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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

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

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Preliminary Proxy Statement

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

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Definitive Proxy Statement

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Definitive Additional Materials

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Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12

HAWKINS, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
         
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

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

 

 

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Persons who are to respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number.

LOGO

HAWKINS, INC.
3100 East Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55413

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held
August 17, 2004

To our Shareholders:

        The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Hawkins, Inc. (the "Company") will be held at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel, 1330 Industrial Boulevard, Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Tuesday, August 17, 2004, at 3:00 p.m., Central Daylight Time, for the following purposes:

        The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on July 20, 2004 as the record date for determining the shareholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, only shareholders of record at the close of business on that date will be entitled to vote. The Company's transfer books will not be closed.

Dated: July 23, 2004.   BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

 

SIG
    MARVIN E. DEE, Secretary

IMPORTANT:    To assure the necessary representation at the Annual Meeting, you are urged to SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY PROMPTLY TO SAVE THE COMPANY THE EXPENSE OF ADDITIONAL SOLICITATION. You may revoke your proxy at any time prior to its exercise, and returning your proxy will not affect your right to vote in person if you attend the Annual Meeting and revoke the proxy.


PROXY STATEMENT

HAWKINS, INC.
3100 East Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55413

July 23, 2004

        The following statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Hawkins, Inc. (the "Company") to be voted at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel, 1330 Industrial Boulevard, Minneapolis, Minnesota, at 3:00 p.m., Central Daylight Time, and at any adjournments of such meeting. Distribution of this proxy statement and proxy to shareholders began on or about July 23, 2004.


SOLICITATION

        The cost of soliciting proxies and of the notices of the meeting, including the preparation, assembly and mailing of proxies and this Proxy Statement, will be borne by the Company. In addition to the use of the mail, proxies may be solicited personally or by telephone, mail or electronic mail by directors, officers and regular employees of the Company. Furthermore, arrangements may be made with brokers, banks and similar organizations to send proxies and proxy materials to beneficial owners for voting instructions. The Company will reimburse such organizations for their expenses.


REVOCATION AND VOTING OF PROXY

        Any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation and received in time for the Annual Meeting will be voted in accordance with the instructions in such proxy, unless the proxy is properly revoked prior to the meeting. Any shareholder giving a proxy may revoke it prior to its exercise at the meeting by (1) delivering a written notice expressly revoking the proxy to the Secretary at the Company's offices, (2) signing and forwarding to the Company at its offices a later dated proxy, or (3) attending the Annual Meeting and casting his or her votes personally.

        Unless otherwise directed in the accompanying proxy, the persons named therein will vote FOR the nominees for director as set forth in this Proxy Statement and FOR the approval of the Hawkins, Inc. 2004 Omnibus Stock Plan. The Company's management is not aware of any other business that will, or is likely to, come before the meeting. If any other business does properly come before the meeting, the persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote in accordance with their judgment as to what is in the Company's best interests.

        A majority of the outstanding shares will constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business. Abstentions are counted in determining the total number of the votes cast on proposals presented to shareholders, but will not be treated as votes in favor of the proposals. Accordingly, a withholding or an abstention will have the effect of a negative vote. Broker non-votes are not counted for purposes of determining the total number of votes cast on proposals presented to shareholders.


OUTSTANDING SHARES AND VOTING RIGHTS

        At the close of business on July 20, 2004, the record date, there were 10,216,688 shares of the Company's common stock, par value $.05 per share, outstanding. The common stock is the only outstanding class of capital stock of the Company. Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on the record date with respect to all matters that may be brought before the meeting. There is no cumulative voting for directors.




ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

(PROPOSAL 1)

        At the Annual Meeting, eight persons are to be elected to the Company's Board of Directors, each to hold office for the ensuing year or until his successor is duly elected and qualified. The Company's By-laws provide for a Board of Directors of not fewer than three nor more than eleven directors. The Company's By-laws provide that the nominees must be elected by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares represented at the meeting (whether in person or by proxy). Abstentions have the effect of a vote against the nominees. Proxies will be voted for the election of all nominees unless you direct otherwise. Should any nominee decline or be unable to accept such nomination or to serve as a director (an event which the Company's management does not now expect to occur), proxies will be voted for a substitute nominee or nominees in accordance with the best judgment of the person or persons acting under them.

        THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR.

Information About Nominees

        All nominees have served as directors of the Company continuously since the year indicated below. The following information, as of May 31, 2004, including the principal occupation or employment of each nominee, has been furnished to the Company by the respective nominees. All positions are with the Company unless otherwise noted.

Nominee

  Principal Occupation
or Employment

  Age
  Director
Since

John R. Hawkins   Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since February 2000; President from December 1998 to February 2000; Executive Vice President from 1997 to December 1998; Vice President of Sales from 1987 to 1997; Secretary from 1991 to 1999.   52   1989

Dean L. Hahn

 

Retired; Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer from 1996 to 2000; President from 1983 to 1996.

 

70

 

1974

Donald L. Shipp

 

Retired; Vice Chairman from December 1998 to September 2000; President from 1996 to December 1998; Executive Vice President from 1983 to 1996; President of Feed-Rite Controls, Inc. (then a subsidiary of the Company) from 1967 to 1996.

 

69

 

1977

Howard M. Hawkins

 

Retired; Treasurer from 1973 to 1999; Vice President from 1996 to 1999.

 

60

 

1976

John S. McKeon

 

President and Chief Operating Officer of ConAgra Foods, Inc. Venture Development Group since November 2003; President and Chief Operating Officer of ConAgra Foods Snack Group (formerly Golden Valley Microwave Foods, Inc.) from August 1993 to November 2003; President of McKeon Associates, Inc. (corporate finance consulting) from 1991 to 1993; Vice President of Northstar Industries, Inc. from 1976 to 1990.

 

59

 

1984
             

2



Duane M. Jergenson

 

Retired; Vice President of Operations, Taylor Corporation from 1985 to 1999; various positions with Taylor Corporation from 1966 to 1985.

 

57

 

1996

G. Robert Gey

 

President of Fuller Brands since 2003 and President of The Fuller Brush Company since 2002; President of Pentair Service Equipment Business from 1996 to 2001; Vice President of Pentair Corporate Development from 1995 to 1996; President of Niagara Paper Corp. from 1992 to 1995; various positions with Pentair, Inc. from 1983 to 1992.

 

59

 

1999

Daryl I. Skaar

 

Retired; Vice President and Chief Procurement Officer of Lucent Technologies from 1997 to 2000; various positions at 3M from 1965 to 1997, most recently as Vice President of Purchasing and Packaging Engineering.

 

62

 

2001

        Howard M. Hawkins and John R. Hawkins are brothers. There are no other family relationships between any executive officers or directors of the Company.

Director Independence

        The Board of Directors has determined that all of the directors of the Company, except Howard M. Hawkins and John R. Hawkins, are "independent" as that term is defined under the applicable independence listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market. Accordingly, the Company's Board of Directors is predominantly independent.

Meetings of the Board of Directors

        The Board of Directors held five meetings in fiscal 2004. All directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board of Directors and the committees on which they served. All directors attended the Company's annual meeting of shareholders in 2003. The Board of Directors encourages, but does not require, director attendance at annual meetings of shareholders.

