annual bonus from 90% to 95% and target annual long-term incentive award from $2,000,000 to $2,300,000 to better position him with the external market. Mr. Satterthwaite's target total direct compensation in 2020 compared to 2019 is shown in the charts above.

His specific accomplishments in 2020 included:

Completed restructuring activities that reduced structural expenses by $200M and drove the DBU transformation that added $100M in EBITDA in 2020.
Engineered our response to COVID pandemic allowing us to reduce costs, meet volatile customer demands and continue with implementation of our strategy.
Co-led our COVID response team to ensure safe and healthy operations and support our customers. Incident rates fell to the lowest ever level in 2020 on a strengthening safety culture and management process.
Successfully launched new products including the BS6 in India, US EPA GHG 2021 products, two new MW gas gensets and expanded our Eaton-Cummins transmissions into China.
Grew market share in China truck market.
Continued to work with OEM and end user customers to deliver value through improved product quality and performance, responsive delivery and excellent product support.
Pay Component
  Target
  Performance
Factor

  Realized
  Comments
Salary for 2020   $740,000   Not Applicable   $655,208   Salary reduced by 25% for 5.5 months in response to the anticipated impact of the pandemic.
Annual Bonus for 2020   $703,000   70%   $492,100   Bonus was calculated on the unreduced base salary
Performance Cash for
2018-2020 cycle

 
$512,000   120%   $614,400   $512,000 × 120%
Performance Shares for
2018-2020 cycle
  2,860   120%   3,432 Performance shares earned for 2018-2020 cycle, valued at $779,407   Value reflected $227.10 stock price on December 31, 2020; 2,860 shares × 120% × $227.10 stock price.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 


Marya M. Rose
GRAPHIC


GRAPHIC

Vice President – Chief Administrative Officer


(1) The salary shown for each year is based on the annualized salary that was intended to be paid starting on July 1 of each given year, which is Cummins' normal effective focal increase date.
(2) The target incentive values differ from those shown in the Summary Compensation table because the table shows earned not target performance-based incentive awards.
(3) The salary shown for 2020 is before the reduction in Ms. Rose's salary because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ms. Rose's actual salary for 2020 was $610,938.

Ms. Rose served as our Vice President – Chief Administrative Officer in 2020. She has held this role since 2011. At the beginning of 2020, the TMCC determined to maintain Ms. Rose's base salary and target annual bonus while increasing her target annual long-term incentive award from $1,250,000 to $1,500,000 to recognize her performance and tenure in the role. Ms. Rose's target total direct compensation in 2020 compared to 2019 is shown in the charts above.

Her specific accomplishments in 2020 included:

Along with Tony Satterthwaite, President and COO, co-led our COVID response team, organized to address all aspects of the pandemic. The team included many of the functions that Ms. Rose is responsible for, including communications, government relations, corporate responsibility, risk management and our shared business services.
While ensuring a safe environment for essential on-site employees, Ms. Rose partnered with the CHRO and CIO to quickly implement tools allowing the remainder of the global workforce to remain productive and connected while working off-site. She and the leadership team also established processes and policies anticipating a new, more flexible, post-pandemic work environment.
Focused on our digital marketing tools to better reach our customers.
With our CEO and General Counsel, established a program to focus on racial equity in the communities where our employees live and work. As part of that effort, Ms. Rose leads a workstream focused on criminal justice reform.
Pay Component
  Target
  Performance
Factor

  Realized
  Comments
Salary for 2020   $690,000   Not Applicable   $610,938   Salary reduced by 25% for 5.5 months in response to the anticipated impact of the pandemic.
Annual Bonus for 2020   $552,000   70%   $386,400   Bonus was calculated on the unreduced base salary
Performance Cash for
2018-2020 cycle

 
$512,000   120%   $614,400   $512,000 × 120%
Performance Shares for
2018-2020 cycle
  2,860   120%   3,432 Performance shares earned for 2018-2020 cycle, valued at $779,407   Value reflected $227.10 stock price on December 31, 2020; 2,860 shares × 120% × $227.10 stock price.

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

CUMMINS  2021 PROXY        47

 


Srikanth Padmanabhan
GRAPHIC


GRAPHIC

Vice President and President,
Engine Business


(1) The salary shown for each year is based on the annualized salary that was intended to be paid starting on July 1 of each given year, which is Cummins' normal effective focal increase date.
(2) The target incentive values differ from those shown in the Summary Compensation table because the table shows earned not target performance-based incentive awards.
(3) The salary shown for 2020 is before the reduction in Mr. Padmanabhan's salary because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Padmanabhan's actual salary for 2020 was $540,104.

Mr. Padmanabhan served as our Vice President and President, Engine Business in 2020. He has held this role since 2016. At the beginning of 2020, the TMCC determined to maintain Mr. Padmanabhan's base salary while increasing his target annual bonus from 85% to 90% and target annual long-term incentive award from $1,100,000 to $1,500,000 to better position him with the external market. Mr. Padmanabhan's target total direct compensation in 2020 compared to 2019 is shown in the charts above.

His specific accomplishments in 2020 included:

Navigated the steepest downturn in the history of our Engine Segment, including a 50% reduction in Q2 compared to the previous year and a significant recovery by the end of the year, while delivering 15.4% EBITDA.
Increased market share in North America with the introduction of reliable new products ahead of greenhouse gas regulations and expanding the product lineup with key customers. Managed the record single largest year demand in China despite the pandemic while increasing market share through effective partnerships with our customers.
Led an aggressive path toward zero emissions and developed new partnerships as our customers plan for the future of connectivity, automation and electrification.
Reduced safety incidents in our engine business manufacturing facilities and ensured a focus on employee wellness through the course of the pandemic.
Sponsored the Company's South Asian and East Asian employee resource group.
With our Corporate responsibility group, enhanced our Every Employee Every Community (EEEC) efforts through a unique program for employees to access Cummins foundation grant funds for nonprofits with which they already volunteer.
Pay Component
  Target
  Performance
Factor

  Realized
  Comments
Salary for 2020   $610,000   Not Applicable   $540,104   Salary reduced by 25% for 5.5 months in response to the anticipated impact of the pandemic.
Annual Bonus for 2020   $549,000   70%   $384,300   Bonus was calculated on the unreduced base salary
Performance Cash for
2018-2020 cycle

 
$451,000   120%   $541,200   $451,000 × 120%
Performance Shares for
2018-2020 cycle
  2,520   120%   3,024 Performance shares earned for 2018-2020 cycle, valued at $686,750   Value reflected $227.10 stock price on December 31, 2020; 2,520 shares × 120% × $227.10 stock price.

 

 

 

 

 

 

48        CUMMINS  2021 PROXY

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

ANNUAL COMPENSATION RISK ASSESSMENT

In September 2020, the Talent Management and Compensation Committee conducted its annual risk assessment of our compensation policies and practices. The Committee evaluated the levels of risk-taking encouraged by our compensation arrangements to determine whether they were appropriate in the context of our strategic plan and annual budget, our compensation objectives, and Cummins' overall risk profile. The Committee also reviewed the robust risk-mitigation features of our compensation program, the most significant of which are outlined below.

    Pay Mix       The three primary elements of our executive compensation program are base salary, annual bonus, and long-term incentive compensation. We target the median of the market for our total compensation package. This approach mitigates the need for executives to take significant risks to earn average competitive compensation and also ensures that the interests of our executives are closely aligned with those of our shareholders.

 

 

Performance-
Based
Measurement

 

 

 

The performance goals set forth in our annual bonus and long-term incentive plans are based upon budgeted levels that are reviewed and approved by the Committee. We believe these goals are challenging yet attainable at their targeted levels without the need to take inappropriate risks, take actions that would violate our Code of Business Conduct, or make material changes to our long term business strategy or operations. Payouts under both incentive plans are capped at 200% of target to make it less likely that executives would pursue outsized short term achievements at the expense of the long term.

 

 

Time
Horizon

 

 

 

Our long-term incentive plan awards are based on a three-year performance period, which encourages our employees to focus on the sustained growth of our company rather than seeking potentially unsustainable short-term gains.

 

 

Clawback
Policy

 

 

 

Amounts paid to any officer under our annual bonus or long-term incentive compensation plans are subject to recovery in accordance with our Recoupment policy, as described below.

 

 

Other Risk
Mitigators

 

 

 

We pay incentive compensation only after our audited financial results are complete and the Committee has certified our performance results and the associated incentive awards. Additionally, we have stock ownership requirements for all officers that ensure the interests of our leaders and shareholders are aligned. We also prohibit officers from engaging in forms of hedging or monetization transactions involving the establishment of a short position in our securities and from entering into any arrangement that, directly or indirectly, involves the use of our securities as collateral for a loan.

 

 

Exclusion of
Unusual
Items

 

 

 

In measuring financial performance under our annual short- and long-term bonus plans, the Talent Management and Compensation Committee has discretion to adjust performance results that reflect significant transactions or other unusual items if such events were not anticipated at the time performance targets were initially established. We believe allowing these exclusions ensures our executives will focus on the merits of proposed transactions for Cummins rather than the effect a proposed action may have on incentive compensation.

As a result of its review, the Committee concluded that Cummins has a balanced executive compensation program that does not drive excessive financial risk-taking. We believe that risks arising from our compensation policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our company.


 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

CUMMINS  2021 PROXY        49

BENEFITS

Our officers, including our Named Executive Officers, participate in a full range of health, welfare and retirement benefits and are covered by the same plans as other exempt employees. We target our total benefit package to be at the median of the market.

In addition to these benefits, our U.S. officers, including our Named Executive Officers, participate in a supplemental life insurance and deferred income program that is designed to attract and retain key leadership talent in senior positions. This program provides additional life insurance equal to three times base salary while the officer is an active employee, and additional retirement payments, which are offset by and coordinated with payments from our regular retirement plans.

The supplemental retirement provision "tops up" the pension available from our regular pension plans to provide a total benefit based on a percentage of the officer's highest average consecutive 60-month base salary and annual bonus received during the last 10 years of employment. The total replacement formula is 2% for each of the first 20 years and 1% for each of the next 10 years, with a maximum 50% total benefit for all officers other than Mr. Linebarger, who is eligible for an additional 10% benefit.

Our U.S. officers, including our Named Executive Officers, are also eligible to participate in our non-qualified deferred compensation plan. This program is designed to provide financial planning opportunities for capital accumulation on a tax-deferred basis and to meet competitive market practice.

A majority of our employees, including our Named Executive Officers, are eligible to participate in our employee stock purchase plan. Under the employee stock purchase plan, each eligible employee may authorize the withholding of 1-15% of base pay each pay period to be used to purchase shares of our common stock for the employee's account on the open market. Cummins makes a matching contribution in cash in an amount sufficient to give employees a 15% discount on the purchase price of these shares.

PERQUISITES

Perquisites do not constitute a major element of our executive compensation program.

Our officers, including our Named Executive Officers, are entitled to the services of a financial counselor for estate- and tax-planning advice and tax return preparation. Cummins pays the fees for these services, which are detailed in the Summary Compensation Table.

Our officers, including our Named Executive Officers, may use our aircraft for reasonable personal use, following a prescribed approval process. The Talent Management and Compensation Committee reviews the level of usage annually. We believe that allowing our officers to use a company-owned plane for limited personal use saves time and provides additional security for them, which ultimately benefits Cummins. The aggregate incremental cost of personal aircraft use by our Named Executive Officers is detailed in the Summary Compensation Table.

Executive physical examinations are available for all officers, including our Named Executive Officers. The Committee considers this practice to be good corporate governance and a direct benefit to Cummins' shareholders.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION POLICIES

COMPENSATION RECOUPMENT

Our incentive compensation awards are subject to our compensation recoupment, or "clawback" policy. This policy provides that, if any of our financial statements are required to be materially restated due to the fraudulent actions of any officer, the Talent Management and Compensation Committee may direct that we recover all or a portion of any award or any past or future compensation other than base salary from the responsible officer with respect to any year for which our financial results are adversely affected by such restatement.

Effective January 1, 2021, we adopted a modified clawback policy under which we are also authorized to recover incentive-based compensation erroneously awarded to an officer on the basis of a financial reporting measure that is subject to an accounting restatement. The modified clawback policy also authorizes us to recover incentive compensation paid or awarded to an officer if the officer engages in certain types of misconduct specified in the policy and that misconduct has caused, or might reasonably be expected to cause, significant reputational or financial harm to our company.


 

 

 

 

 

 

50        CUMMINS  2021 PROXY

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

POST-EMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION AND CHANGE IN CONTROL PROTECTIONS

We do not have formal severance agreements with any of our Named Executive Officers. However, we have a policy of paying severance under certain circumstances to officers whose employment is terminated, and certain of our plans provide for other benefits upon certain change-in-control events and terminations of employment. These arrangements are described in detail under "Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control." The purposes of these benefits are to encourage our key executives to concentrate on taking actions that are in the best interests of our shareholders without regard to whether such actions may ultimately have an adverse impact on their job security, and to enable key executives to provide objective advice on any potential change in control without undue concern for their personal financial situations. The Talent Management and Compensation Committee periodically reviews and modifies these benefits to ensure they continue to meet these objectives.

