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©

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x
 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011

or

o
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                     to

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-13792

Systemax Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 
11-3262067
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
 
Identification No.)

11 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, New York 11050
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (516) 608-7000

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   Yes  x   No  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   Yes  x    No  o

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

Large accelerated filer o
 
Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer o
 
Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)   Yes o   No x

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock as of November 1, 2011 was 36,391,823.






 



TABLE OF CONTENTS

Available Information
 
   
Part I
Financial Information
 
Item 1.
  4
Item 2.
11
Item 3.
15
Item 4.
16
     
Part II
Other Information
 
Item 1.
17
Item 6.
18
     
 
19






 
 
 
2

 
 


Available Information

We maintain an internet web site at www.systemax.com. We file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and make available free of charge on or through this website our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, including all amendments to those reports.  These are available as soon as is reasonably practicable after they are filed with the SEC.  All reports mentioned above are also available from the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov). The information on our website is not part of this or any other report we file with, or furnish to, the SEC.

Our Board of Directors has adopted the following corporate governance documents with respect to the Company (the “Corporate Governance Documents”):

·
Corporate Ethics Policy for officers, directors and employees
·
Charter for the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors
·
Charter for the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
·
Charter for the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors
·
Corporate Governance Guidelines and Principles

In accordance with the corporate governance rules of the New York Stock Exchange, each of the Corporate Governance Documents is available on our Company web site, www.systemax.com.





 
 
 
3

 
 


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.  Financial Statements

Systemax Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)

   
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
   
2011
 
2010
 
   
(Unaudited)
     
ASSETS:
         
Current assets:
         
Cash
 
$
126,419
 
$
92,077
 
Accounts receivable, net
 
254,700
 
276,344
 
Inventories
 
340,202
 
370,375
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
21,688
 
19,308
 
Deferred income taxes
 
6,668
 
7,133
 
Total current assets
 
749,677
 
765,237
 
           
Property, plant and equipment, net
 
70,877
 
73,765
 
Deferred income taxes
 
1,551
 
2,313
 
Goodwill and intangibles
 
48,764
 
49,473
 
Other assets
 
3,261
 
3,312
 
Total assets
 
$
874,130
 
$
894,100
 
           
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
         
Current liabilities:
         
Accounts payable
 
$
335,185
 
$
377,030
 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
 
76,357
 
84,680
 
     
 
   
Current portion of long term debt
 
2,420
 
2,655
 
Total current liabilities
 
413,962
 
464,365
 
           
Long-term debt
 
6,060
 
7,386
 
Other liabilities
 
14,123
 
13,081
 
Total liabilities
 
434,145
 
484,832
 
           
Commitments and contingencies
 
-
 
 
           
Shareholders’ equity:
         
Preferred stock
 
-
 
 
Common stock
 
389
 
389
 
Additional paid-in capital
 
180,030
 
181,519
 
Treasury stock
 
(30,602)
 
(24,947)
 
Retained earnings
 
293,280
 
253,526
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(3,112)
 
(1,219)
 
Total shareholders’ equity
 
439,985
 
409,268
 
           
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
 
$
874,130
 
$
894,100
 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.




 
 
 
4

 


Systemax Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

   
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
   
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
Net sales
 
$
901,180
 
$
862,705
 
$
2,703,269
 
$
2,583,817
 
Cost of sales
 
769,842
 
747,450
 
2,312,490
 
2,230,560
 
Gross profit
 
131,338
 
115,255
 
390,779
 
353,257
 
Selling, general & administrative expenses
 
111,783
 
100,304
 
337,417
 
301,458
 
Special (gains) charges
 
443
 
2,855
 
(6,203)
 
3,198
 
Operating income
 
19,112
 
12,096
 
59,565
 
48,601
 
Foreign currency exchange (gain) loss
 
1,776
 
(1,843)
 
39
 
558
 
Interest and other income, net
 
(267)
 
(168
)
(1,024)
 
(602
)
Interest expense
 
464
 
361
 
1,504
 
1,084
 
Income before income taxes
 
17,139
 
13,746
 
59,046
 
47,561
 
Provision for income taxes
 
6,510
 
5,124
 
19,292
 
17,738
 
Net income
 
$
10,629
 
$
8,622
 
$
39,754
 
$
29,823
 
                   
Net income per common share:
                 
Basic
 
$
.29
 
$
.23
 
$
1.08
 
$
.81
 
Diluted
 
$
.29
 
$
.23
 
$
1.07
 
$
.79
 
                   
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                 
Basic
 
36,547
 
37,053
 
36,840
 
36,935
 
Diluted
 
36,720
 
37,586
 
37,169
 
37,577
 
                   

 
  See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.




 
 
 
5

 


Systemax Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(In thousands)

   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
 
2010
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
         
Net income
 
$
39,754
 
$
29,823
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
         
Depreciation and amortization
 
13,031
 
10,480
 
Benefit from deferred income taxes
 
(141)
 
(332)
 
Provision for returns and doubtful accounts
 
2,086
 
2,325
 
Compensation expense related to equity compensation plans
 
1,363
 
1,909
 
Return of common stock
 
(7,890)
 
-
 
Excess tax benefit from exercises of stock options
 
(222)
 
(758)
 
Loss on dispositions and abandonment
 
72
 
71
 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
         
Accounts receivable
 
19,413
 
(7,640)
 
Inventories
 
29,517
 
(64,317)
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
(6,288)
 
3,249
 
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities
 
(44,966)
 
724
 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
 
45,729
 
(24,466)
 
           
Cash flows from investing activities:
         
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
 
(9,145)
 
(18,546)
 
Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment
 
25
 
23
 
Net cash used in investing activities
 
(9,120)
 
(18,523)
 
           
Cash flows from financing activities:
         
Borrowings on credit facility and short term debt
 
10,861
 
163,528
 
Repayments of borrowings on credit facility and short term debt
 
(10,861)
 
(146,577)
 
Repayments from capital lease obligations
 
(2,189)
 
(816)
 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
 
205
 
851
 
Proceeds from recovery zone bond
 
624
 
-
 
Excess tax benefit from exercises of stock options
 
222
 
758
 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
 
(1,138)
 
17,744
 
           
Effects of exchange rates on cash
 
(1,129)
 
(2,615)
 
           
Net increase (decrease) in cash
 
34,342
 
(27,860)
 
Cash – beginning of period
 
92,077
 
58,309
 
Cash – end of period
 
$
126,419
 
$
30,449
 
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
         
Acquisitions of equipment through capital leases
 
$
628
 
$
589
 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.