Audit Committee

        The Audit Committee, which consists of John S. McKeon (Chair), Duane M. Jergenson, G. Robert Gey and Daryl I. Skaar, is responsible for, among other things, selecting and appointing the Company's independent auditors, meeting with the independent auditors and financial management to review the scope of the audit and the audit procedures, reviewing annually the responsibilities of the Audit Committee and recommending to the Board of Directors any changes to these responsibilities, and establishing and reviewing internal controls. The Audit Committee held six meetings during fiscal 2004.

        All members of the Audit Committee are "independent" as that term is defined in the applicable standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Section 301 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Board of Directors has determined that John S. McKeon, Duane M. Jergenson, G. Robert Gey and Daryl I. Skaar are "audit committee financial experts," as the term is defined under Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules promulgated by the SEC in furtherance of Section 407.

        The responsibilities of the Audit Committee are set forth in the Audit Committee Charter. The Audit Committee has reviewed and assessed the adequacy of its charter and concluded that the charter

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satisfactorily states the responsibilities of the Audit Committee. A revised Audit Committee Charter was adopted by the Board of Directors on February 20, 2004. The charter is set forth in Appendix A to this Proxy Statement.

Compensation Committee

        The Compensation Committee, which consists of Duane M. Jergenson (Chair), John S. McKeon, G. Robert Gey and Daryl I. Skaar, is responsible for establishing compensation policies for the Company and for reviewing and setting compensation for senior executives of the Company. The Compensation Committee held four meetings during fiscal 2004.

Nominating Process

        The Board of Directors does not have a separately constituted nominating committee and has no written charter related to the nomination process. Given the small size of the Company and its Board, and the small number of new directors elected each year, the Board does not believe that creating a separate nominating committee would result in any greater efficiency in the nominating process or quality of nominees. All members of the Board of Directors participate in the consideration of director nominees, and the approval of a majority of the independent directors is required to nominate a director candidate. The Board of Directors does not have a formal policy regarding the consideration of any director candidates recommended by shareholders. However, the Board of Directors would consider for possible nomination qualified nominees recommended by shareholders in compliance with the Company's By-laws. To make a director nomination, a shareholder should send the director candidate's name, credentials and contact information, a signed statement consenting to his or her nomination and agreeing, if elected, to serve as a director, and a completed director nominee questionnaire (available from the Secretary of the Company upon request) to the Secretary of the Company no later than 60 days after the end of the Company's fiscal year. The proposing shareholder should also include his or her contact information and a statement of his or her share ownership (how many shares of the Company owned and for how long). The Board of Directors will evaluate candidates (nominated by shareholders or otherwise) based on financial literacy, knowledge of the Company's industry or other background relevant to the Company's needs, status as a stakeholder in the Company, "independence" for purposes of compliance with SEC rules and NASDAQ Stock Market listing standards, and willingness, ability and availability for service.

Communications with Directors

        You can contact the full Board of Directors, the independent directors as a group or any of the individual directors by writing to the Company's Secretary at 3100 East Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55413. All communications will be compiled by the Secretary and submitted to the addressees on a periodic basis.

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REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

        The Audit Committee has (i) reviewed and discussed the Company's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 28, 2004 with both the Company's management and its independent auditors, Deloitte & Touche LLP ("Deloitte"); (ii) discussed with Deloitte the matters required to be discussed by Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61 regarding communications with audit committees; (iii) received from Deloitte the written disclosures and the letter required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 and discussed with Deloitte its independence; and (iv) considered whether the level of non-audit services provided by Deloitte is compatible with maintaining the independence of Deloitte.

        Based on the review and discussions described above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Company's audited financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 28, 2004 for filing with the SEC.

John S. McKeon (Chair)        Duane M. Jergenson        G. Robert Gey        Daryl I. Skaar
Audit Committee of the Board of Directors


INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' FEES

        The following table shows the aggregate fees billed to the Company by Deloitte for services rendered during the fiscal years ended March 28, 2004 and March 30, 2003. The Audit Committee pre-approved 100% of the services described below.

Description of Fees

  Fiscal 2004
  Fiscal 2003
Audit Fees(1)   $ 110,000   $ 103,000
Audit-Related Fees(2)     15,000     20,000
Tax Fees(3)     7,000     5,000
All Other Fees(4)     568,000    
   
 
  Total   $ 700,000   $ 128,000

(1)
Includes fees for fiscal year audit and reviews of quarterly financial statements.

(2)
Includes fees for audits in connection with the Company's benefit plans.

(3)
Includes fees for state and federal tax planning and state sales tax matters.

(4)
Includes fees for consulting services related to the selection and design of an Enterprise Resource Planning system of $386,000, consulting services related to Sarbanes-Oxley Act compliance of $152,000 and other consulting services of $30,000.

        The Audit Committee's current practice on pre-approval of services performed by the independent auditors is to approve annually all audit services and, on a case-by-case basis, recurring permissible non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditors during the fiscal year. The Audit Committee reviews each non-audit service to be provided and assesses the impact of the service on the auditors' independence. In addition, the Audit Committee may pre-approve other non-audit services during the year on a case-by-case basis.

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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON ANNUAL COMPENSATION

        The annual compensation programs of the Company are designed to create incentives and reward performance. The Company's annual compensation mix generally has lower base salaries than comparable companies, coupled with an incentive system that rewards good performance and the achievement of Company objectives.

Executive Salaries

        Salary increases for the Company's executive officers are based on inflation, performance and increase in corporate profits. Fiscal 2004 increases were primarily attributable to a Company-wide salary reallocation that included the executive officers. The Board and the Company's management determined that a salary reallocation was necessary in order to create a more appropriate base pay and bonus structure.

Executive Bonus Plan

        The bonus plan for executive officers uses the following factors: corporate performance, business unit performance and personal performance. The corporate performance ratings are based on the Company's performance against various financial metrics as compared to the prior fiscal year. Business unit performance ratings are based primarily on business unit profitability. Personal performance ratings generally reflect qualitative factors such as quality of the strategic plan, organizational and management development progress and industry considerations, public affairs, and civic involvement.

        Bonuses for Company-wide executive officers are weighted as follows: 50% based upon corporate performance and 50% based upon personal performance. Bonuses for executive officers who manage business units are generally weighted as follows: 40% based upon business unit performance, 20% based upon corporate performance and 40% based upon personal performance.

Chief Executive Officer Compensation

        The compensation of John R. Hawkins, Chief Executive Officer, is determined in the same manner as set forth above for all other executive officers. During fiscal 2004, Mr. Hawkins' base salary was increased by 25.9% over fiscal 2003 to $209,800 primarily due to a salary reallocation and in recognition of his individual performance. The Board and the Company's management determined that a salary reallocation was necessary in order to create a more appropriate base pay and bonus structure. For fiscal 2004, Mr. Hawkins received a cash bonus pursuant to the Company's executive bonus plan described above in the amount of $105,000, which is equal to 50% of his base salary as of the end of the fiscal year. All of Mr. Hawkins' bonus for fiscal 2004 was earned during the first half of the year as a result of corporate and individual performance. Mr. Hawkins did not earn additional bonus compensation for the second half of fiscal 2004 as a result of the Company's financial performance during that period.

