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

 

 

RBC Bearings Incorporated
One Tribology Center
Oxford, Connecticut 06478

August 6, 2007

To our Stockholders:

You are cordially invited to attend the RBC Bearings Incorporated annual meeting of stockholders at 9:00 a.m., local time, on September 13, 2007 at The Crowne Plaza, 1284 Strongtown Road, Southbury, CT 06488. The attached Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement describes all known items to be acted upon by stockholders at the meeting.

It is important that your shares are represented at the annual meeting, whether or not you plan to attend. To ensure your shares will be represented, we ask that you vote your shares using the enclosed proxy form for registered stockholders or the proxy voting instruction form for stockholders who hold shares through a broker or other nominee. If you vote by Internet or telephone, it is not necessary for you to return your proxy form or voting instruction form in the mail. Please vote your shares as soon as possible. This is your annual meeting and your participation is important.

If you are a registered stockholder and plan to attend the annual meeting, you will be required to present the detachable bottom portion of the enclosed proxy form to gain admission. If you hold shares through a broker or other nominee, you will be required to present a current statement from that institution showing an RBC Bearings Incorporated stockholding or the non-voting portion of the voting instruction form you may receive through that entity. Please note that the document evidencing your shareholdings, to be used to gain entry to the meeting, is non-transferable.

Please vote your shares promptly and join us at the meeting.

Sincerely,

Michael J. Hartnett
Chief Executive Officer

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To our Stockholders:

The 2007 annual meeting of stockholders of RBC Bearings Incorporated will be held at The Crowne Plaza, 1284 Strongtown Road, Southbury, CT 06488, on Thursday, September 13, 2007, beginning at 9:00 a.m. local time. At the meeting, the holders of the Company’s outstanding common stock will consider and vote on the following matters:

(1)         the election of two directors to serve a term of three years;

(2)         the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2008;

(3)         the approval of an amendment to our 2005 Long Term Incentive Plan to provide for an increase in the number of authorized shares to be issued under our 2005 Long Term Incentive Plan from 1,639,170 to 2,239,170; and

(4)         any other matter as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Stockholders of record at the close of business on July 20, 2007 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the annual meeting and at any postponements or adjournments thereof. The directions to the meeting can be found in Appendix D of the attached proxy statement.

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT:

Whether or not you expect to be present at the meeting, please vote your shares by following the instructions on the enclosed proxy card or voting instruction card. If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other recordholder, telephone or Internet voting may be available to you and offered by them. Their procedures should be described in the voting form they send you. Any person voting by proxy has the power to revoke it at any time prior to its exercise at the meeting in accordance with the procedures described in the accompanying proxy statement.

IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND:

Please note that space limitations make it necessary to limit attendance to stockholders and one guest. Admission to the meeting will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m., and seating will begin at 8:30 a.m. Each stockholder may be asked to present valid picture identification, such as a driver’s license or passport. Stockholders holding stock in brokerage accounts (“street name” holders) will also need to bring a copy of a brokerage statement reflecting stock ownership as of the record date. Cameras (including cellular phones with photographic capabilities), recording devices and other electronic devices will not be permitted at the meeting.

		By order of the Board of Directors,
		Michael J. Hartnett
		Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

August 6, 2007

ONE TRIBOLOGY CENTER
 OXFORD, CONNECTICUT 06478

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held September 13, 2007

PROXY STATEMENT

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of RBC Bearings Incorporated (the “Company”) is soliciting proxies from its stockholders to be used at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on Thursday, September 13, 2007, beginning at 9:00 a.m., local time, at The Crowne Plaza, 1284 Strongtown Road, Southbury, CT 06488, and at any postponements or adjournments thereof. This proxy statement contains information related to the annual meeting. This proxy statement, a proxy card and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 are being mailed to stockholders on or about August 6, 2007. The fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 is referred to as “fiscal 2007” in this proxy statement.

ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING

Why did I receive these materials?

We are soliciting proxies for the 2007 annual meeting of stockholders. You are receiving a proxy statement because you owned shares of our common stock on July 20, 2007 (the “Record Date”), and that entitles you to vote at the meeting. By use of a proxy, you can vote whether or not you attend the meeting. This proxy statement describes the matters on which we would like you to vote and provides information on those matters so that you can make an informed decision.

The notice of annual meeting, 2007 Annual Report, proxy statement and proxy are being mailed to stockholders on or about August 6, 2007.

What information is contained in this proxy statement?

The information in this proxy statement relates to the proposals to be voted on at the annual meeting, the voting process, our Board and committees thereof, the compensation of directors and executive officers for fiscal 2007 and other information that the Securities and Exchange Commission requires us to provide annually to our stockholders.

How may I obtain RBC Bearings’ 10-K and other financial information?

A copy of our 2007 Annual Report, which includes our 2007 Form 10-K, is enclosed and incorporated by reference herein.

Stockholders may request another free copy of our 2007 Annual Report, which includes our 2007 Form 10-K, from:

Corporate Secretary
RBC Bearings Incorporated
One Tribology Center
Oxford, CT 06478

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We will also furnish any exhibit to the 2007 Form 10-K if specifically requested. Stockholders may also find other filings with the SEC and corporate governance and other information on the investor relations page of our website at http://www.rbcbearings.com/investors/index.htm.

What is the purpose of the annual meeting?

At our annual meeting, stockholders will act upon the matters outlined in the accompanying notice of annual meeting. In addition, management will be available to report on our fiscal 2007 performance and respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.

Who is entitled to vote at the meeting?

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date, are entitled to receive notice of and to participate in the annual meeting. If you were a stockholder of record on the Record Date, you will be entitled to vote all of the shares that you held on that date at the meeting, or any postponements or adjournments of the meeting.

How many votes do I have?

You will be entitled to one vote for each outstanding share of RBC Bearings Incorporated common stock you owned as of the Record Date on each matter considered at the meeting. As of July 20, 2007, there were 21,534,386 shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding and eligible to vote. There is no cumulative voting.

Who can attend the meeting?

Subject to space availability, all stockholders as of the Record Date, or their duly appointed proxies, may attend the meeting, and each may be accompanied by one guest. Since seating is limited, admission to the meeting will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m., and seating will begin at 8:30 a.m. If you attend, please note that you may be asked to present valid picture identification, such as a driver’s license or passport. Cameras (including cell phones with photographic capabilities), recording devices and other electronic devices will not be permitted at the meeting.

Please also note that if you hold your shares in “street name” (that is, through a broker, bank or other nominee), you will also need to bring a copy of a brokerage statement reflecting your stock ownership as of the Record Date and check in at the registration desk at the meeting.

Please let us know if you plan to attend the meeting by marking the appropriate box on the enclosed proxy card or, if you vote by telephone or Internet, indicating your plans when prompted.

What constitutes a quorum?

The presence at the meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the aggregate voting power of the common stock outstanding on the Record Date will constitute a quorum, permitting the conduct of business at the meeting. As of July 20, 2007, 21,534,386 shares of common stock, representing the same number of votes, were outstanding. Thus, based on the July 20, 2007 number, the presence of the holders of common stock representing at least 10,767,194 votes will be required to establish a quorum.

Proxies received but marked as abstentions and broker non-votes will be included in the calculation of the number of votes considered to be present at the meeting.

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How do I vote?

If you are a holder of record (that is, your shares are registered in your own name with our transfer agent), you can vote either in person at the annual meeting or by proxy without attending the annual meeting. We urge you to vote by proxy even if you plan to attend the annual meeting so that we will know as soon as possible that enough votes will be present for us to hold the meeting. If you attend the meeting in person, you may vote at the meeting and your proxy will not be counted. You can vote by proxy by completing, dating and signing the enclosed proxy card and returning it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.

If you hold your shares in “street name,” you must either direct the bank, broker or other record holder of your shares as to how to vote you shares, or obtain a proxy from the bank, broker or other record holder to vote at the meeting. Please refer to the voter instruction cards used by your bank, broker or other record holder for specific instructions on methods of voting, including by telephone or using the Internet.

Your shares will be voted as you indicate. If you return the proxy card but you do not indicate your voting preferences, then the individuals named on the proxy card will vote your shares in accordance with the recommendations of the Board. The Board and management do not now intend to present any matters at the annual meeting other than those outlined in the notice of the annual meeting. Should any other matter requiring a vote of stockholders arise, stockholders returning the proxy card confer upon the individuals named on the proxy card discretionary authority to vote the shares represented by such proxy on any such other matter in accordance with their best judgment.

Can I change my vote after I return my proxy card?

Yes. If you are a stockholder of record, you may revoke or change your vote at any time before the proxy is exercised by filing with the Secretary of the Company a notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date or by attending the annual meeting and voting in person. For shares you hold beneficially in “street name,” you may change your vote by submitting new voting instructions to your broker, bank or other nominee or, if you have obtained a legal proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee giving you the right to vote your shares, by attending the meeting and voting in person. In either case, the powers of the proxy holders will be suspended if you attend the meeting in person and so request, although attendance at the meeting will not by itself revoke a previously granted proxy.

Who counts the votes?

Votes will be counted and certified by the Inspectors of Election, who are employees of LaSalle Bank N.A., the Company’s transfer agent. If you are a stockholder of record, your signed proxy card is returned directly to LaSalle Bank N.A. for tabulation. If you hold your shares in “street name” through a broker, bank or other nominee, your broker, bank or other nominee will return one proxy card to LaSalle Bank N.A. on behalf of its clients.

