An American maker of fluid-handling equipment, from paint sprayers and texture sprayers for professional painters and DIYers to pumps, lubrication systems, and powder-coating gear for factories. It was founded in Minneapolis in 1926, when parking-lot attendant Russell Gray grew frustrated that manual grease guns froze in cold winters, so he invented an air-powered one. Its name is a shortening of its original "Gray Company," and it now serves dozens of countries through distributors.
Graco appoints Steven B. Hedlund to Board of Directors, effective September 10, 2026
Hedlund will serve in the class of directors whose terms expire at the 2027 annual meeting of shareholders.
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On June 12, 2026, Graco Inc. announced the appointment of Steven B. Hedlund as a director, effective September 10, 2026.
He will join the Audit Committee and the Management Organization and Compensation Committee, effective September 10, 2026.
Hedlund is President, CEO, and Chairman of Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc., and previously held leadership roles at Fortune Brands and Booz Allen Hamilton.
He will receive standard director compensation, with his initial equity award pro-rated for partial year service.
5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements · 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
Graco Inc. agrees to acquire Valco Melton for $447 million in cash.
Graco Inc. signed a definitive agreement on May 21, 2026, to acquire Valco Melton, a global provider of adhesive application and quality assurance systems.
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The purchase price is $447 million in cash, including the present value of approximately $40 million in expected tax benefits, subject to customary adjustments.
The price represents approximately 14x Valco Melton's full year 2025 EBITDA.
Valco Melton has about 650 employees, serves customers in over 80 countries, and generated roughly $145 million in revenue in 2025.
The transaction is expected to close in Graco's fiscal third quarter, and Valco Melton will become part of Graco's Industrial division.
7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure · 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
Graco Inc. held its 2026 Annual Meeting and shareholders elected four directors and ratified Deloitte as auditor.
Directors elected for three-year terms: Martha A. Morfitt, Mark W. Sheahan, Andrea H. Simon, and Kevin J. Wheeler.
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Graco Inc. held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders on April 24, 2026.
Shareholders ratified the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent auditor for fiscal year 2026.
Advisory vote on executive compensation passed with 92,678,242 for and 42,778,401 against.
The Management Organization and Compensation Committee will consider the advisory vote results and seek shareholder engagement on executive compensation.
5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Graco appoints Sanjiv Gupta as CFO and Treasurer, effective April 15, 2026; David M. Lowe to retire.
David M. Lowe, who has served as CFO and Treasurer since June 2021, gave notice on February 27, 2026 of his intention to retire after more than 30 years with the company.
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Sanjiv Gupta, currently VP & CFO, GM International at General Motors, will become CFO and Treasurer of Graco Inc. effective April 15, 2026.
Lowe will remain with Graco in a non-executive capacity through May 2026 to assist with the transition.
Gupta's compensation includes an annual base salary of $575,000, an annual incentive bonus target of 75% of base salary (not prorated for 2026), and a one-time cash bonus of $65,000 after 60 days of employment (subject to repayment if he leaves within one year).
Gupta will receive sign-on equity awards: stock options with a grant date fair value of $1,175,000 and an equity award of $1,400,000 (comprising $1,120,000 in RSUs and $280,000 in stock options) to replace forfeited equity from his prior employer.
5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements · 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
Graco appoints Andrea (Andi) H. Simon to its board of directors, effective December 5, 2025.
Ms. Simon will serve on the Audit Committee and the Management Organization and Compensation Committee.
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Graco Inc. appointed Andrea (Andi) H. Simon as a director, effective December 5, 2025.
She will receive standard director compensation as referenced in the 2025 Annual Meeting Proxy Statement.
Ms. Simon is Executive Vice President & CFO at MasterBrand, Inc. (NYSE: MBC).
Her term expires at the 2026 annual meeting of shareholders.
5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements · 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits