Form 8-K - Current report

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT

TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

DATE OF REPORT (Date of earliest event reported): December 9, 2024

MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)


Delaware	001-32892	20-3547095
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1200 Abernathy Road N.E.

Suite 1200

Atlanta, Georgia 30328

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(770) 206-4200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable.

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:


☐						Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐						Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐						Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240-14d-2(b))

☐						Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240-13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share	MWA	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

Emerging growth company

☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

☐

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On December 9, 2024, Mueller Water Products, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into a letter agreement (the “Letter Agreement”) with Marietta Edmunds Zakas, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, which supplements Ms. Zakas’ existing Employment Agreement, dated September 15, 2008 and as thereafter amended, and Executive Change-in-Control Severance Agreement, dated September 30, 2018 (the “CIC Agreement”).

In addition, the Letter Agreement supersedes the Company’s prior letter agreement with Ms. Zakas, dated August 21, 2023 (the “Prior Letter Agreement”). As a result, the Prior Letter Agreement, including Section 4 thereof, is of no further force or effect. The Prior Letter Agreement had provided that Ms. Zakas would receive full severance benefits under the CIC Agreement in the event her employment was terminated without cause or for good reason – in each instance, regardless of whether or not the Company had experienced a Change-in-Control (as defined in the CIC Agreement). Pursuant to the Letter Agreement, Ms. Zakas has agreed to forego these benefits and the terms of the CIC Agreement will now only apply following a Change-in-Control.

Ms. Zakas will continue to (i) receive an annual base salary of no less than $900,000, a target annual bonus equal to no less than 110% of annual base salary and target annual long-term incentive opportunity equal to no less than 333% of annual base salary, (ii) be entitled to a severance multiple of three in connection with a Qualifying Termination (as defined in the CIC Agreement), (iii) be entitled to a base salary severance of 300% of her then-current base salary upon a termination without “cause” or resignation for “good reason”, (iv) receive a monthly car allowance of $2,000 per month and (v) receive reimbursement of financial planning expenses in accordance with the Company’s policy for executive financial planning.

The Letter Agreement further provides that, in the event Ms. Zakas terminates her employment as a result of a retirement in which she has provided six months prior written notice to the Company of her intent to retire or her employment is terminated as a result of death, disability, a termination by the Company (other than for “cause”) or a termination by Ms. Zakas for “good reason”, she will be entitled to (i) a prorated annual bonus for the fiscal year in which the termination occurs, determined based on actual performance, (ii) COBRA continuation coverage for up to 18 months following termination, (iii) monthly payments equal to 150% of the applicable monthly COBRA rate for the coverage that is extended and (iv) continued group life insurance coverage for 24 months following termination.

The foregoing description of the Letter Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Letter Agreement, a copy of which filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.


10.1			Letter Agreement, dated December 9, 2024
104			The cover page of this Current Report on Form 8-K, formatted in Inline XBRL

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Mueller Water Products, Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Dated: December 11, 2024

MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

By:

/s/ Chason A. Carroll

Chason A. Carroll

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Exhibit 10.1

MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

VIA EMAIL

Marietta Edmunds Zakas

mzakas@muellerwp.com

Dear Martie:

Reference is made to the Employment Agreement, dated as of September 15, 2008, and as thereafter amended, between you and Mueller Water Products, Inc. (the “Company”, and such agreement, the “Employment Agreement”), the Executive Change-in-Control Severance Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2019, between you and the Company (the “CIC Agreement”) and that Side Letter, dated as of August 21, 2023, between you and the Company (the “Side Letter”). Unless otherwise defined herein, all capitalized terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Employment Agreement.

This letter memorializes our discussions regarding your continued employment with the Company on and following December 4, 2024 (the “Effective Date”). This letter fully supersedes and replaces the Side Letter and following the Effective Date, the Side Letter, including Section 4 of the Side Letter, will be of no further force or effect.

As discussed, on the Effective Date, you will continue in the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Company, reporting directly to the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”). In consideration of your role, and as a supplement to the payments and benefits provided under the Employment Agreement and CIC Agreement, the following provisions apply to your employment with the Company (as initially agreed to in the Side Letter):

1.During your service as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, you will continue to be eligible for an annual base salary equal to no less than $900,000, target annual bonus equal to no less than 110% of annual base salary and target annual long-term incentive opportunity equal to no less than 333% of annual base salary.

2.Section 2.3(c) of the CIC Agreement continues to be amended to replace “two (2)” with “three (3)” where it appears therein.