What are the Board’s recommendations?

Unless you give other instructions on your proxy card, the persons named as proxy holders on the proxy card will vote in accordance with the recommendations of the Board. The Board’s recommendations are set forth together with the description of each item in this proxy statement. In summary, the Board recommends a vote FOR each of the proposals.

Will stockholders be asked to vote on any other matters?

To the knowledge of the Company and its management, stockholders will vote only on the matters described in this proxy statement. However, if any other matters properly come before the meeting, the

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persons named as proxies for stockholders will vote on those matters in the manner they consider appropriate.

What vote is required to approve each item?

Election of Directors.  Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the meeting, which means that the two nominees who receive the highest number of properly executed votes will be elected as directors, even if neither nominee receives a majority of the votes cast. Each share of our common stock is entitled to one vote for each of the director nominees. A properly executed proxy marked “withhold authority”, with respect to the election of one or more directors, will not be voted with respect to the director or directors indicated, although it will be counted for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum.

Approval of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.  The ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP to serve as the Company’s independent auditors for fiscal 2008 (Item 2) requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast.

A properly executed proxy marked “abstain” with respect to any matter will not be voted, although it will be counted for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum. Accordingly, an abstention will have the effect of a negative vote.

Approval of an Amendment to Our 2005 Long Term Incentive Plan to Provide for an Increase in the Number of Authorized Shares to be issued under our 2005 Long Term Incentive Plan. The approval of an amendment to our 2005 Long Term Incentive Plan to provide for the increase in the number of authorized shares to be issued under our 2005 Long Term Incentive Plan from 1,639,170 to 2,239,170 (Item 3) requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast.

A properly executed proxy marked “abstain” with respect to any matter will not be voted, although it will be counted for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum. Accordingly, an abstention will have the effect of a negative vote.

How are votes counted?

In the election of directors, you may vote “FOR” all or some of the nominees or your vote may be “WITHHELD” with respect to one or more of the nominees. You may not cumulate your votes for the election of directors.

For the other items of business, you may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN.”  If you elect to “ABSTAIN,” the abstention has the same effect as a vote “AGAINST.”  If you provide specific instructions with regard to certain items, your shares will be voted as you instruct on such items.

If you hold your shares in “street name” through a broker, bank or other nominee rather than directly in your own name, then your broker, bank or other nominee is considered the stockholder of record, and you are considered the beneficial owner of your shares. The Company has supplied copies of its proxy materials for its 2007 annual meeting of stockholders to the broker, bank or other nominee holding your shares of record, and they have the responsibility to send these proxy materials to you. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or other nominee on how to vote your shares at the annual meeting. The broker, bank or other nominee that is the stockholder of record for your shares is obligated to provide you with a voting instruction card for you to use for this purpose. If you hold your shares in a brokerage account but you fail to return your voting instruction card to your broker, your shares may constitute “broker non-votes.”  Generally, broker non-votes occur on a matter when a broker is not permitted to vote on that matter without instructions from the beneficial owner and instructions are not given. In tabulating the voting result for any particular proposal, shares that constitute broker non-votes are not considered present and entitled to vote on that proposal. If a quorum is present at the annual

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meeting, the persons receiving the greatest number of votes will be elected to serve as directors. As a result, broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of the voting on the election of directors (Item 1). The ratification of the appointment of the Company’s independent auditors (Item 2) requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the shares of common stock present in person or represented by proxy at the annual meeting and entitled to vote on the proposal. A broker non-vote is treated as not being entitled to vote on the matter and, therefore, is not counted for purposes of determining whether the proposal has been approved. Shares represented by such “broker non-votes” will, however, be counted in determining whether there is a quorum.

If you are a beneficial owner and your broker, bank or other nominee holds your shares in its name, the broker, bank or other nominee is permitted to vote your shares on the election of directors and the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent auditor, even if the broker, bank or other nominee does not receive voting instructions from you.

What should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials?

You may receive more than one set of voting materials, including multiple copies of this proxy statement and multiple proxy cards or voting instruction cards. For example, if you hold your shares in more than one brokerage account, you may receive a separate voting instruction card for each brokerage account in which you hold shares. If you are a stockholder of record and your shares are registered in more than one name, you will receive more than one proxy card. Please complete, sign, date and return each proxy card and voting instruction card that you receive.

Where can I find the voting results of the annual meeting?

The Company intends to announce the preliminary voting results at the annual meeting and publish the final results in its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending September 29, 2007.

What is the deadline to propose actions for consideration at next year’s annual meeting of stockholders?

You may submit proposals for consideration at future stockholder meetings. For a stockholder proposal to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement for the annual meeting next year, our Corporate Secretary must receive the written proposal at our principal executive offices no later than April 9, 2008. Such proposals also must comply with SEC regulations under Rule 14a-8 regarding the inclusion of stockholder proposals in company-sponsored proxy materials. Proposals should be addressed to:

Corporate Secretary
RBC Bearings Incorporated
One Tribology Center
Oxford, CT 06478

For a stockholder proposal that is not intended to be included in our proxy statement under Rule 14a-8, the stockholder must deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of a sufficient number of shares of our common stock to approve the proposal and provide the information required by our by-laws and give timely notice to the Corporate Secretary in accordance with our by-laws, which, in general, require that the notice be received by the Corporate Secretary:

·       Not less than 60 days prior to the next meeting, and

·       Not more than 90 days prior to the next meeting.

In the event that less than 70 days’ notice or prior public announcement of the date of the meeting is given or made to stockholders, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be received not later than the

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close of business on the 10th day following the date on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public announcement was made.

How may I recommend or nominate individuals to serve as directors?

You may propose director candidates for consideration by the Board’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Any such recommendations should include the nominee’s name and qualifications for Board membership and should be directed to the Corporate Secretary at the address of our principal executive offices set forth above.

In addition, our by-laws permit stockholders to nominate directors for election at an annual stockholder meeting. To nominate a director, a stockholder must deliver timely notice of such stockholder’s intent to make such nomination in writing to the Corporate Secretary. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at our principal executive offices not less than 60 nor more than 90 days prior to the date of the first anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting. In the event that the date of the annual meeting is changed by more than 30 days from such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the earlier of the day on which notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the meeting was made. To be in proper form, a stockholder’s notice shall set forth (i) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director at such meeting (A) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (B) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (C) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Company which are owned beneficially or of record by the person and (D) any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”); and (ii) as to the stockholder giving the notice (A) the name and record address of such stockholder, (B) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Company which are owned beneficially or of record by such stockholder, (C) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the nomination(s) are to be made by such stockholder, (D) a representation that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the persons named in its notice and (E) any other information relating to such stockholder that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act. Such notice must be accompanied by a written consent of each proposed nominee to being named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected.

How may I obtain a copy of RBC Bearings’ by-law provisions regarding stockholder proposals and director nominations?

You may contact the Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices for a copy of the relevant Bylaw provisions regarding the requirements for making stockholder proposals and nominating director candidates.

Who can help answer my questions?

If you have any questions about the annual meeting or how to vote or revoke your proxy or if you need additional copies of this proxy statement or voting materials, you should contact our proxy solicitor:

Georgeson Shareholder Communications
17 State Street, 10th  Floor
New York, NY 10004
866-482-4966

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PROPOSALS SUBMITTED FOR STOCKHOLDER VOTE

ITEM 1—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Board currently is composed of six directors and is divided into three classes serving staggered three-year terms: Class I consists of  William P. Killian who was redesignated as a Class I director by the Board to fill the vacancy created by the passing away of Robert Anderson in October 2006, Class II consists of, Richard R. Crowell and Alan B. Levine and Class III consists of Dr. Michael J. Hartnett, Dr. Thomas J. O’Brien and Dr. Amir Faghri. Class I, Class II and Class III directors will serve until our annual meetings of stockholders in 2009, 2007 and 2008, respectively. Vacancies on the Board may be filled only by persons elected by a majority of the remaining directors. A director elected by the Board to fill a vacancy in a class, including vacancies created by an increase in the number of directors, shall serve for the remainder of the full term of that class, and until the director’s successor is duly elected and qualified, or until the director’s resignation or removal.

The term of office of the Class II directors expires this year. Mr. Crowell is currently a director of RBC Bearings Incorporated and was appointed to the Board in June 2002. Mr. Levine  is currently a director of RBC Bearings Incorporated and was appointed to the Board in October 2005. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviewed the qualifications of the nominees for election to this class, and unanimously recommended that such nominees be submitted for re-election to the Board. If elected at the annual meeting, these nominees would serve until the 2010 annual meeting and until their successors are duly elected and qualified, or until the director’s resignation or removal.

For a stockholder to nominate an individual for director at the 2007 annual meeting, the stockholder must follow the procedures outlined below under the caption “Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations for the 2007 Meeting.”  Stockholders may also nominate a director to be considered by the Board for recommendation to the stockholders in the Company’s proxy statement for the 2007 annual meeting by following the procedures outlined below under the caption “Director Nominations to be Considered by the Board.”

If you sign your proxy or voting instruction card but do not give instructions with respect to voting for directors, your shares will be voted for the person recommended by the Board. If you wish to give specific instructions with respect to voting for directors, you may do so by indicating your instructions on your proxy or voting instruction card.