Under our change in control compensation protection arrangements, benefits would be provided following a qualified change in control and termination without "cause" by the company or termination by the officer for "good reason" within two years of the change in control. Upon the occurrence of both triggering events, the following benefits would be provided to any affected Named Executive Officer:

For Our Chief Executive Officer
  For Our Named Executive Officers
(except our Chief Executive Officer)

Severance equal to three years' base salary plus three annual bonus payments calculated at a 1.0 payout factor

 

Severance equal to two years' base salary plus two annual bonus payments calculated at a 1.0 payout factor

Full vesting of certain insurance and retirement benefits

 

Full vesting of certain insurance and retirement benefits

Continuation for the three-year severance period of certain other benefits or an equivalent cash payment

 

Continuation for the two-year severance period of certain other benefits or an equivalent cash payment

In addition to the severance provisions of our change in control compensation protection arrangements, awards under our long-term compensation plans provide for accelerated vesting upon a change in control only if the awards are not assumed or replaced or if the award holder's employment is also terminated by us (or the surviving entity) without cause or by the award holder with good reason within two years after the change in control.

Our change in control compensation protection arrangements do not provide for tax gross-ups for excise taxes imposed because of the "golden parachute" excise tax provisions of Code Sections 280G and 4999. Instead, the arrangements provide that, if excise taxes are imposed because of the golden parachute excise tax provisions of Code Sections 280G and 4999, the Named Executive Officer's change in control compensation protections will either be cut back to below the level that would trigger the imposition of the excise taxes, or paid in full and subjected to the excise taxes, whichever results in the better after-tax outcome to the Named Executive Officer.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-COMPETE AGREEMENTS

Each of our Named Executive Officers has signed an agreement not to disclose our confidential information or to accept employment with certain competitors during, and for 12 months after, the time the officer is employed by us.

STOCK OWNERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

The Talent Management and Compensation Committee believes our officers should own a significant amount of our stock to further link their economic interests to those of our shareholders. To underscore this, we require officers to own a number of shares of our common stock having a total value equal to the following multiples of their respective base salaries:

Group
  Stock Ownership Requirement
Chief Executive Officer   Five times (5×) base salary
Members of the Cummins Leadership Team (including all of the Named Executive Officers other than the Chief Executive Officer)   Three times (3×) base salary
All Other Officers   One time (1×) base salary

An officer's direct and indirect ownership of our common stock counts toward the ownership requirements whereas unexercised stock options and unearned performance shares do not.


 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

CUMMINS  2021 PROXY        51

Because our stock value may vary, ownership requirements are expressed as a set number of shares for defined salary bands. The number of required shares is reviewed annually and established by the Committee based on an average stock price over a three-year period.

Officers have five years from the date of initial appointment to meet their ownership requirement. An officer whose salary increases to the new band (and higher stock ownership requirement) has three years from the date of the increase to achieve the higher level. Subject to limited exceptions, officers may not sell any shares until they reach their stock ownership guideline, and then they may only sell Cummins' shares to the extent their stock ownership would not drop below their required level.

All of our Named Executive Officers are already in compliance with, or still have time to meet, their stock ownership requirement.

As described under "Director Compensation," we also have formal stock ownership guidelines for non-employee Board members. All of our non-employee directors have either satisfied this requirement or have additional time to do so.

PLEDGING AND HEDGING POLICY

We maintain a policy under which our officers and directors are prohibited from engaging in forms of hedging or monetization transactions involving the establishment of a short position in our common stock, such as zero-cost collars and forward sale contracts. They are also prohibited from entering into any arrangement that, directly or indirectly, involves the pledge of our securities or other use of our securities as collateral for a loan. Our anti-pledging and anti-hedging policy does not apply to employees who are not officers or directors.

THE TALENT MANAGEMENT & COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Talent Management and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors reviewed and discussed the preceding Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management. Based on such review and discussions, the Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement for incorporation by reference into the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Respectfully submitted,

GEORGIA R. NELSON, CHAIR
ALEXIS M. HERMAN
THOMAS J. LYNCH
WILLIAM I. MILLER

The summary compensation table and supplemental tables on the following pages disclose compensation information for our Named Executive Officers during our last three completed fiscal years (or such shorter period for which the Named Executive Officer was a Named Executive Officer).


 

 

 

 

 

 

52        CUMMINS  2021 PROXY

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

2020 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE AND SUPPLEMENTAL TABLES

 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Name and
Principal
Position
  Year   (1)
Annual
Salary
  (2)
Bonus
  (3)
Stock
Awards
  (4)
Option
Awards
  (5)
Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
  (6)
Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
  (7)
All Other
Compensation
  Total
Compensation
N. T. Linebarger,   2020   $1,214,063   $0   $2,567,468   $2,431,255   $5,253,600   $5,456,681   $368,514   $17,291,581
Chairman and Chief   2019   $1,542,500   $0   $3,226,013   $3,074,163   $7,793,200   $9,405,602   $75,273   $25,116,751
Executive Officer   2018   $1,442,500   $0   $2,384,204   $2,126,071   $6,574,400   $4,655,327   $109,476   $17,291,978
M. A. Smith,   2020   $628,646   $0   $570,269   $540,138   $816,550   $1,417,088   $27,407   $4,000,098
Vice President and   2019   $658,333   $0   $705,644   $672,346   $801,250   $1,472,494   $60,662   $4,370,729
Chief Financial Officer                                    
L. L. Satterthwaite,   2020   $655,208   $0   $655,684   $621,248   $1,106,500   $1,497,738   $71,018   $4,607,396
President and   2019   $634,500   $0   $817,878   $745,511   $1,516,330   $2,023,467   $30,324   $5,768,010
Chief Operating Officer   2018   $584,500   $0   $419,362   $374,216   $1,309,955   $289,762   $20,195   $2,997,990
M. M. Rose,   2020   $610,938   $0   $428,330   $405,294   $1,000,800   $1,349,537   $26,488   $3,821,387
Vice President and   2019   $678,000   $0   $504,669   $480,426   $1,430,160   $2,325,434   $25,819   $5,444,508
Chief Administrative Officer   2018   $650,000   $0   $419,362   $374,216   $1,293,200   $606,583   $25,279   $3,368,640
S. Padmanabhan   2020   $540,104   $0   $428,330   $405,294   $925,500   $2,097,325   $27,072   $4,423,625
Vice President and                                    
President – Engine Business                                    
(1)
Salary amounts for 2020 reflect a temporary salary reduction (50% for Mr. Linebarger and 25% for each of our other NEOs) that was in effect from the last pay period in April through September 30, 2020 in response to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

(2)
Our annual bonuses are performance based, not discretionary, and are therefore included as Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation in the table above.

(3)
The Stock Awards column represents the fair value on the grant date, computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, which we refer to as ASC Topic 718, for stock awards, which were made pursuant to the 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan, based upon the probable outcome of the performance conditions, consistent with the estimate of aggregate compensation cost to be recognized over the service period determined as of the grant date under ASC Topic 718. Additional information about the assumptions that we used when valuing equity awards is set forth in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K in Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for 2020. Pursuant to SEC rules, the amounts shown exclude the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. Performance shares are earned based on our financial performance over a three-year period, and the shares earned are not restricted after the performance period. The maximum values of the 2020 awards at the grant date assuming that the highest level of performance conditions are attained, are as follows: N. T. Linebarger – $5,134,937; M. A. Smith – $1,140,539 ; L. L. Satterthwaite –$1,311,368; M. M. Rose – $856,660; S. Padmanabhan – $856,660.

(4)
The Option Awards column represents the fair value on the grant date computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718 for option awards, which were made pursuant to the 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan. Additional information about the assumptions that we used when valuing equity awards is set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10 K in Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. Pursuant to SEC rules, the amounts shown exclude the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service based vesting conditions.

(5)
The amounts shown in this column for 2020 consist of (i) payments made in March 2021 under the Annual Bonus Plan for 2020 performance and (ii) payments for the performance cash component of our long term incentive compensation program, which were paid in March 2021 based on our 2018-2020 performance. The payments for each Named Executive Officer from these sources were:


   
   
   
   
   
   
 

  N. T. Linebarger   M. A. Smith   L. L. Satterthwaite   M. M. Rose   S. Padmanabhan
 

Annual Bonus Plan

  $1,764,000   $472,150   $492,100   $386,400   $384,300
 

Performance Cash

  $3,489,600   $344,400   $614,400   $614,400   $541,200
 

TOTAL

  $5,253,600   $816,550   $1,106,500   $1,000,800   $925,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

CUMMINS  2021 PROXY        53

 

(6)
The aggregate changes during 2020 in the actuarial present value of each Named Executive Officer's pension plans and the above market earnings on non qualified deferred compensation are as follows:


   
   
   
   
   
   
 

  N. T. Linebarger   M. A. Smith   L. L. Satterthwaite   M. M. Rose   S. Padmanabhan
 

Cummins Inc. Pension Plan A (Qualified)

  $49,495   $37,616   $54,591   $31,638   $54,429
 

Cummins Excess Benefit Plan (Non-qualified)

  $270,261   $66,515   $73,328   $71,698   $57,596
 

Supplemental Life Insurance and Deferred Income Program (Non-qualified)

  $5,032,815   $1,312,957   $1,325,393   $1,161,998   $1,982,426
 

Sub-total

  $5,352,571   $1,417,088   $1,453,312   $1,265,334   $2,094,451
 

Above-market earnings on non-qualified deferred compensation

  $104,110   $0   $44,426   $84,203   $2,874
 

TOTAL

  $5,456,681   $1,417,088   $1,497,738   $1,349,537   $2,097,325
(7)
This column consists of the following for 2020:


   
   
   
   
   
   
 

  N. T. Linebarger   M. A. Smith   L. L. Satterthwaite   M. M. Rose   S. Padmanabhan
 

Financial Counseling

  $12,715   $12,715   $10,974   $12,715   $12,715
 

Personal use of Company Aircraft

  $333,562   $0   $44,364   $0   $0
 

Life Insurance Costs

  $11,762   $4,217   $5,205   $3,298   $3,882
 

Company Contributions under the Retirement and Savings Plan

  $10,475   $10,475   $10,475   $10,475   $10,475
 

TOTAL

  $368,514   $27,407   $71,018   $26,488   $27,072

 

 

 

 

 

 

54        CUMMINS  2021 PROXY

 

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The following table complements the disclosures set forth in columns captioned Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation, Stock Awards and Option Awards in the Summary Compensation Table.

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS IN 2020

 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
                                    All Other   All Other
Option
  (5)
        Date of   Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards
  Estimated Future Payouts Under
Equity Incentive Plan Awards
  Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares or
  Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
  Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
  Grant
Date Fair
Value of
Stock and
Name   Grant
Date
  Committee
Action
  Threshold
($)
  Target
($)
  Maximum
($)
  Threshold
(#)
  Target
(#)
  Maximum
(#)
  Units
(#)
  Options
(#)
  Awards
($)
  Option
Awards
N. T. Linebarger   N/A   N/A(1)   $252,000   $2,520,000   $5,040,000                            
    N/A   N/A(2)   $368,700   $3,687,000   $7,374,000                            
    4/6/20   2/10/20(3)               2,044   20,440   40,880               $2,567,468
    4/6/20   2/10/20(4)                           0   95,920   $142.12   $2,431,255
M. A. Smith   N/A   N/A(1)   $67,450   $674,500   $1,349,000                            
    N/A   N/A(2)   $81,900   $819,000   $1,638,000                            
    4/6/20   2/10/20(3)               454   4,540   9,080               $570,269
    4/6/20   2/10/20(4)                           0   21,310   $142.12   $540,138
L. L. Satterthwaite   N/A   N/A(1)   $70,300   $703,000   $1,406,000                            
    N/A   N/A(2)   $94,200   $942,000   $1,884,000                            
    4/6/20   2/10/20(3)               522   5,220   10,440               $655,684
    4/6/20   2/10/20(4)                           0   24,510   $142.12   $621,248
M. M. Rose   N/A   N/A(1)   $55,200   $552,000   $1,104,000                            
    N/A   N/A(2)   $61,400   $614,000   $1,228,000                            
    4/6/20   2/10/20(3)               341   3,410   6,820               $428,330
    4/6/20   2/10/20(4)                           0   15,990   $142.12   $405,294
S. Padmanabhan   N/A   N/A(1)   $54,900   $549,000   $1,098,000                            
    N/A   N/A(2)   $61,400   $614,000   $1,228,000                            
    4/6/20   2/10/20(3)               341   3,410   6,820               $428,330
    4/6/20   2/10/20(4)                           0   15,990   $142.12   $405,294
(1)
Named Executive Officers participate in the annual bonus plan, as described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis. The payout is calculated based on a formula approved by the Compensation Committee annually. Each participant is assigned a participation rate as a percent of salary. For purposes of this plan, our performance is measured by ROANA as defined by the plan. The annual bonus is calculated as follows:

(Annual Bonus) equals (Annual Base Salary Paid for calendar year) times (participation percentage assigned to each position) times (Payout Factor).

The Payout Factor could range from zero to 2.0, in increments of 0.1.

(2)
In 2020, we made target performance cash awards, expressed as dollar amounts, as part of our long term incentive compensation program under our 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan. A multiple of the target award is earned based on our 2020-2022 performance for Return on Invested Capital (ROIC), weighted at 80%, and EBITDA, weighted at 20%. The amount earned and paid under the three year target award can range from zero to 200% of the target award amount. The target award will be earned if our ROIC and EBITDA levels for 2020-2022 are equal to the targeted ROIC and EBITDA levels established for that period as described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis. The Threshold Payment (10% of the target award) will be earned if our ROIC is 70% of the targeted ROIC for the period and EBITDA is 85% of the targeted EBITDA for the period. The maximum payment (200% of the target award) will be earned if our ROIC is 30% above the targeted ROIC for the period and EBITDA is 15% above the targeted EBITDA for the period. To the extent earned, the payments will be made in March 2023.

