<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001193125-15-151490.txt : 20150428
<SEC-HEADER>0001193125-15-151490.hdr.sgml : 20150428
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20150428103553
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001193125-15-151490
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20150423
ITEM INFORMATION:		Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
ITEM INFORMATION:		Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial Statements and Exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		20150428
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20150428

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000059527
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	METALWORKING MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT [3540]
		IRS NUMBER:				340359955
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-01402
		FILM NUMBER:		15797094

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		22801 ST CLAIR AVE
		CITY:			CLEVELAND
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44117
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2164818100

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	LINCOLN ELECTRIC CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>d915760d8k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 8-K
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>Form 8-K</TITLE>
</HEAD>
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 <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:4pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>UNITED STATES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>WASHINGTON, DC 20549 </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>FORM 8-K
</B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>CURRENT REPORT </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Pursuant
to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April&nbsp;23, 2015 </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:24pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>Ohio</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>0-1402</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>34-1860551</B></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(State or other jurisdiction</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>of incorporation)</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Commission</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>File Number)</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(IRS Employer</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Identification No.)</B></P></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>22801 St. Clair Avenue </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Cleveland, Ohio 44117 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(216) 481-8100 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Not applicable </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Former
name and former address, if changed since last report) </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Check the appropriate box below
if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&nbsp;5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain
Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">On April&nbsp;23, 2015, at the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the &#147;2015 Annual
Meeting&#148;) of Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;), the shareholders of the Company approved both the Company&#146;s 2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (the &#147;Employee Plan&#148;) and the Company&#146;s 2015
Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the &#147;Director Plan&#148;). The following descriptions of the Employee Plan and the Director Plan are qualified in their entirety by reference to the complete terms and conditions of the Employee Plan and
the Director Plan, which are incorporated by reference into this Current Report as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2, respectively. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In general, the Employee Plan
will be administered by the Compensation and Executive Development Committee (the &#147;Compensation Committee&#148;) of the Company&#146;s Board of Directors (the &#147;Board&#148;) and will enable the Compensation Committee to provide equity and
incentive compensation to the Company&#146;s officers and other employees (including those of our subsidiaries) and certain consultants. Pursuant to the Employee Plan, the Company may grant equity-based compensation generally in form of stock
options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units, dividend equivalents and other share-based awards upon terms and conditions as further described in the Employee Plan. The Employee
Plan will permit the Company to grant awards that may be able to qualify as &#147;qualified performance-based compensation&#148; under Section&nbsp;162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the &#147;Code&#148;) and awards that are
not intended to so qualify. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Subject to adjustment as described in the Employee Plan, and subject to the Employee Plan&#146;s share counting rules, a
total of 5,400,000 common shares may be issued or transferred in connection with awards granted under the Employee Plan. These shares may be shares of original issuance or treasury shares, or a combination of both. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Employee Plan also provides that, subject to adjustment as described in the Employee Plan: </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">the aggregate number of common shares actually issued or transferred upon the exercise of incentive stock options will not exceed 5,400,000 common shares; </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">no participant will be granted stock options and/or stock appreciation rights, in the aggregate, for more than 1,000,000 common shares during any calendar year; </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">no participant will be granted awards of restricted shares, restricted stock units, performance shares and/or other share-based awards that are intended to qualify as &#147;qualified performance-based compensation&#148;
under Section&nbsp;162(m) of the Code, in the aggregate, for more than 500,000 common shares during any calendar year; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">no participant in any calendar year will receive an award of performance units and/or other awards payable in cash that are intended to qualify as &#147;qualified performance-based compensation&#148; under
Section&nbsp;162(m) of the Code having an aggregate maximum value as of their respective grant dates in excess of $3,000,000; and </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">awards that do not comply with the applicable minimum vesting periods provided for in the Employee Plan will not result in the issuance or transfer of more than 5% of the maximum number of common shares available under
the Employee Plan. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Employee Plan contains fungible share counting mechanics, which generally means that awards other than stock options
and stock appreciation rights will be counted against the aggregate share limit as 3.24 shares for every one share that is actually issued or transferred under such awards. This means, for example, that, in general, only 1,666,666 common shares
could be issued in settlement of restricted stock unit awards from the 5,400,000 common shares initially authorized. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Subject to the Employee Plan&#146;s
share counting rules, common shares covered by awards granted under the Employee Plan will not be counted as used unless and until the shares are actually issued or transferred. However, common shares issued or transferred in settlement of awards
granted under the Employee Plan in substitution for or conversion of, or in connection with an assumption of, stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted stock units or other share -based awards held by awardees of an
entity engaging in a corporate acquisition or merger transaction with the Company or any of its subsidiaries will not count against (or be added back to) the aggregate share limit or other Employee Plan limits described above. Additionally, shares
available under certain </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">- 2 - </P>


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plans that the Company or its subsidiaries may assume in connection with corporate transactions from another entity may be available for certain awards under the Employee Plan, under
circumstances further described in the Employee Plan, but will not count against the aggregate share limit or other Employee Plan limits described above. Shares underlying certain awards that are forfeited, cancelled, expire or are settled for cash
will again be available under the Employee Plan, as further described in the Employee Plan. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Employee Plan authorizes the Compensation Committee to
make certain performance-based awards to participants under the Employee Plan, which awards will be earned based upon the achievement of Management Objectives. The Management Objectives underlying each such award will be determined by the
Compensation Committee based on one or more, or a combination, of the following metrics if the award would qualify as &#147;qualified performance-based compensation&#148; under Section&nbsp;162(m) of the Code: (1)&nbsp;Profits (e.g., operating
income, EBIT, EBIT before bonus, EBT, net income, earnings per share, residual or economic earnings &#150; these profitability metrics could be measured before special items and/or subject to GAAP definition); (2)&nbsp;Cash Flow (e.g., EBITDA,
operating cash flow, total cash flow, cash flow in excess of cost of capital or residual cash flow or cash flow return on investment); (3)&nbsp;Returns (e.g., profits or cash flow returns on: assets, invested capital, net capital employed, and
equity); (4)&nbsp;Working Capital (e.g., working capital divided by sales, days&#146; sales outstanding, days&#146; sales inventory, and days&#146; sales in payables); (5)&nbsp;Profit Margins (e.g., profits divided by revenues, gross margins and
material margins divided by revenues, and material margin divided by sales pounds); (6)&nbsp;Liquidity Measures (e.g., debt-to-capital, debt-to-EBITDA, total debt ratio); (7)&nbsp;Sales Growth, Cost Initiative and Stock Price Metrics (e.g., revenue
growth, stock price appreciation, total return to shareholders, sales and administrative costs divided by sales, and sales and administrative costs divided by profits); (8)&nbsp;Strategic Initiative Key Deliverable Metrics consisting of one or more
of the following: product development, strategic partnering, research and development, market penetration, geographic business expansion goals, cost targets, customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, management of employment practices and
employee benefits, supervision of litigation and information technology, and goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures of subsidiaries, affiliates and joint ventures; and (9)&nbsp;any of the above criteria as compared to the performance of a
published or a special index deemed applicable by the Compensation Committee, including, without limitation, the Standard&nbsp;&amp; Poor&#146;s 500 Stock Index. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Board generally will be able to amend the Employee Plan, subject to shareholder approval in certain circumstances as described in the Employee Plan. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In general, the Director Plan will be administered by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the &#147;Nominating Committee&#148;) of the Board
and will enable the Nominating Committee to provide equity-based compensation in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted stock units, dividend equivalents and other share-based awards to our non-employee
directors upon terms and conditions as further described in the Director Plan. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Subject to adjustment as described in the Director Plan, and subject to
the Director Plan&#146;s share counting rules, a total of 300,000 common shares may be issued or transferred in connection with awards granted under the Director Plan. These shares may be shares of original issuance or treasury shares, or a
combination of both. The Director Plan also provides that, subject to adjustment as described in the Director Plan: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">no participant will receive common-share based awards for, in the aggregate, more than 10,000 common shares during any calendar year; and </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">no participant will receive cash-based awards having an aggregate maximum value in excess of $200,000 during any calendar year. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Subject to the Director Plan&#146;s share counting rules, common shares covered by awards granted under the Director Plan will not be counted as used unless
and until the shares are actually issued or transferred. However, common shares issued or transferred under awards granted under the Director Plan in substitution for or conversion of, or in connection with an assumption of, stock options, stock
appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted stock units or other share-based awards held by awardees of an entity engaging in a corporate acquisition or merger transaction with the Company or any of its subsidiaries will not count against (or
be added back to) the aggregate share limit or other Director Plan limit described above. Additionally, shares available under certain plans that the Company or its subsidiaries may assume in connection with corporate transactions from another
entity may be available for certain awards under the Director Plan, under circumstances further described in the Director Plan, but will not count </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">- 3 - </P>