        Duane M. Jergenson (Chair)        John S. McKeon        G. Robert Gey        Daryl I. Skaar

Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors

6



COMPARATIVE STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH

        The following is a graph comparing the cumulative total shareholder return on the Company's common stock with the cumulative total returns of the NASDAQ Composite Index and the NASDAQ Industrial Index for the Company's fiscal years ended October 3, 1999, October 1, 2000 and September 30, 2001, the six-month transitional period ended March 31, 2002 and the fiscal years ended March 30, 2003 and March 28, 2004. The Company changed its fiscal year end from the Sunday closest to September 30 to the Sunday closest to March 31, beginning after a six-month transitional period ended on March 31, 2002. The graph assumes the investment of $100 in the Company's common stock, the NASDAQ Composite Index and the NASDAQ Industrial Index on October 4, 1999, and reinvestment of all dividends.

GRAPHIC

7



COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

        The following table sets forth the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and the four other highest paid executive officers (collectively, the "Named Executive Officers"):


Summary Compensation Table

 
   
  Annual Compensation
   
Name and Principal Position

  Fiscal
Year*

  Salary ($)
  Bonus ($)
  Other
Compensation
($)(a)

  All Other
Compensation
($)(b)(c)

John R. Hawkins
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
  2004
2003
2002
2001
  209,800
166,650
82,500
163,776
  105,000
173,000
85,000
156,000
  4,500
4,500
2,250
4,500
  40,000
40,000
17,000
35,000

Marvin E. Dee
Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer,
Secretary and Treasurer

 

2004
2003
2002
2001

 

160,855
142,410
70,500
140,000

 

71,400
92,000
40,000
72,000

 

3,150
3,150
1,575
1,050

 

40,000
40,000
17,000
35,000

Keenan A. Paulson
Vice President—Water
Treatment Group

 

2004
2003
2002
2001

 

140,530
120,695
59,750
118,750

 

69,700
81,000
40,000
68,000

 

4,500
4,500
2,250
4,500

 

40,000
40,000
17,000
35,000

John R. Sevenich
Vice President—Manufacturing and Specialty

 

2004
2003
2002
2001

 

137,060
117,665
58,250
115,750

 

59,000
83,000
40,000
74,000

 

4,500
4,500
2,250
4,500

 

40,000
40,000
17,000
35,000

Daniel E. Soderlund
Vice President—Pharmaceuticals

 

2004
2003
2002
2001

 

133,670
117,665
58,250
115,750

 

45,000
75,000
40,000
69,000

 

4,500
4,500
2,250
4,500

 

40,000
38,533
17,000
35,000

*
The Company changed its fiscal year from the Sunday closest to September 30 to the Sunday closest to March 31, beginning after a six-month transitional period ended March 31, 2002. Fiscal year 2002 compensation reflects the six-month period ended March 31, 2002.

(a)   Employee Stock Purchase Plan

        All employees of the Company age 18 and over who have been employed by the Company for 90 days are eligible to participate in the Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Under the Plan, each participant authorizes the Company to deduct a specified amount, not to exceed $500, from the participant's paycheck each month, to which the Company generally adds a bonus of 75% of such amount, to be used by a depository agent to purchase shares of the Company's common stock for the participant's individual account under the Plan.

(b)   Money Purchase Pension Plan

        Non-bargaining employees of the Company age 21 and over who have been employed by the Company for one year are eligible to participate in the Company's Money Purchase Pension Plan, a defined contribution pension plan. Each year, the Company contributes a percentage of each eligible participant's compensation to an account maintained for the participant under the Plan. The Company

8



contributed 15% for the fiscal year ended March 28, 2004, 11% for the fiscal year ended March 30, 2003 and the six-month transitional period ended March 31, 2002, and 10% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2001. The annual compensation that was used to determine Plan benefits was capped at $200,000 for the Plan year ended March 31, 2004; this limit will be adjusted in future years under federal tax law for cost-of-living increases.

        Participant accounts are credited with the appropriate gains or losses resulting from employee-directed investments made by the Plan. A participant is fully vested after completing seven years of service. At retirement, the participant may elect to receive the amount credited to his or her account either as a lump sum, in installments or in the form of an annuity contract.

(c)   Employee Stock Ownership Plan

        Non-bargaining employees of the Company age 21 and over who have been employed by the Company for one year are eligible to participate in the Company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Contributions to this Plan, which are made at the discretion of the Board of Directors, are credited to individual accounts maintained for participants under the Plan.

        The Company contributed 5% of each participant's base salary for the fiscal year ended March 28, 2004, 9% for the fiscal year ended March 30, 2003 and the six-month transitional period ended March 31, 2002, and 11% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2001. The annual compensation that was used to determine Plan benefits was capped at $200,000 for the Plan year ended March 31, 2004; this limit will be adjusted in future years under federal tax law for cost-of-living increases. In addition, the aggregate amount contributed in any one Plan year for a participant under the Money Purchase Pension Plan and the Employee Stock Ownership Plan may not exceed the lesser of 25% of compensation or $40,000.

        Participant accounts in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan are credited with the appropriate gains or losses resulting from Plan investments. A participant is fully vested after completing seven years of service. At retirement, the participant may elect to receive the amount credited to his or her account either as a lump sum or in installments.

Option/Stock Appreciation Rights Grants and Exercises in Fiscal 2004

        There were no options or stock appreciation rights granted to or exercised by the Named Executive Officers in fiscal 2004.

Director Compensation

        During fiscal 2004, the Company paid each director who was not an employee of the Company an annual retainer of $15,000, of which $6,000 was used to purchase Company common stock through the Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Pursuant to the bonus provisions of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the Company credited an additional $4,500 to each non-employee director's account to fund the purchase of additional shares of Company common stock. The Company also paid an annual retainer of $2,500 to the chairs of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee. Additionally, the non-employee directors received a meeting fee of $1,000 for each Board and committee meeting attended.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

        All decisions regarding compensation of executive officers of the Company during fiscal 2004 were made by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. During fiscal 2004, the Compensation Committee consisted of the following directors: Duane M. Jergenson (Chair), John S. McKeon, G. Robert Gey and Daryl I. Skaar. None of the executive officers of the Company participates in any Board vote setting his or her annual salary or bonus. During fiscal 2004, none of the members of the Compensation Committee were officers or employees of the Company and there were no interlocking relationships as defined by the SEC.

9



SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

        The following table contains information as of May 31, 2004 (except as otherwise noted below) concerning the beneficial ownership of the Company's common stock by all directors, the Named Executive Officers, all directors and executive officers as a group and shareholders known by the Company to beneficially own more than 5% of its common stock. Unless otherwise noted, the address for each shareholder listed below is the Company's executive offices.

Name of Beneficial Owner

  Number of Shares
Beneficially
Owned(a)

  Percent of
Shares

 
Royce & Associates, LLC   1,203,445 (b) 11.8 %
Marvin E. Dee   2,274 (c) *  
G. Robert Gey   6,417   *  
Dean L. Hahn   113,515 (d) 1.1 %
Howard M. Hawkins.   207,720 (e) 2.0 %
John R. Hawkins   62,641 (f) *  
Duane M. Jergenson   10,836   *  
John S. McKeon   23,638 (g) *  
Keenan A. Paulson   6,186 (h) *  
John R. Sevenich   17,713 (i) *  
Donald L. Shipp   285,869 (j) 2.8 %
Daryl I. Skaar   3,661   *  
Daniel E. Soderlund   5,901 (k) *  
All directors and officers as a group (12 persons)   746,372 (l) 7.3 %
Trustees, Hawkins, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan
and Trust
  1,719,215 (m) 16.8 %

*
Less than one percent.

(a)
Unless otherwise noted, all shares shown are held by shareholders possessing sole voting and investment power with respect to such shares.

(b)
Based on a Form 13F Holdings Report filed by Royce & Associates, LLC with the SEC on May 12, 2004 for the period ended March 31, 2004. The address for Royce & Associates is 1414 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019.

(c)
Does not include shares representing the beneficial interest of Mr. Dee as of March 31, 2004 in the Company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan (4,682 shares).

(d)
Includes 23,859 shares that Mr. Hahn holds jointly with his wife as to which he shares voting and investment power. Does not include shares representing Mr. Hahn's beneficial interest as of March 31, 2004 in the Company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan (12,324 shares).

(e)
Includes 64,195 shares held by Mr. Hawkins' wife as to which he may be deemed to share voting and investment power, but as to which he disclaims beneficial ownership. Includes 39,246 shares that Mr. Hawkins holds jointly with his wife as to which he shares voting and investment power. Does not include shares representing the beneficial interest of Mr. Hawkins as of March 31, 2004 in the Company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan (100,478 shares).

(f)
Includes 61,981 shares that Mr. Hawkins holds jointly with his wife as to which he shares voting and investment power. Does not include shares representing Mr. Hawkins' beneficial interest as of March 31, 2004 in the Company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan (121,605 shares).

10


(g)
Includes 438 shares held by Mr. McKeon as custodian for a child as to which Mr. McKeon has sole voting and investment power, but as to which he disclaims beneficial ownership.

(h)
Includes 5,158 shares that Ms. Paulson holds jointly with her husband and 1,028 shares that Ms. Paulson holds jointly with a child as to which she shares voting and investment power. Does not include shares representing the beneficial interest of Ms. Paulson as of March 31, 2004 in the Company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan (65,431 shares).

(i)
Does not include shares representing the beneficial interest of Mr. Sevenich as of March 31, 2004 in the Company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan (21,793 shares).

(j)
Includes 107,359 shares held by Mr. Shipp's wife as to which he may be deemed to share voting and investment power, but as to which he disclaims beneficial ownership.

(k)
Includes 5,901 shares that Mr. Soderlund holds jointly with his wife as to which he shares voting and investment power. Does not include shares representing the beneficial interest of Mr. Soderlund as of March 31, 2004 in the Company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan (13,832 shares).

(l)
Does not include shares representing the beneficial interest of the directors and officers as of March 31, 2004 in the Company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan (340,144 shares).

(m)
The trustees of the Hawkins, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Trust are John R. Hawkins and Marvin E. Dee. Although these individuals could be deemed to beneficially own all of the shares held by this Plan as a result of their shared voting and investment power with respect to those shares, the shares have not been included in the amount of shares beneficially owned by these individuals or for all directors and officers as a group. Voting rights for shares held by the Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Trust are passed through to Plan participants.


SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

        Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of the Company's common stock to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common stock of the Company with the SEC. Executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of the common stock of the Company are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on a review of the copies of such forms furnished to the Company, and written representations from the Company's executive officers and directors, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to the Company's executive officers and directors have been satisfied, except that Keenan A. Paulson filed one untimely report for a transaction in February 2004.


APPROVAL OF THE HAWKINS, INC. 2004 OMNIBUS STOCK PLAN
(PROPOSAL 2)

        Introduction.    Effective June 17, 2004, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the adoption of the Hawkins, Inc. 2004 Omnibus Stock Plan (the "Plan"), which is attached as Appendix B to this Proxy Statement. At that time, the Board directed that the Company submit the Plan to the shareholders of the Company for approval at the Annual Meeting. If the shareholders approve the Plan, it will be effective as of June 17, 2004.

        The Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors believe that a stock-based compensation program is a key element in achieving the Company's continued financial and operational success. The Company's compensation programs have been designed to motivate

11



representatives of the Company to work as a team to achieve the corporate goal of maximizing shareholder return.

        The descriptions set forth below are in all respects qualified by the terms of the Plan.

        Purpose.    The purpose of the Plan is to promote the interests of the Company and its shareholders by providing key personnel of the Company and its affiliates with an opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company and reward them for achieving a high level of corporate performance and thereby develop a stronger incentive to put forth maximum effort for the continued success and growth of the Company and its affiliates. In addition, the opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company will aid in attracting and retaining key personnel of outstanding ability. The Plan is also intended to provide directors of the Company who are not employees of the Company (the "Outside Directors") with an opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company, to compensate Outside Directors for their contributions to the Company and to aid in attracting and retaining Outside Directors.

        Administration.    The Plan is administered by the Company's Compensation Committee (the "Committee"). The Committee has the authority to adopt, revise and waive rules relating to the Plan and to determine the timing and identity of participants, the amount of any awards and other terms and conditions of awards. The Committee may delegate its responsibilities under the Plan to members of management of the Company or to others with respect to the selection and grants of awards to employees of the Company who are not officers of the Company under applicable Federal securities laws.

        The regulations under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code") require that the directors who serve as members of the Committee must be "outside directors." The Plan provides that directors serving on the Committee may be "outside directors" within the meaning of Section 162(m). This limitation would exclude from the Committee directors who are (i) current employees of the Company or an affiliate, (ii) former employees of the Company or an affiliate receiving compensation for past services, other than benefits under a tax-qualified pension option plan, (iii) current and former officers of the Company or an affiliate, (iv) directors currently receiving direct or indirect remuneration from the Company or an affiliate in any capacity, other than as a director, and (v) any other person who is not otherwise considered an "outside director" for purposes of Section 162(m). The definition of an "outside director" under Section 162(m) is generally narrower than the definition of a "non-employee director" under Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

        Eligibility and Number of Shares.    All employees of the Company and its affiliates and other individuals or entities that are not employees but who provide services to the Company or its affiliates in capacities such as consultants, advisors and directors are eligible to receive awards under the Plan at the discretion of the Committee. Incentive stock options under the Plan may be awarded by the Committee only to employees. There are approximately 20 employees and others who provide services to the Company, any or all of whom may be considered for the grant of awards under the Plan at the discretion of the Committee.

        The total number of shares of the Company's common stock available for distribution under the Plan is 350,000, subject to adjustment for future stock splits, stock dividends and similar changes in the capitalization of the Company. No more than 50,000 shares pursuant to stock options and no more than 50,000 shares pursuant to stock appreciation rights may be granted to any one participant under the Plan in any calendar year. Subject to this limitation, there is no limit on the number of shares in respect of which awards may be granted by the Committee to any person.

        The Plan provides that all awards are subject to agreements containing the terms and conditions of the awards. Such agreements will be entered into by the recipients of the awards and the Company on

12



or after the time the awards are granted and are subject to amendment, including unilateral amendment by the Company unless such amendments are determined by the Committee to be materially adverse to the participant and are not required as a matter of law. Except in limited circumstances, the Committee may not reduce the exercise price of stock options and stock appreciation rights without shareholder approval. Any shares of the Company's common stock subject to awards under the Plan which are not used because the terms and conditions of the awards are not met may be reallocated as though they had not previously been awarded, unless such shares were used to calculate the value of stock appreciation rights which have been exercised.

        Types of Awards.    The types of awards that may be granted under the Plan include restricted and unrestricted stock, incentive and nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance units and other stock-based awards. Subject to the restrictions described in this Proxy Statement with respect to incentive stock options, such awards will be exercisable by the participants at such times as are determined by the Committee. Except as noted below, during the lifetime of a person to whom an award is granted, only that person, or that person's legal representative, may exercise an option or stock appreciation right, or receive payment with respect to any other award. Generally, no award may be sold, assigned, transferred, exchanged or otherwise encumbered other than to a successor in the event of a participant's death or pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order. However, the Committee may provide that an award, other than incentive stock options, may be transferable to members of the participant's immediate family or to one or more trusts for the benefit of such family members or partnerships in which such family members are the only partners, if the participant does not receive any consideration for the transfer.

        In addition to the general characteristics of all of the awards described in this Proxy Statement, the basic characteristics of each type of award that may be granted to an employee, and in some cases, a consultant, advisor or director, under the Plan are as follows:

        Restricted and Unrestricted Stock and Other Stock-Based Awards.    The Committee is authorized to grant, either alone or in conjunction with other awards, stock and stock-based awards. The Committee shall determine the persons to whom such awards are made, the timing and amount of such awards, and all other terms and conditions. The Company's common stock granted to participants may be unrestricted or may contain such restrictions, including provisions requiring forfeiture and imposing restrictions upon stock transfer, as the Committee may determine. Unless forfeited, the recipient of restricted common stock will have all other rights of a shareholder, including without limitation, voting and dividend rights.

        Incentive and Nonstatutory Stock Options.    Both incentive stock options and nonstatutory stock options may be granted to participants at such exercise prices as the Committee may determine, provided that the exercise price of incentive stock options shall be not less than 100% of the fair market value of the underlying stock as of the date the option is granted. Stock options may be granted and exercised at such times as the Committee may determine, except that unless applicable Federal tax laws are modified, (i) no incentive stock options may be granted more than 10 years after the effective date of the Plan, (ii) an incentive stock option shall not be exercisable more than 10 years after the date of grant and (iii) the aggregate fair market value of the shares of the Company's common stock with respect to which incentive stock options held by an employee under the Plan and any other plan of the Company or any affiliate may first become exercisable in any calendar year may not exceed $100,000. Additional restrictions apply to an incentive stock option granted to an individual who beneficially owns 10% or more of the outstanding shares of the Company.

        The purchase price for stock purchased upon the exercise of the options may be payable in cash, in stock having a fair market value on the date the option is exercised equal to the option price of the stock being purchased or in a combination of cash and stock, as determined by the Committee. The Committee may permit optionees to simultaneously exercise options and sell the stock purchased upon

13



such exercise pursuant to brokerage or similar relationships and use the sale proceeds to pay the purchase price. The Committee may provide, at or after the grant of a stock option, that a Plan participant who surrenders shares of stock in payment of an option shall be granted a new incentive or nonstatutory stock option covering a number of shares equal to the number of shares so surrendered. The Committee may prevent participants from purchasing options in any manner that could have adverse financial accounting consequences for the Company.

        Stock Appreciation Rights.    The value of a stock appreciation right granted to a participant is determined by the appreciation in the Company's common stock, subject to any limitations upon the amount or percentage of total appreciation that the Committee may determine at the time the right is granted. The participant receives all or a portion of the amount by which the fair market value of a specified number of shares, as of the date the stock appreciation right is exercised, exceeds a price specified by the Committee at the time the right is granted. The price specified by the Committee must be at least 100% of the fair market value of the specified number of shares of the Company's common stock to which the right relates determined as of the date the stock appreciation right is granted. Payments with respect to stock appreciation rights may be paid in cash, shares of the Company's common stock or a combination of cash and shares as determined by the Committee.

        Performance Units.    The Committee may grant performance units to participants which entitle them to receive a payment in cash, the Company's common stock or both upon the attainment of performance targets specified by the Committee. The performance targets may include those relating to one or more of the Company's or a group's, unit's, affiliate's or individual's performance.

        Acceleration of Awards, Lapse of Restrictions, Termination of Employment, Forfeiture. The Committee may provide for the lapse of restrictions on restricted stock or other awards, accelerated exercisability of options, stock appreciation rights and other awards, and acceleration of performance cycles and adjusted targets and payments on performance units, in the event of certain fundamental changes in the corporate structure of the Company, the death of the participant or such other events as the Committee may determine.

        In the event of the death or disability of a participant, options and stock appreciation rights that were not previously exercisable will become immediately exercisable in full if the participant was continuously employed by the Company and its affiliates between the date the options or stock appreciation rights were granted and the date of such disability, or, in the event of death, a date not more than three months prior to such death. If a participant's employment or other relationship with the Company, including service as a director, terminates for any reason other than death or disability, then any option or stock appreciation right that has not expired shall remain exercisable for three months after termination of the participant's employment or other relationship with the Company, but, unless otherwise provided in the agreement, only to the extent such option or stock appreciation right was exercisable prior to termination of such participant's employment or other relationship with the Company. No award may be exercised after its term has expired.

        Unless otherwise provided in an agreement, if a participant's employment or other relationship with the Company and its affiliates terminates due to death or disability, the participant shall be entitled to receive (i) a number of shares of restricted stock under outstanding awards that has been prorated for the portion of the term of the award during which the participant was employed by the Company or its affiliates, and all restrictions will lapse with respect to such shares, and (ii) a payment with respect to performance units at the end of the performance cycle based upon the extent to which achievement of performance targets was satisfied at the end of such period and prorated for the portion of the performance cycle during which the participant was employed by the Company or its affiliates.

        The Committee may condition a grant upon the participant's agreement that in the event of certain occurrences, which may include a participant's competition with, unauthorized disclosure of

14



confidential information of, or violation of the applicable business ethics policy or business policy of the Company or any of its affiliates, the awards paid to the participant within six months prior to the termination of employment of the participant (or their economic value) may be subject to forfeiture at the Committee's option.

        Adjustments, Modifications, Cancellations.    The Plan gives the Committee discretion to adjust the kind and number of shares available for awards or subject to outstanding awards and the exercise price of outstanding options and stock appreciation rights in the event of mergers, recapitalizations, stock dividends, stock splits or other relevant changes. The Plan also gives the Board the right to terminate, suspend or modify the Plan, except that amendments to the Plan are subject to shareholder approval if needed to comply with the incentive stock option provisions of Federal tax laws. Under the Plan, the Committee may cancel outstanding options and stock appreciation rights generally in exchange for cash payments to the participants in the event of certain dissolutions, liquidations, mergers, statutory share exchanges or other similar events involving the Company.

        Federal Tax Considerations.    The Company has been advised by its counsel that awards made under the Plan generally will result in the following tax consequences for United States citizens under current United States Federal income tax laws:

15


16


        Voting Requirements, Recommendation.    The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company entitled to vote on this item and present in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting is required for approval of the Plan. Proxies solicited by the Board will be voted for approval of the proposal, unless shareholders specify otherwise in their proxies.

        For this purpose, a shareholder voting through a proxy who abstains with respect to approval of the Plan is considered to be present and entitled to vote on the approval of the Plan at the meeting, and is in effect a negative vote, but a shareholder (including a broker) who does not give authority to a proxy to vote, or withholds authority to vote, on the approval of the Plan shall not be considered present and entitled to vote on the proposal.

        THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL OF THE HAWKINS, INC. 2004 OMNIBUS STOCK PLAN.


OTHER MATTERS

        The Company's management does not know of any other business which will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If, however, any other business does properly come before the Annual Meeting, proxies will be voted in accordance with the judgment of the person or persons acting under them as to what is in the best interests of the Company.


INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

        Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent certified public accountants, has been the auditors of the Company since 1971. It has been retained by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors as the Company's auditors for the current fiscal year.

        Representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP are expected to attend the Annual Meeting with the opportunity to make a statement if they desire. They will be available to respond to appropriate questions.


PROPOSALS BY SHAREHOLDERS

        In order for a shareholder proposal to be considered for inclusion in the Company's proxy statement for next year's Annual Meeting, the written proposal must be received by the Company at its principal executive office no later than March 25, 2005. Any such proposals also must comply with the rules and regulations of the SEC regarding the inclusion of shareholder proposals in company sponsored proxy materials. In order for a shareholder proposal to be raised from the floor during next year's Annual Meeting (without being included in the proxy materials), written notice of the proposal must be received by the Company no later than June 8, 2005. The persons named as proxies by the Company for that meeting will have discretionary authority to vote on any shareholder proposal for which such notice is not properly received by the Company and as otherwise permitted pursuant to the SEC's rules and regulations regarding the voting of proxies. Any director nominations made by shareholders also must comply with the relevant provisions set forth in Article I of the Company's

17



By-laws, as described under the caption "Election of Directors—Nominating Process" elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. A copy of the By-laws has been filed with the SEC and is available on the SEC's website (www.sec.gov) or may be obtained by sending a written request to the Secretary at the Company's headquarters.


FORM 10-K

        The Company's 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 28, 2004, including financial statements, is being mailed with this Proxy Statement. Shareholders who wish to obtain an additional copy of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2004 may do so without charge by writing to: Hawkins, Inc., 3100 East Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55413, Attention: Corporate Secretary. The Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as other Company reports, are also available on the SEC's website (www.sec.gov).

Dated: July 23, 2004.   BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

 

MARVIN E. DEE, SECRETARY

18



Appendix A


Hawkins, Inc.
Charter of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors
Adopted on February 20, 2004

Purpose

        The purpose of the Audit Committee (the "Audit Committee") of the board of directors (the "Board") of Hawkins, Inc. (the "Company") is to oversee the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Company and the audits of the financial statements of the Company.

Composition

        The Audit Committee shall consist of at least three directors, each of whom:

        At least one member of the Audit Committee shall have past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting, or any other comparable experience or background which results in the individual's financial sophistication, including being or having been a chief executive officer, chief financial officer or other senior officer with financial oversight responsibilities.

        The Audit Committee shall also endeavor to have at all times on the Audit Committee at least one member who satisfies the definition of an "audit committee financial expert" as defined by the SEC.

        Audit Committee members may be removed or replaced by the Board from time to time in its discretion.

        The Board shall appoint one member of the Audit Committee as chairperson. He or she shall be responsible for leadership of the Audit Committee, including overseeing the agenda, presiding over the meetings and reporting to the Board.

A-1



Responsibilities and Duties

        In carrying out its responsibilities, the Audit Committee believes that its policies and procedures should remain flexible in order to best react to changing circumstances. The primary duties and responsibilities of the Audit Committee shall be as follows:

Oversight of Independent Auditor

1.
Be directly responsible for the appointment, retention, compensation, evaluation, termination and oversight of the work of the Company's independent auditor (including resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting) engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work. The independent auditor shall report directly to the Audit Committee.

2.
Pre-approve all audit services and permissible non-audit services by the Company's independent auditor.

3.
Review and discuss representations from the independent auditor regarding:

critical accounting policies and practices to be used;

alternative treatments of financial information within generally accepted accounting principles that have been discussed with management, ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and treatments, and the treatment preferred by the independent auditor; and

other material written communications between the independent auditor and management, such as any management letter or schedule of unadjusted differences.

4.
Ensure regular rotation of the lead and concurring audit partners and other significant audit partners of the Company's independent auditor as required by law.

5.
Obtain and review a report from the independent auditor at least annually regarding all relationships between the independent auditor and the Company consistent with Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1.

6.
Evaluate the qualifications, performance and independence of the independent auditor, including:

actively engaging in a dialogue with the independent auditor regarding any relationship or services that may impact the auditor's objectivity and independence;

at least annually, evaluating the independence of the auditor, including assessing whether all relationships between the independent auditor and the Company and the provisions of permissive non-audit services are compatible with maintaining the auditor's independence;

considering whether the independent auditor's quality controls are adequate; and

reviewing and evaluating the qualifications and performance of the Company's independent auditor.

7.
On an annual basis, review the independent auditor's audit plan and discuss scope, staffing, locations, reliance upon management and general audit approach.

8.
Review with the independent auditor any audit problems or difficulties the auditor may have encountered and management's response thereto. Such reviews should include any difficulties encountered in the course of the audit work, including any restrictions on the scope of activities or access to required information.

9.
Discuss with the independent auditor the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 related to the conduct of the audit.

A-2


10.
Confirm that the none of the audit partners earn or receive compensation based on procuring engagements with the Company for providing products or services, other than audit, review or attest services.

Oversight of Financial Reporting and Disclosure Matters

11.
Review and discuss with management and the independent auditor the Company's annual audited financial statements, including disclosures made in management's discussion and analysis, prior to the filing of the Company's Form 10-K, and recommend to the Board whether the audited financial statements should be included in the Company's Form 10-K.

12.
Review and discuss with management and the independent auditor the Company's quarterly financial statements, including disclosures made in management's discussion and analysis, prior to the filing of the Company's Form 10-Q, including the results of the independent auditor's review of the quarterly financial statements.

13.
Discuss with management and the independent auditor:

material financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the Company's financial statements;

any material changes, including proposed changes, in the Company's selection or application of accounting principles;

any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls that could adversely affect the Company's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data;

the independent auditor's attestation of management's report on internal controls; and

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company's internal controls.

14.
Discuss with management the Company's earnings press releases, including the use of "pro forma" or "adjusted" non-GAAP information, as well as financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies, prior to public release.