(3)
In 2020, we made target awards of performance shares under our 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The awards are expressed as a target number of shares of our Common Stock. Shares are earned based on our ROIC and EBITDA performance during 2020-2022, based on the same measures as established for the target performance cash awards. The number of shares earned can range from zero to 200% of the target award number of shares. The target award number of shares will be earned if our ROIC and EBITDA for 2020-2022 are equal to the targeted ROIC and EBITDA levels established for the period as described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis. Dividends are payable only at the conclusion of the performance period on the shares that become earned.

(4)
We awarded stock options under our 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The options were granted on April 6, 2020 at a grant price of $142.12, which was equal to the unadjusted closing market price of our Common Stock on the grant date. The options are not exercisable until April 6, 2023 (or upon the recipient's earlier retirement, death or disability) so long as the recipient is continuously employed by us or a subsidiary until such date, vest on the same schedule and expire on the earliest of April 6, 2030, five years after retirement or disability, or one year after death.

(5)
The April 6, 2020 grant date fair value for performance shares, based upon probable outcome of the performance conditions to which they are subject, is $125.61/ share, which is consistent with the estimate of aggregate compensation costs to be recognized over the service period determined as of the grant date under ASC Topic 718 (excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures). The April 6, 2020 grant date fair value for stock option awards was the Black Scholes value at grant date which was $25.3467/share.

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

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The following two tables are intended to enhance understanding of equity compensation that has been previously awarded, including awards that remained outstanding, as of December 31, 2020, and amounts realized on equity compensation during the last year as a result of the vesting or exercise of equity awards.

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT 2020 YEAR-END

Name

  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
  Option
Exercise
Price
($)
  Option
Expiration
Date
  Equity
Incentive Plan
Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
(#)(4)
  Equity
Incentive Plan
Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That Have Not Vested
($)(5)

N.T. Linebarger

      95,920(1)   $142.12   4/6/2030   42,110   $9,563,181

      98,670(2)   $163.43   4/4/2029        

      61,700(3)   $160.10   4/3/2028        

  85,050(6)       $149.72   4/3/2027        

  131,920(7)       $109.09   4/4/2026        

  60,780(8)       $136.82   4/2/2025        

  44,890(9)       $149.34   4/2/2024        

  60,100(10)       $111.84   4/2/2023        

  37,510(11)       $120.28   4/2/2022        

  13,040(12)       $119.77   5/2/2021        

M. A. Smith

      21,310(1)   $142.12   4/6/2030   9,280   $2,107,488

      21,580(2)   $163.43   4/4/2029        

      6,080(3)   $160.10   4/3/2028        

  4,380(6)       $149.72   4/3/2027        

  970(13)       $114.13   6/1/2026        

  4,360(7)       $109.09   4/4/2026        

  1,790(8)       $136.82   4/2/2025        

  1,070(9)       $149.34   4/2/2024        

  770(10)       $111.84   4/2/2023        

  590(11)       $120.28   4/2/2022        

  528(12)       $119.77   5/2/2021        

L. L. Satterthwaite

      24,510(1)   $142.12   4/6/2030   10,640   $2,416,344

      9,250(14)   $166.18   10/16/2029        

      15,420(2)   $163.43   4/4/2029        

      10,860(3)   $160.10   4/3/2028        

  15,630(6)       $149.72   4/3/2027        

  24,250(7)       $109.09   4/4/2026        

  11,170(8)       $136.82   4/2/2025        

  8,910(9)       $149.34   4/2/2024        

  11,920(10)       $111.84   4/2/2023        

  9,190(11)       $120.28   4/2/2022        

  8,150(12)       $119.77   5/2/2021        

 

 

 

 

 

 

56        CUMMINS  2021 PROXY

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

 

Name

  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
  Option
Exercise
Price
($)
  Option
Expiration
Date
  Equity
Incentive Plan
Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
(#)(4)
  Equity
Incentive Plan
Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That Have Not Vested
($)(5)

M. M. Rose

      15,990(1)   $142.12   4/6/2030   6,800   $1,544,280

      15,420(2)   $163.43   4/4/2029        

      10,860(3)   $160.10   4/3/2028        

  14,380(6)       $149.72   4/3/2027        

  22,310(7)       $109.09   4/4/2026        

  10,280(8)       $136.82   4/2/2025        

  8,190(9)       $149.34   4/2/2024        

S. Padmanabhan

      15,990(1)   $142.12   4/6/2030   6,390   $1,451,169

      13,570(2)   $163.43   4/4/2029        

      9,560(3)   $160.10   4/3/2028        

  12,510(6)       $149.72   4/3/2027        

  9,700(7)       $109.09   4/4/2026        

  3,350(8)       $136.82   4/2/2025        

  530(15)       $154.20   7/16/2024        

  2,140(9)       $149.34   4/2/2024        

  2,860(10)       $111.84   4/2/2023        

  2,210(11)       $120.28   4/2/2022        
(1)
These stock options were granted on April 6, 2020 and will vest and become exercisable with respect to all of the underlying shares of our Common Stock on the third anniversary of the grant date, or upon the recipient's earlier Retirement, Death, or Disability, so long as the recipient is continuously employed by us or a subsidiary until such a date or event.

(2)
These stock options were granted on April 4, 2019 and will vest and become exercisable with respect to all of the underlying shares of our Common Stock on the third anniversary of the grant date, or upon the recipient's earlier Retirement, Death, or Disability, so long as the recipient is continuously employed by us or a subsidiary until such a date or event.

(3)
These stock options were granted on April 3, 2018 and will vest and become exercisable with respect to all of the underlying shares of our Common Stock on the third anniversary of the grant date, or upon the recipient's earlier Retirement, Death, or Disability, so long as the recipient is continuously employed by us or a subsidiary until such a date or event.

(4)
Target awards of performance shares were granted in April and October 2019 and April 2020 to be earned in a multiple ranging from zero to two times the target awards, based on our performance during 2019-2021 and 2020-2022, respectively. The performance shares earned from the April and October 2019 grants will be awarded in March 2022 and the performance shares earned from the April 2020 grant will be awarded in March 2023. Performance for the 2019-2021 period in the aggregate, as well as for 2020 alone, was trending below target as of December 31, 2020; therefore, the target amounts are shown for the April and October 2019 grants and the April 2020 grant.

(5)
The price per share used to calculate the market value was $227.10, the unadjusted closing price of our Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2020, the last trading day of the year.

(6)
These stock options were granted on April 3, 2017 and vested and became exercisable with respect to all of the underlying shares of our Common Stock on the third anniversary of the grant date.

(7)
These stock options were granted on April 4, 2016 and vested and became exercisable with respect to all of the underlying shares of our Common Stock on the third anniversary of the grant date.

(8)
These stock options were granted on April 2, 2015 and vested and became exercisable with respect to all of the underlying shares of our Common Stock on the third anniversary of the grant date.

(9)
These stock options were granted on April 2, 2014 and vested and became exercisable with respect to all of the underlying shares of our Common Stock on the third anniversary of the grant date.

(10)
These stock options were granted on April 2, 2013 and vested and became exercisable with respect to all of the underlying shares of our Common Stock on the second anniversary of the grant date.

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

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(11)
These stock options were granted on April 2, 2012 and vested and became exercisable with respect to all of the underlying shares of our Common Stock on the second anniversary of the grant date.

(12)
These stock options were granted on May 2, 2011 and vested and became exercisable with respect to all of the underlying shares of our Common Stock on the second anniversary of the grant date.

(13)
These stock options were granted on June 1, 2016 and vested and became exercisable with respect to all of the underlying shares of our Common Stock on the third anniversary of the grant date.

(14)
These stock options were granted on October 16, 2019 and will vest and become exercisable with respect to all of the underlying shares of our Common Stock on the third anniversary of the grant date, or upon the recipient's earlier Retirement, Death, or Disability, so long as the recipient is continuously employed by us or a subsidiary until such a date or event.

(15)
These stock options were granted on July 16, 2014 and vested and became exercisable with respect to all of the underlying shares of our Common Stock on the third anniversary of the grant date.

The outstanding awards of performance shares as of December 31, 2020 for the 2019-2021 and the 2020-2022 award cycles, shown at target, were as follows:

Name   Grant Year   Number of
Units of
Performance
Shares
N. T. Linebarger   2020   20,440
    2019   21,670
M. A. Smith   2020   4,540
    2019   4,740
L. L. Satterthwaite   2020   5,220
    2019   5,420
M. M. Rose   2020   3,410
    2019   3,390
S. Padmanabhan   2020   3,410
    2019   2,980

OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED IN 2020

Name   (1)
Number
of Shares
Acquired on
Exercise
(#)
  (2)
Value
Realized on
Exercise
($)
  (3)
Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Vesting (#)
  (4)
Value
Realized on
Vesting
($)
N. T. Linebarger   16,360   $1,766,635   40,620   $6,145,400
M. A. Smith   0   $0   2,090   $316,196
L. L. Satterthwaite   8,450   $912,473   7,460   $1,128,623
M. M. Rose   0   $0   6,880   $1,040,875
S. Padmanabhan   0   $0   5,980   $904,714
(1)
Represents the gross number of shares acquired upon exercise of vested options without taking into account any shares that may be withheld to cover option exercise price or applicable tax obligations.

(2)
Represents the value of exercised options calculated by multiplying (i) the number of shares of our Common Stock to which the exercise of the option related, by (ii) the difference between the per share closing price of our Common Stock on the NYSE on the date of exercise and the exercise price of the options.

(3)
Target awards of performance shares were granted in April 2017 to be earned in a multiple ranging from zero to two times the target award, based on our performance during 2017- 2019. These performance shares were earned and became vested on March 1, 2020. The number of shares disclosed represents the gross number of shares acquired upon vesting without taking into account any shares that may be withheld to cover applicable tax obligations.

(4)
The values realized on vesting for the performance shares were calculated using the unadjusted closing price of our Common Stock on February 28, 2020 ($151.29).

 

 

 

 

 

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

PENSION BENEFITS FOR 2020

Name

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

N. T. Linebarger

  Cummins Pension Plan (Qualified)   27   $699,741   $0

  Excess Benefit Retirement Plan (Non-qualified)   27   $2,769,155   $0

  Supplemental Life Insurance and Deferred Income Plan (Non-qualified)   27   $42,274,070   $0

M. A. Smith

  Cummins Pension Plan (Qualified)   25   $357,635   $0

  Excess Benefit Retirement Plan (Non-qualified)   25   $225,990   $0

  Supplemental Life Insurance and Deferred Income Plan (Non-qualified)   25   $4,582,084   $0

L. L. Satterthwaite

  Cummins Pension Plan (Qualified)   32   $764,948   $0

  Excess Benefit Retirement Plan (Non-qualified)   32   $717,568   $0

  Supplemental Life Insurance and Deferred Income Plan (Non-qualified)   32   $10,128,448   $0

M. M. Rose

  Cummins Pension Plan (Qualified)   23   $495,000   $0

  Excess Benefit Retirement Plan (Non-qualified)   23   $855,000   $0

  Supplemental Life Insurance and Deferred Income Plan (Non-qualified)   23   $9,666,833   $0

S. Padmanabhan

  Cummins Pension Plan (Qualified)   29   $570,348   $0

  Excess Benefit Retirement Plan (Non-qualified)   29   $319,443   $0

  Supplemental Life Insurance and Deferred Income Plan (Non-qualified)   29   $7,637,082   $0

CUMMINS PENSION PLAN

The Cummins Pension Plan is a tax-qualified cash balance pension plan. Participants receive pay credits equal to 6% of total monthly pay, defined as base salary and annual bonus payments. Individual accounts are maintained for each participant. The accounts receive interest credits equal to the 30-year Treasury bond rate plus 1%. Participants are 100% vested in the Cummins Pension Plan benefit upon attaining three years of service.

EXCESS BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN

The Excess Benefit Retirement Plan provides non-qualified pension benefits in excess of limitations imposed by the Code on the benefits provided by the Cummins Pension Plan formula. It preserves the total benefit payable under the Cummins Pension Plan formula.

SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE INSURANCE AND DEFERRED INCOME PLAN (SERP)

The Supplemental Life Insurance and Deferred Income Plan provides a SERP benefit to our officers who participate in the Cummins Pension Plan.

The SERP benefit is based on a percentage of the highest 60 consecutive months of total compensation during the final 120 months of the participant's career. Total Compensation for calculation of five-year average pay is defined as base salary and annual bonus payments.


 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

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The SERP benefit percentage is calculated as 2% of the participant's five-year average pay for each of the first 20 years of service plus 1% of the participant's five-year average pay for each of the next 10 years of service. The maximum is a 50% benefit after 30 years of service, except that an officer who is among our two highest paid Named Executive Officers at the time of retirement will receive an annual benefit equal to an additional 10%. In December 2011, the Compensation Committee discontinued this additional benefit for all future participants in the plan but grandfathered the benefit for a limited number of existing participants, including Mr. Linebarger.

The retirement benefit under the SERP is offset by the highest combined annuity available from the Cummins Pension Plan and the Excess Benefit Retirement Plan, thus topping up the benefits available from those plans to total the target retirement benefit.