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against the aggregate share limit or other Director Plan limit described above. Further, subject to adjustment as described in the Director Plan, awards that do not comply with the applicable
minimum vesting periods provided for in the Director Plan will not result in the issuance or transfer of more than 5% of the maximum number of common shares available under the Director Plan. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Board generally will be able to amend the Director Plan, subject to shareholder approval in certain circumstances as described in the Director Plan. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&nbsp;5.07. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The 2015 Annual Meeting was held on Thursday, April&nbsp;23, 2015 at the Marriott Cleveland East, 26300 Harvard Road, Warrensville Heights, Ohio. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The final results of voting on each of the matters submitted for a vote of security holders at the 2015 Annual Meeting are as follows: </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">1. Shareholders elected three directors, each to hold office until the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their successors are duly elected and
qualified, as set forth below. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="84%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="63%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="4%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="4%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="4%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP> <P STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:19.10pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Name</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000">Votes For</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000">Votes<br>Withheld</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Broker&nbsp;Non-Votes</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>


<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Curtis E. Espeland</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">56,760,515</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">238,026</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">10,643,861</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Stephen G. Hanks</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">56,474,944</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">523,597</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">10,643,861</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Phillip J. Mason</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">56,727,294</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">271,247</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">10,643,861</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">2. Shareholders ratified the appointment of Ernst&nbsp;&amp; Young LLP as the Company&#146;s independent auditors for the year
ending December&nbsp;31, 2015, as set forth below. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="84%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="25%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="25%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="25%"></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000">Votes For</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000">Votes&nbsp;Against</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000">Abstentions</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Broker&nbsp;Non-Votes</FONT></TD></TR>


<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">67,092,227</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">434,087</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">116,088</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">0</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">3. Shareholders approved, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company&#146;s named executive officers, as set forth
below. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="84%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="22%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="22%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="22%"></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000">Votes For</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000">Votes&nbsp;Against</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000">Abstentions</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Broker&nbsp;Non-Votes</FONT></TD></TR>


<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">54,261,666</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">1,360,386</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">1,376,489</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">10,643,861</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">4. Shareholders approved the Company&#146;s 2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan, as set forth below. </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="84%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="22%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="22%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="22%"></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000">Votes For</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000">Votes&nbsp;Against</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000">Abstentions</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Broker&nbsp;Non-Votes</FONT></TD></TR>


<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">53,152,552</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">2,512,817</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">1,333,172</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">10,643,861</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">5. Shareholders approved the Company&#146;s 2015 Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors, as set forth below. </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="84%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="22%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="22%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="22%"></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000">Votes For</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000">Votes&nbsp;Against</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000">Abstentions</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Broker&nbsp;Non-Votes</FONT></TD></TR>


<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">54,599,016</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">2,008,475</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">391,050</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">10,643,861</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">- 4 - </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&nbsp;9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits. </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>(d)</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><B>Exhibits</B> </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="94%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>10.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (filed as Appendix B to the Registrant&#146;s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed on March&nbsp;18, 2015, SEC File No. 0-1402, and incorporated herein by reference and made a
part hereof)</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>10.2</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">2015 Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors (filed as Appendix C to the Registrant&#146;s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed on March 18, 2015, SEC File No. 0-1402, and incorporated herein by reference and made a part
hereof)</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">- 5 - </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SIGNATURES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
hereunto duly authorized. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="46%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"><B>LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.</B></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Date: April&nbsp;28, 2015</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">By:</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Frederick G. Stueber</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Frederick G. Stueber</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Executive Vice President, General Counsel &amp; Secretary</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">- 6 - </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>INDEX TO EXHIBITS </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="5%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="92%"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:25.30pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Exhibit<BR>No.</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:25.30pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Exhibit</B></P></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>10.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (filed as Appendix B to the Registrant&#146;s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed on March 18, 2015, SEC File No. 0-1402, and incorporated herein by reference and made a part
hereof)</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>10.2</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">2015 Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors (filed as Appendix C to the Registrant&#146;s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed on March 18, 2015, SEC File No. 0-1402, and incorporated herein by reference and made a part
hereof)</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</BODY></HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