3.Article I, Section 5(ii) of the Employment Agreement continues to be amended to replace “262.5%” with “300%”.

4.Article I, Section 3(e) of the Employment Agreement continues to be amended to replace “$1,500” with “$2,000”.

5.During your service as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, you will continue to be eligible for an annual reimbursement of up to $10,000 for financial planning services in accordance with the Company’s policy for executive financial planning, as well as other perquisites and personal benefits that are no less favorable than those provided to the Chief Executive Officer serving in such position prior to you.

6.In the event (i) you terminate your employment with the Company as a result of Retirement (as defined in the Mueller Water Products, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan) in which you have provided six (6) months prior written notice to the Company of your intent to retire or (ii) since you currently are eligible for Retirement, your termination is the result of death, Disability, a termination by the Company other than for Cause or a termination by you for Good Reason, you shall be entitled to the following benefits, which shall be in addition to any benefits under any plan or agreement that you otherwise may be entitled to,

(a)A Bonus for the year which includes the date of your termination based on actual results for such year and pro rated based on the days employed in such year. In addition, to the extent not yet paid, a Bonus for the preceding year based on actual results for such year. Any such Bonuses shall be paid in the normal course at such time as other executives are paid.

(b)The Company will allow you to elect to continue medical and dental coverage for you and your eligible dependents (for the same coverages as provided to its active employees) for a period of 18 months (the “COBRA Period”) following the date of your termination, provided you (i) timely elect COBRA continuation coverage, and (ii) timely pay the applicable COBRA premiums, subject to the rules and limitations that apply to COBRA coverages.

As part of your benefits hereunder, you shall be paid during the COBRA Period an amount each month equal to 150% of the applicable monthly COBRA rate for the coverage that is elected, reduced by applicable withholdings. For this purpose, the applicable COBRA rate is the cost of COBRA coverage, determined as of the date of your termination, for the level of medical and/or dental coverage you have in effect on the date of your termination; provided, however, this monthly payment shall cease and shall not be payable after the month in which you cease to be eligible for COBRA coverage.

At the end of the COBRA Period and provided COBRA coverage has not been terminated earlier, the Company will provide you with the right to elect coverage under the Company’s group medical and dental plans for active employees at a monthly cost equal to the then COBRA rate for a period of up to 24 months (the “Extended Coverage Period”), provided, however, the Company’s obligation to offer you the right to elect such coverages and the Extended Coverage Period shall cease upon the date you become eligible for coverage under another employer provided group health plan, including an employer of your spouse, whether or not you elect such coverage.

(c)The Company will continue at its expense your group life insurance coverage for a period of 18 months following the date of your termination on the same terms and conditions and in the same amount as prior to such date.

The Company shall withhold all applicable federal, state and local taxes, social security and workers’ compensation contributions and other amounts as may be required by law with respect to compensation payable pursuant to this letter. The Company also agrees to make payment directly to your advisors with respect to your reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred in connection with reviewing this letter and related compensation arrangements, as well as any subsequent disputes.

To the extent necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code, any severance payments or other benefits to which you may become entitled pursuant to this letter, the Employment Agreement, the CIC Agreement, or otherwise, will be paid at the time and in the form provided for the non-”Change in Control” severance benefits under the Employment Agreement. In addition, the Company is responsible for ensuring that any severance payments or other benefits to which you may become entitled pursuant to this letter, the Employment Agreement, the CIC Agreement, or otherwise will be paid at a time and manner that complies with, or is exempt from, Section 409A of the Code.

Except as expressly amended by this letter, all terms and conditions of the Employment Agreement and CIC Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this letter and the terms of the Employment Agreement or the CIC Agreement, the terms of this letter shall control. This letter shall be construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Georgia, without regard to the conflict of law provisions of any state. This letter may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.


						MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.


						/s/ Chason A. Carroll
						Name: Chason A. Carroll
						Title: General Counsel


ACCEPTED AND AGREED


/s/ Marietta Edmunds Zakas
Marietta Edmunds Zakas

Cover Page Document	Dec. 09, 2024
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Central Index Key	0001350593
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Written Communications	false
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity File Number	001-32892
Entity Tax Identification Number	20-3547095
Entity Address, Address Line One	1200 Abernathy Road N.E.
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 1200
Entity Address, City or Town	Atlanta
Entity Address, State or Province	GA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	30328
City Area Code	(770)
Local Phone Number	206-4200
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Trading Symbol	MWA
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Amendment Flag	false
Document Type	8-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 09, 2024
Entity Registrant Name	MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.