Officers who were participants in the plan prior to 2006 whose service and age total 80 (minimum age 55 and 20 years of service), or have at least 30 years of service, regardless of age, would qualify for immediate unreduced commencement of life annuity benefits. Therefore, Mr. Linebarger and Mr. Satterthwaite qualified, as of December 31, 2020, for immediate commencement of unreduced benefits.

Otherwise, after retirement or termination of employment, unreduced benefits may be commenced at age 60. Retired or terminated vested employees who do not qualify for unreduced benefits under the age and service conditions described in the previous paragraph may commence benefits as early as age 55, and the life annuity benefit would be reduced by .333% for each month the participant's age at commencement preceded 60.

Vesting for the SERP benefit is 25% after five years of service, increasing in 15% annual increments, with 100% vesting after 10 years of service. The life annuity benefit is a 15-year certain payment, with a 50% benefit for surviving spouse or domestic partner.

The SERP benefit accrued for service prior to 2005 may be elected as a lump sum payment. Benefits accrued after 2005 are subject to the provisions of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A, which preclude election of a lump sum distribution of such benefits at the time permitted for benefits accrued for service prior to 2005.

The actuarial table used to calculate a lump sum payment under the SERP is the same as that used to make such calculations under the qualified Cummins Pension Plan, and the interest rate used is the rate used by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

Average pay for 2020 is calculated without taking into account the temporary salary reduction (50% for Mr. Linebarger and 25% for each of our other NEOs) that was in effect from the last pay period in April through September 30, 2020 in response to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

ACCELERATED SERP FORMULA FOR EXECUTIVES HIRED MID-CAREER

For some officers who joined our company mid-career, the SERP benefit is calculated at an accelerated rate, requiring one-half the service necessary for other participants.

The accelerated formula provides a target benefit based on 4% for the first 10 years and 2% for the next five years of service, with a maximum of 50% of Five-Year Average Pay after fifteen years of service. Eligibility for immediate commencement of unreduced benefits is achieved when age and service total 70 (minimum age 58 and 10 years of service). Otherwise, for participants who are no longer our employees, unreduced benefits may commence at age 60 or as early as age 55, but reduced .333% for each month age at commencement precedes age 60.

NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

Our Deferred Compensation Plan permits deferral of up to 100% of base salary, annual bonus, and/or performance cash awards under our long-term incentive compensation program. Each of our NEOs' Deferred Compensation Plan account balances earn income based on the performance of the investment option(s) that the NEO selects for his or her account.

Investment options within our Deferred Compensation Plan are substantially similar to the investment choices available in our 401(k) plan. However, participants may also have a balance in other legacy investment options: the 10-Year Treasury Bill + 4%, the 10-Year Treasury Bill + 2%, Barclays Capital U.S. Government/Credit Bond Index and Standard & Poor's 500 Index.


 

 

 

 

 

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The investment options within our Deferred Compensation Plan had the following annual returns in 2020:

Account Crediting Option   2020 Annual Return
Advisor Managed Portfolio – Conservative Allocation   7.56%
Advisor Managed Portfolio – Moderate Allocation   8.55%
Advisor Managed Portfolio – Moderate Growth Allocation   9.65%
Advisor Managed Portfolio – Growth Allocation   9.78%
Advisor Managed Portfolio – Aggressive Allocation   10.94%
Ten Year Treasury Note + 2%   2.90%
Ten Year Treasury Note + 4%   4.90%
Fidelity VIP Gov't Money Market – Initial Class   0.32%
Fidelity VIP Bond Index – Initial Class   0.04%
Barclays Capital U.S. Government/Credit Bond Index   9.29%
LVIP SSgA Bond Index – Standard Class   7.48%
PIMCO VIT Total Return – Admin Class   8.65%
DFA VA U.S. Large Value   –1.37%
Fidelity VIP Index 500 – Initial Class   18.24%
Standard & Poor's 500 Index   16.26%
T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth   34.28%
DFA VA U.S. Targeted Value   3.98%
Thrivent Series Small Cap Index   11.11%
Lord Abbett Series Developing Growth – Class VC   72.60%
Fidelity VIP International Index – Initial Class   5.62%
LVIP SSgA International Index – Standard Class   7.85%
American Funds IS International – Class 1   14.28%

Investment options may be changed monthly. At the time of the election to defer, the participant chooses the time and the form of distribution. The participant may elect to have distributions begin on a specified date or following retirement. Distributions will also commence on any other separation from service, or upon death or a change of control.

NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION IN 2020

Name

  Executive
Contributions in
Last Fiscal Year
  Registrant
Contributions in
Last Fiscal Year
($)
  (1)
Aggregate
Earnings in Last
Fiscal Year
($)
  Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
($)
  (2)
Aggregate
Balance at
Last Fiscal
Year End
($)

N. T. Linebarger

  $0   $0   $194,758   $0   $5,926,336

M. A. Smith

  $0   $0   $0   $0   $0

L. L. Satterthwaite

  $0   $0   $50,172   $0   $509,709

M. M. Rose

  $0   $0   $124,276   $0   $2,658,881

S. Padmanabhan

  $0   $0   $6,315   $0   $223,830
(1)
Amounts included in the above table that were also reported in the "Change in Pension Value and Non Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings" column of the Summary Compensation Table as "Above market earnings" for the Non Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan for each Named Executive Officer are: N. T. Linebarger $104,110; M. A. Smith $0; L. L. Satterthwaite $44,426; M. M. Rose $84,203; S. Padmanabhan $2,874.

(2)
Amounts included in this column that have been reported in the Summary Compensation Table since 2006 for each Named Executive Officer are: N. T. Linebarger $4,071,954; M. A. Smith $0; L. L. Satterthwaite $488,678; M. M. Rose $424,130; S. Padmanabhan $2,874.

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

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POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

PAYMENTS UPON A CHANGE IN CONTROL WITHOUT A QUALIFIED TERMINATION OR UPON A QUALIFIED TERMINATION FOLLOWING A CHANGE IN CONTROL

In the event of a change in control of our company or certain terminations of employment within two years after a change in control, we will provide benefits to certain executives, including our Named Executive Officers.

Upon a change in control, outstanding equity-based awards that are assumed or replaced in the change in control transaction would not automatically become immediately vested and exercisable. Instead, two events (i.e., a so-called "double trigger") are required to trigger accelerated vesting and exercisability: both a change in control and termination without "cause" by the company or termination by the officer with "good reason" within two years of the change in control.

Upon a termination of employment without "cause" by the company or for "good reason" by the officer following a change in control, our Named Executive Officers, except our Chief Executive Officer, would be entitled to two years' salary plus two annual bonus payments calculated using a 1.0 payout factor. Our Chief Executive Officer would be entitled to three years' salary plus three annual bonus payments. We would also provide for the full vesting of certain insurance and retirement benefits. Additionally, the Named Executive Officers, other than our Chief Executive Officer, would receive a payment equal in value to two years' additional participation under our tax-qualified and nonqualified pension plans as well as two years' continued participation in other employee benefit plans, and our Chief Executive Officer would receive a payment equal in value to three years' additional participation under our tax-qualified and nonqualified pension plans as well as three years' continued participation in other employee benefits plans.

If the then-outstanding awards of performance cash and performance shares were not assumed or replaced in the change in control transaction, they would be paid at target level and all outstanding options and restricted stock awards would vest in full and be paid in cash. The value of supplemental and excess retirement (non-qualified) benefits would also be paid in cash. All amounts of compensation deferred under our Deferred Compensation Plan would be paid in cash. Our change in control arrangements with our Named Executive Officers do not entitle them to gross-up payments for taxes resulting from the application of the "golden parachute" excise tax provisions of Code Sections 280G and 4999. Instead, the arrangements reflect a "best net of taxes" approach under which, if excise taxes are imposed because of the golden parachute excise tax provisions of Code Sections 280G and 4999, the Named Executive Officer's change in control compensation protections will be either cut back, to a level below the level that would trigger the imposition of the excise taxes, or paid in full and subjected to the excise taxes, whichever results in the better after-tax result to the Named Executive Officer.

"Change in control" is generally defined as a consolidation or merger in which we are not the continuing or surviving corporation or in which our shares are converted; a sale, lease, exchange or transfer of substantially all of our assets; approval by our shareholders of a plan or proposal to liquidate or dissolve our company; the acquisition by a person of 25% or more of our voting power; or a majority change in the composition of our Board in a two-year period under specified circumstances where the nomination or election of the new directors is not approved by a supermajority of the directors prior to the change.

Termination for "cause" means a termination of the officer's employment by us due to the officer's willful and continued failure to perform his or her duties with us (after notice and an opportunity to cure), other than due to incapacity due to illness, or due to the officer's conviction of a felony.

Termination for "good reason" generally means a termination by the officer within 90 days following specified adverse changes in the officer's employment circumstances such as the assignment of duties not consistent with the officer's position, certain relocations of the officer's location of employment or reductions in compensation.


 

 

 

 

 

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

 

 

The payments to each of our Named Executive Officers, assuming that all triggering events occurred on December 31, 2020, are estimated in the table below. Amounts actually received, should any of the triggering events occur, may vary.

Payments

      N. T. Linebarger   M. A. Smith   L. L. Satterthwaite   M. M. Rose   S. Padmanabhan

Severance

  (1)   $12,285,000   $2,769,000   $2,886,000   $2,484,000   $2,318,000

Unvested Stock Option Spread

  (2)   $18,567,501   $3,592,282   $4,355,781   $3,068,242   $2,863,352

Unvested Restricted Stock

  (3)   $0   $0   $0   $0   $0

Unvested Performance Cash

  (4)   $9,872,000   $1,823,000   $2,273,000   $1,638,000   $1,516,000

Unvested Performance Shares

  (5)   $13,255,827   $2,470,848   $3,065,850   $2,193,786   $2,023,461

Retirement Benefit Payment

  (6)   $9,643,085   $3,327,358   $2,274,599   $1,486,298   $2,152,413

Welfare Benefit Values

  (7)   $39,594   $26,396   $26,396   $26,396   $26,396

Financial Advisory and 401(k) Benefit

  (8)   $69,570   $46,380   $46,380   $46,380   $46,380

Reduction due to Best Net of Taxes Provision

  (9)   $0   $0   $0   ($1,013,859)   $0

Aggregate Payments

      $63,732,577   $14,055,264   $14,928,006   $9,929,243   $10,946,002
(1)
Severance payment equal to three times annual base salary at the time of the termination, plus three annual bonus payments at a 1.0 payout factor for Mr. Linebarger as Chief Executive Officer. For the other Named Executive Officers, two times the Named Executive Officer's annual base salary at the time of the termination, plus two annual bonus payments at a 1.0 payout factor.

(2)
Total value of unvested stock options that would become vested upon a change in control, assuming a share price of $227.10 and a change in control date of December 31, 2020.

(3)
Total value of unvested restricted stock that would become vested upon a change in control, assuming a share price of $227.10 and a change in control date of December 31, 2020.

(4)
Payouts of all of the performance cash awards for the 2018-2020, 2019-2021, and 2020-2022 award cycle at the target level.

(5)
Payouts of all of the performance share awards for the 2018-2020, 2019-2021, and 2020-2022 award cycle at the target level assuming a $227.10 share price for all performance shares.

(6)
Incremental actuarial value attributable to retirement for three years of additional service for Mr. Linebarger or two years for the other Named Executive Officers.

(7)
Estimated value associated with the continuation of life insurance, medical, dental, and disability benefits for three years for Mr. Linebarger or two years for the other Named Executive Officers following termination.

(8)
The calculation of the Financial Advisory and 401(k) Benefit is equal to three times the maximum annual financial advisory benefit, plus three times the annual Company Contribution under the Retirement and Savings Plan for Mr. Linebarger as Chief Executive Officer. For the other Named Executive Officers, the Financial Advisory and 401(k) Benefit is equal to two times the maximum annual financial advisory benefit, plus two times the annual Company Contribution under the Retirement and Savings Plan.

(9)
The calculation of the Reduction due to Best Net of Taxes Provision is based upon a Code Section 280G excise tax rate of 20% and the highest marginal income tax rates for 2020. Furthermore, it was assumed that no value will be attributed to reasonable compensation. At the time of any change in control, a value may be so attributed, which would affect whether a reduction would be triggered and the amount of any such reduction.

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OTHER THAN FOLLOWING A CHANGE IN CONTROL

The following tables summarize the estimated payments to be made to Named Executive Officers under provisions of plans or established practice in the event of termination of employment including resignation, involuntary termination, involuntary termination for cause, retirement, death and disability other than following a change in control.

Termination for cause includes and is not limited to: violation of our Treatment of Others Policy, violation of the Code of Business Conduct, theft or other acts of dishonesty, willful destruction of our property, refusal to obey a supervisor's reasonable instructions, conduct endangering the safety of employees or co-workers, falsification of our documents, or violation of our other rules or policies.


 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

CUMMINS  2021 PROXY        63

We only report amounts where vesting requirements are waived and/or time of payment is accelerated, or benefits that are not generally available to our other exempt employees. Also, information is not repeated that is disclosed previously under the Pension Benefits Table, the Deferred Compensation Table, or the Outstanding Equity Awards Table, except to the extent that the amounts payable to the Named Executive Officer would be enhanced by the termination event described.