 
 
 
6

 


Systemax Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited)
(In thousands)

                               
   
Common Stock
             
Accumulated
         
   
Number of
     
Additional
 
Treasury
     
Other
         
   
Shares
     
Paid-in
 
Stock,
 
Retained
 
Comprehensive
 
Comprehensive
     
   
Outstanding
 
Amount
 
Capital
 
At Cost
 
Earnings
 
Loss
 
Income
     
                                   
Balances, January 1, 2011
 
36,755
 
$
389
 
$
181,519
 
$
(24,947)
 
$
253,526
 
$
(1,219)
         
                                   
Stock-based compensation expense
         
 1,243
                     
Issuance of restricted stock
 
126
     
(1,371)
 
1,507
                 
Exercise of stock options
 
61
     
(523)
 
728
                 
Return of common stock
 
(550)
         
(7,890)
                 
Surrender of fully vested options
         
(1,085)
                     
Income tax benefit on stock-based compensation
         
247
                     
Change in cumulative translation adjustment
                     
(1,893)
 
$
(1,893)
     
Net income
                 
 39,754
     
39,754
       
Total comprehensive income
                         
$
37,861
     
                                     
Balances, September 30, 2011
 
36,392
 
$
389
 
$
180,030
 
$
(30,602)
 
$
293,280
 
$
(3,112)
         

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.




 
 
 
7

 


Systemax Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 
1.
Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America are not required in these interim financial statements and have been condensed or omitted.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements contain all normal and recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2011 and the results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, cash flows for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 and changes in shareholders’ equity for the nine month period ended September 30, 2011.  The December 31, 2010 condensed consolidated balance sheet has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.

These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2010 and for the year then ended included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.  The results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year.

Systemax manages its business and reports using a 52-53 week fiscal year that ends at midnight on the Saturday closest to December 31.  For clarity of presentation herein, fiscal years and quarters are referred to as if they ended on the traditional calendar month.  The actual fiscal third quarter ended on October 1, 2011.  The third quarters of both 2011 and 2010 included 13 weeks and the first nine months of both 2011 and 2010 included 39 weeks.

 
2.
Net Income per Common Share

Net income per common share - basic was calculated based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the respective periods presented using the two class method of computing earnings per share.  The two class method was used as the Company has outstanding restricted stock with rights to dividend participation for unvested shares.  Net income per common share - diluted was calculated based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and included the equivalent shares for dilutive options and restricted stock awards outstanding during the respective periods, including unvested options. The dilutive effect of outstanding options and restricted stock issued by the Company is reflected in net income per share - diluted using the treasury stock method.  Under the treasury stock method, options will only have a dilutive effect when the average market price of common stock during the period exceeds the exercise price of the options. The weighted average number of stock options outstanding included in the computation of diluted earnings per share was 0.2 million and 0.5 million shares for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and 0.3 million and 0.6 million shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The weighted average number of restricted stock awards included in the computation of diluted earnings per share was 0.04 million and 0.05 million shares for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and 0.2 million and 0.06 million shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The weighted average number of stock options outstanding excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share was 0.7 million and 0.6 million shares for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and 0.7 million and 0.8 million shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, due to their antidilutive effect.

 
3.
Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income consists of net income and foreign currency translation adjustments and is included in the condensed consolidated statement of shareholders’ equity.  For the three month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, comprehensive income was $3.6 million and $14.0 million, respectively and for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, comprehensive income was $37.9 million and $28.2 million, respectively.
 
 
4.
Credit Facilities

The Company maintains a $125.0 million (which may be increased to $200.0 million, subject to certain conditions) secured revolving credit agreement with a group of financial institutions which provides for borrowings in the United States and United Kingdom.  The credit facility has a five year term, maturing on October 26, 2015. Availability is subject to a borrowing base formula that takes into account eligible receivables and eligible inventory.  Borrowings are secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets, including accounts receivable, inventory and certain other assets, subject to limited exceptions, including the exclusion of certain foreign assets from the collateral.  The credit agreement contains certain operating, financial and other covenants, including limits on annual levels of capital expenditures, availability tests related to payments of dividends and stock repurchases and fixed charge coverage tests related to acquisitions.  The borrowings under the agreement are subject to borrowing base limitations of up to 85% of eligible accounts receivable and up to 40% of qualified inventories.  The interest rate under this facility is computed at applicable market rates based on LIBOR or the Prime Rate, plus an applicable margin. The revolving credit agreement requires that a minimum level of availability be maintained.  If such availability is not maintained, the Company will be required to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined).  The applicable margin varies based on borrowing base availability.  As of September 30, 2011, eligible collateral under the agreement was $116.5 million, total availability was $106.6 million, total outstanding letters of credit were $9.9 million and there were no outstanding advances.  The Company was in compliance with all of the covenants under this facility as of September 30, 2011.

The Company’s Inmac-WStore subsidiary maintains a secured revolving credit agreement with a financial institution in France which is secured by Inmac-WStore accounts receivable balances.  Available amounts for borrowing under this facility includes all accounts receivable balances not over 60 days past due reduced by the greater of €4.0 million or 10% of the eligible accounts receivable.  As of September 30, 2011, there was availability under this credit facility of approximately €17.5 million ($23.4 million) and there were no outstanding borrowings.  Under this agreement the Company is subject to certain non-financial covenants which it was in compliance with at September 30, 2011.  The credit facility duration is indefinite; however either party may cancel the agreement with sixty days notice.

