Ducommun (DCO) S-3Shelf registration

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 7, 2022

Registration No. 333-          

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

DUCOMMUN INCORPORATED

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (657) 335-3665

Rajiv A. Tata

Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

200 Sandpointe Avenue, Suite 700

Santa Ana, California 92707-5759

(657) 335-3665

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

The Commission is requested to mail copies of all orders, notices and communications to:

Justin S. Reinus

Winston & Strawn LLP

333 S. Grand Avenue, 38^th Floor

Los Angeles, California 90071-1543

(213) 615-1700

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective.

If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  ☒

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

If this form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

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 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  ☐

The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION DATED NOVEMBER 7, 2022

PROSPECTUS

Ducommun Incorporated

$300,000,000

Debt Securities

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Depositary Shares

Warrants

Stock Purchase Contracts

Stock Purchase Units

Units of these Securities

We will provide specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus at the time we offer or sell any of these securities. This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.

Investing in these securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 1 of this prospectus, in the applicable prospectus supplement we will deliver with this prospectus and in the documents incorporated herein and therein by reference.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “DCO.”

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined in this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This prospectus is dated                 , 2022

We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any information or to make any representation that is different from, or in addition to, the information contained in this prospectus or any documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. If anyone provides you with different, additional or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus, or the information contained in a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus, is accurate as of any date other than the date of each such document, unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the statements contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus may be construed as “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We generally use words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “plan,” “intends,” “continue” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus are based on our then-current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated. Our forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, among other things: our acquisitions, business combinations, joint ventures, divestitures, or restructuring activities may entail certain operational and financial risks; our ability to successfully make acquisitions, including our ability to successfully integrate, operate or realize the projected benefits of such businesses; our ability to manage and otherwise comply with our covenants with respect to our outstanding indebtedness; our ability to service our debt service obligations; the end-use markets which we serve are cyclical; we depend upon a selected base of industries and customers; a significant portion of our business depends upon U.S. Government defense spending; we are subject to extensive regulation and audit by the Defense Contract Audit Agency; contracts with some of our customers contain provisions which give our customers a variety of rights that are unfavorable to us; further consolidation in the aerospace industry could adversely affect our business and financial results; our reliance on our suppliers to meet the quality and delivery expectations of our customers; we use estimates when bidding on fixed-price contracts which estimates could change and result in adverse effects on our financial results; whether future additional restructuring activities that will result in pre-tax restructuring charges will be sufficient to address all related anticipated restructuring costs, including related to employee separation, facilities consolidation, inventory write-down and other asset impairments; whether the expected cost savings from the restructuring will ultimately be obtained in the amount and during the period anticipated; whether the restructuring in the affected areas will be sufficient to build a more cost efficient, focused, higher margin enterprise with higher returns for shareholders; our ability to be in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and changes in regulatory requirements, including regulatory requirements such as Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification applicable to government contracts and sub-contracts; the impact of existing and future laws and regulations, including those pertaining to environmental, social, and governance matters; the impact of existing and future accounting standards and tax rules and regulations; environmental liabilities that could adversely affect our financial results; cyber security attacks, internal system or service failures may adversely impact our business and operations; the impact from pandemics or endemics, such as COVID-19, and other risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events or otherwise. However, any further disclosures made on related subjects in subsequent documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus should be consulted. Please see the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Risk Factors,” and other matters discussed in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and incorporated herein by reference. Please also see “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” as well in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves risks. Our business is influenced by many factors that are difficult to predict and beyond our control and that involve uncertainties that may materially affect our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows, or the value of these securities. These risks and uncertainties are described in the risk factor section of the documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Subsequent prospectus supplements may contain a discussion of additional risks applicable to an investment in us and the particular type of securities we are offering under the prospectus supplements. You should carefully consider all of the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in the applicable prospectus supplement before you invest in our securities.

THE COMPANY

Ducommun Incorporated (“Ducommun,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is the successor to a business founded in California in 1849, first incorporated in California in 1907, and reincorporated in Delaware in 1970. We are a leading global provider of engineering and manufacturing services for high-performance products and high-cost-of failure applications used primarily in the aerospace and defense, industrial, medical and other industries (the latter three collectively, “Industrial”). We differentiate ourselves as a full-service solution-based provider, offering value-added proprietary products and manufacturing solutions to our customers in our primary businesses of electronics, structures, and integrated solutions. We operate through two primary business segments: Electronic Systems and Structural Systems.

Electronic Systems has multiple major product offerings, including high-performance electronics manufacturing for diverse, high-reliability applications: complex cable assemblies and interconnect systems, printed circuit board assemblies, higher-level electronic, electromechanical, and mechanical components and assemblies, and lightning diversion systems. These products are provided principally for domestic and foreign commercial and military fixed-wing aircraft, military and commercial rotary-wing aircraft, space and naval programs, and for missiles. Our products include sophisticated radar enclosures, aircraft avionics racks and shipboard communications and control enclosures, printed circuit board assemblies, cable assemblies, wire harnesses, interconnect systems, lightning diversion strips, surge suppressors, conformal shields, and other high-level complex assemblies. Further, we provide select industrial high-reliability applications for the industrial, medical, and other end-use markets. Electronic Systems utilizes a highly-integrated production process, including manufacturing, engineering, fabrication, machining, assembly, electronic integration, and related processes. Engineering, technical and program management services are provided to a wide range of customers.

In response to customer needs and utilizing our in-depth engineering expertise, Electronic Systems is also considered a leading supplier of engineered products including illuminated pushbutton switches and panels for aviation and test systems, microwave and millimeter switches and filters for radio frequency systems and test instrumentation, and motors and resolvers for motion control, and lightning diversion systems including lightning diversion strips and surge suppressors.

Electronic Systems also provides engineering expertise for aerospace system design, development, integration, and testing. We leverage the knowledge base, capabilities, talent, and technologies of this focused capability into direct support of our customers.

Structural Systems has four major product offerings to support a global customer base: commercial aircraft, military fixed-wing aircraft, military and commercial rotary-wing aircraft, and military ground vehicles. Our applications include structural components, structural assemblies, bonded (metal and composite) components, precision profile extrusions and extruded assemblies, ammunition handling systems, and magnetic seals. Among our structural components offerings, Structural Systems provides design services, engineering, and manufacturing of large complex contoured aluminum, titanium and Inconel aerostructure components for the

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aerospace industry. Structural assembly products include winglets, engine components, and fuselage structural panels for aircraft. Metal and composite bonded structures and assemblies products include aircraft wing spoilers, large fuselage skins, rotor blades on rotary-wing aircraft and components, flight control surfaces, engine components, ammunition handling systems, and magnetic seals. To support these products, Structural Systems maintains advanced machine milling, stretch-forming, hot-forming, metal bonding, composite layup, and chemical milling capabilities and has an extensive engineering capability to support both design services and manufacturing.

For more information about our business, please refer to the “Business” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

Our principal executive offices are located at 200 Sandpointe Avenue, Suite 700, Santa Ana, California 92707-5759, (657) 335-3665, and our website address is www.ducommun.com. Information on or connected to our website is not a part of this prospectus.

SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

Types of Securities

The types of securities that we may offer and sell from time to time by this prospectus are:

When we sell securities, we will determine the amounts of securities we will sell and the prices and other terms on which we will sell them.

Additional Information

We will describe in a prospectus supplement, which we will deliver with this prospectus, the terms of particular securities that we may offer in the future. In each prospectus supplement we will include, among other things, the following information:

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In addition, the prospectus supplement may also add, update or change the information contained in this prospectus. In that case, the prospectus supplement should be read as superseding this prospectus. For more details on the terms of the securities, you should read the exhibits filed with our registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part. You should also read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, together with the information described under the heading “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Except as may be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities for general corporate purposes, including repayment or refinancing of debt, acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures and repurchases and redemptions of securities.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

We may issue debt securities under an indenture to be entered into between us and a trustee chosen by us, qualified to act as such under the Trust Indenture Act and appointed under an indenture. The indenture will be governed by the Trust Indenture Act.