The amounts shown assume the terminating event occurred on the last business day of 2020, and that the price per share of our Common Stock is the closing price as of that date, $227.10.

SEVERANCE

We do not have formal severance agreements with any of our Named Executive Officers. However, the Committee has established a policy that any of our Named Executive Officers, if terminated by us other than for cause, will generally be entitled to receive up to 12 months' base salary as severance, paid as salary continuation, and a pro-rated portion of his or her annual bonus for the portion of the year prior to termination, payable at the normal time and using the same payout factors as for all other participants. All of these elements would require a signed release of claims agreement.

ANNUAL BONUS

If a participant's employment with us terminates prior to the payment of our annual bonuses other than by reason of retirement, death or disability, the participant will not receive any annual bonus payout (except as described above under "Severance"). If a participant's employment with us terminates by reason of retirement, death, or disability prior to payment, then the participant will remain eligible for an annual bonus based on his or her eligible earnings prior to retirement, death, or disability and based on actual performance.

ACCELERATED VESTING OF LONG-TERM GRANTS

As described elsewhere in this proxy statement, currently we provide annual target award grants of performance cash, performance shares and stock options. The grants are based on a three-year performance period.

PERFORMANCE CASH

If a participant's employment with us terminates during the first year of an award cycle, other than by reason of retirement, death or disability, the participant will not receive any payout for that award cycle. If a participant's employment terminates during the second year of an award cycle other than by reason of retirement, death or disability, the Compensation Committee, in its discretion, may determine whether the participant will receive a proportionate payout of any payment with respect to the award cycle based on the period of employment during the cycle.

If a participant retires, dies or becomes disabled during an award cycle, the participant or such participant's estate, as the case may be, will receive a proportionate share of any payment with respect to the award cycle based on the period of employment during the cycle, regardless of the length of time of such employment. In the case of retirement, the proportionate share of the payment will be based on the actual payout factor. In the case of death or disability, the payment depends on when the death or disability occurs. If the death or disability occurs in year one of the performance period, the payout is based on an assumed payout factor of 1.0. If the death or disability occurs in year two, the payout factor is based on the actual year one performance and an assumed payout factor of 1.0 for years two and three. If death or disability occurs in year three, the payout factor is made on the normal payout cycle according to the actual payout factor.

2018-2020 AWARD CYCLE GRANTS

Since the entire 2018-2020 award cycle was completed as of the assumed December 31, 2020 date of the termination, all active participants would have been entitled to the payment at the normal time in March 2021. Since there would be no special acceleration, the amounts of these payments are not shown on the tables.


 

 

 

 

 

 

64        CUMMINS  2021 PROXY

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

 

 

2019-2021 AWARD CYCLE GRANTS

Since the termination event is assumed to occur on December 31, 2020, which was the end of the second year of the 2019-2021 award cycle, the Committee has the discretion to award two-thirds of the target award for the 2019-2021 award cycle. For purposes of this table, two-thirds of the target awards for the 2019-2021 award cycle, assuming a payout factor of 1.0, is shown as payable under retirement, death, and disability.

2020-2022 AWARD CYCLE GRANTS

Since the termination event is assumed to occur on December 31, 2020, which was the end of the first year of the 2020-2022 award cycle, the Committee has the discretion to award one-third of the target award for the 2020-2022 award cycle. For purposes of this table, one-third of the target awards for the 2020-2022 award cycle, assuming a payout factor of 1.0, is shown as payable under retirement, death, and disability.

PERFORMANCE SHARES

If a participant's employment with us terminates during the first year of an award cycle, other than by reason of retirement, death or disability, the participant will not receive any performance shares for that award cycle. If a participant's employment terminates during the second year of an award cycle other than by reason of retirement, death or disability, the Compensation Committee, in its discretion, may determine whether the participant will receive a proportionate payout of any performance shares with respect to the award cycle based on the period of employment during the cycle.

If a participant retires, dies or becomes disabled during an award cycle, the participant or such participant's estate, as the case may be, will receive a proportionate number of any performance shares earned with respect to the award cycle based on the period of employment during the cycle, regardless of the length of time of such employment. In the case of retirement, the proportionate number will be based on the actual payout factor. In the case of death or disability, the number depends on when the death or disability occurs. If the death or disability occurs in year one of the performance period, the number of shares earned is based on an assumed payout factor of 1.0. If the death or disability occurs in year two, the number of shares earned is based on the actual year one performance and an assumed payout factor of 1.0 for years two and three. If death or disability occurs in year three, the number of shares earned is determined on the normal payout cycle according to the actual payout factor.

2018-2020 AWARD CYCLE GRANTS

Since the entire 2018-2020 award cycle was completed as of the assumed December 31, 2020 date of the termination, participants would have earned performance shares at the normal time in March 2021. Since there would be no special acceleration, the amounts of the awards are not shown on the tables.

2019-2021 AWARD CYCLE GRANTS

Performance shares would become earned based on our performance during 2019-2021 and paid out in unrestricted shares in March 2022. Since the shares were not yet earned, it is assumed no payments were accelerated on a termination other than a retirement, death or disability. For purposes of this table, two-thirds of the target awards for the 2019-2021 award cycle, assuming a payout factor of 1.0, is shown as payable under retirement, death, and disability.

2020-2022 AWARD CYCLE GRANTS

Performance shares would become earned based on our performance during 2020-2022 and paid out in unrestricted shares in March 2023. Since the shares were not yet earned, it is assumed no payments were accelerated on a termination other than a retirement, death or disability. For purposes of this table, one-third of the target awards for the 2020-2022 award cycle, assuming a payout factor of 1.0, is shown as payable under retirement, death, and disability.

STOCK OPTIONS

2018-2020 AWARD CYCLE GRANTS

Stock options were granted on April 3, 2018 and will vest and become exercisable with respect to all of the underlying shares of our Common Stock on the third anniversary of the grant date, or April 3, 2021, or upon the recipient's earlier retirement, death or disability, so long as the recipient is


 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

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continuously employed by us or a subsidiary until such date or event. Accordingly, the value of the accelerated vesting is shown only in the columns relating to a termination for retirement, death or disability.

2019-2021 AWARD CYCLE GRANTS

Stock options were granted on April 4, 2019 and October 16, 2019 will vest and become exercisable with respect to all of the underlying shares of our Common Stock on the third anniversary of the grant date, or April 4, 2022 and October 16, 2022, or upon the recipient's earlier retirement, death or disability, so long as the recipient is continuously employed by us or a subsidiary until such date or event. Accordingly, the value of the accelerated vesting is shown only in the columns relating to a termination for retirement, death or disability.

2020-2022 AWARD CYCLE GRANTS

Stock options were granted on April 6, 2020 will vest and become exercisable with respect to all of the underlying shares of our Common Stock on the third anniversary of the grant date, or April 6, 2023, or upon the recipient's earlier retirement, death or disability, so long as the recipient is continuously employed by us or a subsidiary until such date or event. Accordingly, the value of the accelerated vesting is shown only in the columns relating to a termination for retirement, death or disability.

EXECUTIVE LIFE INSURANCE

Each of the Named Executive Officers participates in the Supplemental Life Insurance and Deferred Income Program, whereby officers are eligible for life insurance equal to three times base salary. Since this is a program not participated in by non-officer employees, the values of this incremental coverage are shown in the table.

OUTPLACEMENT, WELFARE BENEFITS, AND FINANCIAL COUNSELING

Outplacement assistance and welfare benefits will be provided only in the case of involuntary not-for-cause termination. Financial counseling support will not be provided in cases of voluntary termination and termination for cause.


 

 

 

 

 

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

 

 

The payments to each of our Named Executive Officers, assuming that the triggering event occurred on December 31, 2020, are estimated in the table below.

N.T. Linebarger

  Voluntary
Termination
  Involuntary
Not-for-Cause
Termination
  Termination
for Cause
  Retirement   Death   Disability

Severance

  $0   $1,575,000   $0   $0   $0   $0

Annual Bonus

  $0   $1,764,000   $0   $1,764,000   $1,764,000   $1,764,000

Accelerated Vesting of Long-Term Grants:

                       

Performance Cash 2019-2021 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $2,184,667   $2,184,667   $2,184,667

Performance Cash 2020-2022 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $1,229,000   $1,229,000   $1,229,000

Performance Shares 2019-2021 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $3,280,838   $3,280,838   $3,280,838

Performance Shares 2020-2022 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $1,547,308   $1,547,308   $1,547,308

Stock Options 2018-2020 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $4,133,900   $4,133,900   $4,133,900

Stock Options 2019-2021 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $6,282,319   $6,282,319   $6,282,319

Stock Options 2020-2022 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $8,151,282   $8,151,282   $8,151,282

Outplacement

  $0   $4,780   $0   $0   $0   $0

Welfare Benefits

  $0   $39,594   $0   $0   $0   $0

Financial Counseling

  $0   $12,715   $0   $12,715   $12,715   $12,715

Life Insurance (Supplemental Life Insurance Program only)

  $0   $0   $0   $0   $4,725,000   $0

Aggregate Payments

  $0   $3,396,089   $0   $28,586,029   $33,311,029   $28,586,029

 

M.A.Smith

  Voluntary
Termination
  Involuntary
Not-for-Cause
Termination
  Termination
for Cause
  Retirement   Death   Disability

Severance

  $0   $710,000   $0   $0   $0   $0

Annual Bonus

  $0   $472,150   $0   $0   $472,150   $472,150

Accelerated Vesting of Long-Term Grants:

                       

Performance Cash 2019-2021 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $0   $478,000   $478,000

Performance Cash 2020-2022 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $0   $273,000   $273,000

Performance Shares 2019-2021 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $0   $717,636   $717,636

Performance Shares 2020-2022 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $0   $343,678   $343,678

Stock Options 2018-2020 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $0   $407,360   $407,360

Stock Options 2019-2021 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $0   $1,373,999   $1,373,999

Stock Options 2020-2022 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $0   $1,810,924   $1,810,924

Outplacement

  $0   $4,780   $0   $0   $0   $0

Welfare Benefits

  $0   $26,396   $0   $0   $0   $0

Financial Counseling

  $0   $12,715   $0   $0   $12,715   $12,715

Life Insurance (Supplemental Life Insurance Program only)

  $0   $0   $0   $0   $2,130,000   $0

Aggregate Payments

  $0   $1,226,041   $0   $0   $8,019,462   $5,889,462

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

CUMMINS  2021 PROXY        67

 


L. L. Satterthwaite

  Voluntary
Termination
  Involuntary
Not-for-Cause
Termination
  Termination
for Cause
  Retirement   Death   Disability

Severance

  $0   $740,000   $0   $0   $0   $0

Annual Bonus

  $0   $492,100   $0   $492,100   $492,100   $492,100

Accelerated Vesting of Long-Term Grants:

                       

Performance Cash 2019-2021 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $546,000   $546,000   $546,000

Performance Cash 2020-2022 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $314,000   $314,000   $314,000

Performance Shares 2019-2021 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $820,588   $820,588   $820,588

Performance Shares 2020-2022 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $395,154   $395,154   $395,154

Stock Options 2018-2020 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $727,620   $727,620   $727,620

Stock Options 2019-2021 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $1,545,301   $1,545,301   $1,545,301

Stock Options 2020-2022 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $2,082,860   $2,082,860   $2,082,860

Outplacement

  $0   $4,780   $0   $0   $0   $0

Welfare Benefits

  $0   $26,396   $0   $0   $0   $0

Financial Counseling

  $0   $12,715   $0   $12,715   $12,715   $12,715

Life Insurance (Supplemental Life Insurance Program only)

  $0   $0   $0   $0   $2,220,000   $0

Aggregate Payments

  $0   $1,275,991   $0   $6,936,338   $9,156,338   $6,936,338

 

M. M. Rose

  Voluntary
Termination
  Involuntary
Not-for-Cause
Termination
  Termination
for Cause
  Retirement   Death   Disability

Severance

  $0   $690,000   $0   $0   $0   $0

Annual Bonus

  $0   $386,400   $0   $386,400   $386,400   $386,400

Accelerated Vesting of Long-Term Grants:

                       

Performance Cash 2019-2021 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $341,333   $341,333   $341,333

Performance Cash 2020-2022 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $204,667   $204,667   $204,667

Performance Shares 2019-2021 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $513,246   $513,246   $513,246

Performance Shares 2020-2022 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $258,137   $258,137   $258,137

Stock Options 2018-2020 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $727,620   $727,620   $727,620

Stock Options 2019-2021 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $981,791   $981,791   $981,791

Stock Options 2020-2022 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $1,358,830   $1,358,830   $1,358,830

Outplacement

  $0   $4,780   $0   $0   $0   $0

Welfare Benefits

  $0   $26,396   $0   $0   $0   $0

Financial Counseling

  $0   $12,715   $0   $12,715   $12,715   $12,715

Life Insurance (Supplemental Life Insurance Program only)

  $0   $0   $0   $0   $2,070,000   $0

Aggregate Payments

  $0   $1,120,291   $0   $4,784,739   $6,854,739   $4,784,739

 

 

 

 

 

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 


S. Padmanabhan

  Voluntary
Termination
  Involuntary
Not-for-Cause
Termination
  Termination
for Cause
  Retirement   Death   Disability

Severance

  $0   $610,000   $0   $0   $0   $0

Annual Bonus

  $0   $384,300   $0   $384,300   $384,300   $384,300

Accelerated Vesting of Long-Term Grants:

                       

Performance Cash 2019-2021 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $300,667   $300,667   $300,667

Performance Cash 2020-2022 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $204,667   $204,667   $204,667

Performance Shares 2019-2021 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $451,172   $451,172   $451,172

Performance Shares 2020-2022 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $258,137   $258,137   $258,137

Stock Options 2018-2020 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $640,520   $640,520   $640,520

Stock Options 2019-2021 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $864,002   $864,002   $864,002

Stock Options 2020-2022 Award Cycle

  $0   $0   $0   $1,358,830   $1,358,830   $1,358,830

Outplacement

  $0   $4,780   $0   $0   $0   $0

Welfare Benefits

  $0   $26,396   $0   $0   $0   $0

Financial Counseling

  $0   $12,715   $0   $12,715   $12,715   $12,715

Life Insurance (Supplemental Life Insurance Program only)

  $0   $0   $0   $0   $1,830,000   $0

Aggregate Payments

  $0   $1,038,191   $0   $4,475,010   $6,305,010   $4,475,010

PAY RATIO DISCLOSURE

As required by Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Act implementing Section 953(b), the ratio of the compensation of our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer compared to the compensation of our median employee in 2020 is set forth below.