 
 5.
Long Term Debt

On September 23, 2010, the Company (through a subsidiary) completed a tax exempt Recovery Zone Facility Bond (the “Bonds”) financing for up to $15.0 million with the Development Authority of Jefferson, Georgia (the “Authority”).   The Bonds were issued by the Authority and initially purchased by GE Government Finance Inc., and mature on October 1, 2018.  Interest on the Bonds is calculated at the rate of 4.15% per annum and principal and interest payments are due monthly.  The proceeds of the Bonds are to be used to finance or repay the costs of capital equipment purchased for the Company’s distribution facility located in Jefferson, Georgia.  The purchase and installation of all the equipment for the facility is expected to be completed by December 31, 2011.  Pursuant to the transaction, the Company will transfer to the Authority for consideration consisting of the Bond proceeds ownership of the equipment to be used at the distribution facility and the Authority in turn will lease the equipment to the Company’s subsidiary pursuant to a capital equipment lease expiring October 1, 2018.  Under the capital equipment lease, the Company has the right to acquire ownership of the equipment at any time for a purchase price sufficient to pay off all principal and interest on the Bonds, plus $1.00.  As a result of the capital lease treatment for this transaction, the leased equipment is included in property, plant and equipment in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. As of September 30, 2011, there was $6.9 million outstanding against this facility.
 

 
 
 
8

 


 
6.
Reorganization Costs

In 2010, the Company’s WStore France subsidiary incurred integration related charges of approximately $3.7 million for severances and other costs related to the merger of its Misco and WStore operations.  These costs were recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses within the Technology Products segment. Other costs totaling $0.3 million were recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses within the Corporate and other segment in fiscal year 2010.  The Company anticipates incurring minimal additional costs related to this integration.

The following table details the associated liabilities incurred related to this plan (in thousands):
   
Severance and
Personnel
Costs
   
Other Exit Costs
   
Total
 
Balance January 1, 2010
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Charged to expense
   
2,975
     
1,030
     
4,005
 
Paid or otherwise settled
   
(1,923
)
   
(946
)
   
(2,869
)
Balance December 31, 2010
 
$
1,052
   
$
84
   
$
1,136
 
Charged to expense
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Paid or otherwise settled
   
(943)
     
(84
)
   
(1,027
)
Balance September 30, 2011
 
$
109
   
$
-
   
$
109
 
 
 
 
 
7.
Segment Information

Systemax is primarily a direct marketer of brand name and private label products. Our operations are organized into two reportable business segments – Technology Products and Industrial Products.

Our Technology Products segment sells computers, computer supplies and consumer electronics which are marketed in North America and Europe.  Most of these products are manufactured by other companies.  Some products are manufactured for us to our own design and marketed on a private label basis.

Our Industrial Products segment sells a wide array of industrial products and supplies which are marketed in North America. Most of these products are manufactured by other companies.  Some products are manufactured for us to our own design and marketed on a private label basis.

The Company’s chief operating decision-maker is the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.  The Company evaluates segment performance based on operating income, before net interest, foreign exchange gains and losses, reorganization and other charges, internal management fees and income taxes. Corporate costs not identified with the disclosed segments are grouped as “Corporate and other” below.

The chief operating decision-maker reviews assets and makes capital expenditure decisions for the Company on a consolidated basis only.  The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those of the Company.

The Company’s Industrial Products and Technology Products segments sell dissimilar products.  Industrial products are generally higher in price, lower in volume and higher in product margin.  Technology products are generally higher in volume, lower in price and lower in product margin.  This results in higher operating margin for the Industrial Products segment.  Each segment carries specifically identifiable selling, general and administrative expenses, with the selling, general and administrative expenses for the Industrial Products segment being higher as a percentage of sales than those of the Technology Products segment as a result of the Industrial Products segment having a longer selling cycle than the Technology Products segment.

Financial information relating to the Company’s operations by reportable segment was as follows (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
   
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
Net sales:
                 
Technology Products
 
$
813,261
 
$
794,246
 
$
2,464,269
 
$
2,397,458
 
Industrial Products
 
86,978
 
67,821
 
236,578
 
184,601
 
Corporate and Other
 
941
 
638
 
2,422
 
1,758
 
Consolidated
 
$
901,180
 
$
862,705
 
$
2,703,269
 
$
2,583,817
 
                   
Operating income (loss):
                 
Technology Products
 
$
13,552
 
$
8,557
 
$
50,234
 
$
45,829
 
Industrial Products
 
10,202
 
7,915
 
26,019
 
17,639
 
Corporate and Other
 
(4,642
 )
(4,376
)
(16,688
 )
(14,867
)
Consolidated
 
$
19,112
 
$
12,096
 
$
59,565
 
$
48,601
 

Financial information relating to the Company’s operations by geographic area was as follows (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
   
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
Net sales:
                 
United States
 
$
580,522
 
$
564,887
 
$
1,717,160
 
$
1,666,070
 
United Kingdom
 
116,648
 
109,439
 
336,947
 
322,199
 
Other Europe
 
149,897
 
136,511
 
481,321
 
443,964
 
Other North America
 
54,113
 
51,868
 
167,841
 
151,584
 
Consolidated
 
$
901,180
 
$
862,705
 
$
2,703,269
 
$
2,583,817
 

 Revenues are attributed to countries based on the location of the selling subsidiary.


Financial information relating to the Company’s entity-wide product category sales was as follows (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
   
September 30,
 
September 30,
   
2011
%
2010
%
 
2011
%
2010
%
Product Category:
                   
Computers
 
$
280,715
31.1%
$
221,874
25.7%
 
$
742,408
27.5%
$
650,836
25.2%
Computer accessories & software
 
247,546
27.5%
237,867
27.6%
 
769,131
28.4%
719,217
27.8%
Consumer electronics
 
166,953
18.5%
189,030
21.9%
 
543,359
20.1%
573,730
22.2%
Computer components
 
99,468
11.0%
132,162
15.3%
 
348,461
12.9%
402,562
15.6%
Industrial products
 
86,977
9.7%
67,821
7.9%
 
236,578
8.8%
184,521
7.2%
Other
 
19,521
2.2%
13,951
1.6%
 
63,332
2.3%
52,951
2.0%
Consolidated
 
$
901,180
100.0%
$
862,705
100.0%
 
$
2,703,269
100.0%
$
2,583,817
100.0%


 

 
 
 
9

 


 
  8.
Settlement Agreement

On April 18, 2011, the Company notified Gilbert Fiorentino, who was at the time the Chief Executive of its Technology Products Group and a Director, that it intended to terminate his employment pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement and that Fiorentino was being placed on immediate administrative leave.  The Company’s action followed the conclusion of an independent investigation by its Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, with the assistance of independent counsel, of the Company’s Miami, Florida operations.  This investigation was initially disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-K for 2010.
 