If any nominee named herein for election as a director should for any reason become unavailable to serve prior to the annual meeting, the Board will, prior to the annual meeting, (i) reduce the size of the Board to eliminate the position for which that person was nominated, (ii) nominate a new candidate in place of such person and vote in favor of the new candidate all shares represented by stockholder proxies received by the Board, unless authority to vote for all candidates nominated by the Board is withheld, or (iii) leave the place vacant to be filled at a later time. The information presented below for the director nominee and the directors continuing in office has been furnished to the Company by the director nominee and directors.

Information regarding the nominees, as of July 20, 2007 is set forth below, including their age, the period they have served on the Board and the nominee’s business experience.

Nominee for Election for a Three-year Term Expiring at Our 2010 Annual Meeting

Richard R. Crowell   has been a director since June 2002 and chairman of the Compensation Committee since August 2005. Mr. Crowell is a Partner of Aurora Capital Group, a private equity investment firm. Prior to establishing Aurora in 1991, Mr. Crowell was a Managing Partner of Acadia Partners, a New York-based investment fund. From 1983 to 1987, he was a Managing Director, Corporate Finance for Drexel Burnham Lambert. He serves on the Board of Visitors for the UCLA Anderson School

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of Management, and Chairs the Board of Trustees for Marymount High School in Los Angeles. Mr. Crowell earned an M.B.A. from UCLA’s Anderson School and a B.A. from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Mr. Crowell is 52 years old.

Alan B. Levine   has been a director and chairman of our Audit Committee since October 2005. Mr. Levine served as Chief Financial Officer and Director of Virtual Access Networks, Inc. (2001 to 2002) and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Marathon Technologies Corporation (1998 to 2001). He was also a member of the Board of Directors and Audit Committee Chair of MCK Communications before the company’s merger in November 2003. Prior to this, Mr. Levine was with Ernst & Young, LLP from 1974 to 1998, and was Partner from 1986 to 1998, where he established and directed an Entrepreneurial Services practice. Today, Mr. Levine leads ABL Associates, a consulting practice dedicated to helping entrepreneurial companies identify and implement strategic initiatives and manage change. He is also currently Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Graduate Management Admission Council. He is also a Director on the Board of Nextera Enterprises, a public company based in Los Angeles, where he serves as Audit Committee Chair. Mr. Levine earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Vermont. He also holds a Master of Accounting degree from the University of Arizona and was a certified public accountant. Mr. Levine is 63 years old.

 

ITEM 2—THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR FISCAL 2008

The Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 29, 2008, and has further directed that the Board submit the selection of Ernst & Young LLP for ratification by the stockholders at the annual meeting. During fiscal year 2007, Ernst & Young LLP served as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and also provided certain tax services. See “Principal Accountant Fees and Services” below. This proposal is put before the stockholders because, though the stockholder vote is not binding on the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee and the Board believe that it is good corporate practice to seek stockholder ratification of the Audit Committee’s appointment of the independent auditors. If the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP is not ratified, the Audit Committee will evaluate the basis for the stockholders’ vote when determining whether to continue the firm’s engagement, but may ultimately determine to continue the engagement of the firm or another audit firm without re-submitting the matter to stockholders. Even if the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP is ratified, the Audit Committee may in its sole discretion terminate the engagement of the firm and direct the appointment of another independent auditor at any time during the year if it determines that such an appointment would be in the best interests of our Company and our stockholders. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to attend the annual meeting, where they will be available to respond to appropriate questions and, if they desire, to make a statement.

Our Board recommends a vote FOR the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2008. If the appointment is not ratified, our audit committee will consider whether it should select another independent registered public accounting firm.

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Vote Required

Ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2008 requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of the Company’s common stock present in person or represented by proxy at the annual meeting.

 

ITEM 3—INCREASE AUTHORIZED SHARES UNDER THE COMPANY’S 2005 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

The Board and the Compensation Committee have determined that it is in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders to amend the Company’s 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to increase the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance from 1,639,170 to 2,239,170 (the “Plan Amendment”). The Board and the Compensation Committee have approved the Plan Amendment to be effective as of the date of approval by the Company’s shareholders. The Plan Amendment will not become effective unless shareholder approval is obtained at the annual general meeting of shareholders. The principal features of the Plan are summarized below and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Plan. Copies of the Plan are available upon written request from Corporate Secretary, RBC Bearings Incorporated, One Tribology Center, Oxford, CT 06478.

Description of the Plan.   We adopted the Plan effective upon the completion of our initial public offering in August 2005. The Plan provides for grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and performance awards. The purpose of the Plan is to provide our directors, officers and other employees and persons who engage in services for us with incentives to maximize stockholder value and otherwise contribute to our success and to enable us to attract, retain and reward the best available persons for positions of responsibility.

Administration of the Plan.   The Plan is administered by our Compensation Committee, which consists solely of two or more “non-employee directors” (as defined in Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act). The Compensation Committee may make all decisions and determinations regarding the Plan as it deems necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. Our Board also has the authority to administer the Plan and to take all actions that the Compensation Committee is otherwise authorized to take under the Plan. The terms and conditions of each award made under the Plan, including vesting requirements, are set forth consistent with the Plan in a written agreement with the grantee.

Number of Shares.   As of July 20, 2007, 1,639,170 shares of our common stock were authorized for issuance under the Plan, subject to adjustment in the event of a reorganization, stock split, merger or similar change in our corporate structure or the outstanding shares of common stock. Of this amount, options for 683,502 shares of common stock were awarded to Dr. Hartnett at the time of our initial public offering in August 2005 at an average price equal to the offering price of $14.50 per share and the remainder have been reserved for grants to our employees and directors at the discretion of our Compensation Committee. During fiscal 2007 the Company issued an additional 335,500 options for shares of common stock and 75,675 for restricted stock awards. As of July 20, 2007, the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan had 531,993 shares of common stock available for issuance pursuant to stock options or other equity awards. We may grant shares of restricted stock to our employees and directors in the future under the Plan. The Board and the Compensation Committee believe that this is not a sufficient number of shares of common stock to accomplish the objectives described above. The addition of 600,000 shares of common stock to the Plan will enable the Company to further promote these objectives. On July 24, 2007, the per share closing price of the common stock was $41.45 as reported on Nasdaq.

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Stock Options.   Under the Plan, the Compensation Committee or the Board may award grants of incentive stock options and other non-qualified stock options. The Compensation Committee also has the authority to grant options that will become fully vested and exercisable automatically upon a change in control. The Compensation Committee may not, however, award to any one person in any calendar year options to purchase common stock equal to more than 10% of the total number of shares authorized under the plan (other than the initial award to Dr. Hartnett discussed above), and it may not award incentive options first exercisable in any calendar year whose underlying shares have a fair market value greater than $100,000 determined at the time of grant.

The Compensation Committee determines the exercise price and term of any option in its discretion, however, the exercise price may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of grant. In the case of any incentive stock option, the option must be exercised within 10 years of the date of grant. The exercise price of an incentive option awarded to a person who owns stock constituting more than 10% of our voting power may not be less than 110% of such fair market value on such date and the option must be exercised within five years of the date of grant.

Restricted Stock.   Under the Plan, the Compensation Committee may award restricted stock subject to the conditions and restrictions, and for the duration that it determines in its discretion. The Board and the Compensation Committee have resolved that from the total addition of 600,000 shares of common stock to the Plan, none will be used for restricted stock awards.

Stock Appreciation Rights.   The Compensation Committee may grant stock appreciation rights, or SARs, subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Plan. Under the Plan, the exercise price of an SAR must equal the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date the SAR was granted. Upon exercise of a SAR, the grantee will receive an amount in shares of our common stock equal to the difference between the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of exercise and the exercise price of the SAR, multiplied by the number of shares as to which the SAR is exercised.

Performance Awards.   The Compensation Committee may grant performance awards contingent upon achievement by the grantee or by us, of set goals and objectives regarding specified performance criteria, over a specified performance cycle. Awards may include specific dollar-value target awards, performance units, the value of which is established at the time of grant, and/or performance shares, the value of which is equal to the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of grant. The value of a performance award may be fixed or fluctuate on the basis of specified performance criteria. A performance award may be paid out in cash and/or shares of common stock or other securities.

Eligibility.   Our directors, officers and other employees and persons who engage in services for us are eligible for grants under the Plan. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, there are 6 officers, 5 directors other than the CEO who is an officer and a director, and approximately 1,200 employees who are eligible to receive grants under the Plan.

Federal Income Tax Consequences.

The following is a discussion of certain U.S. federal income consequences relevant to participants in the Plan who are subject to federal income tax and the Company. It is not intended to be a complete description of all possible tax consequences with respect to awards granted under the Plan and does not address state, local or foreign tax consequences. Accordingly, holders of awards granted under the Plan should consult their own tax advisers for specific advice with respect to all federal, state or local tax effects before exercising any options or share appreciation rights, and before disposing of any shares of stock acquired pursuant to an award. Moreover, the Company does not represent that the foregoing tax consequences apply to any particular participant’s specific circumstances or will continue to apply in the future and makes no undertaking to maintain the tax status (such as an ISO) of any award.

