<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001193125-18-054168.txt : 20180222
<SEC-HEADER>0001193125-18-054168.hdr.sgml : 20180222
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20180222164056
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001193125-18-054168
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		3
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20180221
ITEM INFORMATION:		Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial Statements and Exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		20180222
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20180222

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:		18633126

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

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		22801 ST CLAIR AVE
		CITY:			CLEVELAND
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44117

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	LINCOLN ELECTRIC CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>d510415d8k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 8-K
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>Form 8-K</TITLE>
</HEAD>
 <BODY BGCOLOR="WHITE">

 <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, D.C. 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 <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> </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): February&nbsp;21, 2018 </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 its 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>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="34%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="32%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="32%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>Ohio</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">0-1402</FONT></B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">34-1860551</FONT></B></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<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>(I.R.S. 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, with zip code) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(216) <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">481-8100</FONT> </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="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 <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of
the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below): </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 style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#9744;</TD>
<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>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#9744;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">14a-12</FONT> under the Exchange Act (17 CFR <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">240.14a-12)</FONT> </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 style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#9744;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Pre-commencement</FONT> communications pursuant to Rule <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">14d-2(b)</FONT> under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">240.14d-2(b))</FONT> </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 style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#9744;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Pre-commencement</FONT> communications pursuant to Rule <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">13e-4(c)</FONT> under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">240.13e-4(c))</FONT> </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as
defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (&#167;230.405 of this chapter) or Rule <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">12b-2</FONT> of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">(&#167;240.12b-2</FONT> of this chapter).
</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&#9744;&nbsp;&nbsp;Emerging growth company </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or
revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) of the Exchange Act.&nbsp;&nbsp;&#9744; </P> <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>

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


<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;5.02.</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><B>Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. </B></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">On February&nbsp;21, 2018, the Board of Directors (the &#147;Board&#148;) of Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;) increased its size from
eleven to twelve members and elected Ben Patel to fill the resulting vacancy. Dr.&nbsp;Patel was also appointed to the Audit and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees of the Board. Dr.&nbsp;Patel is Vice President and Chief Technology
Officer of Tenneco, Inc., a manufacturer of automotive emission control and ride control products and systems. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Board has determined that
Dr.&nbsp;Patel is independent under the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market. There is no arrangement or understanding between Dr.&nbsp;Patel and any other persons pursuant to which Dr.&nbsp;Patel was elected as a Director. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">As a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-employee</FONT> Director, Dr.&nbsp;Patel will receive compensation in the same manner as the Company&#146;s other <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-employee</FONT> Directors, which compensation was previously disclosed in its definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March&nbsp;20, 2017, with one update to the
previous disclosure that the approximate value of each of the annual stock-based awards and initial restricted stock awards was increased from $107,000 to $125,000. The initial restricted stock award is
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">pro-rated</FONT> based on length of service until the next regularly scheduled meeting where annual awards are granted, which will occur in December 2018. Dr.&nbsp;Patel received 1,113 shares of restricted stock
under the Company&#146;s Stock Plan for <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Directors in connection with his election to the Board. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The
Company has entered into its standard indemnification agreement with Dr.&nbsp;Patel (the &#147;Indemnification Agreement&#148;). The form of the Indemnification Agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company&#146;s Current Report on Form <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> filed with the SEC on February&nbsp;29, 2012 and is incorporated herein by reference. The Indemnification Agreement supplements the indemnification coverage afforded by the Company&#146;s Amended and Restated
Code of Regulations under Ohio law. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">A copy of the press release announcing Dr.&nbsp;Patel&#146;s election is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and
incorporated herein by reference. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:18pt;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 style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;9.01.</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><B>Financial Statements and Exhibits. </B></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>(d) 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="3%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="94%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>99.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d510415dex991.htm">Press Release announcing the election of Dr.&nbsp;Ben Patel to the Board, dated February&nbsp;22, 2018 </A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>