On May 9, 2011, the Company announced that it accepted the resignation of Fiorentino, and that it had executed an agreement with Fiorentino under which Fiorentino surrendered certain assets to the Company valued at approximately $11 million at May 9, 2011; these assets included the surrender of 1,130,001 shares of Systemax common stock and $480,000 in cash. The shares surrendered consisted of 1) 580,001 shares of fully vested unexercised stock options, 2) 100,000 shares of fully vested restricted stock awards and 3) 450,000 shares directly owned by Fiorentino. The shares surrendered were valued at fair value on May 6, 2011 in the case of the stock options and restricted stock awards and at fair value on May 12, 2011 in the case of the owned shares.  The agreement also requires Fiorentino to disclose his and his immediate family’s personal assets; forfeit undisclosed assets discovered by the Company; disclose information regarding certain matters that led to his being notified of the Company’s intent to terminate him; and to fully cooperate with the Company in the future.  Fiorentino and the Company also exchanged mutual general releases and nondisparagement commitments, and Fiorentino agreed to a 5 year noncompetition obligation.  The $11 million settlement value included a financial statement benefit to the Company related to the surrender of shares and cash payment of approximately $8.4 million which was recorded in the second quarter of 2011 under special (gains) charges, net of related legal and professional fees of approximately $1.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 and $1.8 million for the first six months of 2011. The remainder of the settlement value, approximately $2.6 million, was the intrinsic value of the fully vested unexercised stock options on the date of the settlement agreement for which there is no financial statement impact.   For the third quarter of 2011, $0.4 million of additional legal and professional fees were incurred related to the investigation and for the first nine months of 2011 related fees total $2.2 million. The matters investigated occurred over a number of years, did not have a material impact on Systemax's previously reported financial results in any reporting period, and were limited to the Company's Miami operations. The Company expects to incur additional expenses related to this matter in future quarters.
 

 
 
  9.
Legal Proceedings

On June 21, 2011 Systemax Inc. received notice that the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has initiated a formal investigation into certain matters discovered by the Company during its internal investigation of its Miami Florida operations.  That internal investigation resulted in the resignation of Gilbert Fiorentino (the former Chief Executive of the Technology Products Group and a director of the Company) on May 9, 2011 and the Company entering into an agreement with Mr. Fiorentino under which, among other things, he surrendered to the Company certain assets then valued at approximately $11 million.  The internal investigation was conducted by the Company’s independent Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, with the assistance of independent counsel.  The Company is fully cooperating with the SEC in its formal investigation and  does not expect to comment further on developments related to this matter and disclaims any intention or obligation to update any of the information contained herein, except as required by law.
 
The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in various lawsuits, claims, investigations and  proceedings including commercial, employment, consumer, personal injury and health and safety law matters, which are being handled and defended in the ordinary course of business.  In addition, the Company is subject to various assertions, claims, proceedings and requests for indemnification concerning intellectual property, including patent infringement suits involving technologies that are incorporated in a broad spectrum of products the Company sells. The Company is also audited by (or has initiated voluntary disclosure agreements with) numerous governmental agencies in various countries, including U.S. Federal and state authorities, concerning potential income tax, sales tax and unclaimed property liabilities.  These matters are in various stages of investigation, negotiation and/or litigation, and are being vigorously defended.

Although the Company does not expect, based on currently available information, that the outcome in any of these matters, individually or collectively, will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations, the ultimate outcome is inherently unpredictable. 
 
Therefore, judgments could be rendered or settlements entered, that could adversely affect the Company’s operating results or cash flows in a particular period.  The Company routinely assesses all of its litigation and threatened litigation as to the probability of ultimately incurring a liability, and records its best estimate of the ultimate loss in situations where it assesses the likelihood of loss as probable and estimable.
 



 
10

 

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward Looking Statements

This report contains forward looking statements within the meaning of that term in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).  Additional written or oral forward looking statements may be made by the Company from time to time, in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission or otherwise.  Statements contained in this report that are not historical facts are forward looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward looking statements may include, but are not limited to, projections of revenue, income or loss and capital expenditures, statements regarding future operations, financing needs, compliance with financial covenants in loan agreements, plans for acquisition or sale of assets or businesses and consolidation of operations of newly acquired businesses, and plans relating to products or services of the Company, assessments of materiality, predictions of future events and the effects of pending and possible litigation, as well as assumptions relating to the foregoing. In addition, when used in this discussion, the words “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans” and variations thereof and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements.

Forward-looking statements in this report are based on the Company’s beliefs and expectations as of the date of this report and are subject to risks and uncertainties which may have a significant impact on the Company’s business, operating results or financial condition.  Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain.  Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results or outcomes may vary materially from those described herein. Statements in this report, particularly in “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, describe certain factors, among others, that could contribute to or cause such differences.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward looking statements contained in this report, which speak only as of the date of this report.  We undertake no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unexpected events.


Overview

Systemax is primarily a direct marketer of brand name and private label products. In recent years, the Company has expanded into selling its products in “brick and mortar” retail stores.  Our operations are organized in two reportable business segments – Technology Products and Industrial Products.

Our Technology Products segment sells computers, computer supplies and consumer electronics which are marketed in North America and Europe. Most of these products are manufactured by other companies, however, we do offer a selection of products that are manufactured for us to our own design and marketed on a private label basis.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, Technology products accounted for 91% of our net sales.

Our Industrial Products segment sells a wide array of industrial products and supplies which are marketed in North America. Most of these products are manufactured by other companies.  Some products are manufactured for us to our own design and marketed on a private label basis. Industrial products accounted for 9% of our net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  In both of our Technology Products and Industrial Products segments, we offer our customers a broad selection of products, prompt order fulfillment and extensive customer service.  
 
Our Industrial Products and Technology Products segments sell dissimilar products. Industrial products are generally higher in price, lower in volume and higher in product margin.  Technology products are generally higher in volume, lower in price and lower in product margin.  This results in higher operating margin for the Industrial Products segment.  Each segment carries specifically identifiable selling, general and administrative expenses, with the selling, general and administrative expenses for the Industrial Products segment being higher as a percentage of sales than those of the Technology Products segment as a result of the Industrial Products segment having a longer selling cycle for its business customers than the Technology Products segment.
 