The following is a summary of the indenture. It does not restate the indenture entirely. We urge you to read the indenture. We have filed the form of indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and we will file the indenture we enter into and the supplemental indentures or authorizing resolutions with respect to particular series of debt securities as exhibits to current or other reports we file with the SEC. See “Where You Can Find More Information” for information on how to obtain copies of the indentures and the supplemental indentures or authorizing resolutions. You may also inspect copies of the documents for the particular series at the office of the trustee. References below to an “indenture” are references to the applicable indenture, as supplemented, under which a particular series of debt securities is issued.

Terms of the Debt Securities

Our debt securities will be general obligations of Ducommun. We may issue them in one or more series. Authorizing resolutions or a supplemental indenture will set forth the specific terms of each series of debt securities. We will provide a prospectus supplement for each series of debt securities that will describe:

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The applicable prospectus supplement will also describe any material covenants to which a series of debt securities will be subject.

Events of Default and Remedies

Unless otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement, an event of default with respect to any series of debt securities will be defined in the indenture or applicable supplemental indenture or authorizing resolution as being:

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and, in each case, the principal amount of any such indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $50 million or more;

The indenture will provide that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of any series of debt securities of any default, except a default in payment of principal, or interest, if any, with respect to such series of debt securities, if the trustee considers it in the interest of the holders of such series of debt securities to do so.

The indenture will provide that if any event of default has occurred and is continuing with respect to any series of debt securities, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of such series of debt securities then outstanding may declare the principal of all the debt securities of such series to be due and payable immediately. However, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of such series then outstanding by notice to the trustee may waive any existing default and its consequences with respect to such series of debt securities, other than any event of default in payment of principal or interest. Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration with respect to such series and its consequences, except an acceleration due to nonpayment of principal or interest on such series, if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing events of default with respect to such series have been cured or waived.

The holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to the trustee with respect to such series, subject to limitations specified in the indenture.

Defeasance

The indenture will permit us to terminate all our respective obligations under the indenture as they relate to any particular series of debt securities, other than the obligation to pay interest, if any, on and the principal of the debt securities of such series and certain other obligations, at any time by:

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The indenture will also permit us to terminate all of our respective obligations under the indenture as they relate to any particular series of debt securities, including the obligations to pay interest, if any, on and the principal of the debt securities of such series and certain other obligations, at any time by:

In addition, the indenture will permit us to terminate substantially all our respective obligations under the indenture as they relate to a particular series of debt securities by depositing with the trustee money or government obligations sufficient to pay all principal and interest on such series at its maturity or redemption date if the debt securities of such series will become due and payable at maturity within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year of the deposit.

Transfer and Exchange

A holder will be able to transfer or exchange debt securities only in accordance with the indenture. The registrar may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the indenture.

Amendment, Supplement and Waiver

Without notice to or the consent of any holder, we and the trustee may amend or supplement the indenture or the debt securities of a series to:

With the exceptions discussed below, we and the trustee may amend or supplement the indenture or the debt securities of a particular series with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of

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the debt securities of such series then outstanding. In addition, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of such series then outstanding may waive any existing default under, or compliance with, any provision of the debt securities of a particular series or of the indenture relating to a particular series of debt securities, other than any event of default in payment of interest or principal. These consents and waivers may be obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, debt securities.

Without the consent of each holder affected, we and the trustee may not:

The right of any holder to participate in any consent required or sought pursuant to any provision of the indenture, and our obligation to obtain any such consent otherwise required from such holder, may be subject to the requirement that such holder shall have been the holder of record of debt securities with respect to which such consent is required or sought as of a record date fixed by us in accordance with the indenture.

Concerning the Trustee

The indenture will contain limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it become our creditor, to obtain payment of claims in specified cases or to realize on property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The indenture will permit the trustee to engage in other transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest, it must eliminate such conflict or resign.

The indenture will provide that in case an event of default occurs and is not cured, the trustee will be required, in the exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent person in similar circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs. The trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power under the indenture, unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

Governing Law

The laws of the State of New York will govern the indenture and the debt securities.

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK, PREFERRED STOCK AND DEPOSITARY SHARES

Our authorized capital stock consists of 35,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share. At October 1, 2022, 12,102,308 shares of common stock and no shares of preferred stock were outstanding.

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Common Stock

Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders other than the election of directors. The vote of the holders of a majority of the stock represented at a meeting at which a quorum is present is generally required to take stockholder action, unless a greater vote is required by law, our charter or bylaws. The holders are entitled to cumulative voting in the election of directors. Directors are elected by plurality vote. The existence of a classified board along with cumulative voting may make it more difficult for a stockholder owning a significant amount of the Company’s common stock to effect a change in the majority of the board than would be the case if cumulative voting did not exist.

Holders of common stock have no preemptive rights. They are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for such purpose. The common stock is not entitled to any sinking fund, redemption or conversion provisions. On our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in our net assets remaining after the payment of all creditors and liquidation preferences of preferred stock, if any. The outstanding shares of common stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. There will be a prospectus supplement relating to any offering of common stock offered by this prospectus.

The transfer agent and registrar for the common stock is Computershare Limited.

The following provisions in our charter or bylaws may make a takeover of our company more difficult:

These provisions may delay stockholder actions with respect to business combinations and the election of new members to our board of directors. As such, the provisions could discourage open market purchases of our common stock because a stockholder who desires to participate in a business combination or elect a new director may consider them disadvantageous. Additionally, the issuance of preferred stock could delay or prevent a change of control or other corporate action.

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Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute. As a Delaware corporation, we are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. In general, Section 203 prevents an “interested stockholder” from engaging in a “business combination” with us for three years following the date that person became an interested stockholder, unless:

An “interested stockholder” is generally a person owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock. A “business combination” includes mergers, asset sales and other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder.

Preferred Stock

We may issue preferred stock in series with any rights and preferences that may be authorized by our board of directors. We will distribute a prospectus supplement with regard to each particular series of preferred stock. Each prospectus supplement will describe, as to the series of preferred stock to which it relates:

Holders of shares of preferred stock will not have preemptive rights.

Depositary Shares

We may, at our option, elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. If we exercise this option, we will issue to the public receipts for depositary shares, and each of these

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depositary shares will represent a fraction (to be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement) of a share of a particular series of preferred stock.

The shares of any series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited under a deposit agreement between us and a bank or trust company selected by us. The depositary will have its principal office in the United States and a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of preferred stock underlying that depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock underlying that depositary share. Those rights may include dividend, voting, redemption and liquidation rights.

The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares, in accordance with the terms of the offering. Copies of the forms of deposit agreement and depositary receipt will be filed as exhibits to current or other reports we file with the SEC. The following summary of the deposit agreement, the depositary shares and the depositary receipts is not complete. You should refer to the forms of the deposit agreement and depositary receipts that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of the specific depositary shares.

Pending the preparation of definitive depositary receipts, the depositary may, upon our written order, issue temporary depositary receipts substantially identical to the definitive depositary receipts but not in definitive form. These temporary depositary receipts entitle their holders to all the rights of definitive depositary receipts that are to be prepared without unreasonable delay. Temporary depositary receipts will then be exchangeable for definitive depositary receipts at our expense.

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities or units of two or more of these types of securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any registered holders of warrants or beneficial owners of warrants. A copy of the warrant agreement will be filed with the SEC in connection with any offering of warrants.