15.
Discuss with management and the independent auditor the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives as well as off-balance sheet structures on the Company's financial statements.

16.
Review any significant reports to management prepared by the independent auditor or the internal audit personnel and management's responses.

17.
Discuss with management and the independent auditor any correspondence with regulators or governmental agencies and any published reports which raise material issues regarding the Company's financial statements or accounting policies.

Oversight of Compliance and Regulatory Matters

18.
Establish and review periodically procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. The Audit Committee has the authority to conduct any investigation appropriate to fulfilling its responsibilities and has direct access to the Company's outside counsel and anyone in the Company.

A-3


19.
Discuss with the independent auditor and management any other matters covered by Section 10A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as determined necessary or appropriate by the Audit Committee to ensure compliance.

Other Responsibilities

20.
Approve all related party transactions of the Company. The term "related party transaction" shall refer to transactions required to be disclosed pursuant to SEC Regulation S-K, Item 404.

21.
Review with the full Board any issues that arise with respect to the quality or integrity of the Company's financial statements, the Company's compliance with legal or regulatory requirements, and the performance and independence of the Company's independent auditor.

22.
Perform any other activities consistent with this Audit Committee Charter, the Company's By-laws and governing law, as the Audit Committee or the Board deems necessary or appropriate.

Committee Administration

23.
Prepare the Audit Committee report required by the rules of the SEC to be included in the Company's annual proxy statement.

24.
Meet periodically with management and the independent auditor in separate executive sessions.

25.
Review the Audit Committee's own performance annually.

26.
Review and reassess the adequacy of this Audit Committee Charter annually and recommend any proposed changes to the Board and have the Audit Committee Charter published at least every three years in accordance with SEC regulations.

27.
Retain independent counsel and other legal, accounting or other advisors as the Audit Committee determines necessary to carry out its duties. The Company shall provide funding, as determined by the Audit Committee, for payment of compensation to any advisors employed by the Audit Committee and for payment of ordinary administrative expenses that are necessary for the Audit Committee to carry out its duties.

        The Audit Committee members are not professional accountants or auditors and their functions are not intended to duplicate or certify the activities of management or the independent auditor. While the Audit Committee has the responsibilities set forth in this Audit Committee Charter, it is not the duty of the Audit Committee to plan or conduct audits or to determine that the Company's financial statements are complete and accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. This is the responsibility of the Company's management and independent auditor.

        To the extent permissible under applicable laws and regulations, the Audit Committee may delegate its responsibilities to one or more members of the Audit Committee.

Meetings

        The Audit Committee shall meet at least four times annually, and special meetings shall be called as necessary.

        The Audit Committee may request any officer or employee of the Company or the Company's outside counsel or independent auditor to attend a meeting of the Audit Committee or to meet with any members of, or consultants to, the Audit Committee.

        All meetings of the Audit Committee shall be held pursuant to the By-laws of the Company with regard to notice and waiver thereof, and written minutes and presentations of each meeting and other Audit Committee correspondence shall be duly filed in the Company's records. A majority of the members of the Audit Committee shall constitute a quorum of the Audit Committee.

A-4



APPENDIX B


HAWKINS, INC.
2004 OMNIBUS STOCK PLAN

        1.     Purpose. The purpose of the Hawkins, Inc. 2004 Omnibus Stock Plan (the "Plan") is to promote the interests of the Company and its shareholders by providing key personnel of the Company and its Affiliates with an opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company and reward them for achieving a high level of performance and thereby develop a stronger incentive to put forth maximum effort for the continued success and growth of the Company and its Affiliates. In addition, the opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company will aid in attracting and retaining key personnel of outstanding ability. The Plan is also intended to provide Outside Directors with an opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company, to compensate Outside Directors for their contribution to the Company and to aid in attracting and retaining Outside Directors.

        2.     Definitions.

B-1


B-2


        3.     Administration and Indemnification.

B-3


B-4


        4.     Shares Available Under the Plan.

        5.     Eligibility. Participation in the Plan shall be limited to Employees and to individuals or entities who are not Employees but who provide services to the Company or an Affiliate, including services provided in the capacity of a consultant, advisor or director. The granting of Awards is solely at the discretion of the Committee, except that Incentive Stock Options may only be granted to Employees. References herein to "employed," "employment" or similar terms (except "Employee") shall include

B-5


the providing of services in any capacity or as a director. Neither the transfer of employment of a Participant between any of the Company or its Affiliates, nor a leave of absence granted to such Participant and approved by the Committee, shall be deemed a termination of employment for purposes of the Plan.

        6.     General Terms of Awards.

B-6


B-7


        7.     Restricted Stock Awards.

        8.     Other Awards. The Committee may from time to time grant Stock and other Awards under the Plan including, without limitation, those Awards pursuant to which Shares are or may in the future be acquired, Awards denominated in Stock units, securities convertible into Stock and phantom securities. The Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine the terms and conditions of such Awards provided that such Awards shall not be inconsistent with the terms and purposes of the Plan. The Committee may, at its sole discretion, direct the Company to issue Shares subject to restrictive legends and/or stop transfer instructions that are consistent with the terms and conditions of the Award to which the Shares relate.

        9.     Stock Options.

B-8


        10.   Stock Appreciation Rights. An Award of a Stock Appreciation Right shall entitle the Participant (or a Successor or Transferee), subject to terms and conditions determined by the Committee, to receive upon exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right all or a portion of the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of a specified number of Shares as of the date of exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right over (ii) a specified price that shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of such Shares as of the date of grant of the Stock Appreciation Right. A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted in connection with part or all of, in addition to, or completely independent of an Option or any other Award under the Plan. If issued in connection with a previously or contemporaneously granted Option, the Committee may impose a condition that exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right cancels a pro rata portion of the Option with which it is connected and vice versa. Each Stock Appreciation Right may be exercisable in whole or in part on the terms provided in the Agreement. No Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable at any time after the expiration of its

B-9


Term. When a Stock Appreciation Right is no longer exercisable, it shall be deemed to have lapsed or terminated. Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, payment to the Participant or a Successor or Transferee shall be made at such time or times as shall be provided in the Agreement in the form of cash, Shares or a combination of cash and Shares as determined by the Committee. The Agreement may provide for a limitation upon the amount or percentage of the total appreciation on which payment (whether in cash and/or Shares) may be made in the event of the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right.

        11.   Performance Units.

        12.   Effective Date and Duration of the Plan.

        13.   Plan Does Not Affect Employment Status.

B-10


        14.   Tax Withholding. The Company shall have the right to withhold from any cash payment under the Plan to a Participant or other person (including a Successor or a Transferee) an amount sufficient to cover any required withholding taxes. The Company shall have the right to require a Participant or other person receiving Shares under the Plan to pay the Company a cash amount sufficient to cover any required withholding taxes before actual receipt of those Shares. In lieu of all or any part of a cash payment from a person receiving Shares under the Plan, the Committee may permit the individual to cover all or any part of the required withholdings through a reduction of the number of Shares delivered or delivery or tender return to the Company of Shares held by the Participant or other person, in each case valued in the same manner as used in computing the withholding taxes under the applicable laws.