The market for computer products and consumer electronics is subject to intense price competition and is characterized by narrow gross profit margins.  The North American industrial products market is highly fragmented and we compete against multiple distribution channels.  Distribution is working capital intensive, requiring us to incur significant costs associated with the warehousing of many products, including the costs of maintaining inventory, leasing warehouse space, inventory management systems, and employing personnel to perform the associated tasks.  We supplement our on-hand product availability by maintaining relationships with major distributors and manufacturers, utilizing a combination of stock and drop-shipment fulfillment.

The primary component of our operating expenses historically has been employee related costs, which includes items such as wages, commissions, bonuses, employee benefits and stock option expenses.  We continually assess our operations to ensure that they are efficient, aligned with market conditions and responsive to customer needs.

The discussion of our results of operations and financial condition that follows will provide information that will assist in understanding our financial statements, the factors that we believe may affect our future results and financial condition as well as information about how certain accounting principles and estimates affect the consolidated financial statements.  This discussion should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements included herein and in conjunction with the audited financial statements as of December 31, 2010 and the other information provided in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.

In the discussion of our results of operations we refer to business to business sales, consumer channel sales and period to period constant currency comparisons.  Business to business sales are sales made direct to other businesses through managed business relationships, outbound call centers and extranets. Sales in the Industrial Products segment and Corporate and other are considered to be business to business sales.  Consumer channel sales are sales from retail stores, consumer websites, inbound call centers and television shopping channels.  Constant currency refers to the adjustment of the results of our foreign operations to exclude the effects of period to period fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and revenues and expenses during the period. Significant accounting policies employed by the Company, including the use of estimates, were presented in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the presentation of our financial condition and results of operations, require management’s most difficult, subjective and complex judgments, and involve uncertainties.  The accounting policies that have been identified as critical to our business operations and understanding the results of operations pertain to revenue recognition; accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts; inventories; goodwill and intangible assets; long-lived assets; accruals; income taxes; and reorganization and other costs.  The application of each of these critical accounting policies and estimates was discussed in Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.  There have been no significant changes in the application of critical accounting policies or estimates during 2011.  Management believes that full consideration has been given to all relevant circumstances that we may be subject to, and the condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company accurately reflect management’s best estimate of the consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Company for the periods presented.  Because of the uncertainty in these estimates, actual results could differ from estimates used in applying the critical accounting policies.  We are not aware of any reasonably likely events or circumstances which would result in different amounts being reported that would materially affect the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Public companies in the United States are subject to the accounting and reporting requirements of various authorities, including the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  These authorities issue numerous pronouncements, most of which are not applicable to the Company’s current or reasonably foreseeable operating structure. Below are the new authoritative pronouncements that management believes are relevant to the Company’s current operations.

In 2011, the FASB issued guidance which provides companies with the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing updated qualitative factors, a company determines it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, it would not have to perform the current two-step goodwill impairment test.  The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued amended guidance related to comprehensive income.  The amended guidance requires the presentation of items of net income, items of other comprehensive income and total comprehensive income in one continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements.  Presentation of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of stockholders’ equity is no longer allowed under the amended guidance.  The amended guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011.  The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In December 2010, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that updates existing disclosure requirements related to supplementary pro forma information for business combinations.  Under the updated guidance, a public entity that presents comparative financial statements should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only.  The guidance also expands the supplemental pro forma disclosures to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings.  This guidance became effective for the Company on January 1, 2011 and will be applied prospectively to business combinations that have an acquisition date on or after January 1, 2011.
 


 
11

 


Results of Operations

Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 compared to the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010

Key Performance Indicators (in thousands):

     
Three Months Ended
         
Nine Months Ended
   
     
September 30,
 
%
     
September 30,
%
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Change
     
2011
   
2010
 
Change
 
Net sales by segment:
                                 
Technology products
 $
813,261
 
794,246
 
2.4
%
 
$
2,464,269
 
$
2,397,458
 
2.8
%
Industrial products
 
86,978
   
67,821
 
28.2
%
   
236,578
   
184,601
 
28.2
%
Corporate and other
 
941
   
638
 
47.5
%
   
2,422
   
1,758
 
37.8
%
Consolidated net sales
  $
901,180
 
862,705
 
4.5
%
 
$
2,703,269
 
$
2,583,817
 
4.6
%
Net sales by geography:
                                 
North America
 $
634,635
 
616,755
 
2.9
%
 
$
1,885,001
 
$
1,817,654
 
3.7
%
Europe
 
266,545
   
245,950
 
8.4
%
   
818,268
   
766,163
 
6.8
%
Consolidated net sales
  $
901,180
 
862,705
 
4.5
%
 
$
2,703,269
 
$
2,583,817
 
4.6
%
Net sales by channel:
                                 
Business to business
 $
508,149
 
435,169
 
16.8
%
 
$
1,471,185
 
$
1,297,830
 
13.4
%
Consumer
 
393,031
   
427,536
 
(8.1)
%
   
1,232,084
   
1,285,987
 
(4.2)
%
    Consolidated net sales
  $
901,180
 
862,705
 
4.5
%
 
$
2,703,269
 
$
2,583,817
 
4.6
%
Consolidated gross margin
 
14.6
%
 
13.4
%
1.2
%
   
14.5
%
 
13.7
%
0.8
%
Consolidated SG&A costs*
  $
112,226
 
103,159
 
8.8
%
 
$
331,214
 
$
304,656
 
8.7
%
Consolidated SG&A costs* as a % of net sales
 
12.5
%
 
12.0
%
0.5
%
   
12.3
%
 
11.8
%
0.5
%
Operating income (loss) by segment:
                                 
Technology products
 $
13,552
 
8,557
 
58.4
%
 
$
50,234
 
$
45,829
 
9.6
%
Industrial products
 
10,202
   
7,915
 
28.9
%
   
26,019
   
17,639
 
47.5
%
Corporate and other
 
(4,642)
   
(4,376)
 
6.1
%
   
(16,688)
   
(14,867)
 
12.2
%
Consolidated operating income
  $
19,112
 
12,096
 
58.0
%
 
$
59,565
 
$
48,601
 
22.6
%
Operating margin by segment:
                                 