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Non-Qualified Stock Option.   A participant who is granted a non-qualified stock option will not recognize income at the time the option is granted. Upon the exercise of the option, however, the excess, if any, of the market value of the common shares on the date of exercise over the option price will be treated as ordinary income to the participant, and the Company will generally be entitled to an income tax deduction in the same year in an amount measured by the amount of ordinary income taxable to the participant. The participant will be entitled to a cost basis for the common shares for income tax purposes equal to the amount paid for the common shares plus the amount of ordinary income taxable at the time of exercise. Upon a subsequent sale of such common shares, the participant will recognize short-term or long-term capital gain or loss, depending upon his or her holding period for such common shares.

Incentive Stock Options.   A participant who is granted an ISO satisfying the requirements of the Tax Code will not recognize income at the time the option is granted and generally will not recognize income upon exercise of the option provided such participant was an employee of the Company or a subsidiary at all times from the date of grant until three months prior to exercise. The excess of the fair market value over the option exercise price is, however, included in determining the participant’s alternative minimum tax as of the date of exercise. If the participant does not dispose of shares received upon exercise of the option for one year after exercise and two years after grant of the option (the “Holding Period”), upon the disposition of such shares the participant will recognize long-term capital gain or loss based on the difference between the option exercise price and the fair market value of shares on the date of disposition. In such event, the Company is not entitled to a deduction for income tax purposes in connection with the exercise of the option. If the participant disposes of the shares received upon exercise of the option without satisfying the Holding Period requirement, the participant must generally recognize ordinary income equal to the lesser of (i) the fair market value of the shares at the date of exercise of the option over the exercise price or (ii) the amount realized upon the disposition of such shares over the exercise price. Any further appreciation is taxed as short-term or long-term capital gain, depending on the participant’s Holding Period. If the disposition fails to satisfy the Holding Period, the Company would be entitled to an income tax deduction in the same year in an amount measured by the amount of ordinary income taxable to the participant.

Share appreciation rights.   A participant will generally not be taxed at the time a SAR is granted nor will the Company receive a tax deduction. Upon exercise of a SAR, a participant will recognize taxable income equal to the fair market value of the shares received on the exercise date. The Company will be entitled to an income tax deduction in the amount of such income recognized by the participant. SAR’s that are paid in cash may be subject to taxation at vesting rather than at exercise because the tax treatment of certain SAR’s is unsettled under Section 409A of the Tax Code (see the discussion below).

Restricted Shares and Restricted Share Units.   A participant will not recognize any income at the time an award of restricted shares or restricted share units is granted, nor will the Company be entitled to a deduction at that time. In the year in which restrictions on the restricted shares lapse, the participant will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date of vesting over the amount, if any, the participant paid for the shares. Similarly, upon the vesting of restricted share units, the participant will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares received. With respect to awards of both restricted shares and restricted share units, the Company will be entitled to a tax deduction at the same time and in the same amount as the participant recognizes income.

Performance Awards.   A participant who is awarded performance shares will not recognize income and the Company will not be allowed a deduction at the time that the award is made. When a participant receives payment for performance shares in common shares, the fair market value of the shares received will be ordinary income to the participant. If payment is made in cash, the amount of cash received will be ordinary income to the participant. In either case, the Company will be entitled to a tax deduction in the amount of such income recognized by the participant.

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Dividend Equivalents.   A participant who is awarded dividend equivalents generally will not recognize taxable income, and the Company will not receive a tax deduction, until shares or cash are distributed pursuant to the award. When the participant receives payment for dividend equivalents in common shares or cash, the fair market value of the shares or the amount of cash received will be ordinary income to the participant and the Company will be entitled to a deduction in the amount of such income recognized by the participant.

The Compensation Committee will require payment of any amount it may determine to be necessary to withhold for federal, state, local or other taxes as a result of the grant, vesting or exercise of an award. In compliance with the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, after January 1, 2005, the maximum federal withholding rate will be used for supplemental wage payments in excess of $1,000,000 during any taxable year.

Section 409A of the Tax Code.   Certain awards under the Plan may be subject to Tax Code Section 409A. Section 409A was added to the Tax Code by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. Section 409A generally applies to compensation deferred under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan on or after January 1, 2005. Section 409A imposes new requirements on a participant’s election to defer compensation and the participant’s selection of the timing and form of distribution of the deferred compensation with respect to certain awards under the Plan. Also, Section 409A generally provides that the distributions must be made on or following the occurrence of certain events (e.g. the participant’s “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A), a predetermined date, or the participant’s death). Section 409A imposes restrictions on a participant’s ability to change his or her distribution timing or form with respect to awards under the Plan after the compensation has been deferred. For certain participants who are officers of the Company or its subsidiary corporations and who would otherwise receive a distribution upon separation from service, Section 409A requires that such participant’s distribution commence no earlier than six months after such officer’s “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A).

Stock options, SAR’s that are distributable in shares of Common Stock and restricted stock awards granted under the Plan generally are not considered deferred compensation subject to Section 409A. Restricted share unit awards and other awards may be subject to Section 409A, depending on the terms of the award. The Company intends that awards made under the Plan that are subject to Section 409A will comply with the requirements of Section 409A.

A nonqualified deferred compensation plan must satisfy the requirements of Section 409A in form and in operation. If the Plan fails to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A, a participant in the Plan may recognize ordinary income on the amounts deferred under the Plan, to the extent vested, prior to when the compensation is actually or “constructively” received. Also, if a Plan fails to comply, Section 409A imposes an additional 20% federal income tax on compensation recognized as ordinary income, as well as certain interest on amounts treated as tax underpayments related to such deferred compensation. Awards granted under the Plan are intended to comply with Section 409A to the extent applicable.

The Plan is not subject to any provision of ERISA, nor is it a qualified employee benefit plan under Section 401(a) of the Tax Code.

Amendment and Termination of the Plan.   The Board may amend or terminate the Plan in its discretion, except that no amendment will become effective without prior approval of our stockholders if such approval is necessary for continued compliance with the performance-based compensation exception of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code or any stock exchange listing requirements. If not previously terminated by the Board, the Plan will terminate on August 15, 2015.

The foregoing is only a summary of the Plan and is qualified in its entirety by reference to its full text. A copy of the Plan, reflecting the Plan Amendment, is attached as Appendix E to this Proxy Statement.

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New Plan Benefits.   The amount of awards to be made under the Plan is not presently determinable.

In addition to the Plan, the Company has other stock-based compensation plans: The RBC Bearings Incorporated (f/k/a Roller Bearing Holding Company, Inc.) 1998 Stock Option Plan (“1998 Plan”) and the RBC Bearings Incorporated (f/k/a Roller Bearing Holding Company, Inc.) 2001 Stock Option Plan (“2001 Plan”). No further options may be granted under the 1998 Plan or the 2001 Plan.

 

ITEM 4—OTHER MATTERS

As of the date of this proxy statement, the Company knows of no business that will be presented for consideration at the 2007 annual meeting other than the items referred to above. If any other matter is properly brought before the meeting for action by stockholders, proxies in the enclosed form returned to the Company will be voted in accordance with the recommendation of the Board or, in the absence of such a recommendation, in accordance with the best judgment of the proxy holder.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Number of Meetings of the Board of Directors

The Board held 4 meetings during fiscal 2007. The standing committees of the Board held an aggregate of 20 meetings during fiscal 2007. Each director attended at least 90% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board and the Board committees on which he served as a director during fiscal 2007.

Attendance at Annual Meetings of the Stockholders

All directors are encouraged to attend the annual meeting of the stockholders. Two directors attended the 2006 annual meeting of shareholders.

Director Independence

Certain rules of the Nasdaq Global Select Market require that the Board be comprised of a majority of “independent directors,” that the audit committee be comprised solely of “independent directors,” that the compensation committee be comprised solely of “independent directors,” and that the nominating and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee be comprised solely of “independent directors” as defined under Nasdaq rules.

Based upon the information submitted by each of its directors, and following the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Board has made a determination that all of our current directors, with the exception of Dr. Hartnett satisfy the “independence” requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market and the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines. The standards for determining independence are those set forth in the Nasdaq Global Select Market listing standards and the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines.

Executive Sessions

The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, adopted in connection with the initial public offering in August 2005, require the non-management directors to meet in executive sessions on a periodic basis without management. The presiding director, for purposes of leading these meetings, will be the Chairman of the Audit Committee. The non-employee members of the Board and the Audit Committee respectively met in executive session during every meeting held in fiscal 2007.

Communications between Stockholders and the Board

Stockholders may send communications to the Company’s directors as a group or individually, by writing to those individuals or the group: RBC Bearings Incorporated, c/o the Corporate Secretary, One Tribology Center, Oxford, CT 06478. The Corporate Secretary will review all correspondence received and will forward all correspondence that is relevant to the duties and responsibilities of the Board or the business of the Company to the intended director(s). Examples of inappropriate communication include business solicitations, advertising and communication that is frivolous in nature, relates to routine business matters (such as product inquiries, complaints or suggestions), or raises grievances that are personal to the person submitting the communication. Upon request, any director may review communication that is not forwarded to the directors pursuant to this policy.

The Board has adopted a policy for submitting concerns regarding the Company’s accounting or auditing matters. Reports may be sent to the Audit Committee through one of the following means: (1) calling the Company’s Ethics Hotline at 1-800-966-0078, which is available 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, and leaving a recorded message and (2) in writing marked Private & Confidential to the Audit Committee, RBC Bearings Incorporated, c/o the General Counsel, One Tribology Center, Oxford, CT 06478. In each case, reports will be received by the Company’s General Counsel who will forward the

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message to the Audit Committee. The confidentiality of all reports will be maintained to the extent consistent with law.

