---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001654954-26-001779"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "EML"
cik: "0000031107"
company_name: "EASTERN CO"
filed_at: "2026-03-02T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-15T22:53:17.836967+00:00"
event_type: "other_material"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.35
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.35
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Two directors to retire; board size reduced; bylaws amended to lower supermajority and special meeting thresholds

## Summary
- Charles W. Henry and Michael J. Mardy will not stand for re-election at the 2026 Annual Meeting and will retire from the Board.
- Board size reduced from 8 to 6 directors, effective at the 2026 Annual Meeting. Retirements not due to any disagreement.
- Shareholder bylaw amendment threshold lowered from 75% supermajority to simple majority.
- Ownership threshold to call a special meeting reduced from 35% to 25%, with new procedural requirements and safeguards.
- Bylaws updated to align with SEC universal proxy rules (Rule 14a-19) and clarify Chairman role is not an officer position.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001654954-26-001779
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: EML
- cik: 0000031107
- company_name: EASTERN CO
- filed_at: 2026-03-02T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: other_material
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.35
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.35
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 5.03, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/31107/000165495426001779/0001654954-26-001779-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/31107/000165495426001779/eml_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001654954-26-001779
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001654954-26-001779.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001654954-26-001779.txt

## Source-grounded claims
- claim_id: 7b33addcd1685b4d2ffb46e238f3aa568e7f4975
  claim: EASTERN CO: Board amended and restated bylaws to enhance shareholder rights, eliminate executive committee requirement, reduce special meeting threshold, and revise procedural mechanics for shareholder proposals and director nominations (effective 2026-02-25).
  evidence_excerpt: On February 25, 2026, the Board amended and restated the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (as amended and restated, the “Amended Bylaws”), effective as of such date.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/31107/000165495426001779/0001654954-26-001779-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.