Mr. Linebarger's compensation (as reported in the Summary Compensation Table) for 2020 was 313.5 times the similarly calculated compensation of our median employee. The compensation amounts used to calculate the ratio are as follows:

2020 Annual Total Compensation    
N.T. Linebarger   $17,291,581
Median Employee   $55,150

To identify our median employee, we began by reviewing the 2020 annual base salary and hourly wages plus target variable compensation (target total cash compensation) of all Cummins employees globally, including all full-time and part-time employees who were on Cummins' payroll as of December 31, 2020. Approximately 41% of the headcount is located in the U.S. We did not annualize the base salaries or hourly wages of permanent employees who had been employed by Cummins for less than the full year. We converted the annual target total cash compensation of all employees to United States dollars to aid in the identification of the median employee. We selected the median employee from among a group of employees with the same target total cash compensation by taking into account other pay elements and excluding those with anomalous characteristics.

While we design our compensation programs to reflect the local market practices in each country in which we operate, we strive to target, on average, market median pay for all employees globally.


 

 

 

 

 

 

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

As with the pay programs for our executive officers, we review our non-employee director pay programs on an annual basis and target the median of the market in setting our pay levels. We also strive to create a non-employee director compensation program that is simple and is aligned with shareholder interests.

We assess both our Custom Peer Group as well as the broader market in benchmarking director pay levels and practices. Each review includes general comparisons against market data and analysis prepared by Farient, including information on market practices and decision support in the following areas:

Board and Committee retainers and meeting fees;
Equity compensation;
Leadership compensation; and
Other major pay elements and practices.

ANNUAL COMPENSATION

Board Retainer1

 

In 2020, we provided each of our non-employee directors target annual compensation of $275,000, $125,000 of which is paid in cash and $150,000 of which is paid in the form of our common stock.

Lead Director Compensation

 

An additional $35,000 cash retainer.

Committee Chair Compensation

 

An additional $20,000 cash retainer for the Audit and Talent Management and Compensation Committees.

An additional $15,000 cash retainer for the Finance, Governance and Nominating, and Safety and Environment, and Technology Committees.

(1)
In light of the pay reductions related to the COVID-19 pandemic that Cummins officers and other exempt employees experienced in 2020, the Board of Directors also approved reducing director pay in an amount equivalent to 25% of the $125,000 annual cash retainer for a period of time equal to the time during which officer pay reductions were in effect. This reduction will be applied to the 2021 director compensation. The 2021 cash retainer will be reduced by 25% for 5.5 months, which is the same length of time that Officer base salaries were reduced in 2020.

We also have a Deferred Compensation Plan for non-employee directors, pursuant to which directors may elect to defer receipt of all or any portion of their compensation while they serve as a director. The deferred compensation, plus accrued interest, is paid to the director upon the earliest of a specified date (if one is selected by the director), the director's retirement or death or a change in control of our company. If the deferred compensation and interest is paid in connection with a specified date or the director's retirement, it is paid to the director in a lump sum or in annual installments, not to exceed 15, as specified by the director. Upon a change in control of our company or the director's death, such deferred compensation and interest would be paid in cash to the director in one lump sum.

Account crediting options within our Deferred Compensation Plan are substantially similar to the investment choices available in our 401(k) plan. However, participants may also have a balance in other legacy investment options: the 10-Year Treasury Bill + 4%, the 10-Year Treasury Bill + 2% and Barclays Capital U.S. Government/Credit Bond Index.

Each non-employee director is required to maintain direct ownership of shares of our Common Stock (including stock awards) equal to or greater in value to three times his or her annual total retainer fee. Non-employee directors must comply with this requirement within six years of becoming a member of our Board. Subject to limited exceptions, non-employee directors are not allowed to sell our shares until they reach their stock ownership guideline, and then may not sell shares to the extent their ownership level would be less than the guideline amount. All of our non-employee directors have either satisfied this requirement or have additional time to do so.


 

 

 

 

 

 

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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

The following table provides information concerning the compensation of our non-employee directors for 2020. As an employee director, Mr. Linebarger received no compensation for his service as a director in 2020.

Name

  (1)
Fees Earned
or Paid
in Cash
($)
  (2)
Stock
Awards
($)
  (3)
Change in
Pension Value
and
Non Qualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
  (4)
All Other
Compensation
  Total

R. J. Bernhard(5)

  $125,000   $150,845   $23,528   $0   $299,373

F. R. Chang Diaz

  $125,000   $150,845   $0   $0   $275,845

B. V. Di Leo Allen

  $125,000   $150,845   $0   $0   $275,845

S. B. Dobbs

  $140,000   $150,845   $0   $26,000   $316,845

R. K. Herdman(5)

  $145,000   $150,845   $0   $1,000   $296,845

A. M. Herman(6)

  $175,000   $150,845   $76,657   $0   $402,502

T. J. Lynch

  $140,000   $150,845   $0   $50,000   $340,845

W. I. Miller(6)

  $125,000   $150,845   $74,630   $0   $350,475

G. R. Nelson(5)

  $145,000   $150,845   $14,185   $0   $310,030

K. A. Nelson(5)(7)

  $83,333   $103,832   $0   $50,000   $237,165

K. H. Quintos(5)

  $125,000   $150,845   $43,393   $0   $319,238
(1)
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash were as follows:  
 

Director

  Board Retainer   Lead Director Fee   Committee Chaired   Committee Chair Fees   Total
 

R. J. Bernhard

  $125,000   $0       $0   $125,000
 

F. R. Chang Diaz

  $125,000   $0       $0   $125,000
 

B. V. Di Leo Allen

  $125,000   $0       $0   $125,000
 

S. B. Dobbs

  $125,000   $0   Safety, Environmental and Technology   $15,000   $140,000
 

R. K. Herdman

  $125,000   $0   Audit   $20,000   $145,000
 

A. M. Herman

  $125,000   $35,000   Governance and Nominating   $15,000   $175,000
 

T. J. Lynch

  $125,000   $0   Finance   $15,000   $140,000
 

W. I. Miller

  $125,000   $0       $0   $125,000
 

G. R. Nelson

  $125,000   $0   Talent Management and Compensation   $20,000   $145,000
 

K. A. Nelson

  $83,333   $0       $0   $83,333
 

K. H. Quintos

  $125,000   $0       $0   $125,000
(2)
The stock awards column represents the aggregate grant date fair value of the awards, which is $220.45/share for K. A. Nelson whose term began October 13, 2020, and $153.61/share for all other directors. The aggregate grant date fair value was computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718, excluding any impact from an election to defer the award. The assumptions made in valuing stock awards for 2020 are included in the Notes 18 to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K and such information is incorporated by reference.

The stock value represents 55 percent of the annual retainer. The number of shares is calculated by dividing the target value by the preceding 20 day average closing price of our Common Stock on the NYSE on the grant date, rounded down to the nearest whole share. Each director was awarded 982 shares of stock, except for K. A. Nelson, who received 471 shares. Because K. A. Nelson's term began October 13, 2020, she was compensated for two-thirds of a term. K. A. Nelson's shares were granted using a value of $212.1645, the preceding 20 day average of closing prices of our Common Stock on the NYSE on the grant date of October 13, 2020. The shares for all other directors were granted using a value of $152.667, the preceding 20 day average of closing prices of our Common Stock on the NYSE on the grant date of May 12, 2020.

(3)
These amounts represent "Above Market" earnings in the Deferred Compensation Plan, as described above. "Above market" is defined as the amount of earnings that exceeded 120% of the applicable federal long term rate published by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

(4)
These amounts represent our match of directors' contributions for a program under which we match contributions, up to $50,000 per individual, to a designated charitable non-profit organization.

(5)
R. J. Bernhard, R. K. Herdman, G. R. Nelson, K. A. Nelson and K. H. Quintos elected to defer 100% of the 2020 Stock Award. The value of this Stock Award is included in this table. R. J. Bernhard and K. H. Quintos also elected to defer 100% of their fees paid in cash in 2020.

(6)
As part of our overall support of charitable and educational institutions, we previously established the Cummins Inc. Charitable Bequest Program in which directors first elected prior to 2004 are eligible to participate. Only W. I. Miller and A. M. Herman currently participate in this program. Following the death of such director, we will donate 10 equal annual installments of $100,000 to one or more qualifying institutions designated by such director. The obligations under this program are funded by life insurance policies that have been fully paid and there was therefore no cost associated with the program in 2020. Directors do not receive any direct financial benefit from the program since all charitable deductions accrue to us.

(7)
Ms. Nelson joined our Board on October 13, 2020.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION
OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

CUMMINS  2021 PROXY        71

ADVISORY VOTE ON THE
COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

(ITEM 14 ON THE PROXY CARD)

Executive compensation is important to us and to our shareholders. Since 2011, we have held annual advisory shareholder votes to approve the compensation of our Named Executive Officers as required by Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. At this year's Annual Meeting, we once again are seeking input from our shareholders through an advisory vote to approve the compensation of our Named Executive Officers as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section and the accompanying compensation tables and narratives contained in this proxy statement. In 2020, consistent with the recommendation of our Board, our shareholders voted in favor of our executive compensation, with 93.5% of votes cast in favor.

Our Board would like the support of our shareholders for the compensation of our Named Executive Officers as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section and the accompanying compensation tables and narratives contained in this proxy statement. Accordingly, for the reasons we discuss above, our Board unanimously recommends that shareholders vote in favor of the following resolution:

"RESOLVED, that the shareholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Named Executive Officers as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section and the accompanying compensation tables and narratives contained in this proxy statement."

The compensation of the Named Executive Officers as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section and the accompanying compensation tables and narratives contained in this proxy statement will be approved if the votes cast in favor of the proposal exceed those cast against the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not affect the voting results for this proposal.

As this is an advisory vote, the results of the vote will not be binding on our Board, although our Talent Management and Compensation Committee will consider the outcome of the vote when evaluating the effectiveness of our compensation principles and practices and our Talent Management and Compensation Committee and our Board will review and consider the outcome of the vote when making future compensation decisions for our Named Executive Officers. We believe our company benefits from constructive dialogue with our shareholders on these important matters, and while we continue to reach out to our shareholders on these and other issues, we also encourage our shareholders to contact us if they would like to communicate their views on our executive compensation programs. Shareholders who wish to communicate with our non-management directors concerning our executive compensation programs should refer to the section above entitled "Corporate Governance – Board of Directors and Committees – Communication with the Board of Directors." We intend to hold the next advisory vote on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers at the annual meeting in 2022.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS DISCLOSED IN THE COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS SECTION AND ACCOMPANYING COMPENSATION TABLES AND NARRATIVES IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.


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72        CUMMINS  2021 PROXY

 

SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

(ITEM 15 ON THE PROXY CARD)

The Audit Committee of our Board has voted to appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, or PwC, as the firm of independent public accountants to audit our financial statements for 2021. Although the selection and appointment of independent public accountants is not required to be submitted to a vote of our shareholders, our Board has decided, as in the past, to ask our shareholders to ratify this appointment. Such ratification does not limit the Audit Committee's ability to make subsequent changes to our auditors that it thinks appropriate.

Under its charter, the Committee is responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of our independent auditor. In selecting PwC as the independent public accountants for 2021, the Audit Committee considered a number of factors, including:

The Committee discusses services performed by PwC and considers the impact of non-audit services on PwC's independence. The Committee pre-approves these services and the related fees. We believe that all services rendered to us by PwC are permissible under applicable laws and regulations, and have been pre-approved by or on behalf of the Audit Committee pursuant to the policy described below. Fees paid to PwC for services are disclosed in the table below under the categories listed therein.

These services are actively monitored (both spending level and work content) by the Audit Committee to maintain the appropriate objectivity and independence in PwC's core work, which is the audit of our consolidated financial statements and the audit of our internal control over financial reporting.

In consideration of the matters described above, we believe that the appointment of PwC is in the best interest of the company and its shareholders.

A representative of PwC will be present at the Annual Meeting and will be available to answer appropriate questions but will not have the opportunity to make a statement. A report of the Audit Committee in connection with its independence, the independence of the auditors and certain other matters follows our Board's recommendation on this Item below.