Committees of the Board of Directors

Our Board currently has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The composition, duties and responsibilities of these committees are set forth below. Committee members hold office for a term of one year. The Company’s charter will be made available on the Company’s website at www.rbcbearings.com.

Audit Committee.   The Audit Committee is responsible for (1) selecting the independent auditors, (2) approving the overall scope of the audit, (3) assisting the board in monitoring the integrity of our financial statements, the independent accountant’s qualifications and independence, the performance of the independent accountants and our internal audit function and our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (4) annually reviewing an independent auditors’ report describing the auditing firms’ internal quality-control procedures, any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the auditing firm, (5) discussing the annual audited financial and quarterly statements with management and the independent auditor, (6) discussing earnings press releases, as well as financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies, (7) discussing policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management, (8) meeting separately, periodically, with management and the independent auditor, (9) reviewing with the independent auditor any audit problems or difficulties and management’s response, (10) setting clear hiring policies for employees or former employees of the independent auditors, (11) handling such other matters that are specifically delegated to the Audit Committee by the Board from time to time and (12) reporting regularly to the full Board.

Our Audit Committee currently consists of Mr. Levine, Dr. Faghri and Dr. O’Brien, each of whom satisfies the current financial literacy requirements and independence requirements for audit committee members of the Nasdaq Global Select Market and the SEC. Our Board has determined that Mr. Levine qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as such term is defined in Item 407(d) of Regulation S-K. The Audit Committee held 11 meetings in fiscal 2007. The charter of the Audit Committee is attached hereto as Appendix A.

Compensation Committee.   The Compensation Committee is responsible for (1) reviewing key employee compensation goals, policies, plans and programs, (2) reviewing and approving the compensation of our directors, chief executive officer and other executive officers, (3) reviewing and approving employment contracts and other similar arrangements between us and our executive officers, (4) reviewing and consulting with the board on the selection of the chief executive officer and evaluation of such officer’s executive performance and other related matters, (5) administration of stock plans and other incentive compensation plans, (6) approving overall compensation policies for the entire company and (7) such other matters that are specifically delegated to the Compensation Committee by the Board from time to time. Our Compensation Committee currently consists of Messrs. Crowell, Levine and Killian, each of whom satisfies the independence requirements of the Nasdaq Global Select Market. The Compensation Committee held 4 meetings in fiscal 2007. The charter of the Compensation Committee is attached hereto as Appendix B.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.   Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s purpose is to assist our Board by identifying individuals qualified to become members of our Board consistent with criteria set by our Board and to develop our corporate governance principles. This committee’s responsibilities will include: (1) evaluating the composition, size and governance of our Board and its committees and make recommendations regarding future planning and the appointment of directors to our committees, (2) establishing a policy for considering stockholder nominees for election to our Board, (3) evaluating and recommending candidates for election to our Board, (4) overseeing our

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Board’s performance and self-evaluation process and developing continuing education programs for our directors, (5) reviewing our corporate governance principles and policies and providing recommendations to the board regarding possible changes, and (6) reviewing and monitoring compliance with our code of ethics and our insider trading policy. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consists of Messrs. O’Brien, Faghri and Killian, each of whom satisfies the independence requirements of the Nasdaq Global Select Market. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held 1 meeting  during fiscal 2007.

The Board seeks a diverse group of candidates who possess the background, skills and expertise to make a significant contribution to the Board, to the Company and its stockholders. Desired qualities to be considered include: high-level leadership experience in business or administrative activities, and significant accomplishment; breadth of knowledge about issues affecting the Company; proven ability and willingness to contribute special competencies to Board activities; personal integrity; loyalty to the Company and concern for its success and welfare; willingness to apply sound and independent business judgment; awareness of a director’s vital role in assuring the Company’s good corporate citizenship and corporate image; no present conflicts of interest; availability for meetings and consultation on Company matters; enthusiasm about the prospect of serving; willingness to assume broad fiduciary responsibility; and willingness to become a Company stockholder.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers all nominees for election as directors of the Company, including all nominees recommended by stockholders, in accordance with the mandate contained in its charter. The Company has paid a fee to a third party to identify or assist in identifying or evaluating potential nominees. In evaluating candidates, the committee reviews all candidates in the same manner, regardless of the source of the recommendation. The policy of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is to consider individuals recommended by stockholders for nomination as a director in accordance with the procedures described under “Other Matters—Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations.”  The charter of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is attached hereto as Appendix C.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

The Board adopted a set of Corporate Governance Guidelines, which, among other things, set forth the Company’s expectations and policies with respect to the roles and responsibilities of the Board, director affiliations and conflicts, director compensation, standards of director conduct, and the qualifications and other criteria for director nominees. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for periodically reviewing and reassessing the adequacy of these guidelines and recommended changes to the Board for approval.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

The Company’s employees, officers and directors are required to abide by the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code of Ethics”), which is intended to insure that the Company’s business is conducted in a consistently legal and ethical manner. The Code of Ethics covers all areas of professional conduct, including, among other things, conflicts of interest, fair dealing and the protection of confidential information, as well as strict compliance with all laws, regulations and rules. Any waiver of the policies or procedures set forth in the Code of Ethics in the case of officers or directors may be granted only by the Board and must be promptly disclosed as required by law or the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Global Select Market.

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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Independent members of our Board are paid $50,000 per year, payable quarterly, and are entitled to annual stock option and restricted stock grants at the discretion of the Compensation Committee and approval of the Board of Directors for their services. During fiscal 2007 each director was granted stock options and  shares of restricted stock as indicated in the table below. In addition, the Chairs of the Compensation and Audit Committees are entitled to an additional payment of $5,000 per year. In addition, our compensation policy provides for reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attendance at Board meetings or of any committee thereof. The Compensation Committee reviews non-employee director compensation annually and recommends changes to the Board for approval.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

(1)          These amounts reflect the dollar amount recognized for financial reporting purposes for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS, No. 123(R) for 500 restricted stock units (representing the right to receive 500 shares of Common Stock upon vesting) granted on July 13, 2006.

(2)          These amounts reflect the dollar amount recognized for financial reporting purposes for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS, No. 123(R) for 2,500 options granted on July 13, 2006.

(3)          Deceased as of October, 2006. On the date of death, Mr. Anderson’s restricted stock units vested and his stock options were forfeited. All stock and option awards for the other directors are unvested as of March 31, 2007.

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Except as described below, since April 1, 2007, we have not been a party to, nor have we currently proposed, any transaction or series of similar transactions in which the amount exceeds $120,000, and in which any director, executive officer, holder of more than 5% of our common stock or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than compensation agreements and other agreements, which are described in the “Management” section of this prospectus. We believe that each of the following transactions, other than the loans to our executives, are on terms no less favorable than we could obtain from an unrelated third party.

Dr. Hartnett Letter Agreement

On June 17, 2005 we entered into a Letter Agreement among us, Dr. Hartnett and Whitney which approved the terms of certain pre-offering transactions concurrent with our initial public offering, including the amendment and restatement of our certificate of incorporation, the termination of the Whitney Management Services Agreement upon consummation of our initial public offering, the freezing of our existing stock option plans and the approval of our 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, and the terms of a Settlement Bonus between us and Dr. Hartnett.

Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement; Registration Rights

On February 6, 2003, in connection with an investment in us by Dr. Hartnett and Whitney V, L.P., or Whitney V, we entered into an Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement with Dr. Hartnett, Hartnett Family Investments, L.P., or the Hartnett Partnership, Whitney V and the Whitney Investor. We amended this agreement upon the consummation of our initial public offering to make modifications in order to eliminate provisions related to transfer restrictions, information and observer rights and provisions with respect to seats on our Board. The Stockholders Agreement also contained provisions with respect to registration rights. The Stockholders Agreement was terminated upon consummation of our secondary offering in April 2007.

Transactions Consummated in Connection with Our Initial Public Offering

As of April 2, 2005, prior to giving effect to our 5-for-2 stock split, there were 2,481,007 shares of our Class A common stock and 100 shares of our Class B common stock outstanding. Additionally, as of such date and prior to giving effect to our 5-for-2 stock split, there were outstanding (1) warrants and options to purchase up to an additional 764,494 shares of our Class A common stock, (2) warrants and options to purchase 549,146 shares of our Class B common stock, and (3) 240,000 shares of our Class B exchangeable convertible participating preferred stock, or Class B preferred stock, which were convertible into shares of Class A common stock, Class C preferred stock and Class D preferred stock. Dr. Hartnett owned all of our Class B common stock, options and warrants to purchase Class B common stock, as well as 10,000 shares of our Class B preferred stock. Dr. Hartnett’s shares of Class B common stock entitled him to majority voting control with respect to our capital stock. The balance of 230,000 shares of Class B preferred stock was held by Whitney Investor.

The following transactions occurred prior to the completion of our initial public offering in August 2005:

1. Recapitalization

Prior to the initial public offering in August 2005, we had three classes of capital stock outstanding: Class B preferred stock, Class A common stock and Class B common stock. Prior to the consummation of the initial public offering, we effectuated a series of transactions in order to, among other things, simplify our capital structure. Our simplified capital structure has two classes of authorized capital stock (common

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stock and preferred stock), of which only shares of common stock remained outstanding after our initial public offering. The recapitalization transaction involved a number of steps that were effectuated contemporaneously with the consummation of our initial public offering. These steps were as follows:

Stock Split.   We amended our certificate of incorporation to effect a 5-for-2 stock split of our common stock.