        15.   Amendment, Modification and Termination of the Plan.

        16.   Adjustment for Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by the Company's shareholders, appropriate adjustments, so as to prevent enlargement of rights or inappropriate dilution (i) in the aggregate number and type of Shares available for Awards under the Plan, (ii) in the limitations on the number of Shares that may be issued to an individual Participant as an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right in any calendar year, (iii) in the number and type of Shares and amount of cash subject to Awards then outstanding, (iv) in the Option price as to any outstanding Options and (v) in the exercise price as to any outstanding Stock Appreciation Rights, may be made by the Committee in its sole discretion to give effect to adjustments made in the number or type of Shares through a Fundamental Change (subject to Section 17 of the Plan), recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, stock combination or other relevant change, provided that fractional Shares shall be rounded to the nearest whole Share.

        17.   Fundamental Change. In the event of a proposed Fundamental Change, the Committee may, but shall not be obligated to:

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        18.   Forfeitures. An Agreement may provide that if a Participant has received or been entitled to payment of cash, delivery of Shares, or a combination thereof pursuant to an Award within six months before the Participant's termination of employment with the Company and its Affiliates, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may require the Participant to return or forfeit the cash and/or Shares received with respect to the Award (or its economic value as of (i) the date of the exercise of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, (ii) the date of, and immediately following, the lapse of restrictions on Restricted Stock or the receipt of Shares without restrictions or (iii) the date on which the right of the Participant to payment with respect to Performance Units vests, as the case may be) in the event of certain occurrences specified in the Agreement. The Committee's right to require forfeiture must be exercised within 90 days after discovery of such an occurrence but in no event later than 15 months after the Participant's termination of employment with the Company and its Affiliates. The occurrences may, but need not, include competition with the Company or any Affiliate, unauthorized disclosure of material proprietary information of the Company or any Affiliate, a violation of applicable business ethics policies of the Company or any Affiliate or any other occurrence specified in the Agreement within the period or periods of time specified in the Agreement.

        19.   Corporate Mergers, Acquisitions, Etc. The Committee may also grant Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock or other Awards under the Plan in substitution for, or in connection with the assumption of, existing options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock or other awards granted, awarded or issued by another corporation and assumed or otherwise agreed to be provided for by the Company pursuant to or by reason of a transaction involving a corporate merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, separation, reorganization or liquidation to which the Company or a Subsidiary is a party. The terms and conditions of the substitute Awards may vary from

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the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan to the extent as the Board at the time of the grant may deem appropriate to conform, in whole or in part, to the provisions of the awards in substitution for which they are granted.

        20.   Unfunded Plan. The Plan shall be unfunded and the Company shall not be required to segregate any assets that may at any time be represented by Awards under the Plan. Neither the Company, its Affiliates, the Committee, nor the Board of Directors shall be deemed to be a trustee of any amounts to be paid under the Plan nor shall anything contained in the Plan or any action taken pursuant to its provisions create or be construed to create a fiduciary relationship between the Company and/or its Affiliates, and a Participant or Successor or Transferee. To the extent any person acquires a right to receive an Award under the Plan, this right shall be no greater than the right of an unsecured general creditor of the Company.

        21.   Limits of Liability.

        22.   Compliance with Applicable Legal Requirements. No certificate for Shares distributable pursuant to the Plan shall be issued and delivered unless the issuance of the certificate complies with all applicable legal requirements including, without limitation, compliance with the provisions of applicable state securities laws, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and in effect from time to time or any successor statute, the Exchange Act and the requirements of the exchanges and markets on which the Company's Shares may, at the time, be listed.

        23.   Deferrals and Settlements. The Committee may require or permit Participants to elect to defer the issuance of Shares or the settlement of Awards in cash under such rules and procedures as it may establish under the Plan. It may also provide that deferred settlements include the payment or crediting of interest on the deferred amounts.

        24.   Other Benefit and Compensation Programs. Payments and other benefits received by a Participant under an Award made pursuant to the Plan shall not be deemed a part of a Participant's regular, recurring compensation for purposes of the termination, indemnity or severance pay laws of any country and shall not be included in, nor have any effect on, the determination of benefits under any other employee benefit plan, contract or similar arrangement provided by the Company or an Affiliate unless expressly so provided by such other plan, contract or arrangement, or unless the Committee expressly determines that an Award or portion of an Award should be included to accurately reflect competitive compensation practices or to recognize that an Award has been made in lieu of a portion of competitive cash compensation.

        25.   Beneficiary Upon Participant's Death. To the extent that the transfer of a Participant's Award at his or her death is permitted under an Agreement, a Participant's Award shall be transferable at death to the estate or to the person who acquires the right to succeed to the Award by bequest or inheritance.

        26.   Requirements of Law.

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- Please detach here -

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ALL NOMINEES IN ITEM 1.

1.   Election of directors:   01 John R. Hawkins
02 Howard M. Hawkins
03 Dean L. Hahn
04 Donald L. Shipp
  05 John S. McKeon
06 Duane M. Jergenson
07 G. Robert Gey
08 Daryl I. Skaar
  o   Vote FOR
all nominees
(except as marked)
  o   Vote WITHHELD
from all nominees
               
                             
(Instructions: to withhold authority to vote for any indicated nominee, write the number(s) of the nominee(s) in the box provided to the right.)                        

 

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ITEM 2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

 

To approve the Hawkins, Inc. 2004 Omnibus Stock Plan.

 

o

 

For

 

o

 

Against

 

o

 

Abstain

3.

 

In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH PROPOSAL.

Address Change? Mark Box
Indicate changes below:
  o       Date    
               
                 
                 
               
Signature(s) in Box
(Please sign exactly as your name appears to the left. When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by president or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by an authorized person.)

HAWKINS, INC.

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

Tuesday, August 17, 2004
3:00 p.m., Central Daylight Time

Four Points Sheraton Hotel
1330 Industrial Boulevard
Minneapolis, Minnesota

    HAWKINS, INC.
3100 East Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55413
  proxy

This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on August 17, 2004.

The shares of stock you hold in your account or in a dividend reinvestment account will be voted as you specify on the reverse side.

If no choice is specified, the proxy will be voted "FOR" all nominees in Proposal 1 and "FOR" Proposal 2.

By signing the proxy, you revoke all prior proxies and appoint John R. Hawkins and Marvin E. Dee, and each of them, with full power of substitution, to vote your shares on the matters shown on the reverse side and any other matters that may come before the Annual Meeting and all adjournments.

See reverse for voting instructions




QuickLinks

SOLICITATION
REVOCATION AND VOTING OF PROXY
OUTSTANDING SHARES AND VOTING RIGHTS
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS (PROPOSAL 1)
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' FEES
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON ANNUAL COMPENSATION
COMPARATIVE STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Summary Compensation Table
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
APPROVAL OF THE HAWKINS, INC. 2004 OMNIBUS STOCK PLAN (PROPOSAL 2)
OTHER MATTERS
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
PROPOSALS BY SHAREHOLDERS
FORM 10-K
Hawkins, Inc. Charter of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors Adopted on February 20, 2004
HAWKINS, INC. 2004 OMNIBUS STOCK PLAN