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SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

 

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VOTE REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Appointment of PwC as auditors will be ratified if the votes cast in favor of the proposal exceed those cast against the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not affect the voting results for the ratification of PwC.

OUR BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THIS PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF PwC.

AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT FEES

The following table presents fees for professional audit services rendered by PwC for the audit of our annual financial statements for 2020 and 2019, and fees billed for other services rendered by PwC during those periods.

  2020
(dollars in millions)
  2019

Audit fees:(1)

  11.1   11.6

Audit-related fees:(2)

  0.1   0.1

Tax fees:(3)

  0.4   0.3

All other fees:(4)

  0.0   0.0

Total

  11.6   12.0
(1)
Audit fees consisted of work performed in connection with the audit of our financial statements (including internal control over financial reporting), as well as work generally only the independent auditor can reasonably be expected to provide, such as statutory and subsidiary audits.

(2)
Audit-related fees principally include attestation services requested by management and employee benefit plan audits.

(3)
Tax fees consisted principally of assistance with non-US tax compliance and planning, review of foreign tax returns and assistance in connection with tax audits.

(4)
All other fees included advisory services for seminars related to employee training, research survey results, licensing fees for technical research tools and other advisory services.

AUDIT COMMITTEE PRE-APPROVAL POLICY

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and rules of the SEC prohibit our independent accountant from providing certain types of non-audit services to us. They also require that all audit, review or attest engagements required under the securities laws and permitted non-audit services provided to us by our independent accountant be pre-approved by the Audit Committee or one of its members to whom the Audit Committee has delegated authority.

Under our policy and procedures, when considering whether to approve non-audit services to be provided by our independent accountant, the Audit Committee must consider whether the provision of the service would adversely affect the independence of the independent accountant. Specifically, the Audit Committee must consider whether the provision of the service would (i) place the accountant in the position of auditing his or her own work; (ii) result in the accountant acting as management or an employee of our company; or (iii) place the accountant in the position of being an advocate for us. Any proposed non-audit service that the Audit Committee determines would adversely affect the independence of our independent accountant will not be approved.

The Audit Committee is solely responsible for pre-approving all audit and non-audit services. The Audit Committee has delegated to its Chairman authority to pre-approve audit and permitted non-audit services to be provided by our independent accountant, provided that such services are permissible under our foregoing policy and procedures and do not exceed $100,000 in the aggregate. Decisions of the Chairman must be reported to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.


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SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The role of our Audit Committee is to assist our Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities as they relate to:

The Committee also has responsibility for:

Each member of the Committee is independent as defined under our independence criteria, NYSE listing standards and SEC rules. The Committee operates under a written charter that has been adopted by our Board and is reviewed by the Committee on a periodic basis. The Committee's current charter can be viewed on our website.

The Committee fulfills its responsibilities through periodic meetings with PwC, our independent registered public accounting firm since 2002, and with our internal auditors and management. During 2020, the Committee met nine times. The Committee periodically meets in executive session. The Committee also has periodic educational sessions on accounting and reporting matters. The Committee reviewed with both PwC and our internal auditors, and approved, their respective audit plans, audit scope, compensation and identification of audit risks. Further, the Committee reviewed and discussed with our management and PwC our audited financial statements and management's and PwC's evaluations of our internal control over financial reporting, as reported in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Committee discussed our interim financial information contained in each quarterly earnings announcement and each Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with our Chief Financial Officer, Controller and our independent auditors, prior to public release. The Committee also met with PwC to discuss the results of its reviews of our interim financial statements. Management has the responsibility for the preparation and integrity of our financial statements and internal control over financial reporting and PwC has the responsibility for the review or examinations thereof.

The Committee discussed and reviewed with PwC all matters required by the PCAOB and the SEC. The Committee received the written disclosures and the letter from PwC required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent accountant's communications with the Committee concerning independence, and discussed with PwC its independence.

The Committee established a process for the formal evaluation of PwC's performance, which includes obtaining an annual assessment of PwC from management. In conducting this evaluation, the Committee reviewed responses to a questionnaire completed by members of management that covered areas such as the quality of services provided by PwC, sufficiency and experiences of resources on the engagement, communication and interaction with PwC over the course of the year, and independence, objectivity and professional skepticism of PwC. PwC's performance is also discussed with management and PwC during separate private sessions, as well as in executive session.

The Committee also considers other factors, including the policy that PwC follows with respect to rotation of its key audit personnel, so that there is a new partner-in-charge at least every five years. The Committee is involved in the selection of the partner-in-charge at the time of rotation. PwC's senior relationship partner interviews with members of management and with the Committee Chair to understand the necessary partner-in-charge attributes as part of the partner-in-charge succession planning process. Attributes evaluated include client and functional experience, technical competence, communication skills, critical behaviors, familiarity with audit committee processes and independent communications and stature within PwC. PwC develops a list of potential candidates and identifies one of the candidates as recommended by the firm. The recommended candidate meets with members of management and the Committee. If the recommended candidate is selected, the process is complete. If the recommended candidate is not selected, the process continues with additional candidate meetings until an acceptable candidate is identified. The most recent partner-in-charge rotation occurred in 2018.


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SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

 

CUMMINS  2021 PROXY        75

 

 

Based on the above-mentioned reviews and discussions with management, internal audit and PwC, the Committee recommended to our Board of Directors that our audited financial statements and management's report on internal control over financial reporting be included in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K, for filing with the SEC.

Based on the reviews and evaluations described above, the Committee reappointed PwC as our independent auditors for 2021, subject to shareholder ratification at the Annual Meeting.

Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT K. HERDMAN, CHAIR
ROBERT J. BERNHARD
STEPHEN B. DOBBS
WILLIAM I. MILLER
GEORGIA R. NELSON
KIMBERLY A. NELSON
KAREN H. QUINTOS


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76        CUMMINS  2021 PROXY

 

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL

 

 

 

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL

(ITEM 16 ON THE PROXY CARD)

The following proposal was submitted by an individual shareholder and will be voted on at the Annual Meeting if it is properly presented. Our Board recommends that you vote AGAINST this Proposal. The shareholder's name, address and number of shares of common stock held may be obtained upon oral or written request to our Corporate Secretary.

In accordance with SEC rules, the following text of the Professional Services Allowance Proposal is presented exactly as it was submitted to our company.

PROPOSAL 16—PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ALLOWANCE

According to the 2019 annual report which lists the compensation of the Named Executive Officers (NEO), our CEO received compensation of over $25 million, which was 341 times that of the average employee. The pay the CEO receives could possibly be justified had he started the company himself. However, he is strictly a caretaker of a company that has been around for many years and was started by a predecessor. The CEO and other executives are handsomely rewarded with compensation and benefits that individual shareholders can only dream about. Our CEO is paid more in one year than most people will make in a lifetime. In addition to current compensation, the retirement pension he and the other executives will receive, which again most of us do not have, will ensure that they will walk away with a lifetime income well above the average employee or shareholder.

Be that as it may, one of the most upsetting benefits each of our NEOs receive is an allowance of between $12,405 and $15,935 for tax, financial, and estate planning. For NEOs making between $8 and $25 million/year, it is an insult to shareholders to have the company, and us, pay for a service they can well afford. The rest of the world pays for these services out of our own pocket and do not have the luxury of having our employer pick up this expense. There is no valid reason for this other than the willingness of the board to lavish as many benefits on our NEOs as possible, since it only "company money". Granted the $90,365 for these benefits is a small amount in the grand scheme of things, but still there is no justification for continuing this fringe for our NEOs.

It is requested that the compensation committee abolish this benefit and require our NEOs pay for their own tax, financial, and estate planning. They are more than able to do so with the pay they receive.


Professional Services Allowance—Proposal 16


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STATEMENT IN OPPOSITION

 

CUMMINS  2021 PROXY        77

STATEMENT IN OPPOSITION

Our Board recommends that you vote AGAINST this proposal requesting that our Talent Management and Compensation Committee abolish the allowance NEOs receive for certain tax, financial and estate planning services. Our Board and our Talent Management and Compensation Committee regularly review our company's compensation practices and each believes that our compensation program, including the benefits which are the target of this proposal, have been integral in attracting executive talent and encouraging high-performing executives to remain with us over the course of their careers. These benefits are part of a competitive, comprehensive compensation program that enables our company to attract and retain talented individuals. They are provided at a minimal cost to our company and our shareholders, and are part of an overall executive compensation program that is in line with best practices and which has been approved overwhelmingly and consistently by our shareholders. For these reasons, our Board believes that abolishing these benefits is not in the best interests of our company or our shareholders.

Our long-term success depends on our ability to attract, motivate, focus and retain highly talented individuals who are committed to the Cummins vision, strategy and corporate culture.

We recognize the importance of competitive compensation and benefits programs in attracting world class leaders. We also use our executive compensation program to encourage high-performing executives to remain with us over the course of their careers. We believe our compensation strategies have been essential in attracting executive talent and promoting performance and retention. To these ends, we believe that, on average, our executives' target total direct compensation, including the fringe benefits at issue in this proposal, should be, and is, at the median of the market. The benefits targeted in this proposal are not unique to Cummins' executive compensation program. As similar benefits are an element of many of our peers' compensation programs, our allowance for tax, financial and estate planning services is an important part of our company's overall compensation program and is necessary to remain competitive for talent in our industry.

We are fully committed to "best practice" executive compensation principles and our shareholders have overwhelmingly and consistently endorsed our company's pay practices.

We believe our executive compensation program follows best practices. As described in more detail in the "Executive Compensation" section above:

Our compensation program is aligned with our business strategy and the financial interests of our stakeholders, is tied to performance, and is aligned with the market. Additionally, our shareholders have overwhelmingly and consistently endorsed the company's pay practices: At the 2020 shareholders' meeting, 93% of votes cast supported our advisory proposal to approve the company's executive compensation, similar to the levels of support expressed at our 2019, 2018 and 2017 shareholders' meetings.

Our CEO, other executive officers and directors accepted significant compensation reductions and delivered significant value to our shareholders.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, our management and Board proactively accepted significant reductions in compensation: our CEO took a 50% salary reduction, and our executive officers and directors took 25% compensation reductions.

Additionally, in 2020, despite challenging market conditions presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, management enabled our company to safely and effectively meet its commitments to customers who provide products critical to the functioning of the global economy. Furthermore, throughout the


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STATEMENT IN OPPOSITION

 

 

pandemic, management continued to advance existing products and invest in new technology while returning cash to shareholders. In October 2020, the company announced a 3% increase to its quarterly dividend, which made 2020 the eleventh consecutive year of increases to Cummins' dividend. During 2020, our management guided the company to a stock price that increased approximately 28% despite the very challenging environment. In 2020, Cummins delivered strong net income and operating cash flow while continuing to return significant value to our shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases. The company also delivered first quartile Return on Invested Capital (15%) as compared to our peer group. Our strong level of performance over the last 5-year period demonstrates the effectiveness of our executive team. Over the last 5-year period, our shareholder return (200%) has exceeded that of the S&P 500 (103%) and our peer group (119%). In 2020, the company returned $1.4 billion or 52% of Operating Cash Flow to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases.

The company's current executive compensation program serves our shareholders' interests by supporting executives in their roles and enabling the company to attract and retain talented employees. Adopting this proposal would put Cummins at a competitive disadvantage and could harm the company and its employees. For these reasons, this proposal is neither necessary nor in our shareholders' best interests.

Vote Required and Recommendation of the Board of Directors

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting will be required to approve this proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not affect the voting results for this proposal.

OUR BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE AGAINST THIS PROPOSAL.


 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCK OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS, MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS

 

CUMMINS  2021 PROXY        79

 

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STOCK OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS, MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS

The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our Common Stock as of March 8, 2021 by:

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes any shares over which a person exercises sole or shared voting or investment power. Under these rules, beneficial ownership also includes any shares as to which the individual or entity has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days of March 8, 2021 through the exercise of any stock option or other right. Shares subject to stock options or other rights are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the ownership percentage of the person beneficially holding these stock option or other rights, but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the ownership percentage of any other person. Except as otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner is Cummins Inc., 301 East Market Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204.

Name

  Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership(1)
  Percent of Class

BlackRock, Inc.

  13,031,093(2)   8.8%

55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055

       

The Vanguard Group

  12,979,070(3)   8.8%

100 Vanguard Blvd.
Malvern, PA 19355

       

Robert J. Bernhard

  15,358   *

Franklin R. Chang Diaz

  8,045   *

Bruno V. Di Leo

  7,924   *

Stephen B. Dobbs

  10,749   *

Tracy A. Embree

  67,809(4)   *

Robert K. Herdman

  15,880   *

Alexis M. Herman

  33,825   *

N. Thomas Linebarger

  660,254(5)   *

Thomas J. Lynch

  8,207   *

William I. Miller

  52,231(6)   *

Georgia R. Nelson

  23,158(7)   *

Kimberly A. Nelson

  1,816(8)   *

Karen H. Quintos

  3,902   *

Marya M. Rose

  89,903(9)   *

Tony L. Satterthwaite

  149,938(10)   *

Mark A. Smith

  27,800(11)   *

All directors and executive officers as a group, a total of 33 persons

  1,467,815(12)    
*
Less than 1%.

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STOCK OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS, MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS

(1)
Except as otherwise indicated, the voting and investment powers of the shares listed are held solely by the reported owner.

