2021 Industrials Sector Snapshot

In many respects, boards of industrial companies in the S&P 500 index — defined as the 101 companies in the materials and industrials primary sectors — are similar to the rest of the S&P 500 universe.

• The average age of independent directors on industrial boards is 63.1 years, compared to 63.0 years for S&P 500 boards in general.
• The youngest industrial board averages 54 years of age; the oldest, 72.
• Industrial boards average 10.7 directors, compared to 10.8 members on S&P 500 boards.
• Independence of industrial boards averages 87%, compared to 86% for S&P 500 boards.
• The average board tenure of independent directors on industrial boards is 7.5 years, shy of the 7.8 year average for the S&P 500 index.
• The longest-tenured industrial board averages 14 years of board service.

Diversity

The diversity of industrial boards lags behind the S&P 500 universe, with directors from underrepresented communities (women, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino and Asian men) representing 41% of directors on industrial boards, compared to 43% of S&P 500 boards overall. Women represent 28% of all industrial board members in 2021, compared to 30% of S&P 500 directors, and tied with the communication services sector for having the second-lowest gender diversity of all primary sectors.

Both the industrial sector and the S&P 500 index fall short of reflecting U.S. demographics. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 51% of the U.S. population are women and about 42% identify as Hispanic/Latino/a (18.5%), Black/African American (13.4%), Asian (5.9%), American Indian or Alaskan native (1.3%), or multiracial (2.8%).

Twenty-nine percent (29%) of industrial companies disclosed director-specific race/ethnicity details, compared to 28% of all S&P 500 companies. Thirty-nine percent (39%) of industrial sector companies disclosed a commitment to including directors from underrepresented communities in searches for new directors, matching the 39% average of S&P 500 companies.

Six industrial boards (6% of the sector) have no Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino/a or Asian directors. In contrast, 37 (8%) S&P 500 boards have no Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino/a or Asian directors. All industrial boards have at least one woman. Ninety-six percent (96%) of the S&P 500 index have at least two female directors, and more than two-thirds (72%) have three or more female directors. In contrast, 66% of industrial boards have three or more women directors. Sixteen S&P 500 boards are composed of at least 50% women, including two industrial boards.

New independent director backgrounds

Sixty-three companies — 62% of the surveyed S&P 500 industrial companies — added at least one independent director over the past year. Appointees averaged 58.9 years of age, one year older than the 57.5 average for all independent directors joining S&P 500 boards. First-time directors represented 37% of independent directors joining industrial boards, compared to a 35% overall average for the S&P 500.

Directors from underrepresented communities constitute 68% of the 115 independent directors joining industrial boards over the past year, compared to 72% of directors joining S&P 500 boards. Industrial boards appointed the lowest percentage of women (36% of the sector’s incoming class of independent directors) of all sectors.

Just under half (49%) of the independent directors joining industrial boards are actively employed, compared to 56% of independent directors joining S&P 500 boards. Industrial boards appointed the highest percentage of division/subsidiary leaders and the second highest of accountants of all sectors.

New Independent Director Functional Backgrounds

Board leadership

The chair and CEO roles are separated at 50% of industrial boards — below the 59% average for the S&P 500 index as a whole. Executive chairs are in place at 15% of industrial boards, matching the 15% for the S&P 500. Independent directors chair 33% of industrial boards (compared to 37% of the S&P 500), while 71% of industrial boards have an independent lead director (compared to 70% of the S&P 500).

Board organization and process

Compared to the S&P 500 index overall, industrial boards and their committees tend to meet less frequently than the S&P 500 average.

Board Organization and Process

Editor’s Note: The data in this report is taken from the 2021 U.S. Spencer Stuart Board Index which is based on our analysis of the most recent proxy reports from the S&P 500. The 2021 edition of the index draws on the latest DEF14A proxy statements from 493 companies filed with the SEC between May 28, 2020, and May 13, 2021.

Data in tables and charts may not total 100% due to rounding.
 

Industrial Sector Companies