Technology products
 
1.7
%
 
1.1
%
0.6
%
   
2.0
%
 
1.9
%
0.1
%
Industrial products
 
11.7
%
 
11.7
%
-
%
   
11.0
%
 
9.6
%
1.4
%
Consolidated operating margin
 
 
2.1
%
 
 
1.4
%
0.7
%
   
 
2.2
%
 
 
1.9
%
0.3
%
Effective income tax rate
 
38.0
%
 
37.3
%
0.7
%
   
32.7
%
 
37.3
(4.6)
%
Net income
  $
10,629
 
8,622
 
23.3
%
 
$
39,754
 
$
29,823
 
33.3
%
Net margin
 
1.2
%
 
1.0
%
0.2
%
   
1.5
%
 
1.2
%
0.3
%
*includes special gains and charges. See Note 8 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
NET SALES
 
SEGMENTS
 
The Technology Products net sales increase for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 is attributable to increased computer sales, including tablet computing devices, and computer accessories and software sales primarily due to increased business spending.  On a constant currency basis, Technology Products net sales would have decreased 0.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and increased 0.3%, for the nine month period ended September 30, 2011.
 
The Industrial Products net sales increase for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the same period in 2010 is attributable to an increase in the number of products offered on the Company’s website and the addition of sales personnel in 2011.
 
GEOGRAPHIES
 
The North American sales increase for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 was primarily the result of the Industrial Products segment’s additional new product lines and product offerings and solid performance from our retail store sales partially offset by declining web sales in the Technology Products segment.  On a constant currency basis, North American sales would have increased 2.3% and 3.1%, respectively, for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011.  Movement in foreign exchange rates positively impacted sales by approximately $3.5 million in the quarter and $10.2 million for the first nine months of 2011.

European sales were positively impacted for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 by movement in foreign exchange rates of approximately $21.0 million and $49.5 million, respectively.  On a constant currency basis, European sales would have decreased 0.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and increased 0.3% for the nine month period ended September 30, 2011.


 
12

 

 
CHANNELS


Worldwide business to business channel sales increased for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 primarily as the result of the Industrial Products segment’s additional product lines and product offerings and the addition of business to business sales personnel in both the Technology Products and Industrial Products segments. On a constant currency basis, worldwide business to business channel sales grew 12.3% for the third quarter and 9.8% for the nine month period ended September 30, 2011.

Worldwide consumer-channel sales declined 8.1% in the third quarter of 2011 and declined 4.2% for the first nine months of 2011 primarily as the result of a decline in European and North American unassisted website sales partially offset by solid performance from our retail stores.  On a constant currency basis, worldwide consumer channel sales decreased 9.3% for the third quarter of 2011 and 5.2% for the nine month period ended September 30, 2011.

GROSS MARGIN

Consolidated gross margin increased 120 basis points in the third quarter of 2011 and 80 basis points for the first nine months of 2011, as compared to the same periods in 2010, primarily due to changes in the segment and channel mix, with Industrial Products sales, which are typically higher margin than Technology Products, contributing a larger percentage of gross profit dollars in 2011. Modest improvements in our freight margin in Technology Products contributed to the improved margin from our ongoing freight and logistics initiatives.  Gross margin is dependent on variables such as product mix, price protection and other sales incentives offered by the Company’s vendors, competition, pricing strategy, cooperative advertising funds required to be classified as a reduction to cost of sales, freight discounting and other variables, any or all of which may result in fluctuations in gross margin.

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the same periods in 2010 was primarily the result of increased sales volume, increases in sales and other personnel headcount, facility and other operating costs related to additional retail stores and a new distribution center, and increased internet advertising spending.  Significant expense increases for the third quarter of 2011 include approximately $5.9 million of salary and related expenses, $2.9 million of increased internet, store space ad advertising, and reduced cooperative advertising funding on catalogs offset by decreased spending on catalogs, increased depreciation expense of $0.7 million, temporary help increased costs of approximately $0.7 million and increased rent and related expenses $0.5 million.  Significant expense increases for the first nine months of 2011 include approximately $21.3 million of increased payroll and payroll related costs, $7.2 million of increased internet and store space ad advertising offset by decreased spending on catalogs, $2.5 million of increased depreciation expense, $1.5 million of computer and telephone maintenance charges, $1.4 million of increased temporary help and $2.5 million of increased rent and related expenses.

SPECIAL (GAINS) CHARGES

The Company recorded additional legal and professional fees of approximately $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2011 related to investigation and settlement with a former officer and director.  A special gain of approximately $8.4 million related to the Settlement Agreement was recorded in the second quarter of 2011. This gain was partially offset by charges for related legal and professional fees of approximately $2.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 (See Note 8 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).

Charges incurred for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 of approximately $2.9 million and $3.2 million, respectively were related to the Company’s reorganization of its WStore operations.
 
OPERATING MARGIN

The improvement in Technology Products operating margin for third quarter 2011 compared to third quarter 2010 was primarily due to special charges related to the WStore integration that were incurred in the third quarter of 2010. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the improvement in Technology Products operating margin was due to the effect of a special gain recorded in 2011 as described above and special charges incurred in 2010 for the WStore integration.  Excluding these special gains and charges, Technology Products operating margin would have declined for the nine months period ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same period last year due to continuing price promotions offered and increased expenses relating to the addition of retail stores, a second distribution center and business to business sales headcount.

Industrial products operating margin was flat for the three months ended September 30, 2011 as incremental gross profits were invested in advertising and sales personnel to increase market share.  The improvement for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was due to incremental gross profits positively impacting operating income.

Corporate and other expenses increased for the three and nine months ending September 30, 2011 primarily as a result of increased personnel costs in our overhead departments and increased legal and professional fees.

Consolidated operating margin was impacted by special charges of $0.4 million recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2011 and special gains of $6.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.


INTEREST EXPENSE

The interest expense increase for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 is attributable to interest on the Recovery Zone Bond facility used to finance equipment for the second Technology Products distribution center opened in the third quarter of 2010.  Interest expense for 2010 is primarily attributable to the short term debt assumed as part of the WStore acquisition and interest on capital lease obligations.

INCOME TAXES

The Company’s effective tax rate for the third quarter was 38.0% compared to 37.3% in the third quarter of 2010.  The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was 32.7% compared to 37.3% for the same period last year. The higher effective tax rate for the quarter reflects the impact of our latest projection of full year taxable income which indicate the mix of our taxable income has shifted to countries that have higher tax rates than we had anticipated earlier in this year.  The lower effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 is primarily the result of the company having a higher pretax income in France compared to prior year. The pre-tax income in France is offset by the use of net operating loss carryforwards which have a full valuation allowance applied.