<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>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="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</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="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Date: February&nbsp;22, 2018</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">By:</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">/s/ Jennifer I. Ansberry</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Jennifer I. Ansberry, Executive Vice President,</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">General Counsel&nbsp;&amp; Secretary</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</BODY></HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>d510415dex991.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EX-99.1
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>EX-99.1</TITLE>
</HEAD>
 <BODY BGCOLOR="WHITE">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right"><B>Exhibit 99.1 </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" ALIGN="center">


<IMG SRC="g510415g0222131902505.jpg" ALT="LOGO">
 </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">22801 Saint Clair Avenue &#149; Cleveland, Ohio 44117 &#149; U.S.A. </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" ALIGN="center"><B><I>NEWS &#149; RELEASE </I></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" ALIGN="center"><B><U>DR. BEN
PATEL ELECTED TO LINCOLN ELECTRIC BOARD </U></B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">CLEVELAND, February&nbsp;22, 2018 &#151; Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc., (Nasdaq: LECO)
today announced that Dr.&nbsp;Ben Patel, 50, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Tenneco (NYSE: TEN), has been elected to Lincoln Electric&#146;s Board of Directors, effective February&nbsp;21, 2018. Patel&#146;s appointment expands
Lincoln Electric&#146;s Board to 12 directors, 11 of whom are <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-employee</FONT> directors. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&#147;We
are pleased to welcome Ben to the Board and believe his expertise in leading global product and technology initiatives will be invaluable to our 2020 Vision and Strategy,&#148; said Christopher L. Mapes, chairman, president and chief executive
officer. &#147;His understanding of material science, automation and smart systems will lend tremendous support to our advanced manufacturing growth strategy that focuses on helping customers identify enhanced value and efficiencies in their welding
and cutting operations.&#148; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Patel is Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Tenneco Inc., a manufacturer of automotive emission
control and ride control products and systems. Since joining Tenneco in 2011, he has held roles leading regional advanced technology development to establishing a global research&nbsp;and development organization.&nbsp;Prior to joining Tenneco,
Patel held numerous positions with increasing responsibility, including senior scientist, at the General Electric Company during his thirteen-year tenure with the organization. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Patel is a graduate of the University of Ottawa where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and holds a Ph.D. in chemistry from
Yale University. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><U>Business </U></B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Lincoln Electric
is the world leader in the design, development and manufacture of arc welding products, robotic arc welding systems, plasma and oxyfuel cutting equipment and has a leading global position in the brazing and soldering alloys market. Headquartered in
Cleveland, Ohio, Lincoln has 63 manufacturing locations, including operations and joint ventures in 23 countries and a worldwide network of distributors and sales offices covering more than 160 countries. For more information about Lincoln Electric
and its products and services, visit the Company&#146;s website at <U>www.lincolnelectric.com</U>. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><U>Contact </U></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Amanda Butler </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Vice President, Investor Relations&nbsp;&amp;
Communications </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Tel: 216.383.2534 </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Email:
Amanda_Butler@lincolnelectric.com </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">1 </P>

</BODY></HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>GRAPHIC
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>g510415g0222131902505.jpg
<DESCRIPTION>GRAPHIC
<TEXT>
begin 644 g510415g0222131902505.jpg
M_]C_X  02D9)1@ ! 0$ 8 !@  #_VP!#  @&!@<&!0@'!P<)"0@*#!0-# L+
M#!D2$P\4'1H?'AT:'!P@)"XG("(L(QP<*#<I+# Q-#0T'R<Y/3@R/"XS-#+_
MVP!# 0D)"0P+#!@-#1@R(1PA,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R
M,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C+_P  1"  V 'H# 2(  A$! Q$!_\0
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M9:3B-I/*MKA]B#EL1,<#WKZ:\(^)Y?$MM<R2V0MC"X *R;U8')'.!S_0@]Z
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?EW-8J]^8R;73H&AMU*YRX4L?G;/.,#@5U]%% '__V0$!

end
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
