Boardroom Alpha
Meeting calendar
CMCO · Annual meeting · Friday, August 14, 2026

Columbus Mckinnon Corp

12 nominees · 5 ballot items.

Elect twelve directors; advisory vote on executive compensation (Say-on-Pay); ratify Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditor; approve an amendment to increase shares available under the Second A&R 2016 Long Term Incentive Plan; and transact any other properly brought business.

Market cap
$557M
1Y TSR
+17.3%
Board grade
C+
Record date
Jun 22, 2026
Filing
DEF 14A
Filed Jun 26, 2026 · DEF 14A
Proposals

On the ballot5

  1. 1

    Election of Directors

    ManagementBoard: FOR

    Elect twelve directors to serve until the 2027 Annual Meeting and until their successors are elected and qualified.

  2. 2

    Advisory Approval of Our Executive Compensation (Say-on-Pay

    ManagementBoard: FOR

    Non-binding, advisory vote to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in the proxy statement.

    More detail

    This proposal asks shareholders to cast a non-binding advisory vote to approve the Company’s named executive officer compensation as disclosed in the proxy statement. Management frames this as a Say-on-Pay vote intended to confirm alignment between executive pay and the Company’s performance and strategic objectives, highlighting a mix of base salary, annual cash incentives tied to Adjusted EBIT, free cash flow, and strategic goals, and long-term equity incentives (PSUs, RSUs, and options) designed to reward sustained performance and retention. The Board recommends a vote FOR, citing the program’s pay-for-performance philosophy, retention features (time-based vesting and double-trigger change-in-control protections), use of an independent compensation consultant, stock ownership guidelines and clawback provisions. The vote is advisory only and non-binding, but management commits to consider the outcome when setting future compensation and the Human Capital, Compensation and Succession Committee will review results and shareholder feedback. Contextually, the Company completed a transformational acquisition (Kito Crosby) and engaged shareholders extensively; management emphasizes that compensation changes reflect integration and retention needs while maintaining alignment with shareholders. The committee adjusted plan elements and disclosed rigorous performance metrics (including multi-year PSUs tied to sales growth and adjusted EBITDA margin expansion) and the Board points to prior strong shareholder support as validation. Risks include the non-binding nature of the vote, potential perception issues given the Company’s recent goodwill impairment and net loss, and the challenge of balancing retention for integration with shareholder dilution and pay levels. In recommending FOR, the Board emphasizes transparency, independent review, and features intended to limit excessive risk-taking and protect shareholder interests.

  3. 3

    Ratification of Appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2027

    ManagementBoard: FOR

    Ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027.

  4. 4

    Approve Amendment to the Second A&R 2016 Long Term Incentive Plan to Increase Authorized Shares

    ManagementBoard: FOR

    Approve an amendment to the Second A&R 2016 LTIP to increase the number of authorized shares available for issuance under the plan by 1,450,000 shares.

    More detail

    This management proposal requests shareholder approval to increase the share reserve under the Second A&R 2016 LTIP by 1,450,000 shares to replenish equity award capacity. Management argues the increase is necessary to support ongoing and planned equity grants to employees, executives and non-employee directors — including contingent awards tied to integration and retention following the Kito Crosby acquisition — and to avoid replacing equity with cash, which would increase cash compensation expense and could misalign incentives. The Board and its compensation committee reviewed historical burn rates, current available shares (920,241 as of March 31, 2026), and projected needs, and assert that the additional shares, combined with prudent governance features in the Plan (per-participant limits, no evergreen provision, double-trigger change-in-control vesting, anti-repricing without shareholder approval, and limited recycling), represent a reasonable balance between dilution and the need to attract and retain critical talent post-transaction. The filing discloses historical run rates, current dilution metrics (basic dilution 12%), and that approval would increase basic dilution to approximately 17% and fully diluted to approximately 15%, acknowledging dilution impact while justifying it as necessary to support integration and strategic objectives. The Board recommends FOR, emphasizing competitive market practices, the need to preserve equity-based pay to align employees’ interests with shareholders, and plan features intended to limit excessive use of shares. Risks include incremental shareholder dilution and potential perceptions about share usage and compensation levels, especially given the Company’s recent goodwill impairment and net loss; voters should weigh the trade-off between dilution and the expected benefits of retention and incentive alignment in the context of the Company’s transformation and capital priorities.

  5. 5

    Other Business

    Management

    To act upon and transact such other business as may be properly brought before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.