(2)
The source of this information is a Schedule 13G/A filed January 29, 2021 with the SEC disclosing beneficial ownership of our Common Stock by BlackRock, Inc. and its related companies. BlackRock, Inc. and its related companies stated in their Schedule 13G/A that they have sole dispositive power for all of the shares and sole voting power for 10,892,610 shares.

(3)
The source of this information is a Schedule 13G/A filed February 10, 2021 with the SEC disclosing beneficial ownership of our Common Stock by The Vanguard Group and its related companies. The Vanguard Group and its related companies stated in their Schedule 13G/A that they have sole dispositive power for 12,335,436 shares, shared dispositive power for 643,634 shares, sole voting power for none of the shares and shared voting power for 223,710 shares.

(4)
Includes 54,230 shares that may be purchased upon the exercise of vested stock options within 60 days of March 8, 2021.

(5)
Includes 240 shares held by Mr. Linebarger's spouse and 481,950 shares that may be purchased upon the exercise of vested stock options within 60 days of March 8, 2021.

(6)
Includes 500 shares held in the Miller Annual Exclusion Trust.

(7)
Includes 1,977 shares held by Ms. Nelson's spouse.

(8)
Includes 482 shares held by Ms. Nelson's spouse.

(9)
Includes 66,020 shares that may be purchased upon the exercise of vested stock options within 60 days of March 8, 2021.

(10)
Includes 91,930 shares that may be purchased upon the exercise of vested stock options within 60 days of March 8, 2021.

(11)
Includes 20,010 shares that may be purchased upon the exercise of vested stock options within 60 days of March 8, 2021.

(12)
Includes 1,066,450 shares that may be purchased upon the exercise of vested stock options within 60 days of March 8, 2021.

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OTHER BUSINESS

 

CUMMINS  2021 PROXY        81

OTHER BUSINESS

Our Board does not know of any business to be presented for action at the Annual Meeting other than that set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders as reflected in Items 1 through 16 on the proxy card, and as referenced in this proxy statement. Under the terms of our by-laws, moreover, since the deadline for notice of additional business has passed, no additional business may be presented by shareholders for action at the Annual Meeting.

OTHER INFORMATION

RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Our company, together with our subsidiaries and affiliates, is a global company with extensive operations in the U.S. and many foreign countries. We have thousands of employees with widespread authority to purchase goods and services. Because of these far-reaching activities, we encounter transactions and business arrangements with persons, businesses and other organizations in which one of our directors, executive officers or nominees for director, significant investors or their immediate families, may also be a director, executive officer, or have some other direct or indirect material interest. Such transactions and arrangements, which we refer to as related-party transactions, have the potential to create actual or perceived conflicts of interest.

As a result, the Audit Committee of our Board has established, and our Board has approved, a written policy and procedures for review, approval or ratification of any related-party transactions or proposed transactions where the amount involved in any year exceeds or will exceed $120,000. These procedures require that, in deciding whether to approve such a related-party transaction involving a director, director nominee, executive officer, holder of more than five percent of our Common Stock or their immediate family members, the Audit Committee must consider, among other factors:

To receive Audit Committee approval, a related party transaction must be on terms that are believed to be fair and reasonable to us. Our policy requires that there be a business or corporate interest supporting the transaction and that the transaction be in the best interest of us and our shareholders.

Based on information known to us, we believe there were no transactions during 2020 in which we were or are to be a participant in which the amount involved exceeded or will exceed $120,000, and in which any director, director nominee, executive officer, holder of more than five percent of our Common Stock at the time of the transaction or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

DELINQUENT SECTION 16(A) REPORTS

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our executive officers and directors, and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of our Common Stock, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership of such securities with the SEC and the NYSE. Copies of these reports must also be furnished to us. Based solely upon a review of the copies of the forms filed under Section 16(a) and furnished to us, written representations from reporting persons after inquiry, and forms filed by us on the reporting person's behalf, we believe that all filing requirements under Section 16(a) applicable to our executive officers and directors were complied with during 2020, except that a Form 4 was filed for Amy Rochelle Davis on July 9, 2020 to report an award of stock options that was made on July 1, 2020, which filing was delayed due to technical difficulties with the EDGAR filing site at the Securities and Exchange Commission and a Form 4 was filed for Norbert Nusterer on March 11, 2011 to report a sale of stock in a 401(k) plan that occurred on June 8, 2020.


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OTHER BUSINESS

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

Shareholders may submit proposals to be considered for shareholder action at our 2022 annual meeting of shareholders and inclusion in our proxy statement and proxy card if they do so in accordance with the appropriate regulations of the SEC. For such proposals to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement and form of proxy card for our 2022 annual meeting of shareholders, they must be received by our Secretary no later than November 29, 2021.

If a shareholder desires to bring proper business before an annual meeting of shareholders which is not the subject of a proposal timely submitted for inclusion in our proxy statement and form of proxy as described above, the shareholder must follow procedures outlined in our by-laws. Pursuant to our by-laws, a shareholder may bring business to be considered at the annual meeting, provided that the shareholder (i) is a shareholder of record at the time of giving notice to us of the of the business and is entitled to vote at the annual meeting where the business will be considered, and (ii) complies with the applicable notice procedures set forth in our by-laws. Our by-laws provide that, in the case of business other than the election of directors, the shareholder bringing the business must deliver written notice of the business to our Secretary no later than 90 days preceding the date the meeting is scheduled to occur in the notice of such meeting first given to shareholders, which we refer to as the "originally scheduled date," unless such date is earlier than the first anniversary of the date set forth in our first mailed definitive proxy materials for the prior year's annual meeting, in which case written notice of the proposal must be delivered not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the first public disclosure of the earlier date.

Each required notice must contain certain information, including information about the shareholder, as prescribed by the by-laws.

EXPENSES OF SOLICITATION

The cost of this proxy solicitation will be borne by us. We will solicit proxies by mailing proxy materials to certain shareholders and a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to all other shareholders; for shareholders that do not receive the full proxy materials, printed copies will be sent upon request as provided below and as provided in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.

We have retained Morrow Sodali Global LLC, 470 West Avenue, Stamford, Connecticut 06902, to assist us in the solicitation of proxies for a fee not to exceed $10,000 plus expenses. Proxies may also be solicited by mail, telephone, e-mail or fax by our directors, officers and employees who will not be separately compensated for such services. Banks, brokerage houses and other institutions, nominees or fiduciaries will be reimbursed for their reasonable expenses incurred in forwarding proxy materials to the beneficial owners of our Common Stock upon request.

DELIVERY OF PROXY MATERIALS TO HOUSEHOLDS

Pursuant to the rules of the SEC, services that deliver our communications to shareholders that hold their stock through a bank, broker or other holder of record may deliver to multiple shareholders sharing the same address a single copy of our Notice of Internet availability of Proxy Materials and, as applicable, a printed version of our annual report to shareholders and this proxy statement. Upon oral or written request, we will promptly deliver a separate copy of the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, annual report to shareholders and/or proxy statement to any shareholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the document was delivered.

Shareholders sharing an address may also request delivery in the future of a single copy of a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, annual report to shareholders and/or proxy statement if they are currently receiving multiple copies of such documents. Shareholders may notify us of their requests by calling or writing to our Secretary at (317) 610-2500 or Cummins Inc., 301 East Market Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204.

March 29, 2021

We will furnish to any shareholder, without charge, a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K. You may also obtain a copy of the Form 10-K by writing to Sharon R. Barner, Secretary, Cummins Inc., 301 East Market Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 or on our website at www.cummins.com.


 

 

 

 

 

 

ANNEX A

 

CUMMINS  2021 PROXY        

 

ANNEX A

RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST, INCOME TAXES, DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION AND NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

We define EBITDA as earnings before interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization and noncontrolling interests in income of consolidated subsidiaries. We use EBITDA to assess and measure the performance of our operating segments and also as a component in measuring our variable compensation programs. We believe EBITDA is a useful measure of our operating performance as it assists investors and debt holders in comparing our performance on a consistent basis without regard to financing methods, capital structure, income taxes or depreciation and amortization methods, which can vary significantly depending upon many factors. This measure is not in accordance with, or an alternative for, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and may not be consistent with measures used by other companies. It should be considered supplemental data.

2020 & 2019 EBITDA

 
   
   
 
  Years Ended

In Millions

  December 31, 2020   December 31, 2019

Net income attributable to Cummins Inc.

  $1,789   $2,260

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

  22   8

Consolidated net income

  1,811   2,268

Income tax expense

  527   566

Income before taxes

  2,338   2,834

Interest expense

  100   109

EBIT

  2,438   2,943

Depreciation and amortization

  670   669

EBITDA

  3,108   3,612

Restructuring charges (pre-tax)

    119

EBITDA excluding restructuring charges

  $3,108   $3,731

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANNEX A

 

CUMMINS  2021 PROXY        

 

2020 & 2019 Net Operating Profit After Taxes

 
   
   
 
  Years Ended
In Millions
  December 31, 2020
  December 31, 2019

Net income attributable to Cummins Inc.

  $1,789   $2,260

Net income attributable to non controlling interests

  22   8

Consolidated net income

  1,811   2,268

Income tax expense

  527   566

Income before taxes

  2,338   2,834

Interest expense

  100   109

EBIT

  2,438   2,943

Restructuring charges (pre-tax)

    119

EBIT excluding restructuring charges

  2,438   3,062

Less: Tax effect on EBIT

  549   615

Net operating profit after taxes used for return on invested capital calculation (ROIC)

  $1,889   $2,447

2020-2018 Net Assets

 
   
   
   
In Millions
  December 31, 2020
  December 31, 2019
  December 31, 2018

Total Assets

  $22,624   $19,737   $19,062

Less: Deferred debt costs

  3   3   3

Less: Deferred tax assets

  479   441   410

Less: Pension and other postretirement benefit adjustments excluded from net assets

  67   67   68

Less: Liabilities deducted in arriving at net assets

  8,947   8,498   7,836

Total net assets

  13,128   10,728   10,745

Less: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities

  3,862   1,470   1,525

Net assets for operating segments

  $9,266   $9,258   $9,220

2020-2018 Invested Capital

 
   
   
   
In Millions
  December 31, 2020
  December 31, 2019
  December 31, 2018

Total equity

  $8,989   $8,465   $8,259

Less: Defined benefit postretirement plans

  (735)   (734)   (671)

Equity used for return on invested capital calculation (ROIC)

  9,724   9,199   8,930

Loans payable

  169   100   54

Commercial paper

  323   660   780

Current maturities of long-term debt

  62   31   45

Long-term debt

  3,610   1,576   1,597

Invested capital used for return on invested capital calculation (ROIC)

  $13,888   $11,566   $11,406

 

VOTE BY INTERNET Before The Meeting - Go to www.proxyvote.com Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the meeting date or, if you are voting shares held in the Cummins Retirement and Savings Plans, until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on May 9, 2021 (the "Plan Cut-off Date"). Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. SHAREOWNER SERVICES P.O. BOX 64945 ST. PAUL, MN 55164-0945 During The Meeting - Go to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CMI2021 You may attend the meeting via the Internet and vote during the meeting. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow available and follow the instructions. VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the meeting date or until the Plan Cut-off Date, as applicable. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. In order to assure that your proxy card is tabulated in time to be voted at the meeting, you must return your proxy card to the above address by noon, Eastern Time, on May 10, 2021 or by the Plan Cut-off Date, as applicable. TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: D36223-P48937 KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. CUMMINS INC. The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following: Election of Directors Nominees: For Against Abstain ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 1) N. Thomas Linebarger 2) Robert J. Bernhard For Against Abstain ! ! ! ! ! ! 12) Kimberly A. Nelson 3) Dr. Franklin R. Chang Diaz 4) Bruno V. Di Leo Allen 13) Karen H. Quintos 5) Stephen B. Dobbs The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposals: ! ! ! ! ! ! 6) Carla A. Harris 14) Advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in the proxy statement. Proposal to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our auditors for 2021. 7) Robert K. Herdman 15) 8) Alexis M. Herman The Board of Directors recommends you vote AGAINST the following proposal: 16) The shareholder proposal regarding professional services allowance for our named executive officers. NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. ! ! ! 9) Thomas J. Lynch 10) William I. Miller 11) Georgia R. Nelson Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer. Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com. D36224-P48937 CUMMINS INC. Annual Meeting of Shareholders May 11, 2021 at 11:00 a.m., EDT This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors The shareholder(s) hereby appoint(s) N. Thomas Linebarger as proxy, with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorize(s) him to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of common stock of Cummins Inc. that the shareholder(s) is/are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 11:00 a.m., EDT on May 11, 2021, virtually at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CMI2021, and any adjournment or postponement thereof. This appointment of proxy does not apply to shares of Cummins Inc. common stock held in the Cummins Retirement and Savings Plans (the "Cummins RSP") addressed below. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Director's recommendations. This card also constitutes voting instructions to the trustee of the Cummins RSP. If you are a participant in a Cummins RSP and shares of Cummins Inc. common stock are held in your account, by providing voting instructions you will be considered a named fiduciary with respect to the shares allocated to your account solely for purposes of this proxy solicitation. If no voting instructions are provided, shares held in these accounts will be voted in the same manner and proportion as shares with respect to which valid voting instructions were received. Any instructions received by the trustee from participants regarding their vote shall be confidential. Cummins RSP participants are invited to attend the annual meeting. However, they cannot vote the shares in their Cummins RSP in person at the annual meeting. Continued and to be signed on reverse side