 
13

 

 
Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary liquidity needs are to support working capital requirements in our business, including working capital for new retail stores, funding capital expenditures, including those related to our retail stores and information technology systems, repaying outstanding debt, funding special dividends declared by our Board of Directors and funding acquisitions.  We rely principally upon operating cash flow to meet these needs.  We believe that cash flow available from these sources and our availability under credit facilities will be sufficient to fund our working capital and other cash requirements for at least the next twelve months. We believe our current capital structure and cash resources are adequate for our internal growth initiatives.  To the extent our growth initiatives expand, including major acquisitions or to significantly increase the pace at which we open retail stores, we would seek to raise additional capital.  We believe that, if needed, we can access public or private funding alternatives to raise additional capital.


Selected liquidity data (in thousands):
   
September 30,
2011
 
December 31,
2010
 
$ Change
 
Cash
 
$
126,419
 
$
92,077
 
$
34,342
 
Accounts receivable, net
 
$
254,700
 
$
276,344
 
$
(21,644)
 
Inventories, net
 
$
340,202
 
$
370,375
 
$
(30,173)
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
$
21,688
 
$
19,308
 
$
2,380
 
Accounts payable
 
$
335,185
 
$
377,030
 
$
(41,845)
 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
 
$
76,357
 
$
84,680
 
$
(8,323)
 
Current portion of long term debt
 
$
2,420
 
$
2,655
 
$
(235)
 
Working capital
 
$
335,715
 
$
300,872
 
$
34,843
 
 
Our working capital increased primarily as the result of the cash generated from net income for the period.  

The increase in cash provided by operations during 2011 resulted from changes in our working capital accounts, which used $2.3 million in cash compared to $68.0 million used in 2010, primarily the result of lower balances in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities as compared to prior year.  Cash generated from net income adjusted by other non-cash items provided $48.0 million during 2011 compared to $43.5 million provided by these items during 2010, primarily as a result of higher net income in 2011.  Our inventory turnover was 8.8 times on an annual basis compared to 7.9 times for the same period in 2010.  Future inventory and accounts receivable balances will continue to fluctuate with the additions of new retail stores, changes in sales volume and the mix of our net sales between business and consumer customers.


Cash flows used in investing activities during 2011 totaled $9.1 million and were for upgrades and enhancements to our information and communications systems hardware and software, expenditures in retail stores in North America.  Net cash used in investing activities in 2010 totaled $18.5 million and were for capital expenditures relating to our retail stores, information technology and a new distribution center in North America.

Net cash used in financing activities during 2011 totaled $1.1 million.  We borrowed and repaid approximately $10.9 million from revolving credit and short term debt facilities.  We also repaid approximately $2.1 million of capital lease obligations. Net proceeds and excess tax benefits from stock option exercises provided $0.4 million and we received proceeds of approximately $0.6 million from the Recovery Zone Facility Bond.  In 2010, we borrowed $163.5 million and repaid approximately $146.6 million from revolving credit and short term debt facilities.  In addition, we repaid $0.8 million in capital lease obligations. Proceeds and excess tax benefits from stock option exercises provided approximately $1.6 million of cash.

The Company maintains a $125.0 million (which may be increased to $200.0 million, subject to certain conditions) secured revolving credit agreement with a group of financial institutions which provides for borrowings in the United States and United Kingdom.  The credit facility has a five year term, maturing on October 26, 2015.  Availability is subject to a borrowing base formula that takes into account eligible receivables and eligible inventory.  Borrowings are secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets, including accounts receivable, inventory and certain other assets, subject to limited exceptions, including the exclusion of certain foreign assets from the collateral.  The credit agreement contains certain operating, financial and other covenants, including limits on annual levels of capital expenditures, availability tests related to payments of dividends and stock repurchases and fixed charge coverage tests related to acquisitions.  The revolving credit agreement requires that a minimum level of availability be maintained.  If such availability is not maintained, the Company will be required to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined).  The borrowings under the agreement are subject to borrowing base limitations of up to 85% of eligible accounts receivable and up to 40% of qualified inventories.  The interest rate under this facility is computed at applicable market rates based on LIBOR or the Prime Rate, plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin varies based on borrowing base availability. As of September 30, 2011, eligible collateral under this agreement was $116.5 million, total availability was $106.6 million, total outstanding letters of credit were $9.9 million and there were no outstanding advances.  The Company was in compliance with all of the covenants under this facility as of September 30, 2011.

The Company’s WStore subsidiary maintains a revolving credit agreement with a financial institution in France which is secured by WStore accounts receivable balances.  Available amounts for borrowing under this facility includes all accounts receivable balances not over 60 days past due reduced by the greater of €4.0 million or 10% of the eligible accounts receivable.  As of September 30, 2011, there was availability under this credit facility of approximately €17.5 million ($23.4 million) and there were no outstanding borrowings.  Under this agreement the Company is subject to certain non-financial covenants which it was in compliance with at September 30, 2011.  The credit facility duration is indefinite; however either party may cancel the agreement with sixty days notice.

On September 23, 2010, the Company (through a subsidiary) completed a tax exempt Recovery Zone Facility Bond (the “Bonds”) financing for up to $15.0 million with the Development Authority of Jefferson, Georgia (the “Authority”).  The Bonds were issued by the Authority and initially purchased by GE Government Finance Inc., and mature on October 1, 2018.  Interest on the Bonds is calculated at the rate of 4.15% per annum and principal and interest payments are due monthly.  The proceeds of the Bonds are to be used to finance or repay the costs of capital equipment purchased for the Company’s distribution facility located in Jefferson, Georgia. The purchase and installation of all the equipment for the facility is expected to be completed by December 31, 2011.  Pursuant to the transaction, the Company will transfer to the Authority, for consideration consisting of the Bonds proceeds, ownership of the equipment to be used at the distribution facility and the Authority in turn will lease the equipment to the Company’s subsidiary pursuant to a capital equipment lease expiring October 1, 2018.