Conversion of Class B Preferred Stock.   Immediately prior to the consummation of the recapitalization, all outstanding shares of Class B preferred stock were converted in accordance with their terms into 1,846,396 (on a post stock split basis) shares of Class A common stock, shares of Class C preferred stock and shares of Class D preferred stock. All shares of Class C and Class D preferred stock were redeemed with cash or common stock as described below.

Redemption of Class C Preferred Stock.   Immediately after the conversion of the Class B preferred stock, we used proceeds from our initial public offering and the refinancing of our Senior Credit Facility to redeem all outstanding Class C preferred stock, including any accrued and unpaid dividends, for an aggregate redemption price determined in accordance with our pre-offering certificate of incorporation. The aggregate redemption price of the Class C preferred stock was equal to $30.6 million.

Repurchase of Class D Preferred Stock.   Immediately after the conversion of the Class B preferred stock, we repurchased all of the outstanding Class D preferred stock for an aggregate repurchase price equal to $8.0 million payable as follows: $4.0 million of the repurchase price paid in cash using proceeds from the initial public offering and the refinancing of our Senior Credit Facility, and $4.0 million paid in shares of our Class A common stock based on the initial public offering price of $14.50 per share (before giving effect to the underwriting discount).

Reclassification of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.   Immediately after the transactions described above, we amended and restated our certificate of incorporation to provide for, among other things, authorized capital stock of 60.0 million shares of common stock and 10.0 million shares of preferred stock after giving effect to a 5-for-2 stock split. As a result, all of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock (including shares of Class A common stock issued upon conversion of the Class B preferred stock and repurchase of the Class D preferred stock) were reclassified as common stock, on a one-for-one basis.

Stock Options and Warrants.   Following the reclassification of our shares, all outstanding options and warrants to purchase our Class A common stock and Class B common stock became exercisable into shares of our newly created common stock in accordance with the terms of our stock option plans and stock option and warrant agreements. We froze our existing 1998 Stock Option Plan and 2001 Stock Option Plan such that no further awards or grants may be made under them. We established a new 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan which currently provides for the issuance of stock options or other equity awards equal to 1,639,170 shares of common stock. Pursuant to Item 3 the number of authorized shares under the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan is proposed to be increased by 600,000 shares. Of this amount, 683,502 stock options were awarded to Dr. Hartnett upon the consummation of the initial public offering at the offering price of $14.50 per share, subject to vesting, and the remainder was reserved for grants to our employees and directors at the discretion of our Compensation Committee. During fiscal 2007 the Company issued an additional 335,500 options and 75,675 restricted stock grants. As of July 20, 2007, the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan had 531,993 stock options or other equity awards available for issuance.

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PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

The following table sets forth information known to the Company regarding beneficial ownership of the Company’s Common Stock, as of July 1, 2007, by each director and each of the executive officers identified in the Summary Compensation Table and by all of its directors and executive officers as a group (12 persons). The table lists the number of shares and percentage of shares beneficially owned based on 21,481,104 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of July 1, 2007. The figures in the table assume the exercise of all stock options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of July 1, 2007. Information in the table is derived from Securities and Exchange Commission filings made by such persons under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and other information received by the Company.

*                    Less than one percent

(1)          Unless otherwise indicated and subject to community property laws where applicable, the individuals and entities named in the table above have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of our common stock shown as beneficially owned by them. Beneficial ownership and percentage ownership are determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. In calculating the number of shares beneficially owned by an individual or entity and the percentage ownership of that individual or entity, shares underlying options and warrants held by that individual or entity that are either currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days from July 1, 2007 are deemed outstanding. These shares, however, are not deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other individual or entity.

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The following table sets forth each shareholder which, as of July 1, 2007, is known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our Common Stock. Information in the table is derived from Securities and Exchange Commission filings made by such persons pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and other information received by the Company. Except as indicated in the footnotes to this table, and subject to applicable community property laws, the persons or entities named have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of our common stock shown as beneficially owned by them.

 

(a)           None of the shares listed above are owned of record by Westfield Capital Management Company, LLC. The shares listed above are owned of record by certain mutual funds, institutional accounts and/or separate accounts managed by Westfield Capital Management Company, LLC. as investment advisor. Westfield Capital Management Company, LLC. disclaims any beneficial interest in such shares.

(b)          The shares beneficially owned by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. include any shares owned by T. Rowe Price International and by T. Rowe Price Mutual Funds. These securities are owned by various individual and institutional investors which T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (Price Associates) serves as the investment adviser with power to direct investments and / or sole power to vote the securities. For purposes of the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Price Associates is deemed to be a beneficial owner of such securities; however, Price Associates expressly disclaims that it is, in fact, the beneficial owner of such securities.

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires that the Company’s executive officers, directors and greater than 10% owners file reports of ownership and changes of ownership of the Company’s Common Stock with the Securities and Exchange Commission and Nasdaq. Based on a review of the Securities and Exchange Commission filed ownership reports fiscal during 2007, the Company believes that all Section 16(a) filing requirements were met during the year.

To the Company’s knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Company and written representations that no other reports were required, during fiscal 2007, all of the filing requirements applicable to its executive officers, directors and greater than 10% owners were complied with, except as follows:

On July 28, 2006, Phillip H. Beausoleil, filed a Form 4 reporting the exercise of warrants to purchase shares of our Common Stock and the subsequent sale of such shares of Common Stock on the open market that occurred on July 20, 2006 and July 24, 2006. Information necessary to the filing was not provided in time by Mr. Beausoleil’s stock broker. The transactions reported on the Form 4 were the only transactions by Mr. Beausoleil that were not reported on a timely basis during fiscal 2007.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Executive Officers and Directors

The following table sets forth information concerning our directors and executive officers as of July 1, 2007. Each director is elected for a three-year term or until such person’s successor is duly elected and qualified.

 

Dr. Michael J. Hartnett   has been the President and Chief Executive Officer since April 1992 and Chairman of the Board since June 1993. Prior to that, Dr. Hartnett served as President and General Manager of our Industrial Tectonics Bearings Corporation, or ITB, subsidiary from 1990, following eighteen years at The Torrington Company, one of the three largest bearings manufacturers in the U.S. While at Torrington Company, Dr. Hartnett held the position of Vice President and General Manager of the Aerospace Business Unit and was, prior to that, Vice President of the Research and Development Division. Dr. Hartnett holds an undergraduate degree from University of New Haven, a Masters degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and a Ph.D. in Applied Mechanics from the University of Connecticut. Dr. Hartnett has also developed numerous patents, authored more than two dozen technical papers and is well known for his contributions to the field of tribology, the study of friction. Dr. Hartnett currently serves as a director of Aftermarket Technology Corp., a publicly-held company in the business of re-manufacturing aftermarket components for automobiles.

Richard R. Crowell   has been a director since June 2002 and chairman of the Compensation Committee since August 2005. Mr. Crowell is a Partner of Aurora Capital Group, a private equity investment firm. Prior to establishing Aurora in 1991, Mr. Crowell was a Managing Partner of Acadia Partners, a New York-based investment fund. From 1983 to 1987, he was a Managing Director, Corporate Finance for Drexel Burnham Lambert. He serves on the Board of Visitors for the UCLA Anderson School of Management, and Chairs the Board of Trustees for Marymount High School in Los Angeles. Mr. Crowell earned an M.B.A. from UCLA’s Anderson School and a B.A. from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Dr. Amir Faghri   has been a director since July 2004. Dr. Faghri is currently the United Technologies Endowed Chair Professor in Thermal-Fluids Engineering and was formerly the Dean of the School of Engineering at the University of Connecticut from 1998-2006, and the Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department from 1994-1998. While holding such academic and industrial positions as distinguished and chair professor, department head, and Dean, Dr. Faghri authored seven books and edited volumes, more than 260 archival technical publications (including 160 journal papers), and six  U.S. patents. He has served as a consultant to several major research centers and corporations, including Los Alamos and Oak Ridge national laboratories, Exxon Mobil, and Intel Corporation. Dr. Faghri’s technical productivity is further complemented by his service on the editorial boards of eight scientific journals.

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Dr. Faghri has received many honors and awards, including the prestigious 1998 American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics (AIAA) Thermophysics Award, the 1998 American Society of Mechanical Engineering (ASME) Heat Transfer Memorial Award and the 2005 ASME James Harry Potter Gold Medal. Dr. Faghri received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of California at Berkeley (1974, 1976) and a B.S. with highest honors from Oregon State University (1973).

William P. Killian   has been a director since October 2001. Mr. Killian has reported directly to and advised CEOs of Fortune 500, NYSE corporations on strategy, corporate growth, acquisitions and divestitures for 25 years. From 1986 until his retirement in 2000, Mr. Killian was Corporate Vice President, Development and Strategy for Johnson Controls, Inc. a $20 billion global market leader in automotive systems and facility management and controls. Currently, he serves as a member of the board of directors of Cleaver-Brooks, Inc. and Premix, Inc. Mr. Killian holds a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from Georgia Tech and a Master of Engineering Administration from the University of Utah.