We will distribute a prospectus supplement with regard to each issue of warrants. Each prospectus supplement will describe:

Prior to the exercise of any warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities or other securities, holders of the warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities or other securities purchasable upon exercise, including:

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DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS

We may issue stock purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and obligating us to sell to the holders, a fixed or varying number of shares of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares at a future date or dates. The consideration per share of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares may be fixed at the time stock purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the stock purchase contracts and may be subject to adjustment under anti-dilution formulas. The stock purchase contracts may be issued separately, or as part of stock purchase units consisting of a stock purchase contract and debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares, any other securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement, or any combination of the foregoing, in each case securing the holders’ obligations to purchase the common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares under the stock purchase contracts. The stock purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units, as the case may be, or vice versa, and such payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis and may be paid on a current or on a deferred basis. The stock purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations thereunder in a specified manner and in certain circumstances we may deliver newly issued prepaid stock purchase contracts upon release to a holder of any collateral securing that holder’s obligations under the original stock purchase contract. Any one or more of the above securities, common stock or the stock purchase contracts or other collateral may be pledged as security for the holders’ obligations to purchase or sell, as the case may be, the common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares under the stock purchase contracts. The stock purchase contracts may also allow the holders, under certain circumstances, to obtain the release of the security for their obligations under such contracts by depositing with the collateral agent as substitute collateral U.S. government securities with a principal amount at maturity equal to the collateral so released or the maximum number of shares deliverable by such holders under stock purchase contracts requiring the holders to sell common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares to us.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units and, if applicable, prepaid stock purchase contracts. The description in the prospectus supplement will not necessarily be complete, and reference will be made to the stock purchase contract, and, if applicable, collateral or depositary arrangements, relating to such stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units. Material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the stock purchase units and the stock purchase contracts will be discussed in the related prospectus supplement.

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, units will consist of one or more stock purchase contracts, warrants, debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, depositary shares or any combination thereof. You should refer to the applicable prospectus supplement for:

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Any of the securities being offered by this prospectus may be sold:

The securities may be sold at a fixed price or prices that may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices or varying prices determined at the time of sale. The distribution of securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions by means of one or more of the following transactions, which may include cross or block trades:

Agents designated by us from time to time may solicit offers to purchase the securities. We will name any such agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and set forth any commissions payable by us to such agent in the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any such agent may be deemed to be an underwriter, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, of the securities.

If underwriters are used in the sale of securities, securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions. Securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. If an underwriter or underwriters are used in the sale of securities, we will execute an underwriting agreement with such underwriter or underwriters at the time an agreement for such sale is reached. We will set forth in the prospectus supplement the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriters, and the terms of the transactions, including compensation of the underwriters and dealers. Such compensation may be in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters and others participating in any offering of securities may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of such securities. We will describe any such activities in the prospectus supplement. We may elect to list any class or series of securities on any exchange, but we are not currently obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters, if any, may make a market in a class or series of securities, but the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot give any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the securities we may offer.

In compliance with the guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, the maximum compensation or discount to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker dealer in a transaction subject to such guidelines may not exceed specified limits determined by FINRA.

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If a dealer is used in the sale of the securities, we or an underwriter will sell such securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell such securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale. The prospectus supplement may set forth the name of the dealer and the terms of the transactions.

If a broker is used in the sale of the securities, the broker will not acquire the securities, and we will sell the securities directly to the purchasers in the applicable market. These will be conducted as “at the market offerings” within the meaning of the Securities Act. The prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of our arrangement with the broker.

We may directly solicit offers to purchase the securities, and we may sell directly to institutional investors or others. These persons may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale of the securities. The prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any such sales, including the terms of any bidding, auction or other process, if utilized.

Agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under agreements that may be entered into with us to indemnification by us against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution by us to payments they may be required to make in respect of such liabilities. The prospectus supplement will describe the terms and conditions of such indemnification or contribution. Some of the agents, underwriters or dealers, or their affiliates may be customers of ours, or engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

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LEGAL MATTERS

Winston & Strawn LLP, Los Angeles, California, has rendered an opinion with respect to the validity of the securities being offered by this prospectus. We have filed this opinion as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. If counsel for any underwriters passes on legal matters in connection with an offering made by this prospectus, we will name that counsel in the prospectus supplement relating to that offering.