    More detail

    This is a catch-all, discretionary item that grants the holders of proxies the authority to vote on any other matters that are properly submitted at the Annual Meeting but are not described in the proxy materials. Management typically requests discretionary authority on these matters to ensure routine or procedural matters can be handled without reconvening shareholders. The company’s proxy indicates that proxies confer discretion to the designated proxies to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment. The Board has not identified any other matters expected to be presented, and the Notice states the accompanying proxy confers discretionary authority to vote on any such matters. Because these items are undefined in advance, shareholders should be aware that the proxy holders will exercise judgment, and the outcome depends on the nature of any ad hoc proposals, applicable bylaws, and legal requirements. The Board does not provide a specific recommendation for unspecified future matters; shareholders may withhold discretionary authority by attending and voting at the meeting or submitting a directed proxy if they wish to control their vote on any unexpected items.

Director elections

Nominees on the ballot12

Independent
Tenure on this board
4.8 yrs
Also a director at
Mks Inc (MKSI)
Independent
Tenure on this board
8.8 yrs
Also a director at
Generac Holdings Inc (GNRC)
Independent
Tenure on this board
4.8 yrs
Also a director at
Piper Sandler Companies (PIPR)
Independent
Tenure on this board
8.2 yrs
Also a director at
Graphic Packaging Holding Co (GPK)
Independent
Tenure on this board
6.4 yrs
Also a director at
Edison International (EIX)
Not independent
Tenure on this board
0.6 yrs
Also a director at
Resideo Technologies Inc (REZI)
Independent
Tenure on this board
5.2 yrs
Also a director at
Jabil Inc (JBL)
Independent
Tenure on this board
0.6 yrs
Also a director at
Ppg Industries Inc (PPG)Nucor Corp (NUE)Honeywell International Inc (HON)
Not independent
Tenure on this board
6.2 yrs
Also a director at
Modine Manufacturing Co (MOD)Microbot Medical Inc (MBOT)
Ownership

Top institutional holders10

Latest 13F quarter
1BlackRock, Inc.4.1%1,188,733$18M
2Blue Grotto Capital, LLC3.5%1,007,070$15M
3BlackRock, Inc.3.0%856,307$13M
4STATE STREET CORP2.1%618,345$9M
5First Eagle Investment Management, LLC1.4%412,036$6M
6BERNZOTT CAPITAL ADVISORS1.4%397,294$6M
7Boston Partners1.0%287,716$4M
8ESSEX INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT CO LLC1.0%278,316$4M
9LSV ASSET MANAGEMENT0.9%271,346$4M
10Bank of New York Mellon Corp0.7%188,461$3M
Filings

Recent key filings

Periodic reports
Definitive proxies
Reference

Frequently asked questions

When is the Columbus Mckinnon Corp 2026 annual meeting?
Columbus Mckinnon Corp (CMCO) holds its 2026 annual shareholder meeting on Friday, August 14, 2026.
What is the record date for the Columbus Mckinnon Corp 2026 meeting?
The record date for the Columbus Mckinnon Corp 2026 meeting is Monday, June 22, 2026. Shareholders of record on or before that date are eligible to vote.
Who are the director nominees for Columbus Mckinnon Corp's 2026 meeting?
The board is presenting 12 director nominees at the Columbus Mckinnon Corp 2026 meeting, listed with their independence status and background.
What proposals will shareholders vote on at the Columbus Mckinnon Corp 2026 meeting?
Shareholders will vote on 5 proposals at the Columbus Mckinnon Corp 2026 meeting, each tagged with who proposed it and the board's recommendation.
Disclaimer

The opinions and information contained herein have been obtained or derived from sources believed to be reliable, but Boardroom Alpha cannot guarantee its accuracy and completeness, and that of the opinions based thereon.

This report contains opinions and is provided for informational purposes only – it does not constitute investment, legal or tax advice. You should not rely solely upon the research herein for purposes of transacting securities or other investments, and you are encouraged to conduct your own research and due diligence, and to seek the advice of a qualified securities professional before you make any investment.

None of the information contained in this report constitutes, or is intended to constitute a recommendation by Boardroom Alpha of any particular security or trading strategy or a determination by Boardroom Alpha that any security or trading strategy is suitable for any specific person. To the extent any of the information contained herein may be deemed to be investment advice, such information is impersonal and not tailored to the investment needs of any specific person.

No representation or warranty, expressed or implied, is made on behalf of Boardroom Alpha as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein. Boardroom Alpha does not accept any liability for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of relying on all or any part of this research and any liability is expressly disclaimed.

Full disclaimer