Alan B. Levine   has been a director and chairman of our Audit Committee since October 2005. Mr. Levine served as Chief Financial Officer and Director of Virtual Access Networks, Inc. (2001 to 2002) and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Marathon Technologies Corporation (1998 to 2001). He was also a member of the Board of Directors and Audit Committee Chair of MCK Communications before the company’s merger in November 2003. Prior to this, Mr. Levine was with Ernst & Young, LLP from 1974 to 1998, and was Partner from 1986 to 1998, where he established and directed an Entrepreneurial Services practice. Today, Mr. Levine leads ABL Associates, a consulting practice dedicated to helping entrepreneurial companies identify and implement strategic initiatives and manage change. He is also currently Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Graduate Management Admission Council. He is also a Director on the Board of Nextera Enterprises, a public company based in Los Angeles, where he serves as Audit Committee Chair. Mr. Levine earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Vermont. He also holds a Master of Accounting degree from the University of Arizona and was a certified public accountant.

Dr. Thomas J. O’Brien   has been a director and Audit Committee member since February 2006. Dr. O’Brien has served as the Head of the Finance Department at the University of Connecticut since 1999 and as a professor at the University since 1986. Prior to this, Dr. O’Brien held positions at the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill, Duke University, University of North Carolina—Charlotte and Florida State University. In addition to Dr. O’Brien’s distinguished career as a professor, he has also written several books and has co-authored numerous papers and articles covering topics in finance. Dr. O’Brien earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Davidson College. He received his MBA from the University of Pennsylvania and holds a Ph.D in Finance from the University of Florida.

Set forth below is information concerning our executive officers who are not directors.

Daniel A. Bergeron   joined us in May 2003 as Vice President, Finance. On August 5, 2003, he was appointed Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Secretary. From November 2002 through May 2003, he served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Allied Healthcare International, Inc., a publicly-held provider of healthcare staffing services. Mr. Bergeron served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Paragon Networks International, Inc., a telecommunications company, from June 2000 to October 2002. From April 1998 to February 2000, he served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Tridex Corporation, a publicly held software company. From July 1987 to March 1998, Mr. Bergeron held various financial reporting positions with Dorr-Oliver Inc., an international engineering and manufacturing company, including Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from 1994 to March 1998. Mr. Bergeron holds a B.S. in Finance from Northeastern University and a M.B.A. from the University of New Haven.

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Phillip H. Beausoleil   spent three years as Plant Manager for the SKF Kulpsville, Pennsylvania facility before joining us in 1993 as Plant Manager of the Santa Ana, California division, Transport Dynamics. In 1995, the general manager responsibilities at Transport Dynamics in California were given to Mr. Beausoleil followed by the Industrial Tectonics Division in 2001, and the Southwest Products and US Bearings divisions in 2005. He also spent 23 years at New Hampshire Ball Bearing, the last five years as General Manager of its Astro Division.

Thomas C. Crainer   joined us in 1986 as Plant Manager at the ITB division in California and was promoted to General Manager in 1995. In 2000, Mr. Crainer became General Manager for RBC Schaublin. In 2003, he returned to the U.S. to assume additional responsibilities for our Heim Bearings, Engineered Component and Aircraft Products facilities. He had previously been employed for six years at TRW Bearing in Falconer, NY as Manufacturing Supervisor, Production Control Manager and Manufacturing Manager. His undergraduate degree in Business Administration is from St. Bonaventure University. In 1991 he received an M.B.A. from the University of Phoenix.

Richard J. Edwards   joined us as Manufacturing Manager for the Hartsville, South Carolina facility in 1990. After holding the positions of Plant Manager for the Hartsville Plant, and Director of Operations for the RBC Divisions, he was named Vice President and General Manager for the RBC Divisions in 1996. Prior to joining us, Mr. Edwards spent six years with the Torrington Company as Materials Manager, and later Plant Superintendent in the Tyger River plant. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Arizona State University.

Thomas J. Williams   joined us as Corporate General Counsel and Secretary in May, 2006. From April 2001 through May 2006, he served as Assistant General Counsel of Ingersoll-Rand Company, a publicly-held manufacturing company. Mr. Williams was a member of the law firm of Pepe & Hazard LLP and was with the firm from February 1999 to April 2001. From February 1998 to February 1999, Mr. Williams was engaged in the private practice of law and financial planning. From August 1981 to February 1998, Mr. Williams served as Director of International Taxes and subsequently as Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary for The Stanley Works a publicly-held manufacturing company. From October 1973 to August 1981 Mr. Williams was employed by the Internal Revenue Service in Boston and New York as an Internal Revenue Agent and International Examiner. Mr. Williams holds a B.S.B.A. in Accounting from Stonehill College and a J.D. from Suffolk University and was a licensed certified public accountant.

Thomas M. Burigo   joined us as Manager of Accounting in 2003. He was promoted to Director of Accounting in 2005 and to Corporate Controller in 2006. From 1999 through 2002, he was employed by BrandDirect Marketing, Inc. as Director of Financial Reporting. Mr. Burigo had previously been employed for 10 years by Caldor Corporation, a publicly-held discount retail chain, holding various accounting and financial reporting positions. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics from Boston College, an M.B.A in Accounting from Iona College and is a licensed certified public accountant.

There are no family relationships between any of our directors or executive officers.

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SUMMARY COMPENSATION

(1)           Column (c) includes amounts deferred by the officer pursuant to a 401(k) Plan.

(2)           Bonuses for fiscal 2007 were paid under the Company’s incentive compensation plan and are reflected in column (g).

(3)           The amounts in columns (e) and (f) reflect the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R) of stock options and restricted stock units granted under the 2005 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in note 16 to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 12, 2007.

(4)           The amounts in column (g) consist of annual cash bonuses earned in fiscal 2007 and paid in fiscal 2008 under the Company’s incentive compensation plan.

(5)           Consists of a leased vehicle of $3,639 and employer match contributed to Dr. Hartnett’s SERP account of $56,254.

(6)           Consists of a vehicle allowance of $6,000 and employer match contributed to Mr. Bergeron’s SERP account of $7,200.

(7)           Consists of employer match contributed to Mr. Beausoliel’s 401(k) account of $2,245, employer match contributed to Mr. Beausoliel’s SERP account of $12,562 and Company-paid life insurance premiums of $645.

(8)           Consists of employer match contributed to Mr. Crainer’s 401(k) account of $2,280, employer match contributed to Mr. Crainer’s SERP account of $10,750, Company-paid life insurance premiums of $783, a leased vehicle of $930 and relocation reimbursements of $5,401.

(9)           Consists of employer match contributed to Mr. Edwards’s 401(k) account of $2,409, employer match contributed to Mr. Edwards’ SERP account of $3,750 and Company-paid life insurance premiums of $1,805 and a leased vehicle of $4,886.

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Dr. Hartnett Employment Agreement

On July 1, 2005, we entered into a new employment agreement with Dr. Hartnett. Under the terms of the employment agreement, Dr. Hartnett is employed as our Chief Executive Officer. The term of Dr. Hartnett’s employment agreement is set to expire on July 1, 2010.

Dr.  Hartnett’s current agreement provides for a base salary for the fiscal year 2007 of $556,896 before giving effect to a one-time reduction of $180,000 for nine-months in fiscal 2007 described below. Dr. Hartnett’s base salary is subject to an automatic annual increase effective December 1 of each year during the term in a percentage amount equal to the greater of (i) five percent (5%) or (ii) the percentage change in the consumer price index for the prior year. Dr. Hartnett is also entitled to an annual performance bonus with respect to each fiscal year during which he remains an employee in an amount determined as a percentage of Dr. Hartnett’s base salary, based on the amount by which our performance exceeds (or fails to meet) EBITDA targets in an operating plan. Dr. Hartnett’s employment agreement has been amended to effectuate the terms of a settlement agreement.

The employment agreement also contains non-competition provisions prohibiting Dr. Hartnett from competing against us during the term of the employment agreement and for two years thereafter without our prior written consent. Dr. Hartnett is also entitled to certain additional benefits (beyond those generally available to our employees) including medical and hospitalization insurance and additional life insurance. We are also required to maintain an apartment in Los Angeles for use by Dr. Hartnett while on business.

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

(1)                Under the Annual Incentive Compensation Plan, if the target is not met, the amount of the award is at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

(2)                Equals 100% of base salary (90% to 99.9% of EBITDA to plan).

(3)                Equals 200% of base salary (110% or greater of EBITDA to plan).

(4)                If the target is not met, the amount of the award is at the discretion of the CEO.

(5)                Equals 50% of base salary (90% to 104.9% of EBITDA to plan).

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(6)                Equals 125% of target (105% or higher of EBITDA to plan).

(7)                Target is 50% of base salary. The amount of the award is based on performance to plan goal which is comprised of sales plus depreciation less total factory cost. If 100% of the established plan goal is achieved then the award is equal to 50% of base salary. For each 1% of the achievement above or below the plan goal there is a corresponding 5% reduction or increase to the award earned. A discretionary adjustment can also be made by the CEO based on subjective assessment of the individual performance.

(8)                Awarded under the 2005 Long-Term Equity Incentive Program. The Grant Date Fair Value is based on the grant date closing price of $22.66.