EXPERTS

The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

Ducommun files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information about issuers, like us, who file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is www.sec.gov. Unless specifically listed under “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” below, the information contained on the SEC website is not intended to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and you should not consider that information a part of this prospectus. We maintain a website at https://www.ducommun.com. You should not consider information on our website to be part of this prospectus.

We have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement on Form S-3, of which this prospectus is part, and related exhibits under the Securities Act. The registration statement contains additional relevant information. The rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission allow us to omit certain information included in the registration statement from this prospectus.

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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus.

This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below that we have filed with the SEC but have not been included or delivered with this prospectus. These documents contain important information about us and our business, prospects and financial condition.

We also incorporate by reference any future filings we make with the SEC under sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, on or after the date of this registration statement and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement and on or after the date of this prospectus and prior to the closing of each offering. These additional documents include periodic reports, such as Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K (other than information furnished and not filed by us under any item of any Current Report on Form 8-K, including the related exhibits, which is deemed not to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus), as well as proxy statements (other than information identified in them as not incorporated by reference). You should review these filings as they may disclose changes in our business, prospects, financial condition or other affairs after the date of this prospectus. The information that we file later with the SEC under sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and before the closing of each offering will automatically update and supersede previous information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

You can obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus from us without charge, excluding any exhibits to those documents unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference in those documents. You can obtain documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus by requesting them in writing or by telephone from us at the following address:

Investor Relations

Ducommun Incorporated

200 Sandpointe Avenue, Suite 700

Santa Ana, California 92707-5759

(657) 335-3665

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DUCOMMUN INCORPORATED

Debt Securities

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Depositary Shares

Warrants

Stock Purchase Contracts

Stock Purchase Units

Units of these Securities

PROSPECTUS

                , 2022

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits a corporation to indemnify its directors and officers against expenses (including attorney’s fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with any action, suit or proceeding brought by third parties, if such directors or officers acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. In a derivative action, i.e., one by or in the right of the corporation, indemnification may be made only for expenses actually and reasonably incurred by directors and officers in connection with the defense or settlement of an action or suit, and only with respect to a matter as to which they shall have acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made if such person shall have been adjudged liable to the corporation, unless the court in which the action or suit was brought may determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances, the officers or directors are fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses.

Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a corporation may eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such provisions shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (1) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (3) under section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or (4) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. No such provision shall eliminate or limit the liability of a director for any act or omission occurring before the date when such provision becomes effective. Ducommun’s restated certificate of incorporation provides for such limitations on liability.

Ducommun’s bylaws, as amended, provide that Ducommun shall, to the full extent permitted by the law, indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (including without limitation any action by or in the right of Ducommun) by reason of the fact that she or he is or was a director or

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officer of Ducommun, or is or was serving at the request of Ducommun as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of Ducommun, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.

Ducommun has entered into an indemnification agreement with each of its directors and executive officers. Ducommun also has obtained directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that provides insurance coverage for certain liabilities which may be incurred by directors and officers of Ducommun in their capacity as such.

Insofar as the foregoing provisions permit indemnification of directors, officer or persons controlling us for liability arising under the Securities Act, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

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The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: (i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and (iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement;

(2) that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;

(3) to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering;

(4) that, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser: (A) each prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration

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statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and (B) each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which the prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; and

(5) that, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser: (i) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; (ii) any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant; (iii) the portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of an undersigned Registrant; and (iv) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.

(6) that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(7) insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrants of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is

asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(8) to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Santa Ana, State of California, on November 7, 2022.

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Christopher D. Wampler and Rajiv A. Tata, and each of them, as their true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full and several power of substitution and re-substitution and to act without the others, for them and in their name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this registration statement, including post-effective amendments and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each such attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do so and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each such attorney-in-fact and agent, or their substitute or resubstitute, each acting alone, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.