Under the capital equipment lease the Company has the right to acquire ownership of the equipment at any time for a purchase price sufficient to pay off all principal and interest on the Bonds, plus $1.00.  As a result of the capital lease treatment for this transaction, the leased equipment will be included in property, plant and equipment in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.  As of September 30, 2011, the Company had $6.9 million outstanding against this facility.

We also have certain obligations with various parties that include commitments to make future payments.  Our principal commitments at September 30, 2011 consisted of payments under operating leases for certain of our real property and equipment, payments under capital leases for equipment, and payments under employment and other service agreements.

Our earnings and cash flows are seasonal in nature, with the fourth quarter of the fiscal year generating somewhat higher earnings and cash flows than the other quarters.  Levels of earnings and cash flows are dependent on factors such as consolidated gross margin and selling, general and administrative costs as a percentage of sales, product mix and relative levels of domestic and foreign sales. Unusual expense items, such as one time charges and settlements, may impact earnings and are separately disclosed.  We expect that past performance may not be indicative of future performance due to the competitive nature of our Technology Products segment where the need to adjust prices to gain or hold market share is prevalent.

Macroeconomic conditions, such as business and consumer sentiment, may affect our revenues, cash flows or financial condition.  However, we do not believe that there is a direct correlation between any specific macroeconomic indicator and our revenues, cash flows or financial condition.  We are not currently interest rate sensitive, as we have minimal debt.


 
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We anticipate cash needs to support working capital requirements in our business, including working capital for new retail stores, funding capital expenditures, including those related to our retail stores and information technology systems, repaying outstanding debt, funding special dividends declared by our Board of Directors and funding acquisitions.  These expenses and capital expenditures will require significant levels of liquidity, which we believe can be adequately funded from our currently available cash and revolving credit resources.  We have recently engaged in several opportunistic acquisitions, choosing to pay the purchase price in cash, and may do so in the future as favorable situations arise.  However, a deep and prolonged period of reduced consumer spending could adversely impact our cash resources and force us to either forego future acquisition opportunities or to pay the purchase price in shares of our common stock, which could have a dilutive effect on our earnings per share.

We maintain our cash primarily in money market funds or their equivalent.  As of September 30, 2011, all of our investments had maturities of less than three months. Accordingly, we do not believe that our investments have significant exposure to interest rate risk.

Off-balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations

The Company has not created, and is not party to, any special-purpose or off-balance sheet entities for the purpose of raising capital, incurring debt or operating the Company’s business.  The Company does not have any arrangements or relationships with entities that are not consolidated into the financial statements that are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s liquidity or the availability of capital resources.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are exposed to market risks, which include changes in U.S. and international interest rates as well as changes in currency exchange rates (principally Pounds Sterling, Euros and Canadian dollars) as measured against the U.S. dollar and each other.

The translation of the financial statements of our operations outside of the United States is impacted by movements in foreign currency exchange rates.  Changes in currency exchange rates as measured against the U.S. dollar may positively or negatively affect sales, gross margins, operating expenses and retained earnings as expressed in U.S. dollars.  We have limited involvement with derivative financial instruments and do not use them for trading purposes.  We may enter into foreign currency options or forward exchange contracts aimed at limiting in part the impact of certain currency fluctuations, but as of September 30, 2011 we had no outstanding option or forward exchange contracts.

Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our variable rate debt.  Our variable rate debt includes short-term borrowings under our credit facilities.  As of September 30, 2011, there were no outstanding balances under our variable rate credit facility.  A hypothetical change in average interest rates of one percentage point is not expected to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.


 
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Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2011. Based upon this evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the Company’s assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that the Company’s receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of the Company’s management and directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

Management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that the Company’s internal controls will prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of internal controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. Also, any evaluation of the effectiveness of controls in future periods are subject to the risk that those internal controls may become inadequate because of changes in business conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


 
 
 
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

On June 21, 2011 Systemax Inc. received notice that the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has initiated a formal investigation into certain matters discovered by the Company during its internal investigation of its Miami Florida operations.  That internal investigation resulted in the resignation of Gilbert Fiorentino (the former Chief Executive of the Technology Products Group and a director of the Company) on May 9, 2011 and the Company entering into an agreement with Mr. Fiorentino under which, among other things, he surrendered to the Company certain assets then valued at approximately $11 million.  The internal investigation was conducted by the Company’s independent Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, with the assistance of independent counsel. The Company is fully cooperating with the SEC in its formal investigation and  does not expect to comment further on developments related to this matter and disclaims any intention or obligation to update any of the information contained herein, except as required by law.

The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in various lawsuits, claims, investigations and  proceedings including commercial, employment, consumer, personal injury and health and safety law matters, which are being handled and defended in the ordinary course of business.  In addition, the Company is subject to various assertions, claims, proceedings and requests for indemnification concerning intellectual property, including patent infringement suits involving technologies that are incorporated in a broad spectrum of products the Company sells. The Company is also audited by (or has initiated voluntary disclosure agreements with) numerous governmental agencies in various countries, including U.S. Federal and state authorities, concerning potential income tax, sales tax and unclaimed property liabilities. These matters are in various stages of investigation, negotiation and/or litigation, and are being vigorously defended.  Although the Company does not expect, based on currently available information, that the outcome in any of these matters, individually or collectively, will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations, the ultimate outcome is inherently unpredictable.  Therefore, judgments could be rendered or settlements entered, that could adversely affect the Company’s operating results or cash flows in a particular period.  The Company routinely assesses all of its litigation and threatened litigation as to the probability of ultimately incurring a liability, and records its best estimate of the ultimate loss in situations where it assesses the likelihood of loss as probable and estimable.


 
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 Item 6. Exhibits.
 

 
10.1
Employment Agreement, dated October 3, 2011, between the Company and David Sprosty*
     
 
10.2
Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, dated October 3, 2011, between the Company and David Sprosty*
     
 
31.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 312 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
 
31.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 312 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
 
32.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
 
32.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
 
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
     
 
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
     
 
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
     
 
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
     
 
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
     
 
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
     
     
*Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
 


 
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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 thereunto duly authorized.


 
SYSTEMAX INC.
   
   
Date: November 10, 2011
By:
/s/ Richard Leeds
     
 
Richard Leeds
 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Lawrence P. Reinhold
     
 
Lawrence P. Reinhold
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
   




 
 
 
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