(9)                Awarded under the 2005 Long-Term Equity Incentive Program. The Grant Date Fair Value is based on assumptions described in note 16 to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 12, 2007. The weighted average fair value per share of options granted in fiscal 2007 was $8.70.

1998 Stock Option Plan

Effective February 18, 1998, we adopted the RBC Bearings Incorporated (f/k/a Roller Bearing Holding Company, Inc.) 1998 Stock Option Plan. The terms of the 1998 option plan provide for the grant of options to purchase up to 8,413,900 shares of common stock to officers and employees of, and consultants (including members of the Board) to us and our subsidiaries. Options granted may be either incentive stock options (under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code) or non-qualified stock options. The 1998 option plan, which expires on December 31, 2008, is to be governed by our Board or a committee to which the board delegates its responsibilities. As of July 1, 2007, there were outstanding options to purchase 7,301 shares of common stock granted under the 1998 option plan, all of which were exercisable. The 1998 Stock Option Plan has been frozen and no additional stock options will be awarded pursuant to the plan.

The exercise price of options granted under the 1998 option plan was determined by our Board, but in no event less than 100% of the Fair Market Value (as defined in the 1998 option plan) of the common stock on the date of grant. Options granted under the 1998 option plan may be exercised during the period set forth in the agreement pursuant to which the options are granted, but in no event more than ten years following grant.

The 1998 Stock Option Plan provides that the number of shares for which outstanding options shall be exercisable, and the exercise price thereof, shall be adjusted upon the happening of stock dividends, stock splits, recapitalizations and certain other capital events regarding our Company or the common stock. Upon any merger, consolidation or combination where shares of Common Stock are converted into cash, securities or other property, outstanding options shall be converted into the right to receive upon exercise the consideration as would have been payable in exchange for the shares of common stock underlying such options had such options been exercised prior to such event.

Options granted under the 1998 option plan are not transferable by the holders thereof except by the laws of descent and distribution. Our Board has the right to establish such rules and regulations concerning the 1998 option plan and to make such determinations and interpretations of the terms thereof as it deems necessary or advisable.

2001 Stock Option Plan

The RBC Bearings Incorporated (f/k/a Roller Bearing Holding Company, Inc.) 2001 Stock Option Plan was adopted in fiscal 2002 and amended and restated on October 24, 2003. The terms of the 2001 option plan provide for the grant of options to purchase up to 1,008,553 shares of Common Stock to our officers and employees of, and consultants (including members of our Board) to, us and our subsidiaries selected by the CEO to participate in the plan. Options granted may be either incentive stock options (under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code) or non-qualified stock options. The 2001 option plan, which expires in July 2011, is to be governed our Board or a committee to which the Board delegates its responsibilities. As of July 1, 2007, there were outstanding options to purchase 151,050 shares of Common

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Stock granted under the 2001 option plan, all of which were exercisable. The 2001 Stock Option Plan has been frozen and no additional stock options will be awarded pursuant to the plan.

The exercise price of options granted under the 2001 option plan was determined by the Board, but in no event less than 100% of the Fair Market Value (as defined in the 2001 option plan) of the Common Stock on the date of grant. Options granted under the 2001 option plan may be exercised during the period set forth in the agreement pursuant to which the options are granted, but in no event more than ten years following grant.

The 2001 Stock Option Plan provides that the number of shares for which outstanding options shall be exercisable, and the exercise price thereof, shall be adjusted upon the happening of stock dividends, stock splits, recapitalizations and certain other capital events regarding our Company or the Common Stock. Upon any merger, consolidation or combination where shares of Common Stock are converted into cash securities or other property, outstanding options shall be converted into the right to receive upon exercise the consideration as would have been payable in exchange for the shares of Common Stock underlying such options had such options been exercised prior to such event.

Options granted under the 2001 option plan are not transferable by the holders thereof except (1) by the laws of descent and distribution, (2) transfers to members of any holder’s immediate family (which for purposes of the 2001 option plan shall be limited to the participant’s children, grandchildren and spouse), (3) to one or more trusts for the benefit of such family members, or (4) to partnerships or limited liability companies in which such family members and/or trusts are the only partners or members; provided, that options may be transferred pursuant to sections (2) through (4) hereof only if the option expressly so provides, or as otherwise approved by the Chief Executive Officer or the Board in their discretion. Our Board has the right to establish such rules and regulations concerning the 2001 option plan and to make such determinations and interpretations of the terms thereof as it deems necessary or advisable.

2005 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan

We adopted our 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan effective upon the completion of our initial public offering in August 2005. The plan provides for grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and performance awards. Our directors, officers and other employees and persons who engage in services for us are eligible for grants under the plan. The purpose of the plan is to provide these individuals with incentives to maximize stockholder value and otherwise contribute to our success and to enable us to attract, retain and reward the best available persons for positions of responsibility.

1,639,170 shares of our Common Stock were authorized for issuance under the plan, subject to adjustment in the event of a reorganization, stock split, merger or similar change in our corporate structure or the outstanding shares of Common Stock. Of this amount, 683,502 options were awarded to Dr. Hartnett at the time of our initial public offering in August 2005 at the offering price of $14.50 per share and the remainder  have been reserved for grants to our employees and directors at the discretion of our Compensation Committee. During fiscal 2007 the Company issued an additional 335,500 options and 75,675 restricted stock grants. As of July 1, 2007, the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan had 531,993 stock options or other equity awards available for issuance. We may grant shares of restricted stock to our employees and directors in the future under the plan. Our Compensation Committee will administer the plan. Our Board also has the authority to administer the plan and to take all actions that the Compensation Committee is otherwise authorized to take under the plan. The terms and conditions of each award made under the plan, including vesting requirements, will be set forth consistent with the plan in a written agreement with the grantee.

Stock Options.   Under the plan, the Compensation Committee or the Board may award grants of incentive stock options and other non-qualified stock options. The Compensation Committee also has the authority to grant options that will become fully vested and exercisable automatically upon a change in

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control. The Compensation Committee may not, however, award to any one person in any calendar year options to purchase common stock equal to more than 10% of the total number of shares authorized under the plan (other than the initial award to Dr. Hartnett discussed above), and it may not award incentive options first exercisable in any calendar year whose underlying shares have a fair market value greater than $100,000 determined at the time of grant.

The Compensation Committee will determine the exercise price and term of any option in its discretion, however, the exercise price may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant. In the case of any incentive stock option, the option must be exercised within 10 years of the date of grant. The exercise price of an incentive option awarded to a person who owns stock constituting more than 10% of our voting power may not be less than 110% of such fair market value on such date and the option must be exercised within five years of the date of grant.

Restricted Stock.   Under the plan, the Compensation Committee may award restricted stock subject to the conditions and restrictions, and for the duration that it determines in its discretion. The Board and the Compensation Committee have resolved that from the total addition of 500,000 shares of common stock to the Plan approved at our 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, a maximum of one-third will be used for restricted tock awards.

Stock Appreciation Rights.   The Compensation Committee may grant stock appreciation rights, or SARs, subject to the terms and conditions contained in the plan. Under the plan, the exercise price of an SAR must equal the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date the SAR was granted. Upon exercise of a SAR, the grantee will receive an amount in shares of our common stock equal to the difference between the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of exercise and the exercise price of the SAR, multiplied by the number of shares as to which the SAR is exercised.

Performance Awards.   The Compensation Committee may grant performance awards contingent upon achievement by the grantee or by us, of set goals and objectives regarding specified performance criteria, over a specified performance cycle. Awards may include specific dollar-value target awards, performance units, the value of which is established at the time of grant, and/or performance shares, the value of which is equal to the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant. The value of a performance award may be fixed or fluctuate on the basis of specified performance criteria. A performance award may be paid out in cash and/or shares of Common Stock or other securities.

Amendment and Termination of the Plan.   The Board may amend or terminate the plan in its discretion, except that no amendment will become effective without prior approval of our stockholders if such approval is necessary for continued compliance with the performance-based compensation exception of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code or any stock exchange listing requirements. If not previously terminated by the Board, the plan will terminate on the tenth anniversary of its adoption.

On March 29, 2006, we accelerated vesting with respect to all outstanding options and warrants under our existing stock option plans. Such acceleration was approved by our Board. As of July 1, 2007, there were 1,184,853 outstanding stock options, 851,853 of which were exercisable.

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OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END

(1)                These amounts are based on a price per share of $33.43, the closing sales price for a share of our Common Stock on the last business day of fiscal 2007 (March 30, 2007) as quoted by the Nasdaq National Market.

(2)                These options vest as follows: 13,333 on July 12, 2007, 13,333 on July 12, 2008 and 13,334 on July 12, 2009.

(3)                These options vest as follows: 6,000 on July 12, 2007, 6,000 on July 12, 2008, 6,000 on July 12, 2009, 6,000 on July 12, 2010 and 6,000 on July 12, 2011.

(4)                These options vest as follows: 4,000 on July 12, 2007, 4,000 on July 12, 2008, 4,000 on July 12, 2009, 4,000 on July 12, 2010 and 4,000 on July 12, 2011.

(5)                These restricted stock awards vest as follows: 3,333 on July 12, 2007, 3,333 on July 12, 2008 and 3,334 on July 12, 2009.

(6)                These restricted stock awards vest as follows: 1,000 on July 12, 2007, 1,000 on July 12, 2008, 1,000 on July 12, 2009, 1,000 on July 12, 2010 and 1,000 on July 12, 2011.

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